So this morning, I had a really humbling experience. Okay, it's not that big of a deal, but reflecting back on what happened, I can't help but smile.
Basically, before camp starts, we let some of the kids just hang around outside or inside. The kids outside were playing basketball and they were all really big 8th graders who are just really good at basketball. There was a decent amount of people outside too. I just happened to be standing off to the side when a kid named Denny says, "Ms. Wong! Take a shot!" (kids call their senior counselors by Ms. or Mr. here). And because I am HORRIBLE at basketball, I said, "Yeah ok.. only if everyone outside closes their eyes" Of course, Denny's friend Shihua overheard and he wanted me to take a shot as well. Soon enough, Macklin joins in and he says, "Everyone freeze! Ms. Wong is going to shoot a basketball!" And of course, Charles joins in and next thing I know, EVERYONE is standing there watching me nervously hold a basketball. (Story of my life?) Tammy even offered to compete against me, but really I think she was trying to encourage me. And, because I have zero confidence, I miss the first two shots and then Tammy shoves me under the hoop pretty much and tells me that there's no way I can miss from there. And she was right, I finally got it in! Everyone was clapping and laughing (with or at me, I couldn't tell). Then, I facepalmed my way out of the basketball court. Haha I couldn't believe that happened, but then I thought about it further. Why was I so bothered by it? I think it was because I went into camp today thinking "I'm the counselor. I have something to offer to these kids." Which, I mean I guess I do. But I never really thought that they could teach me anything or force me to really step outside of my comfort zone. Looking back, it was really cool and encouraging to me that these kids would cheer me on and believe in me! It took something so simple yet so .. uncomfortable to make me feel vulnerable. And it was so humbling! I think from that I learned that my identity shouldn't be in how well I can shoot hoops or what people think of me when I miss. I also learned that middle schoolers can be just as encouraging, if not more than their counselors! Mostly, I realized that we all have something to learn from each other.
Anyway, gotta go. Last day of camp tomorrow!
