The old clock in the Northwood High gym made the time drag for Elara. She was a great basketball player, but she got
mad too fast. Every time she missed a shot or messed up, she'd get frustrated.
After a practice where
she threw the ball in anger, Coach Miller made her sit out. "You're good,
Elara," he said. "But you need to be strong inside to handle the
game's tough spots. You need to learn patience."
For a week, Elara just
watched. She stopped being angry and started paying attention to the best
player, Leo. She watched how slow and steady he breathed before shooting. He
never rushed, even when the pressure was high.
In the next game, with
only five seconds left, Elara got to play. An opposing player hit her, so she
went to the free-throw line. She felt that hot, mad feeling start to bubble up,
but she stopped. She thought of Leo's calm. She took a slow breath and aimed. Swish. Swish. They won.
She understood then.
Being patient wasn't just waiting around. It was the inner strength she found to stay in control when
everything else was going crazy. That new calm was her real strength.
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