Time to let go.

1 There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

² a time to be born and a time to die,a time to plant and a time to uproot,

³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Indeed. Time for everything, sometimes for nothing.

I was coming out from the bathroom, fresh from a shower. As I was drying myself, I found a horrible thing: my right arm could not scrub my head without a stinging pain in the biceps. I tried to ascertain reality, and the pain was real. It felt like a strain, and it was not comfortable.

It was rather frightening. I just had a ball game with my friends, and now this? Wild thoughts raged across my head: Will I lose my right arm? What if I had to be operated? Among all these frantic hypothesis, the loudest of them sounded like: I can't lose my right arm!! It's my life!!!

Another problem soon occurred. I woke up the next day to find that my right heel was hurting a lot. It won't feel anything if it just stay still, but it hurts as soon I started walking. Similar thoughts flashed across, and the pain stayed with me the entire day. I have strong reasons to believe that it is going to be bye-bye to basketball.

Are these symptoms telling me that it is time?

There are certain stages in life where we are forced to slow down and have a review, to check ourselves and to determine value of things. My brother once asked me why have my gang and I stopped playing DOTA for ages. I smiled and told him that we simply don't have the time; it is silly to play the game when time to talk and understand each other is already so very limited. He nodded slowly and remarked: 'what a pity then.' He was probably recalling a particular game when we played together, seniors versus juniors.

I don't think that quitting DOTA is a bad thing. Rather, I am convinced that it is the otherwise. But we sure had good time playing together. You're right kiddo bro, it's a pity. ;)

Guess the next thing we are letting go is basketball. The game is rough and tough, and risks of getting hurt is there; just listen to my arm and heel complaining. Thank God I had no major injuries during all these years of playing, but dare I risk it any more? Can I afford to?

With only one day to spend together, it has become a little luxury to play. I would rather spend time talking and catching up. Seemed like it's mutual too, eh?