Jeez, '14 is here. We've been using "Final in '14" for about four years now, and it has always seemed like a faraway land. A distant dream. However, it's here now. '14 is here and the World Cup will be soon.
When I take that into consideration--that phrase and how long we've been using it--I realize that whether the Top 50 camp is my last hurrah or another rock in the river I'm crossing, I have been a part of a great journey. That journey has seen the USA WNT change and it's seen me change. I suppose many people will measure its greatness and worth based on our performance at the World Cup, and those people would be justified for doing so. However, for those who have committed to the journey and have seen it change us, physically, mentally, emotionally, know that it has been a great journey. Even in its incomplete form, it has been great.
By no means does that mean we are content with it in its current state. We want to see our baby grow. We want to be in the Final in '14. We want to be the fittest, strongest, most cohesive and fluid rugby team in Paris, and of course anything less than that will be disappointing. But it won't be disheartening.
There are some verses from the Tao Te Ching I'm thinking about as I write this:
In the universe great acts are made up of small deeds.
The sage does not attempt anything very big,
And thus achieves greatness.
I believe these lines are the essence of what I'm trying to say about this team. The end is not our focus. I think that's why the World Cup still seems so far off. We are focused on the now--the things we can do today to make ourselves better rugby players and make our team better, and knowing we are a part of something great is enough for now.
