is important to not give up. Several weeks ago as I was talking baseball with the superintendent he (a White Sox fan) told me of an article he read in Sports Illustrated about Jake Arrieta. As soon as he told me about the article I felt inspired. Jake Arrieta is (in case you are not aware) a pitcher for the Cubs. He's not just a pitcher he is one of the "strongest pitchers in the game." He has many different ways that he throws that baseball and can throw it up to 98 miles an hour. Arrieta joined the Cubs in 2013 after he was released from the Orioles. In 2013 he was "the worst starting pitch the Orioles had seen since 1954." When he was released from the Orioles he was ready to quit. He experienced doubt in himself. While playing for the Orioles Jake had struggles, he tried to make the changes his pitching coach was giving him but, they didn't feel right. In trying to be someone he wasn't the natural pitching ability that he had was being masked. Fast forward to Arrieta joining the Cubs. When he joined the Cubs he said that he wanted to be himself and that is what the Cubs coaching staff wanted too. They focused on strengthening his style. The rest as they say is history. This article has a lot more inspiration in it and I highly recommend you read it. In addition to learning a lot about Jake Arrieta this article made me think about how often we are ready to throw in the towel because something didn't work right the first time. Sometimes we try to be someone we aren't and sometimes we have success for a little bit but experience a set back. So often we take these situations and say "it's a sign" and then quit. Imagine if Jake Arrieta did that, he would never have experienced the joy of success in something that he is passionate about. If you try something and do not succeed at first, take a step back and rethink it, then try it again. The only way you are truly finished is if you say you are. Never give up on your dreams, with a varied perspective and a positive outlook you can do anything you put your mind to.
Do you like what you have read? Do you know someone who will benefit from reading this blog? Feel free to share it.A bit about me:I am who I am thanks to God, my parents, my family, and my friends. My life is driven by faith. Oh, and I am a cancer survivor. Archives
February 2017
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