"You guys are always here." These are words my coach spoke to me and my teammate one day at practice. After that, she told us that we would be starters for every game since we were always showing up. Every game that I've been starting line up for since I always think of that moment. I had never played for a team or done a school sport even though I had been interested in doing so. I always thought the reason my parents didn't support me in sports was that they didn't want me getting injured, which I felt wasn't the most valid reason, but I would understand their concern for my safety. I later found out that they hadn't been as supportive because I had older siblings who would join extracurriculars, just for them to become disinterested and drop them even though my parents had already paid the fees. I ended up paying for my lacrosse fee with my own money, even though my mom offered to split the cost. I wanted her to know that I was serious about sticking to it, and I have been. I'll be honest; I don't always want to show up to practice. But I still do. I know that this is what I signed up for and that I'm going to stick with it. I know that my coaches and teammates need me to be there, so I will be there. The definition of teamwork when googled is "the combined action of a group of people, especially when effective and efficient". I always ask our midfielders in games how I can help them as I play offense and I take my coach's advice if they ask me to do something in a game or at practice, but teamwork also makes me think of my job. I've worked at a local restaurant for almost two years now. Because of my schedule, I typically work dinner shifts, which is when we have some of the biggest rushes. I believe this job is where I've learned the most about teamwork and how important it is to communicate. There could be up to 7 people in the kitchen, but if just one person doesn't do their job then everyone is in serious trouble. Someone might forget to run an order out, while someone might forget to make part of an order. Figuring that out led me to develop a habit of double-checking everything I was doing and communicating and asking my coworkers questions just to make sure everything was the way it was supposed to be. Although it should be a positive trait, there was an instance where I felt wrong for trying to communicate. My manager yelled at me for double-checking something by asking a question and I felt ashamed, even though I was just trying my best. I don't hold anything against that manager, I understand that they were stressed out at that moment and I've forgiven them for it. I think forgiveness is an understated part of teamwork. There are many times when I don't understand why someone didn't run faster to go after a ball during a game or why they wouldn't pass to someone who was clearly open. But I know that doesn't bring any benefit to the team so I don't say anything. I just cheer for my girls. I'm trying my best and I know they are too, and that's what matters. Discipline is hard. But as the saying goes, it is "the bridge between goals and accomplishments". And I'm working on it.