Why Dodging Life’s Problems Is Like Passing the Ball to Your Opponent : Dr(HC) Prachetan Potadar

Why Dodging Life’s Problems Is Like Passing the Ball to Your Opponent : Dr(HC) Prachetan Potadar

By-Dr(HC) Prachetan Potadar

You’ve probably heard the saying, “What you avoid controls you, but what you face sets you free.” Sounds like the kind of advice your coach would give before halftime, right? But it’s not just pep talk—it’s real strategy. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve become a pro at dodging life’s challenges, only to realize you’re handing the ball straight to the opposition, letting your problems score against your happiness.

In India, avoidance feels like playing a defensive offside trap—sidestepping that annoying relative who floods the family WhatsApp group with “Good morning!” videos at midnight. We mute those group chats like they’re penalty shootouts waiting to happen. And who hasn’t “missed the boss’s call” like a last-minute offside? Our game plan? “Ignore it, and it’ll fade away.” Except, spoiler alert—it never does.

Here’s the match fact: when you avoid a problem, you’re basically passing the ball to your opponent—letting that problem control your midfield and dominate the game. And trust me, that problem loves to dribble right into the spotlight like a show-stopping striker shouting “Goal!” at the top of their lungs.

Take that family WhatsApp group for example. You mute it or even leave it, but every time your phone buzzes, your heart races like you’re defending a crucial penalty. But what if you took control and faced it head-on? Open the chat, scan the messages, and send back a cheeky meme—the “Blinking Guy” or a slick “Aapko kya lagta hai?” Ranbir Kapoor GIF. Suddenly, you’re not just offside—you’re the captain leading the team, the cool cousin everyone’s talking about at the next family meet.

Or think about that one subject you’ve been avoiding like a dodgy tackle. “Kal padh lenge,” you tell yourself, playing the procrastination game. But come exam day, you’re under more pressure than a last-minute free-kick, hoping for a miracle or some mercy from the referee. Avoiding that subject turned it into your personal World Cup final nightmare, stressing you out for days. But if you’d taken early shots on goal, you’d be chilling with your mates, flaunting your study notes like a viral highlight reel.

Avoidance is like handing the referee the whistle—letting your fears call all the shots, disrupt your game plan, and wreck your focus. Whether it’s dodging marriage questions, delaying that dentist appointment, or pretending tax season is offside, running away only makes the problem grow bigger, like an extended injury time. But facing it? That’s your winning goal—the moment you break through the defense and claim victory, like scoring a last-minute winner that sends the crowd into a frenzy.

So next time you’re tempted to dodge, remember: you’re just giving the ball away to your problems. Be the striker of your own story. Open that chat, tackle that textbook, have that tough talk. And if it feels too intense, throw in a meme—because nothing says “I’m in control” like a perfectly timed “Arre yeh toh galat ho gaya” GIF.

And if fear still tries to block you, remind yourself in Hindi: “Mogambo khush hua!” because you’re about to score big. In Tamil, say it like Rajinikanth: “En vazhi, thani vazhi!”—your way, your rules. In Marathi, channel the spirit of the mighty Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with: “Jay Bhavani, Jay Shivaji!”—face your battles head-on. From Gujarat, take the famous line: “Tame mane samjo to sachu, nahi to potani chal!” — understand yourself first, then take charge. And in Kannada, shout with Darshan’s style: “Naanu thaan champion!”—because you are the champion of your life.

Life’s too short to let your fears play defense. Face them, laugh at them, and take back the pitch. Because as every football fan knows, the match is won by those who don’t shy away from the ball—and scoring feels way better than watching your phone buzz like a red card.