Liberty's Blog: On What really Matters

Sunday, February 06, 2005

On What really Matters

Well, Once again its Superbowl Sunday, once again the New England Patriots are playing and I'm pretty excited and will be cheering on the Pats and enjoying the game just like so many Americans. Still, in the grand scheme of life and human events its just not so important, it is just game after all. Northstar reminds us in his tribute to Max Shmelling who died Wednesday. Schmelling's life story reminds us that it is life we live that is important, and that sport is just a game afterall.

Schmeling resisted all efforts of the Nazi regime to link itself to him. During the later stages of the war, Schmeling even assisted Jewish friends in escaping the death Camps. After the war, he became a symbol of the new Germany, one determined not to be defined by it’s Nazi past. Nonetheless, Schmeling was not one to try to forget the past, either. He understood his legacy as a heavyweight champion, and while he was more than willing to share his knowledge and experience with later generations of boxers, he refused to be defined by his past. To his credit, Schmeling will be remembered as much for the quality and depth of his life as for his boxing career. Germany, and the world, is a poorer place for his passing on.

I will watch the game tonight and will cheer for the team I momentarily perceive as the good guys. After its over though regardless of who wins its important to remember that its still just a game, and the real importance is how we actually live our lives.

GO PATS