Anyone Can Shine

James Norwood is a 37 year old professional basketball player. He spent his 12 year career sitting on the bench and backing up star players. There was even a time when he was not given a chance to play in a single game. James feels that his career is almost over and a little time is left before he stops playing. James’ 12 year old son is always cheering for him every single game even though his minutes on the court were very limited. Win or lose his son is always telling him these words: ”Dad you are the best player in the world”. This phrase has always makes James feel stronger and gives him the drive to continue to keep playing every single game.  One night when they are fighting for the last playoff spot, one of their starters was suddenly injured and cannot return back to the game. James was given the privilege to get his minutes and finish the game. The game was very intense and the score was very tight, both of the teams want to earn the last playoff berth so badly. When they reach the last 15 seconds of the ball game the score was tied at 85 apiece. James’ team has the last possession and they call their last timeout. Their coach instructed them to have James as the receiver from inbound and pass it to their star player. While their coach is giving them instructions he hear his son yelling “Dad take the last shot! You are the best player in the world!” James entertains the words of his son and thinking that he can disobey his coach and make his son proud. Their coach was very strict and if you don’t follow his instructions, he will put you to bench for a long very time or even ask the owner of their team for a player’s suspension. James is thinking twice about the consequences that he will face if he didn’t follow his coach. The game resumed and James got the ball from the inbound, his coach was yelling to pass it to their star player but James is still holding the ball. He hears his son once again “Dad go for the win, shoot it for me”. These words have triggered into James’ head and give him the courage to take the shot. James made a drive to the basket and before the buzzer sounds he released the ball with a layup. James made the basket and his whole team celebrates like they’ve won a championship. The first person that James looks up was his son, he saw it very happy and celebrating with the crowd. James couldn’t believe that he made the shot, this is the first time that this happened in his career.  Because he wants to make his son so proud, James was able to beat his fear of missing the shot and go for the win. In life no matter what the situation is or what the outcome will be you can make decisions that can make you shine or put you down. It is your choice if you want to take the risk or do nothing at all. We as individuals can also shine like others and own the moment of victory.