Iraq is the new Asian Cup Champions! With their nation burning to the ground, the Iraqi national team displayed grit and sheer determination to win the 2007 Asian Cup. The Saudi players played their hearts out too but not nearly as much as the Iraqis. The Iraqis had fire in their eyes. They were determined. They wanted to win so badly as they knew a victory would be a sweet reprieve for their people back at home who are long due for some sort of victory, a feel good factor if you may. And, they did just that. I was cheering them all the way in my living room!
At the time of this entry, there are no terrorist attacks on the celebrating Iraqis anywhere in Iraq. This of course is a relief as hundreds have died in bombings across Iraq while celebrating their team's progress in the tournament.
It seems, every cross section of the Iraqi populace; the Shias from the south and the Kurdish from the north have all come out in jubilation to celebrate this success. Momentarily, animosity has been forgotten. Just for a flickering second, Iraqis would have experienced what their ancient land would be like if they all got their heads and hearts together. Alas, I know that soon enough once the euphoria dies down, Iraqis will get back to their old ways of feuding and giving their oppressors more reasons to stay on.
Just last week a good friend, Tim, whose training program I had the privilege of observing said that the longest distance between any point on this planet is between the head and the heart!How true. What a difference it makes when we see people from our hearts and not with our heads. What a difference it makes when we manage our organizations from the heart. The Iraqis are celebrating right now because they have found in their hearts something to celebrate about. The 'reasons' for their animosity towards each other are still there...in their heads. But, for this few hours at least, their hearts will rule. They will come together. They will rejoice.They will feel one. And, they will get stronger (in football terms).
I often try to get this point across in my various training programs. I have a brand new example to illustrate it now.
Bravo Iraq!
