Human Thoughts in a Silicon Valley Life

While busy building a startup, creating another innovative product, and networking in this amazing Silicon Valley and its extended social media reach, something was brewing outside of my “normal” world: controversy around religion and sports.  Big time.

I had no idea who this Tim Tebow was until last week, when at a birthday party, all us “boys” were hanging out watching the Steelers v. Broncos game, while all the ladies chatted away and the children enjoyed this rare moment of “freedom” (plus a sweet jumping house). 

Now the game is tied, goes to overtime, and the “real” conversation starts… is God involved in the NFL. Then I had a sudden and healthy dose of Tebow talk from everyone around me. 

Apparently his faith and overt demonstrations of his religious beliefs get people talking… a lot … aaaaand taking funny pictures of themselves Tebowing. 

But as you can see in the picture above, athletes have been thanking God for their accomplishments forever, so why is Tebow now the center of all attention around this topic?

Is God Really “Playing” With Us?

Then it happened: I witnessed the “miraculous” win in overtime… 316 yards of completed passes. Coincidence? Well, it doesn’t matter, does it? Some will take it as a sign and believe in a higher power, while others will laugh it out and disregard. Faith is a personal choice and comes from our ability to decide whether you believe or not… a.k.a. “free will”.

What is impressive to me is the amount of chatter, content (both on the love and hate side), and reach, this individual has generated. One thing is certain: Tim Tebow’s public demonstrations of his believe in Jesus has reignited the conversation about God’s role in our lives. 

And the big question arises: is God behind all this? Again, the answer does not matter.  What matters is what this means to each one of us.  This is where your personal journey is more important than what other people think (or what the media writes). 

And then something really interesting happened: several people (on both sides of the argument) reached out to me afterwards to make sure I knew God had (or had not) His hands in this.

Believing Drives Action. Action Leads to Accomplishments.

Whether you believe in a higher power or not, are on the Tebow-train, or simply want nothing to do with the topic, you will probably agree with me on this: his unwavering and unequivocal believe that his accomplishments are a gift from God drives him to take action, and his actions have led him to success. 

That’s why he thanks Him every time something amazing happens. 

Most people are externally motivated…. they expect somebody to “show them the way”.  This is how we, as a nation, elected the only candidate that had promised “HOPE” and “CHANGE”.  However, the most successful people in business, sports, and life are those guided by a “higher power”, internally motivated to find their vocation, reach their goals and ultimately do good to others.

This is why people hate on Tebow: no faith or internal motivation of their own that leads them to be on the offensive of those who have it… why? because it justifies them.

So whether you think God is involved or not, who cares?!?  Instead, you should be asking: What does it mean to you? and where are you finding the source of inspiration and drive, to take action, accomplish your goals, and do good.

Personally, I’m glad children and adults have a great Christian athlete to look up to, showing us how believing in God and oneself can help you move mountains.

Serendipitously, I and my two children just met the parents of Emily Bordallo, the 25-year old woman that was killed in a car accident three days ago, becoming the first fatality of the year in San Jose, CA. We were trying to re-light a few candles that had subsided to the chilly and humid morning dew of Silicon Valley winters.  Two strangers told us to not worry about it, and quietly mentioned they were the parents of the young woman in the fatal accident. 

I offered my condolences among hugs and tears as well as any help we could give them. I had been worried about what parents must suffer through when a child is taken away from their lives in such a tragic and sudden way. The dad looked at my daughter and lovingly told her to never speed and be careful when riding her bike or driving a car when she grows up.  The mom told us she finds solace in knowing her daughter had a very good life.  My son noticed our sadness and told me in the car once we were on our way to school: “Dad, I know you are all sad, but I wasn’t that much”. I asked why, he responded “because she is in heaven”. He told me this with the unwavering conviction of a saint.

I wish we adults weren’t so cynic about death sometimes.

I never met Emily, but after meeting her parents and reading the comments people who knew her had to say, I wish I had, and I hope my children grow up to be the same kind of generous, happy, selfish people she was a fine example of.

May she rest in peace, and her soul be in heaven.