๑۩۞۩๑ hideaway ๑۩۞۩๑

we have just had our company’s annual bowling tournament and it was loads of fun. i won a chef d’angelo gift certificate for the Red Pin category, and our Royal Team lost the tournament, but that is not what this entry is all about.

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i played a good game during the first set. but towards the middle of the second set and the rest of the third set, to say that those were lousy games is an understatement.

in fact, i blamed my below 100 average score to everything i could think of: the 7lb. ball was too light, the 8lb. ball was too heavy; lane 1 sucks, it slopes to the left; lane 2 lacks visual symmetry, i should be playing on lanes 5 or 6; i didn’t get enough sleep last night; my teammates are too noisy; the list goes on.

as in life. it’s almost too easy and too convenient to put the blame in other things.

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it wasn’t easy getting spares and strikes. imagine having to topple 10 pins with only one or two balls.

as in life. to hurdle all obstacles and emerge victorious in one attempt. and if we’re lucky, we get another chance.

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upon observation, each player had his/her own style of launching the ball. some had obvious aggression, while others merely nudged their ball. but all had the same goal: bring down as many pins as one can.

as in life. each of us deals with our obstructions in our own way, in the hope of eliminating as much impediment as we can, if not all.

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more experienced players were coaching the others before their turn. you see them behind the seemingly frustrated beginners, showing them the proper way to release the ball.

as in life. there are those who give us advice. but in the end, it’s still up to us how we do it.

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and then there are whoops, screams and applause for every strike made. or raucous laughter and goading jeers for gutter balls.

as in life. we praise those who confront their obstacles and battle head-on, and taunt those who avoid obstructions and take the easy way out.

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at the end of the game, the winning teams received trophies and rewards.

as in life. those who reap their rewards are those who know that life is not a smooth lane. those who make the most out of life are those who recognize the value of the lessons learned in conquering its obstacles. those who do well in rising above adversities are those who heed the advice of those who have been through the same experience and go through with it knowing what to do.

and as in life, it’s not all about collisions and obstacles. while in the smooth lane, ride with the breeze, have fun, with your life/teammates behind you, cheering you on.

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and then the balls go back up, ready to roll again.

as in life. we take the time to collect our wits, then bounce back, ready to take on whatever life has to offer again.