Brace yourselves readers, because my story this week involves sweat, shaky hands, and a blast from my past that I thought might not resurface. Yes, I'm talking about the glorious game of table tennis.
Now, let me take you back a bit. In my homeland of New Zealand, table tennis was a sport I loved. As a teenager I enjoyed nothing more than to slice and dice my way through the competition. I was never a prodigy, but at one point I ranked in the top eight in New Zealand for my age. I struggled with some of the finer mechanics of the sport, but my hand-eye coordination allowed me to be competitive.
When I migrated to Australia, my trusty table tennis bat found itself tucked away in a dusty box, collecting cobwebs for over a decade. Excuses piled up like laundry in my hamper. The heat of Mackay being my greatest excuse. It was like a wall of fiery despair, making me question my ability to handle a paddle without melting into a puddle.
Over the years, as the editor of this publication, I found myself crossing paths with the vibrant table tennis community. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and their gentle nudges started to pry open that box of memories buried deep within my soul. So, with a dash of courage and a smidgen of curiosity, I finally picked up my bat and ventured into the hallowed halls of the table tennis world on Bridge Road earlier this week.
Now, let's address the elephant on the table: rust. Oh boy, was I rusty! My serves wobbled like a newborn giraffe learning to walk, and my smashes sailed off the end of the table. But you know what? It didn't matter. Because in that moment, I rediscovered my passion for the game itself.
Sure, stepping out of my comfort zone was a tad daunting. But I can't help but wonder, what's life without a little fear and adventure? I’m now committed to regular practice and have put my name down to be a reserve player.
My point to all of this is, if there's a long-lost passion or hobby that you've been hesitating to revisit, take it from me—take that leap of faith! Embrace the fear, dust off the cobwebs, and dive headfirst into the wonderful world of what you love.
Fear is just another invitation to feel alive.
Amanda
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