Tue. Dec 24th, 2024

Miami Heat won a back to back NBA Championship a while ago. For sure all their fans around the world are celebrating as the team enjoyed their momentous victory. Social medias are filled with comments, different reactions and interactions from fans and critics alike. Everyone had mixed emotions for both teams as they watched game 7 played on.  I have watched the game myself and I came to read varied comments on Facebook, which I myself have posted some. I have learned one simple realization from this Championship game. Life is just like that, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. The good attitude should be, let’s accept it and life must go on. No remorse, no regrets, if you’ve given your best in life and you did encounter some defeats, just learn to move on, shake it off and look forward to the next game. Just learn a lot from your temporary defeat and do better next time. Don’t wallow on it, don’t be sad nor mad at yourself and with others, even if they’re on the winning team. Most of all don’t do anything bad like throwing words or comments that would make you feel good and make them look bad. It’s better to congratulate both teams and wish them well.

How do champions deal with winning and victory, whether it may be in games or in real life? They savor and share it with others. It’s indeed a great feeling, an unforgettable moment, joyous, ecstatic, elated, being on the top of the world. Each of us for sure had this experience one way or another, and we could never forget it. How we wish we could always have that feeling. Always winning, overcoming and getting ahead in life. But in reality it’s different. Sometimes we win and other times we lose. If we win, celebrate it, treasure that euphoric moment, share it with people close to you, enjoy it, smile, laugh, jump for joy, give a high five and so on. But here are the don’ts in winning. Don’t look down on others, especially your opponents. Don’t be so proud as if you will not lose the next time. Don’t make others feel bad to make you feel and look good. Don’t think that winning is permanent, in life – it’s not.

Winning is great but losing is good too. For if we ask most of the winners, they too have experienced losing. Winning is rewarding but losing is learning too. Winners have their reward for a job well done, the fruit of their labor, the product of their disciplines. But losers have their own blessings too, it depends on how they look at it. We can learn from failures by working hard the next time. We can give more effort and develop areas where we are weak. If we lose, it doesn’t mean we are totally losers.The fact that we are in the game fighting, it simply means that we are fighters, warriors, even though the time of winning has not yet come.  Don’t give up. If you fall, rise again; if you lose, play again. Don’t settle down where you are, don’t wallow in your defeat. Leave it behind and move on. Don’t let your past dictate your present and ruin your future.

Lastly, win or lose, life must go on. To the Miami Heat team and fans, congratulations. You’ve done it guys. You’ve defended your championship title, you have another ring, you’ve won back to back championships now. We salute you for a great game. This game was recorded already and has become a part of NBA history. You made history today. To the San Antonio Spurs team and fans, congratulations too! Without you playing great games from game 1, we would not have enjoyed NBA finals this year. You’ve also done your part. You’ve given your best, we watched how you played with honor and dignity. Go home in peace and take a rest. Few months from now we will surely see you for the next season.

To all my readers, congratulations! Whether you like basketball or soccer or you’re not a sports enthusiast, it’s okay, thank you for reading this blog anyway.  In reality each of us has a game to play and a battle to fight. Strive to overcome, win and be a champion in your own respective field, in your own life. If circumstances knock you down, get up and fight again. I’m your fan, and I want to cheer you on. Go ahead, play your game and win. If you lose, don’t give up, just play again. Win or lose, life must go on. God bless us all.

By Rommel Atanque

Rommel Santiago Atanque is an entrepreneur by profession and a Pastor/Missionary by calling and passion. He loves to inspire his readers and let them realize that in every trial there is a purpose; in every test a testimony; and with the right perspective in life, one can still be happy every single day! He also authored the Live a Happy Life Books. A series of humorous books that make a lot of sense. He also shares the Gospel in today's context and lets God's Word bring joy and laughter to his hearers. He wants them to know that listening to sermons is not boring much less an antidote for sleeplessness. Married for 22 years to Jeralyn Ortiz Palabrica-Atanque with two teenagers Roj Gabriel 18, and Lyl Mikael 16. They had been missionaries in Cambodia for 7 years and are currently based in Iloilo City, Philippines, pastoring Connect Church.