Living in the Moment

I’m not a big baseball fan. I’m a sports junkie, but baseball is just not very high on my list of choices. With that said, I coach my son’s nine-year-old baseball team. I signed up to do it because no other parent would agree to coach. And while I’m not a baseball enthusiast, I am grateful for “living in the moment” with him this past weekend.

Studies say that by “living in the moment” and not focusing on the past produces more vibrant happiness. And those who take time to notice smaller things and enjoy the simple pleasures in life are happier and more productive. Seems like common sense but somehow, it’s missed.

Last weekend, my son’s nine-year-old baseball team did something that I would’ve never thought possible. For starters/description, this is not an elite team. Most of the kids have never played formally on a team. It’s YMCA level. We’re just out there to have fun. And boy did they.

With the other team’s runners on second and third base and one out in the second inning, our defensive team was set when there was a flyball to left field. The first surprise was the ball got out of the infield and in the air. It was a great hit. My left fielder played it perfectly and caught it. 

Surprise number two. He then looked up and threw it directly to second base. 

Surprise number three. Standing on second base was my son, the second baseman who moved over there after the ball was hit. He was right where he should’ve been. 

Surprise number four. My son caught the ball from the leftfielder. 

Surprise number five. And because the runner had left before the ball was caught, it made it a double play, two outs in the same at bat.  

And now complete shock on my part.

What does all of that have to do with living in the moment? I was ecstatic. Not because of any winning proposition or that the coaching was all that great. It was the smiles and the high-fives between the teammates as they ran off the field right to me in the dugout. Several boys hugged me. They all had smiles and were cheering. The parents were standing and shouting praise behind the dugout. And not just our parents but the other teams’ as well.

The moment was about those smiles. The joy. Whether or not we won the game was irrelevant. The boys were having a great time, improving their skills, and enjoying each other’s company. I’m glad I coached--- not only for that moment but for all of the smiles that have come throughout the season. I hope that I’ve lived in each of those moments because they are a lot of fun.

Are you “living in your moments?”