You shared so much more than your experience. You shared your hard-earned wisdom about life, all packed into a single beautifully written post.
To me, the most important lesson you convey is that every athlete has to figure out what role sports will best play in his/her life. It can certainly add to the fullness and richness, but failure to maintain perspective can also obscure the important areas of a young athlete's maturity and growth that you so eloquently describe.
So impressive. Thank you.