specifically the game of Pool,
especially Nine ball Pool.
The game of 'Nine ball' consists of nine object balls, all sequentially numbered, and a cue ball.
Using the cue ball, the goal is to pocket all the object balls in sequence starting from the lowest number onwards, with the last ball (the ninth ball) being the 'Money ball'.
This also means that if you were to sink the ninth ball without committing a foul during your turn,
even with other object balls still on the table, you can automatically win the game.
Anyways, I'm not here to teach you how to play pocket billiards.
I'm here to talk about what I've learnt from it.
Just like the game of life,
there are a sequence of prerequisites that you should see through before you take aim at your target goal.
These could come as completing school or university, forming relationships, getting a qualification, learning a skill, broaden your horizons through traveling, or investing your time and/or money towards your future.
But, no matter what you're working on at the time, you must always try to position yourself well, so you can take a good aim at the next shot.
The intention is to always be thinking about the next move,
all the while having the ultimate goal in sight.
However, nothing is stopping you from risking everything,
skipping all the set prerequisites, using what you have and go for the 'Money ball'.
On the other hand,
even if you do complete every prerequisite laid out on the table, you could also make a simple mistake and lose it all.
Life can be like that sometimes.
That's what makes it challenging yet beautiful.
As long as you enjoy every shot you take at it, make the important shots count, and remember that there's always next time.
Just like a game of Nine ball.
Footnote:
Apparently, the game of nine ball is quite popular in North America. Unlike in the EU countries, or even Asia pacific (including Australia and the pacific islands) where the game of 'Eight ball' reigns supreme,
America, especially continental US, are more fond of this strategic game when it comes to pocket billiards. Another variation to this game is Ten ball, which is quite popular amongst the competing professionals, or if you're really, really old school, you'll have heard of 'Seven ball' as well.
Either way, I'm excited to have a few games of Nine ball while I'm traveling the US, pretending to be a touring pool hustler like Paul Newman in the movie 'The Hustler' or Tom Cruise, in the movie 'The Color of Money',
but like they say, "it's all fun and games until someone loses their balls"
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