Suffering While Evils Are Sufferable

Magic Winter Wonderland
Originally uploaded by Marinshe

"... all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
~ The Declaration of Independence*

How often have you found yourself in a situation (professionally, personally, or otherwise) where there was a great deal of suffering, yet you did very little to change your course? I know I have found myself looking around asking the question, "Why do I keep putting up with this?" Too often, even when we identify the problem or problems, we continue to suffer them because they are sufferable.

We have a tendency to forgo any major decisions to change our current, painful situations in the hopes that there will soon be a better day. We hold out or resist making any drastic changes because it seems easier to wait things out.

Sometimes it is just the fear of making a difficult decision. Other times it is an inability of knowing what action to take. Still other times we're just hoping every ill that is troubling us will magically disappear. Surely it will improve, right?

It has always amazed me how much we'll endure simply because it seems safer than the risk of doing something about our problems. Instead of taking steps to repair a bad marriage, we'll remain miserable and refuse to change course. Instead of searching for a great job we'll enjoy, we settle for the perceived security of the bad one. The one that makes us miserable every day. Instead of finding good friends, we'll remain in the company of the friend who bullies, manipulates, and just brings us down.

Why is this? Because it seems safer to do nothing about a bad marriage. It takes hard work and determination to restore a marriage gone bad. It might even seem risky, so the suffering is sufferable.

How does this make sense? Because the human mind says the security in the steady, yet miserable occupation you have now outweighs the potential of a better job that could be out there. It is difficult to look for a new job. To prepare your resume and go on interviews requires a little preparation and work. It seems risky to look for something better, when you're OK where you are at now. So long as the suffering is sufferable.

Who would really put up with this? You and I each time we befriend people who really have no interest in improving their lives. When we refuse to recognize that there are people out there who will drag us down, who will influence us to behave in ways we should not, and who have only their self interests at the forefront of their minds we choose to suffer the insufferable. So in the interest of being friends with everyone (a feat that is impossible), we convince ourselves they won't affect us. Instead of distancing ourselves, because that seems risky, we allow bullies and undesirables into our lives. To distance ourselves would rock the boat, and that always seems risky. So we choose to suffer.

Why would you choose to suffer while the evils are sufferable? Doing something about a bad situation seems like a risk, but in the long run it is riskier to do nothing.



*I must give credit where credit is due. I am not smart enough to have discovered that great quote from the Declaration of Independence. I first read it in Seth Godin's book, The Dip. After writing it down in my notebook and considering what it was saying, I penned this post.

Things Change

Just Appeared There One Day...
Originally uploaded by drewmaniac

• Suddenly I've been riding around 4 miles a day on my bike (we're talking peddling here).
• Gas prices in San Mateo, CA reached $4.53 a gallon today. I guess the previous change is a good thing.
• I'm getting married in a little over a month.
• In less than a year the President of the United States will not be named Bush.
• In two months I've gone from cramped apartment life, to a house, picket fence, a nice yard with all sorts of flowers in bloom, and a garage.
  
• It is likely someone you know will pass away this year.
  
• Caught myself listening to the Eagles and enjoying them yesterday.
  
• It is likely someone you know will have a baby this year.
• Made contact with an old, old friend I had not spoke to in nearly 10 years because of Facebook.
• Summer is just around the corner.

Things change. When they do, we have to adapt or be left behind. Some changes are insignificant for the most part (listening to the Eagles). Others are far more likely to change our lifestyle (high gas prices). Are you prepared to adapt and make the best of the situation? Are you ready for a change? Is it possible you like things the way they are, and you will do everything you can to stop change or ignore it? Which do you really believe is the most beneficial?

Just some things to think about for a change.

The Decline of the Newspaper

Newspaper
Originally uploaded by jamesjyu

I confess. I enjoy reading the newspaper. I realize in this day and age that is nearly unheard of for someone just under 30, but it's true. In fact, some days I read (I don't mean skim, I mean read) two newspapers.

