Okay, so I just made that up on the spot. It might not even be the best advice either. I mean, most proffessional athletes study pitchers, watch tapes, look for spin and rotations, observe the way a pitch is released from the pitcher's hand, etc. Then there is also the fact that they hold frequent batting practice and pregame warm-ups, recieve instruction from batting coaches, develop their swings, and lets not forget, go to the plate in game situations on average four to five times a game, 150 plus games a season, and face on average two to three pitchers per game. So, needless to say both the pitcher and the batter have to be on top of their game if they hope to succeed in either hitting or throwing.
In life, it is the same. Every year I wake up from sleeping at least once a day, for 360 days, for nearly the last 26 years of my life. I get out of bed and get ready for the day about 360 days a year, and I'm guessing the majority off those days I do so in the morning rather than latter in the day. So far, fingers crossed, I have a perfect record of getting dressed at some point in the day. I can't remember ever having left the house without my clothes on. I have a very high breakfast eating percentage and teeth brushing history. I am constantly facing countless decisions needing to be made, even before I leave the house, and this has been going on for quite some time now. So, without delving too much further into my life, you can see that I too, have to be on the top of my game and well prepared for what life has to throw me.
So why is it when some obstacle gets in my way and hinders my already practiced and prepared system of operation, day to day life, do I feel the first and foremost reaction would be to give up? I don't think I have ever seen a batter step in the box, watch the first pitch go whizzing by, then march back to the dugout saying, "Wow, that was fast. I don't need to see any more. Just mark me down for a strikeout."
What is it that keeps us in the batters box of life when we know failure is a possibility, and more inquisitively, what keeps us swinging? I would like to answer my own question. Okay, go ahead Aron. Occassionally we swing, sometimes prepared and knowingly, other times with our eyes shut, and we crank one up the middle, into the gap, or over the centerfield wall into the fith row. These successes are what keep us going. They keep us swinging. We may not have a chance of success with everything we do, but knowing that there is a possibility of success, no matter how much of a long shot it may be, is what keeps us at the plate time and time again.
So, why is it that my first reaction when faced with an obstacle is to lie down and give up? Well, for me personally, it usually has to do with a number of emotions: Comfort, Fear, Embarrasment, and most especially, my personal box. My box is where I live and where I am comfortable. I rarely make any dazzling plays, huge break through ideas, or new great relationships when I am in it, but I sure am comfortable though not always content. The truth is I need those huge plays and dazzling moments. I require, as a human being, acceptance and relationships. I love the attention and acknowledgement of a great idea. Everyone does really. I may swing a dozen times before I finally crack one out of the park, but when I do, those dozen swings before it don't seem to bother me much anymore. In fact, I dare say they made me better, nay, stronger. That is why we continue to play the game. One huge hit makes up for all the misses, and if it hasn't happened yet, don't worry, the right pitch will come eventually.
