Passing the Torch

A number of things give us that light fuzzy feeling of doing good. For me, I get it during times when I have managed to lend a hand to people and somewhat reach out to those who are in need.

Unfortunately, I am one of those people who actually assesses situations before diving and helping, because I have this principle where I believe that the people one should be helping are those who also know how to help themselves. I sort of learned it from my mom when she lectured me a long time ago about learning to use and exhaust all present resources before finding help. Like that old Chinese Proverb that goes, “Give a man fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” I think it is best to help out those who are able and interested to help themselves and at least put some effort or passion in a goal or cause.

Now for those who have been reading my blog, I think you may have read somewhere that I have a bit of history playing badminton. It is a sport that is has grown in popularity in the Philippines these days, and one that I really, really love. However, the combined effect of genes, bad reading position, and excessive exposure to the addicting radiation of the computer screen, my eyesight is failing me. So I have played less and less over the past few years.
Incidentally, I was offered a good deal for a brand new badminton racket (YONEX Nanospeed 2009) around June this year, and my pack rat instincts combined forces with my often subdued impulsiveness made me purchase the shiny, sleek, and light racket, with the hope that I would rise and play again.

Yonex Nano speed

Since the purchase, months have passed without me noticing that it did, and I just realized yesterday when I tried my hand this so-called decluttering, that the racket remained untouched. D proposed that I sell it so that we could free some space. But I really  could not bear to part with it… c’mon!

Anyway, after musing things over, I made my decision. I was sure that selling was not the way to go, but I did one thing, however, I decided to give my beloved racket to D’s cousin  H. H is in high school now, and he has been playing badminton for a number of years already. I understand that while the kid has potential, he simply cannot go that far playing badminton for two main reasons: a) H and the kids in his team share 1 badminton racket – 1! b) they lack proper training. Now, H has been asking me if he could join me when I played badminton, or if I could help him out with his training. However, since they live in Negros Occidental, training may prove to be a problem until perhaps he is  in college.

Now last night, I overheard H’s father asking D’s uncle if they could borrow a badminton racket even for a week or so, just so H could compete in Bacolod without having to wait for his turn with the racket. Apparently that is why they often forfeit matches is because of the one shared badminton racket. And that was when it dawned on me, that maybe it would be best to allow a kid to pursue his passion by giving him my badminton racket. It’s not much really, but I do believe that H can do better when he is given the tools to do so, as he is passionate with badminton playing. Besides, I am not that selfish that I would keep a badminton racket I hardly even touch and allow that a kid miss out on his opportunities.

So yeah, I more or less “passed the torch” to the next generation. I want H to be able to experience the high and happiness I got when I was playing badminton. I hope he fares better than I did. harharhar… After that gesture, I felt happy without any regrets whatsoever. Hehehe..

I therefore conclude, that being a pack rat has its benefits! So it is much better to hoard and give to somebody who may accept it heartily, than to purchase new stuff without thinking of the value. But that’s just me.

Hmmm.. now I’m going to go and stream again. Ciao!