What the hell is this paintball thing you keep going on-and-on about? Permit me to hijack the late great Bob Hope: If you watch a game, it’s fun. If you play it, it’s recreation. If you live it, it’s paintball! And golf and cemeteries are a waste of good paintball land! This weekend over 10,000 people converged on Skirmish, USA above Jim Thorpe, PA to take part in the Invasion of Normandy, the world’s largest game. These people were athletes, enthusiasts, creative, inventive, intense, passionate, engaged, and hard-core. But there were also the newbies, wannabes, frightened, curious, patient, mentors, and focused. But they gelled. They came from all over the world, all over this country, and did what they had to do to be there and take part. There were friends, enemies, alliances, tricksters, watchers, doers, and everything in between. And I was with some of the finest, nicest, fiercest, loyal, and fun people I have ever met on the playing field. In fact, in my 14+ years of playing, I truly know that this was the crème de le crème of what this sport has to offer. The camaraderie, the leadership, and the opposition took it to a whole new level that didn’t inspire pride, rather, it defined it. I cannot and will not compare it to actual battle as it is not a life-and-death situation, but if you know anything about competition, be it in sports, society, or the business arena, you know what it is to have to fight or struggle or keep at it again and again until your goals are achieved. And when you’re surrounded by like-minded people, be it that person of the moment or that person for whom you would shed blood, it is that much more exhilarating, you’re that much more inspired, and the victory is that much sweeter. Ok, and the loss might be easier to take but I’m sure you bounce back faster. Paintball is the personification of a team sport. You might show up to this game alone, you might not be part of a group of friends or an organized team, but when y’all hit that field with a common purpose and you’re exchanging shots with the opposing forces, the loner is suddenly part of an irresistible force that’s just been released and together that force drives the enemy back and accomplishes something the loner could not do alone. It’s music, it’s an orchestra, and most especially in the final battle of the event, the crescendo was deafening as were the victory cries from the Allied force! Imagine the pride of the father as he watched his 10 year old child, scared to the point of shaking (but had still begged to attend), steel himself and run right up between men who were twice his height and just shoot in the direction of the enemy and in turn watch that enemy run away! But also imagine that child and what he just saw and felt himself do in future places and times off the field! These are life-lessons and that kid might NOW KNOW that he can do almost anything he sets his mind to but should he fail, all he needs to do is wipe the paint off and try again, this time even harder. That’s paintball. I had the amazing opportunity to work and fight against some of the greatest players in the world this weekend. I meet up with my heroes, met new ones, and was made to escalate my game in order to prove to them that I deserved to be there, and where I’m tired, blistered, bruised, and still have no voice (“Who brought the angry Chihuahua?”)! I’ve met some of my best people through this sport, people I am proud to call Brother, but in the sense where it is far more than just a label, it has meaning, and if you saw how both teams worked and fought together, you’d understand why we are so passionate about this sport ---- hmmm, this lifestyle? Semper Fi, brothers and sisters. Thank you for being who you are and making it great! Now, who wants to come play some paintball? My name is Brick; please come join me and play this great sport!!
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 11:36:08 +0000
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