He stood there and was looking at the roof across the alley. There was some cool stuff over there. He wanted to get over there. Then he looked at the alley itself down below and how deep he could fall, if this could go wrong. It went on like this forever.

Well, I think we’re all sometimes in situations where we need to take a leap. But we hesitate. We don’t keep our eyes on the target for whatever (sometimes even good) reason. Instead, we look at the alley down below and think about what could happen if we risked that leap.

Hesitation is the time of chances not taken. Sometimes we must take chances to go forward. Sometimes we get hurt, but we can always look back and say, we did take the leap.

I feel like that these days. I feel like Marshall standing on top of that roof, looking to make the leap any moment, but every last moment I hesitate again.

In his song “Chances”, solo artist John Ondrasik (Five for Fighting) he sings: “Chances lost are hopes torn up pages”. And he’s right.

Marshall in the end took the leap and so did all the others. With this post, I want to encourage everyone, including myself, to make leaps necessary to get forward on our way to happiness. Because with no steps, a way is not being walked. I wish you all the best on your way, wherever it may lead you.

Let me wrap up with the full lyrics of the song “Chances” by Five for Fighting.

Chances are when said and done
Who’ll be the lucky ones
Who make it all the way?
Though you say I could be your answer
Nothing lasts forever
No matter how it feels today

Chances are we´ll find a new equation
Chances roll away from me
Chances are all they hope to be
Don’t get me wrong I’d never say never
Cause though love can change the weather
No act of God can pull me away from you

I’m just a realistic man
A bottle filled with shells and sand
Afraid to love beyond what I can lose when it comes to you
And though I see us through yeah

Chances are we´ll find two destinations
Chances roll away from me
Still chances are more than expectations
The possibilities…Over me

Eight to five, two to one
Lay your money on the sun
until you crash what have you done?
Is there a better bet than love?
What you are is what you breathe
You gotta cry before you sing
Chances chances

Chances lost are hopes torn up pages, maybe this time
Chances are we´ll be the combination
Chances come and carry me
Chances are waiting to be taken
And I can see

Chances are the fascination
Chances won’t escape from me
Chances are only what we make them
And all I need

Ironically it had to be Spain the ‘Nationalmannschaft’ had to lose to, the same team Germany was defeated by in the EURO 2008 final, giving Spain its first major title since 1982 when they won the European Cup on home soil.

Of course I’m disappointed, but one thing I am not: Hopeless.

Spain clearly are the best team in the world right now. Their march to the final was not a dominant one and didn’t have the spectacular wins that Germany had with their wins over England and Argentina.

But football comes down to a simple equation. The team with the bigger number on the scoreboard wins when the game’s over. And Spain, while winning all their games by only one goal, understood it well to close out games and keep the ball in control.

This is what frustrated me the most, watching the game, but is also the biggest reason to pay respect to Spain’s fantastic team: They just seem to be glued to the ball. They literally control the ball all the time, making it all but completely impossible for their opponents to create opportunities to create plays.

This is not necessarily the most attractive football  to watch, but you can say whatever you want, it is successful. Pay due to Spain’s coach Vincente del Bosque for forming a team that understands this philosophy and putting it into reality on the pitch game in, game out.

As a German, even in this moment of – nonetheless bitter – defeat, I still see great things to come down the road for this young Germany team. And I think many of football’s fans around the globe agree with me after a refreshing display of attractive football by the Germany team this World Cup.

There are players like Özil, Schweinsteiger, Müller that are in their best years or have them yet to come. There is national coach Joachim “Jogi” Löw, who may be the best coach Germany has ever seen.

Remains to say, the future looks bright for this young Germany team. As Franz Beckenbauer said: “This team is four years behind Spain.” Let four years go by and we might just see them go all the way. But even before that, I am looking forward to the next encounter of Europe’s two best teams, possibly as soon as 2012 at the EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

Unfortunately this also was the last World Cup for Miroslav Klose, one of the greatest players Germany ever got to see play in a DFB jersey. The Polish-born Bayern Munich player already stated he’d like the EURO 2012 that is co-hosted in Poland to be hist final tournament for the ‘Nationalmannschaft’.

