Personal Narrative: The JV Volleyball Team

As I was excitedly waiting outside the gym doors, thinking of how I admired the upperclassmen, I felt my stomach fill with a bucket full of rocks then rush to my feet like the speed of a waterfall. At first I thought it was only nerves from excitement, but then I learned it was instinct. I was in line to hear my acceptance for the JV volleyball team, awaiting my twin sister who was being told her fate, when I was called in. I sat down, and the first thing they said was “We had to make a tough decision. We just cut your sister” and instantly I felt like puking. The coaches understood if I left, but they also really wanted me on the team. They let me choose my destiny. I chose to accept, a decision that would bend our relationship backwards and forwards in a hundred different ways.
The rush of the waterfall kept coming back for about a week when I went to daily practice. The lack of communication, jealousy, compassion, and understanding between Sydney and me was completely foreign. Our world was turned upside down as if each of us on opposite ends. On Monday of that week we were the best of friends, but on Thursday we were complete strangers. The only thing we

could do was come to terms with it, and accept our situation. My acceptance was the fact that I would not be playing with my best friend and in return, only focus on me, not “we”. As a result, I learned to accept conditions and become more independent.
Learning to accept has helped me grow as a student as well as an individual. Acknowledging that I may not be able to change a situation, I have pushed myself to adjust my outlook. This hardship taught me that “once one door closes, another opens” which made me thankful for what I had, but has kept me interested to see what the next door holds. I have committed to certain activities because I want to look forward to what I can learn, instead of following orders. For example, I undertook different obligations and focused on my educational career. Doing so helped me realize a bigger picture, as if I have literally opened the blinds for the first time. I expanded my interests and became more open minded. Most importantly, coming to terms with my situation showed me that life will put up blocks that you can learn to climb over. Because of the learning opportunity I chose to take, I was able to get through a difficult time with my better half. Although we both hiked over the blocks, we shined at the top showing how much we grew individually.
Despite the fact that being a pair seems to have more perks than not, playing without my twin sister encouraged me to be more independent.

I learned the importance of individuality within a sport and to rely more on my teammates. I had to communicate with my team instead of my “twin telepathy”. I pushed myself physically as well as mentally for my performance, but also for Sydney. The least she could do was be my biggest critic and cheer me on the most. My independence that I gained from this experience has shown through my determination. I am able to make quicker decisions and be more confident in my choices which has lead me to take the lead in group projects. Independence has never been a strength of ours, but because we we’re torn between two fates, I had to compromise, accept, and become an

individual.
Through feeling like to puke, to climbing over stones, I learned “if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change”- Dr. Wayne Dyer. By accepting a once nauseating situation, I learned that I get to choose the result of the outcome which also results in personal growth. The determined, accepting, and self-sufficient person I am today is the outcome of changing my outlook.