Monday, July 10, 2006

Magic Moments

A lot has been said about how a few moments shape our lives and destiny. Over the last few years of my life I've witnessed a lot of events that reiterate this fact. The moment could occur anywhere. It may be in our own backyard or in front of millions of people. But it happens. And then things change. All in a matter of a few seconds.

There are times when you meet a new person and you're just having a conversation when suddenly both of you share a moment. It could be anything, a joke, a smile or that little fraction of a second when you meet the other's eyes. That moment tells both of you that you are going to hit it off well. Those few seconds could well be the foundation to a lifelong friendship.

Talking about friendship, let me move on to relationships. There is that moment, the inevitable moment which could break the beautiful relationship that has been going great since several years. You would probably do anything and everything to get one more chance but the moment is gone and what's lost is lost. And there are those amazing few seconds when you realise you've found the one for you, the person you want to live the rest of your life with.

The moment you know you've passed the hard exam, the few seconds after you've been selected in the job interview, the moment when you lose your head and do something that you'll regret for life, the fraction of a second that breaks a person's well established hard-earned trust in you, the moment when you fall for someone, that brilliant volley that tells you it's your day, the flash of brilliance after which nothing can stop you, the moments after you have won the world cup. They change everything. You are a new person after that. The world is a different place after that.

Yesterday I saw the world cup final between France and Italy. It was such an agony to watch Zinedine Zidane, the greatest football player of the last decade, known for his professional patience and calmness, do something utterly ridiculous and unnecessary, only to be sent off. The whole world was stunned. He would not be allowed to receive his silver medal after the last match of his illustrious career. It was the moment of sheer madness and frustration that took his exit from the international arena from the greatest heights of glory to utter disgrace. I was very disappointed. One question that came to my mind - Why Zizou? Why?

But then it's all about moments, those that make or break our lives. The few seconds that govern all the events that unfold after that. They're magic moments, indeed.

12 comments:

Gaju Krishna said...

Watched the match yesterday... Had so much drama that probably a whole book might be inspired by it...Terribly disappointing end to a glittering career... you would probably see the same thing written so many times in print in so many different ways before it fades from memory...

Cheeky said...

@Gajanana

Very true. What he did was inexplicable.

Cheeky said...

I'm just extremely happy he won the Golden Ball Trophy! I'm one big fan of Zizou!

Anonymous said...

Yeah I know.. one moment.. killed the charm of his entire career..

Though do you really think life lasting friendships are sparked off in a moment.. I never thought so.. I mean I could never limit the depth of my relationship to one moment.. It kinda seems to flow along with time..

Akanksha

Cheeky said...

Killed the charm of his career? Of course not! But it was sad.
And it doesn't happen with every relationship. Besides I never said anything about depth. The depth keeps building up with time.

AK. said...

i will always remember zizou for his footballing greatness. no one else like him. arguably the best player along with maradona and pele of all times.
yes it was moment of madness. and it also reflects how a genuis on the brink of perfection also lives on the edge of sheer insanity, only becoz he doesnt know how to handle it. i think zizou for a moment thought he was bigger than the game itself.
i feel sorrier for zizou than for materazzi as i regret it had to end this way.

Cheeky said...

@Ateesh

Everyone will remember his artistic wizardry on field man. I just hope FIFA doesn't scrap the Golden Ball. That would be really sad.

AK. said...

i think the golden ball shud be taken back from him. its like giving a message to young kids watching the game:
Head-butt someone and u'll win the golden ball!
u dont want that to happen do u?

Cheeky said...

@Aki

Nonsense. That's no reason to take the golden ball away from him. Besides no one but you would think that he got the golden ball for head butting. Kids aren't total idiots.

Anonymous said...

A Different Perspective.

To start with, I am a big fan of Zizou. And, I like him even more for what he did in his last moments on the playing field.

Well, to me, there are a few things more important than a World Cup triumph. Zidane has clearly shown us that there is more to life than just victories. That sparks a nice debate. What's more important in sport? Fair Play, Respect for opponents and Self-Esteem or a Victory in the World Cup final. This might well be the topic of your next post.....

Anonymous said...

You think a moment changed anything? People who thought Zizou was a wizard still think so; he's still a great player.. a mistake and it's all gone?

Cheeky said...

@Anon
It sparks off a great debate, indeed.

@Anushya
Well. Obviously people will remember him for his footballing skills. But the moment surely killed the chance of a happy ending to a glorious career.