Dirt and Grit

If you pay attention, you can really learn some life lessons watching a baseball or softball game. Mainly, the players who succeed are the ones with grit who don't give up.

Last night I split time between both of those games and was editing photos way past my bedtime! Behind the lens of my camera I see and capture both jubilation and disappointment. Great plays and missed opportunities.

Last night I really wanted to tell the umpire he was wrong to call this guy from the other team safe. But nope. My frames captured it and our second baseman missed the tag. By mere inches.

But that didn't make him throw his glove down and quit. He just tried harder the next opportunity.

And would you look at that? He clearly made the out the next time. And the opponent missed reaching the base safely... by mere inches.

My hubby coached baseball forever. Not as long ago as when Babe Ruth was around with his inspiring quotes, but many decades. I loved watching him and listening to him encourage the kids (of all ages) to keep trying. And when they made a mental mistake (usually running bases or fielding), he'd ask, "OK, so what did you learn from that?" They'd answer and he'd say something like, "Right? So next time don't do that."

If we all could have a supportive Coach Austin in our ear, maybe we'd spend more time focusing on what we can learn from our mistakes and bad choices instead of beating ourselves up. 

Remember: You can't beat the person who doesn't give up!

Believe in yourself!