Last night, I took my place on my couch at 5:45 PM and began watching the pre-game show for Game 7 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. I didn't move for then next five hours and fifteen minutes, and only switched channels during halftime so I didn't have to listen to the on air personalities tell me how bad my team was doing. I already knew it, but I also knew that Kobe and company were going to find a way to win it all.
The Sports Fantasy
I must admit, that I was very involved in the game. I heard myself screaming at the TV many times, and then wondered why I was doing that, since I knew it made no difference on the outcome. The poor play frustrated me. I have watched my team all year long and for some reason, they were not playing up to their normal standards.
As I urged them on, but thought they could not pull it off, I began to think about the pain that is often associated with being a fan. I knew that if they lost, life would go on, but there would be some momentary heart ache associated with not winning. I didn't want to feel that. I wanted to feel the joy of winning it all.
This vicarious thrill puzzles me. I understand that I do not affect the outcome in any way. I also understand that I am only affiliated with my team, because I was born and raised in this area and because all of the games are on TV. I never go and see them play live, I just watch the game from the comfort of my easy chair.
But that doesn't stop me from feeling like I am a part of it. I use the word "we" when I talk about them. I feel as much pride in the victory as if I had been on the court. I feel like I know the players and that they know me. I schedule things at this time of year around the game schedule – being present for the game is just as important as any business meeting and often it is just as important as many of my other personal commitments. If the game is on, I am there.
The Great Escape
In the end, I realized how much I need the escape from the cares of my world. This virtual opportunity to win or lose without any real contribution, or consequence for that matter, is a welcome distraction from the real wins and losses I regularly face.
In some ways, I feel as if it gives me a chance for a moment to just be a spectator of life. As I sit watching, I learn many things that I later apply. This became especially obvious to me as I listened so intently to the comments during the post game interviews. I was thrilled to hear so many lessons learned during the victory. They were thoughts that resonated with me and helped me see things about victory that only those associated with the victory could truly describe. I was great to gain this perspective.
Lessons Learned
It was then that I realized that even though the game is a diversion I am actually learning many important things, and I am learning those lessons without having to experience them for myself. Ben Franklin is reported to have said, "experience is a hard school, but a fool learns no other." This means that wise people sometimes learn without the pain of experience. I don't think we can learn how to do things without doing them, but I think we can leverage the perspectives of others, which in turn accelerates our learning process.
Are you a fan?
Do you learn from the experiences of others?
How do those experiences affect your learning potential?
I am glad that I am a member of Laker Nation and that we are the 2010 NBA Champions. It is great to be a part of their great triumph. Phil Jackson said after the game that they could not have won it without the fans who were at Staples Center last night. I submit that the league would not exist without those of us who make just as much noise sitting in our chair at home. I can't wait for the season to begin again.
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