In the keynote speech at the Women’s football forum that I attended in Sydney last week, Honey Thaljieh spoke of her football journey and it is a story that will probably stay with me for the rest of my days.
Honey became the first Palestinian Women’s Football national team captain. About growing up in Palestine, she said, “despite the bullets, gunfire, unscalable concrete walls, soldiers and checkpoints, everyday I thought ‘the sky is the limit’ “, because she was able to play football in the streets.
It made me realise that adversity and endurance serve a purpose in our lives – the opportunity for character to be forged is waiting right there. Do you become the person who gives up in the face of hardship or the person who meets adversity and accepts the challenges? Endurance is not just about doing what is easy but going beyond and doing what’s needed. Why? Because, if you don’t do it, it won’t get done.
Now the FIFA Corporate Communications Manager, Honey travels the world inspiring all with a compelling message about what football means to her and what is possible to achieve regardless of circumstances.
Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
If you would like to hear more of Honey’s remarkable story check out this TEDx Talk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOB7UwEeo0w
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