Have you ever wondered
what the numbers on a tennis ball signify? You almost always see the brand name
(Penn, Wilson) followed by a number (typically 1-4). Are higher numbered balls
used for highly skilled players? Do the lower numbers mean the balls are less
bouncy? No, not at all. Those little numbers do not have any technical
differences. A Wilson 1 is the same as a Wilson 2 or 3. The numbers are simply
used to help players distinguish their tennis balls from another’s in a
multi-court environment. It helps players identify which balls belong to which
court when shots are hit astray. It makes sense to number the balls, but I
sometimes feel tennis ball manufacturers should be more creative with their
distinguishing features. The numbering system seems so unoriginal and dated.
The fact remains that all tennis balls are the same, and yet many players still
have their preferences for brand and number (I was partial to Wilson 2’s for
many years).
With Thanksgiving
approaching, it’s easy to distinguish the things for which we should give
thanks. But aren’t all blessings, like the tennis balls, the same? Should we
not be equally thankful for the little things as well as the big things in
life? This year, I have so many wonderful things to be thankful for: a rewarding job, a new car, a healthy family,
cheerful friends, a loving and supportive fiancé, a safe home and a future that I am looking
forward to more than anything else. These blessings have rolled onto my court
and found their way into my hands, many without my asking or deserving. Like the
numbered tennis balls, the things I am thankful for this year are made of the
same “stuff”. They are all important and all serve to bring about joy and peace
in my life. I can easily distinguish each blessing from another one, but there
are no differences beyond the outside identifiers. Inside my heart is where
they are equally aligned. I hope you feel the same way this Thanksgiving, and
throughout the year. Always let thankfulness be a part of your game.
“Ten thousand reasons
for my heart to find”
