The Power of Sports

Today is February 4, 2008. Today is the day after the New York Football Giants beat the previously undefeated New England Patriots in the Superbowl. The final game of the NFL season, and the determining game to crowning a champion for the year.

Those of you who may not know (because you live under a rock), the Giants were 12 point underdogs. They were expected to lose. Patriot players had invited them to their victory party before the game was even played, and maybe worst of all an irresponsible publisher had already published a book saying the New England Patriots had won the game.

What ended up happening was the Giants beat the snot out of the Patriots Quarterback and Golden Boy Tom Brady. His ass got more of a rug burn than from the beating he took by the Giants Defense than Jenna Jameson's knees. The Giants then with 2 minutes left in the game designed a game-winning drive, with one of the most memorable plays in Superbowl history to win the game.

It was quite a game. The amazing thing is that 97.5 million Americans tuned in to watch this game. That's almost 1 in 3 Americans. Now that may not mean much. But today I am at the Chicago Airport and all I hear is people talking about the game. They cannot get enough of it. Everyone is basically saying the same exact thing, but they won't shut up. They still ramble on and repeat the same exact points with different words. Its amazing that one 60 minute sequence of events can have complete strangers making friends and talking to each other as if they've known each other for years.

Some movies never leave our minds, and some books may always be remembered. But there is nothing, and I do mean nothing that will ever bring strangers to discuss and talk the way sports does. Whether you are a fan or not, sports seem to bring out a passionate competitive beast in people and raise that beast to their mouths. Because as much we all discuss what certain athletes achieve, the majority of us, seem to be quite content with just that. In all the chatter of the greatness of these games, I have not heard a single person say "It inspired me to be a football player".

Van Wilder - A Great Role Model

One of my favorite movies is Van Wilder. The first time I saw it was right after I got back from Spring Break in college. To be quite honest, that movie did give me a great new way of looking at things.

"Don't take life too seriously...or you'll never make it out alive" is what he said. The movie has an amazing Carpe Diem tone, of enjoying the present to the fullest, but at the same time to not fear the future. Since then, the many times I've been fucked, I always knew that stressing wouldn't do any good. "Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair, it'll give you something to do, but your not going anywhere" another excellent quote. Both things are quite hard to do, and it seems like many people don't understand this.

I'm sure we can all be a little better than where we are, but we all have made a sacrifice to keep from achieving that. That sacrifice is enjoying the present, the moment, the toast, the kiss, the laugh or hug. These are the things that matter most in anyone's life time. You might be able to develop amazing technology, or medicine, but if you can't be happy with how you did it, then what's the point?

So in the words of Van Wilder "You can't treat every situation as life or death because you'll die a lot more than you'll live". Take a moment, be spontaneous, and enjoy what's going on. In the end, its not all about "having what you want, but wanting what you have" - Sheryl Crow.

Progress

Progress is one of the rarest things in life to witness. If you are lucky you can even live through it. However, many of us spend countless hours and days wishing to see progress in people, places, and situations that just simply seem destined not to. Recently, I was among the few lucky people who habitate this planet, and was able to witness such a euphoric phenomenon.

I have a very close friend who I think very highly of. For as long as I've known him, he has always been known as the funny guy, and nice/proper/good guy. He was always the one to open the door for someone, or to be a VERY polite gentleman when dealing with a lady. He always treated women with way too much respect, and put them on pedestals that reached the stratosphere. The ladies have always perceived him to be "cute" and "such a good person to talk to". It actually grossed me out. Now, I'll be the first to admit, I don't demand attention from the ladies with my looks or style, and I have also been a little guilty of being some of the adjectives aforementioned. However, it was a sense of politeness he had, that I never saw duplicated. The worst part, is that every time he said something funny, and made people laugh you knew he was holding back from saying something that would make people ecstatic.

Then today, it happened. He got on the phone with a girl and was a complete jerk, and funny at the same time. I mean if I was the girl I would think this guy is an asshole, but he's pretty right and funny too. The thing with funny people, is that they're usually right about what they're saying. It was transformation before my own eyes, and ears. I was ecstatic and excited that this happened. He was as he describes it "loose". A state of mind, I highly recommend.

Life is short, what do you have to lose. Be like Petey Greene, and speak your mind. If an ex-con can inspire millions, just imagine what you can do by speaking what's on your mind, and not giving a fuck about what people think. I admit, this is easier said than done. But courage is a commodity reserved for the few.

Action Versus Word

Actions or words? It is quite like the question which came first the chicken or the egg? However, there is one little difference between the question I pose, and the former. That difference is that my question has an answer.

They say the pen is mightier than the sword, and I whole heartedly agree. The effect that powerful words can have on the massees is much greater than what a sword can ever do. If you don't believe me, just go take a look at what Hitler or Thomas Jefferson achieved with their words.

