I was watching the Brazil/Germany World Cup match on Tuesday, and it reminded me of why I have worked on releasing my emotional attachment to outcomes. Well, as far as sporting events are concerned anyway! 😉
I used to be a big sports fan. Growing up, I watched all kinds of sports with my dad; baseball, boxing, wrestling, football, soccer, you name it! We went to live games, and we watched games on television. My dad never got very emotional about the outcomes of games, but I didn’t learn how to do that.
I’m a combination of embarrassed and amused by the way I used to carry on when watching a game. I was one of those people who yelled at the television; angry at the lack of understanding of the rules of the game by the officials or sudden lack of ability on the part of the team I wanted to win. In hindsight, I feel like somehow I believed that the outcome of the game affected my life in some really meaningful way.
In the greater scheme of things, in a game played by people I’ve never met, owned by people I don’t know, I have no vested interest in the outcome. I’m not a gambler, so there was never even any money on the line! The deepest it really ever got was my ability to brag to people the following day that my team won and their team lost. What did that matter, when their win had nothing to do with me? I wasn’t the coach, the trainer, or anyone else that contributed to the success of the team, so what was I really bragging about anyway? Was it my ability to pick a winner? Not that impressive considering the 50/50 odds!
I’m not opposed to supporting local teams. I just stopped becoming emotionally invested in who wins or loses because I didn’t see the point in getting all worked up over things that don’t affect my life in the greater scheme of things. Watching sports is supposed to be a form of entertainment, not a cause of grief. When it stopped being fun, it was time to take a step back.
I can now watch games and be (somewhat) neutral. I can now find humour in the wit and commentary of the announcers that used to drive me crazy. I can watch games without yelling obscenities at the television or cursing out the players. Do I have a preference of which team I’d like to win? Sometimes. The heartbreak and disappointment that used to come with it no longer exist.
Whether it’s professional athletes or your kids local games, just remember that whoever wins or loses is not a big deal. It will not affect your life in any big way besides you initial disappointment. Trust me, you will get over it and life, as you know it will go on. Enjoy your sports! Have fun watching! If you’re not having fun anymore, remember, you always have a choice! ♥