Dear Barbarians:
The opportunities that are offered throughout the course of our lives are often times obscured by our willingness to think one way and act in another. It is not difficult for one to be consistent in attitude and effort as far as in dealing with others by virtue of understanding and acceptance, a sort of tolerance if you will. As a human being one must be able to keep focus on that which is important despite the many distractions hypocrisy may bring in and of itself and by which one can easily be consumed by or for it, depending on one’s vantage point.
I recall a time when I wrote a piece of prose that elaborated on the treatise of expectations and its absolute cause for misunderstandings in the world. I did not limit myself in my thinking and went on to delineate how manipulation played a part in expectation and the cause of the tumultuous end game of misunderstanding. It was pretty deep even for a 17 year old but it all makes me wonder: if it was so deep for me then how am I in the position I find myself in, now? So deep is the stench that I cannot smell because I am up to my eyes in it and I have come to realize I am being consumed!
Somewhere along the line I was taught that we as humans were not to become angry and that by allowing ourselves to (anger) was akin to evil. Another aspect of this is hate. One thing that came out of my understanding in my writing and reading was that I would not hate anyone for any reason. As I see it and have come to adopt this demeanor, that which you hate in others is also present in you! So it follows that if I hate then I must hate myself as well and me being who I am, I will not and wish not to be consumed by hate or anger nor controlled by those who spend their time in either of these states by word or deed. It has simplified my very existence so that I am able to care deeply about everyone without ever knowing anyone!
When it becomes so difficult in life that you can see someone you know headed your way and turn away so that you hope that they have not seen you or so that you do not have to speak to them, what existence of value is there? Or, when you only see what you wish to see, or hear what you wish to hear, or think that another in this life is of no value because they do not accommodate or may not be of service to you, then where are we as human beings? Is this as nature intended? Or is this what we should expect from one another, or dare I say use to manipulate others into doing what we think should be done for our own sake?
I am often haunted by things I have heard that have given me direction but I do not listen to hear-say and my inner-being fights it at the mere talk that permeates the world of youth sports by parents who are oh, so well intended toward the development of the team and this club but in the end, it is only talk that serves them. You have to approach me on a different level and it is obviously not because I know it all (from 17 to where I am by the way the piece was titled ‘Observations Past and Present’) but rather because I have witnessed much and chose steadfastly to not have knee-jerk reactions or to go away from my demeanor that mandates me to separate truth from reality and need from want. To some of you, this conversation is way over your heads and to others it is spot on and yet oblivion for those it is intended! (LOL) One thing that I do recall hearing as a child was from my grandfather who told us that it takes 1000 lies to tell one lie successfully. Something he told me that guides me to this day; nearly 50 years after he told me so. I will share with you a story that he related to me about trust at another time.
At any rate, it is imperative that each of you know how much I value the opportunity that your presence brings me and that I am sincere when I say to you that I like everyone for who they are and appreciate greatly being able to manage and coach for the Barbarian FC. Through your acceptance of our understanding in our manner and approach to competitive youth sports and in particular futsal, we have witnessed sustainable growth in this club. I need to at least reiterate that, because of our coaches we are more able and willing in our capacity to manage that, it creates the opportunity necessary to expand opportunities to our members while also enabling me to begin to connect the dots that will aid in the development of futsal here in Western PA as well as throughout the US, that we are not in a rush to do so and appreciate the patience each of you shows in your sacrifice to do right by others not just your own. In so doing, you have provided us the means for our ways and we feel strongly that you will benefit far more than you have given.
We have always attempted to do what we say we intend to do and do so in as caring a manner as possible. No matter the outcome, we attempt to do right by everyone we meet despite what others may feel or think, despite the delusion, the hear-say, the gossip and back biting. In the adversity of everyday life Barbarians move forward only to build and not destroy anything in our wake. So it is understanding that there is nothing to be learned that is not realized, and that Our potential to do what is right is not a matter of choosing sides and in the recognition of right versus wrong we make the choice to serve rather than be served. Undoubtedly it is far easier to criticize and feel good about oneself when we think ourselves better than them but how much better are we when we take time to elevate them and we learn that we have not walked one step in their path or in their shoes. All of life is a test by which we will learn the outcome of the here and now. I live in the moment but hopefully I am not consumed by it!
As usual, I will see you on the pitch!
dws