Failure can be the key to success. The story of David and Goliath illustrates how a perceived weakness may be of great value. Goliath, a towering Philistine warrior, marched to battle against the small, young, shepherd boy David, who, even with all odds against him, prevailed. I have also felt like the underdog. Although not making the varsity team for soccer was not a life or death situation, it felt that way to my 14 year old self. My perseverance and persistence allowed me to slay my personal Goliath and eventually prevail.
David, untested and weak, presumably would crumble against the giant, trained assassin. I also struggled with expectations versus reality during my freshman year in high school. I expected to be the best of the best
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I moped my way over to the JV squad to take my place among the other unskilled players. However, I practiced and worked to be the best I could be, regardless of the weather or season. I spent every other weekday of my summer attending an elite-soccer training camp. We practiced in torrential downpours and in the blazing hot sun and, I forced myself to every, two-hour session, even when my body told me I could not handle any more. I sold my summer vacation to my love of the sport, for, on my off-days, I would push myself to practice a different aspect of the game. I worked on my shooting for hours on Tuesdays, making sure I could get the ball in the air and on target. Thursdays I focused on my footwork, teaching myself the most effective ways to get around an opponent. Then, Saturdays I concluded my week with a three mile run. I did this routine all eight weeks of my summer. Many coaches had told me in order to get better I would need to have determination and “put in the effort.” My sophomore year arrived, and I earned my spot on the varsity team, eventually becoming one of the top scorers. The following year we lost a group of our seniors, the goalie included. Experienced and for the many, I then transformed from the goal scorer my sophomore year to the goalkeeper my junior year. My failure in my freshman year had been an inspiration for my success; it gave me an edge over others on team. Initially, I wanted to be the best; however, I quickly learned that hard work and dedication are paramount. This year, I, along with my fellow teammates, marvel at how that little freshman has grown to be the senior captain of the
Over the years, playing soccer has taught me what it takes to succeed. From months of tough practices, I have gained a hard work ethic. From my coaches and fellow teammates, I have learned to work well with others in a group, as it is necessary to cooperate with teammates on the playing field. But most important, I have also gained self-confidence. If I fail, it doesn't' t matter if they mock or ridicule me; I will simply try again and do it better. I realize that it is necessary to risk failure in order to gain success. The
“When your legs can’t run anymore, run with your heart.” Spring is the best time of the year, because it is soccer season. Spring of 2016 was a special time to me, because I was a freshman at Wahlert Catholic High School trying out for the women’s soccer team. I went into the first open gym scared, nervous and excited all at the same. The open gyms were for use to get in shape for the actual season and for the coaches to get a better look at our soccer skills. Previously in the year of 2014 I played for a club soccer team called DSC or Dubuque Soccer Club. After that 2014 season was over I decided to quite DSC and try something different. So going into open gyms I knew that I was going to be a just a bit rusty because I haven’t played soccer in a while. As open gyms went on some upperclassman were telling me that the coach was very impressed by the skills I had. Being only a freshman it was very flattering to know that the coach thought that about me. Knowing this it drove me to keep pushing myself hard and hard, because my goal was to make it on varsity.
In 1 Samuel 17, a story of a young man defeating a giant is written. David, the young man, trusts God and defeats a human war machine. Towering at almost 11 feet tall, this giant was known as Goliath. In the beginning of the story, Goliath stood at a battlefield imposing the Israelites waiting for a challenger. The Israelites were frightened and no one would step up to fight the “unbeatable” warrior. This was until David, the youngest of eight boys, showed that he trusted in God and stepped up and challenged the huge behemoth. In addition, he not only challenges Goliath with just a slingshot and rocks he also wears no armor. At the peak of the suspsense before the battle, David shows thet he trusts God with all of his faith with his comment
At that moment I realized that I had to add something to my game in order to stand out. I soon learned that practice and physicality could only make me better. Freshman year came around and i didn't have a coach that was willing to support me and help me develop into the player i know i am today. Its been a whirlwind of emotions with all the pain and failure I've experienced since my freshman year, when i watched the team go 4-11, To say the least i didn't get a single game but that only taught me to fight harder for what i wanted. Sophomore year came around, and with that a new coaching staff that gave me an opportunity to shine from day one. At the beginning of my sophomore season i thought i wasn't meant to be a goalkeeper, so i switched to attack, after a few games, i didn't like it and my coach could see that i was frustrated not being able to settle in. During a game against Flanagan High School, our goalie let in two goals in a matter of seconds, and our coach
I focused on training for soccer, it took over my life. I spent my summers working, spending time with my family, and playing soccer. I grew faster, stronger, and improved my defensive abilities, for the first time in my life I was in shape. After an undefeated regular season, the varsity team lost its starting lineup from my sophomore year. I knew that would I have to step up. I decided I was going to do anything I could to become a better soccer player, to benefit the team. I spent every spare moment working on my touch. The summer going into my sophomore year I committed to the soccer program, meaning I went down to the pitch every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday to play pickup with the alumni. That summer I went from being a short, pudgy kid, to actually kind of resembling an
The Philistine armed force was at war with the Israelite. The two armed forces camped for the battle to come at opposite sides of the Steep valley. A Philistine giant named Goliath went to the Israelite consistently, taunting and challenging the Israelite to battle him. The entire Israelite armed force was frightened by him. One day David, the son of Jesse, volunteered to battle Goliath. David who was a Shepherd, he carried nothing else than a slingshot and a sack loaded with rocks. As Goliath was moving toward to David, David reached for a stone and threw it towards the Giant. The Stone hit Goliath and he fell on the ground. David then took the giant's sword and slaughtered him. At the point when the Israelite saw the giant
The story of David and Goliath is described in the How to read the Jewish Bible by Marc Zvi Brettler is a folklore. The story “includes unexpected twist” (Brettler 109), most stories of this kind have mythical animals and dramatic story lines. The story talks of how David the musical shepherd killed monster everyone else fears. Who would’ve expect someone like David to kill Goliath. It’s also based on the humorous moments like when “David tries to walk in Saul’s amour” (Brettler 109).
