9-18-04

This past Saturday night I was lucky enough to go do something that I truly love.  I got to go to the race track and watch a night of great entertainment.  I got to talk to the drivers and crews and I tried my best to relay what was happening on the track and in the pits to the fans in the grandstands.

Other lucky people were there as well; drivers, car owners and crew members were taking a Saturday evening to play.  Fans had a chance to come out and watch their favorite sporting event.

On Saturday night in Gonaives, Haiti it rained 13 inches and the ensuing flood and mudslide killed 250 people.  How lucky we are.  In a world that knows hunger and death, slavery and slaughter we are lucky indeed. 

I’m not suggesting that we take less serious our weekend endeavors, the human spirit demands a certain level of competition and controversy in our lives but all things must remain in perspective.

Racing can be a dangerous game and the consequences equally high, but in the realm of greater things it is but a diversion for the fans and sport for the competitors.  Being serious about our diversions or our sport helps us to keep the rest of our life in balance.  I don’t want watch a sport where everyone gets a participation trophy and we don’t care who wins.  Caring about who wins is what makes sport entertaining.  Trying to win is the premise of competition. 

Let’s continue to play hard, let’s continue to compete, let’s continue to celebrate victory and avoid defeat, let’s do all of these things, but keep them in the proper perspective.