Appreciating the Beautiful World

Obviously, there’s a lot of things on my mind right now and hence, me blogging again. I spent a day listening to ‘We are the World 2010′ for at least 6 times. Being a passionate person by nature, the music video certainly touches my heart as a human being. There were a few upsetting things that occurred this week and somehow, this song managed to bring up my spirits and think of the beautiful world that i live in. The beauty of human beings coming out as one makes my hair stand and when there’s love, selfless acts towards one another, even during the most difficult times, we humans find it easier to cope and overcome obstacles.

Coming into almost a year managing my own social soccer club in Jaws Soccer Club, we are heading into a top-of-the-table clash this Sunday to determine the likely champion of Espzen Season 12 Division 8. With just 3 games to go, pressure will be mounting for Jaws to get a result from this weekend. However, the mental test has already started for me as i know that a few of my players are showing a negative mindset and displaying unhappiness at this moment. While these players are only thinking about their own displeasure, i sympathize with any other players feeling torn in between their close friendships with the unhappy players and the best for Jaws SC. Obviously, this little saga hurts me so deep simply because i have given my absolute best in helping players to improve in football context and also accomodating their needs and desires while playing for the team. Despite all these, on the eve of Jaws’ most important game in our short history, these players chose to think of their own displeasure ahead of the team’s performance this sunday. Not being appreciated for managing them doesnt hurt me, but them not appreciating the team’s credible efforts in our first season in a league really hurt me. However, i know that this is not a time to be caught in an emotional situation but instead, to reaffirm my focus for Jaws to achieve the best within these 3 games. For all the positives that Jaws have achieved, all of them cannot be done by me alone. It’s always a team effort, from the management right down to the players. As long as i maintain doing my role as the kick starter for the team, it’s always the players who made everything possible on the pitch. Anyway, it’s part and parcel of coaching and managing to encounter such issues. Like it or not, i will have to overcome this obstacle and not to allow this to cloud my judgement and decision making for Jaws SC.

What i really want to blog about is appreciating the Beautiful world of mine. I am truly grateful to God for giving me so much love from my parents, brothers, cousins and great friends. God has given my many chances to learn about life and it’s always the downs of life where i learn most. For still allowing me to play and enjoy my football, i will forever be grateful that despite my crocked knee, i am enjoying the best footballing time of my life. I am certain that God will be testing me even more than ever and i only hope and pray that i will be able to face them positively.

Besides God, my parents will forever be in my heart and soul for all the good they have done and sacrificed for me. Without them, i will not be who i am today. Managing a soccer team in Jaws gave me a little taste of how parenting might be like: the responsibility, the emotional rollercoaster, the planning, the nuturing and many other aspects. I can only imagine now how hurt i made my parents felt before when i foolishly misbehaved towards them in the past. Besides wanting to get married soon, there’s nothing else that i want than to just make my parents happy in future.

The bright spark of my life that really spurs me to be better as a person and to fight harder to overcome obstacles is none other than Nureen Bte Samad. Being such a wonderful companion of more than 7 years 2 months, Nureen even helped me to manage Jaws SC. Her unconditional commitment to taking pictures, buying and carrying drinks for Jaws during games and her desire to build a team of harmony and true good spirited players are way beyond my expectations of her. Jaws apart, Reen never fails to be there for me in both good and bad times. We never feel bored talking to each other and certainly sense that we have a whole life together in front of us. So many exciting things in life to look ahead together: Getting married, having 3 children, taking care of our parents and strengthening our faith in God. This year, we know that we will do our best to fulfil the most important test before getting married: Strengthening faith in God. Personally, i cant wait to finish my studies and starting working my ass off to build a family with her. Cant hardly wait!

Although the season hasnt ended yet for Jaws SC, regardless of what we achieve, i am proud to have a bunch of great spirited and talented team. For about 40 games together, i have seen so much improvement as a team and also in so many of the players. Of the younger lot, players like Im and Mamat certainly done Jaws proud with their outstanding performances and brave attitude during games. Some players like Is, Ayat, Ming and Shim have shown a great improvement mentally as they now understood the importance of teamwork. In Jaws, there are many leaders with different styles and they all find their way of influencing the team: Syahrul, Kiran, Chee Hui, Indra, Hilmi. The most improved players has to be between Jie Hao, Rusdi and Shaik. Many others not mentioned have all made telling contributions to Jaws and it’s really amazing to see players coming out of their shells and shining as a team! No matter what happens, both me and Reen are extremely proud to have Jaws SC as a fantastic soccer family! Let’s hope for more great seasons of football to come!

As this blog comes to its close, i like to express my thoughts of life. We live our lives in a beautiful world. A beautiful world that consists of the creations of God: Landscapes, planets, stars, animals, people…. However, nothing is all good or all bad. Humans are said to be the most dominant race and thus, we need to really live up to that claim or belief. Regardless of race, religion and origins, we live on this beautiful Earth appreciating all the good that God has made it visible to us. Appreciate the love we get and remember that even when you feel that life is bad for you, there’s always others less fortunate. Do not let hatred and hypocracy creep into our hearts and ruin all the great creations of God. Peace to be upon you.

Regards and with Love,

Ayyub Kay