Carolina lost to East Carolina on Saturday. That much is certainly true. It was a heartbreaking, last-second defeat to the Pirates with plenty of missed opportunities that could have changed the outcome. I'm sure it was disappointing to the players, coaches and fans.

I fall into that third category: fans. And as a fan, there's something I've realized over the past few years: I can't do anything about what happens on the field. I don't have anything to do with it. I can get excited and cheer, get sad and discouraged, but ultimately, nothing I do will make a difference. Sure, there are times when the crowd can motivate (or de-motivate) a team, but really it's up to them to perform.

With this in mind, I've sort of taken a new approach to athletics, particularly wins and losses. I have made it my mission to enjoy the journey and not place so much value on the result. If my team loses a game, I used to forget about the beautiful plays that made me so excited in the course of a contest. Now, I try to appreciate the way I felt watching those plays, even after the score is decided.

So, while I still feel disappointment in losing, I recognize that nothing I could have done would have changed the outcome. I appreciate the opportunity to witness terrific athletic performances that, while they may not have resulted in a win, brought me such great joy in the moment.

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