The Greatest Season: Don't Let Inspiration Pass You By

Today, I drove the speed limit.

That sounds like a bizarre way to begin a sports column, but bear with me.

Everything was essentially normal about today. I woke up at my normal time, drank my normal cup of coffee; two sugars, half & half. Took a shower, went to work; everything was just normal. 

My shift ended at its usual time and I was heading home, as usual. But half way through the drive, I began to wonder why I was in such a hurry. I had, in fact, nowhere to be, no deadlines to meet, nor any other thing to do at home when I got there. 

So I slowed down. 

On a highway where the posted speed limit is 55, I drove 55. I’m twenty-nine years old. I’ve been driving this same highway for 13 years and I’ve never driven 55. I had to set my cruise control to insure that my foot wouldn’t disregard my brain’s notion and press the pedal with normal force. 

And the strangest thing occurred: I enjoyed it. 

Being passed by cars as if I were standing still, I turned my iPod’s volume up a notch and began to sing along with the song being played. I watched as the cars and trucks continued to go by me, and wondered what their hurry was.

Maybe they had legitimate reasons to be in such haste, but as I took in the scenery and noticed things along the highway that I’d never noticed before, as I sang a few songs, and collected my thoughts for the day, I just simply enjoyed my ride home. 

As I pulled into my drive-way, and turned my truck off, I took a deep breath and another thought occurred to me: 

What else am I missing out on? Do I slumber through every day with the same habitual movements that I’ve turned into some kind of 20th century robot controlled by my own lack of interest in this world that surrounds me? 

The answer, unfortunately, is yes. 

Just like the cars whizzing by me on the highway, my life seems to be passing me by above the speed limit. 

This isn’t the life I envisioned as a kid. I aspired to be great. 

One of the reasons that we enjoy watching sports is that we like to see ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And in some way, we wish we had something extraordinary to accomplish ourselves. Some way to stand out amongst the crowd; some way to be noticed in a world of the unnoticeable. 

The truth of the matter is that we all possess ability, but it is those who hone in on that ability who are able to succeed in their practice. And it inspires us. 

That’s why we never grow tired of seeing Michael Jordan highlights, why we cheered for Eli Manning in the Super Bowl, why we watch Sidney Crosby with our mouths open wide, jaws on the floor. 

Our major mistake is that we let that inspiration get left behind at the stadium, sports bar, or on our favorite rocking chair. Instead of using that inspiration to our own advantage, we leave it alone, and call it entertainment. 

I may not be the greatest at anything that will get me face time on ESPN or an interview with Bob Costas.

But I can use the abilities I have and develop them the way the athletes develop their talents and be great at being me. 

I’ve always been a fan of sports, today I know why.