By Sourena VasseghiWith Rich Finley
USCRipsIt Guest Bloggers
Well, it's time for Halloween and people are scrambling all over the place to get just the perfect costume. I will not be participating this year, as much as I would love go as the BCS and just drive my chair around in circles and bump into things with no rhyme or reason. No, this Saturday night, I'm locked in, as many of you will be for THE matchup of the year in Pac-10 (or for this week if you ask Pete) -- Oregon hosting USC.
Did you know the Oregon quarterback has only completed 59 passes on the season?!? That's a crazy stat, though not quite as crazy as USC giving up 47 second-half points to Notre Dame and Oregon State combined. That's been a troubling stat, but, it comes at a time when the offense has really been clicking. I'm actually kind of glad we go into this game with things to improve upon, because Coach Carroll will have the complete attention of the guys going into this game. Fight On this weekend USC and let's beat the Ducks!
Since this is Halloween Week, I wanted to point out something I saw this past week on the TV show "Mad Men." If you haven't watched, it's a truly great show, and in this week's final scene, the main character was taking his kids trick-or-treating with his wife, when a neighbor complimented the kids on their costumes and then turned to the father (who had just been exposed as having a double life) and said "And who are YOU supposed to be?"
It was an innocent comment, but a powerful moment in the show. Now, am I trying to get you to watch "Mad Men?" Maybe a lil. But, my bigger thought was, during this time of the year when everyone is trying on masks, and figuring out who to masquerade as, don't we already do this enough?
Don't we put on false personas, false attitudes, based on what the world thinks we are "supposed" to be? My thought for the week is for you to focus on who you are supposed to be. Not to the outside world, but to yourself. We all have a path. But it's up to each and every one of us to determine whether we follow that path, or whether we allow ourselves to be discouraged by the journey, the obstacles, and the doubts. When you have a quiet moment this week, and get time to yourself, truly ask yourself, "Who am I SUPPOSED to be?"
Before I go, and speaking of "Mad Men," my partner Rich Finley is in an online contest to be on "Mad Men" next year! He is currently in the top 10 and the top 10 finishers face the show creator to be on the show, and any acclaim brought to Rich increases our collective reach for speaking, writing, etc. Please if you can, click here to register your vote, he's actually quite good (although don't ever tell him I said that), and remember, add us to Twitter and keep in touch with us! Go Trojans this weekend! Waiter, I'll have the duck!
• Sourena Vasseghi, a motivational speaker and writer, has addressed the USC football team on several occasions over the years. His book, "Love your life and it will love you back," is available here.
