ANATOLII
Did you get inspiration from this story and this film?
Successful success!!! Unfortunately or fortunately, I don’t really believe in success stories. I used to watch a lot. But the success of big businessmen is not always as they show. For example:
– French tycoon Bernard Arnault got his father’s construction company.
– Bill Gates’ mother was personally acquainted with the president of IBM and helped her son conclude a deal with him.
– Warren Buffett’s father was engaged in investments and sat in the lower house of the US Congress.
You may have seen a funny video where the wife of David Beckham, a famous football player, Victoria Beckham (née Adams, of Spice Girls fame), talks about being from a poor family. But David asks her to name the brand of the car in which her father drove her to school. She said Rolls-Royce.
But today’s story made a big impression on me. Why? Because Thomas Edison, a famous scientist, said, “Talent is a drop of ability and a sea of work.” My version goes: “Genius is 1% talent and 99% hard work.” I love this phrase. Jaguar is a real example that almost 100% describes my thoughts.
Three things inspire me the most in life, one of which is very strange: my family, the opportunity to travel and robotics (robotics is my second self).
How hard is it to be inspired? It depends on whether you can realize your desires. If you can – easy. If you can’t – hard.
I think that you can inspire children only by your own example and adequately reward them for their successes.
I don’t know how to inspire other people, but I know examples when people like what and how I do (robotics) and it inspires them and they work with me.
And here the discipline begins!!! If you work (99%!!!) inspired, enthusiastically and your eyes burn with your work – it will definitely inspire someone.
I think the phrase “Squash had a rhythm that matched my life” is an activity that you love, that you do with pleasure, that brings you pleasure, that interests you, that you never stop doing, that you constantly improve, that you share with others, that brings you finances or bonuses. It’s like the idea of life. It’s like a important puzzle piece that makes your life complete. Maybe it’s like a healthy spine that holds the whole body together.
“Squash has a rhythm that matched my life.”
I think there are two meanings:
a. Life is another game that you must do your best, like squash. We must act quickly and make different tactics to deal with different challenges. Like Reyna. we have to overcome enormous obstacles in the way. The hard work will pay off. If we don’t work hard, we can’t succeed. The only real test of intelligence is if you get what you want out of life.
b. Life is a finite game, like the ball always comes back. If we focus on growth not only on winning, finite life can become infinite growth. Reyna would lose many points in the squash game, and we couldn’t win in every debate or decision in our life. We must learn from the past and not to dwell on it. If we can find the meaning in our failures, the past will become the gift of our growth.
the coach’s words
“I am looking for instinct. Inside of you there is a jaguar!”
The coach means Reyna is a born squash player, because she has shown her talent and passion in the game: Be passionate, act speedily, move forward courageously, like a jaguar.
Reyna has the instincts to win in the game. As baseball star Derek Jeter said: “If you’re going to play at all, you’re out to win. . . . I hate to lose.”
“The ball always comes back, and when it does, just make a different decision.”
Every ball is different in its direction and strength. Reyna can’t hit it back the same way. Our life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.
As Albert Einstein said: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.“
“I come for darkness and lightness will appear.”
I think we shall be optimistic even though there are many obstacles in our life. And only we experience failure and unfortunate, we become stronger.
“No tree, it is said, can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell.”
4. “This is life. You don’t always get another shot. ”
“If you make a bad decision, there is always an opportunity to fix it. (in squash)”
These two words seem contradictory. In squash, class debate, or trivia, you don’t need to overthink. Fix it and let it be, it’s enough! But in life, especially in marriage, or other important investments, we must be very careful because the cost of fixing it will be expensive.
“Squash has a rhythm that matched my life.”
Squash is a kind of sport in which you have to make a very quick decision when the ball comes in after you hit it to the wall. This game tests your judgment, flexibility and durability. You have to focus on the direction of the ball and follow the rhythm of the game.
Looking back on Reyna’s life, her family didn’t have security, her mother worked hard to survive. Reyna didn’t like her school and had no goals for the future. She and her family had to solve problems which happened unexpectedly in order to live.
So, Squash had a rhythm that matched my life is a metaphor, to let readers understand how hard Reyna’s life was and learn the reason that she loved Squash.
Explain these quotes in your own words.
1) I am looking for instinct. Inside of you there is a jaguar!
The coach was looking for some potential students who had talent like a jaguar – they should be sharp and flexible.
2) You cannot teach the beast. It is either in you or it is not.
The coach wanted to teach Reyna obeying the regulation and rules of squash, no matter what Reyna thought about. (Because if you want to play the game and win the game, you must follow the rules.)
3) I come for darkness and lightness will appear.
