Coined from when the pitcher in a baseball game
intentionally causes the ball to swerve off-track, comes the popular saying:
“When life throws you a curveball…”
This statement is then followed by an encouraging one-liner,
aimed at easing the pain of an unexpected event that has occurred, an often-painful
deviation in life.
These situations, such as an illness, failure, redundancy,
or even the loss of a loved one, can be very traumatic and cause a lot of
stress.
Nevertheless, very little emphasis is placed on the mundane
everyday happenings. Happenings such as missing the bus/train/flight,
indefinitely being placed on hold by our mobile phone providers, having to stay
back in the office, or getting stuck in traffic.
While these seemingly everyday ‘curveballs’ are (rightfully)
overlooked and deemed insignificant in comparison to major events like those
mentioned above, these mishaps build up stresses that can affect the rest of the
day.
Additionally, depending on how we think or react, they can cause the same kind of damage to our minds
and overall health if not dealt with.
Although easier said than done, primarily we must realise
that ‘our reaction’ to these circumstances are pinnacle to how things will go
on the pitch (field).
Our decision in those spilt seconds, not only determine how
we feel for the rest of the day (season), but can indirectly affect those
around us as well.
Our decision determines whether or not we hit that
curveball.
So the question is, when things don’t quite go our way, how
do we ensure that it doesn’t negatively affect us and mess up the flow, because
lets face it, certain periods in life can be challenging. Fancy words no longer impress and inspirational statements
and quotes no longer inspire as they used to, because it’s no
longer hypothetical or theory. THINGS have become real.
Everyone deals with situations differently, but what I do
know is that the hidden God-given strength infused into our very fibre, will
literally pull us through.
You may not understand what’s going on around you, but trust that you will get through it.
This has seen me through a season that was not only unexpected
but also rough.
Remember the experience of hitting a curveball, will make
you more confident to handle other situations that may arise. You’ll also be
better equipped to hit those everyday curveballs without a hitch and have that
ball sailing through the air.
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There are different ways we can view things, but only one
perspective really matters, the right one.
Many of the views we hold today have been tainted or
distorted, and are being passed off as the truth, when in reality they couldn’t
be further away from it.
Viewing something from another angle or with a different lens
changes the perception we have of that particular matter, and the issue that
was so prevalent, will no longer be a cause for concern.
A shift in perspective breaks through the cause and effect
cycle in motion, and things will begin to change to fit the new view.
You see with a tainted view, things look darker, bleaker and
less attractive, but once the lens has been changed you’ll begin to enjoy the
beauty of what was always around you but oblivious to you at the time.
As you watch this vlog, think to yourself, "what lens have I
been looking through?", and if a wrong lens has been tainting your view of life,
then its high time you invested in the right lens. It will bring about a
clearer image, ultimately leading to a better more confident life.
Reminiscing
on some life lessons learnt from a recent trip I took, I was reminded
of the story, ‘The Tortoise and the Hare'.
The story
goes a little like this:
Tired of
constantly being jeered and belittled by the arrogant Hare, the Tortoise
challenged the Hare to a race.
Predictably,
the Hare sped off leaving the slow Tortoise behind, and rather over confident
in his ability to win the race; he decided to take a midway nap.
Upon
waking, the Hare smugly sprinted towards the finish line, only to realise
that slowly but surely the Tortoise had managed to overtake him during his
nap, and went on to win the race.
The END!
Now there
ARE many lessons that can be deduced from this analogy, from how the
Hare’s arrogance proved to be detrimental to his victory, to the wisdom and
grit shown on the Tortoise’s part.
Nevertheless,
I want to shed some light on a key factor that can very easily
be overlooked: the ‘power of perseverance'.
The
Tortoise would have persisted in his pursuit, even
though winning seemed like an impossible task.
Spectators
would have scoffed at the idea of him crossing the finish line
before the unquestionably faster Hare.
Thoughts of
doubt very likely crossed his mind, but he would have quickly replaced them by
re-focusing on the objective - his desired end result.
The track
was probably harsh against his inner shell, the pressure on his feet oftentimes
overbearing, and the heat from the baking sun overwhelming.
Despite it
all, he would have consistently pressed ahead fuelled by the force of his
dogged perseverance.
Just like
Mr. Tortoise, sometimes you need to challenge yourself to change the status
quo, or what is expected of you. People may make you feel inadequate, and
society may have labelled you, but YOU need to persist in
shutting them out.
For years I
thought I was at a disadvantage to my peers, as I didn't quite
look the same and so accepted the label that was constantly chucked at me.
This led to me developing a negative mindset regarding myself and what I could
do; inevitably limiting my accomplishments.
Having
recently taken on a different perspective, I now try to act upon what I know to
do, no matter how daring it may seem.
Little by
little, I know that progress is being made as I diligently head towards my
purpose.
The
Tortoise ran his race at his own pace, so just like him, we must not
compare or measure ourselves against the speed of others; which only serves as
a distraction. Remember that the race is not for the swift*.
If you
don't like where you are, do something about it. Get out of your comfort zone,
and change your environment. This will help you see differently, which will
change the way you act. You cannot
do the same thing, and expect different results.