However, words without action are useless. I am of the firm belief that actions speak lounder than words. That implementing an idea is just as important if not more than the idea its self. An idea without action is waste. Its like putting on a condom and hoping for sex. Without effort, nothing will be achieved. What makes this even more true is that any one who does one thing and says another is usually remembered for what they DID and not what they SAID.

So I suggest to you that with the finite time you've been fortunate enough to be granted, use it. Think. ACT. Achieve. It is our actions which define us, and it is our actions which we will be remembered by. Consider your fortunes, alwawys know you have a choice, and Act Accordingly.

Making a difference

The words sometimes sound like a cheesy slogan. It seems so insignificant the little actions of our lives and what they may seem to be in the ocean that we call life. It seems like there are so many ways to do it. But making a difference is an act of passion. If it is not, well then it is just a cheesy slogan.

I've read some books by some extraordinary people, but the way Mr. Gregory David Roberts has accounted for his life, and the events that make up his life is a testament to the fact that the "little" actions of our lives do end up turning into waves in an ocean of life that sometimes even crash on others to make a difference.

Have I made a diffence? Well after 27 years of existence I like to think I've made some difference. I know I've taught a close cousin how to speak English, which is one of my better differences, and probably one of my worst differences I've made is that I've presented certain people with certain options that they probably wouldn't have had if it were not for me.

I've done many things, some good, and some bad, but nothing as significant as I'd like it to be. The pen is mightier than the sword, and this is an exact truth. The influence of words has formed nations, started wars, and restored order. But all of it can be attributed to somebody who just wanted to make a difference.

The Run of My Life

I agreed to help my sister move out of her apartment in Boston. I had to take a bus up there. To get to the bus, I had to take a train. To get to the train I had to drive home, park my car, and then get a ride there. Be that as it may for my sister, I was willing to go thru all the trials and tribulations that lead up to me finally getting a Uhaul and dragging all her stuff down to wonderful New Jersey.

Anyhow, with all the hoops and hurdles I had to run thru, I was bound to run late and I did. I couldn't believe how late I actually ran. I missed the first train I had to catch and that set me back by 40 minutes. Which inevitably left me late for everything else I had to catch. So as I was on my second (of 3) trains, I decided I was gonna change my plan. I decided I was gonna take the Path train to the World Trade Center and risk getting to the bus to Boston.

So finally, I had my mind made up. My bus ticket was non-refundable, and if I missed it I'd probably have to buy another ticket, and wait an hour. I got off the train at 5:45 PM at the world trade center, and I had no idea which way the Bus was. I figured I can catch a cab. But like I said, it was 5:45 PM and getting a cab was practically impossible. There was a cop on the street and I decided to ask him if he knew which way Canal Street was. "Yeah, about 9 blocks that way". I took off. With my work clothes on and a duffle bag hanging across my body, I took off in the direction of Canal street. I ran passed people, on the street, jumped over objects, and accidentally hit innocent pedestrians without realizing it with my bag.

"You okay!?" a cop yelled. I said "which way to the Fung Wah bus?" He yelled "Five blocks up that way". Once again, I took off. This time it was worst because I was in China town, so it was packed. I didn't have a watch and couldn't gauge how much time I had, and on top of that it was up hill. For a split second, I decided I should quit and then it hit me that I ran too hard and too far to quit. So I sucked it up, and ran with all my might towards the bus.

I arrived at a red light. There was tons of New York City traffic between me and my bus. I waited, let the light change, and sprinted towards my bus. With sweat dripping dripping down my body and onto my fingers I grabbed my ticket and gave it to the Asian lady. I boarded the bus, looking like I just stepped out of a shower with all the confidence in the world.

I sat down and put my bag down and pulled out an extra t-shirt to dry off. It was in that moment I realized the power of Pushing. In that ironic stupid little moment I knew I had what it takes to get something done. Its a beatiful feeling.

Life Lesson: Lauging with the Sinners

I've decided that as I go thru life I'll take time occasionally to share the small things that I learn. I figured I'll call these things Life Lessons, and I hope there are many more to come.

I've realized that in life, it is easier to laugh with the sinners than to cry with the saints. As we tread thru the waters of life, we often realize that laughter makes our lives more fulfilling. However, we rarely want to take time to cry with the saints. Laughter usually means we are in good company having a good time.

However, crying may not suggest so. In my opinion, crying is much more important than laughter. While laughter may give our lives fulfillment, it is crying that gives our lives meaning. Crying makes you realize that you've lost something you don't want to live without. It may mean your in a situation where you are so overwhelmed with joy that the only appropriate response has to be weeping. Crying, is very important. Without it, we'd never know what we stand for, what we care for, and what we live for.

Enjoy life, laugh with the sinners, but please be sure to cry with the saints.