Australian Open - Finals Sets Record

I just finished watching the men's finals which set an Australian Open record for its nearly 6-hour length. The competitors, Raphael Nadal and Novak Djokovic battled for 5 sets, pushing through pain, anguish, disappointment, and near complete exhaustion to the last stroke, which was an off forehand by Novak after a bending serve down the T from the ad court. This was a match that could have gone either way except for some fantastic intangible.



Nadal used to be the player no one could defeat . . . then, the tables turned and Novak stepped into that rarefied air at the top of the game. When it was all over I couldn't help but reflect on what force could drive a player to endure all the sacrifice required to be a successful professional athlete. Yes, there is a lot of money to be made, but it's clear that when the players are in the heat of battle, the drive has nothing to do with money. If not money, what then?

Deep within most human hearts is the capacity and desire to strive for excellence. Usually it involves one or more of your creative gifts. When gripped with such a passion there is is typically no price too great to pay in terms of time or sacrifice. Working on the sequel to Maitreya, I find myself having to imagine a heaven where the pursuit of excellence continues, but at a much higher level. If that's the case, better dismiss any thoughts of cushioned armchairs and endless NFL football when you get to heaven.

Roger Federer Honors Rod Laver at the Australian Open

If you're into tennis at all you probably know the name of living legend Roger Federer. Yesterday he was interviewed along with the great Rod Laver, one of the pioneering players who blazed the trail for professionals to play in the open era. Roger, probably the greatest player of all time, was humbly reverent and respectful in the presence of Rod Laver who returned the respectful admiration of Roger.



Spiritually, we are all building on the insights, wisdom, and achievements of those believers who came before us. The Bible, of course, is a record of many pioneering spiritual leaders. Yes, we can learn from their recorded wisdom, but only through our own personal experience, being confronted with difficult choices, can our faith be refined.

Roger Federer wasn't born knowing how to serve an ace on match point. It took hard work and humble determination. The same applies to achieving a "winning" faith!

Maria Sharapova Makes the Quarters of the Australian Open

A tennis fan, I was watching Maria Sharapova willfully fight her way past a determined and talented young opponent, Sabine Lisicki in three sets. Don't get me wrong, I love Maria, but  though rich and famous and beautiful, something perhaps even more important is missing when she's on the court. The joy of her early victories when she was just a tall gangly kid, new to the tour, is all but gone. The commentators pointed out several times during the match that her left hand was tightly clenched.

She might smile after the match during an interview, but even her answers to questions seem scripted. She works so hard and sacrifices so much to pursue her dream to win another major and become Number 1 again. What is my spiritual point, it is so important to have something you're passionate about driving you, giving your life meaning. It's also important for the object of your passion to have some meaning beyond the material. When you incorporate something like that into your life, each day becomes a gift.