There's no better feeling than finally seeing progress of all of your hard work paying off. I am finally at a point of my life where I can proudly say I am grateful in my own shoes and walking my own path. I can look up to the Lord and thank him for all of trials, blessings, hardships, and opportunities that He had presented to me throughout the years that has dictated my growth to lead me to be exactly where I am today. The most exciting part about feeling this way, is my life is just beginning.
To anyone who may be feeling this way now, I am proud of the work you have put in, but don't stop there.
12 years- that's how long I've been playing softball. Over half of those years were spent at long, late night practices, traveling and playing in tournaments. All of my clearest memories resonate on softball fields all around the country. I honestly believe that softball has given me the fondest and happiest memories, but also the hardest lessons and trials to endure. The sport has allowed me to travel and experience new places and cultures that most people may not get a chance to do in their lifetime. Looking back on it today, I wouldn't trade any of it for the world.
Today, I've grown to become not just a softball player. I am a mentor, a coach, and an influencer to a wide variety of people. I have learned that my actions and my image could be used to motivate others to get to where I am today. I can share my story and my advice to motivate them to enjoy the journey, maybe even more than I had. Every time I come out of the gates of my collegiate softball stadium, someone new is waiting to meet me and pick my brain. I never take those interactions from granted and I always give them as much time as they want because I remember being in their shoes. I have also been giving lessons for about 5 years now. I didn't have the same amount of confidence 5 years ago teaching kids that I do now in the coaching aspect. I did my homework, thought about my past coaches that stood out to me the most, and observed more advanced coaches to improve my own skills. I used to overthink about my teachings and worry about if my players understood my explanations, however, overtime, I became more comfortable and started making my pitching lessons a weekly occurrence. I get commended a lot for having such great relationships with my people, however I don't believe I was the one who made a difference in their lives. My lessons did the work and they were willing to listen. They make the difference in their lives themselves. Because of that, I have found one of my favorite life-roles. I cling onto the idea that if one statement, just ONE, sticks in one of these girls minds, and they are able to use it as guidance as they grow into successful, driven women, then I have done my job right. After all, softball isn't just a game. It teaches life-lessons that I would say cannot be taught in a classroom. Every aspect of the game generates growth. Just like every aspect of your life.
I've gained so many sister, friends, and parent love through this great sport.
I was asked in an interview what I was the most proud of over my past 4 years of playing at Texas State. With zero hesitation, I stated how proud I was of my own personal growth. It wasn't the strikeouts, the number of games won, or the list of accolades. It was how I blossomed from a kid to a woman. I have always heard from my peers that the biggest changes in your life would occur in college. It took me until to senior year to realize how right they were.
I find myself taking a step back and acknowledging those who have made then biggest impact on my college career. I thank those who prayed on my downfall, because without them, my fire would have never been fueled to prove them wrong. I thank the adults/parents around the San Marcos area who took me in as their own and helped make Texas State my home away from home. You never know when you will need a shoulder of support during the trials of college life. I thank my teammates that have become my sisters for life and my coaches who never failed to show they cared, even when I felt like things were spiraling out of control (which seemed to always happen in the collegiate period of growth).
Let's be honest, it is important to understand that every person that comes into your life and every situation you experience will change you. It doesn't matter what type of person they are. They will, in some way, shape, or form, give you some type of insight on how you should live your life. It is your job to choose if that person/event will impact your life in a positive or negative manner. Stay optimistic, but realistic with what you what in life. That is the growth mindset. Staying stagnant won't get you very far.
Having a growth mindset involves setting short-term goals that give you a small taste of success that you can look forward to first, and then setting long-term goals that relate to your short-term goals. Every once in a while, take a step back and look at the progress you've made. You'd be surprised of how proud you could be of yourself. No one can take that away from you. You did that.
All of the accomplishments you have the potential to obtain in life doesn't just happen randomly. You have to work for it. Setting goals is a great way to start, however, you have to take action first. Make it an intention to spend a certain about of time in your day toward your goals. Soon enough, it will become a habit every single day for you to do something successful and rewarding. Your goals will become clearer, your mindset will continue to keep the cycle of goal setting, and you will begin to romanticize your life healthily and happily.
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