A Dynamic Situation...

Pertinent link:

stuff-parity-nfl-punishes-quarterback-winning-too--219251

-----------
I'm not going to re-hash or explicate the entirety of the "deflated footballs" controversy, that's better left to those that need to do such things.  What I'm passing along here is the best article yet on the absurdity of the hoopla surrounding the saga.  I'm tired of it, and this might possibly be my last gasp of caring about the matter (maybe lol) but as I alluded to in a prior post- I'm not going to put faith in anything unless it passes my own sniff test.  I'll make my own decisions- and yes, my decisions may be in part informed by articles like this- but I'll stick with deciding whom I trust, whom I look up to, and whom I devote my time to following and watching (notice nowhere am I conveying or advocating dogmatic allegiance or blind fanaticism).

My interest in and love for the Patriots and NFL football is deeply rooted in many things.  It's not about superstardom, flashiness, glitz and glamor, bombastic talking heads, exorbitant salaries, or touchdown celebrations...  it's more about the times of year which it takes place, my slower pace of life during those times, memories tied to big games and heartbreaking defeat, the chess match, preparation, and teamwork inherent in the game, and the shared camaraderie each and every Sunday.
Even if the worst is proven about my team, even if they are proven to be cheats and liars... I will still follow.  Why? Because I don't idolize them.  Because I don't think they're "heroes".  Because I don't envy what they get to do.  Because I don't look up to them.  Because I don't cower at the sight of their towering statures.  Because I am content being me and having my life and doing what I do and developing reverence for real influential/ meaningful heroes like my real life mentors and parents and loved ones.

Whatever.  Soapbox or not, that's how I feel.

Allegiance

"They say that when it comes to choosing heroes,

It's best to pick the ones who aren't around.

If you choose among the living,

You tend to have misgivings

When your hero lets you down.

He might have a bad night in your town"              
     --Heroes (John Gorka)




There is value in the above song lyric. I see it as a reminder to tread carefully when hitching my wagon to anything. Having reason for why I "back" something is prudent, practical, and allows for a change of opinion in the future...


The above song lyric is applicable not just to "heroes", "idols", etc. but also to things, people, or enterprises we choose to champion, look up to, follow, support, or fanaticize over.


We can't expect all products we buy, causes we support, people we associate with, or *ahem* teams we root for to be squeaky clean and have no skeletons hanging in their closets. I know I certainly don't live in a glass house.


So, I will continue to support the things that I do for the reasons I choose. If and when I see fit to discontinue support for a certain thing, I will have my reasons.


Unfortunately, we don't always have the luxury of "picking the ones who aren't around"...




In a poem titled "Song of Myself", Walt Whitman wrote,



"Do I contradict myself?
Very well then, I contradict myself,

(I am large, I contain multitudes.)"

This thought is brilliant. It allows for thought to be a living and breathing mechanism of ones soul. It allows for growth, learning, and improvement. So, I say to myself... "have your reasons- be able to explain yourself, and be ready to change your mind if you feel genuine reason to do so". Until then, stay the course and do not let others sway you from that path. Do not let the white noise distract, or the haters hate.

I've always told myself, when presented with situations like these:
"what does one see when looking at the world through a microscope...?  -small things."



Sounds good!



Seeya,

AM Son



Written while listening to the Boyhood Motion Picture Soundtrack (Summer Noon- Jeff Tweedy)