The champion’s confidence in you fortifies you against the destructive judgment that can come from both without and within… ~ Jonathon Fields, Uncertainty

I feel good about something.  It involves one of those precious, heart-to-heart talks a mom is privileged to have with her twelve-year-old son .  During a recent rap session I said something to my son, Bryce, that made him perk up like a watered flower. I said, I’ll be your champion Bryce.  I’ll be behind you as you follow your passions and figure out where you shine.    

I know this hit home with Bryce because the next day he told me it meant a lot to him.  He then granted me one of his hugs that make my heart swell and my eyes well up.

What is a champion?

My definition of a champion is someone who stands with and behind you during your pursuit of your highest self.  It could be a long-term position (example spouse or parent)or a short-term one where support is sought for a particular end result.  For example, if someone desires to write a book, they may find the perfect (shorter term) champion in a friend who has already written a book, who sees their potential talent.  A champion has faith, trust and confidence in you.  They commit to you and your endeavor.  They tell the world of your gifts as well as draw your inner genius out into the light.

A champion does NOT offer false praise or merely stroke your ego.  Hollow adulations do not make a solid foundation to leap from as you ascend toward your calling.

It is certainly possible to achieve success without a champion.  We all have a fate that beckons.  A champion is simply a blessing and a bonus.

Where to find a champion

Intimate Relationships: A significant other can champion.  They know your strengths. They are along for the ride with you.  Remember how in the beginning of a relationship the object of your love can do no wrong?  They are brilliant, incredibly good-looking and the most vital person you know.  It’s so easy to champion someone when this is your view.  Go for it Baby!  Pursue your dreams. I believe in you. I recently read a quote from writer Jackie Summer’s Mama (a woman who’s been married 56 years to the same man). She said, Never stop dating.  When you stop dating the relationship starts to end.  By dating I assume she means: the good times when we see each other anew every day; when we welcome spontaneity and view life with accepting respectful eyes; when we maintain personal space but cherish outings together and when we effortlessly champion our lover. This sounds like the way to LIVE and LOVE. Never stop dating.

I know I often extol the virtues of not needing another being to make you happy.  I still believe one can be both independent and satisfied.  I also believe connection with humanity is critical.  We must know ourselves well in order to work with and love the rest of the world.  Championing does nothing to diminish the completeness of the beings involved. Championing displaces the ego.  It takes selflessness to promote someone else. The individual being championed feels gratitude toward their promoter, not superiority. Both parties have equal access to inner peace. Championing is a method of helping someone do the thing they cannot NOT do.

Friends: True friends want great things for you.  They will love you and tell others of your glowing attributes.  Friends are able to do this because they have seen you at your best and worst.  They know you are imperfect just as they are. Vulnerability bonds and creates compassion and unselfishness.  It is easy to champion someone who has fallen in front of you but never stopped treating you with kindness.  We want to extend a hand to help, to glorify their strengths and to give them props for bravely making mistakes.  We do this because we ourselves want this.

Friends can sing your praises when it feels awkward to toot your own horn.  I am grateful every time someone shares my writing.  Self-promotion is unfortunately more and more critical in today’s market.  Friends who honestly champion are deeply appreciated.

I’ve done my share of stumbling and falling lately. Friends have been quick to offer a hand and buoy my spirit with positive prophesies. They assure me that I walked tall before and I will walk elegantly again.  Tripping over your own feet is not fatal.  It’s growth. I will rise from these falls and be that much closer to my best self.  Championing is enlightened cheerleading.;)

Where Your Passion Lives: Go to the place where time melts, where you feel intensely satisfied, where you never want to leave.  That sacred spot is where you will find other souls who can easily champion you because they see your essence in themselves.  Where your spirit soars is where you will find encouragement and inspiration.  Guardian Angels will take you under their wings.  This is also the perfect place to find human beings you want to get behind and champion.  Win-win.

In my last writing class the teacher introduced us to something she called the loveseat. During your turn on the loveseat you would read your writing and then be bathed in positive feedback for five to ten minutes.  Granted this was a gigantic ego massage but it gave us a lovey to cling to when we received constructive feedback later.  By the time we heard the more critical feedback we were open to it, even relieved to hear it.

Accept being championed and do great things

We’ve all seen professional athletes who have strong mother figures championing them throughout their careers.  I believe this backing is a big part of what gets them to the finish line.  We are all working our way to the finish line.  Sometimes athletes abuse success. If we could show championed individuals benefitting the world rather than ruling it, then we create a place where: mistakes are simply part of the process, selflessly supporting others is the norm, passions are followed and twelve-year-old boys are free to share their dreams with their moms.

What are you going to do with the support and championing you receive? Is there someone you could get behind and champion?  Who is your champion?