Defining Self In The Chaos

Football combines the two worst things about America: it is violence punctuated by committee meetings.    
-George F. Will

As we continue to discuss here at EveryDayQB how sports and the everyday life are interconnected, it is interesting to think about the concept of ‘controlled chaos’. Controlled chaos is everywhere around us and is not always controlled. There was chaos this weekend when a store worker was trampled to death on Black Friday. There was chaos in India when terrorists wreaked havoc on a nation. We live in a world of chaos. Both globally and personally. Is there a way we can control and order chaos in by which we can direct the power and strength of the human will into positive and progressive ends?

The quote above by George F. Will, while humorous, is intriguing to think about. The game of American Football is one of the most violent and aggressive sports in the world, and also has the most ordered rules and regulations. No sport has more referees than football. No sport has more rules than football. No sport has more boundaries and lines than football. It is an interesting sport in which chaos is controlled and applauded, cheered for and sneered at. We all celebrate an amazing hit that crushes an opponent and cringe when a knee or ankle is twisted in a direction it was not intended to be twisted in. There is a violent chaos that is attempting to have parameters, boundaries, ‘side lines’, put on it and then, to be left alone to play out.

But within the chaos and the violence and ‘committee meetings’ of football, there are some remarkable values that emerge. Courage, victory, honor, teamwork, selflessness, every person doing their part to be successful, are truths that are self-evident and revealing in the game of football.

Some of the closest bonds I have ever had with human beings have been my football teammates. We may not still be friends or even see each other, but the moment we do see one another or get together, there is a river of friendship, commitment and comradarie that is deeper than most friendships one has their whole life. Existing in the chaos together and coming out on top forges bonds that run strong and deep.

In the business world, chaos can be overcome through teamwork and perseverance. Rather than ignoring or trying to erradicate chaos, accepting it exists and rising above it with ideals of teamwork and self-sacrifice can add depth to a person and business that forges a deep connection and strength that can weather most storms.