Take the High Road
Sometimes it is simply better to take the high road than to get into an altercation. Road rage is one time this advice is good but in daily life taking the high road can often lead to a more fulfilling life. I had two such incidents in my life over he last week and I would like to share them with you.
The first was pretty simple. Little League relies on revenues from snack bar sales to exist. Therefore, it is imperative that parents volunteer to work their 2 hours/yr. Not a major commitment but still some don’t want to do it.
Our league’s policy is to call the assigned parent when they do not show and find out where they are. I did this the other day. The parent said they would be right there. They then called back and said they couldn’t make it because they had kids. We all have kids!!!!
I got a little mad and my demeanor was, shall we say, less than good. The part that makes me the maddest though is the parent couldn’t find time to work the snack bar, but he found time to come to the field to "kick my ass" for being rude to him on the phone.
After a few days contemplation on this knowing I would see him on the field, I decided when I did I would apologize. Was I right? Probably so, but after I apologized he suddenly says, "I could probably work on the weekends". Taking the high road made him realize his wrongs and he stepped up. We are both better because of it.
A second thing that happened was in a game. The team that wins the most out of the 5 game series we play over the season against the other team in our league gets to a "top team tournament". We set that as our goal on day one.
We have an amazing pitcher. The other team can’t touch her. So, every player on their team bunted last game. Not a few time, but every player, ever time. So the coach in me kicks in. (OK another parent gave me the idea but I designed it and the girls executed it!). Here is what I did:
3rd base moved in to a little less than halfway between the base and the plate
1st base moved in to a little less than halfway between the base and the plate
2nd move over to play 1st
LF moved in to play 3rd
CF moved in to play 2nd
SS stayed put
RF backed up first
We basically dared them to hit our pitcher and eliminated the bunt . We won 8-2. That is not the point. The point is, immediately upon setting up a few parents from their team were yelling out loud to us "play your positions" "way to teach softball rick" etc. I could have yelled back and started an altercation and probably would have been within reasonable rights to do so. I chose to ignore them.
This, of course, angered them more and they began yelling more and louder until the umpire had to throw them out from behind the backstop. I took the high road, they made fools of themselves, everyone there gained respect for me.
I think I will begin always taking the high road. Don’t get me wrong, there is always a time to fight. But that time is less often than we may think. People like positive people that are not combative. I will continue to be that person. I think this is the best role model I can be for my team, children and family.
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