Goal!

By Steve Gwisdalla

As the World Cup is drawing to its exciting conclusion, here in the Tribe of Up, it is truly awesome to witness the world come together in the name of sport. Millions of fans have traveled to Canada, the United States and Mexico to cheer their countries on. People have immersed themselves in the cultures of the host countries, mingled with their people and created memories that will certainly last a lifetime.

I love soccer. My son plays. I played when I was in high school (several million years ago) and the skill and beauty these athletes exhibit can be breath taking. Watching several of the games with friends and family, I have yet to hear fans booing. Fans simply cheered for their team louder than the other. The songs they sing, the electricity the fans have brought to the North American stadiums has been nothing short of incredible. Watching a game last night, a question popped into my head and had yet to find its answer. Why? Why does it take a worldwide sporting event to bring humans from all walks of life and corners of the world together? Why not come together for more noble reasons?

My friends, we live in amazing times. Answers to questions are merely a Google search away. AI grows smarter every day. Yet we seem to hate each other more every day too. We seem to find new ways and new reasons to despise yet are losing reasons to come together. Left, right, pro, anti, young, old. It seems we are trying to invent ways to grumble but forgetting ways to help. As the world runs to support their respective national soccer teams, perhaps this could be a wake-up call to support our local neighborhoods and neighbors, our first responders, teachers, senior citizens, and less fortunate. Let’s cheer for that. Donating to a local food pantry. Goal! Buy the coffee for a person in line behind you. Goal! Hold open a door an elderly person who is maybe taking a little longer than you would like. Save! (I must show some love for the goalkeepers out there too!) Advocate for more joy in your own life. Turn off the negative news, music, and talking heads and listen to the birds chirping, your kids laughing, and your spouse or significant other. Goal! Imagine the fun and satisfaction watching those heroes.  Goal!!!

About the Tribe of Up

The Tribe of Up is an idea. The Tribe of Up is a group of people who simply look to advocate for more joy in all aspects of our lives. If this sounds like the kind of oasis you are seeking in our day-to-day chaos, consider scrolling through past articles. Simply search “Tribe of Up” on the Sun Times News website. Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. Thanks for stopping by!