Cowboys must develop amnesia, find their inner Zen

For seven straight weeks the Dallas Cowboys and their fans have carried the heavy burden of losing.

Six consecutive losses and a bye week have created a defeatist reality. Even the last taste of victory in September was bittersweet.

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While defeating the Eagles 20-10, the Cowboys absorbed the vicious blow of losing franchise quarterback Tony Romo for several weeks.

The 2015 season has sidelined more key Dallas starters than any season these eyes have witnessed over decades.

Dallas hasn’t played one game with every starter together on the current roster. That’s even excluding released starters and those on season-ending injured reserve.

Sean Lee will likely be held out this Sunday due to his latest concussion. Romo is still a week away from being eligible.

The full compliment of starters won’t debut until Week 11 at the earliest.

AMNESIA FREES THE MIND

I could naively sort out the remaining ways Dallas can still make the playoffs. While the odds are long, there’s still a loss or two in reserve before realistic elimination.

Discussing the scenarios, hashing out the possibilities, it’s all pointless. The best thing this team and its fans can do now is develop amnesia and clean the slate.

The past is the past and no one can go back and change it. This team needs one singular focus each and every week…the next team on the schedule.

FINDING THE ZEN WITHIN

One of the main practices of Zen is living “in the moment”, also know as “mindfulness”. The past does not exist and the future is a fabricated inner narrative.

"Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you’re mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience. — definition of mindfulness from “Psychology Today”"

Head coach Jason Garrett is a Zen master at rallying his troops in the moment. His play-by-play, day-by-day mantra is exactly what this team and fanbase needs.

Nothing can be gained from reliving the losses. It’s equally unproductive to forecast the future and paths to the playoffs.

After an unforgiving string of player casualties and losses, it’s time to release the pressure of the playoffs and enjoy Cowboys football in the moment.

To walk into each and every Sunday and fight like crazy to win the battle in front of us. This determined and resilient team needs the unwavering support of Cowboys Nation.

ENJOY THE RIDE, FINISH THE FIGHT

The 2014 Cowboys slogan was “Finish the Fight”. Last December they needed all four final wins to make the playoffs. Many of these same starters finished that fight.

No one in the locker room today has given up on winning each and every game ahead of them. It’s time for the team and fans to unite and battle every opponent.

The only fight that matters is this Sunday against the Buccaneers. On Monday we’ll rise with that winning feeling back in our blood for the first time in two months.

Next: Why no one should give up on the Dallas Cowboys yet

With our leader returning and the full army uniting, who knows what the future holds. Forget the past, ignore the future, and win the moment. It’s time to finish the fight.

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