Badminton

Let's talk about badminton today, shall we? :-)

Okay, as very few of you know, I've started training with a group this year(February), instead of the individual lessons. 3 times a week, but I only attend twice. This group is supposed to be for the kids that are better than average players who train, but not good enough to enter the state team.

Since this training started, I can't say I've improved much. I dislocated my shoulder after a few of those training sessions. Why didn't it happen when I was training in the individual lesson? Individual lessons actually required me to use my shoulder more(more shuttle drills per person). Makes you wonder, eh?

But anyway, I've almost decided that badminton will just be a sport for me to enjoy myself. I don't really enjoy competitive badminton. Makes the players angry, kiasu, always criticising each other and just plain competitive(even more so for doubles).

Before matches, I'm sure Christians pray that they will win their match. What if their opponent prays the same? You put God in a dilemma then, don't you? I usually just ask to play my best, whether I win or lose is His will. There's a reason for everything, after all.

Some(oh fine, MOST) people hate losing. I don't know why. Losing teaches you humility, makes you accept that the other opponent was better. No use saying, "I should have won that game! Just because of this this and that that etc". Of course, losing may make a player come out with excuse(breeze in the hall, just couldn't play that day, partner played poorly, line judges were blind, umpire bias etc.) My suggestion? Whenever you lose in something, accept it. There has to be a loser in everything. Don't tell me you expect to win everything? When you win everything, what's the use? Pride comes before fall. ;-)

But I enjoy training with this group. Why? Because they're mostly younger kids(8-12 years old mostly). What's so nice about younger kids you wonder?

Small kids aren't that proud. Yes, it's true. The want to 'win win win' is yet to 'ilfiltrate' their way of thinking. That's what I feel anyway.

'Kiasuism'. Kiasu means afraid to lose. When players are kiasu, they start to be very very competitive. In individual events(badminton, squash, tennis etc-singles), it isn't so bad. The only person that feel that 'feeling' is you and your opponent. In doubles events(badminton, tennis, squash etc) the feeling of kiasuism is.. I won't say it. Everytime someone makes a mistake, she/he will get it from the partner. Not that I'm perfect, but I do refrain from scolding my partner, I usually encourage(nevermind, good try etc). What's the point of getting so competitive?? The point of a game is to enjoy yourself. For me, that is.

Conclusion: Badminton isn't that important. To me, that is. Yes, I really love badminton. My hand itches to touch the racquet everytime I think about it(even after the day of training). My pocket money is mainly spent on badminton.

Even when I stopped training for two years, I hit the shuttle against the wall nearly everyday day for half an hour or so. This is how much I love the game of badminton. I don't mind paying for the court, some people mind paying a lot of money for the court, I usually supply the shuttle(expensive!) because others are too stingy to bother, but the money factor doesn't deter me from playing badminton.

But you said badminton isn't important! It isn't. Although I love badminton a lot, I know I cannot let it affect my walk with God. I believe that due to this love for badminton, I will someday be forced to give it up, perhaps permanently.

1 Timothy 4:8
⁸For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

A little exercise is good. Not too much of it.

Besides, my shoulder will forced me to give it up sooner or later. Well, I do have to give up everything in order to follow Him after all. =) I'd rather lay up my treasures in heaven where moths, thieves and rust can't get 'em, rather than stock up my medals on earth. Hehehe!

People say I'm weird. My way of thinking is.. well, let's just say slightly different from others. I don't mind though. I'm not really bothered by what other people think of late. I'd rather please God than man.

God bless
Joanne Lim
Webmaster@joannetmj.tk