Lessons from the Super Bowl

If you're like me, then you were quite surprised by the results of Super Bowl LI. Last night for the first time in years, I actually watched the Super Bowl from start to finish. My home team, the Atlanta Falcons, made it to the Big Game and they were ready to take it all the way and win it.

Yesterday brought back so many memories from when I was younger, watching them in playoff games and even coming close to winning the Super Bowl back in 1999. And just like back then, I was disappointed last night after the Falcons lost 34-28.

Now I'm not a die hard sports fan and I don't really keep up with who is winning and who is loosing, but I have to admit that I was very excited for the Falcons and the city of Atlanta. I really felt like it was our time. But alas, it was not. My husband and I were talking this morning and we still can't figure out exactly what happened and why after three leading quarters, they slowed down and let the Patriots catch up and take the game. But, I know this: it's not over.

The truth of the matter is that the Falcons had an unbelievable season and that cannot be denied. After years and years of being the underdog, they proved themselves and made it back to the Super Bowl.

So what does last night's game teach us?

• No matter what, don't give up on your dreams. The Falcons will have a chance to do it all again next season just like all the other teams. And because of their strong defense, I believe that they have a great chance of making it to Super Bowl LII. Setbacks and failures always have something to teach us and we should take those lessons and use them for the next time around. That's how we become successful.
• The Falcons still won in some regard. Even though the Atlanta Falcons weren't the champions last night, they still made history. For the first time ever, there was overtime in a Super Bowl game. There were players who have only been with the team a year or two who got to participate in the biggest game in football. The Falcons' head coach, Dann Quinn, lead his team to the Super Bowl after only two years in his position. That is some serious leadership and there are great takeaways from the game even though they did not win.
• If things don't work out they way you want them to, try again. Plain and simple. If you want something in life, go for it. And just because things don't fall into place like you needed them to, relationships are put through the ringer or you have to completely scratch your original idea and start over, you shouldn't give up. It could be the very next time that you try that ends up being the exact outcome you hoped for and more.

While the loss still stings a little right now, the Atlanta Falcons have shown us that determination and hard work can get you very far even if the results aren't what we hoped. Today, I encourage you to Rise Up and keep going. You never know where your next move may lead you.