I believe that it is human nature to think we are different and convince ourselves that we are special. Yes, we are all unique, but not so unique that I, a 5’ 11” white, Jewish boy from Orlando, Florida would become an NBA player. For nine years of my life I was living a lie, convincing myself that I was different than every other kid playing basketball at the local Jewish Community Center. I thought I would make it big time.
In reality, the decision to intensely pursue a future in basketball for so long at the expense of many things, including, my education, is a decision that haunts me today. There is a saying that “life is lived in the margins,” meaning that life is not lived based on what is “written” on the pages of one’s story, but what one gets out of personal experiences. When I found …show more content…
As rockets pounded the ground around me, terrifying thoughts pounded in my mind. I was in a deadly race against time —I had thirty seconds from the time the siren began to blare until the impact of the incoming rockets. I was also in a race against time in my personal life. My grades were not reflective of my potential, I was not very involved in clubs, and I lacked a meaningful interest that truly engaged both my mind and my spirit. While in that musty bomb shelter, I should have felt only fear; yet, I found my mind in a war with itself. I wanted to feel afraid, to truly experience a situation that conceivably could end my life. On the other hand, I was confused as to why in that instant I developed a drive, not for basketball, but for creating a positive impact for those around me. As I processed my
In reality, the decision to intensely pursue a future in basketball for so long at the expense of many things, including, my education, is a decision that haunts me today. There is a saying that “life is lived in the margins,” meaning that life is not lived based on what is “written” on the pages of one’s story, but what one gets out of personal experiences. When I found …show more content…
As rockets pounded the ground around me, terrifying thoughts pounded in my mind. I was in a deadly race against time —I had thirty seconds from the time the siren began to blare until the impact of the incoming rockets. I was also in a race against time in my personal life. My grades were not reflective of my potential, I was not very involved in clubs, and I lacked a meaningful interest that truly engaged both my mind and my spirit. While in that musty bomb shelter, I should have felt only fear; yet, I found my mind in a war with itself. I wanted to feel afraid, to truly experience a situation that conceivably could end my life. On the other hand, I was confused as to why in that instant I developed a drive, not for basketball, but for creating a positive impact for those around me. As I processed my