Today I got to thinking... and yes this was while I was in class (sorry mom, sorry dad) and I realized that there is so much that we as people don't give ourselves credit for. Or at least, we don't think we can make a change in the world... but if we can't, who can? So many of us have been gifted with a variation of qualities and skills that we hardly put to test in every day life.
Let me ask you something... have you ever met someone that just makes you want to be a better person? Or they make you feel like you can be better than you already are? I can. And I'll be honest, I can hardly fill up one hand when I'm counting. YOU can be that person in someone's life though.
Think about it; at least for me, I am surrounded by people every single day that SO MANY people look up to. Whether they're looked up to by kids, people their age, or even older people, they have no idea how many look up to them. What if we knew this though. What if we realized how many people are watching what we do, just today I was with our volleyball chaplains littler girl Ava who is 3. She watched my every move, and as soon as she saw me and my teammates taking our shoes off... what did she want to do? Take her shoes off! Or have you noticed maybe that someone your age starts doing the same things you start to do? Whether it's cut their hair the same as yours, start buying clothes from the same stores, say funny words you "came up with," whatever it is, this is a sign of someone who envy's something even that little about you! Can you imagine what would happen if everyday we showed qualities about ourselves that maybe have more to do with our faith? Or what about just loving others? There are so many ways that we can inspire people to be better, it can start with something little but soon enough when they see you doing great things, they will begin to do them too. Make people respect you. Make others want to be like you. Be considerate, have fun, smile at a stranger... I'm telling you guys, it's the little things that make the difference. WE CAN BE THE CHANGE. Today's world is hardly any of these things, in fact it's harder to find people that shine than it is to find people stuck in the darkness. Strive to be the person others want to follow into the light, be the bridge, be confident, and make a difference.
"Change is the essence of life. Be willing To surrender what you are for what you could become, be the change you want to see in the world."
"Everyone smiles in the same language."
"The only people that will change the world are the ones who are crazy enough to think they can."
INSPIRE!!!!
-Me
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
So Much More Than a Team
So in order for anyone to be able to play with each other well and play hard for one another and not just for themselves, one must trust their teammate(s). "Coach B" decided that to gain this trust and also some respect for each other all the coaches and the seniors, our CORE, needed to give out some reasons for credibility and some background information... brilliant idea. The coaches of course was more of a how long they have been around volleyball, where they've coached, and how they coach. But something that reall hit home with me when all the senior girls spoke was about how this team is their extended family.
I guess when I think about it I have always thought of my teams in the past as a group of some of my closest friends, but more than ever, out of every team I've been on, this team is definitely becoming an extremely close-knit family. Have you ever heard of 14 of the 16 girls ending up all together on a Friday/Saturday night after two 4 hour practices during two-a-days? And no no, this is NOT a one time thing. We absolutely cannot get enough of each other. And I know you're thinking, well ya'll must get sick of each other or nit pick at one another, and yes yes we do sometimes but the kind of love we have is one like your own blood, you love them and would do anything for them even with their flaws. In fact we have come to love each other through our flaws. It's incredible. I don't think I could write about how much I love the girls I play with... in fact I just thought about it, and no... no I can't.
Another though I've been having lately is, "what exactly am I, Kayci, getting out of being a part of this team?" I will be honest with you, it's tough being a walk-on and not knowing exactly what your purpose is when you are surrounded by SO MUCH TALENT. And it really is difficult going to practice and working your tail off day-in and day-out... and I will admit that sometimes I can't figure out if it's worth it or not. But something lately has hit me. I love volleyball. I love these girls, I love coming in and working hard because I love the people I'm surrounded by, I want to work hard for these people, and yes we all have our off days but either way, we all are working right?... If you're looking at the small picture then sure some of the others might be getting "more" out of it than I am, maybe that means scholarship or whatever but in the end... I think I might be getting more out of being a part of this team than all of them. Everyday I am surrounded by some of God's greatest people, they are passionate, they are understanding, hilarious, they make me want to not only be better at everything I do, but they make me want to be a better person. Being with these people everyday and seeing the competition and heart that is poured out in every single second of every single practice makes me want to be there. If you're an athlete, I want you to think about what it feels like when something happens on your team that is oustanding, maybe its a touchdown or interception, maybe its a goal or a catch, maybe it's a dig or hit that looked like it wasn't possible to do, even if it's not you making this happen, there is just some kind of fire that ignites in all of us when it does, and I know you can't tell me that's not the greatest feeling ever. As athletes we live for moments like this, the moments that we feel so proud of our teammates or ourselves, the moments that we wish we could replay over and over. I've come to realize that this is who I am. This is who all of us are. We were born to be competitors, and thankfully I at least am reminded this in every practice. I literally don't know what I would do without these girls, without my team, without all the people involved... more than ever I have come to understand that this is just who I am. So, when you sit there and wonder why I put so much time into something that I may not be getting anything in return for, stop and think for a second...because you will never understand until you are in my shoes.
