You're Killin' Me Smalls
Today is Opening Day for Baseball this year. Apparently this is the earliest opening day ever. I’m not a super sporty kind of girl, but I love to watch other people’s excitement about their love of the game- whichever one is being played. I also love to go to baseball games- there’s snacks, people watching, sunshine, and you can be as loud and embarrassing as your husband will let you be :)
I think that we can take some advice from baseball and apply it to parenting, relationships, and just overall life. Stick with me here:
The calls won’t always go your way- in life there are things and people we can’t control. But we can always control our reactions and take responsibility for our words and actions. We can choose to throw in the towel, or keep our heads in the game. We are human and can make mistakes just like everyone else.
Baseball is a team game- goodness- you can’t play baseball without a pitcher or an outfielder or catcher just like in life you need a strong team around you to help you make it through. Maybe it’s your family, maybe it’s friends who have become like family, maybe it’s good co-workers or your favorite barista. Embrace your tribe and let them know when you need something or someone to lean on. Even the boys at the Sandlot reached out and let Smalls play.
Being a good sport matters- some mom’s will make amazing homemade cakes for their kids birthdays, some mom’s will buy the delicious Costco cake. Some dad’s can fix anything, some are good at looking up people on Yelp. One of your coworkers may get promoted, some one else might get a fancy new car, another person on Facebook will be on an amazing vacation. It’s true that comparison is the thief of joy. Finding a way to be happy for other people’s success and good fortune is a skill that helps us to be good sports in life.
Three strikes you’re out- maybe you didn’t get a hit this time, but you’ll get another turn. Maybe you gave your kid till the count of three (18 different times) before time out. Maybe you failed at something three times and you need to just hang in the dug out for a hot minute and then try again. Just because you’re out doesn’t mean your down for good.
There’s always treats- Dippin’ Dots, Shish-ka-berries, garlic fries, cracker jacks, popcorn, cotton candy are just a few of my favorite treats at the baseball stadium. In life, there are treats - seeing daffodils for the first time since last year, a surprise present from a loved one, someone paying for your coffee in the drive thru, Facetime with your nice or nephew, a hug from a grumpy tween boy- treats are all around us if we pay attention.
There IS crying in baseball- despite what the movie League of Their Own and Tom Hanks is trying to tell you, there is crying in baseball and in real life. You can cry and be the boss of your feelings. If you need help with that, let us know it can be just as hard at 40 as it is at 4.
Ok- I hope you get the idea and if you read this far- holler at your girl and I’ll send you a prize :)
