He's Just Not Into You (Love and Basketball)

So I tuned in to watch the Cavaliers-Heats game tonight. Not because I'm a die hard b-ball fan, but to witness for myself the childish, hateful antics I heard some of the Cavaliers fans would perform. And they didn't disappoint. Boos, vulgar taunts, chants, holding up signs with nasty messages on them, giving the middle finger, just about anything they could legally do to make Lebron James feel as much hurt as they felt following "the breakup." It amazed me that some of these people had no clue how petty they looked, how unstable. Or perhaps they didn't care that the rest of us found their attachment to this man—a basketball player—and continued anger over his leaving something that required a hug, and for some, counseling.

Looking and listening to their reactions over the past few months made me think about the power of rejection. Most people associate rejection with romantic interests, and are usually quick to tell the rejectee to "get over it" or "it's not that serious" or "don't sweat it." However, when that rejection comes in other forms, let's say a basketball player leaving your city, prolonged angry feelings are encouraged.

No one likes to be rejected, no matter the situation. The stuff hurts, and if you've experienced it, you know it's a feeling that calls you to question whether you'll ever know the happy feeling of acceptance. But if the poor, rejected lonely hearts are told to toughen up and get over it, shouldn't other rejectees, who may not have had their romantic feelings rejected, but their sense of entitlement to, let's say, a basketball player, yanked away?

I looked at the forlorn faces in the stands of the Quicken Loans Arena and couldn't help but make the comparison between them and the millions of hopeless romantics who wait for returned phone calls, texts, and emails that will never be, only to have to force themselves to process through their grief very quickly and finally come to the realization: he (or she) just isn't into you. Move on. Your "soul mate" certainly has.

My heart goes out to those Cavs fans who feel anything close to "real" rejection. That's a hurt I wouldn't wish on anyone. Everyone should know they have someone who will never leave.

Peace to all.

Check out my creativity at work with my teddy bears who graciously volunteered to illustrate how much rejection sucks. Observe the great acting, look at both the happiness and pain on their faces. Look at the talent I have around me. Thank you bear-y much guys.

In happier times



And then......

When the thrill is gone