What We Do Today Is What Matters Most: Life Lessons Learned at the Super Bowl® by Michael Kennedy

Recently I had the thrill of attending the Super Bowl® in Miami, Florida. An incredible journey and experience to say the least, but even more so that the team that I regularly work for was involved.

As the clock ticked down my phone started buzzing and buzzing and buzzing. First cohorts, then friends, then family. If you watched the game you know why; if you didn’t let’s just say it was a nail biter to the end and, unfortunately, my team was on the losing end. Most people were congratulatory for just being there and cheering us on for a great season, but there was also some lighthearted ribbing, as expected. And then it was my turn to make a call ... to my children.

What was I going to say to them and what life lessons can possibly be extracted after being defeated on one of the biggest stages and audiences the world has to offer? Trying to be a good father and say the right things was a little difficult at this junction, as I knew this memory would stay with them for a long time to come and this call definitely had some magnification. What was the right thing to say when the sting was so real, the loss so fresh and the outcome so deflating?

I could only mentally muster one quote up: 

“Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” – Buddha

Then I realized it didn’t matter how big the stage was, a loss is a loss and a defeat is a defeat no matter what level, form or division of life. Test scores, making teams, auditions, relationships, outcomes in school and outcomes at home and on the field all peak and valley throughout family lives, but picking ourselves up after these tough losses while moving on and moving forward quickly with resilience and a new determination is what I wanted them to take away.

If you get knocked down, dust yourself off and pick yourself up again and start planning for the new day. I explained to the kids that, of course, it was going to sting for a couple of days, but life is not going to wait around much longer for me or the team. You've got to keep going.

Bottom line is I been lucky and blessed to work in the sports and entertainment which I love for many years, but have also had many setbacks and defeats.But to be in the rare air of a playoff or championship of any sorts is magical, let alone the Super Bowl®, so I will savor that and breathe that in for just a minute as well, until tomorrow comes.

Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs, Coach Reid and their tremendous organization on a great win and season.

We’ll be back ... starting tomorrow. Tampa Bay 2021. Let’s do this.

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