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As spring begins, so does the baseball season. The smell of freshly cut green grass, the love of a traditional pace, slow and drawn out to blend the appreciation of the sport with the time spent with fellow fans, noshing on hot dogs between innings and paying attention if only not to be hit by a foul ball.
I began to think about the sport of baseball recently as the only way a player will ever earn extra bases is if they swing, swing well and swing hard. Sure, they may get on base with a walk or being hit by a pitch (hopefully the former occurs more frequently), but neither will take
them further than first. The only way to reach a bit further, arrive ever closer to making it across home plate, is if they step into a pitch and watch the ball.
Even with the most talented batter, a savvy pitcher can maneuver a ball around them, but
eventually, if they keep swinging, if they keep practicing, if they keep their eye on the ball, a connection will be made. And eventually, that connection will feel ever so sweet.
In 2012, writer of The West Wing, The Social Network
and The Newsroom Aaron Sorkin shared in a commencement address at Syracuse that "Baseball players say they don't have to look to see if they hit a home run, they can feel it." I think the same can be said for life, sometimes you just know when it feels right, you just know that when an
opportunity presents itself and you've decided to swing that the outcome will be something amazing. But here's the catch . . .
You have to put yourself in the batter's box. You have to be willing to know when to swing and you have to have the confidence to swing
fully and put yourself out there in order for it to sail over the back fence. And that is the hard part. Because until it lands over the on the other side of the fence, bouncing down the city sidewalk, you are taking a risk. It may just turn out to be another fly-out, but it could also be the walk-off homerun that wins the game.
Feeling married with practice engaged with courage and topped with confidence in yourself are the key ingredients to making the dreams you dare to dream become your reality. You will never know what the economy will be like in three years, you will never know if consumers will like what you have to offer, you will never know if he/she will say I love you back, but you will absolutely never found out unless you put yourself out
there and try. And then choose to keep on trying until you understand what will work and what won't. What is worth investing in and what is not.
As I mentioned in Wednesday's Why Not . . . ? post, I have a lot of questions, ideas and excitement in a variety of arenas in my life at the moment dancing around in my mind, and I find myself gladly stepping into the batter's box, recognizing my nervousness but not letting it take hold of my courage. Because the one thing I've learned and experienced is if you don't step into the pitch, you will never get further than first
and you may even be thrown out before you reach the bag.
Step into your life. Step toward the future you want even when all of the answers aren't known. Keep stepping, keeping trying and never give up.
Speaking of stepping, in this week's newsletter, I stepped into the kitchen and shared my latest favorite dessert recipe that is both simple and buttery delicious. As well, a little style and inspiration is offered to kick off your weekend.
How has your week been? I hope it has gone well, and you're looking ahead to the summer with plans to enjoy the warmer temperatures and moments of leisure after a work season that found you giving it your all and a little extra. You deserve the rest, you deserve to enjoy life, the life you have created for you and those you love. Wishing you a lovely
weekend. Until next week, I'll see you on the blog.
Shannon
