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Positive Attitude - Everyday is Opening Day Don't you look forward to spring? I certainly do. It means so many fresh things to me. Bright clean air, buds turning to flowers, butterflies lofting on the breezes, new growth in the garden, and yes, opening day at the ballpark. It held the promise of great things to come and the anticipation was enormous. Remember how you looked forward to opening day? Well, maybe it wasn't opening day at the ballpark for you, but there was an opening day that you looked forward to, I'm sure. You've just forgotten it perhaps. But then, his article isn't just about opening day. It's about your opening day - your everyday. I grew up feeling in my soul that baseball was synonymous with spring. Opening day in baseball was very special to me. While there was still a chill in the air, you were out there. The players weren't quite right with their swing or their pitch, but they were excited to be there. They were working on their game. The ball field wasn't quite green yet, but you could tell it was going to be soon. The grounds keepers were working on the field even as I arrived at the park. I arrived there earlier than I did the rest of the year. Even the hot dogs weren't quite right yet, but they sure tasted different at the ballpark. The vendors didn't have their call for "hot dogs, get your hot dogs" banter adjusted for the season so far. You see, there was promise and excitement. Optimism. We just knew our team would be going to the World Series this year. As children we always have the excitement and promise that this day, everyday, will be great. And unless someone inhibits that energy, we continue to believe that. Unfortunately, some people do obstruct that energy. We learn that exhilaration and potential are not likely in store for us each day. Other people discourage us. They try to bring us down to their uninspired level - not intentionally perhaps but they do nevertheless. They take the possibilities and wrap them up in melancholy. But we can grab that opening day enthusiasm and carry it with us each day. It doesn't take much. For me, it's visualization about what opening day means - thoughts, pictures, and smells. Come with me. Think about this. You mentally prepare for the big opening day. You can hardly sleep the night before, anticipating the newness of the next day but you quiet your thoughts in a meditative state. You wake up refreshed and bound out of bed, emotionally ready to address opening day, everyday. After a good meal you arrive at the ballpark in plenty of time to walk out onto the field alone in your thoughts. You quietly walk the bases and hear the crowd screaming and shouting their thrill. The game hasn't begun yet and no one is there. Next, you mentally run through some successful plays in your mind's eye and spend some time practicing. Then, you suit up for the game. As you dress into your game uniform you are sensitive to your teammates excitement as well as your own. The team gathers for a spiritual moment. Before you sprint into the arena you give it one last check in your locker mirror - "I am ready" is your message. You joyfully run onto the playing field when your name is called over the stadium loudspeakers. And you do this everyday. Do you do something similar when you prepare for your everyday opening day? Picture this. A day filled with the possibilities of home runs or at least stolen bases. Imagine yourself sliding into first base with the first piece of a project you've been anticipating will take a long time. The crowd cheers wildly - your colleagues who know what a great first play you've finished. While there are more bases for you to round before the job is over, you are on your way. Then someone from your team gets up to bat and they hit a double. You run for third base and comfortably get there knowing the rest of your team are winners. You can relax with Pat at bat next. Third up to bat, she hits a home run by landing a new client and your team is ahead. Smell this. The fresh scented blossoms bring a new energy like a tonic. The electricity around you smells vibrant as you begin your activities. Your team takes in the aroma of an anticipated great day. Like the familiar tang of hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jax, you are alive with the smells surrounding your opening day. On this day, like all others that will get you to the World Series, you take in what the sweet smell of success is like. Successful anticipation does smell - and it smells good. Sensitize your nose to what is going on around you and the people you rub up against. Keep your nose attuned to what the smells are that arouse your senses for a great day. They are there just like on opening day. Everyday is opening day. Gather the thoughts, pictures and smells that stimulate you to have an opening day. Find out what they mean to you and record them in your play book. Be your own advisor if you have to and don't let those fans boo you out of the ballpark. Bring the assurance that opening day can happen everyday into your mind, soul, and surroundings. I love opening day - I hope you do too. Enough to aim for it everyday! About the Author |
