Greetings!,

How dedicated are you top your favorite sports team? When our team does well we talk about how "we" won. When they don't do so well we talk about how "they" lost.

Growing up in Michigan, it sure seemed to be a whole lot of "they" lost. It almost felt like everyone knew S.O.L. stood for Same Old Lions. A loss to the Green Bay Packers this year in week 1 had so many fans feeling like it was days of old, and not the good old days.

I asked how committed you are due to an article I read on my phone this past week from brobible.com. To quote the article:

"Ultra runner and gym owner Chase Bandolik posted a video on TikTok prior to the Bears-Lions game pledging to run one mile for every point that Chicago lost by. A man of his word, after the Bears got crushed by the Lions he went out and started running."

If we take this beyond sports, humans have a need to be part of something. According to Psychologytoday.com, below are 4 benefits of being part of a group or team:

1) Group Identity Has Benefits. Belonging to a group and feeling identified with those in that group is an important aspect of our identity and sense of self. In fact, having a strong sense of group identity can actually help buffer us when we feel wronged or attacked.

2) Purpose. Our group identity often gives us a sense of common purpose around the pursuit of common goals. 

3) Support. We are not only more likely to get support from people within our "tribe," but we are likely to experience their support as more valuable and more meaningful. This happens because we believe fellow "tribe members" are more likely to truly "get" how we feel so their support and validation resonates on a deeper level than support offered by those who are not members of our "tribe."

4) Battling Loneliness. Joining a group of people who share a common interest or purpose can jump start efforts to enhance our social connections. Not only are we more likely to feel a greater affinity for people who share our purpose or passion but such a group is also more likely to accept us and welcome us because of this common connection. 

I think of this in various ways. Such as, if we travel internationally we feel close to others from our country. If in our country, others from our state, and so on. Even going to a pub to watch a game we can feel an identity with those wearing the same jersey as the team we are rooting for.

So while we may not have to run 31 miles the next time the Lions win a game, remember if they are "we" when they win, they are still we when they lose.

As always, thanks for reading.



Bernie & Chad