Being that I’m a Arizona Cardinals fan*, I was heartbroken when they lost yesterday’s Super Bowl in the last minute. I moped around the rest of the evening, feeling as I’d been dumped by a girlfriend.  Like so many other rabid sports wondering why they continue to put themselves through the emotional ringer, I’m struggling with what the yogis call “poor investment of attention.”

The word “investment” is super-relevant these days, what with so many people losing so much money in the markets. But the yogis speak of another kind of investing that doesn’t have anything to do with money. This investing has to do with the people, things, and places where we direct our attention. Because if we do it wisely, we will reap huge payouts in the ways of loving relationships, profound wisdom, and an underlying sense of well-being.  But if we do it poorly, all too often we will feel an uncomfortable longing for the missing piece that evades both the wealthiest billionaire and the struggling slumdog. If you or someone you know puts way too much attention into their sports team/s, maybe you’d like to share with them the following 3 suggestions:

1. Invest in something which you can control

“Children don’t need your presents. They need your presence.”  Anonymous

If you, like me, never want to stop watching sports, that’s fine but I’m just suggesting that the excess passion that gets you bummed over a stupid loss is wasted energy.  While we have little control over the financial markets or success of our favorite teams, we absolutely can invest our attention in things over which we DO have control. For instance, imagine if you took some of the energy that goes toward rooting for your team and redirected it toward playing with your kids or hanging out with your significant other.  One sports radio host consoled a bummed-out fan by saying, “These pro athletes go home to their huge mansions and their multi-million dollar salaries and trust me, they stop thinking about you, the fans,  so why should you continue thinking about them? Let it go!”

2.  Understand the value of surrender

“The creative process is a process of surrender, not control.”  Julia Cameron

All of the ancient Eastern spiritual arts (ie: yoga, karate, tai chi, kung fu) teach the value of surrender. When we put energy toward something over which we have zero control, it’s cancerous to the spirit. The practice of surrender can be applied in any heated situation where our anger gets the best of us and causes us to make bad decisions.  It’s one thing to be able to say “Ok the Steelers won, I could do nothing about it, game over, honey let’s cuddle and love each other and enjoy the rest of our evening.” But even better is when you can say, “Ok that guy just cut me off in traffic, I want to freakin’ cuss him out and puncture his tires, but I’m gonna let it go and move on with my day.” Surrendering amidst intense emotions is as difficult as running an ultra-marathon or benching 300 lbs.  If you wanna be as tough and strong as the greatest champion athlete, embrace the ability to let go. A Zen proverb reads, “Nothing on earth can overcome an absolutely non-resistant person.”

3. Squeeze a clump of sand

“Time is like a handful of sand- the tighter you grasp it, the faster it runs through your fingers.”  Anonymous

Next time you’re at the beach or in a playground, grab a clump of sand in your hand. Squeeze it really hard and watch the sand shoot out from between your fingertips. Notice that when your hand grip is relaxed, you’re better able to handle the clump of sand. The point being sometimes trying too hard doesn’t work. By putting a container of sand by a rabid sport’s fan favorite TV set, you can remind him that screaming, shouting, and riding the highs and lows of wins and losses is counter-productive to what really matters…an underlying sense of contentment knowing that the loved ones are happy and healthy…and that life will go on even if the dreaded Steelers are champions.

• I’m Yours Jason Mraz
• you don’t know how it feels Tom petty
• Pass the Dutchie Musical Youth
• Mellow Mood Bob Marley & The Wailers
• All Day and All Night Jakob Dylan
• Fortress around Your Heart Sting
• Stay Human Michael Franti
• Fire on the Mountain Grateful Dead
• Across The Universe John Butler Trio
• F-Stop Blues Jack Johnson
• One with the Sun Norah Jones
• I Am A Rock Simon & Garfunkel
• Isolation John Lennon

* I’m a fair weather Cardinals fan but a fan nonetheless after living for 7 years in Phoenix
**I struggle with all of the above and am trying to talk myself through the Cardinals loss and the injury to Lakers star Andrew Bynum. Bad weekend and I’m hurting