Quoth The Ravens: Nevermore

I have to say...I'm not excited about the result of the Super Bowl yesterday. My team, the 49ers, lost by 3 points, despite the chance to go ahead with only a couple of minutes left in the game. This after coming back from 22 points down. People blame a bad call, a poor defense, rotten special teams, inept play calling, but the truth of the matter is this: someone had to win and someone had to lose. Turns out my team was the latter, rather than the former.

I can recall when I was half the age I am today, how a loss like this would have devastated me for days on end. Up until yesterday I never had experienced my team losing the Super Bowl. So, after hearing the horror stories of how depressed people when their team loses the Super Bowl, I was kind of concerned as the Ravens took a 28-6 lead early in the 3rd quarter.

But the 49ers came back, and I held my breath as Colin Kaepernick lobbed the ball to Michael Crabtree for one final shot at the end zone...and the ball flew past Crabtree's outstretched arms.

And the Ravens defense said, "Nevermore."

Game over. Save for one final punt return with no time left in the game, I knew it was over. It wasn't going to happen this year.

This morning I woke up and went about my day. It was a strange feeling, kind of like the day after a friend passes away. The emotional roller coaster that goes on can have a lingering effect throughout that day. As with a lost friend, I would think of the good times that I had with him or her, and focus on the fun times, along with experiencing the sadness of reaching the end of my friend's life. The same feeling comes with any successful season, whatever the sport may be. I enjoy the victories, wallow in the defeats, see my team rise to the pinnacle, only to fall short. Just like the life of a friend, a team's good season is filled with highs and lows, reaching it's potential, and then calling it for the year, win or lose.

Then Monday comes along...and you realize that life continues. Some may have a tougher time dealing with the loss, but as age and/or maturity sets in, you realize that it's only a game. Life, however, isn't a game, but you can win, even if the odds are against you.

On the field, the 49ers weren't guaranteed a victory, even with a solid game plan. The Ravens would find some way to beat them by creating a defensive scheme to disrupt them.

Life, however, has only one scheme: to get in your way if you let it, or to get out of the way if you don't.

How can we win in life? With a solid game plan for life:

1. Have a vision or dream for your life.
2. Have a business/career/skill that will help you get there.
3. Associate with the right people.
4. Read and listen to the right stuff.
5. Decide on the price you're willing to pay, either in time or money.
6. Be willing to work at least half a day; it doesn't matter which twelve hours you pick (this according to a successful friend of mine).
7. Last but not least, learn to accept this truth, no matter how difficult it is: Ultimately, people will do what they want to do, and will not do what they do not want to do.

The Ravens did what they had to do to win that game yesterday. The 49ers gave it their best shot, but fell short. Make the effort to give it your best shot, and you'll win. You may not get a first down on each possession, but you'll get enough of them to win in the Super Bowl of life!

Go out and make it a great day!

John