Whenever some idea crosses my path more than once in a short time, I stop and take notice. I’m not sure if something or someone is sending me a message, or if it’s a lesson of the universe that I’m just now ready to learn.
At any rate, such is the case this week that I’m getting a message not from a deep philosophical or theological source, but from sports. Watching the high school hockey tournament tonight (doesn’t everyone in Minnesota watch high school hockey in March?), a coach talked about recruiting players. He said he looks for kids who “love the game.”
I’ve heard the same words a number of times the last couple of days, as sportscasters and the green and gold faithful eulogized the career of Packer quarterback Brett Favre*** following his retirement announcement. While he certainly broke almost all the records, and arguably may be the best quarterback ever, what everyone says most is that he had fun. And his fans had fun with him.
Many people have said (in various way) – “do what you love and love what you do.” It certainly makes getting up in the morning a lot more fun, when I can’t wait to get to work (well, at least most days, unless it’s double digits below zero). I have way too many acquaintances and even friends who are on the retirement countdown. They have no joy or love for what they’re spending the majority of their waking hours doing. How sad!
Thanks for the memories, Brett!**By the way, thanks to my staff for the sympathy card — it’s been a rough time for us cheeseheads.
In the wee hours of a Tueday morning icestorm, I stood on a hill surrounded by cars that could neither climb nor descend it. Barely standing, barely dodging them as they slid by under the unwavering and omnipresent law of gravity. Frustrated by cold, the impossibility of the task, and the unreasonable expectations of the stranded, I sought my Higher Power for help. He returned swiftly with a hearty belly laugh, new energy to keep going, and the reminder that if I must do something, I want to do this.
“I _get_ to go to work today!” Love of what you do is one of life’s richest blessings.
We, too, mourn the loss Brett Favre (Peace Be Upon Him). Blue skies and green grass as you now run from Lambeau to Valhalla.