The Writer’s Coin

Life can get pretty complex and pretty hard sometimes, so having something you are passionate about can really help keep you balanced and happy, while giving you an outlet to channel any stress or anxiety you may feel. For me, that’s playing baseball.

The winter is awful because there is no baseball for a very long time, but two weeks ago we started having indoor practices and it reminded me again how much I love playing this game. It’s something in my life that has taught me about discipline, hard work, and perseverance—all while having fun.

I’ve put a lot of hard work into practicing baseball in the 19 years (man that makes me feel old) I’ve been playing it, and here are some things I’ve learned:

1. Hard work pays off: Practice, practice, practice. If you feel like you could be practicing more, you could. So no matter what you do, go practice some more.
2. It is possible: I was awful at it when I started out: my first year of playing games I got one hit and hit two foul balls. After that I struck out every single time. But I loved the game so I kept at it and with time I got to be pretty good at it.
3. Don’t be cocky: Being good at something and knowing it is a recipe for disaster—getting cocky is next logical step. While it can be a great confidence booster and do wonders for your self esteem, just don’t let yourself drift into cocky territory. No one likes it and it can turn you into a real jerk in other aspects of your life (where you may not be as good).
4. Enjoy the camaraderie: It’s one of the best parts of playing a sport. The friendships you establish in sports teams are unique and are also a great way of making new friends when you move somewhere new.
5. Enjoy it: It’s easy to lose track of this but make sure you take the time to enjoy what you’re doing. Sometimes I can take baseball a little too seriously and I get upset or angry when things don’t go my way. I need to stop that. It’s just a game and it’s all good.

If you don’t have something that you would call your passion, you just haven’t identified it. I think it’s important to have something of your own besides work that you spend time and effort on. Whether it’s painting, writing, or a sport, having a passion can only have a positive effect on your life. So spend an hour of your day thinking about what you like to do (maybe something you did as a kid) and try to reconnect with it—the rewards you’ll get from it go beyond any monetary gain or satisfaction you get from work.

Tags: baseball, passion