Olympics, the word itself creates grandeur. Once in four years the world gathers to watch the most dedicated among us to reach beyond their own limits. I wonder what the ancient Greeks thought when created the first event in 776 BC.
One thing they had in mind is to cease all hostilities while the games were on; and they did. Fast forward couple thousand years, the ancient spirit of the games were resurrected once again. The premise was quite similar, bring mankind together in fair competition, bridge gaps, promote fairness and peace and most of all, create an environment free of politics. Noble intentions right?
Somewhere, somehow along the way, the games have lost sight of those principles. The very essence of the games was desecrated in the 1972 Munich murders, slowly but surely the Olympics were taken over as a stage for political propaganda.
As we head to Sochi, tensions are heightened. The possibility of a large scale terrorist attack looming over the organizers. Travel advisories have been issued, the venues slowly will resemble to a top secret army complex rather than what it supposed to be; a place of joy and triumph.
If the ancient Greeks could do it, why can't we? Let's pay tribute to the ones who are daring to push the boundaries of physics, the ones who are brave enough to sacrifice so much on the altar of excellence. No one has the right to take that away from them. I want the Games back as they were supposed to be, free from ideology, politics and power struggles.
I honor you, Athletes of Winter.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Monday, January 6, 2014
Ernie & Bernie (and no they are not cartoon characters)
I am not the biggest NBA fan around, although I do love my Toronto Raptors, but there is one story from NBA Land, that captured my heart.
On TSN2 I had the pleasure to watch the wonderful documentary on Ernie Grunfeld and Bernard King. Those two are defining everything I hold sacred, true friendship. The documentary gave a very candid look into their lives from their days at the University of Tennessee through their NBA career and beyond.
What an unlikely duo, the black kid from Brooklyn (typical , stereotyped poor kid) and the Jewish immigrant from Romania who made his home in Queens. On the surface they may have been a mismatch, but at a closer look, it all makes sense.
Both kids, although from very different backgrounds, wanted to prove that they are worthy. They both wanted to be accepted in this huge social experiment called the Melting Pot. They both found their outlet in basketball. Their story could again reinforce the stereotypical "only in America" view of success. We could focus on the glamour, fame and respect their game brought them. However, I cannot shake Bernard King's words when he said, they can retire your number, you can be indicted into the Hall of Fame, but you cannot forget the policeman hitting you with the butt of his side arm for no reason. That lives with you forever.
Ernie and Bernie have proven to us, what matters is talent and passion in whatever you do. Their friendship withstood political turmoil, religious differences, racism and any obstacle you can imagine. I want to believe that this is the norm and not the exception.
Do you have your own "Ernie" or "Bernie" ? I do.
On TSN2 I had the pleasure to watch the wonderful documentary on Ernie Grunfeld and Bernard King. Those two are defining everything I hold sacred, true friendship. The documentary gave a very candid look into their lives from their days at the University of Tennessee through their NBA career and beyond.
What an unlikely duo, the black kid from Brooklyn (typical , stereotyped poor kid) and the Jewish immigrant from Romania who made his home in Queens. On the surface they may have been a mismatch, but at a closer look, it all makes sense.
Both kids, although from very different backgrounds, wanted to prove that they are worthy. They both wanted to be accepted in this huge social experiment called the Melting Pot. They both found their outlet in basketball. Their story could again reinforce the stereotypical "only in America" view of success. We could focus on the glamour, fame and respect their game brought them. However, I cannot shake Bernard King's words when he said, they can retire your number, you can be indicted into the Hall of Fame, but you cannot forget the policeman hitting you with the butt of his side arm for no reason. That lives with you forever.
Ernie and Bernie have proven to us, what matters is talent and passion in whatever you do. Their friendship withstood political turmoil, religious differences, racism and any obstacle you can imagine. I want to believe that this is the norm and not the exception.
