The Choice to Live

I remember my recruiting trip to Florida Southern so clearly. I met my first two Swedes; Linda Hoglund and Anna-Sara Sedin.  They were a big reason why I choose to go to Florida Southern.

The next year Anna-Sara was not at the school; all I heard was that she was in Chicago. I found out that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008… and past away January 7th 2012… The same day as Meghan… I still don't understand why and my heart will always be heavy on this day.. 

I met Anna-Sara quite a few times during my years at Florida Southern and I am so honored for the very short amount of time we had together... some of our conversations are ones I will never forget… She knew what life was really about.. 

 “F.E.A.R

Forget Everything And Run

OR

FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE”

In anything in life, it is about making the choice… Making the choice to be the best, making the decision to do whatever it takes no matter what happens or what others say... Letting go. EXCELLENCE IS A CHOICE… A DECISION.

When Anna Sara was diagnosed with Lung Cancer she did not have much time… She decided ok then I will travel, really live! She made the choice to let go and truly live!!

Anna Sara comes from a small place near Sundsvall. My first year in Sweden I played against her old team in the Swedish cup. I contacted her brother and he came to the game!!

 The day before the game, my team was saying “They are one division higher… They are one of the top teams. We are just division two. We are going to lose but at least we get good food...”

This made me angrier and angrier... They have already made the choice to lose before even stepping on the field!!  They already made the choice to be lower than what they could be…  That is a disgrace… Those thoughts… That is an excuse. That is FEAR…. THAT IS RUNNING.

Why do anything if you are going into it like you are going to fail??? I wrote to the team that night about my thoughts and everything changed… They made the choice to strive for excellence. 

We came to this game focused. We did not win, but the fight my team had was more than anything I could ask for... All we could do at the end of the game was shake their hands because we gave them everything we had and we did not stop until that final whistle blew! I was so proud to be apart of IFK Gavle on this day!! I met her brother after and we were both crying...

Now I am on my way back to Sundsvall… This time as a head coach in the Elitettan. The youngest coach, girl, blah blah... So much has happened.  We have had a rough start, lots of talk, adversity, etc. Every player is capable of so much more than they think but it is a choice you have to make and it is a great choice if you really take it. I told my team before the game that we have to make the CHOICE  and make the choice TOGETHER! WE HAVE TO MAKE THE CHOICE TO PLAY LIKE WINNERS, TO WIN, TO BE EXCELLENT. TO DREAM!!!  Lets dream together!! Lets make that choice together, to FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE.

Anna Sara did not have much time, but she decided to make her last time (which turned into years) the most worthy she could. She let go and lived longer than expected... So now we have a choice... A choice to play , a choice to strive for excellence, a chance to enjoy. Let's be like Anna Sara by letting go and making THE CHOICE TO LIVE!!"