Rarely is there a day when I do not purchase a USA Today, Wall-Street Journal, Kansas City Star, or if I am lucky enough to be in the area (I live on the wrong end of the state) a St. Louis Post-Dispatch. It's a habit that started when I was around 12 or 13 years of age. One summer my parents started taking us to Burger King a couple of times a week for the .99 cent Whoppers. They had a newspaper stand there. I would bum .50 cents off dad or mom, or on more fortunate days someone would leave their paper on their table after they were finished eating and I would read the sports. With time my reading spread to the rest of the paper.

Newspapers today are suffering. Circulation is down. Readership is down, unless you include on-line readership. Then the numbers actually show an increase.

There is no doubt people are choosing to get their news elsewhere. There's the Internet, cable television, and now even our cell phones. All of which can inform you of what is happening right now, not what made the deadline the night before. You can blame it on biased print journalists (as some choose to do), but there is no denying there are just more options. In fact, they are all options that take up less time.

I guess I'm holding onto a fading news genre, but I want to see more newspapers being read. You cannot replace the relaxation of just sitting down and reading for a while. Whether it's a newspaper, magazine, or book there is no replacement in our culture for that. Not even reading the news on the Internet.

Although newspapers do appear to be fading, I am holding out hope that they are simply having some difficult growing pains as they adapt.

Every industry experiences perceived threats from other sources from time to time. The 1984 Betamax Supreme Court case is a prime example of this. The film industry didn't want the VCR to be used for commercial use, citing copyright laws. Is there anyone in the film and television industry today who really believes had they won that case, they would be better off? VHS and more recently, DVD and Blu-ray sales are a large portion of the film and television industries' profits.

A.D.D. Moment: Are you getting the hint, music industry?

It's all about adapting. Newspapers must adapt, and in some ways they have been, but clearly not enough. So while we wait to see how the newspaper industry will adapt, why don't you sit down with a newspaper for a little while. Relax, have some coffee or breakfast, and read.

Foto Finish Friday

red truck, originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

*Each Friday an interesting photo is selected to end the week on.

Quotables of April

hoodie*love
Originally uploaded by .elsie*cake.

This month: Learning to Listen

"A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he gets to know something." ~ Wilson Mizner

"The only way to entertain some folks is to listen to them." ~ Kin Hubbard

"There are people who, instead of listening to what is being said to them, are already listening to what they are going to say themselves." ~ Albert Guinon

"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence." ~ Robert Frost

"I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite." ~ G.K. Chesterton

How To Win Her Over. Instantly.

Here at Leave It To Weaver we try to do everything possible to offer up good, quality advice and entertainment. Of late we've provided advice on everything from public speaking to handling those trying times in life.

So this post is no different. We would like to show some love for those poor souls (men/boys) who are having a hard time impressing their girlfriend, significant crush, or obsession.

Are you a single male and having a brutal time trying to win over the girl of your dreams? Or are you dating someone who you feel you just haven't impressed enough? Look no further!

Our advice is to learn from the best. Learn from those guys that never seem to have any problems wooing the women they want. Take some notes. It's not about the flowers. It's not about all the sappy love notes (or creepy, stalkerish poems). No, it's not even about your looks or charm. Do you really want to impress your girl? Do you really want to knock her off her feet? Land a military chopper in her parents backyard. Instant love.

Thank you, and get to it! The woman of your dreams awaits.

Oh Snap! An Earthquake!

Here in the Midwest we have been getting pounded with all sorts of natural disasters it seems. We've experienced two brutal winters of ice, snow, and sub-zero temperatures. In fact, it still refuses to stay above 70 degrees for longer than a day or so and it's mid-April. The last couple of weeks have been filled with some flooding as well.

What next? Yesterday morning Illinois and the surrounding states were rocked by a magnitude 5.2 earthquake. I don't think there was much to feel where I'm at. In a sick and twisted way, I'm somewhat disappointed. An earthquake is one event I've never been through before, so part of me wants to mark that one off the list. The Kansas City Star reported that residents in Kansas City did call the police reporting feeling the a small tremor when it occurred. If that's the case, then it could mean I just slept through the whole thing since it occurred at 4:37 AM. CNN reported that it was felt as far as 900 miles away (although I somewhat doubt that).

How fitting was it that the San Fransisco Giants were in St. Louis to play the Cardinals?

