#3 It’s All We Have
[originally posted September 2005]
A heartbeat away. That’s where most of us are from accomplishing, from tasting the sweetness of success. It’s that heartbeat, pulsating within that one moment, that makes life worth living. Makes it all worthwhile.
Sometimes, it’s all we have … that one moment. A moment to give or take, to make good or give up, to pass or shoot, to tackle or let the runner go by, to sink low or to elevate to high ground. It’s in that moment — that instant — that we can navigate our path, making a new beginning or reveling in the past, go to the point of no return and still have the option to go back. That moment will either provide us with surreal clarity or impair us with sheer blindness.
We should live each day looking for that heartbeat, that moment. We’ll know it when we feel it, when we’re on the cusp of greatness. We’ll know it because we know what it doesn’t feel like. We know the pain, the failure, the missed opportunities, the rejections, the heartbreak.
Heartbreak that will lead to that heartbeat.
That one moment when we know we’ve done our best. When we’ve put aside all the disappointments of the past and answered our own questions for the future. We choose which way we go. We take the talents we have and make them work for us. We carry our own weight. In the words of Kanye West … we major.
Best Team —
University of Southern California TrojansThey won back-to-back championships with the same nucleus — a lethal combination of running and passing that led to a rout in last year’s Sugar Bowl. Now, the Trojans are looking to wrap up (hehehe) a third consecutive title (can’t use three-peat, might have to pay Pat Riley some dough … lol) next week, with their team intact. Add to that consecutive Heisman Trophy winners and you have what could be a dynasty in the Southland. Who needs professional football in LA when they have the Trojans?
Runner-Up — Chicago White Sox
These cats were amazing in the 2005 postseason. Sure, they led their division from start to finish, getting a little winded near the end of the season and letting Cleveland hang around. but in the postseason — when it was all on the table — the Windy City Sox only got four consecutive complete games out of their starters (which is unheard of these days) and timely hitting from just about everyone in their lineup. They made baseball fun to watch again, and seem to have bolstered up for another run at the title in ‘06. Congrats to the ChiSox!
Best Player — David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
Before the New York contingent starts throwing stones, we have to give props to the Silver Slugger from Yawkey Way for all that he did just to keep his team in the playoff hunt, and then to carry them into the postseason. No one in the majors had more clutch hits (meaning hits to either put your team ahead or win games) than Big Papi this year. It’s truly safe to say that without him, they would’ve been a close to .500 team and out of the playoff picture. Sure, they got ousted in the first round by eventual-champion Chicago, but even in defeat, it was Ortiz that gave them a glimmer of hope with a Game 3 homerun before El Duque did his Chuck D. impersonation and shut ‘em down. Big ups to Big Papi.
Coach of the Year — Ozzie Guillen, Chicago White Sox
Sure, he’s crazy. Says things that would get most people in trouble. Was brutally honest about his team, but never said anything to the media that he wouldn’t say to the player’s face. And that’s exactly why it works for him in Chicago. After spending more than a decade as a major leaguer, Guillen knows how to work a clubhouse. How to handle players. And his combination of gut feeling (see four consecutive complete games, 2005 playoffs) and straight-forwardness guided his team to the top of the baseball heap.
Humanitarian of the Year — Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
This has been the year of the Idiot in sports. From steroids to Ron Artest (more on him in a minute) to Terrell Owens to the Love Cruise put on by his neighboring Minnesota Vikings, we’ve come to expect — and have not been disappointed by — the worst from today’s athlete.
And then along comes KG, who, under the radar, wrote a letter to Oprah Winfrey wishing to contribute something to her Angel Network for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He pledged to build one house per month over the next two years. 24 houses. 24!!! Just fromthe kindness of his heart.
True, other athletes stepped up in big ways after the hurricane, with many NFL, NBA and MLB players contributing substantially to the Red Cross and other foundations on behalf of the victims. And they all got publicity for it. What KG did, without tooting a horn, lobbying to be on the show so people could see him, or even putting out a press release — makes him my favorite athlete of 2005. And probably for a long time after that. I’ve always admired what he did on the court — but now, after this gesture, he’s not only a potential Hall of Famer. He’s literally building a legacy. Much respect!!!
