For the last decade or so I’ve been unable to play table tennis to any level of expertise.
As a younger man in my late teens and early twenties table tennis was my outlet in sports. I remember the early days of play. One fellow, Bernie Petrescue, had been playing others during a youth gathering at the Matheson’s. I felt I had been preparing for a game with him. I had watched and played a bit with other teens. Bernie took me on and skunked me. I stunk.
I vowed I would one day play Bernie and win. Now, I realize this was purely a retaliation for humiliation. I’m not perfect, but that defeat became both good and bad.
For the bad, I focused on table tennis to bring about revenge. And the next time I played Bernie, months – almost years – later, I skunked him. I realize that Bernie probably never knew what emotions he had stirred in me.
For the good, I finally found a sport that I excelled in. I joined a local table tennis club and was a top player in our college. I learned much about being better rather than just mediocre.
At the same time, I never wanted to defeat someone to the detriment of their dignity. I wanted to encourage others to play table tennis. I wanted to see others do well. I wanted to provide enough incentive for others to be better and yet not be so overpowering that a defeat will cause someone to quit the sport.
For that reason, I watch carefully my competitive spirit. I do not want to crush, but to help people grow.
This last decade has also taught me what it means to be unable to do what was formerly easy and exciting. With knees that crippled my playing, I had to quit table tennis almost completely. Now, knee replacement surgery has allowed me back on the table tennis floor.
As I played a recreational game today my muscles and reactions seemed to return. And somehow a realization that I must once again remember what it means to encourage others to be all they can be.
Yes, I won games. We played with excellence but not to crush each other. Rather, this was a sharpening of skills. But more than that, I had fun with friends. Thanks!!