All of this has of course brought up renewed talk of an eventual big one that will one day strike along the New Madrid fault line. Three earthquakes in 1811 and 1812 along this fault line caused the Mississippi River to run backwards for a while, created lakes, and supposedly caused church bells to ring in Boston.

When the next big one finally does strike I only hope I don't sleep through it too.

Foto Finish Friday

cafe kick, originally uploaded by buckaroo kid.

*Each Friday an interesting photo is selected to end the week on.

Poor Decisions... and George, that Tie!

This post will be a little different than most. I am in a little different mood than usual. To top things off, I'm experiencing a case of writer's block. So that is playing a part in my poor decision making tonight. I should leave you alone and just go to bed, right?

I spotted this tie on the Denver Nuggets coach, George Karl. I felt the need to share it with you because I believe it quite possibly could be the worst tie known to all mankind. This tie should never be worn in the privacy of your bedroom, much less court side at a NBA game.

I'll just wait here a moment and let you take in the entirety of just how horrendous it is.

Finished? Me too.

In life we're faced with all sorts of decisions. On a daily basis we're continuously making decision after decision. True, we don't always think much about them because they are routine, but they are decisions to be made. Simply getting up out of bed in time to get to work or school is a decision we make. Even if you were half asleep. Putting on a terrible tie is a decision too. Maybe one that should be thought out a little more.

What about making good decisions? We like to pat ourselves on the back when we know we've made a good call on something. Like making a career choice that will undoubtedly bring a little more stability to your family. Or like ending this poorly crafted post.

Allow me to deflect your attention from this post. That tie is terrible. Donate that thing to a local Denver thrift store, George. That would be a good decision.

Then You Grow Up

Childhood
Originally uploaded by Surreal McCoy

Remember the days when you had nothing better to do but run around and play? Those were the days, were they not?

Better Off In The Casket?

AXR001370
Originally uploaded by Tariq's Fantasy World

There have been studies done in the past asking people what their biggest fears are. On a consistent basis, public speaking has ranked at or near the top. In fact, many times people have listed it above dying! That's pretty amazing when you think about it. Jerry Seinfeld took note of this, saying, "This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”

I'm no expert, but I've done my fair share of public speaking at work, in church, at school, and other functions. There have even been a few times I was standing before crowds of nearly 1,000 people. It can be nerve racking, to say the least. Here are a few tips to help you feel more comfortable giving the eulogy.

5 Ways to Avoid the Comfort of the Casket

1. Be prepared. You can never be too prepared. Never. How can you prepare? Write out your thoughts. Outline them, write them word for word (especially if you are new to public speaking), and practice them. If you can stand before a mirror and practice, do it. If you can get someone to listen to you and maybe even offer up some helpful criticism, do it. You need to be prepared. Know what you want to say. I like to ask myself this question when prepping, "Would I be able to give this if I were to lose my outline, or notes?" If the answer is "No.", then I know I need to keep working. You can never be too prepared. Never.
2. Be nervous. I know that sounds crazy, but listen, even the most experienced of public speakers still gets nervous. The key is to not worry about being nervous. Don't focus on it. Instead, pretend you're comfortable. Don't tell the audience you're nervous, ignore it and pretend you're very comfortable. Too often people focus on being nervous, rather than actually delivering their thoughts they came prepared to give. When this happens the only thing you can do is get more nervous! Believe me, I know. It's happened to me, and the more I thought I was nervous the more nervous I became. Eventually, all I wanted to do was jump into the orchestra pit in front of the stage I was on. Allow yourself to be nervous and focus on your presentation.
3. Keep it simple and short. Say what you have to say and sit down. I don't know how else to say it. There's nothing worse than a speaker who rambles on and on, saying the same thing fifteen different ways. For one, the audience will begin to ignore you and will walk away forgetting what it was you had to say. Secondly, rambling or creating filler when you think you haven't gone long enough can actually make you more nervous. Quit trying to come up with something else to say. If you wanted to be able to speak longer, then you should have come more prepared. Am I wrong?
   
