Home Run
It’s funny how life is sometimes with the ups and downs we face. You never know what ball is coming at you, especially when it’s a curveball. Some may try to dodge it, whilst others may try and hit it, or even miss it. So, how do we best prepare for those times? Be flexible! Learning to be adaptable to what life throws at you or comes your way. Life will either strengthen you or break you, but it will shape and mould you; Into what? That depends on you. You hold the access keys to lock and unlock the doors and areas of your life.
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In the American game Baseball, or here in the UK, we call it Rounders, the player with the bat aims to hit a “Home Run”. To score big and make it around the three bases to the fourth base which is the home plate. The batter (you), controls the swing of the bat. How high, low, fast, or slow your swing is and the pressure in hitting that ball. The baller (life), will throw at you whatever seems fitting. Again, how high, low, fast, or slow that ball is, or even a curveball. You cannot control what the baller does unfortunately, but you can control how you swing and handle your bat and how it affects you. That is where your control lies. When you step up to the plate to take your position to swing, your aim is always to try and hit the ball and make a home run; working with whatever is presented to you. You have three strikes and then you’re out. You may hit the ball on the first go or even on the third go. You might not hit the ball at all and get struck out. However, in the game of Baseball, everything is moving fast-paced and you’ll need to keep up.
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What does this say about our life in general? We come up against so many balls thrown at us throughout life to the point that we sometimes try and develop tough skin. We choose and decide what to accept, what to change, and what to reject. We will experience our ups and downs and go around the merry-go-round; however, we must remain to be flexible and adaptable to the changes in life. The growing, stretching, pruning, and developing that takes place on the journey to the destination we are trying to reach; Whatever that place may look like for you. Life is shaping who we are as a person and all we are created to be. It is what we take and learn from the journey that will impact our outcome and if we are to experience a home run; Even with the curve balls we get in life. Our future and purpose are still destined against all odds to shine bright.
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I’m so glad that in life we do not operate a “three strikes and you’re out” policy. We can go again and again and again, and as many times as we like. Practising, changing, tweaking, and perfecting as we go along. Progressing in what works for us, and letting go of what does not. Trying to make sense of what life throws at us and learning to turn it around in our favour. No matter at what point in life as a batter you hit that ball, just keep trying to hit it the best way you can. Don’t give up! Don’t quit! Life can be very fast-paced at times as well as microwaveable – instant. Your home run will look different to everyone else’s and will happen at different times; So, do not compare yourself to others, their speed, or their game plan. Just focus on playing your game your way and in the best way you can. At the end of the day, in the game of Baseball, only one player at a time can run around the bases to achieve that home run. Will that be you?
