On the 30th June 1998, at the St Etienne Stadium in France, England and Argentina were playing in the world cup, with this thrilling match being tied at two all.  England surged forward looking to take the lead.  As David Beckham ran upfield, the Argentine midfielder Diego Simeone ruthlessly tackled Beckham.  As Beckham crashed to the ground, lying down in agony and seeing Simeone grinning over him, he petulantly kicked Simeone down.  However Simeone collapsed, as if he was knocked out by Mike Tyson.  The referee, falling for Simeone's theatrics, immediately sent Beckham off.  England went on to lose the match on penalties.  However the country needed a scapegoat and the British press chose Beckham  He instantly became a very unpopular figure, being named the 'most unpopular man in Britain by the end of 1998 (according to 'People' magazine), even 'Sports Illustrated' quoted Tony Blair as saying that Beckham 'would have to learn from this.'  For much of the following season he was booed heavily by many of the supporters, screaming 'who are you??!! Who are you??!!  David Beckham was absolutely humiliated, he didn't deserve this, a total underdog - but he knew he had to pick up the pieces!
Interestingly enough, we see in the Torah many situations of people in hopeless situations - we learn in Sefer Bereishit that Yosef (Joseph) was sold by his brothers into servitude and whilst working as a slave, he was falsely accused of crimes he certainly didn't commit and, as a result, was forced in to prison in Egypt.  However, Josef by no means let this seemingly disastrous situation let him down - he had every reason to think his life was over - but during his stay in prison he quickly became the most popular man in Jail – greeting/speaking to all other inmates, acting smartly while at the same time, keeping a very cheeky chappy personality in the lowliest of places- the Torah testifies to his incredible attitude in this seemingly dire situation - fellow inmates came to him for advice, including dream interpretations - he gave brilliant answers and the King of Egypt, Pharaoh instantly called for Yosef for his own dream interpretations.  Yosef correctly decoded the dreams and quickly rose to political greatness becoming the viceroy of Egypt.  Eventually he was the man to save Egypt from many years of famine - he never gave up hope - realizing that he had to make the best of a humiliating and hopeless situation - despite being the Underdog! This attitude would later start the long winding steps to receiving the Torah hundreds of years on. In fact, according to the Talmud, Yosef was freed from Prison on the day of Rosh Hashana - The Sefat Emet and others teach that within each one of us there is a spark of Yosef. During the year that spark of holiness yearns to escape, in various forms of activities we may be doing. The Days of Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur - the Aseret Yemai Teshuva is a very powerful time. On Rosh HaShanah, we are confronted by the Awesome Might of HaShem, the Judge of All the World. Here in Shul during Rosh Hashanah, we read the story of Channa, who sought for children for many many years, never gave up hope, and cried so much, praying very hard for children, Hashem remembered and answered her on this day - Rosh Hashanah - at a time she thought it was totally impossible! Not just that -  according to the Talmud in the tractate of Rosh Hashanah, it was also decreed on this day that Sara and Rachel – 2 of the four famous Jewish mothers – who were barren – would bear children! Channa's prayer was so potent that the Rabbi's categorise her prayer as one of the ten prophetic songs featured in the Tanach. she was to give birth to Shmuel the prophet, who later on, became the man that appointed the Kings of Israel, Shaul and David. In fact, Tefillat Chana assumes a central role in our Rosh HaShana liturgy. It is not only read as a haftara on the first day, but is also the basis for the centrality of the Rosh HaShana service - the Mussaf brachot of Malchiyot, Zichronot, and Shofarot, according to Rabbi Yitzchak (Brachot 29a) which make up the nine (additional) brachot on Rosh HaShana are based on the nine references to "Hashem" by Chana in her beautiful Prayer.
In life we could always see ourselves stuck in a dire situation where we feel we have come out short, feel things may be beyond repair, but, nevertheless, we can always strive for the best, do the best we can, make the impossible possible.  In fact even if we feel we have hit rock bottom in whatever it maybe, we could still try to find a way out, make a huge effort, to surpass our own expectations. As we are in Rosh Hashanah, here we are again making the same promises we've made year in year out.  We could really excel this year in whatever new resolutions we may have made. With our physical exertion and an extra spiritual boost we could strive to be the people we want to be!
Let’s look back at Beckham, a hate figure in 1998.  After giving his all over the next couple of seasons, outstanding on and off the field, total effort, he was installed as the national captain of England, and four years later in the 2002 world cup - was considered arguably one of the Worlds best players.  Who would have predicted that, in June 2003, (only 5 years after the 1998 world cup incident), he would receive the OBE for services to football?  Funnily enough, he fell from grace in France, later retired while in France and donated millions to French Children’s charities.
I am sure if the incident in 1998 would not have happen – if he would not have hit a low and he may not have gained the stature he is today
We are in the High Holidays.  Perhaps we too can take inspiration from the ups and downs we may have had.  We don't just need to say what resolutions we have made as the Jewish new year passes us - we have the key to do more and be more.  We may feel relationships could be strengthened.  Maybe we could be inspired to sweep our husbands, wives and partners off their feet … well maybe not our business partners…. Maybe just try to impress them more.  We could strive to be the best possible parents to our children, show them more love and understanding as they face the problems of today.   Help them the best we can to achieve great results in schools and universities. Be upstanding citizens in society.  We could excel in all areas of life - through determination, motivation, but also with happiness.  We should endeavour to use all our determination.
Finally, everyone in his or her prayers to G-D sometimes allows their thoughts to wander.  It is, after all, a long service.  Maybe we think of other matters like our business commitments.  Well that is ok too just so long as, when we are going about our daily business, we let a bit of G-D seep into our thoughts to guide our dealings and relationships.
We must truly recognize also that everything is done from the spiritual bounty of G-d! May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Shana Tova U'Metuka - a Happy and Healthy Sweet New Year!