The Curve Balls of Life...

      A few years ago I attended my first ever Mariners Fanfest.  The thrill of being there was incredible.  One of the things you could do at that time was get in the batter's cage and take a few pitches.  It had been awhile since I had stepped up to the plate and swung a bat so I was eager to have my shot at it.  After a long wait it was finally my turn.  I picked out the perfect bat, put on my helmet and walked up to the plate with confidence.  I took a practice swing and stood ready to hit that ball.  I watched the ball came soaring towards me, swung the bat and was excited that I had made contact with it...only to have the ball bounce and come back and hit me directly in the finger.  I shook it off and thought I could take my other 2 pitches, but found I could not grip the bat.  Feeling a bit defeated, I took off the helmet and walked out of the cage.  My family and I walked into the hallway and the next thing I knew everything went black and I woke up on the floor.  Medics were called and we were immediately taken out to the baseball field via the players tunnel (access that no one else had). They gave me an ice pack and had me sign some waivers.  Turns out I had broken my finger.  Looking back at this experience there was a very crucial mistake I had rushed in wanting to hit it so badly that I was not paying attention to the actual pitch coming towards me and it had been a wicked curve ball.

This was taken shortly after I passed out that day. 

       Frequently life throws us curve balls all of the time. When this happens it is a natural instinct to rush to that plate and want to hit it out of the park as quickly as possible.  Just as I wanted so badly that day I stepped in the batter's cage. The truth is most always if we were to just take care of it with one swing we would not learn or grow.  Just as in baseball it takes patience, practice and a clear vision to get through hard times. There is a reason the batter is given three strikes, not all pitches are meant to be hit.  Some we may think are the perfect pitch, but in reality have a nasty curve that we can't see at the moment and later realize that it was a blessing that we were able to dodge that ball and not get hit. There is always change in challenge (see what I did there).  There will be times when it feels like it takes all the strength you have just to stay in the game. You can barely hold on to that bat, but the important thing is you keep on swinging. With each swing you will gain strength, confidence, skills and knowledge you need to get through whatever you are dealing with. A friend recently explained to me the word "grit".  Not collapsing into despair, but to keep on swinging that bat and smiling. Happiness in life is not all about home runs. It’s the courage and strength to step up to the plate every single day no matter what. It's learning from the challenges and finding joy in the hits you get and progress you make. You can't rush it, just as I did that day I stepped in the batter's cage and got hit. It was a painful lesson.

   You learn to recognize "your pitch" and it WILL come along. After every hardship comes something incredible.  Hold on to that faith and that bat!

   My wise and incredible mom sent me this quote: 

"Life will always throw you curves, just keep fouling them off.  The right one will come, 

but when it does be prepared to run the bases".   

XOXO

Tiffanee

.