Coaching a soccer camp seems so simple, yet in reality it goes a long way. Like most things in life, the small things make the biggest difference. I love taking time out of the summer to do this because it makes me feel better. It puts me at ease. It gets me out in the sun. It makes me stay loose. But, more importantly I am there to help the kids and spread my passion, and to support those who had the same aspirations I did.

For me, soccer is water. It is something that I cannot live without, I cannot even go more than two days without it. So, in the summer, after the season is over, I need a way to stay involved. But, the kids make it even more fun, they laugh at all the jokes I make—I know most of them went over their head— and they have the same passion I had when I was younger. It’s like looking into a mirror and seeing my young self running around the Arrowhead soccer fields and conversing with all of the high schoolers.

Until truly thinking deeper about this, I thought the only impact I had was on the children. But, in reality, I’m helping my coach because he needs help running the camp and keeping all of the kids under control. I’m helping the parents because they need this three hour break from making sure their kids aren’t breaking anything in their own house. And, who knows, I’m probably helping my parents by getting out of the house and staying out of their area so they can focus on work.

Anytime you believe that you are not making an impact, just think. Think about yourself. Think about others. Just because you may believe that no one is watching or no one will notice, there is always someone watching. Someone who will take notice. Someone who will be impacted by your actions. No matter how small or how big, the impact will be felt.