Feeling Inspired

My son Doug and I have a Friday night ritual. For those who may not know, I’m staying at Doug’s house while his wife, Marla, is on deployment and I’m taking care of my grandson Liam while his parents are at work.

Doug and I are living the bachelor life and every Friday night we do takeout and watch a movie. Takeout because we reward ourselves after a long week so that neither one of us has to cook. Yes I have a long week taking care of a five-month old. “What’s that? You want ANOTHER nap today? Okay. We can do that!”

I usually look to see what’s On-demand and, being the frugal New Englander (AKA cheap), I look to see what’s free. Doug mentioned that he saw a story on the “Today” show about the 40th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice” so maybe we should watch that movie “Miracle” if they had it. Sure enough it was on Netflix.

I forgot how good that movie was.

Kurt Russell played Herb Brooks and here’s what Google says about it.

“When college coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) is hired to helm the 1980 U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team, he brings a unique and brash style to the ice. After assembling a team of hot-headed college all-stars, who are humiliated in an early match, Brooks unites his squad against a common foe, the heavily-favored Soviet team. As the U.S. squad tries to overcome insurmountable odds and win the gold medal, the team becomes a microcosm for American patriotism during the Cold War.”

It was cool to watch it again and to watch it with my son. I seem to have a favorite genre or favorite shows with all of my kids.

Matt and I like to watch football.

Kat and I like football and the Bruins. We used to like “Ghost Hunter’s” because we would always joke around, “What’s that? Did you hear it? Must be a ghost. HAS to be a ghost.”

Sarah is helping me to see all of the “Star Wars” movies and Marvel too.

Doug and I like history movies, war movies and the news.

So back to the “Miracle” movie…..

What I took away from that movie was that Herb Brooks challenged his players to be their best. To bring their best effort and not to hold back.

In his famous pregame speech he challenges them. Here is the entire speech. You may be surprised at how short it was.

“Great moments are born from great opportunity, and that’s what you have here tonight, boys. That’s what you’ve earned here tonight.

One game; if we played them ten times, they might win nine. But not this game, not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight we stay with them, and we shut them down because we can. Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world.

You were born to be hockey players—every one of you, and you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It’s over. I’m sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw ’em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it!”

It’s all great but focus on this part:

“One game; if we played them ten times, they might win nine. But not this game, not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight we stay with them, and we shut them down because we can.”

How powerful is that? “If we played them ten times, they might win nine. But not this game.”

Can you imagine if we brought that mentality to whatever it was we’re facing in life? Your health, career, family, relationships.

Herb Brooks challenged his players to not just “mail it in.” After a 3-3 tie against Norway in an exhibition game, the boys were ready to skate off the ice, take a shower and go on about their lives. The game was okay. They didn’t lose.

If you’ve never seen the movie, it’s been 40 years, 16 since the movie came out, so I guess this is no “spoiler.”

Herb doesn’t let them leave. He makes them skate sprints until they can barely stand up. He makes them work until they come together as a team and realize that “okay” is not good enough.

Now I’m not saying we all need to run sprints until we get better. I, for one, would fall down.

I am saying that sometimes we need to refocus. Are we giving it everything we can? Forget about sports or a game, are you giving your best in your family life or relationships? In your work? To the committees you’re on or the leagues you work with? Are you just “coasting?” Feeling “Ah, let somebody else do it?” How often have we seen “customer service” where there is no “service” at all? It’s because some people feel they’re only going to give so much. For them, “just okay” is good enough.

Why even bother? If you can’t give it your best, why do it?

Just a few thoughts I had after watching a good movie.

And yes.

I told Doug we did dress like that. I think I had those same pants.