Dear Fullerton College Softball Team,
I would like to start off by saying that I wish I could be standing in front of you all today but considering that I am in good ole’ Kentucky living out one of my dreams, this will have to do for now. I am going to ask you all a couple of questions and I really ask that you think clearly and be honest with yourself. It is a simple question but may be tough for some people to answer. Why do you play softball? Do you play to make your parents proud? Do you play to stay in shape? Do you play because you've been playing since you were six or so years old and you don't wanna fail your family? Do you play because it's fun? Are you playing because it takes your mind off of things? Or are you playing softball just because you think you're good, you made the team and you're content? I hope I've hit close to home with the responses I gave because those might just be the most popular answers when asking college athletes why they play the sport they do. I'll be the first to tell you that it's not bad to respond with the answers that I just gave, but I'll also be honest and let you know that at the level you are at now, there has to be something more. There has to be a wildfire inside of you that just keeps burning and burning with the simple thought of softball. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps!
When I asked myself why I play softball, I happened to be at Fullerton College and that is when I said, “OMG (literally) I finally get it!” My honest answer was that I was doing it because I had been playing softball since I was 8 years old and I absolutely loved it, I had an urge to be healthy and stay in shape, I wanted to make my family proud, continue my education, prove some people wrong and above all, I honest to God wanted to inspire my younger sister that she could do the same, if not be better than me. In the end, I thought to myself, I got recruited so that means I'm pretty good right? Wrong! There is so much more to softball than just playing the game and trying your best to do it to please others which ultimately put stress on me. I figured out that I had something to give back to softball for all that it taught me and I knew that I had only a couple of years left of softball eligibility when transferring, so I had to find a bigger purpose as to why I was playing softball. I'm beyond thankful for finding that out within the time I was at Fullerton. This is where I happened to find what I now believe to be my ultimate purpose in life.
So I now ask you, what is your purpose in life? If you haven't found it yet, I guarantee you I can help you do so. Finding your purpose in life is all about giving everything to the big man upstairs and actually believing in your heart that He knew exactly what He was doing when He created you in His eyes along with His master plan for your life. I'm here to let you know that your whole life is already planned out for you. He already knows what you are destined to do but it's up to you to never give up and keep moving forward to find that purpose. It is already laid out for you but the steps to get there takes courage. So find what inspires you to better the world! I encourage you to really think about what makes you happy because when softball is over you'll want to look back and know that you gave your personal best to the sport and you need to then realize that there is another chapter after softball ends. Although my time with softball is not completely over, I already know what my life’s next chapter is and the thought of that just excites me!
I want to now share with you some personal things so that you can better understand my story. School wise, I had never been a straight A or even B student but I applaud those who are but that just wasn't me. I tried and tried but never got that 4.0 GPA. When I got to Henry J. Kaiser High School, there were some decisions I made my freshman year that ultimately left my parents with an easy yet tough decision. It was then time to transfer not only high schools but to a school cities away from my hometown. This involved commuting and thankfully the decision was to enroll me at school with my best friend of many years. Her family, being my second family, opened their arms out to help my family and this eventually led to me staying at their home on multiple occasions just to do better in school. I am blessed to have them in my life because without them, I don’t know where I'd be. Three years were spent at Los Osos High School where I barely graduated. I literally had no electives my senior year because I needed to pass the six classes I was enrolled in. That meant I was not ahead. When it came time to take finals, I was stressing. I remember my last two finals being English and Math. I literally took those two finals and had to wait outside while my teachers graded them in order to find out if I was graduating or not because one failed class meant not graduating high school on time. Stressful…that's all I can say but I did it! I called my parents to let them know I was graduating with the class of 2011!
I was so happy yet nowhere near content because I was the first in my family to graduate high school and I knew that I had to do more. I knew I had something even greater in me. It was then time for college. I was actually set to go to Riverside Community College but thank God the Fullerton College softball coaching staff saw something greater in me and they won me over. My years at Fullerton had been an experience of a lifetime on and off the field. I truly found myself while attending college there and for that, I am forever grateful. Fullerton College was another learning process and nothing short of amazing. I played my freshman year while once again messing up in classes, then having to redshirt due to grades, then getting back on the field to play again for what would sadly and too quickly end up being my last year there. In the end, I am proud to say that I am an alumna and I broke many Fullerton College softball records, all good but one. I’ll always be proud of myself.
Now that brings me to where I am now. I am currently at the University of Pikeville. Just last year was my first year here and I am proud to announce that I reached a point I never thought was possible. But with hard work and determination, I made the Mid-South Conference Academic Team and also got 2nd Team All Mid-South Conference! The biggest accomplishment from those two has to be the Academic award because I finally showed myself what I was capable of doing in the classroom. This is when I tell you why I really do what I do. I have continued to play softball because I know it has given me so much like the best coaches, teammates and unbelievable opportunities. Despite the errors, strikeouts, and losses, the game has given me the opportunity to truly appreciate the bad and good because it ultimately led me to be the strong person I am today. The game of softball is not done with me quite yet but if I were to have a season ending injury at this given moment, I would honestly be so content with life and I would be able to look at myself in the mirror and say that I gave all I had in me to the game. Ask yourself, am I done with softball? Is this it for me? I guarantee you that softball ain't done with you. Can you honestly look in the mirror and say that you've given your all? If not, then I am here to tell you that there is so much more in you, so don't quit. Once you find the ultimate reason as to why you play softball, you will be a blessing to your teammates and coaches because that is when you start playing for a purpose that is so much greater than you thought.
I hope that my story and words have inspired you to literally do and be anything you want to be. Whatever it is that you do with your life and when you find your purpose, I want you to know that God is right beside you and He is always listening with his arms out to show His love for you. I hope that my words help you achieve heights way above my own. Whatever your purpose is in life, do it with passion and be nothing but strong in your faith when you are faced with trials and tribulations. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I now encourage you to go out and live the life you were meant to live and be nothing but humble, joyful and believe that you are blessed. I challenge you to look in the mirror every morning by thanking Him for waking you up and saying “I am blessed with so much love and opportunities to do great things!” When you believe in the words you say and yourself, you can't be beat. Let me repeat that. When you believe in yourself, you can't be, won't be and will never be beat! Now go out there this season and kick some booty, find that purpose, and never ever lose sight of your dreams! No dream is too big! Always remember that you are all champions and each and every one of you are destined for greatness!
Love always,
Beastie
