There comes a time in everyone's life when they must face the fact about giving up their passion. Whether it is an injury, a family or personal situation or just outgrowing the sport there will be a time when you must hang up the cleats or sneakers. It's inevitable.

I bring up this topic to inform all athletes that the time will come. So instead of complaining about going to practice or going to a game, you should be thrilled because there's a substantial amount of people in this world that would give up a kidney to get back on the field or court. When we get used to something and it's in our daily routine, we forget how important it is. You should be ecstatic that you have practice, thrilled that you have teammates that all share a common goal as you and wake up eager to get to your 7 am practice.

One of my best aspects to this topic is that I almost gave up sports and didn't play during college. Transferring home from school and being so close to home was a difficult experience, at first, but I realized how gifted I am being able to continue my athletic career as a young adult. I've heard from numerous people, "I would do anything to be able to suit up again, enjoy it while you can."

One particular conversation stood out when I met a man in his late twenties while I was in Georgia. I wasn't in a bad mood; I was just walking to the bus with a blank face and he rolled up to me in his wheelchair and said " Smile, you're lucky you can still play this game." It gave me a little epiphany and taught me not to take anything for granted in this life.

I write this article in hope to change the thought process on all athletes. I know waking up early on Saturday mornings are terrible, I know going to practice and sacrificing your social life is awful and I am fully aware that you're falling behind in schoolwork at times. However, you don't want to look back ten years from now and regret not playing sports as long as you could. Too many people live life with regrets, so don't make sports one of them.

So, next time you're walking onto the field under the lights with your team, or jogging out to the court as the crowd cheers you on, enjoy it. You never know when that game can be your last.

"What is love? It's playing every game like it's your last." Michael Jordan