Growing up I was always with my friends outside playing basketball, street hockey, tag -- anything. I was always doing something. From when the sun had risen until the sun had set, I was busy with my friends.
Nowadays, it seems like all children do is sit inside on their iPads or phones watching movies, playing games or using Snapchat.
My most vivid and favorite memories involved me being outside with my group of friends laughing and coming in all dirty because I was outside all day. My parents would have to beg me to come in and just eat, and now we are just begging our children to just get off their technology.
When children are young it is so important for them to be active and hang out with their peers. Just like adults, children need to be active to be healthy. Most people think an extracurricular has to be a sport, but it does not have to be. It can be anything that interests them, like Spa or an instrument.
Growing up, my parents always had my siblings and me in many sports, to see what we enjoyed. Not only did I find a love for sports, but I also found a love for my teammates. They were a second family to me. I spent more time with my teammates than I did with my actual family. I share memories with them from my childhood and am still continuing those years after high school. From early morning practices to games to bus rides to long weekends at the hotel to team bonding, you name it, it was more than likely with them.
Being in sports has taught me so many things throughout my life, besides just the love of the game.
1. It taught me how to be dependent, but also depend on others to have my back.
2. It taught me early was on time, on time was late, and late was not an excuse.
3. It taught me to trust myself, but also trust my teammates. They will have your back no matter what comes your way.
4. It taught me motivation. Making mistakes is a part of life and to get up and keep going.
5. It taught me that everyone belongs. Just like on the court where everyone has a certain position, in life everyone has a certain place they are meant to be at.
6. It taught me to never give up and always work my hardest. If I want something, I work hard at it and go and get it.
7. It taught me that life is not always fair. Sometimes life does not go the way we expect, but it will all end the way it is supposed to.
8. It taught me to have discipline. Without getting disciplined or disciplining ourselves we will never reach our goals.
9. It taught me to stay optimistic no matter the circumstances. You cannot pick what comes your way, but you can pick and choose those battles.
10. It taught me to go and be confident in myself. Others can tell me they believe in me, but I have to believe it myself.
Being in sports brought me my best friends. Girls I can always count on. Girls that I shared my highs and my lows with. Girls that know my strengths and my weaknesses. Girls that I know will be there forever.
Sports are more than just having fun and learning to love the game, They are more than just making friends. They teach you lessons for your life.
