Monthly Archives: November 2024

A temporary assignment

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As mentioned, that short time we were blessed with on the LOS, passed by.  The gifts granted during those precious moments have become more central to life. It has taken time, a tremendous sense of faith, and a firm investment in  patience to see how all of this has evolved into an entity all its own.   

Purpose.  

As manifested in a temporary assignment

I am not sure how long it takes others to discern, realize and then choose to pursue a path towards their eventual purpose. I truly admire those that are able to follow their call upon hearing those words, simply trusting what is being said to them, heeding their call to pursue medicine, teaching, entrepreneurship, the Lord or whatever their vocation happens to take them. 

Yet perhaps in this circumstance – like others I will presume – the voice was there, but life in the present just got in the way.  It became muffled, reduced to a slight whisper.  Becoming overshadowed by the demands of the moment, the bright shiny objects that drew attention away and prevent actually hearing it.  

Just getting “something”, “anything” can overtake choosing a better “something”. Running from one difficult situation to another, rather than actually moving  towards something that is affirming, avoids reality. And, the truth.

Add to that, the fear that accompanies the trying that could lead to the failing. The risk of alienating those you “know”, so you can hold those you do not, close and dear to your heart. Not knowing whether you can sustain the prolonged effort and the requisite commitment to see it all through. 

And finally, deciding to move away from what you have done by rote for so long towards another calling  that continues to resonate, despite your attempt to ignore it in every way, shape, or form.  Ultimately, all of which are things that come down to choice. 

Purpose is the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. 

One’s intention or objective.  

Those pervasive, reflective  and lasting lessons learned on the LOS unknowingly provoked some long term discernment.  

What was it that they were teaching, exactly?  

How were they pertinent to life as it was ?  

Where were they designed to lead?  

How was the journey to be undertaken?  

What was the reason for heeding this call?  

And, when? 

The nature of my experience was something that needed to be shared, reinforced and spread.  The game was one thing.  But all of those in the game – no matter the level – stood to benefit from learning those same lessons.  

Developing a player could only proceed so far.  Technique, drill work, strength, speed, scheme could only go so far.  Same with game day.  

But developing the person that resided within the player supported a plethora of opportunities, possibilities and ultimately, lives.  The potential was limitless.  

Should the player learn the lessons away from the field, so they could enjoin that curriculum all year round, imagine the performance for those 9 to 10 weeks come fall!  Not to speak of it in life for the balance of that year and all those going forward.

Imagine the performance in the classroom, with their peers, in the community, within themselves by just sharing the initial insights provided me and others at the LOS! 

Like accepting and engaging the weight of all responsibilities in all manner and form, arriving on their time, yet touching every aspect of your being.  

Discovering the value of humility through promoting others. 

Freely giving of oneself without any expectation or desire of return. 

Knowing that there is much to be learned in defeat – no matter the venue – and that  your response to that event  will eventually lead you back to the outcome you desire; victory. 

Mustering oneself to embrace personal sacrifice and persevere, regardless of the cost, to improve, grow and become what you are meant to be. 

Providing empathy, care, attention and love that will ensure the safety, security and success of those all around.

Rick Warren once said that “Life on earth is a temporary assignment. Don’t forget there’s more than just this life”.  How you handle the one here, prepares you for the one to follow.  

Now that I understand, I am putting all I can into what I now understand to be my purpose. 

A temporary assignment. 

Discovering life’s passion on the LOS

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The helmet and pads came off for the last time in Beloit forty-four years ago. And  to this day, I remain 65, an O-lineman. Yet true to that slice of heaven; the line of scrimmage. There were inklings back then, ongoing thoughts thereafter, followed by a steady flow of contemplation. All of which collaborated to assert one absolute truth: it is what made me who I am today. 

Now there are many aspects of the game.  Mine happened to take residence in the box. And two fundamental elements running in parallel, at two different depths, conjoined to make it the  greatest ever invented.  

First, there is the passion that circulates throughout the game itself.  

The oftentimes brutal physical nature of competition between our five and theirs. Knock down, drag out brawls on every play, in that box. Contusions, scrapes, strains, breaks, tears and blood were all part of the agreement, confirmed via handshake after the game. But without a doubt, this  was what we looked forward to in the weight room over the winter, throughout the week in practice, leading to those glorious Saturday afternoons. 

Yes it was fun.  But more so it was pure joy. The residue of which could be felt until that following Wednesday.

Then within that framework of the game, was yet another element. That something that permeated to your core; a passion for what it demanded of and from you as a person. True, it extracted from you.  But at the same token it replenished you, on a deeply personal, emotional, mental and spiritual level.  You see, being on the line of scrimmage gave back ten fold of what it took, in an unparalleled manner. 

Yes, it was a game. But it proved to be much more than that. Each opportunity granted, lesson learned and affirmation supplied possessed a gravity all their own. 

Like becoming one who gladly accepts the weight of the moment being granted. 

Shunning the spotlight. 

Leaving it all out there for those on your left or right. 

Embracing your failure on the play before as impetus for your success in those yet to come.  

Valuing a level of perseverance garnered by enduring exhaustingly hard work.  

Appreciating your role as one who paves the way for others to succeed.

As time passed, these and many more of the gifts granted during those precious moments on the LOS became more apparent as they weaved themselves into the fabric of life off the field.  Confirming the veracity of their mass in substantial and lasting fashions. 

Such as accepting and engaging the weight of all responsibilities in all manner and form, arriving on their time, yet touching every aspect of your being.  

Discovering the value of humility through promoting others. 

Freely giving of oneself without any expectation or desire of return. 

Knowing that there is much to be learned in defeat – whether personal or professional – and that  your response to that event  will eventually lead you back to the outcome you desire; victory. 

Mustering oneself to embrace personal sacrifice and persevere, regardless of the cost, to improve, grow and become what you are meant to be. 

Providing empathy, care, attention and love that will ensure the safety, security and success of those all around.

It has been said that football is the game of life.  A statement of fact to which many will attest.  

This O-lineman suggests that it is taught in numerous, lasting and most compelling fashions – particularly at the line of scrimmage.  Lessons that continue to emerge from that original classroom, bound to a core curriculum, taught on a field that is now being professed in the home, at work, in the community and throughout the world.  

The last snap was 44 years ago. 

Age and infirmity aside, if given another chance, the passion to play remains. An offer would be very difficult to pass on rejoining this pastime. That passion still remains.

Fortunately, the LOS still remains ingrained within. A space I will occupy throughout the rest of my life.  That perpetual source of passion that runs to my core.  An avenue to now teach the lessons embraced while on it.

Defining one’s true purpose.