I just heard an interesting interview.
The interviewer, Nachum Segal (‘JM in the AM’ on WFMU) was speaking with Alan Veingrad, a former NFL Offensive Lineman (AlanVeingrad.com). After retiring from professional football, Mr. Veingrad became observant, which makes for an interesting story.
Mr. Veingrad related that he had recently visited San Diego, and gone to lunch with an old NFL buddy named Rich Moran, who isn't Jewish. After two hours at lunch, Alan realized that it was getting late, and that he'd need to break for the daily afternoon service (known as Mincha).
Somewhat apologetically, he began to explain his need to interrupt their get-together in order to recite a post-meal prayer, and then for his prayer service.
Rich Moran understandingly looked him the eye and said "That's your program" - referring to the fact that NFL players have a disciplined program, which they must follow 'to a T' in order to be in shape for their 'big games'. And, as Alan Veingrad related to the interviewer, Mr. Moran was absolutely correct.
Simply speaking: Alan found a new ‘program’: Jewish observance.
NFL players have a ‘program’; shouldn’t we all?
We all have lives, so we should all have goals. We’re all created for a purpose, a destiny; so, in a sense, we’re all preparing for a ‘big game’: The actualization of our potential.
And like any ‘big game’, life requires a ‘program’.
But we need to choose, to voluntarily accept, a program. Alan Veingrad had a coach cracking the whip; I need to find internal discipline. If I can accept the goal, and accept the need for a program, then I’m poised to actually follow my program.
For example:
The High Holidays are just thirty days away. That’s a ‘big game’.
If we are to mine the High Holidays for their real potential, if we are to make them into transformative days, we need some preliminary work.
And what’s most important is our inner posture. Do I want to be who I can be? Do I accept the need for a program (at whatever level)? It’s a serious question, and it may take thirty days to answer.
But it’s a ‘big game’ and any ‘big game’ is worth the training.