It's All In The Challenge

I believe Spock said it best: “You may find that having is not so pleasing a thing as wanting.” And I had wanted to be the most famous soccer player in the world. Yet my feet feel leaden as I walk with my teammates away from the sidelines and onto the field. It sounds like every one of our loyal fans in the stadium is chanting my name. MY NAME. Just for fun I thrust my fist in the air and watch as the crowd goes wild. That should buy me a little more time. Let them have their fun.

I used to love this sport. Hours upon hours learning the kicks, memorizing the plays; every goal a brick in my yellow road to FIFA. And here I am, about to make my mark in soccer history.
Spinning the ball lightly in both hands, I scan the field. All eyes are on me, and I hate it. What’s happened to me? As I shake out each leg, I admit the unease came after our first round against the Brits. It was all too easy.

While the ref’s worked frantically for quiet, my thoughts returned to my early years. A panorama of bruises, cuts, and sprains kindled a fire in my soul. You chose to make this easy, I pointed an imaginary finger in my face. You’ve been playing checkers instead of chess.

That’s when I saw it, the checkmate move. The fuel for my fire was not in the winning, or as Spock said, the having. It was the challenge that ignited my being. The want of it all. And I wanted the World Cup real bad.

Taking charge, I rose each hand in the air and made a flourishing bow; my finger pressed to my lips, hushing the four corners. The King held sway. Kissing the ball, I turned my back on the goal and waited for the ref to blow his whistle. I swear I could hear his inhale like he was next to my ear. In a split second I had bicycle kicked us to the finals.
Easy? Who was I kidding