I have enjoyed an amazing transformation this Spring. No, I haven't had an out-of-this world Spiritual experience, I haven't started a new diet plan, and I haven't had a near-death experience. Nope. My transformation has come in the form of a white ball, a 26" aluminum bat, four bases, and a field. Yep, baseball is changing my life. (I am an assistant coach on my son's Little League team.)
You see, for once, I am involved with baseball, and I am enjoying it. This is something that has never happened before. Yes, I was a student trainer on my high school baseball team. My job was to prep the field, and watch the game, and tend to any minor injuries. (The EMT's had the big ones). The coaches liked me, the players liked me, and I got to go watch baseball and get free hamburgers after school. What wasn't to like?
During my radio career, I have had the opportunity to broadcast high school baseball, which has been a pleasure. Once again, go, set up, watch the game, and relax. (Had to buy my own burger, though.)
However, up until now, if I ever had to take a hands-on role in baseball practice, or a game, the experience has been horrifying. I go back to when I was six years old. I played "slow pitch" baseball, which is where your coach throws you a soft, underhanded pitch, and you hit it. I stunk at it. I couldn't hit. I couldn't throw. I couldn't catch. Thus, I was relegated to right field, where nothing ever happened. And, if it did happen, I had usually zoned out due to sheer boredom, and missed the play. I can still hear the other parents yelling at me, telling me I throw like a girl, I swing like a girl, etc etc. (On a side note, I had the opportunity to broadcast high school softball playoffs during 2006-2007, swinging and throwing like a girl is not necessarily a bad thing.)
When I was a student trainer on my high school team, if I ever took part in a drill, I messed it up. Couldn't catch, couldn't throw. The team (and coaches) laughed at me, but were sympathetic when I told them I gave up baseball after being called a girl when I was six.
Then, there was that city-league softball team I coached. Good bunch of girls, but I couldn't teach them to throw and catch, and there were a few parents who hated me. Oh well.
So, when it comes to baseball, it's something I've always enjoyed watching, but until now, something I really didn't like doing.
However, this year, I made the mistake of telling my son's coach that I'd help him this season. He got me a coach's shirt, and put me at 3rd base. He's a good coach, wants everyone to have fun, and we celebrate the positives. Suddenly, I am not the black sheep of baseball anymore. Baseball has become something that is fun and relaxing, just the way it was meant to be. Though I may be behind schedule on my projects, I take that hour and a half off to go coach my son's game. We get a father-son moment, we get out in the sun for a while, and we enjoy a good afternoon. Life is good. Life is simple. Life slows down. We can enjoy the moment. Plus, we are surrounded by positive people who lift us up. It's a good thing.
I say all that to say this... baseball is a lot like the game of life. Take that kid who makes a bad throw, or misses the catch, or strikes out after swinging at a pitch that was a mile and a half outside the strike zone. He feels bad at that moment... but that bad feeling is compounded by the criticisms (and often insults) that come from the stands, and from overzealous coaches. When such constructive phrases such as "Catch the ball, genius," "Throw like a man," and "What are we doing? Golfing?" pierce that kid's ears, he wishes he wasn't there. That robs the joy from that kid's baseball experience, and he may decide to give up on something that could become very enjoyable.
Likewise in life, we have our good moments, and our bad moments. Regardless of whether we are in a good moment, or a bad moment, negative comments from our friends and family can rob us of the joy of life. Negativity from overzealous bosses at work can make you wish you weren't there. It can rob you of the satisfaction of a job well done. (By the way, bosses, your job as a leader in the company is to inspire and encourage good production, not intimidate your staff into submissive obedience. The best leaders in the business world are those that have their staffs believing in themselves, their companies, and their products. The worst leaders in business are the ones who feel like they have to prove they are the boss.) Bad bosses result in employee turnover, which hurts the company, which often results in new bosses, but I digress.
Negativity from friends can rob you of the joy of your accomplishments. Negativity from family can destroy your self-confidence and self-esteem.
So, what's the point to all this? (A) Surround yourself with positive people. Don't hang around those who feel they have to be criticizing someone at all times. The Bible says "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (Psalm 1:1)" If you hang around negative people, they will influence your mood toward the negative, and the next thing you know, you are the chronic complainer and critic. Plus, their disdain will eventually turn toward you. (B) When criticized, take stock in what is said, learn from it, but don't take it to heart. (C) Don't be the the one spewing negative criticisms. God wants us to have joy in life, and we can not have that joy if we forfeit it to insults, knocks and relentless criticism.
Follow God, and surround yourself with good people, suit up, and enjoy the game.
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