Beglerosophy

my thought vomit #2:

is begleri enough?

this has been an idea that has been with me ever since picking up begleri. for many of us, we picked it up in addition to something else, for me it was balisong. I found that begleri was more practical socially and physically (no cuts), and over time through activity in the community and general enjoyment it became my mainstay toy.

That said, over larger amounts of time I had this nagging suspicion that "this isn't enough; this is a side toy. I should learn kendama/yoyo/cardistry/juggling etc. because those have more depth."

I see this as a multi-fold issue. The first is addressing the practice of begleri from the standpoint that modern play has largely been undiscovered, and we've just scratched the surface. This is hard to accept, as the major leaps in play have largely subsided for more subtle nuances as of the past year or so. It is difficult to see begleri as a lifelong practice because there are very few of us who have done it for an extended period of time and are able to look back and say "yep, it was worth it." (as opposed to those who have been juggling or doing yoyo for DECADES and are still improving constantly).

The second issue is simply perspective of many community members. most people in the community don't treat begleri as their main practice, they do it in addition to something else, which they often do more of. Assflo with balisong, weston with cardistry, etc. It is hard to see it as it's own, distinct and worthwhile practice because of this.

Lastly, and maybe this is just due to my own weird insecurities, the actual size and scope of begleri play itself makes me feel like it just isn't enough. It's restricted to your two hands, and by the nature of the design of the sets themselves. Maybe that is why lately people have been experimenting with longer lengths to push the limits of play.

To turn this on it's head, I guess I have to also ask, does begleri HAVE to be enough on it's own? Is there any real negative value that comes from the fact that it is more or less "limited" as a hardcore skilltoy when compared to yoyo or kendama?

I guess I take issue with this look on it because I find much more personal satisfaction and fulfillment out of practicing begleri than yoyo or kendama, and I feel invalidated when it is reduced to an "extreme fidget."

perhaps I can double-down and just tune out the noise and fully embrace the fact that I personally enjoy begleri as a hardcore skilltoy even though it is newer than usual, and is on it's way to being discovered. Also if you're thinking "why NOT just do them all?" this is a troubling thought for someone with some symptoms of ocd like I have, where I feel unfocused and like I am wasting my time if I am not dedicating enough effort in any one direciton. That's why I'm mediocre at a dozen things as opposed to really good at one thing. It's self defeating and, as the GOAT cardist Tobias Levin has said, you only get one life, and only so much time to dedicate to your practice. If you want to be great, you have to choose to devote that time to your chosen practice.

Maybe I'm overthinking it. Being great at begleri isn't what it's about, at all. It's about the enjoyment of the practice and discovery. Let's leave that as the main takeaway from my rambling. Enjoy begleri, whether you're doing infinite beadrolls or just landed your first combo of rebounds and slips. Begleri is a celebration of being in the present moment with your practice.