Do you have your own "Ernie" or "Bernie" ? I do.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Under the radar genius
Yesterday we put on those good ole vinyl records. Music and words from nearly half a century ago, resurrected in the quite suburbs.
Then I heard it "You can't run away forever, but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start" and stopped. The words were familiar, the sound was familiar but somehow something did not add up. I realized later that the song was known to me, but by another artist, Meatloaf.
I love Meatloaf (not just the artist but the food too), I have always found his music non-conformist. The lyrics as they unfolded, opened the door into another world. It was true poetry. Later I discovered, that behind the music and most importantly the words there was one man, and one man only ; Jim Steinman.
He is truly the under the radar genius. I am not sure how widely known that he is behind some of the forever classics of the 20th century.
How many of us know one "under the radar genius"? Those people who are not publicly known, but create immense value to all? Do you know or have a "Jim Steinman" in your life?
Let me know if you do.
Then I heard it "You can't run away forever, but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start" and stopped. The words were familiar, the sound was familiar but somehow something did not add up. I realized later that the song was known to me, but by another artist, Meatloaf.
I love Meatloaf (not just the artist but the food too), I have always found his music non-conformist. The lyrics as they unfolded, opened the door into another world. It was true poetry. Later I discovered, that behind the music and most importantly the words there was one man, and one man only ; Jim Steinman.
He is truly the under the radar genius. I am not sure how widely known that he is behind some of the forever classics of the 20th century.
How many of us know one "under the radar genius"? Those people who are not publicly known, but create immense value to all? Do you know or have a "Jim Steinman" in your life?
Let me know if you do.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Resolutions New Year or Not
January does that to you - this is the time for resolutions and many of them. I have only one resolution for 2014 , not to have any.
I believe there is no need for such things, you have already committed yourself to a path. You only need one continuous resolution that is: be yourself!
I am determined, even more this year, to reach my goals (and I do have many) by remaining true to myself.
What is your New Year's resolution? Let me know through the year if you are close realizing them!
Have the best year ever!!!! Happy 2014!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Man of the Year
Before I go on, let me make something clear, I am not a Catholic, not even a Christian, I am a Jew.
Time magazine named Pope Francis Man of the Year. Who is this man from Argentina who took the world by his gentle storm? Why is he so appealing to many (not only Catholics)? I listened to the experts on CNN, analyzing the Pope Francis phenomena, though they were right in their conclusions, mine was somewhat less scientific and more simple.
Pope Francis, as we Jews would say, is a mentsch. In Yiddish, this means a person with integrity (more or less). In my mind he is nothing more than a Man , in the real sense of the word. I watched the people listening to His speech today. Many of them did not even understand what he was saying, but there was no need for it. It was understood, you didn't even need an interpreter. He delivers the MESSAGE loud and clear. Live your lives as humans, shed yourselves from religious dogma, see the people around you as people and not objects.
Christmas or not, the World was not a peaceful place today. Maybe, just maybe we should listen what the Man of the Year has to say.
To my friends who celebrate it, say Happy Birthday to the most famous Jewish kid in history. As to the Man of the Year, you may just pull it off, unite not divide.
Have a good one everyone!
Time magazine named Pope Francis Man of the Year. Who is this man from Argentina who took the world by his gentle storm? Why is he so appealing to many (not only Catholics)? I listened to the experts on CNN, analyzing the Pope Francis phenomena, though they were right in their conclusions, mine was somewhat less scientific and more simple.
Pope Francis, as we Jews would say, is a mentsch. In Yiddish, this means a person with integrity (more or less). In my mind he is nothing more than a Man , in the real sense of the word. I watched the people listening to His speech today. Many of them did not even understand what he was saying, but there was no need for it. It was understood, you didn't even need an interpreter. He delivers the MESSAGE loud and clear. Live your lives as humans, shed yourselves from religious dogma, see the people around you as people and not objects.
Christmas or not, the World was not a peaceful place today. Maybe, just maybe we should listen what the Man of the Year has to say.
