In the second part of our project with Children Inspiring Hope, we are choosing to send a personal object to the kids in Ghana.  For my object, I am choosing a small basketball.  Everyday, I have at least one basketball related activity, whether a practice, game, or going to a professional or college game. It is a big part of who I am, so I will be sending a little part of me through a miniature rubber basketball.


Sports in general are a great source of international peace.  Some say the olympics are meant to bring peace or a deeper understanding of one another over seas, just like our project in Ghana.  In basketball, you must keep going after a mistake.  Lowering your head or sulking in guilt and frustration does nothing - it can only hurt your team more.  Everything in basketball can change very quickly, so if you don't keep fighting through your struggles, you won't have success.  In this regard, basketball is very similar to life -- If you make a mistake, you have pick yourself back up and keep trying, never giving up.


Peace comes through understanding and acceptance, both in others and in yourself.  Accepting who you are inspires confidence -- something everyone needs on the basketball court in order to succeed.  It's hard to embrace others when you can't accept yourself.  What I mean by "accept" is to recognize and respect each others differences.  Respect in what aspects they are better, and where they are worse.  If we can respect each other, there won't be a need to fight.