4. Be yourself. Don't get up and pretend to be Barak Obama, JFK, or Winston Churchill. You're not and if you think you are, you will never be as accomplished a speaker as they. Figure out the style that you are comfortable with, the style that is you, and then practice it. If you get up before an audience trying to be someone you're not, they will see right through you and your words will fall on deaf ears.
5. Make your material your own. Nothing is harder to listen to than a presentation you know you've heard someone much more accomplished deliver. In fact, nothing is harder to present than someone else's speech. When you're working up your thoughts in an outline, be sure you believe it. Be sure you understand it. Be sure they are your own words. There's nothing wrong with quoting someone from time to time, but to deliver a presentation that is word for word someone else's will be a difficult sell. Come up with your own examples, stories, or ways to deliver your thoughts. My grandfather was a preacher. One of my favorite stories I've heard about him occured when he sat through a sermon that was read almost word for word from a Matthew Henry commentary. Afterwards he went up to the man and said, "If I had wanted to read Matthew Henry I would have stayed home and read him." Make your words, your words.
   

"It's quite simple. Say what you have to say and when you come to a sentence with a grammatical ending, sit down." ~ Winston Churchill

No More Excuses

City Vehicles Only
Originally uploaded by drewmaniac

Why wouldn't you...

• ... eat healthier, in order to live healthier?
• ... master a new talent?
  
• ... chase after the one thing you've always known you wanted to do?
  
• ... finish the things you've always known you should finish?
  
• ... go for a walk?
  
• ... take up a new hobby?
• ... take a moment to relax and reflect on your life?
• ... tell your loved ones you love them?
• ... be friendly to people?
  
• ... say you're sorry when you make a mistake?
• ... read a book you've been meaning to read?

Exactly! In the end, they really are just excuses. No more excuses.

No TV and I'm Feeling Alright

Conan O'Brien and E.T
Originally uploaded by mrhollygolightly

It suddenly dawned on me today that I have been without any television for over a month. I never got cable or satellite when I moved, in order to save some cash. Nor did I purchase any rabbit ears. I look about me and everything is alright. I still feel connected. I'm getting more news and sports on-line now as a result. And, as a matter of habit I'm still getting a newspaper most days.

The good thing is there are now no pointless nights channel surfing. Not that I mindlessly surfed that often, but I will admit that most nights the television was usually on something (even if I wasn't watching). Usually sports or news. I quit watching most television shows years ago. I did watch a movie (DVD) the other night. On my computer.

So what does all of this mean? I'm not entirely sure. But, I think my brain has been working a little better these days. I seem to have ideas popping up continually about all sorts of things. I read even more than I did before, too. I'd go outside more, but it's still acting like winter out there. What is that about anyway? I'd take some global warming now, please.

I think I'm going to keep this no television arrangement up for as long as I can...

Top Of The Mornin' To Ya!

Morning Stretch
Originally uploaded by disneymike

I admit it. I never used to be a morning person. I despised it. I wanted nothing more than to sleep in, and sleep some more. I thought rising with or even before the sun was for old people. Maybe it is, but I'd like to think the younger can and should too. The morning has much to offer.
6 Reasons You Should Rise Early!

1. It is always quiet. The rest of the world is asleep so now is your chance for peace of mind and relaxation.
   
2. Easier to get things done. Because the rest of the world is asleep, you will find more time with less distractions.
   
3. A good breakfast. No matter what it is you eat in the morning for breakfast, there always is something much nicer to it than all the other meals in the day. Enjoy it.
   
4. The sunrise. There's nothing that can kick off a great day like a good sunrise. It just brightens (pun intended) your day to see the sun beginning to peek through the sky.
   
5. Once awake, your brain is fresh. I find that I'm always on my game the most in the early morning hours. I write, I read, and I think much clearer in the wee hours of the morning.
6. Morning exercise. It's one of the best times to go for a walk, bike ride, or jog. Hands down. You get to enjoy the sunrise, think (with a fresh brain), and enjoy some peace of mind all while working out! You never regret it.
   

So why not rise early and get the day started right?

Foto Finish Friday

Carbo-Sil, originally uploaded by Isaac-CC.

*Each Friday an interesting photo is selected to end the week on.