Also, Michael Ballack won’t have another shot at a World Cup, after he wasn’t able to play in this World Cup due to injury and due to the fact he would be too old for 2014 Brazil. I hope he can have a successful European Cup in two years, to crown his international career with a happy end. He certainly deserves it.

Thanks to a great team, for four weeks of amazing football we got to watch and lots of joy. I’m looking forward to Germany winning third place against Uruguay on Saturday and to the years to come. I’m sure we’ll get plenty of joy out of it. Go Germany and thanks South Africa for a great 2010 World Cup!

Tonight should have been the night. But since Thursday we all know this won’t happen. Instead, the “NBA Playoffs” logos will be removed from the court of American Airlines Center and another long offseason is about to start.

We all know what happened. The Mavs had three chances to win a game in San Antonio this series. All three times, they came up short. Entering the playoffs with high confidence and the faith to finally have what it takes to go all the way, what we’re left with now, is the third first around exit in the past four years. So, I don’t even want to into discussing what went wrong and the ‘coulda-woulda-shoulda’-type of analyzes. It just won’t change anything.

But what I am wondering these days is, looking forward, what will happen in Dallas. The organization is coming off another huge disappointment that caps off a 10-year run of consecutive Playoff showings, including a 2006 trip to the NBA finals. But in the end, there are no rings to show for it. Dirk said he will ‘look at his options’. Sure, it was in the very moment of huge disappointment and shock. But it’s the first time really, that the ‘Big German’ let the option open of possibly leaving Dallas.

Maybe thinking clearly right now is hardly possible. The game 6 loss is still so present it will take some time to get a clear picture. But nontheless, the questions will eventually have to be faced. Dirk can opt out of his contract’s final year by end of June 2010. Will he? I don’t know. He has been a stellar example of loyalty in the past, playing all his 12 years as a pro for the franchise in North Texas. But he’s turning 32 in June.

One thing seems very clear to me at this point already. It will take a huge rebuilding effort around Dirk, to keep him. Without the addition of one, maybe two reliable big-time scorers and an overall consistent supporting cast, Dirk will think very hard, whether to ‘waste’ another year in the pursuit of his dream.

He’s said on multiple occasions that winning a championship with Dallas would mean more to him than winning with another team. Winning, however starts by being convinced that you can win. I’m sure he’ll talk to Mark ‘Cubes’ Cuban about what will happen this summer and what the goal is, as far as what the Mavs’ look will look like come October.

This being said, I think Dirk is most likely to stay with Dallas for at least one more year and fulfill his contract. But he will want Cuban to add more scoring to the team before going into his contract’s final year. So, basically it all comes down to Cuban. Dallas has one of the biggest payrolls of the league and it has been mentioned that the franchise owner has made a loss of 100+ million dollars on the team in the past decade. Is he going to be willing to add even more? It’s in the hands (or better pockets) of Cuban, really.

I have read some comments from Mavs coach Rick Carlisle that he really likes this team. Heck, I love the Mavs. I cannot even imagine a Mavs team without Dirk or JET. But pro basketball is not about whether you just like the team and if you’ve got a good feeling about it. The cold, non-emotional numbers matter. And this one says the team isn’t where it should be. I think a huge rebuild is in order. In which way exactly, I don’t know. If you blow it up completely, I tend to think – even though it is the best for Dallas – it may take too long for Dirk, as rebuilding in a radical way isn’t just a one-year thing.

On the other hand, I hope Carlisle’s comments weren’t to be interpreted  that things will continue mostly unchanged. If this would be the case, I’d lose but all hope for the Mavs to win a championship anytime soon. But let’s not jump to too quick conclusions. The tough to swallow loss in the Playoffs is still fresh in our minds. I believe the front office in Dallas will make the right choices to both, keep Dirk, and to give Dirk and all of us Mavs fans real hope again come next season.

I still have faith in our beloved Mavs, but the truth is, the two seed team in the West faces a must-win situation tonight, when they play game four in San Antonio. You don’t want to come back to Dallas down 1-3. You cannot count on coming back from being down by two against a team like the Spurs. While I think they’re not most likely to win the championship, they still are the Spurs. They’re still able to put you away.

What I think is very important is the Mavs get off to a fast start and show fighting spirit from the get-go. In both games the Mavs lost in this series, they were outscored by an average margin of 5.5 points per first quarter, with the tendency pointing to the worse. In game three they were outscored in the first period by seven. In game two it was four.

