Wanting

There is a difference between wanting something to happen and wanting something to not happen. The difference is significant, though easy to understand, and says a lot about people. Ask yourself how often you use the word "want" and consider the context of your own use. When you want, how often are you desiring something to happen, and how often are you hoping something doesn't happen?

Albeit subtle, this post suggests people who want something to happen tend to be constructive, while people who want something not to happen lean toward destructive and, therefore, unhelpful behavior. The complex world of sports behavior and, particularly, the behavior of the sports fan(atic) serves as a good example.

There are several categories of sports fans, of which four are mentioned here. Specifically, Chicago is the home of two professional baseball teams the Cubs (in the National League) and the White Sox (in the American League.) Now before the Sox fans get a little crazy, the Cubs are mentioned first here only because they are the older of the two teams, providing rationale which is unnecessary for most people. I digress.

First, you have the category of Cubs supporters. Second, you have the WORLD CHAMPION White Sox ("world" meaning, of course, the United States plus one team playing out of Canada.) Two subcategories of Cubs supporters include those fans who also support, although to a lesser degree, the Sox and, on the other hand, those fans who hate the South Siders. The Sox have parallel subcategories, those who don't care if the Cubs win or lose, as long as they are not playing their beloved White Sox and, on the other hand, those who absolutely despise the North Siders and hope they lose every friggin' game.

If you're still reading this post, thank you. The end is soon.

There is great fun in being around people who are pulling for their team. It is not fun, in fact at times annoying, listening to people harp about how much they hope the other team loses. Last night's college football championship had a little flavor in this area. Not only were there USC and UT supporters, but also USC bashers and UT haters. The first two categories of fans keep a party constructive. The latter two breed a gathering about to go wrong. (Editorially, those who follow the New York Yankees and Notre Dame sports epitomize these distinctions.)

Victory is admirable. Prayer for demise is unhealthy, or, at least, just sort of goofy. Look at yourself and around your world, who's wanting what? Who's creating positive energy and who is seeing value in defeat? The difference, as stated earlier, is subtle, but important. Want (and work) for something to happen. Spend less precious energy hoping simply that something doesn't happen. The former produces constructive action. The latter leaves us, well, wanting.