It means – don’t give up, just like after the night, the day will come. You have to be patient and keep going, there’s hope ahead.
4) This is life. You don’t always get another shot.
There are not too many opportunities in one’s life. You can hardly get one again if you miss it. So you have to prepare and grab the chance which you may not get again.
5) If you make a bad decision, there is always an opportunity to fix it.
During the game, if you lose a point, don’t feel sorry for too long. You have to focus on the next shot and try hard to bounce the ball again.
Squash – a sport many of us don’t know much about
Before I started playing squash, I didn’t know much about the sport. I began playing in 9th grade and continued through 11th grade – and I absolutely loved it! Squash is fast, intense, and exciting. It helps you build focus, quick decision-making, and physical strength. I think it’s a great sport to learn and a great way to stay active. I would definitely enjoy watching professional squash matches – they’re full of energy and strategy.
Marisol and the obstacles she overcame
Marisol faced many serious obstacles in her life. She didn’t grow up in a safe or stable environment and she lacked support and resources, but she didn’t give up. With the help of squash and her coach, she found strength and purpose. Her story shows real courage and determination. She proved that even when life is difficult, you can move forward and chase your dreams if you believe in yourself and work hard.
“Squash has a rhythm that matched my life.”
I think she wrote it because squash took her mind off her problems at school and she started to discipline her life, stopped fighting at school and channeled her energy in the right direction. I think it is important for every person to find something to do in life and be the best at it.
Obstacles in Reyna’s life
She overcame immigration problems, adapted to school, and figured out how to manage a difficult life situation with money. She changed her daily routine, began to devote time to sports, and eat right.
The game of squash
In my opinion squash is a fun game that helps you get a good workout, stay active, and improve your movement because you have to react quickly to the ball. To be honest, I’m not a fan of any sport.
“Squash has a rhythm that matched my life.”
I think squash is a fast and focused game and maybe that seemed similar to her life which is always moving and has a lot of challenges. Just like in squash, there’s no time to pause. Every moment demands quick thinking and adaptability.
Why did the coach compare Reyna by to this animal? What is the character of the jaguar?
The jaguar is fast and strong. It is extremely intolerant of other cats in his territory, but quite peaceful towards his relatives. The jaguar adapts well to its environment and can hunt in trees and even in water. Adaptability, speed and strength, the ability to fight and stand for the team – Reyna has it all.
This became possible because of her living conditions, because of her family background. You can even say – she was born with it. The coach was right when he compared her to a jaguar in squash.
Reyna’s speech
I really enjoyed Reyna Pacheco’s speech at the 20th anniversary of Urban Squash. She was only 18 years old, but her speech was wise and touching.
Reyna is grateful to everyone who helped her achieve success. She is proud not of her successes, but of her home, where she lives with her family. She says that her family demonstrates perseverance, courage and love every day. And this creates the “core” of Reyna herself and drives her every day. Of course, Reyna is proud of her family too.
The game of squash
I don’t have any personal experience with squash, but my friend played it in Ukraine and continued when he moved to London. He said it helps with focus and making valuable connections, because people who value their time often appreciate this sport.
You cannot teach the beast. It is either in you or it is not.
In my opinion, instinct is like a talent — either you have it or you don’t. A person with strong natural skills can stand out, but with training, someone can achieve even better results than those who have been practicing for a long time.
The ball always comes back, and when it does, just make a different decision.
My understanding is that the ball always comes back to you, no matter where you are. It means you’ll always have another chance to make a different decision.
If you make a bad decision, there is always an opportunity to fix it.
I’m not completely sure what this means, but I think it’s about learning from your mistakes. In squash, just like in chess, you try to think several steps ahead. However, unlike chess, everything happens much faster and in constant motion, so you need to be ready to make a different decision if something goes wrong.
Inspiration
I have many inspirations in my life, but the person who motivates me the most is not someone else, but ME. I often felt depressed when I lost my job. I couldn’t sleep and eat because of this situation. Even my weight decreased. After trying my best for a month, I tried to adjust to this state and I began to prepare resumes and improve my work-related skills. I showed confidence in myself.
Now, I keep encouraging myself to believe that I can do it. And now I have more confidence in the face of anything!
The Blue Ball
I discovered the game of squash a long time before I watched the movie about the girl with the nickname Jaguar. When I moved to a new apartment in New York, I found a whole can of balls. They were not tennis balls. They were blue and looked different. I became curious and searched online to understand why they were not like tennis balls. That is when I learned something important: when these balls hit a hard wall, they get faster instead of slower.
The main difference between squash and tennis is the speed. Squash is super fast. I tried playing in the park, because there is a wall there where people usually play. Most of the time, they use tennis balls, but I wanted to try squash.
