Life Lessons I Learned from Watching #WorldCup2014
I’m not sure all the reasons why—maybe because I’ve always
wanted to use sports small talk to start conversations, or maybe it was because
the #WorldCup2014 was held in my husband’s homeland—but I totally went loco for
soccer this year. Of course, that kind of ended when both of my teams lost, but
I learned some valuable life lessons through the experience:
1.
Soccer solidifies the fact that teamwork is
vitally important to the strength and success of a group. Even the star player needs
his teammates to pass him the ball.
2.
Whatever you do, do it with all your might.
(Remember how beautiful it was when the Brazilian team and people sang their
National Anthem with gusto?)
3.
There is no auto-pilot in life. No matter how
many times you’ve won in the past, do not let down your guard. You must still
do your part, perform your duty.
4.
Don’t look away; things can quickly change.
5.
Always have a backup plan. Your second string
team needs to be as good as your first.
6.
Make sure everyone is a star in their own way. Star
players are great, but if the team solely relies on them to score goals, if
they get hurt, the team suffers.
7.
Heritage is apparently more ingrained in us than
our so-called politically-correct selves want to believe. Look at who people
supported in #WorldCup2014 and why.
8.
Celebrate wins—no matter how small they may
seem. (Think of Ghana and Colombia dancing after they scored.)
9.
Fancy footwork is great (and fun to watch), but
it doesn’t score goals.
10.
Blocking can be an art form, but the best
defense cannot win a game. (Ask the USA goalkeeper.)
11.
Captains are important in keeping the team
focused.
12.
Play fair or you may get a dreaded yellow or red
card.
13.
No biting.
14.
Don’t fake.
15.
Use your head.
16.
Everyone can have an “off” day. [One just hopes
their “off” day isn’t during quarterfinals and that your teammates have your
back.]
17.
Running around keeps ones in shape.
18.
Penalty kicks are exciting to watch, but keep in
mind, they follow a scoreless game.
19.
Color brightens the day. (Think about all the
flags and the sea of color in the stands for each game.)
20.
A cute little song has the power to stay on
one’s mind forever. (Think of the FIFA/ESPN song.)
21.
Speaking of power, never underestimate the power
of a British accent.
22.
The clock stops for no one, even if they’re
hurt.
23.
Get behind the white line when the ref tells you
to do so. But remember that it disintegrates.
24.
A bad referee can spoil the game for everyone
(or so I’m told).
25.
If somebody loses badly, it’s better to
encourage them than to constantly rip out their heart.
I guess now I will go back to my totally-clueless-non-sports
loving self. It may be lonely there, but it’s my space. Maybe Ann Coulter was
right about a few things after all. Whatever the case, I am glad to have some
vivid life lessons from watching #WorldCup2014. It might take me four years to
get to the point where I can watch sports again. Did you learn any life lessons
you want to share?
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