Emotional relationship with those we care about

Emotional Relationships with those we care about


When I think of all the people in my life, my thoughts turn to my "real purpose" in life. I think of all the adverse situations people go through and how adversity and scrutiny should affect every life in a positive manner. It's all about creating an awareness on how "real life really works". That awareness prepares all of us for anything and everything in the future.

Going through adversity gives people an opportunity to see who they really are. Really is a huge word. I don't think we do anything until we "really" do something; whether it's a life, profession, school, game or training. Our attitude towards these things will dictate how happy our life is on a day to day basis. The great ones have an unbreakable spirit and much of that comes from family and mentors in their lives.

This is just one more step in the journey of finding out whom we "really" are and why we are on this earth; "Solving the riddle of ourselves and doing something out of the ordinary". When unique, God-given skills are carried out with a purpose, and they address the needs of the world, people seem to be happiest. This will lead to a career and life of fulfillment and purpose. We were all put on this earth to make a difference, validate and anoint ourselves in some way.

"Choose to have your perspiration come from inspiration and aspirations, not from motivation, so you can end a life of quiet desperation."

All these young people with aspirations, and everyone who cares about them, are having an emotional relationship. This "emotional relationship" affects all of us. This emotional journey is as close to "real life" as it gets.

The only things we get to keep in life are the things we give away. I'm willing to give my time on any day to any person I've invited to a "real experience" in life. We will measure our net worth in Emotional Experiences with those we care for and not in the amount of money we can make. If we help enough young people, we will have everything we want out of life. I'm enjoying this emotional journey with our staff, draft picks and campers because I know in my own mind that the end results will be more great human beings in the game and "real life". Its like, “Come and go with us; let’s do something out of the ordinary and special.”

Mediocre people have a way of making some of their dreams come true. Overachievers have a way of fulfilling a purpose in life while chasing their dreams.

We are old enough to know that those who are strong enough to follow their instincts will survive and maximize their unique skills. I will always believe I got to know the "Real Person" before the person does. We can’t control how others validate and label us; and we will get a label in this business. We can control our inner strength, drive, focus and will. This can never be taken away; only relinquished.

Every assignment has some kind of job description. Being an athlete involves preparing for the job description outside of the fun side of the game. The job description includes scrutiny, critics, 2nd guessing, doubt, frustration, anguish, heartbreak, anger, disappointment, tension, exhaustion, fatigue, and the entire mind testing highs and lows. There are laurels and reward attached for those who have the intestinal fortitude to defeat scrutiny and answer the critics.

You are in a position to be put on a pedestal but may end up with the best seat in the arena to watch your life and career go up in smoke and devoured because you failed to accept the responsibility of anointing and validating yourself. All of this is sure to create situations where you end up confused and unsure of yourself; not being able to predict the outcome, but certainly in a position to dictate the outcome. It’s all about understanding and having your priorities straight; knowing that it can be a memorable journey with a happy ending or one with the unhappy ending.

Some of us get second guessed once and we are out. Others get 2nd, 3rd and more chances. There is nothing more challenging than the first years of your career under scrutiny after everything through squirt, peewee, bantam, midget and high school went so well. Knowing that it is coming is half the battle. Accepting and embracing the challenge is the other half.

Mentors end up being father figures to 20 + athletes a year on their teams (1,500 athletes a summer @ a camp) and they are expected to immediately correct any problems that have been building for years. It doesn’t take a loss; it could be a phone call or any unexpected situation that ends a person’s career. There is rigid measurement for success and failure. Score clocks don’t negotiate. Parents are relentless in their pursuit of us providing a quality experience during the summer months; some even wanting us correcting problems they created. We have the physical plant, staff and program to do this.

Our mission is to create awareness by exposing liabilities and assets in both staff and athletes. It doesn’t matter what is said, believed, reported, seen, or heard; “The person responds by constructively critiquing, anointing and validating themselves.” Our reward is being witness to that person going on and doing extremely well as an athlete and/or productive citizen after they recognize all the “blind spots” (both positive and negative) exposed.

Carrie L Wood-Grillo says, “In the teachings of the yogi master (a book I am reading) it doesn't say that everything happens for a reason. It states that everything that happens is a perfect plan unraveling. Adversity is a key element for us to learn our survival instincts. These instincts were used long ago to stay alive. They are now to be used to succeed.”

We believe that the main objective for each country is to create awareness of what it takes to succeed in this game. Players left out of the mix do not realize what it takes to maximize their potential. They are king of the hill in their home town and have no clue as to what they are up against. It’s the responsibility of each country to provide this experience; create awareness, expose liabilities and assets. Our camp does this.

We want to be the person and the camp that creates an awareness of your unique skills, creates an environment where hard and quality work is the only acceptable way to train, and shows you the way to defy the odds while learning to believe in yourself. We want to be the person and the camp that believes in you until you believe in yourself.

We will get our kicks out of watching you evolve and do well in life. This is one of life’s greatest rewards.

– Ole Gringo -

ã copyright Chuck Grillo, Minnesota Hockey Camps
24621 So Clark Lake Rd P.O. Box 90 Nisswa, MN 56468-0090
Phone 218.96.2444 Fax 218.963.2325 Email chuck@mnhockeycamps.com
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