Clear the Mechanism

 

Billy Chapel. 

The iconic character in "For Love of the Game." 

As he prepares to dig in for his starting assignment against the Yankees, you get a peek behind his mental curtain on the mound. 

"Clear the mechanism." 

Chapel says this to himself to block out the noise so he can focus on the task at hand. 

It's a powerful mindset.  Not easy to do, but when successful, it's gold. 

We have so much noise in our lives.  Coming from outside and inside. To insulate oneself from it all is the key to the kingdom.  

Find your own path to clear the mechanism.  When the noise is deadened, it's well-oiled. When the noise overflows, we no longer can prosper. 

"Clear the mechanism."

Strike three! 

The Circle of Mistakes

 

Several years ago, I made a big mistake.  Not my only one mind you, but a memorable one that I learned from.  

A younger friend of mine made the same mistake. He admitted it to our group because it was better for him to share than for us to find out. I gave him the headline at the time that I made the same mistake and that we understood. 

He reached out recently to talk about the mistake again. His was still fresh.  Mine was much older.  Mine already had cobwebs growing on it and you could see a tinge of rust but nevertheless, still clear in my mind. 

That's the thing about mistakes.  We all make them.  Hopefully, we learn from them and move on.  

But more importantly, maybe we can help someone weather the eye of the storm of their mistake. 

I was able to bring perspective and experience to my conversation with my younger friend. Hopefully, my post-storm, rearview mirror look helped him through his front windshield view. 

If my mistake became his GPS on how to get through his, then the circle of life worked. 

Circle of life. Circle of mistakes. 

Same thing. 

The Tiniest of Slivers

 

We only need a sliver. 

A hairline barely visible to the naked eye. 

Strain if need be to see it. 

During the darkest of times, focus on that small crack of light. 

It can guide you through the clouds. 

But, the clouds do serve a purpose.  Without the blanket of pain or adversity, the comforting hand of hope is powerless. The beauty of the light doesn't shine. 

Know the clouds will come. But, also know the flickering will ignite. 

Death and life.  Tears and smiles. 

Feel.