When Life Hits

Stephen Piscotty is the starting right fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. He accomplished something that I have never seen until now. The ball hit him three times on the same trip around the bases.

A pitch hit his right arm that allowed him to go to first base. Then on a dropped pitch, he went to second, but the ball hit him on the arm during the play. Finally, as he went home, the ball hit him in the head. He laid there for several minutes before walking off the field under his own power. By the way, he did score on the play.

This was just the second game of the Cardinals season. Last year, a pitch hit Stephen 12 times, which ties him for eighth most in 2016.

There are times when life hits us hard. Sometimes it hits us several times in a short period. In tough times, we must make the decision to press forward. When we walk through the fires of life, we may end up with a few scars, but we can learn from those experiences. Even better is that we can teach others how to make it through the flames they face.

Some decide life is not fair and quit. They end up with no great accomplishments. No one benefits from his or her challenges or experience. Quitting benefits no one. Running from your problems does not make them go away. Usually, there is another one lurking right around the corner. Learn to get through one and use that experience to be victorious over the next one.

It is like learning how to walk. You take a step and then fall. You get back up and take another step. Falls will continue to be there for a while. One day, the falls stop. You learn how to stay upright. We need to do this in life.

This weekend, Sergio Garcia won his first major golf tournament at The Masters. This was his 74^th attempt at winning a major.  The lack of a major did not make him a bad golfer. In fact, between 2000 and 2009 Sergio ranked in the top 10 for over 300 weeks. He ranked as high as second in 2008. I am certain he is glad he never quit.

Time continues whether you see success or not. We need to make the best choices. We need to stay in the game. It may seem like you are accomplishing nothing, but you are gaining experience that can be used. You can share and teach the life lessons you learned. You may never win a Masters Tournament. You may never score in a Major Baseball League game. You can win at life.

If you lack some knowledge or skill that helps you to succeed, seek that knowledge or skill. Learn whatever you can learn. Learning may be easier than making the decision to seek the missing components. However, if you do not seek the tools required, you will never find them. Make the decision to continue. Stay in the game until you meet your goal. Never give up.