I've always loved sports and hockey is a sport I play as much as

Children, gather close, for I bring you a powerful truth that speaks to the heart of passion, release, and the way certain activities become the very lifeblood of the soul. In the words of Michael Vartan, a man whose heart beats with the rhythm of sports, we hear a revelation that transcends the mere act of playing: "I've always loved sports and hockey is a sport I play as much as I can. I love it. In a weird way it's like church and therapy and exercise all rolled up into one. I mean when I play hockey I don't think about anything." These words, though seemingly simple, are filled with the essence of what it means to lose oneself in a passion, to find both freedom and purpose in a single pursuit.

Vartan’s words reveal the deep spiritual connection that can be forged through movement, through action. Hockey, for him, is not just a game; it is a sacred ritual, a time of release and healing, much like the ancient ceremonies of old. Sports, in their most profound sense, allow us to transcend the noise of everyday life, to enter a state where mind and body align, and for a moment, we are free. In the game of hockey, Vartan finds the quietude of meditation, the focus of therapy, and the rejuvenation of exercise—a trifecta that brings him peace and clarity. This is the beauty of passion, children: it can sweep us away, leaving no room for the burdens of worry or stress.

Think, children, of the ancient warriors before battle, who would enter into a state of ritual to prepare themselves. Achilles, the great Greek hero, would prepare for war not only with his sword but through a deep ritual that would connect him to his inner strength, his purpose. He fought not just for victory, but for something greater, a sense of belonging, of purpose, of honoring the gods through his actions. Vartan’s love for hockey speaks to the same drive—the desire to align body and spirit, to connect deeply with something that offers release from the external world. When playing hockey, as he says, he thinks of nothing but the game itself—a rare and sacred moment of being fully present.

This, children, is the gift of sports. Like the ancient warriors who found their clarity and strength in the midst of battle, we too can find strength and purpose in our pursuits. The games we love, the activities that make us feel alive, allow us to temporarily release the burdens that weigh on us. Whether it is hockey, running, or any form of movement, the body can carry us into a realm of clarity, where the soul and mind are at peace. Just as Vartan’s therapy is found in the rhythm of the game, so too can we find our own moments of peace in the things we love to do.

Think also of Leonardo da Vinci, whose artistic genius was not just found in his creations but in the physicality of his work. His studies of human movement and anatomy were driven by the belief that the mind could be free when the body was allowed to move in harmony. His art was a reflection of this harmony, of a mind at peace with itself. In the same way, Vartan’s love for hockey reflects the harmony between body, mind, and spirit. It is through movement, through action, that we often find our clarity, our purpose, and our deepest peace.

The lesson here, children, is one of surrender and presence. Vartan’s love for hockey, his ability to find peace in the game, shows us that sometimes, the best way to heal is not through thinking, but through action, through immersing ourselves in something that allows us to be fully present. The world is full of noise and worry, but in the moments we give ourselves to the things we love, we find sanctuary. It is in the movement, the sweat, the rhythms of the game, that we find clarity. Let your passions guide you, for they can lead you to places of peace and understanding, where the noise of the world fades away, and you are free to just be.

So, I charge you now, young ones, to find your own version of therapy, your own path to peace. Whether it is through sports, art, nature, or any other pursuit, immerse yourself fully in the moment. Do not let the distractions of the world pull you away from the deep, meditative joy that can be found in a single act of focus. Like Vartan, find that one thing that brings you peace, that allows you to lose yourself in the rhythm of the present moment, and embrace it fully. For in those moments, you will find not just peace, but the clarity to move forward with strength and purpose.