Now, after hearing Marisol’s story, I want to play more often in the park. I realized something important: this game is not just about moving, it is also about making quick decisions. It helps build your character. In a new country, that is really important. Sometimes we need to make fast choices and take action.
Reyna’s Speech
From the video, I learned more about Reyna, her family, and her coach. Reyna wasn’t sure if squash was the right choice or if she could succeed in it. Her coach had a big influence on her. He helped her grow as a person and didn’t focus only on sports results. Then Reyna started to believe in herself. She admitted to herself that she wanted more from life – something she didn’t have and that no one in her family talked about. Now she is finishing university and still plays squash.
Uncomfortable situations
I try to avoid situations where I feel out of place in a group that makes me uncomfortable. I also had experiences when I was invited to parties with people who were wealthier. In the end, I just started to say no to such invitations.
What did you learn about Squash?
As for squash, it looks intense and fast-paced. I think I could learn the rules, but hand-eye coordination would be a challenge for me, since I’m not a sporty person. It might be more fun to watch than to play for me!
“Squash has a rhythm that matched my life.”
When Reyna Pacheco says that squash had a rhythm that matched her life, she expresses a deep connection between the sport and her own experiences.
For me, this evokes several ideas: Rhythm implies harmony, a fluidity. For Reyna, squash wasn’t meant to be just a sport, but an activity that fits naturally into her daily life, her emotions, her thoughts. This suggests that squash fulfills a personal need, perhaps a need for structure, challenge, or expression. The rhythm of the game may have reflected her own inner rhythm. Squash became a metaphor for her life. The ups and downs of the game, the moments of tension and release, could reflect the challenges and joys of her personal life.
Overall, this statement reveals that squash was much more than just a sport for Reyna. It was an integral part of her identity and life experience.
Your inspiration
I’m inspired by stories where talented people receive help that completely transforms their lives. Marisol’s squash coach is like a guardian angel – he gave her the opportunity to grow in sports, supported her, and helped her with documentation.
Inspiration is something every person needs, no matter the field – whether it’s fashion, cooking, construction, or accounting!
My own sources of inspiration are nature, architecture, and music. I love noticing beauty around me. And my friends also inspire me – they motivate me to grow and be creative.
Being uncomfortable
Squash is considered a sport for wealthy people, and the party dedicated to the tournament was attended by members of the regional elite. Marisol had promised her coach that she would go. At the party, she unexpectedly ran into one of her mother’s clients, and some of the guests learned about her real-life situation. It was a silent moment. I believe she did the right thing by telling the truth.
In my opinion, there’s no point in pretending to be someone you’re not because the truth always comes out eventually. When I find myself in an uncomfortable situation, I try to act like everything is going exactly as planned. Calmness and confidence are my main allies in such moments.
What did YOU learn about Squash?
I learned through this story that squash is a racquet sport played by two on a four walled court with a small ball, is an unpredictable game because the object of the game is to hit the ball in a way that the opponent is not able to return it, so the players have to run all around the court. That means it is a game which requires endurance and agility to be ready to run in any direction. I would like to learn how to play squash. I think it is a sport in which agility and focus are practiced. I already watched some squash practices on YouTube and I found it very moving, passionate and fun.
“Squash has a rhythm that matched my life.”
In the story about Reyna, she explains how the immediacy of the game fits how she was living. She did not have certainty of anything in her life at that moment so she had to take it day by day. Squash had a rhythm that matched my life – in that sport, you do not know how fast it will take the ball to return to you, and you have to be ready and awake to hit the ball and try to do your best. If you do not, the ball is always coming back, and when it does, you could hit it differently, and that is a really good way to see the life – be ready and awake, and if you make a mistake, you always will have the opportunity to make a different decision, doing it with the rhythm that life sets, taking it all day by day.
Where did you learn how to play squash? When did you first learn?
I learned to play squash in middle school. It was part of the sports program offered by my school, and even though I didn’t know anything about the sport at first, it caught my attention because it was so different and dynamic. We had a court at school and a coach who taught us the basics of the game, like how to hold the racket properly, how to move inside the court, and how to hit the ball against the wall.
I was about 13 years old when I started playing squash. It was a great age to begin, as I had a lot of energy and curiosity to try new sports. At first, it was hard to understand the rules and coordinate my movements, but little by little I improved thanks to constant practice.
Did you play regularly?
Yes, during the first two years after learning, I played regularly. We had training twice a week at school, and sometimes I also played on weekends at a nearby sports club. I really enjoyed it because it was a fun way to exercise and improve my reflexes and focus. Some of my friends also played squash, especially those on the same school team. We played matches with each other, which made it more exciting. We shared strategies, talked about the game, and motivated each other to get better. Having friends who played too was a big reason why I stayed interested.