April is National Grilled Cheese Month!

grilled cheese
Originally uploaded by little grey

Kraft is pretty pumped about the grilled cheese sandwich. I admit, I'm a sucker for a good grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup. That said, I think they're going way overboard with this whole thing. Apparently April is National Grilled Cheese Month. I didn't get the memo.

Kraft Singles is celebrating by encouraging people to submit their grilled cheese memories. I have a few of them. Many when I was a kid. The roof of my mouth singed by the burn of hot cheese because I couldn't wait for the thing to cool off. I wonder if that counts as a good memory? Could I submit it and get it published for the big celebration on April 16th?

What are your grilled cheese memories?

A Customer Service Horror Story

In Seth Godin's most recent post, he asks "Who answers the phone?" He raises some very valid points about how important those who are taking the phone calls at companies are often the most valuable marketing tool a company has. Yet, they are often the most under valued.

"...even though the rules have changed, the lowest-paid, least-respected, highest-turnover jobs in the organization now do the most important marketing work."

Remember Cingular? Cingular came in with a bang. Their marketing campaign was obvious. Ads were everywhere. Their name was being tossed around every major media outlet available. There were even Cingular All-American football players named between the years of 2004 - 2006. The hype was like a continual beating of the drum. Customers were flocking to them, including myself for a very short period of time.

Then the bill came in. It was not just considerably higher than I had anticipated, it was also showing that I was on a much smaller plan (as far as minutes are concerned) than I had signed up for. I checked my paperwork. Sure enough, I had signed up for a plan that had a little more freedom with the minutes. So I called their customer service for the first time of many.

For the first three months I would have to call and patiently inform the person answering the phone that my bill showed a different plan than the one I signed up for. Each time they would agree (after many minutes on hold, on the phone explaining, and even talking to supervisors) that for some reason my phone plan had been changed when billed. It was frustrating to say the least. I always got my bill credited back, but I felt I shouldn't have to keep calling and pointing out the errors on my bill each month. It should have been corrected the first time.

After the fourth bill came in and I had to go through the same song and dance, I gladly took the hit (in my wallet) from getting out of my contract with Cingular. I was finished with them. Unsatisfied and not very pleased with the service I had received.

While I understand this was an error that was out of the hands of the person answering the phone, I wonder if things would have been different if they were better equipped? What if the person answering the phone didn't have to run their decision by the supervisor every time?

What if the problem was not only corrected, but I was offered something (some extra credit on my next bill, maybe?) in return for my troubles? I'm not the type to demand a company give me something for poor service. I just take my money elsewhere. Maybe that's a fault of mine. But my feeling about that is, should I have to ask? Shouldn't that be something employers give their employees the freedom to offer when something goes wrong?

Cingular didn't last very long, and I suspect a large reason for that was other customers had similar experiences as I did. In the end Cingular went out with a whimper and was swallowed up by AT&T.

Do you have similar customer service horror stories?

Please Fasten Your Seatbelts

Just a small Turbulance !
Originally uploaded by G.Hjöll

"Our trials, our sorrows, and our grieves develop us..." ~ Orison Swett Marden

We all face a little turbulence in our lives. One day we can be cruising along and everything is just fine. The next day we're experiencing some life changing events and we're left to figure out how best to react and cope. It happens to all of us at some point.

There are some very important things we should always try to remember when these moments in our lives come along.

* Remain calm.
* Avoid the blame game.
* Avoid bitterness or resentment.
* Don't lose sight of the larger picture in your life.
* Try to take some lessons from the experience.
* Avoid self pity.
* Use the difficult time to make some needed changes (rid yourself of bad habits, have a more positive attitude, and so on).

No matter the turbulence we may face, there is always something we can take from it and use as a positive later in life. Our responsibility lies in trying to recognize those positives things and taking full advantage of them.

"A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials." ~ Chinese Proverb

Some Things are Harder Than Others

It's easy to:

• Love someone who loves you.
• React when the time is now.
• Eat out.
• Believe what everyone else believes.
• Be skeptical of everyone.
• Maintain idle conversation.
• Know what you would like to do in life.
• Listen to music.
  

