Ephesians 6:7-8

From August 2022 to April 2024 I spent my time working as the assistant athletic trainer for the Portland Trail Blazers. My experience grew, relationships were made. I was happy, joyful, and excited to go to work everyday during my first year. My excitement did not always show and I often times was reminded by Dame to smile, that we were in the NBA. A subtle reminder that I dreamed of this opportunity and to not take it for granted. After my first season changes began to happen. It was my first welcome to the business side of the league. My director, the one that ultimately hired me, was transitioned out of his role. My head athletic trainer that I had grew so close to, she became the older sister I never had, accepted a position to go back closer to home. I was the only athletic trainer on staff from the previous year as well as the only athletic trainer with any NBA experience. Initially, I was overwhelmed with the responsibilities that would be bestowed upon me. I had to change my perspective. Even though I had only just completed my first season in the NBA, it was an opportunity to learn on the fly. It was sink or swim, to be responsible for things that will prepare me to be a head athletic trainer in the NBA. A lifelong goal of mine. I was doing things that a year prior I had no idea that I would be doing. My perspective changed that there was a reason I was being tested with these duties and responsibilities. I often felt taken for granted, my work going unnoticed, and unseen. I did not necessarily become an athletic trainer to be seen, but we all as human beings like to be appreciated for what we do. The many trials and tribulations I faced in my second year was nothing but a test of my faith. I was appreciated and valued by the players especially the ones I worked with directly and built relationships with. A few of my coworkers that knew and saw the work I was doing were appreciative of me. However, I knew those weren't the people that had control over my future.

​

As the year went along I began to feel the changes that were happening. It affected my joy with going into work. I no longer had the same excitement I once did because of how undervalued I felt. I considered going against who I was as a person which was giving my all no matter what, putting others before myself, to just doing the bare minimum. I had to be reminded that I am here to serve the Lord and not people. I had to be reminded that God created me to be an ATC as a way to give back which serves Him. Even though the season was a sinking ship and I knew my days were limited in my role, I continued to put forth my best effort remembering that God is the reason I serve. Don't ever let go of the simple things. "Your why." Don't say it won't work, you don't know His plan. The beauty in this journey called life is you never know how it's going to work but I have faith in His plan. 

SO DO IT ANYWAY !!!