Can you hear the bells?

The time for binge watching holiday movies is now, and while we could discuss the joy you feel from watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas on repeat, there is one movie that is giving us all the feels here at Balance 180. In the movie The Polar Express, the main character, a young boy, was given the opportunity to choose the first gift of Christmas from Santa Claus. He chooses one of Santa’s reindeer’s bells. When the boy rang this special bell, only those who truly believed were able to hear its beautiful sound.

Independent of Santa Claus or the Easter bunny or tooth fairy, at what point do we lose the ability to hear the bell and lose the magic of our childlike spirit? When and why do we stop observing and participating in the world with such awe and wonder and cease to enjoy life’s simple pleasures?At the Balance 180 gym, we embrace the joy of childhood with the fun and excitement of making new friends, trying things for the first time, and learning new skills. We celebrate accomplishments, both big and small. In fact, we even have our own special bell. Every time one of our athlete’s masters a new skill, the athlete gets to ring the bell.Full of pride, our athletes approach the bell and like magic everyone in the gym stops to applaud their accomplishment. While ringing a bell may seem small and insignificant, to our athletes there is no comparison to how much joy they feel in that moment. This is our special bell that everyone can hear, and for a brief moment, all of the people in the gym share in the child’s excitement and believe again. Believe in hope, in triumph, and in happiness.Whether it’s walking across a balance beam or a college graduation stage, it’s important to take the time to celebrate the small things and enjoy each special moment. 

The year 2017 has been filled with so many incredible moments and milestones at the gym, and we are so grateful for everyone who has helped get us to where we are today. As we prepare to ring in the new year, please consider giving a child the gift of confidence, accomplishment, and joy.

As a nonprofit, a big part of Balance 180’s mission is to make gymnastics available to all children, independent of their ability or financial status. Balance 180 is committed to serving children with and without disabilities, by providing scholarships, specialized equipment, dedicated coaches, and volunteers trained to work with children with special needs.We look forward to a wonderful year ahead, and hope you will join us in helping give ALL children in the Gainesville community the opportunity to enjoy sports and learn new skills in a supportive environment.