What are the natural advantages of a ‘David’ in these situations, vs. those of a ‘Goliath’?
Them The story of David and Goliath is during the time Saul was king of the Israelites. David was a shepherd from the Far/Middle East who was chosen by God to be the future king, which was much to the surprise of his brothers and father, as he was the youngest and smallest in the family. However, in God’s eyes he was the perfect fit for a King, as he was obedient to God’s calling, he had great faith and trust in God in all he done and his faith never waived. Goliath was a giant Philistine, who was a champion and intimidated his competitors with his height and weight of his spears and equipment.
I watched in horror as soccer balls flew over my head at rocket speed. I could never imagine myself stopping a ball flying that fast. The whole situation felt hopeless until one fateful day. My older brother, who also play soccer, had decided to ask his teams’ goalie to attend my practice. This goalie was none other than Michael Hyland. He walked in with a infectious smile that seemed to brighten the practice. He came over to me and introduced himself and quickly began giving me tips and how to pick up the ball with proper technique. Although he didn’t have to, Michael showed up to every practice after that and helped me improve over the years. Each day he focused on making me a better player, and helping me learn how to play the position. Soon it didn’t feel like I was forced to play goalie, instead I looked forward to going to practice and learning new skills. Each day I went to practice, Michael was there coaching me one on one and encouraging me to keep trying. With Michael, it became easy to laugh at my mistakes and try harder to become better. His constant support helped shape me into the goalie and person that I am today, but it wasn’t just his hard working attitude that helped me, it was the fact
The vertically challenged can be mentally damaged by those taller, those who are the chastiser don’t realize standing higher makes them none the wiser. Being shorter than the average height can make one smite to the tall one’s delight, though without extreme prowess they will end up powerless against David’s Goliath. With all that was said about my height by those whom took delight in delivery of words that caused my misery. I finally realized how to suppress the stress. I chose to view those who mock, as just trying to block my happiness. This realization was met with consternation, but in the end I did win by taking it on the chin!
To make it far in any sport takes determination and hard work. Soccer takes even more than most other sports. To excel in soccer one must work extremely hard as they are competing with around 4% of the world. Learning to work hard is not easy, it takes years of discipline to fully fathom the idea of hard work. These ideas have been drilled into my brain at every practice, game, or soccer related function I have attended over the years. I can recall the time where my coach made my team run 4 miles in one practice. Each time we failed to complete a lap he would make us run another mile. At the time I was exhausted and a little bit pissed off. However, as the years have gone by I frequently look back on this experience and embrace it with gratitude. My coach taught me not to quit on something I had started. He taught the definition of hard work and discipline. For that, I am forever
After almost a full season of doubting myself, doubting my capabilities and lacking confidence, I was ready to finally play the way I really could. My biggest set back in soccer wasn't how big my kicks were or how good my shots were, it was all in my head. My head was my setback. I didn't believe in myself the whole season, until one game - State Qualifiers. This was my best game by far, I scored 2 goals to tie the game, and then scored another in overtime to win and get a hat trick. I didn't worry about how I was gonna look, or what people would think about me if I messed up. I just gave it my all and played the hardest I could. In this game, I learned in order to be a winner, you have to believe you have
Jackie Robinson once said “Above anything else, I hate to lose.” My obstacle is not getting much playing time during the soccer season. Commitment, determination, and excellence helped me work things out just like Jackie Robinson.
For most of my life, I was skilled in organized sports, especially soccer, which I had played for many years. After a successful soccer season my freshman year, I thought that I would make the JV team for sure. At tryouts, I went through the motions of each drill. I breezed through the conditioning tests, doing the bare minimum for each test. I didn’t try as hard as others, as I felt that I was more skillful than most of my peers.