I know that this has happened to you.  Today it happened to me.

The clock showed “10:41″,  I relaxed, settled in and took a deep breath.  I had time.  No need to rush.

I did a couple quick things that needed to get done, took a quick glance at the clock, “Wow, I’m really efficient today.”

Then.  Then!  THEN!  I thought to myself, that was too efficient.  I checked another clock, “11:16″!

Noooooo!  The clock had stopped!

Panic

My leisurely lunch deadline, now became my dead spring lunch deadline.

Did you watch the Super Bowl?

Here’s a short summary:
Eli Manning was poised.  
Tom Brady looked panicked.
Aaron Hernandez dropped two passes.  
Mario Manningham caught the one that mattered most.

As you can imagine Manning and Manningham play for the Super Bowl winning New York Giants.

Winners Win

NFL players are generally assumed to be the best players in their sport in the world.  While some would argue that the Giants and the New England Patriots were not great teams, they were successful and won when it mattered most.

The Pro Bowl is the NFL’s version of an all-star game. Pro Bowl players are selected by votes from the coaches, players and fans, each of which count for a third of the votes. 

Choosing the best possible players doesn’t guarantee success.  Each player still has the responsibility to perform at his highest level in concert with his fellow teammates.

Game Planning

If you could choose a roster of friends would you have chosen someone like yourself? If you could game plan how you relate to your friends would you make the same choices that you have? If you could game plan how your friends related to you would you make the same choices that they do?

Yesterday the National Football League (NFL) held their annual all-star game known as the Pro Bowl.  Players are voted into the Pro Bowl by the coaches, the fellow players, and the fans through an online ballot. 1

The Pro Bowl has different rules from other NFL games to make the game safer. 2

No motion or shifting by the offense
Offense must have a tight end in all formations
Offense can’t have 3 receivers on a side
Intentional grounding is legal
Defense must run a 4-3 at all times
No press coverage except inside the 5 yard line
No blitz
Not allowed to rush a Punt, PAT or FG attempt
No calls can be challenged

Football players cleaning out their lockers feel it.
Presidential hopefuls reviewing the debates feel it.
American Idols wannabes and coulda-beens feel it.

What is “it”?  Self- pity.  Self-doubt.  The curse of “if only.”

Don’t let self-pity take you down!

You are lovable even when your flaws are exposed.
You are capable even when you make mistakes.
You are worthwhile even when you’re struggling to believe it.

Somewhere there is someone that values you abilities.
Somewhere there is someone that sees your talents.
Somewhere there is someone that needs your skills.

Values are the things that are most important to us.  Yesterday I challenged you to consider your values and identify a Top 5.  Some of you even made yours public, thank you.

My Top 5 were Family, Friendship, Love, and Religious Beliefs, with Security edging out Peace and Self-Respect for the fifth spot. 1

With that in mind, I would like to think that my values would represent what I did with my time and money.  I’d like to say they do, but as often as my wife has teased me about “my mistress” — the laptop — I must confess to my misplaced priorities.

Two things change today,  mysilentscream gets a new look and so do I.

It’s my birthday & I have a new shirt.

His Life

While watching NFL Films “The Ray Lewis Coaching Tree” I was inspired.

When I watched I felt Ray Lewis’ passion.

His successes and his shortcomings were discussed.  He spent time in jail.  He works a violent job.  He seems self-centered.

As I watched I felt motivated to remember:
- Be careful with my passion, it can hurt people.
- Lead by example and raise the level of the people around you.
- Embrace what’s true and inspire others with it.