Sobeen watching the political races? Even if youve not been keeping up to date, Ill wager youre probably just as tired as I am of the negative rhetoric that has been thrown round lately. Commercials and interviews with the candidates have become as catty as fights between unrealistic characters on cheesy reality television shows.
During the recent presidential debates, comments were tossed back and forth that were insulting at best, slander at worst. Both candidates seemed to spend more time cutting down the opponents ideas and values rather than presenting their own clear and exciting vision for America. Yes, I said both of them.
Unfortunately, this isnt exclusive to the presidential race.
This morning, I heard a radio commercial for a candidate running for a state level position. The voice over sounded more like a Halloween monster advertising a haunted house than a serious political ad. The verbiage stopped just short of cursing the very soul of the opposing candidate.
If this is how our elected officials are acting, how should their constituents behave? Worse, apparently. This political season has seen fistfights, burglary and screaming matches at different party headquarters, as well as threats thrown at those who signify their support for one side or the other. What a horrible way to act! Do people really think that knocking someones teeth out is a way to sway support toward their viewpoint?
Still, as disappointing as the political climate has become, there is a beacon of light: baseball! Now that were in post-season play, baseball becomes about the most exciting thing around - especially when you live in a baseball town like I do! After the series was clinched in the first round of the playoffs, my faith in human decency was renewed.
Following the final out, the two teams poured onto the field from their dugouts to congratulate and shake hands with the opposing players. These two - dozen ball players demonstrated a sportsmanship weve all but lost. These athletes swallowed their pride and showed more class and professionalism than (*gasp* dare I say it? Yes, I dare!) the next leader of the free world (Oh, come on! We all know that political handshakes when the races are this heated are nothing more than photo ops!) Am I the only one who thinks sportsmanship shouldnt just be for athletes?
When I was a kid playing Little League ball, we had a routine we practiced every week. At the end of the game, shake hands, tell the other players, Good game! and then go eat snocones together! Why is this positive practice of sportsmanship so hard for adults to comprehend?
Now, Im not suggesting that world leaders should chum it up while sucking down a rainbow freeze by the concession stand. After all, were a nation of individuals with different ideologies and that is what makes this country great. It just seems that we should all remember a little something from our younger years. Lifes important lessons: play fair, be a good sport, do your best and, at the end of the match-up, realize that were all in this together.
Author Name:Marcus Engel
Author Bio:
Unimaginable pain. Terrifying realization. Then, darkness. Complete and total darkness. Marcus Engel and lived these horrific moments... but that's only the beginning of the story. On a cold autumn night during his freshman year of college, Marcus' life took a dramatic turn. After attending a Saturday night hockey game with friends, a drunk driver traveling at twice the speed limit slammed broadside into the car in which they were riding; a thin piece of Toyota metal was meager protection from the full impact of the on-coming vehicle. When Marcus awoke to a world he would never again see, he faced obstacles no one, much less a teenager, should have to face; accept and adapt to blindness, live through hundreds of hours of reconstructive facial surgery and find happiness in a world changed forever. The life lessons learned through that experience helped my return to college and became the foundation for his career as a professional speaker. Whether through the live keynote presentation or the words of his autobiography, Marcus has empowered, enlightened and entertained hundreds of thousands of people. Audiences nationwide have learned to overcome personal adversity and make intelligent decisions. His autobiography, After This... An Inspirational Journey for All the Wrong Reasons is available from his website and amazon.
