Diary of a Striker with Bethany Balcer: Breakthrough

July 2, 2021
By Bethany Balcer

Diary of a Striker is a Girls Soccer Network exclusive series from Bethany Balcer of OL Reign. Balcer will be giving readers an inside look at her journey as a professional player all season long. New posts drop every two weeks!

Every single person on this planet goes through some type of adversity in their life. No one is immune to hard times; it’s what makes us human. Since we all share in this aspect of life, it’s important to talk about how to navigate those moments, knowing fully that there is a breakthrough waiting for each and every one of us.

When you’re in a difficult season, it’s hard to have hope. It’s hard to put your situation into perspective, step outside of it, and see a greater picture. It’s especially difficult when you don’t know how long your trial will last. I know it’s easy to get discouraged when you’re in the thick of it. But if there is anything I’ve learned from my mere 24 years on earth, it’s that the sun always rises the next day. The pain won’t last. The confusion won’t last. Your purpose is continuously being played out over the course of your life, and everything you experience can be something you learn from if you choose to.

What I’m choosing to do this year is not allow my current situation to affect my future. If I sit and sulk whenever something hard happens, or I get a kick in the butt from a coach, or whatever it is for you, you won’t be able to move forward. And breakthrough is right around the corner! We can’t wait until hard times are over to be happy. Find joy NOW.

I scored my first goal of the season last weekend, and it felt like the last three weeks or so have been building up to this moment of breakthrough. Hard work does pay off, and so does keeping your head down and grinding through the hardest of days. You will become a stronger person if you choose to see your trials in a new light. Whatever you’re going through or whatever is getting you down WILL come to an end. Keep focusing on the breakthrough you are about to receive, and enjoy every second of it.