Hoops

This morning millions of NCAA March Madness brackets have been or are in the process of being thrown away, thanks to Harvard's unexpected 98-92 upset win over Utah in the first round of the NCAA tournament.  The outcome was totally, wholly unanticipated.  The Crimson, claiming the Ivy League's guaranteed berth, were expected to play gamely, lose, and go home.  Instead, they get to advance to the next round, knowing that even if they lose their next game, they're still, as trite as it may sound, winners.

Losers as winners?  How?

It's all a matter of perspective.  How we see things, how we understand the state of affairs, how we approach the moment shape our perceptions.  Hopefully, this is something we've experienced during this Lenten season.  Repentance and reformation can seem like hard, unpleasant work.  But they can also provide an opening into a new way of being, to renewal.  Pain can indeed lead to gain.

I'm not counting on Harvard winning it's next game, but I'll still cheer on my team.  It's not just a loyalty thing, it's a perspective thing, too.

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