The Difference

​My wife is a cookier, not a person who makes cookies.  Nor a baker who also makes cookies.  She is a cookier.  I had not realized this distinction until I thought about as it pertains to my passion, coaching.
 
We are rapidly approaching the end of wrestling season.  And believe me when I tell you, there is a difference between a wrestler and a kid that wrestles, or a kid on the wrestling team.  While ability plays into it, it’s not the only thing.  Effort, passion and desire are more of what separates the two groups.
 
For the next paragraph or two, feel free to substitute wrestler for cookier, or visa versa.  Wrestlers are always thinking about wrestling, 365.  That’s not to say they can’t play other sports or be involved in other activities, but in their hearts, they know what comes first.  They study others and learn.  They put in extra work to improve on weaknesses in their own game.  They make the necessary sacrifices to be the best they can be.
 
Kids/bakers who simply wrestle/bake cookies give it their all for a brief period.  For the time required, they’re all in.  But once practice/order is done, they move on to whatever else is there.  And that’s where it ends until the next practice/order.  And you know what?  That’s ok.  Its not for everyone.  Its important to know where the line is drawn.
 
For my wife that line is drawn with royal icing.  She is a cookier.  When she’s not baking or decorating she is immersed in the online community seeing what everyone else is doing.  She’s talking with the friends she’s made over the past few years that share the passion.  She’s sketching, shopping, and self-critiquing…if she’s awake, she’s most likely doing something pertaining to cookies.
 
Sure, she’s won a little hardware along the way.  And while she has never stood on top of a podium, she prepares daily as if the state title is on the line.  And that is why she is amazing at what she does.