Personal Narrative Essay

There’s a saying that everyone’s said at least once in their lifetime, I’m sure. It’s so cliché, but now I know that there is so much truth behind it. “Believe in yourself.” Rather than giving up on yourself, use your failures to make you better. Learn how to bounce back from adversity and learn from those experiences. This is called using your growth mindset. According to Carol Dweck, research psychologist, in her book Mindset, “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” It wasn’t until the summer between my junior and senior year of high school that I learned this and of course I learned it the hard way. I had played club basketball for four summers in a row with the Longmont Rush basketball club. I loved the game of basketball and I had spent countless hours working on my skills on the court. I even wanted to play in college. I already had schools scouting me. Unfortunately, in my final season, just before my senior year, my biggest fear came true.

I attended all training sessions and spent a great amount of time playing basketball since the thrill of winning games, of becoming better pushes me forward. I believed my efforts are worthy, since I had the advantage over other players in speed and keen awareness, and I trained harder than others every day. Basketball was the only thing on my mind. Then the time came to assemble the official school team to participate in formal basketball games. I thought for all my efforts

The hardest part of having a passion is sticking to it even during hardships. Julia Silverman has been gifted at basketball since she was six years old, but it was not always easy. Since she plays on two teams, she is always busy with practice. Hardworking and dedicated, she practices ten hours a week at Pine Crest and three hours a week at Boca Hoops. Michael Jordan, a famous athlete inspired her to play basketball because of his talent. Acquiring very advanced skills for her age, Silverman is put onto higher levels at Boca hoops. She also made the A team at Pine Crest every year in middle school. This girl definitely knows what pressure feels like and can handle herself on the court. Two years ago, Silverman’s team was in the championship

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games, 26 times i’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” (MJQ). A quote coming from the greatest of all time Michael Jeffrey Jordan.

Basketball doesn’t just do it’s job on the court, every coach that I had has taught me important life lessons from basketball. For example, when a ref calls a bad foul you can’t stay mad because like the weather even though it rains and you don’t want it to you need to learn how to move on and work with what’s given to you. Sports in general help you grow as a person and make friends with many people. I enjoy playing with different people because you get to create a bond with many and be more social around people.

Donovan Bailey, an Olympic medalist, once said, “Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and, above all, don’t let anyone limit your dreams.” Doing what you love no matter how hard it gets is a very tough thing to do. Being willing to to give effort in order to achieve greatness, is when someone finds their passion. Going through the West Delaware Volleyball program, has given me the chance to see that when you work hard and believe, anything is possible.

If you want to win, never lose hope, When there is a problem, learn to cope. Take your shots with confidence, Never with incompetence Jump up for a rebound with all your might, Don't ever do it in a state of fright. Ask for help when you're in need, For if you don't, you'll never

Bo Jackson said “set your goals high,and don’t stop till you get there” so that’s what I did when I first started playing basketball I wasn’t very good I couldn’t make a shot and i’m still miss a lot someday’s. but I have gotten much better by courage and confidence thanks to my friends,family, and coaches.

Some people think that you are born with grit and that you just have recognized the talent to become the next big thing. I disagree, because you don’t have “ basketball blood” running through your veins, or “bussines blood”, it is something that you have to decide that you want to do and stick with it. You have to have dedicated practice and the ability to recognize talent. Grit is perseverance and dedication to one thing. You want to keep going even when it get’s hard.

Cardinal Rule 1: Never give up. I know this sounds cliche but this rule is very important in order to survive let alone thrive in today’s society. Basketball is a big reason why I never give up, it has taught me to keep going when times are tough, when I’m tired, or when I feel like I’m all out of gas.

When I was younger, I wanted to be one of the most extraordinary basketball players in the world. An example of my ambitiousness was revealed one day when I was twelve years old. I was shooting hoops at my house one day and I was getting frustrated. My mother taught me three things to get over my frustration. She told me: don’t overdo things, the pros mess up too, and basketball isn’t the most important thing.

I watched The Best Motivation Video, Michael Jordan "Failure" Nike Commercial and Best Motivational video ever by Nick Vujicic and I learned how they got to succeed after they been through fail like Michael Jordan like he said in his video (I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.) and we all know how is Michael Jordan was successful in his life, also he was one of the best basketball players in the whole world. Jordan accomplishment his life success by keep trying and never giving up dreams no matter what' happen. Learning from our mistakes is so important to be successful in this life, we all should remember life is a risk and we do not have anything to loss so we should take it.

There have been several events that have affected my life. there's times that life will hit you hard that will make you fall over but you will need to get back up and continue what you started. This is how i viewed myself with my ambitious journey of basketball. I was around seven years old when I was bored at home and I turned on the TV and was skipping through the channels and I wanted to see what I was going to be able to watch. I stopped at the sports channel for whatever reason and I remember that it was a Spurs game in the NBA (National Basketball Association). I was in shock seeing people jump all around being able to run from the court coast to coast being chased down by others trying to get the ball through the basket. I saw this particular player at the time on the opposing team Ray Allen from the Boston Celtics. This man had such a dominant presence on the court just getting the ball and being able to shoot the ball in any given time in whatever position he was in either it was going to be contested or open he gets the ball its an automatic scoring machine. This got me very fascinated and i began to start watching basketball since that day. I also wanted to try basketball wanted to play the position Ray allen played a shooting guard, one that is a spot up shooter and is in charge to score from a convertible distance away.

Stephen curry said “Success is not an Accident.” in addition, This means that if you work hard in life that things will come easier and easier and more fluently than ever before. also, He said that “ If you don't fall how are you going to know what getting up is like”. likewise, this means that if you don’t fall down or get injured then how are you going to know what getting up and picking yourself from the bottom and working to get where you were before. equally, He also said “ there is more than the jersey I wear” of course, this means that if you are connecting with god and his power will lead you to great things. additionally, He also said that “ I can do all things.” in the light of, This means that if you work hard and study for school and work in sports you will succeed. This person teaches others how to be successful and how to get where they want to be and do what they want to do when they get

I had big dreams, dreams that were filled with transcontinental trips, endorsement deals worth millions of dollars, and kids who idolized me. As far-fetched as this was, I continued to pray every night for the growth spurt I knew would never come. The results were shortcoming, nevertheless, I still had a passion for the game. This passion has led me to improve myself in various ways. My love for basketball is still burning as strong as ever.