For the Love of the Game

Every spring, I anxiously await the arrival of a new baseball/softball season. From the pros to the pee-wees, there nothing like an umpire commencing a game of America's favorite past-time by saying, "Play ball." The springtime reminds me of youthful days of rushing home from school, grabbing my baseball glove and playing baseball until dark. During my youth, I developed a love and passion for the game of baseball. There were very few things that would keep me away from a chance to play the game. It was my love and passion for the game, as well as the support from my parents that helped extend my playing career to the collegiate level.

This spring has been no different. I anxiously awaited the Detroit Tigers to begin their run as a World Series contender. I, along with several other Tiger fans, were excited about this season. Over the winter months, the Tigers were billed as the most "Explosive" team in baseball. What happened? The Tigers have limped through April with a disappointing 7-13 record and are sitting at the bottom of the Central Division of the American League. The Detroit Tigers have played sluggishly. There is a lack of spark, a lack of passion. In many of the games, it has appeared that the players didn't really want to play; they were just going through the motions.

This Spring I've followed my daughter's high school softball team. They, like the Tigers, are struggling. Like the Tigers, they appear to be going through the motions; they lack passion. Sure, they say they talk like they want to win, but saying and doing are different things. Talking doesn't produce results. It is difficult to produce results, when you're simply going through the motions. Their actions tell a different story; winning is not that important to them. If winning were important, they would play with passion. They would have that burning desire to "Do whatever it takes." They have the talent to be successful, but going through the motions only results in a loss of focus. This lack of focus has led to far too many physical and mental errors this season. It is hard to focus when don't care enough. A loss of focus will ultimately result in underachievement. Underachievement promotes finger pointing. Finger pointing creates dissension. Dissension not only promotes further underachievement, but destroys the very fabric of what it means to be a team. Something needs to change! It has been said, "If you always do what you've always done, you always get what you always got." If this team ever decides to play with passion, they will be a team to be reckoned with.

I'm amazed at the number of people who are "going through the motions" in life. They lack passion. They lack vitality. Life just seems to happen to them. Hence, they don't create their circumstance; they react to their circumstances. They often feel victimized and make no attempt to change their lot. It is much easier to blame others and circumstances than accept responsibility and change things. They get the results that the Tigers and my daughter's softball team are getting; underachievement.

I'm equally amazed by those people that live life to the fullest. Whatever they do is done with passion. They really care about what they do. Their passion for living generates positive energy. It is their positive energy that fuels their success.

If your one of those people who are going through the motions in life, make a decision today, April 22, 2008 to begin living life. Find that passion for living and embrace it. Your passion will generate focus and good things will follow. Get excited. Love life and live it!

As for the Tigers and my daughter's softball team, I will continue to have faith that they will develop the passion to win and turn things around. I do realize that baseball/softball is "just a game." But, life is a game too; a game we all should want to win!

It's your life; live it, love it, & celebrate it!