Play Ball
On May 5, 2004 my oldest son, Drew, played his last high school baseball game. It’s been a blast coaching and watching him over the last eleven years. I’ve learned a lot about life during his games. Most importantly I’ve learned that it should be fun and that a loss is not the end of the world. Many of you have sat at numerous games for your children and/or grandchildren and have moaned with fatigue, cheered over success, teared up over a disappointment of a strike out or dropped ball, and have purchased messy snow cones or burnt cheeseburgers, so permit me to share a few insights that may help you make it through the seasons of life.
Everybody gets excited about the season getting here and then when it does, it is not as much fun that you thought it was going to be. Don’t be surprised with the realities of life. We become resentful over broken expectations (spoken and unspoken). Learn to deal with the disappointments without saying; “I’ll be glad when this is over!”
Life does not always give team cokes. When children’s teams play ball their coach or the team mom usually buys them a “team drink” after a win or a loss. They grow to expect it, every time. Unfortunately, we will not always get a “treat” or “team coke” in the adult world. There may be no applause when we succeed and no gift when we don’t.
The umpires are not always right, but they are never wrong. The more you go to ballgames or do life, you will realize that the people in control are not always right and don’t always make decisions that go your way. You must be careful questioning authority and know that sometimes it is better to be happy than to be right.
Remember, nobody bats 1.000. You will make mistakes and not even mean to. Nobody is perfect and everybody will “strike out” occasionally. Many professional ball players “get it right” or get on base less than one third of the time. Why do you expect perfection from yourself and those you love (and even the ones you don’t like!)?
Find a way to enjoy this “season.” Have fun “playing” the game. Want to abundantly enjoy the game of life.
