I was listening to the radio yesterday and I heard the radio host talking about the NBA All-Star Game that was played this past Sunday.

He was saying what makes Kobe Bryant different than all the players in the league is the fact he never takes a game off. The All-Star Game is basically an exhibition game to showcase the NBA’s best players and have a big weekend party. It’s not about competition but having fun and relaxing.

Well, Kobe play hard like it was a regular season game (and the other players did not) and eventually was named MVP of the game.  The radio host said Kobe was like the 1% of the top people in society who are always “on.”  They are so competitive and want to the best all the times that they never shut it off or take a little time to relax.

Well, I’ve been thinking about the radio host’s comments for the past 2 days and I have to write that I disagree with his analysis.

I believe if you can’t ever shut it off then you will eventually burnout and there’s something not developed within your character.  Human beings are not robots or machines, we are made with logic, emotions, and a spirit and all of those things are interwoven into who we are. And when you are always “on’, you will end up neglecting one or more of those aspects of being human.

Now, I do believe we all should work hard and become the best that we can be in our career or calling.  But that is only one aspect (yes it’s important) of our lives and we have to enjoy the journey and have some fun along the way.

I will finish with the words of Solomon from the Book of Ecclesiastes:

“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.”

Ecclesiates 9:7 (English Standard Version)