It’s that time of the year again when guys all across America sit glued in front of the TV set watching college athletes compete in a never ending series of Bowl Games to determine how many football games one can consume before becoming completely pie-eyed. One such game took place yesterday between Boston College and the University of Southern California, and while the game, itself, was nothing special, what happened the day before was.
That day was Christmas and players from both schools took time off from their team practices and motivational sessions to go volunteer at Glide Memorial Church here in San Francisco. There they were on the evening news, strapping young men facing off against each other across the hot food line in their contrasting colored jerseys, serving holiday meals to the homeless and the hungry. Several thousand turkey dinners made it to the needy that day. Talk about teamwork. It got me thinking.
The things we can do when we come together are incredible. Indeed, while the works of the individual genius or the lone wolf pioneer are certainly not to be sneezed at, the accomplishments of groups of people pulling together towards some common goal are really what move the world forward. Indeed, it is only by striving together that we can achieve goals greater than any individual could reach on their own. And sports is a good forum for looking at teamwork in action.
The only problem with sports and the teamwork it promotes is that the common goal is simply to defeat the enemy. If we have more points than they do when the final whistle blows, then all’s right with the world. There is no higher purpose, no longer view, no greater good, Nor is there any opportunity or incentive to compromise. It’s simply us against them, winner take all.
Unfortunately, that attitude has become our national mantra, resonating in every corner of our land from the corporate boardroom to the hallowed halls of government. It’s not enough to design a successful product and create a profitable company. We have to blow our competition out of the water. And our political system has become so polarized that it has become virtually mandatory to vote strict party lines. To hell with your beliefs, personal convictions, or what’s best for your constituency. Are you a team player or not? No longer is there any sort of consideration for the higher good. It’s us against them. Red states against blue states. Innuendoes, half truths, and down right lies. What does it matter as long as we come out on top when the whistle blows.
That’s what made yesterday’s volunteerism so great. Two opposing teams came together for a common good and put aside their competitive natures to serve a higher goal. Sports my be fun, a distraction in the everyday bustle of life. But working together to achieve something for the greater good. This is teamwork at its best and what the higher consciousness is all about.
peace………….ag
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