New experiences.  They can go either way really…. good or bad.   Or even somewhere in between.  But I believe it is a necessary part of growth for us to take part in new experiences. But setting that aside….

Tonight, we went to a hockey game.  Is it a hockey game, or a match?  Whichever.  The Miami University RedHawks played North Dakota.  I have been to two hockey games in my life, prior to this.  The first was a long time ago.  The Dayton Gems played someone…. at Hara Arena.  I think I was in the 2nd or 3rd game, and I went with my pal Jana and some of her family.  A hockey puck almost hit us that night.  It scared the snot right out of my nose.  That is all I remember about it… other than it was noisy and busy.  The second game was less remarkable.  Adulthood.  Professional hockey game… where we watched  people fight and drink.

This evening was a lot more fun.  The venue was great.  We went with our friends Mike and Donna Simpson.  Not a one of us is a hockey fan, but I think we would have enjoyed ourselves no matter what we were watching.

But we all liked to watch different things.  I like NFL and College Basketball.  Donna likes high school basketball.  Mike is a baseball fan.  Mary likes to watch anything he family is watching.

All of us are fans of different things.  Not necessarily sports either.  Some people love Broadway Musicals, other like Garden Shows, and some people might just be crazy for Chocolate Souffle’.  We could all be fanatical about something or another… that is for sure.

At any rate… the Miami University Redhawks… were defeated by North Dakota University.  1-2.  But the saddest thing about the night, falls with North Dakota.  They don’t have a dang mascot.  Nadda.  Zero. Zippo. Zilch.  So cheering for the team is a heck of a problem, by my estimation.  Gooooooooooooo North Dakota University.  Like…..  every time they have to say this.    No catchy phrases, or goofy hats.  Just go North Dakota University.

Miami lost to North Dakota.  By a score of 1-2.  Apparently, the no-name-mascot-thing hasn’t hindered them any.  They are ranked number one.

But I am off track.  As I looked around the arena this evening, and saw all those fans, cheering wildly for those teams…. it reminded me that world is full of people with unique perspectives and passions in life.  And that is a good thing.  It makes the planet an interesting place, and full of diversity, and life.  It might put us in a good spiritual space,  to embrace others’ interests, likes, and dislikes.  They do not have to match ours…. to be grand.

And that is all I am thinking of this evening.  Hockey, Ice Skates, Body-Checks, and Spiritual-Checks.

So now… I think it best… If I make like a Hockey Player…. and get the Puck out of here.

Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind.  ==  Henri Frederic Amiel