Rivalry...

What a great word! It's a word closely associated with bravery, passion, and heroism. Wow! Can you feel it? It's like being alive, free, fearless.

Rivalry, in some way, keeps the earth balanced. It enables us to experience the euphoric sensation of ultimate victory. Man, is there a better feeling on earth? However, as you know, a true rivalry isn't complete without defeat. It also ensures us that we know the utter shock and subsequent pain of loss. The agony can be crippling.

Over the years, I've been asked on numerous occasions if I think the world is coming to an end. Frequently, I would dismiss the thought of such a question. Absolutely not! However, as I have observed our little planet, I'm starting to think otherwise. Perhaps this really is the beginning of the end.

Why the change? Great question.

Come to the observation deck. Look around. What do you see? Or a better question. What do you fail to see? If you're like me, you become a bit frightened by the lack of balance on Mother Earth. It's seems as though that which kept her level and spinning has suddenly disappeared into thin air. How could this happen? How do we capture it again? Where do we find it?

Let's begin our search "back in the day"... the 80's. Rivals were everywhere to be found. The Lakers vs. The Celtics. USC vs. Notre Dame. Georgia vs. Florida. Hagler vs. Hearns. Marino vs. Montana. Maverick vs. Iceman. Biff vs. McLFy. Michael vs. Madonna. J.R. vs. Bobby. Def Leppard vs. Poison. Coke vs. Pepsi. My personal favorite- The Midnight Express vs. The Rock and Roll Express. The Braves vs. themselves. You get the point.

Rivalry was a way of life. It wasn't just on a national level. In our local towns and communities, look what happened when rivals would compete. The place was a buzz with excitement, anticipation, and stories of legend from older generations. There's nothing quite like it really. Rivalry has a way of uniting people from all walks of life. Rivalry is at the core of humanity. It's foundational for survival.

As you look across the landscape today- do you see the difference? The past few decades have produced only a few great rivals. Instead, as a society, we've moved beyond rivalry to a place of superior domination. Names such as Lance, Tiger, and Federer only prove this point.

Here's to reclaiming rivals and in the process helping Earth survive another day. Waycross... here's to saving the city. Bring back the rivalry for goodness sake. Bells need to be hidden, mascots need to be stolen, and schools need to be painted!