Destiny

Sometimes things just happen for a reason...the perfect reason and there's no explaining it.  In a world where everyone is so caught up with superficial happenings we often lose sight of the subtle yet obvious signs right in front of our eyes.  And the worst part of it all, is that it usually takes a life changing experience to put us back in our place and realize what we have been missing all along. 

There are tons of examples all around that you might chalk up to destiny and as you might expect I am going to highlight a few in the world of sports!

Exhibit 1) The Cardiac Pack

Unless you have lived in cave for the last 27 years you have most definitely heard of the 1983 NC State Wolfpack.  They defeated the mighty Phi Slamma Jamma and the rest of the Houston Cougars in the most unforgettable National Championship in the history of the NCAA.  The Pack put together an impressive run to end the season after losing Dereck Whittenburg in January to a broken foot.  A victory against UNC in the ACC tournament semi-finals set the tone for what was to come.  Houston had been dominating teams all season and that didn't stop in the tourney.  But that all came to a screeching hault when the Cardiac Pack beat Houston with its very own strategy...getting above the rim.  With the score tied at 52 with three seconds on the clock Whittenburg threw up a desperation 3-pointer that was carried by angels into the hands of Lorenzo Charles who slammed it home to beat the mighty Cougars at the buzzer.  Everyone goes crazy, Jim Valvano is looking for someone to hug and the rest is history.  So what is the lesson to be learned from the '83 Pack?  "Don't give up, don't ever give up" would be an appropriate slogan...and how ironic that that quote will forever be remembered as Jimmy V's legacy in his fight against cancer...destiny or just a coincidence?!

Exhibit 2) Reverse the Curse

By no means am I a Red Sox fan but I am ultimately a sucker for history (as long as the Yankees are on the short end of that stick) and a good playoff series.  With the Red Sox down three games to none they had been written off by the baseball world and everyone had started looking towards next year.  Until the most unlikely of heroes, Dave Roberts, came in to pinch run, stole second then scored on a Bill Mueller single to tie the game.  Cue Big Papi who wins the game with his first of two walk offs in the series to give the sports writers something to write about.  The rest is history...walk offs, extra innings, bloody socks and the World Series trophy back in Beantown.  What a way to end an 86 year championship drought...being the first team in the history of baseball to come back from a 3-0 deficit to win the ALCS and then sweep the Cardinals in the World Series.  There is absolutley no other way to explain the 2004 ALCS than destiny.

We all have our own examples of what we think is destiny.  Whether its in our own personal experiences or vicariously through our sports heroes.  And wherever we find happiness in destiny let it be just that...happiness.  Appreciate the comfort that destiny can give you.  Remember that moment in time where you knew it was destiny and hold on to that feeling when things get tough.  Know that no matter what happens there is a plan for you and in the end its destiny.  So thank you destiny for easing the stress in my life.  Thank you destiny for making things right when everything seems to be wrong.  And thank you destiny for what you have in store for me...

So what is your perfect comeback story?