I have never known a life without sports. Since I was 2, I have been competing on multiple sports teams at once, busy with countless practices and games a week, and never slowing down.

That is, until 8th grade, when my life forever changed. I was at basketball practice, the same as every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, playing a scrimmage. I was on defense and charged toward the ball. I ran right up to the ball handler and swung at the ball, in an attempt to steal it. She fought back and stuck her foot out to turn and run. By accident, I tripped over her foot! My arm shot out to catch my fall, and the pressure ended up breaking my elbow. It instantly swelled to the size of a baseball with intense shooting pains. I have never felt anything like it. I went to the doctor the next day and was immediately sent into surgery to get a screw put in my arm. I was terrified. Terrified of the surgery, but even more terrified that my life would never be the same.

I was out for the season. I went out of my mind. I was devastated. I had never known such a sedentary way of living. I learned a lot from this season of life. I learned that sometimes you have to be put in hard situations to grow. I also learned the importance of rest and intention. Even though I missed playing sports every day with my friends, I found many benefits to this new lifestyle. My grades improved, my sleep improved, and my mindset even improved! I learned to live in the moment and to care about the life I was living. My priorities changed so much that, when I finally did have the opportunity to go back to sports, I declined the offer. It was a hard decision, but I still live with the benefits of that decision today!

Since the surgery, I haven’t gone back to play a sport competitively. If I had been playing sports this whole time, I wouldn’t have met some of the people I’ve met, or had some of the incredible opportunities I have had. I have gotten to dedicate most of my time to volunteer work and really focus on relationships. An example of a divine relationship that I wouldn’t have experienced if I had been busy with sports is my friendship with one of my best friends Lauren. Lauren and I got close through our work with Young Life. Some of my favorite memories and experiences have been with Lauren! I couldn’t imagine life without our friendship. This is just one of the many incredible things that have come out of slowing my life down.

Slowing my life down helped me focus more on the world around me. It’s incredible how beautiful the world we live in is. It's a blessing to get to enjoy it! People are busy. Americans are busy, driven. They fly through life.

I hope that I can convey the message that life is meant to be lived slowly and with intention. I’m not saying quit sports or things that take up a lot of time. I’m saying that sometimes, it’s important to find a balance between rest and being busy.

Maybe that means giving up a commitment for a season to be able to enjoy the day-to-day. Maybe it means spending more time doing the things you love to balance out the stress! I’ve been surprised by the peace, learning, and endless other benefits that come out of it. Everyone is in such a rush to get where they’re going that they don’t stop to enjoy the journey. Although in reality, the journey is the most important part.

© Ella. All rights reserved. If you are interested in quoting this story, contact the national team and we can put you in touch with the author’s teacher.