Many A True Word

22 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , , ,

Robbie Di MatteoAs a lifelong Chelsea fan, I have been rather upset (understatement of the century alert) at the debacle that has unfolded over the last forty eight hours. The manner in which Chelsea manager, and long time crowd favourite, Roberto Di Matteo was dismissed has left a very bitter taste in the mouth of many fans.

To compound the hurt, it now transpires, that the Chelsea board and Mr Abramovic, have appointed ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez as a short term replacement. Now anyone who follows football will know that Red and Blue doesn’t mix well in football terms, and Chelsea and Liverpool have a long and rather angry history between the clubs.

If that were not reason enough to preclude Benitez’s appointment, there are a number of well documented statements, made by Benitez during his time at Liverpool, which suggest that he will have a rough ride during his time with the club, starting with his opening game in charge, against Premiership Champions Manchester City, this coming weekend.

I can hear the mutterings from here. What has any of this to do with Buddhism? Well let us see. As Buddhists, we are responsible for every one of our thoughts, words and deeds, and for the effects those actions may have at some point in the future.

Words are like weapons if we use them in the wrong way. They can permanently injure people and relationships. They can destroy years of trust in a single second and set friend against friend. Very much like weapons, once said, they cannot be unsaid again in an attempt to remedy any resulting damage.

So, before you are tempted to load your next salvo of hurtful words, think what the long term consequences might be. Imagine how you might feel if those same words were the last you ever said to someone. Sometimes it is better to keep your thoughts to yourself and let the angry words drift away unsaid. You can never, ever, take them back.

Victory From The Jaws Of Defeat

12 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Chelsea FCOn a very wet and windy night in west London, my life-long team Chelsea have tonight snatched a fantastic victory from the jaws of what seemed, early on, a horrible defeat. Having gone a goal down, inside two minutes, to a wonderfully gifted Manchester City side, Chelsea clawed their way back into the game and drew level ten minutes before half time.

Manchester City, the only Premiership side to remain unbeaten until tonight, looked every part the league leaders in the first thirty minutes, but Chelsea stayed strong and gradually took the upper hand. Determination, as well as strength, skill and energy saw them push the Manchester side back into their own third for long stretches of the second half. Then, with a renewed vigour, Ramires sprinted onto a through ball, only to be fouled by Gael Clichy, who, having been earlier shown a yellow card, was sent off.

The game changed in the instant, with Chelsea pressing for a winner against the ten men of City. Having the lions share of possession, Chelsea attacked in wave after wave, and were finally rewarded when Julian Lescott handled a shot from Sturridge in the area, and were awarded a penalty.

Frank Lampard, who has been forced to sit out the last couple of games as a substitute, and who had come on only minutes earlier, kept his nerve and scored a priceless winner past the current England keeper Joe Harte.

So a victory for Chelsea, lifting them to third in the league. But more importantly a lesson, how to gain a victory through determination, through wisdom, courage and skill. A victory over the set back of going a goal down, and the reward for never giving up. I have a big smile on my face as I write this, but it is a good lesson for us all. When things go against us, we must dig deep, focus on our own abilities, use all our inner strength to go on, despite the odds, and triumph in the face of defeat.