The Sharapova Connection - Part One

On Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006, Maria Sharapova won the US Open in straight sets.

If I had to describe what I witnessed after she won in few words, they would be: Pure Joy & Happiness!

I saw a 19 year old girl who simply exuded those emotions after having achieved something she worked extremely hard for with focus & determination for many, many years with all eyes on her watching to see if she had it in her to win her 2nd Grand Slam. She showed us & most importantly herself, that she definitely did.

That night was inspirational to me! I felt that I had to figure out the way to focus on my goals & dreams and just go for them! I could no longer live the way I have been for way too long! The years just slipping through my fingers and things just remain the same. I simply thought that I cannot allow myself to continue like this. I felt like this was the time to finally change my life!

I have loved Tennis since I started playing when I was about 8. I played first doubles in 8th and 9th grade. I decided not to try out in High School because I wanted have more time to devote to my classes.

My love of the game continues through out all the years since. I don't play very often anymore (soon to change). I simply love having a racket in my hand and hitting balls. I just love the game! To me Tennis is simply the best sport ever! It is the perfect blend of the physical and the mental. You need both in order to find the way to consistently outplay your opponents. I remember the way it was when I played my matches. You could be winning one minute and the next, lose focus or get down on yourself for some bad shots and be down two breaks.

See a similarity to life?

It seems so appropriate then for me to get such inspiration from Maria's winning the Open. You could see her sheer focus & determination while she played that night. In spite of all the tons of shit she must have to deal with off the court, she stepped onto the biggest tennis stadium, in front of around 25,000 people and the millions watching all of the world and just played her game. Solely focused on one outcome... her winning the match and the US Open.

And boy was she psyched she did! She was so freakin' happy! I felt that I wanted & needed to feel that excitement & energy after accomplishing something I worked damn hard for!

It was kind an aha moment for me. This past week has been one filled with me thinking it could really be the time. Little things falling into place; a definite change in my attitude and I really felt that this is it! I will finally, once and for all, begin to make the much needed changes in my life so that I can be the person I truly want & feel I am meant to be.

Thank you Maria!


Ciao for Now.
Maria