True Test of Character

As I have always believed, it is so ugly to lose. In whatever form. In whatever way.

I am just saying that it is ugly but do not take me wrong because I welcome failure and losses.

With a 9-0 start, seeded number 2 in the pool/division and then losing 3 straight games with the last one being the most important game of the week, it really is tough to lose.

I am a great competitor. I am fierce to myself and to my team mates as well. I do care what say about me regarding my attitude during games but I care the most to our team. With a great start that we had with the recent tournament, it is quite harsh to admit the reality bites. And it is hard and painful. Up until now, it aches so much that after 24 hours I could hardly believe that we are not on track with the recent tournament.

But no matter painful and difficult a defeat may be, it does not fail to teach us certain lessons.

Losing teaches us to the true meaning of sportsmanship.
A true sportsman is measured not by the character that he shows in winning but in defeat.

Losing teaches us not to be complacent.
Our greatest enemy is not someone on the other side of the field but in our side. Remember to not make competition with other people. They are great friends. And comparing yourself to your friend is a burden that you will be carrying all throughout your life. Hence, compete with yourself each and every waking day of your life. Because the only enemy that you have is yourself yesterday and your inspiration is yourself tomorrow.

Last but not least, Losing (SHOULD) brings out the fire in each and everyone of us.
It is your burning desire to turn that negativity to positive one that will prove how much you want it and how much hunger you have to achieve that specific goal. Work your ass out. Know your own SWOT and capitalize on it. Just one step at a time.

These bumps on the road, callouses and scars are just obstacles to overcome.

A great sportsman, a  great ambassador of the game of basketball and a fierce competitor himself, Michael Jeffrey Jordan, the 50 year-old man once said, "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games, 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."