It's almost here...

Regionals.

^I can't decide if I'm terrified or just really excited. 

I usually head into debate tournaments with a certain goal in mind. And usually it's a goal about how well I want to do. At Kansas City, I just wanted to break. At Lincoln, I wanted to win at least one outround. At Omaha I wanted to win. I always try really hard to reach my goals... and so far this year, I've either achieved them or come really close to achieving them. 

It's time to set a new goal for Regionals. And I think I have one.

The other day, I was speaking on the phone to someone that I look up to - Mrs. Gage. We were discussing Regionals, and I mentioned to her that I wanted to do well at Regionals. She stopped me and said, "Anne, your goal in debate shouldn't just be to win... it should be to make every round the best round that it can possibly be." Since her phone call, I've thought a lot about what she said... and have come to the conclusion that she's right. I'm just like anybody else, I WANT to win debate rounds. And that's not a bad thing. But sometimes the desire to win changes the way I debate. I confess, I'm not by any means the greatest or most honest debater. It's really easy to only speak the half-truth (or try to conceal something) in a debate round (especially in Cross-examination :P). And I'm not saying I think people should say things that make them lose.... but, I think I'd rather lose an honest debate round than win a round where the truth is not always spoken.

So. At Regionals... this is my goal for the tournament: Make every debate round the best round that it can be. I want to debate my best and with integrity... and then leave the results up to God. And I want to always have a smile on my face.

Am I prepared to debate? No.   Am I excited? You better believe it. 

I have a feeling this may turn out to be one of the best tournaments yet... I guess we'll see soon enough. :)