There's nothing more illusory than a man's attachment to his favorite football team.

Think about it: You're sitting in a living room in Honolulu, worrying your heart sick over whether or not Pittsburgh can top Cincinnati on a cold Monday night in late November. You'll scream loud enough to be heard several houses away when San Diego scores a touchdown against Oakland. You will curse to beat the devil if a Philadelphia running back fumbles on Seattle's 1-yard-line.

When did this all start? What's the basis for the attachment? Why do you care?

And yet. ...

Your life is actually better this year because the Chicago Bears are 9-3, with the second-best record in the NFL's national conference.

Well, maybe your life isn't better, but mine is.

The Bears haven't been this good in 20 years, not since they won the Super Bowl in 1986. My attitude hasn't been quite so upbeat in all that time, either. Last year, the Bears were one of the worst teams in football. This year, I'm walking on sunshine.

Sure, it's an illusion.

I don't know any Chicago Bears. I don't own stock in the team or any company that manufacturers Bears' apparel. Other than living in Chicago for a few years, I don't have any connection at all. I saw them play once in Soldier Field, but all I re-member is how cold it was.

As for the Bears, the lack of connection is mutual. They don't know me from Adam Vinatieri. They couldn't care less about one more fan rooting for them from half a world away.

Still, somewhere along the line, we all develop these illusory attachments. Somewhere in childhood, we're taught that sports really do matter. Often, it starts in grade school, where we cheer for our own and root against the neighbors. In high school, we sit in the stands and shout ourself hoarse in the name of school spirit. By the time we reach college, fans are a multi-million-dollar part of the higher education business.

If only we were so passionate about ending war, feeding the hungry and taking care of one another.

And yet. ...

What harm does it do? A few wasted hours on a weekend morning that might otherwise be lost in sleep or yard work. If you can feel a little empathetic joy when one football team wins, what's the problem? If the Bears — or whatever your favorite team is — can bring a little light into your life and put an extra bounce in your step, who's to say it's a bad thing?

You've got to serve some-body, right? It might as well be the 2005 Chicago Bears.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.