Monday, April 20, 2009

Basketball Analogy

I've felt impressed to write about something we discussed in Relief Society yesterday. The question was posed, "Why do we need adversity in our lives?" I started thinking about basketball. (I know, sports analogies are usually left to the Elder's Quorum, but stay with me.) I think life is a little like basketball. We practice dribbling, shooting, passing, running plays, and defensive strategies so that we can become better at each skill, and a develop into a better player in general. If all we ever did was practice, what good would that do? We need to actually come against an opponent to test our skills and know what we need to work on in order to advance, and therefore be in a better position to win the next game.
In life, we spend each day "practicing" such skills as obedience, communication, compassion, faith, etc. But in order for us to progress, we need to come against an opponent to test our skills so that we know where we are and what we need to work on. The trials that come into our lives are just such an opponent, and by evaluating our performance within and at the outcome of each trial, we can know on what skills or characteristics our time should be spent "practicing."
For anyone who has played basketball before, you know that emotions can run high, effecting performances and ultimately the outcome of a game. Same thing in life! If we allow them, our emotions can hinder our ability to see clearly the big picture and stop working in areas that need the most attention, or cause us to give up altogether.
I guess my point is that we can be in control of our "game" as long as we take the time to put the right kind of practice in beforehand.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

This is such a great post! One of the best analogies I've heard in a long time. Might be a good way to translate this message to your YM/YW group in your ward...

Jonesy said...

Thanks, Marcie! I can't wait to finally have the pregnancy hormones out of my system so I can feel as though my words are a little more coherent. There are more connections to be made in this analogy, but I think I was lucky to get out what I had. I want to revisit this at a later date when I've had a decent night's sleep--and I know you know what I mean!

Jill said...

FYI-great analogy, but speaking bball, I just wanted to tell you I have been playing in a women's league and loving it! It is composed of high school varsity teams, seniors who are going to be playing at some college the next year, and then the old ladies, of which I have been keeping up pretty darn good!

Ashlee said...

I love this and am going to share it with others!