I
believe in helping my opponent up off the basketball court. Since I played in
youth league, I have held this belief. It may seem like an insignificant
gesture, but it really represents much more.

         Helping
my opponent up shows forgiveness. When she fouls me and stumbles to the ground,
I lend my hand. She has broken the rules by colliding into me; she has wronged
me, even caused me some pain, but by helping her to her feet, I indicate my
forgiveness. In life, people will "plow" into us plenty of times-breaking rules
or hurting our feelings. Our response may not be physically reaching out our
hand, but we must learn to turn the other cheek as God calls us to do.

            Helping
my opponent up shows humbleness. As I crash into her body, and she plummets to
the ground taking a charge, I lend my hand. Her phenomenal play and courage
took the basket away from me. Now she lies on the ground soaking in the glory,
and I stand in defeat. By helping her up, I am congratulating her. There are
times in our lives when people do perform better than us, getting the promotion
we had hoped for, or hitting that amazing tennis shot we have always practiced.
In these moments anyone can be silent, but it takes a courageous person to
compliment his or her superiority.

            Helping
my opponent up shows compassion. As I run through the lane I smash into her,
knocking her off her feet. I lend my hand. Our roles have been reversed, and
this time, I'm reaching my hand out in hope that she will forgive me. Sometimes
in life we don't mean to wrong someone, just as I don't mean to knock my
opponent down. When this happens, all we can do is reach to that person and
hope they will accept the apology.

            Although,
this belief takes heat sometimes, I have found it to be worthwhile. I can
clearly remember watching the film of a game last year in the smelly locker
room when coach commented about my belief. We were watching the game, and he
was pointing out the usual mistakes. Then, my lanky body flashed across the
screen and knocked my opponent on her back. Although the referee did not call a
foul, I stopped, turned around, extended my hand, and helped her to her feet as
play continued. My coach couldn't believe it. He told me that next time I
should forget about her and go on, but I told him that was not possible. It was
my belief.