Hello and welcome back to Second Chance to Live. I am happy that you made the decision to stop by to visit with me. Several months ago I started using a phrase when I am asked how I am doing. I say, “I am swinging at the fences.” Although I may not hit the ball out of the park with every swing, I know that as I keep swinging my chances of hitting the ball out of the park increases.
As you may have heard, Babe Ruth held the home run record for many years. Although he held the home run record, he also held the record for strike outs. He hit 714 home runs, but also struck out a total of 1330 times in his career. Many people focus on the # of home runs he hit during his career, while not realizing how many times he struck out in the process. Babe Ruth had an empowering attitude.
When confronted by the # of times that he struck out Babe Ruth said, “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.”
Thomas Edison – creator of the light bulb and many other inventions – was asked a question by a news reporter about his failures in his attempts with the light bulb. Mr. Edison’s reply to the reporter was, “I have Not Failed I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work” – Thomas Edison Because he did not focus on the 10,000 ways that didn’t work, he found a way to make the light bulb work.
On the web page “But They Did Not Give Up” there are many other examples of people who kept swinging at the fences, despite what other people may have thought about their efforts. Babe Ruth’s and Thomas Edison’s attitude and seeing what they accomplished during their lifetimes – in addition to the other individuals listed on “But They Did Not Give Up” — encourage me to keep swinging at the fences.
May you also be encouraged to keep swinging at the fences, despite what other people may be saying about your efforts. May you also be encouraged to keep searching for a way to make your “light bulb” work. May you also be encouraged to keep moving in the direction of your dreams, as you endeavor to live the life you have imagined. May you also be encouraged to keep trusting the process, a loving God — with your will and your life — and yourself.
“If you advance confidently in the direction of your dreams, and endeavor to live the life that you have imagined…you will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau
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