Unfulfilled Longings

"Most of our longings go unfulfilled. This is the world's implication -- a desire for something lost or fled or otherwise out of reach." -a quote from Mr. Loetscher's English class

Most of our longings go unfulfilled. "Longings" is not the key word for me in this quote. Most of our longings go unfulfilled, but not mine. I almost let them go unfulfilled though. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to play hockey, watch hockey, be a hockey player. There's a difference between playing hockey and being a hockey player. For too long, I have not given myself an opportunity to be the best I can be at what I want to do. It amazes me that I've been given the opportunity to do what I want to do after years of wondering whether or not I could do it. I've realized now that I want this more than anything.

It's almost like it's destiny. All my hard work in school, outside of school, and my good character has given me a chance to succeed at hockey. It's not every day that a 6'4", 200 pound defenseman who is smart, athletic, and has good character comes along. Coaches have realized that and they've given me a chance to succeed even though they haven't seen me play once.

I'm a competitor. That's what makes me stand out. I hate to lose, and I'll do anything to make sure that I don't. I'm a team player in world full of people looking out for themselves. Maybe that is a weakness, but I think that is what makes me attractive as a recruit. When I put my mind to something, I do it. I know I'm a big fish in a small pond in the Vail Valley, but I'm a fast learner, and I'm confident that I can play hockey at the highest level I want to. Once I get some experience playing on a higher level team, I will start to develop as a player.

My longing has come partly true to this point, but I know I have a lot more work to do. I am willing to put the work in though, unlike most people. Most people don't give themselves the chance to fulfill their longings, and I'm happy that I've finally realized the right path for me to take to fulfill my dreams. Now I just have to put the work in to make it possible.