With Mayo Clinic oncologist Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

We find it fascinating to think about the powerful suggestions of our digital community. It is obvious that each of us is on a journey and we need the help of our fellow travelers. Let me share another perspective of this situation.

We are approaching Super Bowl Sunday, the big game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. The event is one of the most watched contests in the world.

Each player, each coach, each team administrator is under the blistering microscope of public scrutiny. There are analysts, photo sessions, and media interviews rehashing every conceivable nuance of the game. For each player, every inflection, grimace, or limp is passionately dissected to see if there is some insight as to which team is better prepared.

From past experiences, some teams have withered under this type of coverage and some players are completely unprepared from a psychological standpoint. One veteran coach offered some interesting comments. He simply said in so many words, "We do not let the little things get in the way." I think this is a powerful lesson for life. His comment was to focus on the game, visualize a positive outcome, and do not get distracted with the imponderable demands on time and energy.

In a sense, we too are athletes and performers. We can easily become distracted by the mundane tasks of life which can threaten to grind us down. On the other hand, with a good night's sleep, a few close friends, exercise, and a sense of connectiveness, we are better prepared to weather the storms of life's unfairness. To do this, we need to have a goal; we need to have a focus. If we simply let life happen, we miss the majesty in each day and are ill prepared to reach our goals and find our achievements.

So the Super Bowl will come and go, another champion will be crowned, and a week after the event, many of us will be hard pressed to remember who won. However, what we can reflect upon is the sage advice of a veteran coach: Let's not get distracted by the little things and lose our focus.

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