Impossible

I think of all sports, nothing has captured the amazement and wonder quite like baseball. Every year, the impossible seems to happen. You can't predict baseball. As a Minnesota Twins fan, one of my earliest baseball memories was watching Torii Hunter rob Barry Bonds of a home run in the All Star Game. From that moment on, I was hooked. While the sport is so much more than impossible spider-man leaps at the wall, this heart-stopping moments are what keeps fans like me going.

What is your impossible? I think as baseball shows, very few things are truly impossible. There's always those heart-stopping moments that seem to stretch the imagination. No matter what arena those moments are in, cherish them. Heck, I still have all the newspaper clippings from when Johan Santana struck out 17 in a game. I was there. I saw it happen. Cherish those 'impossible' moments.

Fall

Despite it no longer being October and World Series won weeks ago, I still wanted to get this Thought out there. Not only does it involve one of my favorite sports, but it kicks off a sense of thought and wonderment at the changing season.

Every fall amazes me. Here are the living things, these trees around us, that suddenly decide, "I think I'm going to drop all my leaves today". Not only is it an incredible site to see, but the pure adaptation by these species is incredible. As humans we barely have to get ready for winter. Sure, we might grow our hair a little longer and we might wear heavier clothing, but on the whole, we don't change a whole lot. Not so for the trees. Many go through a complete transformation. I know I've found myself surprised at the network of branches that are suddenly visible once the leaves have dropped. What surprises you? Perhaps there is something about fall that is utterly awe-inspiring and amazing to you. Think about that. Look around. Appreciate the natural beauty all around us.

Family

I love baseball movies. Heck, I love baseball. The move Fever Pitch takes place in Boston around the time when the Curse of the Bambino was about to be broken. Don't know what the Curse of the Bambino is? Look it up. It's serious business. But anyways. This quote is from the main character of Fever Pitch, Ben. Ben has had season tickets to the Boston Red Sox for his entire life and so he has become rather attached. The fans that sit around him, the team; those people are his family.

I remember a few years ago during college. I had to exchange cars with my parents, who were a couple hours away. Instead of one person driving the whole way, we decided we would meet in the middle. That seems reasonable, an hour each right? Well, as fate would have it, I got delayed. A lot. By the time I got to our meeting spot, I was 45 minutes late. As I drove away after exchanging cars, I thought back to all the time my parents have spent waiting at a gas station or restaurant, waiting for their children or grandchildren to arrive. At first I couldn't believe that they would do this. And yet, the more I thought about it, I realized that they were doing it for a reason. They were doing it because we are FAMILY. They were doing it because family doesn't back out. They wait. They're here for me.

Maybe you have someone or something like this in your life. I have my parents, brothers and sisters. Ben had the Red Sox. Who is your family? Moreover, who are you family to? Are you always there for them, no matter what? If you can't, do you always make it up? Perhaps you are and don't even realize it. Don't waste family. Don't do it every April. Or only at 1:05 or 7:05. Do it all the time. Be the family that others want for themselves.

Time

This past weekend, my family and I visited the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa. For those of you unfamiliar, I'm not sure how to explain it other than giving you today's Thought. Needless to say, it is one of my favorite movies.

Baseball marks the time. But what is time, really? Is it a physical length? Or perhaps it's something more. Perhaps it's marked not by hours, days and years, but rather by events, decisions and emotions. Throughout my life, I have found that my life events mark the time far better than any number that marks my age.

Take my high school years. These four years were not marked by flipping the calendar 48 times (12 X 4, come on math majors). Instead it was marked by my involvement in FFA. My freshman year I turned 17. I will forever remember that year as the year I got involved in FFA and started down a path that has led me to where I am today. Similarly, this summer has been marked by numerous events in my life. From moving away from home to discovering my passion that I can turn into a career, it has been eventful.

How do you mark the time? Baseball has been the constant, always marking the time for America. What reminds you of all that was once good and could be again?

Lucky

If you are a baseball fan, today's Thought needs no introduction.  If you aren't a baseball fan, I would suggest reading this speech.  This is the speech that Lou Gehrig gave.  His famous "Luckiest Man" speech.  Every day, this speech is something we should remember as we deal with our 'bad breaks'.

I can't say that I've had this good of attitude toward life.  I thoroughly admire a man who can stand up in front of thousands of people, know he is dying, and give this speech.  See, the thing is not the bad breaks.  It's about feeling lucky.

I firmly believe that I have the best friends and people around me.  Despite everything I do and say, they keep coming back to my side when I need them.  Granted, I've broken a few beyond repair, but yet, I still am blessed beyond belief.  I am truly lucky.  Everyday, we should be able to look in the mirror and say, "I am the luckiest (wo)man on the face of the earth?"  I firmly believe that every should have this feeling.  What are those blessings in your life that you feel blessed to have received, seemingly without just cause?  Everyone has them.  Lou Gehrig had it right.  He was dealt a bad break.  We all are dealt bad breaks.  And yet, we are lucky beyond measure.