Longevity ebbs and flows in my family. I remember my grandpa driving at 97, before he thought Uber was a better mode of transport. Well, maybe not Uber, but “Uncle”. Then there is my younger brother that just passed two years ago.
So it is what it is.
As far as I am concerned, for the purposes of today’s assignment, it comes down to being fully intentional about making the most of what you have been gifted.
Experience tells me that allocating the precious resources granted for this moment towards resentment, regret and retribution of the past is not what it is cracked up to be. Then, if you embark in advance of the here and now predicated on the approach of, “…that didn’t work, so I will cut this corner and use that short cut this time sround”, you pretty much added to an already sorrowful past.
The past is what it was. The future is what it may be. The present is just that, a present like Mr. Keane said a few days ago. That being said, I have no clue as to what living a long life is to me. If I can make the most out of every hour of every day going forward, then that will elongate my stay here.
When it comes time to give my notice, my only desire is that I can rest in peace knowing I gave it my everything. We are all gifted this position here on earth. Toiling in the dirt and debris of the past or buzzing about in the ether of the future would make me a worm or a fly. Nothing against them, but I like to think my focus needs to be on living life, not looking for feces.
So perhaps my longevity ends up somewhere between my grandpa and my brother. So be it.
When I come across these assignments, I tend to look up the origin of words. Just because. I think it is part of my creative process. A venture that has grown to its own level of prominence of late. To learn where it came from, how it was first used and what it became over time connects myriad dots and thoughts. My ever evolving creative process.
So on my way to that, I see that it rhymes with “myalgia”. Pain in one or more muscles. May sound odd, but some of the memories that arrive under the guise of nostalgia, are evident in the pain that seems to remain to this day. Not so much about regret. More so a feel good variety, that takes one back to some stellar moments.
Delving ever deeper, nostalgia was born of the Greek word, “nostos” meaning to return home, and, “algos”, or pain. Returning home to pain. I guess that is one way to look at it. But in this instance, not what this is going to be about. But I digress….
“Nostalgic” can be taken from a half full or half empty perepective. Similar to “reolution” this time of year. Wait, this time last year, because those would have been completed by now. Right? Right. But for what ever reason, my sense is that nostalgia seems focused on what has passed and is now gone, just like resolution is tied to what is not yet to be yet expected to take place all the same. Neither of which seem to have any connection to the present. A sad state of affairs.
If I look back on those nostalgic moments, yes, I can relive the joy that I felt at the time, being a part of our connected to an event or a time that has become a part of my very being. And yet, what is to say that those instances cannot be recreated and re-expereinced again? And again? And then, again? There is nothing that states they are reserved for that one hour, on that day, in that year, when Jupiter was in collusion with Saturn and Io was being shy and hiding because Orion had him in his sights. What was it about those times that can be remade now so that you no longer return home to pain, but recreate the sustaining sustenance of pure joy?
Maybe that is where resolve becomes part of the equation. Not the noun, the end game when we celebrate almost making it happen in ’26 but “honestly” adding it to the to do/bucket list of ’27. But the verb, to act in a committed and intentional manner so as to make the most of each and every moment from this point forward. Just imagine the nostalgia that can be made and added to the collection. Not just to be kept packed away with the LP’s, 8-tracks, cassettes and CD’s in the basement storage area. But literally moments that can captured daily on bluetooth. Played everywhere and at anytime.
So yes, I feel nostalgic about some of the times in my life. I talk to my small circle of friends, not often enough. I spark accomplishment and achievement in others, then witness their joy when the planets and constellations align. Connecting the dots between similar moments in my existence and theirs. Recreating them so to speak, re-experiencing the joy of those wonderful and wonder-full moments.
So let’s just say this. It can be a return home to something other than pain. But only if you resolve to stay right where you are and live as you were meant. Nothing but peace, serenity and true joy resides there.
This isn’t to say that one should proceed without due diligence and your head up once you are resolved to a course of action. Rather, being resolved brings with it a sense of independence from the limitations and clutter imposed by indecision, waffling and second guessing. There be “no cares” in that you know where you are going, and how you are getting there.
And nothing will sway you away from that course.
So make it your mission, to not only discover something special each day, but also to rediscover something special within yourself as well. Two things that are only made possible if you are fully present and seize the moment. With both hands.
When you let go, and then go “all in” your resolve releases this exquisite level of energy. You set the tone, creating this powerful brand of momentum. One just made for overcoming the inertia of the day. Loosening its grip. Making it relent. And surrendering to your will.
As your hold on these moments increases, new possibilities emerge. Opportunities once hidden now become visible. As you proceed fully present and seize each day, you will be actively molding the future. Your future. For what you resolve to make of the present will eventually determine what is yet to come.
Think about it.
There will be no ambiguity in what lies ahead. No gray areas. For the thoughts, words and deeds you are choosing at this very moment help to shape the very next. Always in motion is the future. Your future. Its direction is largely your call.
If I may beg your indulgence a bit, I have a love story of sorts. Inspired in part by “anonymous”.
If you love the game:
“…then life truly began when the season started.”
Team dinners are the best sit down meal of the week.
Hudl is your preferred form of social media
Bruises are your favorite fall colors
Wearing white to out of town events is still permissible after Labor Day
Tape has become your socks
You accessorize with ice packs
Eye black brings out your cheekbones
And the hitch in your giddy-up later in life is still your source of pride and joy.
If you love the game:
Having the opportunity to practice the day after a game is as big a deal as playing under the lights on Friday nights.
Scout team is the ideal way to contribute. A golden opportunity to make the team maximize its potential and achieve its goals.
A role on special teams may be your ticket to change the course of a game – or season – through superlative effort and will.
If you love the game:
Then no matter what – A or B, JV or reserve, starter, or finish out the rout – “just get me on that field. “
Being wedded to a position will never supplant being bonded to a unit or the team.
Still being there for them though hurt casts a lasting impression.
You can’t be hung up on the division. Just play on in college.
If you love the game:
Embrace the blessings and needs of being a member of a large, multigenerational, extended family
Depend upon the friends you found in the weight room, during speed and agility, at morning misery, during two a days, and with your back to the goal line.
They are here for you now – and most likely will be later on in life.
If you love the game:
Stop an errant “brother”, diffuse a bad situation, console a friend in need, and raise another up even if you are down.
Invest. Time given freely to another is a precious gift.
Smile the most when accolades and attention for your team and teammates are delivered.
Be humble; you are but one in a long line of fine athletes that came before – and will follow you.
Commit. Relentless effort, stellar character and extraordinary leadership regardless of your role is the best way to honor that big family.
If you love the game:
Honor all of this for what it truly is; a rare and fleeting privilege.
Lean in. A challenge of this magnitude – to work harder than you ever have at something, and then, work even harder than that – is an extraordinary opportunity. One that needs to be accepted with genuine and lasting gratitude.
Let go. Giving up all of you for something bigger is a life-changing event.
If you love the game:
Trust. That all of them will honor the sacrifices you make on their behalf in kind.
Respect. Everyone has something in them that can make this team like no other – before or after.
Affirm. Prove their genuine worth to you through your thoughts, words and deeds.
Be accountable. Yes, to the ones with the whistles.
But more so to your partner in the weight room. Those sharing morning misery. The one next to you on the bus. Your teammates doing up-downs. Your unit when you huddle. The three-tech on the line of scrimmage. And that guy next to you right here, right now.
If you love the game:
Make it about all of them by leaving all of you on that field.
Because if you can love the game this much, then because of you, they will love the game too.
...my temporary assignment. 