No lie, I'm a basketball fanatic and now that it's off season, it got me to thinking. In a way, I realized we could think of our lives as a game of basketball. Even if you don’t like or understand basketball, please keep following me. Studies have shown that there are five people who control your energy and happiness. In a game of basketball, traditionally five players are on the court. It takes those five players together to win a game against their opponent.

Obviously, the opponent (the other team) would be life. We all want to win, which equals to happiness. Hence the saying: “Don’t let life defeat you, beat you up, tear you down, etc.”

According to Understanding Player Positions in Basketball-For Dummies, the point guard is the leader on the court and pushes the ball to start the offense. Generally, this player is the best passer and handles the ball the best. In life, we have that one person who we secretly look up to. The one person who inspires us. The person who we try to model our lives a bit after. The person that we ask advice from when we don’t know where to turn. With this being a critical role in our lives, we must make sure that our heroes aren’t really villains against us. Don’t be fooled, some people prey on the naïve and misinformed. So be careful while choosing this person.

The next position is the shooting guard. The best shooter from the perimeter on the team. This player is prepared to shoot, pass or drive to the basket at any given time. In our lives, this person would be our competition. That one friend in life that you generally have the same amount of success as. That friend that you want to see prosper in life, but you don’t want him/her to leave you behind. Like the proverb states: “Iron sharpens Iron.” So if your “competition" is something you don’t feel competitive against, please reevaluate yourself and if that person is needed on your team.

The third player in basketball is the small forward: the all purpose player. The player who is the most versatile on the court. This person in our lives will be our parents or an authoritative figure. Our morals, beliefs, values and life experiences have stemmed from them. We want to make them proud, or want to show them that we made it despite not having them there emotionally. We have to just be the best person we can be dealing them. Sometimes you have to limit their role in your game. This person would be the hardest to actually cut from your “team.”

The fourth player would be the power forward. For this player to be effective, they must be very athletic. The player whose playing style is similar to the center but just a little quicker. This person in our lives would be our significant other. The person who your emotions are invested or potentially being invested into. The person in our lives who we don’t want to get rejected by the most. Just as the bible phrase states, you must be “equally yoked” with this person. The strongest thing in your life besides yourself and God (The Referee). It is important that we choose someone who complements us to victory. When you miss a shot in life this person can help you recover the ball (a situation) with quickness on offense (good times) and on defense (bad times).

The last and final player on the court is the center. This player is usually the biggest player on the court .The most important player in the game. The most athletic. This person in life is YOU. In order to beat the opponent YOUR overall feelings are what is the most important. If YOU don’t do things and look to experiences that YOU personally enjoy, the game is lost. Be smart you all, and I hope you come out with the W. I know that I am striving everyday to not only win, but also skunk the opponent.