Tribolum.com Making Light of Things

Today’s basketball game was a killer. Literally. There’s this guy who plays occasionally whom I seem to have made enemies of. I’m often assigned the task of guarding him because I find that it is something I do effectively. Maybe too effectively. Today he began to play very rough, pushing and shoving under the basket. I understand that basketball is a contact sport, and I do not shun from it. I work hard at defense (because I’m lousy at offense anyway). He really got me riled this afternoon. Attitudes are contagious, and it soon became a team thing. Their whole team was fired up, and my team was fired up. We seemed to get the better of them on defense. Then there was this moment : I had the ball and some other guy was guarding me, making a jeering sound. I feinted left, then jammed on my brakes hard. He fell down. I was inclined to dribble in his face and laugh at him. It was not out of amusement, but out of dominance. I thank God I fumbled the ball right into the opponents hands. They took it that I was being sportsmanly, allowing their team member to get up before continuing the game. I’m glad it happened that way.

I had a long time of thinking about it. It was definitely one of my finer moments in basketball. Unlike the other moments, where I felt ecstatic because we all had a good time, this moment was “special” because I triumphed over another. I wanted to tell Ryan the moment I saw him, and we would both have a good laugh at the other guy’s vain attempts to guard me. But no. For that split second of thought I had become what I hated and despised. I was ashamed I even found joy in another’s embarrassment. It is just a game and should remain so. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, so the saying goes. I am thankful that I was reminded in time. Indeed, what would profit a man if he gains the world but loses his soul? I have told no one, and have decided to tell no one. We shall not laugh at another’s expense. I share with you this no longer in triumph, but in thankfulness that there was enough grace to save me before I fell totally.

Dearest Geisthund, you are right. I should look up and be happy, rather than mope with a saddened countenance all the while. I remember the poem I stuck on my door during the first semester. It was “Life” by Charlotte Bronte.

Life, believe, is not a dream so dark as sages say. Oft a little morning rain Foretells a pleasant day. Sometimes there are clouds of gloom, But these are transient all; If the shower will make the roses bloom, Oh why lament its fall?

I’m glad you’ve reminded me such. There are many things to be thankful for. Far too often we live lives of discontent. Thank you dear friend.

To Elaine, while studying is a main priority, find the “joie de vive”. For what life is life, if there is no life indeed? Smile and know this : you have a friend right here. And we could hang out, right here.