Regardless
of whether or not the tortoise had a strategy to winning; after analysing
the pompous character of the Hare, and hoping that he would indeed take that
nap.
Or whether he just took a chance stirred by the irritation of his situation, one
thing remains true: He MOVED and then he WON!
This my friends, is what perseverance looks like, and this is what the Tortoise
possessed that we all need.
*Ecclesiastes 9:11
*Image Credit: EveLivesey.deviantart.com
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the link below to watch the accompanying vlog:
Rushing down the escalators he managed to hop on the train
before the doors shut. Quickly glancing across the carriage, he knew that he
would have to stand for the rest of the journey.
Deciding to get comfortable, he leaned against the see
through panel on the side of the seats, whilst placing his headphones on;
drowning out the clanking sound from the tracks.
As the train approached the next stop, he remembered
exactly why he hated the underground during rush hour, as what looked like a
sea of people were seconds away from boarding.
He allowed the multitude to squeeze past him; packing into
the carriage like a bunch of sardines, and the whiff that followed didn’t smell
far off from fishy either.
As the train rather bumpily took off again, he
accidentally fell onto a woman who was standing directly in front of him. Promptly
getting his balance back, he immediately apologised as he noticed the distinct
distaste in her face.
Another five minutes into the journey, the woman reached
into her handbag as she prepared to exit the train. Her non-stop rustling soon
turned into sheer panic, as she realised that she couldn’t find her purse.
Without a second thought, she glanced at him straight in the
eyes saying, “I know you took it”.
Oblivious to what she may have been looking for and what
he was meant to have taken, he gently replied, “Lady I don’t know what you are
talking about, and I definitely didn’t take anything”.
Starting to raise her voice, she angrily muttered, “no one
else could have taken my purse. I had it before I got on this train and now its
gone, so you explain that to me”!
Getting a little agitated, he began to realise what was
going on and politely requested that she did not raise her voice at him, further stating; “your accusation is ridiculous, because you have no
proof, yet you’re claiming I’m a thief. There are at least two other people
standing right next to you, yet you're pointing the finger at me?”
The train had now
stopped at the next station, and a few passengers boarding and exiting brushed passed
them as the quibble continued.
Insistently and intentionally she continued to yell alerting
the rest of the carriage as to what was happening.
“I’m not a fool. I know your type, you did not
‘accidentally’ bump into me earlier, it was all part of your little scheme to
slither your hands into my bag. With people like you around, we will never be
safe. Ever!”
He abruptly retaliated with ‘what exactly are you
implying? ...You know what don’t even answer that. I haven't got the energy for your reply; besides I’m getting off at the next stop so I won’t have
to deal with this any longer.”
“Oh…how convenient!" she said, "this guy has just stolen my purse,
and now he’s going to walk right off this train, scott free. Brilliant!
If only you worked for your money, then you
might understand the value of it and realise that you just can’t go around
taking from others.”
Tutting with disgust he rhetorically replied, “I don’t
understand the value of money hey? You think you have the right to talk to me
about the value of money or working hard, when you probably have no idea what
that is yourself.
You look like the type of person who just sits at home, with
not a care in the world, living off the more than generous handouts from your
rich husband.
Without having to lift a finger, you’ve probably got it all, the fancy house and nice
cars..., yet you want to lecture me on
understanding the value of money?”
Responding in a more mellow tone she said, “How can you
make such an assumption? I’ll have you know that I work very hard to put food
on the table and make sure that my children still get the best in life,
regardless of the fact that they no longer have a dad.”
“Erm, the same way you’re assuming I took your purse” he
retorted, as he placed his headphones back on.
He noticed the glares the other passengers were now
giving him, but turning his back to them, he faced the door as he prepared to
get off.
Once he was off the train, she stuck her head out the
door hollering various profanities and screaming “you will not get away with
this, if not for the fact that I might get stabbed, you definitely would not have gotten
off this train.”
Feeling rather drained and somewhat embarrassed, he briskly walked away, and completely ignored her.
Later on that evening…
Rushing to get her phone before the call cut out, the
woman greeted “hello Emily speaking”.
“Hi Emily, this is Ian from Transport for London. You
left your purse at the ticket window in Liverpool street station earlier today.
Another customer noticed it lying on the side and handed it in to us.”
Almost frozen in her tracks, the only thought permeating her mind was the fact that based on her preconceived assumption; she acted
maliciously towards a completely innocent man.
“Hello, hello, Emily are you still there?” called Ian.
“Yes sorry, I’m still here. I could have sworn I put my
purse back in my bag; I have never been this careless in my life. I will surely head back to the station right away.
Thank you Ian”.
Pondering on how despicable her behaviour had been, She
knew it was too late to make amends, as she would probably never see that young
man again. She knew her assumption might not only negatively affect him, but it
further fuelled the prejudices that were already rife in society.
This experience
taught her a valuable lesson, a lesson where she would always take the time to
think about the other possibilities a situation may pose. A lesson where she
would not react on her assumptions; as there are always two sides to a story.
In doing so, she
would defy the odds and remain confident in knowing that regardless of the facts, she is now going to remain true to what is right.
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