There comes a point in time when you realize enough is enough. That point came in my life during my sophomore year of high school. Sports have always been a passion of mine, basketball in particular. Yet, after having years of fun, I was no longer having fun. Being the perfectionist I am, I always wanted to be successful. Freshmen and sophomore year of high school were not successful, and I was no longer having fun. With this happening, the choice between giving up and giving it my all were going through my mind.
I decided I wanted to play AAU basketball so I could try and get better. A local coach in the area had advised me to go try out for his basketball team. I decided I would try out. What occurred after those tryouts was something I will never forget. To the coach who cut me after advising me to come try out, I now thank you. He said that I was not good enough and could not keep up with the other players. I could have acted one of two ways - either give up, or give it my all. I decided to give it my all.
I trained every day in the summer and worked as hard as I could. The working out never stopped, and negative comments kept coming. Junior year came around, and the blood sweat and tears all seemed to pay off. I started a lot of the games, and I was getting playing time. The season slowly came to an end, but I still was not yet satisfied. Senior year was coming and I knew I wanted to improve. Yet, again, I found myself in the gym all summer and doing anything I could to get better.
Senior year finally came around, and now the true test was coming. Tryouts went well and I was looking forward to the season. I was named caption of my team and started a lot of the games. This made me realize that every ounce of energy I put into the sport, every tear shed and all the blood was all worth it.
To the coach who doubted me, to the coach who said I would never be good enough, I thank you. You taught me a great life lesson. When you have a dream, you have to go after it and not let anyone stop you. Words don’t mean a thing and all of the negative comments made me stronger as a person and a player.
To anyone who was ever told they weren’t good enough in whatever it is, do not listen. You are good enough. With enough motivation all those dreams in time will come true. When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, you will then be successful. I thank all of you who have ever doubted me and all of those who thought their negative words could set me back. It did not and it never will. Lastly, to the coach who cut me from his team, I thank you.
