The recent excitement about the World Cup has been very intriguing to me, in a good way. Although I played some soccer in my youth, the sport really hasn't been of much interest to me, admittedly. Not for any "reason" really. I suppose that with a football and basketball fanatic husband, I have been unconsciously molded to focus on the Colts and Pacers and, then of course, with my hobby of fitness and running I believe I have felt well fulfilled with sports spectating and participation.

However, as many, I jumped on the fair weathered band wagon this year as the US soccer team progressed into the round of sixteen of the Cup. I worked for the first hour of playoff the game so, when I came home I watched the last 30 minutes with my husband as I checked emails and whatnot. But it wasn't long before my full attention was on that game! First of all, the electricity and intensity of soccer spectators is, by a landslide, unprecedented. It was eye opening to me. You would be hard pressed to find one single fan not donned in their country's flag or painted head to toe screaming as if their life was on the line. Forget the occasional "crazy" fan you might see at an NFL game. . . .Every. Single. One.

As I continued to watch the game, it became nail biting even for my original "uninterested" self; I started noticing other aspects of this event. As I previously mentioned, used to US professional sports teams, I am always used to the "trash talk" while opposing team fans are seated near each other. . . .let's say it isn't a pretty sight. I was amazed when the camera would pan the crowd, countries spanning the globe, fans slathered in either USA/Belgium decor; don't get me wrong they were all screaming their heads off, but weren't bashing each other in any way.

As the game progressed, not to mention watching the amazing Tim Howard (world record goal saves) keeping us from not losing 20-0, I began to notice more of this same solidarity within the players. For example, one player from Belgium kicked a severely fast ball into a US player's face. The US player went down, and IMMEDIATELY the Belgian fell to his knee to see if he was okay and stayed there until it was sure that the affected player was okay. This is just one example; scenarios like this went on and on. Pleasantly surprised because of what I am used to seeing.

After the sore loss by the US (but well-played) game, we watched the game review. Commentators from several languages, with translators, flowed through the television (this event isn't only in English?!!! How DARE they!). What kept resonating with me that with all the differences in cultures and ideals is the raw humanity in it all.

Every four years, whether it is the Summer/Winter Olympics or the World Cup, the world gets together to celebrate sport and all of the physical and emotional benefits it provides. Iran, Ghana, Korea, etc.; if you were an alien in outer space during this time you would think we had the perfect world! Unfortunately not "true" but it portrays that at these times that the world is holding hands (if even in a short time) in a competitive but also unifying way which makes me feel that only a small few create the larger problems that we have amongst each other. Regardless, no matter what gender, ethnicity, age, ideals, religion etc. . . the ONLY thing no one can debate is that each and every one of us has one thing in common; we are all humans. That is refreshing and something to always remember and at certain times to be reminded of. If only it could be more often. I truly feel that these types of events bring the world more close together. Bitter sweet.