Don’t you just love it when someone offers to fix you a cup of coffee? I’m not sure if she’s been instructed to greet customers by asking what she can get started for them or if that is just her way but it is so inviting without being pushy. It says “I see you and am ready to do my part to help you get exactly what you want this morning.” And then she waits for the creativity that each person desires in a cup or maybe from the pastry case. There is no telling what a person may be in the mood for even if they are regular customers with a predictable routine. They just might change it up on her and go totally rouge.  When she listens it’s for the details, caff, de-caf, non fat, soy, mocha, cappuccino, latte….the possible combinations are as varied and endless as the parade of people coming in and out of the door from “can’t see” in the morning to “shouldn’t be drinking caffeine” late at night.

 

For anyone who isn’t a football fan, there are two major games being played this afternoon. A grand total of four teams, 212 men plus the coaches and support staff, will take to the fields to contest their championships. The field of contest has a long history. The extension of training for actual battle played out with, hopefully, less lethal  resolution.

I’m sure it comes as no big surprise to you that I won’t be playing this afternoon. Nope. Not for the 49er’s, who are the nearest team to me. Not for the Giants or New England or whoever the fourth team is. I don’t have a spot on the starting line up. I don’t even have a jersey with my name across the back.

I won’t even be freezing in the cold and rainy seats watching the game in person. I will be home, warm and dry and comfy on my own couch watching the game in hi-def and possibly wearing my favorite pjs.

Professional sports exist because of spectators. Advertising and licensing, stadiums and concessions, broadcasters and retired athletes, all count on the people off the field to not only watch but put money into the whole system. Without the fans a major chunk of the American economy goes away.

So my question today is:

Are you in the game or in the stands? One of the pitchers for the San Francisco Giants  is holding out on his contract because they offered him $40,000,000 for two years of throwing the ball. He wants $44,000,000. They aren’t paying the guy in the cheap seats to show up. They’re charging him.

If you aren’t the starting pitcher or the MVP quarterback in your life you’re just a spectator. One of my relatives commented recently that his life was boring.

Time to get off the couch and get into the game? Because whether you suit up or not, there is a game today.

Today I was listening to some women discuss a class and how many people were still on the wait list after a parent called and got verbally abusive because their kid hadn’t gotten in the class yet.

It got me thinking about the times I have been on a wait list for a class or a conference or even just waiting for a table at a restaurant. Looking for a cute little picture to illustrate waiting took me on a Wild Goose chase that brought me here:

 Transplant Waiting list candidates as of

today 8:08pm

All 112,794

Kidney     90,621

Pancreas   1,318

Kidney/Pancreas  2,128

Liver        16,082

Intestine      275

Heart           3,125

Lung      1,678

Heart/Lung    61

(All candidates will be less than the sum due to candidates waiting for multiple organs)

I don’t know about you but waiting for what I want is not nearly as pressing in light of those waiting for what they need. So next time you find yourself waiting consider if it’s really worth waiting for. Do you really need it or is it just something you would like?

And knowing that someone is waiting, have you filled out your donor card? Have you notified your next of kin about your desires? If not, what are you waiting for?

My goal at the beginning of the year was to write a question a day for the whole 366. I missed yesterday. It’s been a crazy first week of the year and like most good New Year’s intentions I didn’t make 7/7.

So I find myself with a self-imposed standard that no one but me will notice or care if I make unless I manage to shine a big old glaring light on it.

But isn’t that so often what we do? We set and hold ourselves to a standard or to do list or life plan and when we fail instead of just adjusting our course and continuing on we let others know just what a failure we think we are. What if this year all you talked about were the blessings in your life and the success of the people around you? What if you let yourself be less than perfect? What if your goal was to be more genuine and open? What if there was a great reward for being comfortable in your own skin and whatever size jeans it takes to cover than skin?

What would you do for a Klondike bar?

(And, yes, I see the irony of doubling up on posts today to get back on my 366/366)