Brackets and Pillars Published March 18, 2014 By Chaplain (Capt.) Louis A. Mattina 436th Airlift Wing Chapel DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Welcome to March Madness (no not the latest snowfall to hit our area)! The NCAA Division I men's and women's college basketball tournaments have begun. Eventually, the field of 64 teams in the women's tournament and the 68 teams in the men's will come down to their respective final four teams and ultimately determine the national champions in early April. For both casual and passionate basketball fans, these tournaments generate much enthusiasm and effort. Fans predict the final four teams and national champion by filling out brackets, participating in office pools or attending March Madness parties to watch the games. Even our commander in chief, President Obama, fills out a bracket. In the midst of this frenzied national pastime, we should try to remember another type of "Final Four" that challenges us to put in as much effort and enthusiasm, if not more, when it comes to our individual pursuit of being "national champions" in our own right as Airmen. The dimensions or pillars of an Airmen's well-being are FOUR: spiritual, physical, social and emotional. Are we willing to embrace the mission to establish and maintain these "brackets" in the pursuit of excellence in all we do? Let's re-familiarize ourselves with them: 1) Spiritual: At the heart and soul of wellness, spirituality is the driving force to total well-being. It refers to our value system (ethics, moral compass); and one's search for meaning and purpose. 2) Physical: As basketball players must focus especially on this component, so too must airmen! Health is maintained through physical activity, nutrition and good sleeping patterns. 3) Social: Positive and life-giving relationships with family, friends, the community and others with whom we share common values, beliefs or commitments can fulfill and sustain us personally. 4) Emotional: How we manage our emotional response to events, such as anger, fear, joy, etc. can affect one's state of being. This pillar also includes psychological outlook, such as self-esteem and cognitive or intellectual skills, such as analyzing, problem-solving, mental recall, etc. Do any areas of these four pillars require attention in our life? As many people will readjust their tournament brackets when March Madness progresses, are we willing to make adjustments if necessary for our health and well-being? "If it doesn't matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score," said Vince Lombardi, former Hall of Fame pro football coach. Winning matters in sports and it matters even more to us who serve our country. A team's record of wins and losses is not just reflective of the players, but it also reflects upon the leaders, the coach or the manager. As enlisted members and officers we raised our right hand and took an oath to defend this nation and the constitution in leading others to fly, fight and win. Notice the last word of our mission....to WIN! Maintaining the four pillars of total well-being is a winning combination....to neglect them would be a "bracket" to avoid.