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.