It has been an interesting and insightful first month of the year, capped off for me by a word…and a theme…that continues to pop up in a glass hall full start to 2022.
Joy.
I thought about joy many times this month, when I read Jon Wertheim’s great piece in Sports Illustrated on Tom Brady. In it Brady acknowledged the grind…but ended with a bottom line. The craft he plies brings him yes…joy.
“I think if anything, the most challenging part is the emotional aspect of football for me. Because when we win, it’s a relief, and when we lose, it’s depressing. It’s not like, ‘The joy, the happiness.’ It’s a relief. Because sometimes just winning isn’t good enough for you, you know? You expect perfection and when you expect perfection and it’s less than perfect, you feel like there’s a down part to that. I’d say if anything, that’s the hardest part for me as I’ve gotten older. I wish I smelled the flowers a little bit more. Yeah. I wish I did. I think I live in the moment, I am very present. But at the same time, I wish I could appreciate the smaller victories.”
I thought about that journey again this morning watching an aging but still vibrant Raffa Nadal win his 21st Grand Slam singles title…his most elusive…the Australian Open…with a record comeback from two sets down. His relief…but his joy, shone through, as well as his realization of being in the moment and what it takes to get there.
‘If I don’t feel doubt, I’m gonna be in trouble. Doubt is very important to my success. If you don’t have doubt, it probably means that you’re being arrogant.”
I saw it also earlier this month when the long overdue retirement ceremony for Willie O’Ree happened with the Boston Bruins. The man who broke the color barrier had his number 22 lifted to the rafters, and O’Ree, watching from his home in San Diego, talked about selflessness and the value he brought to young people.
“This was never about me, it was about what I could do to help give young people a chance through hockey. I was just lucky enough to be in that position to play for the Bruins, but what really makes me happy are the millions of others I have been able to impact ever so slightly, in the decades since.”
Again. Joy.
I also thought about the joy of the journey as we passed the two year anniversary of the loss of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and the other friends in that fateful helicopter crash. In reading Mike Sielski’s great book on Bryant’s rise to the NBA, and other quote struck me, from The Black Mamba himself.
“I have dreams, and dreams, they should be pure. I think a lot of times when we’re born into this world, we actually wind up going backwards. And it seems like the more we mature, the more responsible our dreams become, and the more governors we put on ourselves and our ability to dream and to reimagine. And it’s always a fight, for us parents and for you all, to make sure that your dreams always stay pure. So it’s not a matter of pushing beyond your limitations or expectations. It’s really a matter of protecting your dreams, protecting your imagination. That’s really the key. And when you do that, the world just seems limitless.”
Curiosity mixed with the joy of being in the money, and realizing that your focus can positively impact others.
Then Friday we had NHL great Henrik Lundqvist getting his number retired by the New York Rangers. In a beautiful ceremony, King Henrik shared this.
“While I reflect on my time here in New York, everything I experienced, the people I met, and what the game has given me, I keep coming back to one feeling: gratitude. I feel so grateful for everything this organization has given me, supporting me and my family.“
And how about one more, from David Crosby, a musician who has lived a thousand lives.
He recently talked about what keeps him going more than the money. His answer was pretty simple, and it wasn’t contrived at all. The joy of seeing others in the music business, those at a younger age maybe just getting started, who have that unbridled passion and are enjoying all that they are doing, and discovering the amazing things about working in entertainment and impacting people that sometimes the veterans forget.
It’s the same in the business we are in, or probably I would hope, in any profession, or in any relationship. When you are in it for so long, you get lost in the weeds and forget how much fun things can be, or how much joy an industry like sports and entertainment can bring to others.
Joy. It doesn’t happen with everyone in celebration. Many times the pressure brings relief and overwhelming emotions, not just joy. But amidst the chaos, as we start to get back on the road, we see it more.
It’s the same in the business we are in, or probably I would hope, in any profession, or in any relationship. When you are in it for so long, you get lost in the weeds and forget how much fun things can be, or how much joy an industry like sports and entertainment can bring to others.
I wrote this a few times before, but my old friend and longtime coach Brendan Suhr always said the same thing, and was surprised at how little some of the greatest professional athletes appeared to enjoy what they were doing. No matter how driven you are, you should be able to convey the good to others. I have never been known for being the most outwardly happy of people, but I am convinced that a smile and more importantly, positive passion and enthusiasm are invaluable, whether you are a third grade teacher or Aaron Judge. There is too much sadness in the world, if you love what you do convey that publicly.
Often times people may seek you out for career advice or some counsel which has nothing to do with the day to day duties of work. Some are young people starting out, others are in the midst of career change or are going through some unusual episodes, and sadly even more are people who have lost their way and are struggling to find a new fit. I certainly don’t have all or sometimes most of the answers, but I do know that as I have said before, a job does not define you, just like a University or a high school does not define a teacher or a student. You help define it, and that’s how you make your impact. Finding that little bit of joy in all is what makes this ride so special.
No one said it was going to be easy, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the ride right? Whether we are high school students or award winning artists, we only get one shot at this, so let’s not miss the opportunity. We are all in it together.
That’s what I think, these amazing people bring to those around them. A great sense of who they are, and the awareness that maybe, just maybe, it could all vanish in a cynical and fate twisting cloud.
Hey, am I always the happiest of people? Ha, that’s funny. However I do find joy in something, anything every day, and I’m hoping that joy is conveyed to others we pass along the road. It has certainly been conveyed back to me in some notes and emails I have received from folks who I tried to help, or just listen to for a few minutes. The pleasure to all…was mine. Being able to help, for me, even a little but, is very joyous.
