Dear Passion Episode 8, Day 2

Finishing off my dinner, rinsed some plates, and went to sleep. At my bed, I was so excited I could not sleep. I turned my computer and watching some game films of NBA players such as Kyrie Irving, Russel Westbrook, and the shots made by Steph Curry. I started learning about the gameplay, how they approached the game and what level of details did they focus on; simply by questioning myself " why did he do this, when he could have gone the way? " I understood the depth of the game, the attention to detail which comes when studying the game started for me from there.

I slept at 3 AM, woke up at 5 AM reached the gym by 5:30 AM. By this time at the gym, everybody at the gym had started working out and running the drills. There was a rule, which Coach Barton had made- " Minutes late * 10 = Push-ups " So, 300 Push-ups was my penalty, however, I was thrilled and excited to do it as never felt like I am working. I was enjoying every moment of it as it was giving me the inner satisfaction of doing what I loved to do the most which were to play Basketball.

The coach came at 6 am, we all were ready to get out and practice started. Coach assembled us, we stood in a circle and he told us that the game was tonight at 22:00 hrs ( 10 PM ), he continued to say, " If we win the game only then we are allowed to enter the summer league " I interrupted, " or else ", coach nodded sideways. He said, " I know it's a bit tough on you guys, if you are not okay with it I will tell them. " I looked at the faces of my team, by this time everyone was looking differently; Austin was afraid, I stepped ahead, stood beside the couch, and asked everyone, " Do you love Basketball?"

 I heard a low, " yes ", I asked again this time a louder voice came and I asked again, the loudest voice came. I then asked " Is Basketball your Passion? ", Stephen and George were the loudest with the answer. I asked, " Are we a team? ", " Yes " was the answer, but themselves. I asked " Will we support and help each other to get better? " Here the answer came out quick and loud. I turned towards the coach and said, " Coach we are ready for practice? " However, Cole stood silent; he was not the open mouth type. By this time, the clock ticked 7 AM, it was time for school. I remember, the game films of the last night, I pulled Stephen and George to the side told them this, surprising they were doing the same on their parent's phone. We all sat down, during lunch, and created a playing strategy.

It taught us the fundamentals of the game which every coach teaches, however, we didn't know at that time. All we know is running and the game films. We all gathered back on the court, at 16:30 hrs, we 3 were thrilled to share our strategy with the team. The coach entered, and asked, " What do we have till now? " Cole stepped up, " Running ", the coach said, " A little louder " " Run ( Cole said in high tone ) ". So that's exactly what we are going to do. At that moment, I pulled my team aside and said we could try it. 

We went ahead to do a triangle offense, yet, unknown to us at that time. The coach was stunned to surprise. He wasn't expecting this from us who started practiced only 1 week ago. I also told the team, how Marcus could run quickly and change his speed when we were reaching for the basket. This gave us a head start on what we were going to face. By 19:30 hrs, we were halfway home. Matt, Cole, Paul took the second street, as they stayed 2 streets ahead of us. I, Stephen, and George were neighbors, we had houses next to one another. Austin is always picked up by his parents.

On our way home, we saw Marcus play, it was 19:45 hrs and his team was warming up, he was shooting, dribbling, running and me a little sacred to how I can stack up against it. I was already, thinking about what are the areas that I could get better at. I returned home, opening the door my dad was standing, as didn't inform me about the extra practice. He stopped me at the door and the question he asked me " At what time is the game? " I was surprised to a point where I forgot I had to answer the question and the answer was " ha-ha-ho-how did you know? "

I settled back, got fresh, at the dinner table, I told him about the game and the condition of the game. Hearing this, mom said " I believe you can do and I love you ", however, dad was quiet and asked " Are you afraid or excited? " and I was ready with the answer, " I am excited " with the reply, " show them what you got and whatever it takes to get better at what you love "

And it struck, " I have to get better every single day to become the best version of myself ". From there I just went to play.

Life Lesson: When you feel sacred, remember the excitement why you started it.

Here's a quick recap of Episode 8 under 15 seconds-