The Real Value of Table Tennis

What’s your first response to what table tennis means to you? It’s fun. It’s good exercise. It’s an awesome sport. It’s an escape from the problems of life. Table tennis is part of my identity. All of these are good enough reasons to play. Who doesn’t need a little more fun and exercise in their life? I don’t have any problem suggesting that playing table tennis might add a few years to your life; if it replaces a sedentary lifestyle. At some point, you may begin to see yourself as a table tennis player for life. 

The real value of table tennis really isn’t any of these, or maybe it’s a collection of all of them. Don’t underestimate any activity that might keep you out of the doctor’s office. When physical activity isn’t part of everyday life, some kind of exercise is absolutely essential. As strongly as I feel about incorporating exercise, specifically table tennis, into life, that’s still not the real value of table tennis. 

Don’t play table tennis because it’s good for you. Play table tennis because it’s good. The real value of playing is that it is an intrinsically positive activity. To play table tennis, is to be optimistic about life. If you can play ping pong while those around you are in a state of panic, you’re either delusional, or maybe everyone else is. Table tennis shouldn’t be an escape from life, but a way to enjoy life, and spread that joy to others. 

Don’t play table tennis because it’s good for you. Play table tennis because it’s good.