I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Just three days ago, I was at the Kaseya Center in Miami, joyfully watching Isaiah Hartenstein and seeing the incredible progress he has made.
Recently such an important part of the Knicks, signed with OKC in July, then injuring his left hand during training camp, missing the start of the season, only to come back as if he had never been out.
OKC beats Miami 104:97, and once again, Isaiah delivers a double-double: 13 PTS, 18 REB, as one of the key players on the court.
But then, on the other side, we receive the news that Moritz Wagner is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
His best season so far: 12.9 points, 4.9 rebound, 1.4 assists and great chances to win the “6th Man of the Year” award – and now it’s just over.
These are the moments when I have the biggest respect for every professional athlete. To handle such a situation and stay mentally strong is one of the toughest challenges in these days. At this point: All prayers out to Moritz, that this will be a time where he grows even more mentally and comes back even stronger next season.
In the interview I had with Isaiah in Miami, we talked about how underrated Moritz is. When things like this happen, it always brings me back to how important it is to live in the here and now and to never take each day for granted.
Looking back on this year, one thing I kept reminding myself of every day was: Be brave and grateful for every opportunity.
Don’t let “mistakes” unsettle or discourage you. They are part of the process. Otherwise, we wouldn’t learn how to do things better next time.
Our society is far too focused on measuring success by money and influence. For me, the greatest success this year has been learning a little more about being myself. Not letting others’ opinions or thoughts affect me. Walking my own path and believing in myself, even if it means failing sometimes. Because how else can we learn if we don’t try? And with trying comes trial and error. But next time, it will work – even if it’s with some detours. Yet every detour opens a new perspective, and every new perspective amplifies the perspective on life.
At Friday’s game, OKC vs. Heat, I experienced just that: the reward of being bold. A wonderful conversation with Bam Adebayo, whose life I admire so much. He is a huge role model for me – how he made it from a trailer home to the very top while never forgetting where he came from. Even with the little free time he has, he spends time with people in need, trying to change something.
Then there’s Rachel, who assigns your seat at the Kaseya Center and tells you with beaming eyes how happy she is seeing you again and hopes to one day visit Germany herself.
Later, my interview with Nikola Jovic, post-game. Another conversation that left me amazed – what an amazing young man sitting in front of me! (I’ll publish the interview in the coming days.) So many incredible stories of young men who had big dreams as children and never stopped fighting for them. Behind every NBA player, there’s so much more than their stat line, salary, or whether we think they took too many threes again or could have played better defense.
I hope we never forget, when analyzing games, that we are looking at people, not robots. None of us are forced to watch a game. We watch basketball because we love it. We love the stories it tells, the emotions, the unexpected moments, the celebration or the mourning – whether it’s victory or defeat. We take inspiration from it or imagine what it would be like to stand on the court ourselves.
Ball is life, even if we see more threes now than before. It’s the togetherness, the sport that connects us.
Every little story, every brief conversation, gives me a glimpse into perspectives I haven’t known before.
For me, that is the most precious thing. Because if I’ve learned one thing, it’s this: With every trip I get to experience, I realize that thinking we “know” is perhaps the most arrogant thing of all. We cannot know what someone else’s life is like, even if we observe it from the outside and think we do. But what do we know about their childhood or the struggles they’ve faced?
I try not to judge but to listen and learn. As you can tell, today’s words are a bit more emotional. I think that’s something the final days of the year always bring – reflecting and looking back on your journey.
So, at this point: Thank you for all your support this year. Everyone reading these lines is part of the reason I get to pursue my dream. Getting a behind-the-scenes look, showing new perspectives, or perhaps simply telling a beautiful story.
Enjoy the last days of 2024, and never forget that life is not guaranteed. Every day is a chance to fill it with something beautiful. Be yourself – with courage and belief in yourself.
Until next time, Your Flight Girl
Screenshot
