The Reason We Do This
Today I had a pitching lesson w/ a young lady that is just learning to pitch. She was struggling to throw strikes and needed a few minor corrections to help her find the zone. The entire time she was there she was attentive, trying her best, and most of all SMILING! I told her I loved her smile, but she might want to get a little meaner as time goes on if she really wants to be a pitcher.
At the end of the lesson, her dad had called to check on how it went. She was ecstatic going on about how much fun she had and asking “could she do it again”. In the short time we were together, she went from throwing the ball all over the place, to honing in on the plate. It only took a couple minor adjustments as she is fairly athletic in the first place, but the look on her face after we were done makes all the effort we put into this worthwhile.
This, my friends, is why we do this. What is your best “feel good” story? We would love to hear about it.
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Does Anybody Remember Fun?
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Two Perspectives
I have to wonder what happened to fun. I watched today as two people had the exact same task to accomplish. One got angry cussed and complained, the other smiled and went about his business. I asked the happy guy what was wrong w/ the angry guy and he said, "I don’t know, just how he is". Then he went on to say, "I don’t get angry, it’s not worth it, life is too short".
WOW
Life Changing Moment
I have to admit, that since my accident , I have had the same attitude towards life. Once you have driven 80MPH upside down on the interstate, it puts life into perspective. I used to make fun of people that said that, but now I understand what they meant.
Today, as I waited in bumper to bumper traffic on my way home, I got that sick feeling I now get every time I approach an accident scene. Again, I used to be the guy that said, "if we have to wait this long in traffic, I want to see some mangled cars!". I no longer think that way at all. As I approach accidents now I find myself tense and eager not to see anything serious. I pray and hope that all is well with everyone involved.
Not So Lucky
Today, I was not so lucky. I knew it was a bad one because traffic was extra slow. When I finally reached the scene, it was pretty much cleaned up. But there was one of those superfast crotchrocket motorcyles in the emergency lane . Or at least half of it. The front half was missing. I can only imagine where the rider is. I am fairly certain he has met his maker. This makes me ill thinking about it. Likely somebody’s young son.
Rumblings in the League
About this time of the year, there start to be a few complaints in the league. They are usually silly, but sometimes legitimate. The fact is, we should thank our lucky stars that there but for the grace of God it is not us dead on the interstate. I know for a fact, it could easily be me!
That said, why would we argue constantly on the field, with our coaches, with manager, with other team’s parents, with co-workers, with bosses? Is it really worth it? Or, as my buddy said today, Is life just too short to be miserable? What ever happened to good old fashioned fun?
What do you think?
The Hug
Image via WikipediaSunday Shopping Spree
Sunday I was rushing through the grocery story picking up items from a list for my son’s birthday party . I happened upon a kid I coached years ago shopping w/ his mom. I bumped him gently w/ my cart and he turned around startled. Then he got a huge smile on his face! I reached out to give him pounds as I often do, and he ran up and gave me a huge hug !
The Effect
That was awesome! We need to always remember the effect we have on these kids. The ironic part of this equation is that he was a little bit of a trouble kid. I could have easily dismissed him and treated him differently, but I treated him sternly, as I would have any other kid with a propensity to misbehave.
Discipline
There were a couple of times he was made to go back to the dugout in rookies all by himself as the others played on the field. This could would have every reason to dislike me. But did he? No, he ran to give me a hug!
Think they don’t want discipline?
Do you have a story of a child that made your day? Please share it.
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