"The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them." (Coelho 59)

If you build it they will come. It was a simple thought that built an extraordinary dream.

The more time, energy, effort, and hard work you put into something the more chances it will become successful. Wise people would pass up money to have the opportunity of a lifetime. Those people are most in tune with what matters most in their lives and that the simplest things in life are what count. The man in the movies hears an inner voice and acts on it and it turns out to be an amazing dream. Something as simple and wise as put effort, hard work, time and energy into something and it will pay off.

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” (Coelho 93)

I have been told it is always good to have a dream or even multiple dreams in my mind or heart. Dreams are what keep you going-Something to work for. When you do not have dreams and goals it has been compared to running up and down a football field and never scoring a goal. Whether you dream to make the next level of little league, a high school team, college team or pro level a dream is what keeps you pushing forward and striving to get better than others.

When you achieve your dreams it is a sense of accomplishment and you can serve as an inspiration and role model to others.

“The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times (Coelho 7)

It is said this is how you can tell a persons character.

This is the true way you show you have been defeated. If you lose, you stay down. If you lose and get back up again then you are showing that you have not been defeated. You are getting back up and are going to try again. Just like in the Alchemist when Santiago get all of his money stolen he doesn't give up then he still goes on to pursue his personal legend.

You don't just stop until you have achieved what you set out to achieve. An athlete keeps trying to win at his contest and gives his all until the contest is over. He never just gives up.

“Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.” (Coelho 68)

When you are an athlete and participating in competition those moments are in that present time and can never happen for you again. So be in those moments fully. Enjoy the challenge because that moment will only happen for you once. The rest can be seen as memory or practice. You practice plays, your practice batting and you practice throwing. These things happen twice so surely they will always happen a third time also. The game situations only happen once.

“Don't give in to your fears. If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart.” (Coelho 144)

Train. Train like you will compete. Just like you train your body for competition you will train your mind for competition. Overcoming your fears is part of your training. Some times the mental part of being an athlete is just as difficult as the physical part.

If you give into your fears your performance will show. People and coaches will write you off as incompetent and not caring. Maintain your confidence and do not let your fears capitalize on owning you.