'Wow' is all I can say about the past few months. From making the
decision to return to Zambia late last year to unexpectedly being named as the
new captain of Bristol Academy WFC at the start of this year, it’s been a
whirlwind of a few weeks and I can't believe we are already in April.
I stumbled across the quote below by the Pastor of Hillsong Church New York
City Carl Lentz and it was one of those moments that makes you stop, pause,
take a moment and think:
'Don’t get caught dreaming so much about the future that you miss the
power of the present'
As fantastic as the new attention given towards the Zambia IDEALS
project has been and trust me it's been unexpectedly amazing, and I
have received some incredible messages from people wanting to support
and help me with this cause. So on a side note, thank you to all
those who have helped raise awareness of my trip and subsequently helped
contribute towards my fundraising target, it's amazing to see how many people
have grown an interest in Zambia, Sport for Development and volunteering trips
just because BBC Sport wrote an article on me! However despite this, I did at one point
feel like I was wishing away the next few months until the time for me to
depart to Zambia had arrived. But then I had a moment and I realised that I
have a responsibility here, that where I am and what I am doing deserves my
utter attention and focus whilst it happens. Being named captain of Bristol
Academy WFC came as a surprise but nonetheless I was honoured and still it is
such a privilege to be able to lead the girls week in week out. Our UEFA
Champions League Quarter-Final ties may not have ended the way we wished but I
will never quite forget the moment of leading the girls out in our first
competitive game at Ashton Gate Stadium and the pride I felt. A team that I
love and a Club that I see as my family, holding the role as captain is
something I don’t take lightly and I will treasure every game I play for them before Zambia.
I have a responsibility in the here and now and there is power of living in the
present moment and not being caught up too much in the future. Yes I for one
love to dream, just ask my best friends, every day I am dreaming up another
elaborate plan, another thing I want to do or place I want to explore or adding
to my ever growing bucket list. And trust me there is absolutely nothing wrong
with that as it's positive to dream of what may be or what can
be achieved rather than settling for the mediocre. But the
key is to remain present in the present, giving your all to ensure that when
that one day passes, or one week is over that you emerge a better person,
having grabbed every opportunity with both hands and committing your all to it.
I don’t know what the next 8 weeks (well 52 days exactly) in the lead up
to Zambia hold but what I do know is that daily I have made a decision to give
my all to that which is front of me, ensuring that when the time comes to
temporarily leave behind all I know, my day-to-day life in England and pack my
bags to fly to Zambia for four months I will leave a better person having
fulfilled all that was place upon me. Every day is a new day full of
possibilities, opportunities unseen and stories untold and I am determined to
dream of the future but live in the power of the present.
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| A proud moment in my footballing career |
