It was one of those moments jarring bones, brain and soul - like a linebacker from the blindside - that make you pause, desired or not. I had one of those recently while folding clothes, preparing for a Friday edition of Mac and Doog and, hey this is tough work, watching ESPN’s Sports Center.
Actor Vince Vaughn is on with a noon-time guy - don’t know his name - and their having fun chatting about Chicago sports and Vaughn’s upcoming movie. The talented thespian is a native of the Windy City - nicknamed for politics not weather - and loves his home-town sports teams and the city. I do too, at least the city. Darling girlfriend’s from there, the successful businesswoman’s family lives there, we visit often and America’s third-largest city holds great memories for dear friends, like former Cubs’ outfielder Bob Dernier. Sinatra’s not alone, Chicago’s my kind of town too.
Anyway, back to the point of this Pep Talk. As Vaughn and the anchor continue to play witty and engaging mental gymnastics, the conversation steered toward the fact ESPN, at it’s Bristol, Connecticut campus, has an in-house dodgeball league. Ever play dodgeball? It’s a fun and challenging game. Upon hearing this fact, Vaughn immediately asked, “Is it real dodgeball? Do they place the ball in the middle of the court and then you have to sprint and retrieve the ball for your team?” The star of several clever and funny movies seemed skeptical modern-day dodgeball had similar requirements to the game of his youth, and mine for that matter. The “real dodgeball” answer was affirmative and seemed to impress the 42-year-old who also excels in screenwriting and producing.
For whatever reason mind wandered back to youth. As I recall, therein lies the first problem, that’s how we used to play the game. Put the ball out in the middle, blow the whistle and first team to the ball has the advantage. I was always one of the guys chasing after the ball. God built me that way: decent size, quickness, strength and desire. I loved to compete and knew it was my job to “go get the ball” for the team.
I understood and, thank goodness, embraced the job. It was challenging sure, but it was also a heckuva lot of fun. Team sports, just my opinion, foster great memories and life lessons. So, I knew when the whistle blew I had teammates, coaches, parents and supporters expecting me to get the ball. I tried like heck most times and experienced success and failure. Thankfully, the former more than the latter. But most important, the role was clearly defined and, at that time, this simple dude could not get enough of that funky stuff. I was blessed to grow up in a community - Raytown, Missouri - which really supported youth athletics. Thanks everybody back home.
That was long ago and life, like I know for each of you, has taken many detours. Ya know, those “What the heck is going on around here?” moments burrowed deep into soul? Would it be fair to label these episodes of life, “defining moments?” Is that fair? Let me know. I enjoy hearing from you about these musings!
This much I hope is indisputable: we must understand and, my opinion, embrace our roles in life. I know, easier said than done, right? Physical, emotional and financial stress make remaining enthusiastic about life a real challenge, for all. Sometimes the roles we have to play suck but we have to try and keep a positive attitude about them. Ya know, that ol’ “lemons into margaritas” stuff.
Victory Productions, in partnership with the Denver Improv, had its first Comedy for a Cause event last week. The fun evening honored the Colorado Hawks basketball club for its work in encouraging kids to play like champions in athletics, academics and life. I love the organization’s nickname. The club, founded in 1997, has as its nickname: HAWKS. An acronym for “Hard at work kids.” The staff, coaches, parent and supporters of the Hawks understand their roles: encourage kids to play like champions.
What is our role right now, home, work and elsewhere? I pray this week we all find the strength, despite the crap that comes our way, to understand our roles and go get the ball. It’s necessary to win. You gotta have the ball, or at least, “be on the ball.”
It was my job, because of my athleticism, to get the ball. But then there were other equally important teammates, who had other skills necessary for success. The bottom line is this: everybody understood their role and pursued success passionately. Whether we’re talking communities, or athletic teams, a collective bunch of determined folks who understand their roles and pursue success passionately have, just my opinion, a decent shot at success, right? Please tell me the answer to that question is more toward affirmative than other choices.
A Friday midday, folding clothes, watching ESPN and, then, settling on Poor Man’s Porch to visit with you took cranium to good times and reminders of two of life’s great lessons: Despite what ails us, we keep running to daylight. The venues may change - home, work or elsewhere - but the strategy remains the same. We understand our roles and go get the ball.
Memorial Day 2012. A day we honor those who certainly knew their role and went after the ball. They understood, and pursued with passion, the mission: protecting our freedoms. For that we should all be grateful.
Understand and pursue. Yes, true, there is no guarantee for success but ya never know, it might just work too, right? Understand and pursue, with passion, our roles in this journey someone long ago coined as “life.” What the heck, let’s try it for a week and ya know, see what happens.
Good luck!
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