05:43 3 June 2014 Solana Beach, California by GS Jade Barrett Csbnews.org Correspondent Jackie Joyner Kersey
“All I ever wanted really, and continue to want out of life, is to give 100 percent to whatever I’m doing and to be committed to whatever I’m doing and then let the results speak for themselves. Also to never take myself or people for granted and always be thankful and grateful to the people who helped me” – Jackie Joyner Kersey
The past month since my last day installment has been truly full of adventure. Three tournaments, the closing of one facility (we lost our lease in Solana Beach), the constant travel, the expansion of the Great American Bridge Tour staff, the launch of the Team Heifer Bridge Squad and about a hundred thousand other details that had to be addressed have filled the time.
The opportunity to reflect on the experiences of the 25 years of full time road travel has been a welcomed one, complete with the joys and sorrows of most lives, I suspect. The hardest aspect of this journey by far has been the long periods of separation from my loved ones, my animals and my home. It is those who have both supported and encouraged me in this undertaking that pay the greatest price, for in order to accomplish my goals as a player, I must work all over the Western Hemisphere and Europe . It is hard to adequately express my appreciation to them.
When bridge athletes seek employment with our company, the conversation usually begins with the question “Why do you want to play professionally?” The responses vary from “I deserve to be paid for my ability/experience” to “It would be fun to get paid”.
What I want are players who need to play. When I took some time off, not playing left a huge hole in my life. It was then I realized that I playing is a vocation as opposed to an avocation: a calling as opposed to a job. Sometimes the occupation is arduous beyond measure. A tournament where my personal performance is less than I expect is a long one, each session taking eons to complete. One lesson I have learned is that when I am tired or ill, I must work harder. Many of our players have played their best when they are not at their peak physically. Those athletes exhibit the work ethic that is required to succeed. Those people are the true competitors.
My team had the opportunity and pleasure of having Fernando Alfredo Lema, Editor of [ilink url=”http://csbnews.org/new/?lang=en”]CsbNews.org[/ilink] join our group in San Diego in April, 2014. He performed brilliantly and with passion, and we look forward to seeing him again. As always, our entire group thanks every one involved who contributes to our journey.
