Hi there, it's Rahad. This week I'm sharing another special meditation based on what's

happening in my own life. When you're known for something like meditation or mindfulness,

people can tend to assume that you're always this kind of calm cliche. It's not always

like that. England vs Scotland, Wembley Stadium, London, 15th June 1996. I'm 16 years

old and me and my sister are at our first ever international football match. We might call

it a soccer match if you're that way inclined. I'm not. It's a beautiful day in many different

ways. England scores early, but then Scotland gets the chance to equalize where a penalty,

but they miss. And moments later the troubled genius that is Paul Gascoine scores a wonder

goal to make it 2-0 and run off each for the rest of the game. It's a party and we stay

behind after the final whistle for a good 20 minutes. Singing, it's coming home, it's

coming home, football's coming home. The new anthem of all England fans which still

last to this day 25 years later. The old 80,000 cd stadium is rocking. It's the best moment

of my young life. 11 days later we lose to Germany on penalties.

Garrett Southgate, the current England manager, happens. Missing the kick that sees us knocked

out of our first home tournament in 30 years. I'm inconsolable. Germany goes on to win

the whole thing. The greatest summer of my teenage years is over. This is a meditation about

football. Actually it's not really about football. It's about what it's like to be a fan

of the England men's football team. I'm sorry, because that story is a story of hope. And

yes, and joyous moments of drama and redemption. But ultimately, it's a story of failure and

heartbreak. As someone who's been into meditation for many years now, you get to learn the times

and context where your practice is really tested. Dental surgery. You're two-year-old

taking two hours to get to sleep. England in major tournaments. And as of this episode

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