Journey not Destination

When we win a NCAA championship in college football my life will be complete. As a diehard fan since 1976 and a season ticket holder for Nebraska football since 1991, this was my annual mantra from about 1980 until 1994. And then we did it. We beat Miami 24-17 in the Orange Bowl securing Tom Osborne’s first national title. But my life didn’t change. Not really. I mean I talked deep into the night with my best friend and fellow lifelong Husker fanatic Sean Kelly about how great it was. We were so excited to buy t-shirts that deemed our place at the top of the polls. But my life was not complete. I still had to take out my trash. I still had to go to work. I still had relationships that needed attention. What?!!?? Wait. This is what I really wanted. All I really wanted as a young boy. I just wanted to be #1. I think by the time we won it, I already had been clued in to the world that I still needed to take out my trash, go to work, and be kind to my friends and family…..so it wasn’t a total shock that my life was not completed with the crowning of my favorite football team. And I am glad that it didn’t complete my life. I realized that our journey is much more fun than the destination. I love telling my kids about my heartbreak, and heartache during the painful times. It seems like a lifetime ago that we won that game. It also seems like yesterday that Sean and I dreamt about what it would be like. The dream seems better than the reality. I am working hard at staying in the moment. Enjoying the good time now; even enjoying the struggle now. It is far more fun than just having a complete life.