Many people I know LOVE going to ultimate frisbee tournaments because they feel a unique sense of community. They feel connected to the people that show up because of their shared values around playing hard and also (and more importantly) having a really, really, really good time. I find that people easily connect in this time warp known as Potlatch. They share food and tents and water, they ask each others names, they cheer each other on and they want everyone around them to have a good time as well! When we have a shared experience with others the walls tend to go down and people are more real. I was thinking about that in relation to people finding their place in the world. Who are "your people"? The people who help you feel more like yourself, who allow you to make mistakes, who challenge you to be better? I believe that we are all searching to find our tribe, and I encourage you to find the people and the experiences that fill you up and light you up and help you be more awesome.

Lesson #3 - Hang Out With People Who Believe in You

The whole weekend our team was positive, encouraging and all-around super supportive. People messed up and no one said anything negative. A missed catch, a bad throw, getting scored on, it happens in ultimate all the time, but what I love is that even if you mess up or make a mistake, there was no negative commentary at all. People were kind, motivating, and encouraging and I felt like I could try new things and take risks without people judging or blaming me for messing up. What an amazing environment to be in? How would your life be different if the people around you refused to let you fail? By this I mean, what would be possible, if the people in your life really encouraged you to go for it in the face of your own fears or insecurities. Find those people in your life that lift you up, that see your potential and encourage you to be better than you already are!

Overall, I had a blast this weekend and more importantly connected with some amazing people who are kind and generous and just a really, really, really good time. Ultimate frisbee has a unique way of bringing people together and connecting them through a shared experience. What are the experiences that you are drawn to? Who are the people that believe in you? How can you take yourself a little less seriously, so that you can enjoy the ride along the way?

Go out there and be more awesome! :)