Moments D201: Overtime

Tonight was the Raptors game versus the Utah Jazz. It was an unexpected evening of fun and excitement on many levels.

The best part wasn’t dinner (though I was nearly going to write today’s moment about cheese today because of my awesome dinner at PicNic, but I figure I am sure to have another moment with cheese in my future!), nor was the best part being in one of the corporate boxes with food and beverages. The best part of my day was when the Raptors went into overtime. Okay, okay. You’re right. The moment wasn’t going into the first overtime because the Raptors should have won the game in regular play, but the Jazz fought to catch up. It was the second and third overtimes that we fought through - those were very exciting moments!

For me, it became reminiscent of life. Perhaps a reach, but bear with me. I enjoy relating every day things to the bigger picture.

Life is a bit like a team sport. We are surrounded by teammates (family/friends/partners/lovers) and together we work/play towards a common goal. And while it might be cheeky to say that we’re all trying to “win the game of life”, I think that is exactly what we all strive to do on one level or another. The tricky part? Defining what a “win” is in the game of life. The goal will be different for every individual, but at the core of it, I think for most, it is finding happiness and fulfillment. What happiness and fulfillment looks like may take many forms.

So why the ramble of sports and life? I guess the triple overtime inspired me and is therefore became my moment of the day. Like the Raptors going into overtime tonight (over and over again!), I feel like my game of life has been in overtime as of late too. I keep fighting the good fight and trying to increase the point spread only to find myself tied at the end of the quarter. Not quite a win. Not quite a loss. For much of this year, I’ve felt as though I’m shot for shot for and against me. The overtime for this round isn’t over yet and I’m hopeful that by the end of the year I pull out a win in this match. I won’t/can’t give up without a good fight.

What really inspires me about this whole concept is when I think about my “teammates” in this game of life. I know my “series of games” aren’t over (by far) and I have many more matches and overtimes to fight through before the series is over. I know that I have become much better at surrounding myself with teammates that will help me win. They will be there for me when I look to them to help push through the fatigue as much as I am for them. On an important level, this is a win in and of itself….choosing strong teammates.

So today I celebrate overtime. Digging deep and finding more energy to play the game you thought should have been won and over already. Digging deep and inspiring your teammates as much as they inspire you to push through the fatigue and pain.

Moments where life goes into overtime.

Moments with teammates.