In the early days of learning to play basketball, a fundamental lesson came with the introduction and use of my pivot foot. It was, I soon discovered, very useful! Once I understood that my first foot to land when I stop was my pivot foot, everything opened up. If I did not lift this foot, the placement and direction of my other foot and what came next was my choice without being accused of travelling.
For many kids growing up, basketball starts very early. In my case, I grew up thinking of cricket, soccer, and kabaddi. Basketball was something I had heard about but had little interest. It could have been a result of being short. Then, at age 13, magic happened! In the space of 12 weeks, I grew 12 inches, maybe a little bit more. Suddenly, basketball seemed to be something I needed to learn and participate in.
Until the first few lessons, pivoting had no meaning. The idea that I could look and choose multiple paths was incredible! A basketball fundamental altered the way I saw the world. Landing, letting a pause open multiple possibilities, and choosing what came next was so much better than momentum dictating my life’s course.
A takeaway from this experience is the lingering gift of pivoting because one can see three plus vistas. It echoes Christianity’s trinity, Hinduism’s Brahma, and the natural reflection of looking in, out, and up which comes when one stills the soul. One’s focus will determine the framework of how one sees and understands the world around them. Whispers remind me that one never needs to be at the exclusion of the others.
As I stop in the quiet morning midst of a new day, I look out and up. I see my success through the eyes of the community and Divinity. In the hope we all look up, my reason is clear; “so those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest.” (Psalm 126.5).
Divinity bless’ all. In accepting, one plants a pivot foot, and everything is possible.
