Crossroads

“Down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees;
Asked the Lord above for mercy, ‘Save me if you please’”
- “Crossroads”, Cream version, original by Robert Johnson

We’ve all had this moment in our lives when we stand there, not knowing which way to go. Each way seems as strange and as unrevealing about its destination as the other, and as you stand there wondering, your most significant emotion is fear, “What if I’m wrong?” Well, what if…

Unlike Robert Frost (Road Not Taken), most people would rather take the path tried and tested. They would rather ‘know’ what to expect. But can you? Sometimes, there is no cut-and-dried answer and you have to guess anyways. The way I see it, making the decision is what counts the most. Unlike the roads we physically travel on, the roads of life are time-variant. The destinations that those crossroads may lead to at one moment may not be the same the next moment.

So, what if you were wrong? How would you know? The other choices you may have had could have been better or worse. The probabilities involved here are numerous; equally good, equally bad.

I’ve been on a few major intersections myself. Once my choice wasn’t really mine, but I was in on it, and decided to be the explorer, see what happens. The other time, it was a calculated risk, and another time an actual plan. Either way decisions were made, actions were taken, and consequences were faced – what other choice did I have? I can’t say that all the decisions were right; neither can I say they were wrong. There were busy streets, lonely highways, and quiet streets I have passed through. And though some took me time to get used to, I enjoyed them.

Today, I once again find myself at an intersection. Using the instincts and foresight that I’ve developed, I need to make the call. It’s a guess nonetheless, yet an educated one this time, comes with a plan too!

“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
- Robert Frost, “Road Not Taken”

Love All = 0 - 0 !?

Tennis, at a quick glance, is a rather a funny sport. A buncha people tossing a ball to each other over a net. And then they keep doing it over and over again! But, I love that game and here’s why.

Tennis is like an expensive Swiss watch: the beauty is in the details and the craftsmanship. And recognizing the true value of it requires a certain amount of sophistication, though the quality speaks for itself. Not every tennis game necessarily fits into the definition though; there are relatively cruder ones too. Then again, they make us appreciate the classy ones all the more.

In the classier games, there is a certain finesse involved, a smoothness of motions flowing across from one side of the court to another powered by sudden influxes, to be as suddenly dampened of all energy. Each shot is produced by swings generating from the torque accumulating from the body, all the way from the feet to the hips to the arms to the wrist. The perfect ones being in complete harmony with each other.

Then again there is the battle, between aggressors, defenders, with roles being switched around from point to point, game to game, and set to set. At times it resembles a game of chess when an attacker controls the game to the extent to predicting his opponent’s moves and stays ready for him, before he can even make his strike. The ability to set up combinations, by driving an opponent to the very corner, or catching him off-guard/wrong-footed.

As with almost every sport, the players are tested for strength, speed, reflexes, endurance, mental strength, and consistency. The fact that the best remain on the top most of the time, shows how little luck comes into play – as compared to the preparation and the skill set of the players.

After watching Wimbledon for two weeks and witnessing some spectacular games, I just had had to express my love for tennis – to whomever and wherever.