New Life

If the Boys of 501 aren't talking Scott Machado's questionable shot selection late in games, Figaro bracelets, or Sam Adams specials at Dud's, it's likely we're discussing the potential for a New Life.

New Life began simply as yours truly opening up the blinds in our Orlando hotel room allowing a beaming stream of Florida sunlight to batter the weary eyelids of a sleepy JoJack. Since then, these two simple words have transformed into what we hope is a world-wide phenomenon...a "Bucket List" of sorts.

Consider for a moment how often you heard these words as a child, "You can be anything you want when you grow up." It was proclaimed by your parents, teachers, maybe even your local parish priest in his weekly sermon. And now consider how many of those dreams have been dashed...sure some were ridiculous, you were never going to make it in the NFL or NBA, but what about something more commonplace like a well-paying job at a financial firm in Manhattan.

Sometimes New Life can be a little more humorous...consider Matthew offering to take Coach Calhoun down to the media room for a few pepperoni slices (certainly this would have been a You Tube sensation...hence folks, young Matthew would have established a New Life). Now maybe that shot at New Life would have been met with, "Get some facts, I don't like pepperoni!" or maybe, just maybe, it would have turned into a life long friendship between the man from DP and the man who f*cked up on Mr. Gomes.

Sometimes New Life can be dark...take the countless evil people this world has known...the Charles Manson's and the Hitler's...was this simply a case of a New Life gone horribly wrong?

Did Tiger Woods wake up one day years ago...look at his wife, his two children, his countless trophies, his millions upon millions of dollars, his unparalleled fame...and wish for a New Life?

I admire those people who one day just decide to get up and drive to Cali, or fly to Europe and start a New Life. I'd like to speak to those people and ask them what their breaking point was, how they felt comfortable leaving their families and friends, did they ever question whether they were making the right move?

Every single second of your day is an opportunity for New Life...why do some take it while others prefer to live the life most are expected (married, 2 kids, house in the suburbs, job that you don't hate, but don't like, church on Sundays, Grandma over for dinner once a week). And understand that I don't begrudge those who opt for the simple life, I just question when and where their dreams fell apart, or perhaps, that life was indeed the dream?

I saw a license plate on a mini-van (of all cars, one that screams I live the common life!) the other day as I drove to work.

Its message was simple, yet so challenging...JSTGO4IT