Non-Baylor friend, via text message:
"Sorry bout the loss dude. That sucks."
Oh, you have NO idea, "friend." You have no idea.
If only we had made that field goal earlier in the game...
If only he hadn't committed that facemask penalty...
If only that kick wasn't blocked...
If only we had more time...
If only...
If..
Man, that was exhausting, huh? Let's stop playing "coulda, shoulda" and just get right into the full-on pity party, whaddya say?
Great, so now the B1G will rub this in our faces for at LEAST a year...
Great, so now TCU will get all the respect in our conference...
Great, so we're on a losing streak with bowl games...
Great, so Art thinks it was an "embarrassment"?...
Great, so Petty gets to end on THAT sour note...
Great...just great...
Great. Got that out of your system? I understand. Trust me - I was outside the doors of the AT&T Stadium dancing for joy promptly before seeing the Bears hand over a 20-point lead to send our winningest senior class home with something they hadn't seen often: a loss.
It felt bitter. It felt poetic. And it was NOT the way I planned on celebrating my New Year.
So I did what I always do in these situations - set to work finding songs that would help me bounce back. I hope you enjoy this "Lyrical Letter" from @BoyMeetsBaylor, in which I take songs that speak to this feeling and can get us back on the right track. (Bonus points if you can guess the songs and artists before scrolling down to find the answers)
As always, you can access the playlist on Spotify or on Youtube. And as always, I hope you enjoy my newest Lyrical Letter...
"Sorry bout the loss dude. That sucks."
Oh, you have NO idea, "friend." You have no idea.
If only we had made that field goal earlier in the game...
If only he hadn't committed that facemask penalty...
If only that kick wasn't blocked...
If only we had more time...
If only...
If..
Man, that was exhausting, huh? Let's stop playing "coulda, shoulda" and just get right into the full-on pity party, whaddya say?
Great, so now the B1G will rub this in our faces for at LEAST a year...
Great, so now TCU will get all the respect in our conference...
Great, so we're on a losing streak with bowl games...
Great, so Art thinks it was an "embarrassment"?...
Great, so Petty gets to end on THAT sour note...
Great...just great...
Great. Got that out of your system? I understand. Trust me - I was outside the doors of the AT&T Stadium dancing for joy promptly before seeing the Bears hand over a 20-point lead to send our winningest senior class home with something they hadn't seen often: a loss.
It felt bitter. It felt poetic. And it was NOT the way I planned on celebrating my New Year.
So I did what I always do in these situations - set to work finding songs that would help me bounce back. I hope you enjoy this "Lyrical Letter" from @BoyMeetsBaylor, in which I take songs that speak to this feeling and can get us back on the right track. (Bonus points if you can guess the songs and artists before scrolling down to find the answers)
As always, you can access the playlist on Spotify or on Youtube. And as always, I hope you enjoy my newest Lyrical Letter...
THE 4 SONGS TO HELP YOU COPE WITH THE COTTON BOWL BLUES
I dare you to move, I dare you to move /
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor /
I dare you to move, I dare you to move /
Like today never happened /
Today never happened before /
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor /
I dare you to move, I dare you to move /
Like today never happened /
Today never happened before /
1. Switchfoot -
"Dare You To Move"
The phrase "put a mile between you and your troubles" does not mean to lace up your jogging shoes and ditch your final exams. It refers to an ancient art in Daoist peacekeeping and Native American living that we today are really, REALLY bad at. How do you sum up this forgotten art?
Simple: Fill your mind with greater things.
This is more than just "forgetting about it," and not intended to be "running from your issues" (despite the phrase's implication). It means intentionally seeking out challenges or sources of joy that will put the rest of the world in perspective. It brings peace through a proper view.
For disappointed football fans, I suggest taking a look at our already-greatly improved men's basketball team and their always-dominant female counterpart. There's more Green and Gold out there, and it's not gonna cheer for itself.
Lesson #1 - Fill Your Mind With Greater Things.
Simple: Fill your mind with greater things.
This is more than just "forgetting about it," and not intended to be "running from your issues" (despite the phrase's implication). It means intentionally seeking out challenges or sources of joy that will put the rest of the world in perspective. It brings peace through a proper view.
For disappointed football fans, I suggest taking a look at our already-greatly improved men's basketball team and their always-dominant female counterpart. There's more Green and Gold out there, and it's not gonna cheer for itself.
Lesson #1 - Fill Your Mind With Greater Things.
"Fuel to the flame that I train with and travel with /
Something in my eyes say I'm so close to having the prize /
I realize I'm supposed to reach for the skies /
Never let somebody try to tell you otherwise."
Something in my eyes say I'm so close to having the prize /
I realize I'm supposed to reach for the skies /
Never let somebody try to tell you otherwise."
