When Life Kicks You, Let It Kick You Forward -Kay Yow

I think I am a pretty tough person, it takes a lot to get me really upset. I don't cry all that often, but sports things... they really get to me. One Shining Moment at the end of the NCAA Finals, The Superbowl trophy presentation, Andre Agassi's last match..... and I could go on and on. There is just something about knowing how hard athletes and coaches work, how much they put into the game, blood, sweat, tears, playing through pain, the desire that you have deep inside to compete. It is something that isn't really describable with words, it is just a connection that I think all athletes have. Something that ties them all together, something greater than wins and losses, championships and endorsements..... the deep, pure, wholesome love of the game. While recently athletics have been plagued with steroid scandals and all other kinds of nonsense. I like to try and go back to the heart of the game and see the good things rather than the bad.

The video above brought tears to my eyes. It shows not only the desire to compete athletically, but it shows the will to succeed in life. Kay Yow is someone that had achieved so much in life, both on the court and off. It would have been easy for her to allow cancer to beat her... but rather she fought, fiercely and courageously, all while keeping a never quit attitude. While her many accolades on the court with be what she is most known for publicly, those who know her well will remember her for being a fighter, a competitor, and for her love of the game.

"An open lot, a sunny day. Ball, Bat, Glove. No owners, no contracts, Just Baseball. For The Love of The Game."

Sometimes you have to lose your bearings to find your way....

So yeah, I have been slacking majorly on this whole blogging thing, but I have been busy doing.... things. Camp is over in less than a month.... so hard to believe. Time has flown by, and another summer is almost over. I have done a lot this summer and gotten to experience a lot of things that have caused me to step back and look at the world in which I live. I have enjoyed my time here in the wonderful mountains of western North Carolina... the scenery is amazing here. On my last day off, I went to Greenville, South Carolina. It was a lovely town. Eric, my summer BFF, and I spent almost all down soaking in the downtown area. It was so fun to just relax and take in what the town had to offer. I would consider placing it in the list of possible places to live list, I give it an 8 on a 1-10 scale.

Anyway, I have done a lot of thinking since I have been here... I think new situations always lead to reflection. New situations are so abstract; they test you, they cause you to step outside your comfort zone, put yourself out there and make you stronger. It would have been so much easier for me to stay home and just do a job that was easy, that didn't cause me to stretch my limits. But I feel like this is who I am, what I am supposed to be doing. Even though there have been times that I have hated this place so much, it is worth all the drama in the end. Will I be back?? I don't think so... not because I didn't enjoy it but I feel that I should move on to bigger challenges. Climb another mountain.... so to speak.

I think that I am going to stop being such a planner. Let go of things, allow things to happen.... Sometimes, you have to get lost before you can really find yourself. I think that I am getting to that point. I feel like that I have been at a low point... but then I have pulled myself back up to the top and I plan on staying there. There is such a sense of peace when you just let go and allow life to happen. While it is still important to have goals, hopes and dreams.... it is also important not to like life by a script. When an opportunity arises, take it. I have learned not to be afraid of failure, but to embrace it and learn from it. So many wonderful things have been discovered by accident.... besides.... the unknown is kind of intriguing. Until next time.....