To my friends who celebrate it, say Happy Birthday to the most famous Jewish kid in history. As to the Man of the Year, you may just pull it off, unite not divide.
Have a good one everyone!
Friday, December 20, 2013
White Blanket
I watched as the perfect snowflakes touched the ground. One by one, they dusted the street, then their dance, so elegant, picked up and became frenzied. The frozen waters from the sky shed their aristocratic move, and came down hard.
What once was dark pavement, became white. Tree branches bent under the crystals and garbage left on the lawn disappeared. I wondered, how easy it is for this winter blessing to erase what is wrong. Covering us with its protective white blanket, muzzling the sounds around, banishing the ugly and grey.
I wanted to have a white blanket, I wanted to put it over the questions, I wanted to pretend that everything is pristine and innocent. I wanted to forget the cruel world out there. I don't have a white blanket, nothing can be covered, I have to face what is under it.
The snowflakes touched the ground, whiteness engulfed the street and I saw it; PEACE and SILENCE tangled up in one hovering above me. Come, cover me with your white blanket!
What once was dark pavement, became white. Tree branches bent under the crystals and garbage left on the lawn disappeared. I wondered, how easy it is for this winter blessing to erase what is wrong. Covering us with its protective white blanket, muzzling the sounds around, banishing the ugly and grey.
I wanted to have a white blanket, I wanted to put it over the questions, I wanted to pretend that everything is pristine and innocent. I wanted to forget the cruel world out there. I don't have a white blanket, nothing can be covered, I have to face what is under it.
The snowflakes touched the ground, whiteness engulfed the street and I saw it; PEACE and SILENCE tangled up in one hovering above me. Come, cover me with your white blanket!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Finding the Magic
Once a year, in the month of December, many of us becoming wild eyed kids, full of anticipation. You can feel it in the air, on the streets, even on the subway. The month has this mysterious aura about it. Whether or not you celebrate Christmas (which I don't), the annual hunt for magic has been declared.
It is difficult not to give in to the bright lights, the special smells, the snowy landscape - if you live in the Northern Hemisphere- and the promise to receive something. This time of the year supposed to be magical, but what is magic?
We humans, seek out new things, constantly looking for THAT special thing or someone. We are eternal magic hunters. We may think magic is unattainable, it is surreal, even paranormal. If we find something exciting we equate that with magic, but once the novelty wears off, we are ready to discard it and look for the next thing.
Magic is constant, all encompassing and has one source, YOU. Yes, YOU hold the key to perpetuate this wonderful thing called MAGIC. It is within you, no need for special dates in the calendar to bring it out.
Before you run and dive into this artificially enhanced magic hunt, take a step back and look no further than yourself. You are nothing short of being this exciting, radiant, mysterious being. Your inner magic overflows, becomes contagious and in no time everyone around you will find THAT THING they have been looking for.
Christmas is only one day, YOUR magic is eternal.
Have a wonderful December!
It is difficult not to give in to the bright lights, the special smells, the snowy landscape - if you live in the Northern Hemisphere- and the promise to receive something. This time of the year supposed to be magical, but what is magic?
We humans, seek out new things, constantly looking for THAT special thing or someone. We are eternal magic hunters. We may think magic is unattainable, it is surreal, even paranormal. If we find something exciting we equate that with magic, but once the novelty wears off, we are ready to discard it and look for the next thing.
Magic is constant, all encompassing and has one source, YOU. Yes, YOU hold the key to perpetuate this wonderful thing called MAGIC. It is within you, no need for special dates in the calendar to bring it out.
Before you run and dive into this artificially enhanced magic hunt, take a step back and look no further than yourself. You are nothing short of being this exciting, radiant, mysterious being. Your inner magic overflows, becomes contagious and in no time everyone around you will find THAT THING they have been looking for.
Christmas is only one day, YOUR magic is eternal.
Have a wonderful December!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)