Idiot of the Year —
We could’ve gone a lot of ways with this one. Of course, Terrell Owens could’ve gotten this for a variety of reasons — throwing his teammate under the bus by insinuating that it was Donovan McNabb’s fault they lost the Super Bowl, asking for more money when his contract was already negotiated, having Drew Rosenhaus for an agent — good reasons all. But even with all of that, it’s a no-go for T.O.
We could’ve went with the baseball players who, even after the steroids policy went into effect, STILL tested positive and were suspended for ten games. How idiotic is that?!?!? But again, we spare them the needle this time around.
No, this award goes to my Queens homeboy and Indiana Pacer Ron Artest. Sigh. Gimme a minute.
*taking a minute*
OK, I’m back. Artest, fresh off of being suspended for almost all of last season for running into the stands to fight fans who doused him with beer, came back with a supposed new attitude. That’s all you read in every sports publication previewing the new season. He was in awe of Larry Bird and was thankful that the team stood by him through it all. And while never promising that he’d behave, he DID say that this year was all about basketball. Championship.
Yeah, that lasted two months. Since then, Ron-Ron has asked to be traded. And not only that. He’s said the teams he wishes to be traded to, so that if the team decides to trade him anywhere else, he may not play hard for them. So now he’s on the inactive list until the team can get equal value for this very gifted, still under-30 player.
Oh, his reason for wanting to be traded, you ask? Silly of me to omit that. But the fact is … HE HAS NO REASON!!! He speaks of having too much baggage, of wanting to start over in a fresh town. This, after the organization AND predominately white city of Indianapolis stood by their man. Sigh. Wait, I might need another minute. LOL
Ron wins. Hands down. I-d-i-o-t.
Congratulations!
It’s why we sweat. Why we bleed. Why we put up with situations that may be beneath us. Why we shake it off, brush the dirt from our shoulders, why we go through the fire. To see that one moment when we can say, Hellous yes.
We all know people that never allow themselves to feel that heartbeat. That never take the positive steps necessary to have their one moment, instead taking several to wallow in their misery. They attempt to take us down with them, thus robbing us of our individual right to feel that magical thump. To face our own reality.
We know them. We just can’t allow ourselves to be them.
Life is too short.
Sure we’ll rise and fall. It’s inevitable. It’s what makes that one moment even more special. That time we took to put in the work, lace up our dreams and race with destiny to our finish line, our heartbeat.
It’s those times where we realize — when everyone realizes — that we are more than we thought we could be. When we realize that our one moment was inside us all along, just didn’t have the ability to see it until the right time arrived.
Maybe we just get one moment, one chance. Maybe more. Probably more. Truthfully, we only need that one. Because that’s when we’ll see what we’re made of, what type of heart beats within us. Whether we’re slaves to our insecurities or masters of our talents.
That’s all it takes. And if you’re paying attention, you’ll see that we’re all just a heartbeat away from our freedom, our accomplishments, our destiny. And we know it. We just need to take advantage, to tackle it with aplomb and ride it like there’s no tomorrow.
There may not be. So when you see that one moment, grab it. Don’t procrastinate. Feel the pulse.
Sometimes, it’s all we have …
just as potent and motivating as the first time i read it…
Comment by glory — 12.29.05 @ 5:57 pm
I’ve got two words for you . . . BOOK DEAL. Although I haven’t commented on all of them, I’ve been enjoying your Top 10+ .
Comment by Organized Noise — 12.29.05 @ 10:41 pm
I love this post. It’s what I needed to read to day. Thanks!
Comment by Golden — 12.30.05 @ 12:27 am
I think this was the first post of yours that I read and I loved it! Very inspiring post, I’m looking forward to reading the top 2.
Comment by Saniyya — 12.30.05 @ 6:39 pm
Oh, I totally agree with you on Artest. He saw the line…the line not to cross..took a running start & jumped over it. He has said that his past haunts him; maybe he should seek some (more) therapy.
Comment by Saniyya — 12.30.05 @ 6:50 pm