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.