Tuesday Morning Hangovers

Brace yourself…this week, everyone gets a slap on the hand.  

Rave of the Week

I’ve spent the majority of this season oscillating around the concept of balance, especially when it comes to our league and life. Above is a copy of my calendar for the day. Honestly, I wouldn’t say this is an abnormal day or even the worse it’s ever been…it’s simply a Wednesday in my life in 2016.* I have to imagine the same is true for you all in your own various ways, too. Ironically, would you believe me if I told you that at this very moment, you will never be less busy? One of the 200 lessons I learned this year is that life isn’t about balance. That definition requires evenly distributing different elements in equal proportions. Imagine what would happen if you told your spouse, kids, teacher or boss: “I’m investing too much time into you.” In fact, even Jesus requires you hate everything else save Him. It’s because all of these require commitment in order to develop. Without growth, things perish and that can’t happen to this league. I realize a large part of this requires leading by example and I haven’t set an excellent example of that this season. Trump is President-elect, the Cubs and winners have been used in the same sentence…it’s been a weird year. As tempting as it would be to say, “I’ve been busy” the truth is I will always be busy. As hard as it is to process, you’ll probably be even busier this time next year…it’s how life evolves. The parable of the talents is a story of multiplication. Therefore life isn’t about balance, it’s about integration. How are you going to integrate that new thing in your life while continuing to nurture the other five? This is not a post about how the Elite should be a primary priority. It’s about integrating this platform of comedy, competition and comradery into your life in 2016. If this isn’t one of them, you owe it to the league to at least admit it. If you’ve reached the maximum of what you can manage in life, that’s fine, too. GMs have walked away to get their life in order and they’ve always been welcome to return, again. Today was a crazy day, tomorrow will be, too. Did I find a moment for the Elite? Yes. You can, too.  

Rant of the Week

Now that I’ve addressed my disengaged audience…it’s time to turn my attention to my engaged crowd. I’ve heard the murmurs, I’ve seen the hashtags, “make the Elite great, again.” I have zero tolerance for people who complain in life. I can respect the emotional state of disappointment, but I will not support attacks made against this league. The existence of this league is longer than every GM who is married, combined…life, standings, scoring and even seasons have highs and lows. Be grateful for the highs and patient with the lows. To look at life any other way means there’s a lot that life has yet to teach you.* This league has overproduced great seasons in comparison to abysmal seasons and I’m content with what I’ve seen for over a decade. This league has a history of being great more times than not and I have faith that’s the future, too. If someone feels they deserve better, quit. I’ve written and will continue to write weekly monthly post because I want to, but don’t contribute a picture with 140 characters and think you can have an expectation that this league is here to produce content for you. I’m concluding my lecture now. The season is almost over and then we go months without football. Let’s finish this season with as many roster set, posts published and fellowship shared…this is the only season we can currently experience.      

HBK

*If you’re curious dual meetings include both a cell phone, speaker phone and synchronize muting.  

**It’s not a jab nor what I had written at first, but it’s honest and we can talk about it if you want, too.