Don't Judge Me?

Dear friend,

The variety of this week has been enriching. My great friend, Randy came to town and we went to a Twins game. They were playing Cleveland. It was an engaging nine innings with the Twins triumphing 3-1. With such a low score, it sounds like a FIFA match. But the fact that at the end of the game, the stats showed that the Twins left 10 men on base, reveal a lot more exciting plays than the score indicates.

You'll be sad to hear that I have NOT put my kayak back in the water again. I was at Shady Oak Lake but they had posted a notice about closing the beach because of E. Coli, so I decided not to put the kayak in. As usual, I've just been running. I've wanted to take my bike out, but it's been raining every other day, leaving the trails too muddy. They have signs posted about not ruining the trails by riding on them when wet. So I adhere.

I love baseball. I played from kindergarten through my junior year of high school. Second base, right field and chief chatterer were the three positions I played. I was decent at two, excelled at one and satisfied with all. Which meant I enjoyed every game despite where I landed on the roster.

Like the Twins game, there's always more going on than what the final score shows. Granted, the final score determines who wins and who loses, but it's just that game. It's not reflective of the wins or losses for the individual. Have you ever been extraordinary personally, but collectively lost? Whether on your work team, in your family or with friends?

PART OF SOMETHING

People say our human nature is wired to want to be part of "something bigger" than ourselves. I don't think it's bigger, I think it's simply relational. We innately want to be part of a tribe, village, community, group, team - which we get to contribute to in a meaningful way, that gives us a sense of purpose, while simultaneously fostering connection and intimacy satisfying the soul.

Granted we also want to accomplish. If we can surround ourselves with others who aspire similarly, we might just win. I recently read an article about Ohtani delaying the majority of his paycheck, so the team could get other high caliber players. Regardless of his ability, or ours, without capable people beside us, we can only go so far. Also, our relational-fulfillment is weakened when those we are working with don't possess the same standards as we do.

MINDSHIFT

What if you examine those in your sphere of influence and move some closer and others further away?

BAD GAME

The Cleveland shortstop did not play well. Honestly, a few others also made basic mistakes and looked bad. It's surprising the score wasn't a lot higher. Though the Twins got on base because of the pitcher, he was primarily the one who didn't let them run the score up. How do you feel when it seems like you are the only one doing what's necessary to succeed? Sure the whole team is out on the field playing the game, doing the work, but their efforts make things worse, not better. Ever been there?

Hopefully you have a good coach. Most players think they just need to get on another team. But that's not the solution or reality. Coaches are fabulous at helping us keep a healthy perspective, offering grace and demonstrating gratitude. Which comes in handy, when we have a bad game. Do you open yourself up for someone to speak truthfully to you? Do you offer complete transparency to them? Very few do.

I love accountability.

MINDSHIFT

What if you both confronted and comforted the shortstop in your life?

HERE COMES THE JUDGE

Can you imagine a baseball stadium full of people watching you do your job? Or parent your kids? Or love your spouse? Or do your workout? People dislike being judged. Yet after almost every pitch, Randy and I would look at the stats and make a comment, affirming or criticizing the effectiveness of the throw. Also, we'd evaluate the batter and his response to the pitch. Heck, we'd throw in comments about the ump as well. Our assessments flowed freely.

If you hold tightly to the thoughts and opinions of others, you will fail.

In my arsenal of human survival I've found it useful to appreciate judgment as more of a reflection about the person offering it, than my own lacking. While the majority foster a "don't judge me" attitude, I welcome it. Do you and I really not know our own shortcomings? Do we really think we always make the best decisions? Aren't we aware we have room to grow? I don't even think negatively about the person judging. I find it reveals their own values, fears or similar weaknesses. I'm actually a worse shortstop, pitcher and batter than those I was talking smack about. Who knew?

SHIFTING

I hope this week you go to a baseball game with people you love, practice truth and transparency and have someone judge you. Could life get any better? ⚾️ #ShiftAway