Hardships Make Success Worthwhile
  by Henry Jeal Matthew Densing
  If I had all the time in the world, I would apportion it so that I shall live a balanced life. However, I cannot say the same is true if I know that living in this wonderful world has to come to an end.
  Most people would ask to spend their last time with their family, or travel, or eat when informed of their remaining time on earthâi.e. doing something they love and enjoy.
  When I was at the age of seven I picked up my first badminton racket, and the first person I played against was none other than my dad. Soon afterwards, we played every day. I developed not only the skill and experience but also the interest that I now carry up to this very day although I still strive to step up my game.
  TLUCKâthe sound a shuttlecock makes as it zooms past the air. It is an easy recognition, together with the distinct TSK the racket makes whilst hitting the ball. I was in grade six when I competed for the first time in a formal competition; district level, together with my partner. After a series of long rallies and hard-fought scores wherein everyone grappled to not let the nose of the ball hit the ground, we won.
  Stumbling down the ground is not an excuse nor should it be a reason to stay down and linger on a negative view of the world, rather, it should be taken as a feeling you wouldnât ever want to be inâa motivation, to get back up and continue fighting a good fight.
  Junior high school, grade eight I joined the intramurals in our school. It was a fierce battle, non-stop back and forth hurtling of the shuttlecock whilst riding the air. In the end, I won first place, my opponent the championship. Grade nine I was displaced one step down, making me second place and my contender got the championshipâthe very same player who got the championship back in grade eight.
  Finally, I have reached the tenth gradeâthe last pigeonhole in junior high school, surely I shall win the championship this time eh? My rival is now a fully-fledged varsity who plays in the school, and for the school. I was an intellectual at the time, in a special class. I managed to climb up the matches to face my long-standing rival, in the championships, again.
  This time all the pressure was on.
  We were both bent over, sweating, with a quite large audience gathered around the court. The whistle has been blown and the shuttlecock has been hit. I barely even caught his shots however I have ascertained his strategy.
  The score was 8-12, him scoring the latter and it was my turn to serve. I served the shuttlecock just so it landed perfectly behind his back but within the court. I tried it several times and I was successful. I managed to get almost ten points on him making the scoreboard 18-16. He was hard-pressed on taking me down because I have discovered his weakness. Although I have exploited one of his play flaws, he still is hitting hard with his smashes. It was down to the last point that shall the dictate the winner. 20-21, again him scoring the latter. This last point shall dictate who the champion will be and it was my turn to serve.
  Due nervousness and a great epiphany struck me hard, I hit the ball uncontrolled and went out the court, he won.
  To this day, I take it the honor was mine to play with some great players although realizing Iâve been at a disadvantage.
  Heartily to this moment, I play to learn and I play to be better. Not solely for the fun nor the fame it brings, but because of the lesson it teaches; plus, it is good for the health if done properly.
  Simply put, there is something deep in everything we do and if we manage to extract the potential in each action, we can bring something truly good for the benefit of us and the people around us.