"It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn't matter who gets the credit."
"A successful team beats with one heart."
"Teamwork isn't doing something for individual glory, it's making things happen because they love one another."
XoXo,
Me
I guess when I think about it I have always thought of my teams in the past as a group of some of my closest friends, but more than ever, out of every team I've been on, this team is definitely becoming an extremely close-knit family. Have you ever heard of 14 of the 16 girls ending up all together on a Friday/Saturday night after two 4 hour practices during two-a-days? And no no, this is NOT a one time thing. We absolutely cannot get enough of each other. And I know you're thinking, well ya'll must get sick of each other or nit pick at one another, and yes yes we do sometimes but the kind of love we have is one like your own blood, you love them and would do anything for them even with their flaws. In fact we have come to love each other through our flaws. It's incredible. I don't think I could write about how much I love the girls I play with... in fact I just thought about it, and no... no I can't.
Another though I've been having lately is, "what exactly am I, Kayci, getting out of being a part of this team?" I will be honest with you, it's tough being a walk-on and not knowing exactly what your purpose is when you are surrounded by SO MUCH TALENT. And it really is difficult going to practice and working your tail off day-in and day-out... and I will admit that sometimes I can't figure out if it's worth it or not. But something lately has hit me. I love volleyball. I love these girls, I love coming in and working hard because I love the people I'm surrounded by, I want to work hard for these people, and yes we all have our off days but either way, we all are working right?... If you're looking at the small picture then sure some of the others might be getting "more" out of it than I am, maybe that means scholarship or whatever but in the end... I think I might be getting more out of being a part of this team than all of them. Everyday I am surrounded by some of God's greatest people, they are passionate, they are understanding, hilarious, they make me want to not only be better at everything I do, but they make me want to be a better person. Being with these people everyday and seeing the competition and heart that is poured out in every single second of every single practice makes me want to be there. If you're an athlete, I want you to think about what it feels like when something happens on your team that is oustanding, maybe its a touchdown or interception, maybe its a goal or a catch, maybe it's a dig or hit that looked like it wasn't possible to do, even if it's not you making this happen, there is just some kind of fire that ignites in all of us when it does, and I know you can't tell me that's not the greatest feeling ever. As athletes we live for moments like this, the moments that we feel so proud of our teammates or ourselves, the moments that we wish we could replay over and over. I've come to realize that this is who I am. This is who all of us are. We were born to be competitors, and thankfully I at least am reminded this in every practice. I literally don't know what I would do without these girls, without my team, without all the people involved... more than ever I have come to understand that this is just who I am. So, when you sit there and wonder why I put so much time into something that I may not be getting anything in return for, stop and think for a second...because you will never understand until you are in my shoes.
"It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn't matter who gets the credit."
"A successful team beats with one heart."
"Teamwork isn't doing something for individual glory, it's making things happen because they love one another."
XoXo,
Me
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Dare to Love
So I am in love with the new Chris Brown and Justin Bieber song, "Next 2 You..." thank you Zo. Anyways, it got me to thinking, why are we all so afraid to let our hearts pour out? I know everyone has been hurt a time or two... but certain things lately have made me realize that every second we wait to spread the love we're just wasting time. Yesterday before practice the team went to one of the churches here in Waco where the "Volley for Molly" tournament (read more here) was being held and I tell you, that beautiful little girl is the bravest person I have ever met. I think that a lot of us really had our eyes opened a little more knowing how much she's gone through in the past year and realizing that she's way more brave than any of us could be. But why do we take life for granted day in and day out? Why is it so hard for us to love others? And why are we so afraid of one of God's greatest gifts? The ability to love. Surely it is better to love too much than to love too little. And surely there is no such thing as loving too much in this world after what He did for us.
Maybe some of us only think of love as something you can share with a partner... but it is so much more than that. Love the people you see everyday, love the little things in life, love the beauty we so constantly don't notice that's all around us. Love where you are in this moment, with what you have now, and most importantly LOVE YOURSELF.
On a different note...
Today a bunch of the volleyball and soccer teams went to "Church Under The Bridge" and it was a great experience. I definitely reccommend everyone to go at least once while they're here in Waco! Afterwards I got to see the family which was awesome! They were on their way back home from Dallas where my dad got to drive a racecar at Texas Motor Speedways. Anyways we went to lunch and then they came and hung out at the apartment for a bit, it was so good seeing them! Got another week of two-a-days this week and am looking forward to seeing the team progress some more. It's gonna' be a great season, I can feel it!
On a different note...
