Before I check out your "game" tell me your politics.

The older I become the more I relish those times when I am able to "be in the moment." Those times when work, children, and conflicts of the world are pushed aside. I find these moments in prayer and meditation. Many times I find conversation with friends has rooted me in the moment. Sometimes it is the experience of a beautiful sunset. Often I find it during exercise.

I love a long bike ride. I am blessed to live a few short minutes from Chickamauga Military Park where there are several miles of road suitable for riding. If a more strenuous ride is in order there are three mountains offering as much challenge as you desire.

During the winter months I spend time in the local YMCA, where a game of racquetball is easily found. Friday afternoon, a friend and I met there for a "friendly" game, friendly meaning he would just as soon pound me into the court as not.

We met in the locker room and caught up with the news on friends and family as we changed into our workout clothes. When we walked upstairs into the court area a man, seated in front of our court smiled and spoke, "Good Morning."

"Good morning."

"Would you like to play cut throat?"  ( a game in which one person plays th eother two)

I caught myself sizing up my opponent. Normally I would have taken in his age, physical condition, and equipment, trying to decide whether he was going to be someone I wanted to play before I answered. This time it was different. I noticed he was of dark complexion with wavy hair with a slight accent and before I knew it I was wondering whether he was from the Middle East.

I have never considered myself prejudice and I don't think I was being entirely so now. But, I had to admit, three or four years ago I would never have wondered whether he was Muslim, or Christian, or atheist. I would only have wondered what kind of game he had. I thought about my reaction and realized that we are bombarded with news of Arab and Jew and Christian conflict. Politics is permeated with agendas based on belief. The evening news is substantially dominated with stories of Middle East conflict and terrorism.

With no premeditation on my part I had become one of those who first judges based on religious belief, even when a simple game of racquetball is in order.