Playing the game.
I don’t follow football, at all, but when even I hear about a good match, you know it has been excellent. Okay, one side lost – just - but both played exceptional football and the fans got more than their money’s worth. It is times like this that one realises that the final score isn’t the important thing but how the game is played: the players gave it all they had and the overwhelming majority of people who watched the game had an amazing time. What is more to like?
Excessive emphasis on who wins or loses can spoil our enjoyment not only of sport, but even of life. If my sense of self comes from doing better than another, my sense of well-being will be short-lived. Someone, somewhere will be better than me. If it is based on what I own or on what I look like, I am even more set on the path to unhappiness. I will never come up to the false ideal I lay on myself.
But if I learn to live in the moment, appreciate what I have I lay the ground for happiness and a sense of fulfilment. It is only in the moment that I can love. It is only in the moment that I can feel loved by God. It is only in the moment that I can connect with the people I love. Oh, and by the way, it is only in the moment that I can play the game.
Loving Jesus, let me learn the wisdom of living in the moment. Open me to its wonders, especially its power to share love with those around me. I ask this in your name confident that you will hear me.
Sr Kym Harris osb