Finding Your Identity

Do you ever wonder how much sweeter your life would be if only people recognized what an awesome athlete you are? Who wouldn't want to be showered with accolades and constant affirmations of greatness all while being viewed as the court's "Prima Donna" who carries her team to victory game after game. Well there is nothing wrong with wanting to be the "Go-To" player, but hinging your self-worth on your athletic abilities can lead to developing an unhealthy esteem. Read what Charlotte Smith, the most decorated player in the history of the University of North Carolina women's basketball program has to say. She is an assistant coach at UNC and remains active as professional player with the WNBA's Indiana Fever. She is perhaps best known for her performance in the 1994 NCAA Championship game, when her buzzer-beating three-pointer gave UNC the national crown with a 60-59 win over Louisiana Tech.

BASKEBALL IS NOT MY IDENTITY, by Charlotte Smith
As I reflect over my basketball career, I become overwhelmed with gratefulness. I had the chance to live out my childhood dream, what a blessing it was! More importantly, I was afforded the opportunity to learn many of life's lessons that made me the person I am today. One of those lessons learned is that Basketball is not my identity.

I can remember those times spent in frustration because I did not meet the world's standard of success. I wanted to be a WNBA All-Star and every year that I did not meet that expectation I questioned myself, my abilities and my worth. Then there was a point in my career where I went from being a starter to being a reserve player.

Lesson Learned: Being an all-star, starter or reserve can only define who you are as a player, not who you are as a person.

It is far greater that you become a better person than you become a great player. Not to say that both can't be achieved by any means! But being a player will only be a small window of your life, but who you are and become as a person will define the rest of your life. Never let what you do define who you are for once it is taken away, you lose the biggest part of you!

I am grateful for my experiences as a player because it allows me to have insight into the thoughts and emotions of the players I now coach. There were many times when I could not understand the road by which sports was taking me, but all the while it was teaching me and training me for such a time as this to remind those around me that basketball is not your identity. The biggest part of you is who you are as a person and not who you are as a player.

Lesson Learned: Embrace the hard times in life for they are preparing you for a far greater purpose than you can imagine. Always remember, Basketball is Not Your Identity!