The tennis boys put up a strong fight against VJ to allow them to move on to the semis, yesterday. They won 4 out of 5 games. They could win all 5 games, but had to withdraw as the player, Ian if I remembered correctly, had bad cramps. I really think he did well, determined not to give up.

However, the true hero of yesterday's much was Ian's opponent. Despite knowing that Ian was injured, he did not take advantage of it. I mean Ian was leading, and he could easily exploit his weakness to win. However, he did not. He simply give him easy balls, and Ian need not even move from his fixed point as the balls were directed directly towards him. Well, until the coach decided to withdraw from the game. Which opponent would actually do that? That, my friend, is true sportsmanship. He was not afraid to lose.

Speaking of losing, why are so many of us afraid to lose/fail? I think the only perfect answer to this question is due to the people around us. Sad isn't it? Not many regard us, as who we are, but as mere digits.

We cannot lose in competitions because that will deter the school from increasing the number of trophies in that glass cupboard. We have been repeatedly reminded to do well in school, so that we will be efficient workers, able to contribute to the nation's economy in the future, thus increasing the digits on the leader's paycheck and also that digit in front of the percentage sign. A teacher once told a classmate of mine, who was lost in the deep forest of equations and definitions, that it's alright not to understand, as someone has got to not do well as she needed that bell-shaped curve when she key in the results. You'd understand what I mean if you've studied normal distribution in statistics. Well, I can come up with infinite examples, but I guess I'll just cut short.

As for me, I truly believe that the people around me has to recognise me as me, and not as digits. However, at times, I simply felt that it was fruitless to do in what you believe that is right. When you are the only odd one in a society, and cannot conform to others malfunctioned practice, it is truly a challenge.

Just recently, I refused to give my best at something, as the place was unable to appreciate my existence, and that I cannot conform to their flawed ideas. Sadly, my believe in not to be treated as digits was mistook for irresponsibility. At the point of hearing that, nothing more could describe him as a failed failure, in my point of view. Sometimes I wonder how low could one bring themselves to. The inability to simply do a little bit of critical thinking, given that you have years to create neurons connection in that brain of yours since birth, was beyond redemption.

The day that I overcome all odds and impossibilities, is the day that the people around me acknowledge me, as ME.

harangued at 5:49 PM