Are you still playing as an adult? Why did you stop (if you did)?
I don’t play squash as often now. Sometimes, if I have the chance and access to a court, I like to play for fun. However, adult life – with work and other responsibilities – has made it harder to find the time and place to play regularly. I stopped playing squash regularly because I started university and later began working. Between studying and new responsibilities, it became harder to stay organized and keep practicing. Also, it’s not always easy to find a squash court nearby. Still, I have great memories of the time I played and would love to get back to it someday.
What did you learn from listening to Reyna speak?
Listening to Reyna was very inspiring. It made me realize that behind every achievement there’s a story of struggle, sacrifice, and perseverance. She faced many challenges, like adapting to a new country and culture, learning a new language, and dealing with strong emotions. What impacted me the most was learning that many nights she cried herself to sleep and thought about giving up, but she still pushed forward. I learned that perseverance, passion, and the desire to overcome can open amazing doors, even when everything seems against you.
What did you learn from listening to the Executive Director of Access Youth Academy talk about Reyna?
The Executive Director of Access Youth Academy emphasized the importance of community support and creating opportunities for young people in difficult situations. I learned that what someone often needs to succeed isn’t just talent, but also guidance, encouragement, and an environment that pushes them to grow. I found it very meaningful how he spoke about the impact Reyna had not only in sports but also as a role model for other youth. Her story shows how an organization can transform lives when it believes in each person’s potential.
“Squash had a rhythm that matched my life.”
I don’t play squash, but I play tennis. I love the sound of the racket hitting the ball – it’s satisfying and sharp. I enjoy the moments when I’m completely focused, running toward the ball, and feeling the movement of my tennis skirt swinging with each step. I think when you really like something, you can fully enjoy it without noticing the time passing or the physical tiredness. That’s something that has a rhythm that matches your life.
Inspiration
Reyna’s story showed me how far you can get when you find something you really like and keep doing it. It’s also very important to have a great mentor to encourage you when you want to give up and correct you when you make mistakes. I’m inspired by people who keep going even when things are difficult.
I’m also inspired by art and nature. Sometimes just hearing a beautiful piece of music or watching someone create something with passion makes me feel hopeful and motivated. It’s not always easy. When I feel tired or discouraged, it’s harder to be inspired. But if I slow down, take care of myself, or do something small that I enjoy, I usually find inspiration again. It can come from little things – like a conversation, a memory, or even a quiet moment.
“Squash has a rhythm that matched my life.”
When Reyna Pacheco said that “Squash had a rhythm that matched my life,” she meant that the sport reflected her personal struggles and the way she lived every day. In squash, the ball always comes back sometimes with unexpected spins or directions and the player has to be careful, focused, and ready to react quickly. This is similarity I saw between squash and Reyna, because it is how she felt in her life as an undocumented student where she never knew what challenge would come next. The rhythm of squash gave her a way and reason to survive and express herself especially when life outside the court was full of surprises.
To me, this means that sometimes we find activities that help us move on with life. They describe our emotions and our strength.
What are some of the obstacles that Reyna overcame and how did she overcome them?
Reyna faced many serious obstacles in her life. First of all she was undocumented, which meant she didn’t have legal papers and couldn’t travel or compete officially in squash events. Her family was poor, and because of that she had to take three-hour bus rides early in the morning to reach the squash courts. Sometimes she even had to sleep on hotel floors during tournaments because they couldn’t afford rooms. Also, her mom worked cleaning houses, and her brother dropped out of school because college didn’t seem like a real option.
Despite all of this, Reyna stayed focused and motivated. She trained hard with her coach Renato, who believed in her. She became team captain because of her determination and fighting spirit. Later, a lawyer helped her apply for a green card for free, and she finally got it. Reyna overcame her obstacles with hard work, strong motivation, and the support of people who believed in her.
“Squash has a rhythm that matched my life.”
I guess she tried to say her life was quick, where she had to make decisions and face the consequences. Sometimes the ball could hit her, but she had to continue, because she also had the opportunity to change the result with her actions. Discovering what was passionate to her, finding coincides with her own choices and desires. Squash is a sport where you are in a small space, like the garage where she lived with her family; squash represented for her a new world and the new people she met.
The obstacles facing Marisol
Distance. She had to do a long trip everyday to practice squash, but she did it and her family supported her despite the difficulties.
Discipline. Her friend quit after the first day, but she continued. Sometimes we look for close support, but the path we must take can be solitary, and she took the path alone.
Society. She needed sponsorships from another social class to continue practicing the sport. So she left her bias to follow her dream. She avoided the excuses!