Being A Role Model

You know what is also crazy? In life, you might just be a role model to so many people. It is crazy to think of. Like, you never really thought you would be a role model to anyone besides your cousins or siblings. There is this one little kid right? He just looks up to me like really. When he sees me he yells my name. Tells me to sit by him. He tells me he wants to shoot like me and play ball like me. He shows me how I shoot, and I just adore it. It brings a smile to my face. I also, received letters from kids that are in elementary at my school. Saying they want to shoot like me also, and if I could teach them sometime. They think I am the best three point shooter in the school. I honestly do not think I am, but they bring so much confidence to my dream. Words cannot explain how I feel about the kids that look up to me. If I had a talk with all the kids that play basketball and look up to me, I would do it. ------- I would tell them, "I never thought I would be a role model to any one. I've grown up as a troubled kid. I've grown up parents and kids not liking me. It was hard at times. I looked towards drugs sometimes, but that is never the case. Drugs do not make you cool, or stronger or literally do not help you at all. It is all mental. Being picked on, bullied, name calling, is all mental. If you choose to let those words bother you, then you will be what people say. I've grown up with not that much role models in my life. I've had an uncle who was my big brother, and he was not constantly around. He drifted from that big brother spot. Then one day he fell in love and left Saint Paul. It happens, not occasionally, but life throws some difficult tasks at times. If it is losing some one, or anything that brings your self confidence down. I'm blessed with you kids looking up to me. I really am. But, always be you. Never want to be another person 100 percent. If you do then you're just a shadow of someone else. Do not be a shadow, but if you create your own, then do not abuse your role. Life is filled with so many options, always take them. I like to think of it as a rainbow, and you need to make your own colors. Do not be a regular rainbow, all those colors are getting boring right? Each of your paths in life represents your colors of your rainbow." ------- That would just be a little taste of what I got to tell kids. I know I left out key ingredients, but that is why I said a taste of what I got to tell them. It is hard to know what you're going to say with all those kids just looking at you and paying attention. Listening words from word. Basketball players are role models to every kid basically in this world. I know, I still need some growing up to do, and I look forward to it. I've grown already, and the kids that look up to me, are my reason to follow my dreams. To show them it is possible to chase your dreams. Come out of Alaska on a small island and do something big with their lives. Life is full of surprises, I'm surprised, but I know there is more to come. I love where I come from. And I love all the people that believe in me and the ones that do not. It all makes an impact on my life.