Luck, Hardwork, Prayer.
The 3 things every player needs to do well I soccer is Luck, Hardwork, and Prayer. There are 265 million registered soccer players in the world and not nearly enough teams to fill. Many players make the cut and break in at an early age and their life is only to maintain their skills and stay in form. Then there are many players who due to location of birth, financial difficulties, politics, or for many other reasons are left grasping at smaller chances and or any situation in order to get another year to play the sport they love.
For myself I have always came so close to getting where I want to be that it leaves a taste and desire in my gut that will only be quenched once I attain my goal. Its like being given a really nice thing, like being allowed to fly first class on a top airline or given a ferrari to drive for one day. Once that thing has left your hands you are left with a feeling that will do anything possible and spend as much time of your life working to gain that thing back.
I remember being in Leverkussen academy in Germany at the age of 14 and my training had been going really well. I was getting strong feedback from the coaches and staff, and the man that was taking care of me and housing me said he looked forward to me living there and getting to know me. The next thing that happened was Mark the the man who got me there called me and said pack up, I was going to Austria Vienna. I didn't think much about it being a kid, I was just taking whatever came my way and found it all very exciting. I ended up returning after some time and not being able to stay in Europe, the place I had fallen deeply in love with.
Years later I spoke to Mark on the phone and he said, “Leverkussen was very keen to keep you, we should've stayed longer the timing and planning was a mess”. As you can imagine my mind flashed into a day dream of what my life would've turned out to be had that had worked out. But thats the thing, In this business you cant have regrets because these things happen almost every week. Timing will sometimes work in your favor, sometimes it will work strongly against you. This is where prayer comes in for me as I am a strong believer in faith and more importantly, Karma.
My first pro contract I was in Puerto Rico with Bayamon Fc. Our team had been doing well and had advanced to the playoffs and It was set to be the semi finals. Just that week the coach told me our parent team the Islanders were sending down their backup goalkeeper to play the next few games, even though I had played the last 10 and had had some brilliant moments. Justin Myers who I later became good friends with played the first semi final and had done well. The following weekend I knew I would not play and me and the other reserve players decided to play video games all night till early morning. I was awoke early the next morning by a missed call from the coach. “Devala your playing today, Justin’s paperwork didn't go through so hes out.” With my heart pounding and the weight of the whole teams success or failure on my shoulders, I went out and played. Played well at that.
Long story short, this moment taught me two vital lessons. Timing and Karma can take a huge U-turn sometimes and hit you when your not ready, so always be ready and take whatever comes your way with grace; and confidence that you are prepared.
“Luck is not chance-
It’s Toil-
Fortune’s expensive smile
Is earned-“
— Emily Dickinson
It’s Toil-
Fortune’s expensive smile
Is earned-“
— Emily Dickinson
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