Mindful Musings – What a Match !!!

I love sports. It’s one of the few things we got right as we evolved into humans. All colors of a life lived in those few hours. Nature must be pretty proud of us. We managed to create a small moment in time where we can express ourselves completely, unhindered. Nobody questions the tears, cries, shouts, screams, abuses, smiles, and laughs. The ones who don’t understand, stand by and watch and wonder what the fuss is about. And some others remain ignorant of it. They have other ways of living those emotions.

No guarantees. Our limits pushed and tested. The players and the spectators together in unison create this beautiful atmosphere for a few moments in time. Can one exist without the other? Would the players play with as much passion if there were no one to watch? Were sports created and promoted for the love of playing or for the love of enjoying? I wonder sometimes.

An easy game is enjoyed by none. Our senses crave drama. A thrilling one satiates everyone’s soul. And if you have a team you support that makes it all the more fun.
Last night was one such match. The World Cup Football Finals were played between Argentina and France. An edge-of-the-seat thriller had me a 50year old me, jumping, cheering, and shouting as a kid. As a young teen, I was fascinated by the skills and passion of all the great players of that time. Football, tennis, swimming, athletics. I was right up there with all the winners and right down with all those who missed the mark.. Running, swimming, badminton, hockey….Enjoyed playing them all. I have been on both sides of the fence. Playing for a team and watching from the other side. The camaraderie of being in a team, the discipline and passion it requires. And I did realize eventually it’s mental strength that leads the physical strength. The mind has to decide and the body follows. The mind quivers, and the body quivers. You tame the mind, you tame the body.

After a long time, the world cup finals reminded me of those days. The thrill of a good fight, a good loss, a good win. I sat down to see the match matter-of-factly. Admiring Argentinas skills. It was like seeing poetry in motion. Smooth and perfectly synchronized passes right into the goal. 2-0. Wow! Nice they will win. The mind settles into complacency. Then France comes in suddenly with back-to-back goals in the last minutes out of nowhere. My mind and senses suddenly alive and alert? 

A jolt is always needed to wake us up from our sense of inertia whether it’s a player or a spectator. Now I watched even more closely with complete attention. Extra Time. My God! They had the match in their hands. They should’ve substituted.
The match goes on to become even more exciting 2-2, then 3-2, then 3-3. The French were so resilient. The fans going crazy. One of the most fascinating parts of watching a football match is watching a fan’s reaction. ….Most so intense, so emotional, and expressive. I always watch in wonder as they express themselves. The crying, laughing, disappointed, shocked faces. I was one of them yesterday. All within 10 -15 minutes. I couldn’t take it anymore.

I am a weak-hearted spectator. I don’t like thrillers. Couldn’t get myself to see the penalties. I sneaked off to my room, closed my ears, and told my husband to let me know when it was all over. And over it was. My spirit was satisfied with the win. The huge disappointment especially for the young budding French player Mbappe. When your best is also not enough. And the perfect culmination of the careers of one of the greats in football History, Lionel Messi. Argentina won the world cup after 36 years of blood, sweat, and dreams. Most players have an inspiring story of how they have struggled against all odds to make it here. Stories that make the win even sweeter and the loss even deeper.

That night, you sensed an entire team, an entire nation, and nearly half of the world population rooting together, praying together, and believing together. I am not a big Argentinian fan, but that night I was completely one. How beautiful is that? How powerful is that? Being a part of someone else’s celebrations together. Being part of another’s loss together. We may not understand circumstances but we sense a common spirit, a common emotion that connects us all.

And as the Argentinian Coach says “ It’s just a football game. Life goes on. Your problems will still be there. But maybe this will make people just a little bit happier. We managed to lift this trophy. Something we’ve been dreaming about for so long”.