Super Possibilities!

29 Nov 2013

Super Possibilities!

Posted by with 0 Comments in scars

$1,000,000,000 ($1 BILLION)!  A conservative estimate of what will be spent on ticket sales, corporate advertising and  other activities during the super bowl.

I bring this up because last night we were having dinner with some dear friends and the topic came up regarding of how much money is spent on sporting events, entertainment and paid to the athletes and entertainers, but yet so many of our schools, communities and other organizations just don’t seem to have enough resources.

These salaries and incomes would not be possible without the support of millions of people, so it seems the public is okay with all of the money going to these enterprises.  After all, without us it wouldn’t be possible.

Unfortunately, at the end of the conversation we concluded that this is just the way it is.  Well, before bed I was watching the news for the next day’s weather and there happened to be a report regarding the super bowl: ticket prices and the price being paid for a 30 second ad during the super bowl.  It got me thinking about our conversation and how this weekend is the ultimate example of what we had been discussing.  It stuck with me and my mind has been preoccupied with it ever since.

It’s too early to be sure what the average price for a ticket to the game will be, but let’s assume $3000 (yes it looks like it will somewhere in that range) and the cost of a 30 second ad is $3,000,000 ($3 MILLION for 30 seconds!).  So 95,000 people at the game and 36 ads during the 3 hour game and you have $393,000,000 spent on just tickets and national advertising.  This figure doesn’t include costs to travel to the game, lodging, concession sales at the game, team logo items (jerseys etc.), parties around the country and special events being held.  Last year an estimated 106,000,000 million people watched the super bowl.  If there was an average of just $5 spent per person on food, drink, travel and other items this is another $530,000,000!  So, a conservative estimate of money spent this weekend is $923,000,000!  That right, that’s almost a BILLION dollars, conservatively!  It’s not just an incredible investment of money.  What about the time involved?  If 108 million people spend just 3 hours watching the game that’s 324,000,000 hours in one day!  This doesn’t count travel time, pre and post game activities or the time spent on preparation for the game (millions of additional hours we won’t even consider).

So, you might ask, why am I telling you all this?  What’s the point?  Well, if we as a nation can spend this amount of money on a football game, why are so many needs not met?  Where do our priorities really lie?  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m going to a super bowl party and will be watching the game too.  But if we are able to spend this amount of time and money one day a year for a football game, why can we not find the same time and money for something positive?  I know a lot of us already give our time and money (including some of the companies that advertise on Sunday).  The question is how difficult would it really be to do a lot more?  What would happen if there was the same amount of hype and excitement over helping others!?  What could be accomplished with an additional BILLION dollars ($1,000.000,000) and 324,000,000 volunteer hours if they were dedicated to helping others?  Think about it, how difficult has it been to find the time and money for super bowl Sunday?  It really is about our priorities and what we value.

This isn’t meant to make anyone feel bad about watching the game, supporting their favorite team or going to a party.  I’m doing all the same things.  But if we are able to find the extra time and money for this,  can we not do the same thing in helping others?  I realize organizing a super volunteer day wouldn’t be nearly as popular, but just think, what if?  Wouldn’t that be an amazing day?  It could be life changing for so many (not just those being helped but for everyone helping!).  Even if we spread out the time and money throughout the year it would be 887,000 additional volunteer hours a day and $2,739,000 a day!  We often ask why the world isn’t different?  Well, one thing I know for sure, it isn’t because it lacks the possibility to be different.

Let’s start with our own lives and begin to make the difference.  Wouldn’t it be great if some day we have a super volunteer Sunday just as successful as super bowl Sunday?!  Enjoy the game.

You’re Not Alone!

Tim