Ted Baumhauer, Ed.D.

At its base, juggling is a display of manual dexterity, a skill set that develops coordination, balance, rhythm, and reflexes. But it can be so much more. There are lessons we can learn from its past and present that reach beyond the physical realm.

If you have read this magazine or talked with other jugglers, you have probably come across stories about how juggling has affected people's lives. We have seen teachers who report improved student attitudes and behaviors as a result of their involvement in juggling. We've met self-concious and timid people who have gained self-esteem and confidence, and individuals who have overcome obstacles in order to juggle and gained inner strength from what they have learned, as well as encountering other examples of facing challenges, dealing with change, finding balance, etc.

Dr. Al Petitpas, Director of the National Football Foundation Center for Youth Development Through Sport, states, "It is a common misconception that individuals learn life skills by simply participating in sport." The same may be said about juggling. It rewards anyone with the determination to pursue the skill, but we believe it reveals deeper secrets to those who reflect on the experience and work to apply the potential lessons.

At the Comedy Writing Workshop in Buffalo, one of the presenters said that one difference between successful jugglers and the rest is a 99 cent notebook. We want to add to our collective notebook, starting with the following story by Ted Baumhauer.

At one time or another, most jugglers have probably heard someone say, "I could never do that." We know that with a little time and practice most anyone can master the basics. Sometime after learning the basics, though, it can be easy to fall into complacency.

Whatever the reasons, and there must be a billion of them, I often get into the habit of doing the same tricks when I practice. Sure, from time to time I will come up with something different and add it to my routine, but I usually stick with what I've been doing. But doing tricks is only part of the fun of juggling, at least for me.

Remember the thrill of juggling for the very first time? It is exciting to set a goal and reach it. To keep juggling fresh, the challenge is to find that feeling again. Sometimes we need to go beyond what is clearly within our reach and purposely set goals that are "out there."

I am reminded of that with my current favorite trick. During a cruise vacation with my family I saw a performer named Barnaby. As part of his show he balanced a volleyball on a stick on his chin. Not too hard so far, but then he transferred the ball onto another stick that was balanced on his forehead. This trick is tough on dry, stable land; it was even more impressive on a stage that was moving with the waves.

It was a great trick and I wanted to learn it. A couple of months later I attended an IJA festival and asked around about the trick. In short, I was told that it was too hard and probably not worth the practice time. This played on my basic insecurity as a juggler, so I gave up on the idea.

Several months later, while watching a DVD, I saw another performer doing a similar trick with props made from PVC pipe. A quick trip to Home Depot and 30 minutes later I had my version of those props. A mere three months of practice and I had a resonably reproducible trick that I could use in a show. Add another year of writing and rewriting to incorporate the trick into a routine.

It took almost two years, but I now have an original five-minute routine. It is built around a single trick that I was almost talked out of learning -- by others and myself. On top of that, it won Best Trick at the 2004 Cornell University Big Red Juggling Festival.

Part of reaching our potential is to avoid the trap of believing "I could never do that." A lot of times, in juggling and elsewhere, we get what we settle for.

Every once in a while we need to set goals that are beyond our comfort zones. Don't let someone talk you out of trying. Go for it! Expect more.

Ted Baumhauer, Ed.D.