Ever felt like you’ve been put down so badly you just want a rebound? Ever felt like you just need to do something to prove to some people otherwise? Well, i guess that happens too often especially in competitive sports.

I come from a very humble team. A team that has no specific outstanding player, nor does everyone have a very solid background. We practically were nothing to our opponents. No one believe we could make it up to top 4 nationally. No one did. But what makes the team special, was that never-say-die spirit. No doubt it was truly hurtful and humiliating when we received nasty remarks from opposing schools, saying things like “it would be a miracle if Mj can even make up to top 4 this year”. Honestly. that feeling sucks. It sucks because you know you can’t do anything about it. As much as you want to, you just can’t control what people may feel about you and your team. And no matter how much the school said they believe in us, and how much they love us, the fact is, we are really not up to standard. And to make things worse is that along the way, there will always be some people who try all means to put you down. But it’s all in the mind.

What my team has done us proud, is that they did not stop fighting even till the very end. We progress as a team, because we have no individualistic players, we all are on par with each other. Nobody has the greatest say, but everyone contributes a little hard work during every training. And this little little effort mounts up and were eventually paid off. Even though we did not win in the end (we got 2nd overall), but still, the joy derived from achieving things other people say we cannot was probably the best feeling ever. 

And today, i witness the exact same thing. A team despite all the adversities, had portrayed strong sense of sportsmanship and determination. I know it sux a hell load when you just cant prove to the people that had put you down. It’s not easy at all. But at the end of the day, it’s how you work towards the end that really matters. Nevermind about the winnings, nevermind about the title. What’s most important is that we’ve given our absolute best, and had not played dirty. Of course it’s a lie to say that winning is not important. Afterall, competition is all about winning and giving it all. But while we may have lost in terms of the no. trophies, but we did not lose our values and sportsmanship. At the very least, we respect our opponents and their schools. We did not do what they’ve done to us. 

It just makes me ponder. If competition is just about thrashing the other teams (in the unscrupulous manner) and nothing else, i am beginning to really wonder: what is wrong with the world?

I have a friend. A girl who is helplessly in love with a guy. A guy that no longer loves her like he had. A guy who would hurl abusive comments and act nastily towards her. But she said, she still loves him. She is too blinded. Blinded by emotions, and tears…..

For weeks, i have been telling her to think twice about everything she is doing. About her life. I have zero intention to sabotage her relationship, but rather, i just want her to re-evaluate her life. Each time i finally convinced her to move on, she would end up forgiving him and returning to the same old life she never really wanted. To be honest, i was frustrated. I was frustrated not because of her, but rather, her cowardice to face what was meant to be. Finally, i ended the conversation with: Just because the past keep tapping you on the shoulder, it doesn’t mean you have to keep looking back.

I mean, it really saddens me when girls around me fail to see how valuable they actually are. They seem to have dismissed the fact that they deserve so much better, and it all starts with a simple ”self-love”, and “self-respect”. You just don’t expect people to love you when you can’t even love yourself. I mean, it just makes hell lotsa sense, doesn’t it? If you yourself do not love for who you are, why would anyone else do it for you? Girls reading this, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. You really are, you just need to believe in it.

Let go of the people who bring you down, and surround yourself with the people who bring out the best in you.This is really important. I can’t stress how important it is to be actively involved in something to keep your mind off negative thoughts. Give yourself ample time to be with people who can bring joy into your life without having you to tell them, instead of someone who would only cause you misery. I mean, i know it is difficult. But you just have to keep on trying. I mean, when my sister was trying to talk some sense into me when i was going through my break up some time ago, i genuinely believe those words were just a load of crap. They are bullshits. I feel that she doesn’t understand because she isn’t the one going through what i am dealing with. I can’t control my emotions and feelings, can i? But as time passes, and i begin to be more willing to meet more positive people in my life, they start to change my perception. Looking back, i realised how folly i had been, and really, i was too stubborn. I keep on wanting something that was not meant to be. But that’s not even possible. Sometimes, it’s important to let go of what you want and remember what you deserve. Life is too short to stress yourself with people who don’t even deserve to be an issue in your life.

The first heartbreak is the hardest, but you always walk away stronger, and one step closer to the one that will last forever. Save your heart for someone who really cares. People like your friends and family. People who would be sad because you are, and people who are so damn worried for your well-being. Yes, loving someone means you’ll wait for them, but you need to respect yourself too, by knowing if or when it’s time to walk away.

Afterall, who’s to help you if you are not even willing to be brave for yourself. I know you can do it, my friend. For you have the world backing you up. The world that is waiting for you to rise back up to where you were. You are so much more capable than you think you are. So keep trying, friend, you will see the light eventually i promise. Meanwhile, just keep moving on and stop looking back.

Yours sincerely,
the friend who have greatest faith in you :)