Super...oh so Super.

America is unique.

It's amazing what people can do when given the freedom to succeed AND to fail.  Our "Super Bowl" has become a metaphor.

Back in July, each team started at the same place, 0-0, as every other franchise in the NFL.  Now, 106 young men, two teams remain standing; black, white, brown...not all born equally, privleged start and not.  All shapes, sizes...some more talented than others.  All making the most of what they've been given, working hard and sacrificing for a dream.  Working together to create synergy.  All competing on a level playing field, and yet, a few with a clear advantage over others, not all endowed equally--size, strength, speed.

That said, each strives to overcome, to elevate their game and maximize their opportunity, against all odds. The underdog can prevail, because "heart" can't be measured.  Mistakes will be made, injuries will occur that force a change to the gameplan and the unexpected, will be the norm.  Bad calls?  No doubt; someone is going to feel like it wasn't fair.  Most will perform up to standard, a few will be disappointed--and not play well at all.  The ball will be dropped and it will take some bad bounces.  But there won't be any do-overs.  One performance will be judged most outstanding of all...and propel that player to a new level of achievement and noteriety.

At the end of the day, some will win, others will lose.  And tomorrow morning?  Each will crawl out of bed, and begin again, in an attempt to make the ascent to the top of their profession; each sore, tired, some beaten, all driven by conviction: it's a new day, it's a new opportunity,  "I believe 'it' can happen, if I work hard, stay focused and apply myself." 

This hope compels them to bear down, start over and try again.  They will take what they learned (the good, the bad and the ugly), winners and losers, and use that as leverage to get better and they will--because they see the future is filled with open doors.

I believe this is why this night, this event, is more celebrated, anticipated and watched than any other event on the calendar in America.  It reflects our hopes and dreams, our core values as a nation, at so many levels.  We watch these young men compete and we are reminded, dreams come true here; hard work pays here, the hope of success far outweighs the risk of failure.  Bottom line: "'It' can happen, it does happen."  If it doesn't?   Failure isn't the end of the world, it's the begining of a new cycle.

Everyone has to play by the rules, but the rules aren't designed to produce pre-determined outcomes.  So, many compete; some win, some lose; some never win or lose, because they never try, that's ok too.  America is a place where dreaming is a part of our culture, where we, as free people, set the bar; where people can "do better" and to no one's surprise, we do.  

America, "we hold these truths..."

bN tGit

Why Jewish people?

Someone asked why does the world hate Jewish people?  It is quite simple.

First, their story is a testament about God, who created the universe and everything in it. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6.4,5 NKJV. Their history declares this about God: we can run but we cannot hide. He pursues us with a redemptive purpose, loves us with an unconditional love, rescues us with an amazing grace.

Second, they are a repudiation to those who choose to be victims. Jewish people endured slavery in in Egypt for 400 years; they were crushed by Babylon, Persia and Rome. Reviled in the diaspora, enslaved again by the Russians and marginalized and treated with disdain by all of Europe, then slaughtered by the Nazi's...only to emerge triumphantly to bless the Nations in--Science, Medicine, Literature, Law, the Arts, using Jewish intellect, talent and gifts.

The crown jewel, of course, is the rebirth of ISRAEL.  Indeed, "never again." 

Chazak u'varuch (Be Strong and have Courage). 

bN tGit

Link to WSJ  "The Return of Anti-Semitism"

http://www.wsj.com/a…/the-return-of-anti-semitism-1422638910

Less is More

Time.

Activity.
Stress.
Dis-stress.

Refuse to follow the crowd. Choose less.

Why don't we say "no?"  Our fear of loosing an edge is ravaging relationships, creating monster expectations, ruining our health and creating distance between us and God.

The fact is we really do live in a "less is more" world.  "White space" is what makes good Art so fetching, great landscape design so dramatic and relationships work.  It gives us permission to breath, to be creative, to recharge and recreate.  

Who "moved the cheese" and convinced Americans that the contemplative life is empty and worth-less?  We did.  


Stop.
Breath.
Listen.
Smile.

bN  tGit