What Does It Mean to Be Devoted?

Sitting here at 3am all packed up and ready to leave for SFO...

Volleyball has been what wakes me up in the morning (and what keeps me up at night) for a while now (mostly because of sore muscles - haha!), but lately, I've been contemplating what it means to really be devoted to something...  I mean really, really devoted - to the point where you would sacrifice just about anything to get what you're after.

So, that is why I'm sharing the dictionary.com definition of devotion below:

*Check out superdevotion (awesome!) and "see love" at the end!  Haha... :)

de·vo·tion

  [dih-voh-shuhn]

noun

1.

profound dedication; consecration.

2.

earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc.

3.

an assignment or appropriation to any purpose, cause, etc.: thedevotion of one's wealth and time to scientific advancement.

4.

Often, devotions. Ecclesiastical . religious observance orworship; a form of prayer or worship for special use.

Origin: 
1150–1200; Middle English devocioun  (< Anglo-French ) < Late Latindēvōtiōn-  (stem of dēvōtiō ), equivalent to Latin dēvōt ( us ) (seedevote) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms

pre·de·vo·tion, noun

su·per·de·vo·tion, noun

Synonyms 
2. zeal, ardor. See love.

Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/devotion 07/30/13 9:54AM

Volleyball is why I strive to be a better person.  When I decided to pursure my dream to play volleyball professionally *with devotion*, so many positive changes in my life were just waiting for me...  As I'm writing this I'm realizing how cheesy this probably sounds to most of you, but I really believe this!  Whatever that thing is for you, just decide today that you'll be devoted to that and see what positive changes are waiting for you!

Clear Your Mind - Wipe It Clean

Photo used with permission of Mr. Lyle.

Starting Bok Fu at West Wind Schools was a decision I made a year ago today because I wanted more self-discipline, self-control during confrontation, and better mind-body awareness.  Now, looking back over the last year, West Wind School has given me so much more than that...  The teachers there made me feel like family from the get go.  I am so thankful to my sensei Mr. Lyle for everything he's taught me over the last year.  He has encouraged me to push my limits!  

Laughing Without Reason

Ahahah... So apparently Maribor, Slovenia was host city for the First International Festival of Laughing Without Reason... I think this is going to be a fun trip!!  

Check out this guy:

Billy Means Business

My Rock

Ladies - when you find an unlimited source of love, support, and encouragement - hold on tight!  Billy's strong ideas about right and wrong, his work ethic, his humanity, and his crack-me-up-from-out-of-no-where sense of humor have been my secret light in the dark for years.

Summer Training 2013: Agility, Conditioning, and Core

Photo courtesy of Angelique Gutierrez

Ladders x 4

-jog one foot in each square (f, b, r, l)  l and r variation are just grapevine/karaoke

-run two feet in each square (f, b, r, l)

-crawl (f, b) - this is one foot in one foot out one at a time

-advanced crawl (f, b) - this is one foot in two feet out one at a time

-monkey climb (f, b) - this is one foot in one foot out together

-scissor steps (r, l)

-dorsey flex (f, b, r, l)
-alternate jumping in and out (f, b)

-jump both feet (f, b, r, l)

-jump right foot (f, b, r, l)

-jump left foot (f, b, r, l)

Stairs x 4

running*

-one step at a time

-two steps at a time

-right side one step at a time (x2)

-left side one step at a time (x2)
jumping*

-one step at a time

-two steps at a time

*Relax and shake out your arms on the way down

Core x 3

30 toe touches

30 rowers

30 lay down to sit up switch arms to touch opposite toes

30 mountain climbers

Cool down legs, abs, and arms with foam roller.  

Meditate 5 minutes.

Mermaid Triathlon 2013

Photo courtesy of Dan Fisher

With a time of 01:06:05 I placed second in my age group and sixth overall.  This is such a fun event!  I highly recommend this triathlon for any ladies who want a great local fitness challenge.  Here's the link:  http://www.mermaidseries.com/alameda#!__alameda

Family First

"The more I know, the less I know." - Paul DeCoux

"You can do anything, Amy.  You can be an Olympic volleyball player!" - Margaret DeCoux

The DeCoux family singers!  My life would be so empty without my sisters... They are my guides and my inspiration.