2. THE ROOTS FT. JOHN LEGEND – "THE FIRE"
For the failures in your life, remember this - your trial and downfalls WILL shape who you are. Every loss brings us closer to the amazing individuals we were DESTINED to become because, for a split-second, we actually take a freakin' second to listen to our shortcomings and limitations.
We're not immortal. Nobody is. In these rare moments, when we fall short, THAT'S our desperate chance to become better. Nobody knows it better than athletes, and Art Briles can testify to it. Petty will be fine as he gets snagged up for the pros - let's cheer him and our other seniors on and support our Bears as they get prepped for yet ANOTHER run at the Big 12 title...and maybe something more.
Lesson #2 - Failure Is The Fire That Builds Champions.
We're not immortal. Nobody is. In these rare moments, when we fall short, THAT'S our desperate chance to become better. Nobody knows it better than athletes, and Art Briles can testify to it. Petty will be fine as he gets snagged up for the pros - let's cheer him and our other seniors on and support our Bears as they get prepped for yet ANOTHER run at the Big 12 title...and maybe something more.
Lesson #2 - Failure Is The Fire That Builds Champions.
A"In this time of fear, when prayer so often proves in vain /
Hope seems like the summer birds, too swiftly flown away /
Yet now I'm standing here, my heart so full I can't explain /
Seeking faith and speaking words, I'd never thought I'd say /
There can be miracles, When you believe"
Hope seems like the summer birds, too swiftly flown away /
Yet now I'm standing here, my heart so full I can't explain /
Seeking faith and speaking words, I'd never thought I'd say /
There can be miracles, When you believe"
3. Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston -
"When You Believe"
(From The Prince Of Egypt Soundtrack)
First of all, if you haven't seen this film, then WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE. There. Moving on.
Visualizing success within any field has a direct impact on the energy and focus devoted to that task. This is not just about fighting against negativity and paranoia - it's about preparing yourself for all forms of potential success and then reacting accordingly, regardless of the outcome. Trust me - or read more if you like. Whichever works.
Believe it or not, here we are - BAYLOR UNIVERSITY is a Top-10 Football Program with back-to-back Big 12 Championships (screw Bowlsby's "co" nonsense). With the most respect to our fans, rivals, and players, we should treat our team like a national contender, starting now and continuing until that trophy resides in Waco. I can see it now.
Lesson #3 - Forget The Past. Focus On Future Success.
Finally, to help let go of the Cotton Bowl and move on to greater and greener things, we must conclude with an instant-classic...
Visualizing success within any field has a direct impact on the energy and focus devoted to that task. This is not just about fighting against negativity and paranoia - it's about preparing yourself for all forms of potential success and then reacting accordingly, regardless of the outcome. Trust me - or read more if you like. Whichever works.
Believe it or not, here we are - BAYLOR UNIVERSITY is a Top-10 Football Program with back-to-back Big 12 Championships (screw Bowlsby's "co" nonsense). With the most respect to our fans, rivals, and players, we should treat our team like a national contender, starting now and continuing until that trophy resides in Waco. I can see it now.
Lesson #3 - Forget The Past. Focus On Future Success.
Finally, to help let go of the Cotton Bowl and move on to greater and greener things, we must conclude with an instant-classic...
"Here I stand
In the light of day
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway!"
In the light of day
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway!"
4. Idina Menzel -
"Let It Go"
I was completely, totally kidding about this.
I'm sorry about that.
Moving along...
"Listen to what I say
In life we have some trouble
But when you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy, be happy now"
In life we have some trouble
But when you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy, be happy now"
4. Bobby McFerrin -
"Don't Worry Be Happy"
I can't say much more than the lyrics. Problems will inevitably come our way, but worrying about their dealine or dwelling on their effects will make it harder to handle.
In reality, I added this song because it is the only song in history that has the ability to make you do what it is asking you to do. The accompanying music video has a few cameos to help put the rest of our world in perspective, so if you ever need a now-profoundly persuasive pick-me-up (you'll see once you watch it), then you should check it out.
As for our Bears, I think they're moving on already. We'll have other things to tend to until August rolls back around and take another shot at the national championship. Until then, enjoy some great music, share this article with your friends, and Sic 'em Bears.
Lesson #4 - Lay Worry To Rest, And Let Happiness Be Your Guide.
(Rewatch this and get started on the right track)
In reality, I added this song because it is the only song in history that has the ability to make you do what it is asking you to do. The accompanying music video has a few cameos to help put the rest of our world in perspective, so if you ever need a now-profoundly persuasive pick-me-up (you'll see once you watch it), then you should check it out.
As for our Bears, I think they're moving on already. We'll have other things to tend to until August rolls back around and take another shot at the national championship. Until then, enjoy some great music, share this article with your friends, and Sic 'em Bears.
Lesson #4 - Lay Worry To Rest, And Let Happiness Be Your Guide.
(Rewatch this and get started on the right track)
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