In The Zone

Mimi Pari once said, ~Life is a lot like bowling. You're playing your own game and only you can determine how well you do. Sometimes, you play the game alone and sometimes, you play it as a part of a team. But its still on your game that you have control over - you don't have any control over anyone else's game.~ If you think about it, we're in some aspect individually standing in the bowling lane of life ready to throw or should I say setting our sights on knocking down every pin standing. For it's those pins that metaphorically represent one's hopes, dreams, and not to mention dreams we attempt to hit at all once but at the same time trying not to end up in the gutter, so to speak. Unfortunately, it doesn't end up happening that way at times, whereby giving us the opportunity for a second chance when we're unable to achieve success the first time around.

Without a doubt, bowling is most definitely considered a metaphor for life as the bowling ball held in our hand is a representation of our strength and determination in getting continuous strikes in regards to personal, as well as professional achievements set for ourselves. Yet, it's how we in all intents and purposes throw the ball down the lane that determines whether or not we accurately hit the pins or miss them completely. You see, there are some people who strategize specifically targeting the location of where to hit the pin whereas others simply go after it with reckless abandon. In other words, people tend to have life planned out when it involves their own future but not so much for those who don't as they go a you live only once mentality experiencing the unexpected surprises of what life brings on. So, how do you live life?

As I said before, each bowling pin is a representation of our hopes, goals, and dreams we attempt to hit all at once hoping to not end up in the gutter. In a sense, when we throw the proverbial bowling ball of success representing our strength and determination we basically try our very best to not end up in the gutter. What I'm saying is, aspects of life such as work, family, friends, spiritual walk with God, as well as potential/significant relationships are things we strive to continually roll strike after strike for, in a manner of speaking. True, if we're unable to keep the ball on the lane we at least try our best to get the all purpose spare or second chance that we so want to achieve in life. What it primarily comes down to is not giving up in one's pursuit of climbing or in this particular case stepping forward each time to rear back and fire the ball down the bowling lane of success to the top.

Let me ask you this question to those who are avid bowlers or just play every once in a while for fun, what is one aspect of the game you never want to find yourself facing? If you answered the dreaded 7/10 split then you're correct. A catch 22 if you will. You see, we've all been in a situation where we take the risk of turning the impossible into a possible, especially when it pertains to matters of the heart regarding love/true love. Hey, every person has been strategizing within their heart/mind concerning a special someone to the point where he/she/you end up throwing caution to the wind in hopes a possible heart to heart connection happens. Thinking about it further, there's always going to be a 50/50 chance in love where you either hang your head in disappointment because all the body language in the world couldn't help you achieve the so-called perfect game of true happiness or raise your heart in victory knowing you at least gave it a shot.

In retrospect, life and the game of bowling are truly synonymous with each other in certain ways. Above all else, before ever throwing the ball down the lane we take a moment to prepare ourselves for getting the right stance or feel mind you to achieve total dominance in what we're striving for. Of course, this means taking a moment to breathe and pray to God when eventually taking a step forward in one's personal and professional life so much so that once you rear back you're not going to be able to stop. Granted, you'll experience initial fear and doubt but that's when you know you'll have the support of your fellow teammates/friends and family backing you up all the way giving/cheering you on with encouraging/inspiring words. Ultimately, in the bowling game of life, keep your prayer life/focus on God because quite frankly it's primarily His alley to begin and in the end with Him as your teammate you'll always be in the zone.