My Life as a College Cheerleader

        Okay, I'm sure most of you and read this title and laughed. I am not , nor will ever be a college cheerleader. I just can't do all those flips and be that peppy all the time. I do, however, speak for the injured athletes out there who feel as though, they spend their seasons cheering their team on. This is a very familiar feeling for me.
        If you're an athlete, or ever have been an athlete, you know that the time you spend on the field is where the magic happens. The great plays are made, the tackles are made, the goals are scored. It's rare that people who are on the bench or out for injury are recognized.
      When I got to college, my mindset was the same as it was during high school, I wanted to play as much as possible. I wanted to make a difference and leave college knowing that I had done something with my athletic career. The more I got into playing college soccer and the more injuries I got, I realized my role was a lot different.
       I've gone through all the emotions of an injured athlete: bitter, sad, angry, grateful, bored and even the feeling of happy when you know your time to play is close. This season, my last ( or so I thought), I was excited to come back from two knee surgeries and finally have a full year on the field. God's plans were different. Four weeks into this season ( pre season included), I found out I had a stress fracture in my femur. I mean really, who does that? Apparently, me.
      After both my surgeries, I knew I had a new appreciation for small things like walking or biking. I also had a new appretiation for the game. This year I told myself I wasn't going to take anything for granted. I battled with playing time in the beginning and was becoming frustrated. I had a bit of a mind-set change when I realized that maybe being an all-star wasn't my role. I had a bit of a realization that it's really not about my plan at all but what God has in store for me. I may want the glory, but I need to give it to Him and realize that I don't need to be on the field to be a leader.
     I've definitely been through some of those stages this injury. I'm only out for a month this time, if my injury heals properly. A month though, to an athlete, can feel like a year. I am blessed enough to still travel with my team and be able to cheer them on during the games. I have realized that my journey as an athlete has not been about how many plays I can make but about perseverance and not giving up my dream.
      I now have about 2 months left of this season and I'm trying my hardest to be fully positive about the situation I've been put it.  I know that His plans are so much bigger than mine will ever be and  I'm  excited to be able to help my team in any way I can. After all, once my sports career is over, there is so much more life to live for. I do know this:  When I can play again, I will make the most of stepping on the field any time I can. After all, soccer is about 90% of who I am. I live for the days of playing and the teammates I won't forget. If anything, I hope to make a difference in one of my younger teammates life. I want to show people that it's not all about the glory on the field but about His glory and how you can make a difference off the field. Until then, I'll be the worlds best cheerleader. Hip Hip Horay!

Transitions

         About four weeks into the semester and I can't help but think about the changes. It seems like as the days pass nothing really changes but looking back to a year ago, or even four years ago when  I started college, everything changes. Whether it's a good change or a bad change or something you wish you could take back, it's all part of growing up.
         I was reading an article yesterday tailored to my generation : the 20 somethings. One of the comments made me laugh but at the same time made my mind start churning. When we start thinking what our parents said is right, we've started to grow up and mature ( or go crazy for that matter). It's true though, I can look back at my college freshmen self and realize how dumb or silly the things I did were. I realize not only how much I've grown as a person but how much my faith , my strength and my love of things has grown. I think we all can relate. Things just get different when you grow up.
        It was so weird to me to see parents waving their kids off on the day before class started. I think of this place as my home and these students are just starting that adventure. When I look around the department, more than half of these students are new ( which is absolutely terrifying). The good part about that is, I am able to help the younger students and mentor them from where I was when I transferred to WT a little over two years ago. The scary part is how many people just pass on through without realizing a lot of these.
        Looking at some of my friends who have moved away into the "real world" is also one of those scary parts of growing up. I've become so accustomed to the college life and in less than a year, I will be applying for jobs and making some big decisions regarding my life and the dreams I have set out for myself.
       So when did growing up become so serious? It used to be that being able to tie my shoe was a huge accomplishment. Or riding a bike, or going to that first dance, or that first football game, or the first time you actually get in trouble for something, the first good grade you make, the first school play or the first college acceptance letter. I guess it kind of just comes with time. Nothing monumental happens but something in your mind clicks when you realize it can't just be all fun and games without some hard work and a passion for what you do in life.
      The transition from one year to the next is normally something you don't even realize, until you realize it's a new school year. This is when growing up isn't your height anymore but actual self growing. I think there is a plan set out for us, something bigger than we can imagine and God is waiting on putting the perfect time for everything. So yes, the 20 somethings are for uncertainty and I'm surely uncertain on a lot of things, but my faith is stronger than my doubt. And for the record, my parents aren't ALWAYS right ( just kidding mom, I know you're reading this.)