Dirk has been the one big consistent force in the Mavs’ lineup in this series. Other scoring options at times seemed to lack. I believe if the other players, especially Caron Butler will go hot and complement the offensive efforts by Dirk, the Mavs have a real good shot at coming back to ‘Big D’ in a series tie at 2-2.

This is probably the most important game of this series. If the Mavericks win tonight, they restore home court advantage for a three-game series. If they lose, elimination is looming and with that, I don’t think even a Dirk departure from Dallas is unlikely. In short: It would get ugly. But let’s not go there just yet. Like I said, I expected the Spurs to get a couple wins in this series. They got them now, maybe sooner than expected. But the Mavs and coach Rick Carlisle will adapt to make sure we’ll see NBA Playoff basketball in Dallas in May. Go Mavs!

If so, you’ll understand it affects you, almost as if it was yourself that was going through this. And in a way, you are! I see friends struggle and not do too well these days, just like is the case with myself at times. Too often I feel helpless, especially if I come to realize again, I don’t know the solutions myself. Sometimes feeling not to be able to help can feel as bad as being in the need of help yourself!

The only thing that I could think of today, when I was going through all the current issues in my mind, were a couple of verses in the New Testament.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. – The Bible, 1 Peter 5, 7+10 (NIV)

You see, god is a god of grace. Anyone who’s ever been touched by his wonderful grace knows what I’m talking about. And ultimately it’s the only answer I have when friends or family are suffering and I and them again feel so helpless. This is when I know, while god may not take away painful times from us in this life, he suffers with us, carries us through and will welcome us home in the next life, when he says the time has come.

Hard times. They come to everyone, sooner or later. Including guys like me, who put their faith in Jesus Christ. I hate to see people struggle, be  tired and burned out. I know what it’s like. And especially because of this, I love how ‘stubborn’ Jesus is. He’s not giving up! He’s not going away. No! He’s right there, and especially close when we’re doing not so good, even if our feelings say otherwise. And like he said to us in his word above – he wants to restore us when we’re broken and weak. He wants to make us firm and steadfast. He wants to give us new, everlasting life and he wants to go through this earthly life, as well!

I know I’m incredibly grateful for all he’s done in my life – on good days, and especially on the bad days, too. I want to encourage you, no matter if you are a long-time Christian or whether you’re totally new to this stuff. No matter if you feel good or bad. No matter if the sun’s shining for you or a thunderstorm looms above your head – give Jesus an honest chance! If you’re serious and really put your trust in him, you’ll see he’s for real! The end of this post can be a new beginning for you! Are you in?

But not enough that I hope they’ll go all the way – I actually believe this is a possibility. I believe the  Mavericks can beat the Lakers. I was actually even considering an upset series win of the Jazz vs. the Lakers in the second round of the West. I think the Jazz are one of the most dangerous teams in the west, just like the Suns.

Of course there is no real way to tell just yet how this will unfold. We’ll just have to see, but here’s my bracket. Feel free to comment on it!

Dirk and the Mavs are facing the Spurs in the first round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs

It’s that time of the year again. Since late October last year, 32 teams battled it out. There was a fantastic All-Star game in Dallas half the way. There was spring coming up and the wrap-up of 82 regular season games. Yes – it’s that time of the year again – the NBA Playoffs are here! And the Dallas Mavericks are in the show again. For the tenth straight year, the Mavs are in the NBA postseason. Ultimately, with all the season’s good, the bad and yes – for a dedicated Mavs fan sometimes just outright ugly – it all comes down to this. Win or go home!

I’m excited, because I believe the Mavericks and all fans have reason to be hopeful. The deadline trade in February worked out greatly. The team is deep. The team has good chemistry. The new guys fit in well and have shown more than once they are a great addition to the team. I’m excited about Caron Butler and Brandon Haywood completing what I think is one of the most complete lineups in the entire NBA.

And then there is Dirk. What can you say about him. He’s as determined as it can get. Sometimes he looked a bit tired in late March, but in the past couple weeks of the regular season he’s been phenomenal again and carried the team the way we’ve seen him do so many times before. Jason Kidd obviously is our great ball distributor and one of the keys if we will fare well or not. I am just excited and can’t believe how well he is playing and what an inside view he’s got into the game. Last but not least it’s fantastic to have Dampier and Jason “JET” Terry back healthy. I think this is crucial.

