Looking Past the Hype

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Professional athletes intrigue me.  They are able to take that which they love to do, continue to fine tune their craft with the help of other professionals, and get paid to do it.  The saying, "Experiment of one" applies and, I have to say, I am a bit envious.  Not of the criticism by knucklehead observers or the fame but by their journey.  For my second new thing, we sat in on a Houston Rockets game at the Toyota Center on Christmas afternoon.  

As we drove up, people seemed to be coming from every direction, like ants swarming to a glob of honey.  Inside, flashing lights, booming announcers, long concession lines, and people scurrying around the outer rim created a sense of organized chaos.  The oddest thing was a lottery of sorts.  A winning number would entitle the holder to half the pool of money and the other half went to charity.  I just wondered what that had to do with basketball.  And the vertical slant of the seats!  Oh mercy, no wonder we could afford them.  Heads up, don't sit in the 4th level of the Toyota Center unless you have a strong stomach and solid balance. 

However, what brought me joy was seeing these men hustle, duck, dodge, dribble, and smoothly land the ball in the hoop, over and over.  What grace, finesse.  Years of study and work had brought them to this point.  With all the hype, I believe we sometimes miss the beauty in front of us.  

Suggestion:  Today, look past the hype and see the natural beauty.


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