“I thought I paid my dues.”
I can’t tell you the amount of times that phrase came out of
my mouth this summer. After four surgeries in college, and now two more and a
concussion in 2016, I really thought I had paid my dues (in terms of injuries,
at least). I found that line to be the easiest way to cope with my situation
this summer; the situation that seems to reoccur in some capacity every year.
I remember asking my family, closest friends and teammates
why this kept happening? I never asked, “Why me?” I knew why. I could handle
this. I have before and I will again. But I couldn’t help but ask, “Why again?”
I remember crying on the phone to my best friend saying, “GIVE
ME A DIFFERENT OBSTACLE.”
“I thought I paid my dues.”
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It seems like life continues to show me ways in which the
game owes me nothing.
I was in the best shape of my life. I was prepared both
mentally and physically to step on the field to excel. I put in the time. I put
in the work. I made my game and conditioning my priority in the offseason. I
was ready to step into a leadership role for the first time since leaving
college.
I thought I was ready for anything.
And then I ran full speed into a fence. Literally did not
see that one coming.
But that’s life, right?
Heading full speed in a direction you think is good for you.
Heading full speed in a direction you chose for yourself… never knowing when
you might slam into your next
obstacle.
Because there will always be others.
They are always on the horizon, lurking at every turn.
Some mountains, some hurdles.
Some you can see and others that blindside you, literally.
“I thought I paid my dues.”
But “hard work” doesn’t guarantee success… it just
guarantees you the work ethic needed to survive. And those who survive will
always find a way.
So I finally found my silver lining.
I have paid my
dues.
And that’s the only reason I know how to keep going.