I’ll admit I’m not a basketball expert, but I feel really, really excited about the Playoffs this year. The Mavericks may be the oldest team in the league, but they are hungry. The determination is there. The experience is there. And this will ultimately help them defeat the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs – one of the most experienced playoff teams of the past decade.

Yes, it’s that time of the year again. I believe the Mavs can go all the way this time. But let’s take it one step at a time. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The big question that everyone is obviously brings up right now (basically all season) is: Can anyone (read: the Mavs) beat the Lakers? If the Mavs and Lakers are to meet again,  it will be in the Western Conference Finals. And I truly believe if everyone is healthy, the Mavs can take it up to them and get to the Finals. Of course we don’t know yet how the Lakers may improve throughout the Playoffs, if they make it out of the first round (I don’t necessarily see this happening, the Thunder are pretty good, and they got Durant!). The Lakers are still the Lakers, but let’s believe!

So, I want to encourage all the Mavs fans out there: BELIEVE! I know I do. GO DIRK! GO MAVS! The time is NOW.

Sometimes, letting go is the only way to receive. I’m talking about letting go off things we want, that aren’t really what’s best for us. I experience god taking away things from me these days. Things that I hung on to, like sometimes doing the right thing for the wrong reason.

God is showing me how disappointment can overwhelm me, when I think I do the right thing, but then realize I do it out of the wrong motivation. God is showing me these days, that he’s what should be most important to me. His lover never changes, never fails. He is, who should be my reason, my motivation – not recognition and respect. He shows me how focused on people I am. I believe this is a cause of hurts and troubles for many – the constant thought of what others may think about oneself, how to be good with others all the time, how to improve perception and level of respect.

A friend of mine said the other day “Ever since the fall of mankind, we’re looking for the ultimate recognition of our very selfs.” This is so true. I believe reason is not a thing. Reason, ultimately, is a person.

I want to find my ultimate reason, recognition, attention and respect in my creator and lord. Despite six billion people, he’s thought of me and thought it’d be great to have me in this world. And the same goes for you, that you’re reading this. If you’re still trying to get someone’s attention – be assured you have the living god’s full attention. He’s the one, who’s always been there, always will be.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. – Jeremiah 1, 5 (TNIV)

Jesus is showing me how valuable I am in his eyes and that I literally mean the world to him. This is why he came into this world, for me and you. So, why would we still need to fight for anyone’s recognition and acceptance? The LORD, the creator of all, has accepted us the way we are. And he tells us to let go of all this, so he can start giving us what he’s got in store for us.

What better way to close this post with another one of these great sayings. A true man of god once said:

If you give up what you can’t keep, you will receive what you can’t lose.

As most NASCAR fans in Europe know, it’s been a big struggle to say the least, to watch your favorite sports for some time now. Germany has not seen live coverage since the 2008 Daytona  500, the final race  that (then Premiere) Sky broadcasted live. Later that same year they showed one-hour recaps and eventually the screens stayed all dark in 2009.

For NASCAR fans in Germany this hasn’t changed since. The situation isn’t very different in other European countries, except maybe the UK.

Miguel has now started a Facebook group that I’d like to invite you to join. This group supports the bringing of NASCAR live to European TV’s, so NASCAR fans on this side of the Atlantic Ocean can follow the most thrilling, most exciting and spectacular American racing series, just like their American friends do.

All you need to support this, is a Facebook account. If you don’t have one yet, I can recommend that you open one, even though this should obviously not be your only reason to open a Facebook account. Also make yourself familiar with Facebook’s privacy policies first, before you make a decision.

But if you already have a Facebook account, you can find the group here and also join it there: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=298942313121

Kudos! to Miguel for kicking this off and I hope many of ya’ll will join in to support this dream… the dream to have NASCAR live coverage in all European countries one day. Afterall, we’ve got the year 2010 and the world should have grown together, am I right?

Boogity, Boogity, Boogity!

To all the people out there suffering from back pain: I know how you feel! Get well soon, ya’ll!