The Young Boy and his unknown Talent

In a quaint village nestled deep within the rolling hills of rural Mexico, lived a young boy named Mateo. Mateo was known far and wide in his village for his incredible talent in soccer. He could dribble past any defender, shoot with pinpoint accuracy, and his footwork was a sight to behold. But despite his immense talent, Mateo faced a significant challenge: his village was hundreds of miles away from towns where football scouts or professional coaches lived.

Every few months, Mateo's team from the village would travel to a bigger town to play against teams from other small villages. These tournaments were the highlight of Mateo's year, but they came with a bitter realization. The scouts and professional coaches never attended these matches, as they were always busy watching the games in the big cities. Despite his best efforts, Mateo remained unseen by the people who could help him achieve his dream.

As the months turned into years, Mateo found it increasingly difficult to keep his spirits high. He saw many of his friends and fellow players become disheartened and give up on their dreams. "What's the point?" they would say. "No one important ever sees us play." Mateo felt the same despair creeping into his heart, but something inside him refused to let go of his dream.

One evening, as Mateo sat by the river, lost in thought, an old man approached him. This man was known in the village as a wise storyteller, and his presence was always a source of comfort. Sensing Mateo's gloom, the old man sat beside him and began to speak.

"Mateo," he said softly, "I see a fire in you, a passion that refuses to be extinguished. Do you know why that is?"

Mateo shook his head, his eyes downcast.

"It is because you have a purpose," the old man continued. "And though it may seem like the world is ignoring your talent, your time will come. But here's a secret: the opportunity you seek will not arrive if you spend your days in despair and distraction. Every moment you wish for different circumstances, you lose sight of the now and what can be done in this present moment to prepare."

Mateo listened intently, his heart slowly filling with hope.

"Your job, Mateo, is to trust in your process," the old man said. "Put your energy and intention into your training every day. The more you prepare, the more you create the perfect set of conditions for your opportunity to arise. If you don’t have a process, reach out to an elder or a coach for guidance in order to develop one. It could be tomorrow, in a month, or even in a year, but it will come. And when it does, you must be ready."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Mateo dedicated himself to his training with even greater determination. He practiced every day, honing his skills and staying focused on his goal. He stopped worrying about when he would be discovered and instead concentrated on being the best player he could be.

One day, during an unexpected visit to a nearby town, a scout from a prestigious football academy happened to watch a match where Mateo was playing. The scout was mesmerized by Mateo's talent and immediately approached him after the game. That moment, the one Mateo had prepared for tirelessly, had finally arrived.

Mateo's story spread throughout the village, inspiring many to pursue their dreams with unwavering dedication and faith in their process. They learned from Mateo's journey that while circumstances may not always be in their favor, staying focused on the present and preparing diligently for the future would eventually lead them to their own moments of opportunity.

Moral of the Story: Trust in your process. The energy and intention you put in every day create the perfect set of conditions for your opportunity to arise when it is supposed to. If you don’t have a process, reach out to an elder or a coach for guidance in order to develop one. Don’t be distracted by the desire for different circumstances; instead, focus on what can be done in the present moment to prepare for the future.