tj cafuir | the Life and Times

His name is always close whenever the word “greatest” is mentioned. Nicknamed Mr. Clutch, hall-of-famer Jerry West played in such a way that every aspect of his game became a qualitative standard. He personified court intelligence, toughness and overall skill. Actually, its his image to which the NBA patterned its logo. And even after retirement, West pursued more. He became a successful coach and team executive. Undoubtedly one of the greatest individuals who ever held the leather ball. He is in fact, legendary.

All great, but this. Most of his professional career as a player ended up in failures. Many times the rival team denied West that coveted championship ring. The Boston Celtics beat the Lakers in almost all attempts. In 10 NBA Finals trips, Jerry West and his team lost 9 of times. He would bounce back and start the succeeding season with the same determination that made him the player that he is, but only to end up losing again and again. He would eventually win one ring. But when revisited, the emotional ghosts of the past haunt Jerry West even up to this day.

In an interview of the NBA’s greatest 50 players, Jerry West all gray haired and aged remarked this. “During the worst, I’m at my best.” He wasn’t talking about his 25,192 points, he wasn’t pointing out his 6,238 assists. He was talking about the failures. Funny if you look at it, West talking to himself in certain situations, “Ok it’s losing time, time to be great.” But did he really fail?

There’s a lot to learn from Jerry. We may not be on the court playing his game, but sure enough many of us are up against the same struggles. Trying and failing. It’s really difficult to be at your best during the worst of times, but that’s where the real winning lies. “There is suffering in life, and there are defeats. No one can avoid them. But it’s better to lose some of the battles in the struggles for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you’re fighting for.” West desired to be a champion. It would be such a road of suffrage, but he did get there. He got what his heart and mind fervently desires.

Determination will not go unnoticed. After losing to the Celtics in a championship game, Jerry West slumped in the locker room. Minutes later, the Celtics went inside and hugged perhaps their greatest nemesis. “Jerry, coach loves you.” said Bill Russell. Ask anyone of who Jerry West is and you get nothing but utmost respect and admiration.

Sometimes we can never really be successful like that of what we aim for. Hey, hit or miss, at least we are trying. And it’s in this process that we are molding ourselves. Molding for the future, molding for what lies ahead. In a pattern like this it’s safe to say we are winning. After all we can take it from Jerry. The mold to which greatness came to form.

Traveling could go two ways. Either a nice fruitful trip, or a bad stressful experience. And it’s not about the traveling itself. Most the time it’s the small things that gives us delay.

Planning a trip from California to Cambodia? Does you work require you to leave New York and stay at Hong Kong for months? Here is a checklist that covers basic must-have’s for any travel.

• the Backpack: holds essential valuables like money, passports and tickets, digital cameras, brochures and magazines, maps and all things that need to be handy during transit.

• First-Aid Kit: no, this doesn’t mean you bring the entire medicine cabinet with you. A compact health kit would include prescriptions and precautionary medicine.

• Travel Watch: shifting from timezone to timezone, the hour of the day is perhaps the most important detail that a traveler must be able to tell. A water-proof watch should be the first choice.

• Pocket Knife: A basic blade, can and bottle opener, scissors, tweezers and corkscrew might be very handy during tight situations. Just ask Mcguyver.

• the Phone: insert the GLMobility SIM card and turn your regular phone into a global cellphone. The international SIM Card needs no other equipment and lets you use the phone everywhere you go. This definitely redefines the world “mobility”.

• Travel Organizer: this holds all identifications for convenient storage. Passports, tickets, trip itineraries, receipts and addresses are collected here for convenient access.

Remember, there will always be unexpected delays along the way. But with the checklist above, we are at least prepared for what’s going to happen. Also, the most important tool for travelers is a positive attitude. Being friendly will get you places. Have a safe trip!

I am 25 and there is nothing significant going on in my life.  But you know what, I’m no longer scared about that. Sometimes we just got to go with our life’s stream. It may be mundane, but there’s nothing much we can do about the turnout. We just grasp what comes around. And dwelling in the melancholy, well that certainly doesn’t help. All we can do is wish for the best and be there for the best, and the worst too.

There is nothing better than seeing the world in hopeful eyes. Nothing like feeling light in the heaviest of burdens. It’s not that you’re taking things lightly. It’s just that you’re in a mellow mood. Very much unlike what the world is. Now with all things pounding on us, isn’t this more significant?