I’m far from the rabid sports fan. (Didn’t even play much of team sports in school. Last to be picked, you know.)
So I was surprised how disappointed I was with my hometown Cleveland team — number one in the NBA. So much that I turned off the tv night before last, rather than watch them be shamed by Boston.
Strange how a game starts to feel like it’s about your birthplace and yourself. It’s a frigging basketball game, for heaven’s sake, and I had nothing to do with its outcome. Nothing. (My cheering, my sighs, had no effect.)
While I’m moaning … It’s been cold and sunless in Cleveland for a week now. To boot, I had felt a few of my own disappointments and (apparent) setbacks in my work in the past days.
Last night, I was as down as I get.
You see, I do get discouraged. Some folks are surprised by that, given my “positive” bent.
The thing is, I have a big world I try (and do a damn good job of) holding up — keeping promise and confidence high for me and many others who are on the trek of a lifetime, pursuing ideals that some would say are too large. I’ll bet you know what I mean — because you hold that space for others.
So last night, I threw in the towel with work, with passion, with ideals. (Down deep I know that giving up and shutting down is sometimes the best restart.)
Couple of hours later, the words came to me, I’ve heard before and will hear again, “they came from behind.”
Yep, me too.
That flipped the switch, and I turned in for the night with hope restored (just mine, who cares about a lousy world championship?) and with new energy to continue with what now, the next morning, feels more like a fighting spirit.
That’s odd for me. So I meditated. Still, feel more like raw red meat than chamomile tea.
So we’ll see. I’ve got game. You? (And how ’bout LeBron tonight?)
Jim
P.S. On a related note, here’s a thought-provoking piece by Dan Pallotta on why it’s worth going for the impossible: When Your Goal Is the Impossible.
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Jim – I can’t believe the coincidence of you sending out your email on LeBron. I, sounds like you, are not a sports fan at all. Don’t know anything about sports. But yesterday I was at the Boys and Girls Clubs of East Valley AZ for a meeting and the staff shared with me that LeBron had been in town and contacted their club that he and his buddy Jay-Z were going to be in town and wanted to come and talk to the kids. (I kept calling him James LeBron- seemed sensible).
The club adminstration organized a huge gathering in the gym with over 200 kids for their surprise visitor. The kids gathered filled with anticipation and suddenly LeBron and
Jay-z entered the room. The kids went crazy, screaming in delight! After calming the kids down, LeBron and Jay-Z sat in the middle of all the children talking to them and encouraging them to stay in school and go to college. And then… as a complete shock to everyone… Beyoncee walked in behind and joined them!!! The kids lost their minds!! I am sobbing just thinking of what that meant to them!!! I wish I could have been there!!!>
I was told these three role model celebrities were gracious, kind and amazing. The children from the Boys and Girls Clubs got to perforn for them with sun glasses on and all and will never be the same; except to excel. The special guests ended the surprise appearance asking the kids to promise they will stay in school and attend college. A wonderful, heartbreaking, incredible difference they brought to the lives of these children!