Pressure

We all love to see pictures like this from the Little League World Series. The jubilant players running the bases headed toward victory. I think it reminds us of the excitement we had when we were kids. It reminds us what joy and happiness really looks like.

I grew up playing little league. Well, I played two or three years and I was put out in the outfield where no balls where usually hit. I could generally find something to occupy my time, rarely was it baseball. I enjoyed the camaraderie of being on a team and such. I do not really remember but I don't think we were very successful. We never even neared the level of these teams that play for the World Series crown. Perhaps I was the weak link on my team...

I enjoy baseball, most who know me know this to be a fact. I like sitting down and watching these young stars play the game very well. Cheering is always easy when you are winning. But I am concerned about the pressure it puts on these kids. For some the entire weight of a nation is placed on their backs. They are sent forth with the duty of representing their country and bringing home that crown. That is a tremendous amount of pressure to place on an 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, etc. year old kid.

There is no way they can fully grasp the magnitude of these moments in their life. Nor can they adequately process how their parents and fans will respond. Yes there is always disappointment when they lose, and their should be the expectation that they will do their best and win. But pictures like this should cause us to pause and think. Is the long lasting effects of this loss on this kid worth it?

Yes, I know life is going to be filled with pressure and ups and downs for all of these kids. There is no way to escape it. There is no way to shield them forever. And yes they need to learn how to deal with and process it, but perhaps the international stage is not the place for it.

The reality of life is that the pressure can become immense. Often we feel like we are being crushed under the weight of life. There are no outs, no end in sight, work keeps piling up, etc. Never get trapped there. The most important thing you can do is find someone and talk about it. Allow someone in so they can give you a fresh perspective and a brighter outlook. Otherwise burnout is just around the corner....but that is a discussion for another time.