If you don’t follow hockey, then you might not know that a big win happened here in Chicago this week. For the third time in six years and the first time in over 70 years on home ice, the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup championship trophy.
Of course winning your sport’s highest honor is on every athlete’s bucket list. But for one Blackhawk in particular, Monday’s win was especially sweet and how his teammates recognized and honored his dream is something that should inspire us all.
40-year-old Kimmo Timonen is ending his 17-year career after this season due to struggles with blood clots in his lungs and legs. Even though he only joined the Blackhawks a few months ago, he is so well respected by his teammates and his dream of hoisting the Stanley Cup (finally, after so many years in the NHL) so appreciated, that he was the first one team captain Jonathan Toews handed the cup to after receiving it. And after Timonen’s lap around the ice with it, his teammates urged him to hold it a little longer.
There is something powerful about watching another person realize a life goal. Imagine the satisfaction you can gain from helping them achieve it. I believe the Stanley Cup win was made more meaningful for the entire team because of Timonen’s dream and his chance to see it come true before he skates off the ice as a pro for the last time.
What we can learn from this when it comes to bucket list living is to ask ourselves, who needs my help to reach their life longings? How can I be a part of making dreams come true for someone else? If you are looking for a way to express your love or admiration for someone, consider how supporting them like the Blackhawks supported Timonen could communicate your devotion.
Rumor has it that Toews wanted to eschew the tradition that dictates the team captain is to hoist the trophy first, and instead send Timonen out for it. Would you be willing to sacrifice your privileges to make someone’s bucket list experience even better?
