Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Badminton

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I’ve been playing badminton with Ly. I like it for the most part, but it does get intimidating and boring at times. Intimidating when I know everyone else is better than me. I get afraid that I’m ruining their good time because of my inadequacy. Boring when Ly and I are just doing drills. This happens often because there aren’t a lot of people we can challenge, and Ly is just so much better than me that we can’t have a decent game against each other.

During drills Ly insists on “instructing” me, although I don’t remember ever asking him to do this. It’s annoying because he gives too much feedback and I get overwhelmed. Also I have no urge to improve my game. Ly, however, is on a constant quest to improve, and he assumes everyone else is also. The last time we went to play, a family walked into the facility as we parked our car. Ly pointed them out, saying that they were regulars but they don’t improve. I defended them, saying that some people play just to have fun. But that day we spent most of our time doing drills, and I wasn’t having fun. I found myself looking at the clock as Ly droned on about technique and so on, so this time I decided to listen. I have a lot of bad habits, but I was able to make some of the adjustments that he suggested. And you know what? It was kind of fun to see myself improve, so maybe I will listen to Ly more often. Maybe I can improve my game enough so that when we do play with others I won’t be the worst player.

3 comments:

TrixieBelden said...

Don't be too hard on yourself. I think it is great you decided to put more effort into it and you found it pay off. But remember to trust yourself. If something isn't feeling worthwhile, don't force yourself to do it. :)

Anonymous said...

you have some points- don't spoil other people's fun on account of you having fun [however you say you suck- what fun is that?]. if you don't want to improve than why bother? you don't know how to play and don't want to improve either- I wonder what exactly are you doing on the court then? you are not the only one- there's abunch of folks like you where I am playing and I have no merci on them just because they are beginners- they've been like this ever since I know them. my advice: pick up chess or something else that does not involve team work. alternatively, improve, grow in what you are doing [badminton or anything else] and you'll see [as you already did] that there's other kind of fun more fun than the one you know. your current attitude sucks and I don't understand why Ly keeps hanging out with you.

Lily T said...

Anonymous – I don't agree with you.

I fear no one’s opinion! I am knowledgeable, focused, and efficient. I make this priority and build from experience. I do this for my children and myself. Supported by love, I will persevere.