One Degree of Separation

Watching the Red Sox victory on television on Sunday night and then standing amongst the crowd on Boylston Street in the Back Bay Fens at noon yesterday, watching the "Rolling Rally" of Red Sox players and their families, along with Red Sox coaches, managers, owners and other staff wave to the crowds and shoot confetti into the air, one couldn't help but feel pure joy and exhilaration. The positive energy in the city was more than apparent and the genuine happiness people felt reverberated throughout the day. It was cause for celebration! And for the most part, it really brought out the best in people. Seeing people come together was actually very touching.

But it also got me thinking. What separates the winners from the losers? What decides who revels in victory and who wallows in the despair of defeat? Well, as anybody who follows sports can tell you, sometimes what separates the winner from the loser is less than one second; think of an Olympic race, whether it be swimming, biking or running. The difference in time between the Gold, Silver and Bronze and the competitors who receive no medal at all, is usually very little.

You can use this analogy in life as well. What factor decides who gets the promotion and who doesn't? What factor decides who wins the bid and who doesn't? What determines who wins the scholarship and who doesn't? Sometimes, the difference is just one small thing, that makes the big difference. That is why it is important to always do our best. If we truly want something, genuinely want it, then the Universe will conspire to help us achieve it. But we do have to work for it. We must put forth our best effort. We can't slack off, then expect a big payoff. Big effort, big results. Whenever you're working toward something you really want, remember this:

TO GET WHAT WE'VE NEVER HAD

WE MUST DO WHAT WE'VE NEVER DONE

As the following 2-minute movie will demonstrate, at 211 degrees, water is merely hot. But at 212 degrees, water is BOILING. One degree, big difference!




For photos from the Red Sox's Rolling Rally through the streets of Boston CLICK HERE

For more inspirational movies CLICK HERE