Russell C
Ms. Ciarella
English 1 pd. 1
2/3/2008
Be a Playa
Life is a big basketball game. You have to be focused on what you want. I believe if life was lived out as if we were all in a basketball game this world would be a better place. You can call for the ball, or you can pass the ball off. You can drive the lane, or you can settle for a shot. You can shoot the game winning three, or you can shoot the game tying two. Basketball is life.
In terms of time, basketball has a whole bunch in common with life. Towards the end of the first quarter (eighteen-nineteen years old), you might feel like you need a few extra points or rebounds. So in those last thirty seconds you go all out and hustle just make a few extra plays, and by the end of the first quarter you feel like you did something good. In the real world this is college applications and studying for finals. In the beginning of the second quarter (twenty-twenty three years old) you go a little slower, that first quarter may have taken a bit out of you, so you dog it for a minute-and-a-half. In the real world this means get ahead; then take a few weekends off.
After that lazy minute-and-a-half you realize how bad you’re doing and how good everyone else is. Now you really step up (twenty four-thirty four years old), you call for the ball (get a job) and drive the lane (promotion). You can not start celebrating; you have to play defense and show your coach that you earned those two points and not give it up as fast as you got them. The other team shoots. You now have to block out the opponent for position. You work hard, really hard, in the real world.
Half time (thirty five-forty years old), you make adjustments. You figure out what need to do harder and what you need to be smoother on. Ask yourself, who on the other team is shooting well and who on your team is shooting well? By this time, you realize how good you and your team are. Now you relax until The Game resumes. Take a vacation in the real world. You deserve it!
Third quarter (forty one-fifty four years old); you are putting it all together. In the real life, these are your best years for making an impact. You are experienced. Maybe in the real world you will get a serious raise too; you add value to the company.
Fourth quarter (fifty five-seventy years old) let’s say you have a good deficit in your favor, your cruising; you might even get your back-up in for a few minutes (your protégé). After that you might remember all the hard work you put in to The Game. As you look to the score clock in the last few seconds you might think, yup, I believe I did good. After the game is over, you watch your back-up in the stands, in retirement.
So I emphasize, be a playa, and remember, working hard wins championships in basketball and in the real word!