Today a bunch of the volleyball and soccer teams went to "Church Under The Bridge" and it was a great experience. I definitely reccommend everyone to go at least once while they're here in Waco! Afterwards I got to see the family which was awesome! They were on their way back home from Dallas where my dad got to drive a racecar at Texas Motor Speedways. Anyways we went to lunch and then they came and hung out at the apartment for a bit, it was so good seeing them! Got another week of two-a-days this week and am looking forward to seeing the team progress some more. It's gonna' be a great season, I can feel it!
Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
"The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost."
LOVE,
Me.
LOVE,
Me.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tis' the Season!
First day of full out practice was yesterday and let me just tell you, this team is going to do amazing things. The energy and over all feel of everyone in the gym is just different than it has ever felt (for me at least) on any team I've played on... and uh how long have I been playing volleyball? Exactly. I couldn't me more excited to see what's going to happen in the next five months. There are SO MANY POSSIBILITIES.
I had my spanish 2 final this morning at 8 before our first practice, (oh yeah, two a days started today), and I think it went really well!! Hoorahhhh! Yesterday Jordan and I went to buy our books for the fall and I didn't have to buy one single textbook because all my classes seem to require novels... and that's just great because I litterally bought a total of 12 books, and they're all just normal books which means I'm going to lose my brain this fall trying to keep up with multiple books at the same time. My gosh. So wish me luck on that!!!
The new apartment is doing good and Lacey moves in in about a week!!! AWOOOO baby!
Last night Jordan, Zoe, Allison, Kate, and Alyssa made our own homeade Gnoochi!!! (NYO-KEE/NOOKIE). It ended up being realllly doughey but I whipped up a garlic parmesan and arreggano* sauce so that made it edible. Then we made grilled chicken and some corn to go with it! DELICIOUS! We've been cooking so much lately, it's awesome haha. I will post a picture of the delicious plate soon!!!
Other than just spending time with the team whether it's playing sand, at actual practices, or cooking and goofing off, I have just been doing summer school and volleyball! This summer ended up being really great once I got into the swing of things in Wack. Shamansha came and visited which was amazing! And then last weekend I went and spent a night with Emily! It was so good seeing them both and I can't believe I probably won't get to see either of them until Christmas! ): WAH.
Recap of the summer before Waco? = Went to Chicago with Emily to stay with shamansha in her hometown for 4 days... SO. MUCH. FUN. We had the time of our lives. And then two days after that the fam and I went to San Francisco and did a Northern California trip! Saw Napa and Senoma, went on a tour of Alcatraz, got to take a segway tour around Fisherman's Warf and all through the bay area... absolutely fell in love with the place!!! Before any of that fun stuff I was just working for moms and pops and helping out with volleyball camps for my HS coach!
Wellllppp, I think that's all for now!! Lovin' life right now. So so so so soooo blessed. Blessed to be where I am today, surrounded by so many amazing people.
DEUCES!!!
I had my spanish 2 final this morning at 8 before our first practice, (oh yeah, two a days started today), and I think it went really well!! Hoorahhhh! Yesterday Jordan and I went to buy our books for the fall and I didn't have to buy one single textbook because all my classes seem to require novels... and that's just great because I litterally bought a total of 12 books, and they're all just normal books which means I'm going to lose my brain this fall trying to keep up with multiple books at the same time. My gosh. So wish me luck on that!!!
The new apartment is doing good and Lacey moves in in about a week!!! AWOOOO baby!
Last night Jordan, Zoe, Allison, Kate, and Alyssa made our own homeade Gnoochi!!! (NYO-KEE/NOOKIE). It ended up being realllly doughey but I whipped up a garlic parmesan and arreggano* sauce so that made it edible. Then we made grilled chicken and some corn to go with it! DELICIOUS! We've been cooking so much lately, it's awesome haha. I will post a picture of the delicious plate soon!!!
Other than just spending time with the team whether it's playing sand, at actual practices, or cooking and goofing off, I have just been doing summer school and volleyball! This summer ended up being really great once I got into the swing of things in Wack. Shamansha came and visited which was amazing! And then last weekend I went and spent a night with Emily! It was so good seeing them both and I can't believe I probably won't get to see either of them until Christmas! ): WAH.
Recap of the summer before Waco? = Went to Chicago with Emily to stay with shamansha in her hometown for 4 days... SO. MUCH. FUN. We had the time of our lives. And then two days after that the fam and I went to San Francisco and did a Northern California trip! Saw Napa and Senoma, went on a tour of Alcatraz, got to take a segway tour around Fisherman's Warf and all through the bay area... absolutely fell in love with the place!!! Before any of that fun stuff I was just working for moms and pops and helping out with volleyball camps for my HS coach!
Wellllppp, I think that's all for now!! Lovin' life right now. So so so so soooo blessed. Blessed to be where I am today, surrounded by so many amazing people.
DEUCES!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)