Part 1 – Some Basic Principles

To see into the future, soothsayers use crystal balls. One morning, as I was shooting hoops to relieve stress, something came to me. I realized that there are a lot of reflections that come with remembering events in my life that, in one way or another, had to do with the game I love.

Let’s look back into the past with the orange ball. Here is Part 1 of lessons I learned from basketball.

INTENTION

High school days. Common issue: crushes. I used to have a mini crush on a silent, sweet smiling four-eyed row mate, an inspired type of crush on two of prettiest members of the honors class, and a hormone-related crush on a megababe from a higher year. And because of this crush and the resulting matchmaking fad, whether during warm-ups before a game or a shoot-around while waiting for the PE teacher, you may get teased on some shot attempts.

“‘Pag na shoot yan, para kay Aida!” (If that shot goes in, he did it for Aida)

“Uuuuy… para kay Lorna!” (Uuuuy… for Lorna!)

“Nakatingin si Fe. Para daw sa kanya ‘yan.” (Fe is looking. She wants that dedicated to her.)

They’d randomly pick names. I have to admit, everytime they got the right name… can’t help it but pause, smile and pretend to steal a glance before  a well-excecuted, concentrated shot. One shout that cause one second of thinking that changes the shot… to a special one. In an instant, since I was doing it for an additional purpose, I intended to do it better and with added “style”.

I know of friends who did far better than others in school or work because they know and reflect often why they are there. It gives them boost.

Knowing why we’re doing something does not only give us purpose. It helps us do things better. Always have a purpose for things you do. Always have good intentions. The bigger the venture or plan, the more reason you should. Do not do it just to go with the flow or that it was just dictated by some people. Worse is to do it just because you feel like it. We are slaves not to others, not to our ego, but to our Creator. Kaya dapat, para kay God (Ideally, it should be for God).

COMMUNICATION

Are you a fan of somebody? Sports star? Politician? Actor? Friend? Here’s a tip from a Majic Johnson documentary video we have watched over and over during the VHS days. In the best seconds of their performance, the narrator said, “WATCH THEIR EYES.” They tell a lot why they’re great.

I believe in connections, not necessarily explained by science, that occour among people. Remember the Johnson’s Baby Lotion advertisement? It claimed that a second of touch communicates more feelings than minutes of talk. Watching other people’s eyes, transfers terabytes of information. I gain a lot more inspiration following the eyes of people I look up to as they perform than just simply watch them do those highlights. It’s like I feel what drives them.

Aside from using it to be at par with people you idolize, use it to solve problems with people you care for. It helps. A lot. Ask for a sincere eye to eye contact when addressing issues or expressing love. Add touch, if possible. Use baby lotion, if available.

RESPECT

Watch it. Amare is the man. Weeks ago, he did coolest thing. It was not a quick one-handed flush off the dribble or a monster throw-down. Not even a shot. It was a salute.

We know of the common high fives and hugs given by players from the two benches after a great game. Amare’s was something else. It was pure respect. A sincere gesture of salute of a veteran superstar to the younger superstar of the other team. Check the thirty-nine-second video that now has garnered almost three million views as of writing.

How often do you give that type of respect to your peers? Too often we get enveloped by your own achievements that we fail to acknowledge others. Worse, at times, we don’t do it out of hidden insecurity and pride. Pride can get out of control, unnoticed. Watch it.