The Joy of Wholehearted Play

I ask you: Do you know the joy of wholehearted play? Do you know the joy of giving one particular game all your energy and efforts? The joy found in complete exhaustion?

As I have observed various basketball settings, and the inclinations of my own heart, I have seen a tendency to hold back just a bit, to leave something in ‘the tank’ for later. Yet time and again, I have to remind myself that the greatest joy is found in giving yourself over to the game as it were. Happiness in basketball is found in losing yourself in play. Indeed, in exhausting your energies so that by the end of it, you can honestly say, “I am done.”

Human experience is like that. We all long to pour ourselves into something, to lay it all on the line. To so believe in something that we are willing to give it everything that we have. Well, as basketball players we have the unique opportunity to do so on the court. Not in an office somewhere or a board meeting, but on the court, against an opponent, with sweat falling to the ground, various emotions running around within, crowds large and small, and the prospect of winning or losing staring us in the face.

This is a privilege and, when rightfully considered, a great joy. In fact, most of the men in the boardroom look forward to lunch time so that they can step out onto the court. They want to play. They want to lose themselves in the game for just a few moments. Sure, half of them are wearing knee braces and some of them can barely get up and down the court. But, in the end, if they can get that key steal that leads to game point or hit the winning bucket to 7, they go back to the office with a very real sense of satisfaction, a very real inner joy.

Basketball is a unique game. Think of it: It has only be around for a hundred or so years. And we as players have the unique opportunity in human history to enjoy such a game. We have the unique opportunity to experience the joy of wholehearted play.

So, when game time comes, embrace it. Make the most of it. Give it your all. Whether you win or lose; whether you play 10 minutes or 35 minutes; make sure that by the time the final buzzer sounds, you can honestly say, “I am done.” For only then can you walk away satisfied. Only then have you experienced the joy of wholehearted play.

Enjoying the game with you,
Joe