It's a whole lot harder to:

• Love someone who returns no love.
• Prepare for the time that will come.
• Cook.
• Evaluate what you believe and have reasons for why.
  
• Trust, but verify.
  
• Recognize that sometimes, silence is indeed golden.
• Follow through with goals that will guide you in the direction you want to go in life.
• Listen to music you have never heard before.
  

Facing a Setback

Setbacks are called that because that's exactly what they are. They set you back from the goal or course you had in mind. They set you back and can make it improbable that your goals for a promotion at work, leadership role in church, or doctorate you thought you were cut out for is going to come your way.

Improbable does not mean impossible. Just as setback doesn't mean dead end. Setbacks can come in many different forms, for various different reasons. Some are brought on because we made a poor choice, or a series of poor choices. Some are brought on by outside forces far beyond our control. Analyzing what setbacks we can face isn't really the point here though. In fact, I'll go so far to say that it rarely matters what the setback was. Although I will admit the varying degrees in which they can come does matter in some ways.

What we want to focus on is our reaction to that setback. Here are some things to consider when a setback is thrown your way:

• Is it worth it? - Sometimes a setback comes our way and we simply need to ask ourselves, "Is this worth it?" It will be natural to think this way initially, but it this is often the time when lesser folks decide it isn't. Remember, a setback isn't a dead end and you are not a lesser person. Maybe you've looked at all the pros and cons and you really do think you can overcome this setback. You can tear down this wall. You can and it won't take much more than some patience, determination, and hard work. If that's the case. If it's truly something you believe in and you can see the light (however far in the distance) at the end of the tunnel, then it might just be worth it.
  
• Door of opportunity - Maybe it isn't worth it. If you're in your first or second year of medical school and you've realized that you really cannot stand the sight of blood (I know, I know highly unlikely), maybe you just don't have the passion needed to be a doctor. You realize you not only do not enjoy those long hours studying, you really don't care much about what you're trying to learn. Then possibly a setback that has come in your direction is really an opportunity. Now is your chance! Is it possible you've been putting aside what you really love to do for these other goals that seemed so much more important to you and everyone else? Is it possible you weren't truly passionate about your goal, but it was what you were expected to be doing instead? Maybe this setback is your opportunity. In fact, I'd say if you are reading this right now and you do get queasy at the sight of blood, medical school is probably not for you. This setback, whatever it is, that is standing in the way of your finishing is actually your opportunity.
  
• Were you needing a wake up call? - We all need wake up calls from time to time. We get complacent or satisfied. As a result we start settling and the direction of our goals aren't so clear. We think they are, but we are asleep until a setback comes along and wakes us up. This goes back to one of my previous posts about St. Louis Cardinals' pitcher Rick Ankiel. His setback was that the command and accuracy he'd enjoyed for so many years pitching were suddenly gone. He'd enjoyed so much success and accolades along his journey to the major leagues it seemed inconceivable that he was literally throwing it all away right before our eyes. Never mind the hows or whys. The fact was he was facing a setback. He could either continue to toil in the minor leagues beaning and walking opposing batters (most likely), retire from baseball altogether, or set a new course. He chose to use his setback as an opportunity. It was his brutal wake up call. He had to look around and realize that he could hit and was willing to learn a new position. He changed his course, set some new goals, and got to work. He received a wake up call and responded appropriately.
  

Are you facing a setback? Is it worth it to work through it? Is it your opportunity to try something new and exciting? Is it a chance to set a new course?

Foto Finish Friday

they finally stayed.., originally uploaded by virginiaz.

*Each Friday an interesting photo is selected to end the week on.

Lessons Learned From Rick Ankiel

In the summer of 2000 my friend, Paul, and I attended a St. Louis Cardinals game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on a whim. When I lived closer to St. Louis these spontaneous trips occasionally happened. At the front ticket office, we splurged a little for some good seats behind home plate. It was a fun evening of baseball. I remember two things about that game. One was that the Diamondbacks went on a tear late in the game and turned it into a blowout. The other thing was Rick Ankiel and his pitching.

At that point he hadn't tied a record for wild pitches in an inning (one that hadn't been touched since 1890). For most of the game he was in command. We were amazed at the 20 year old's command. At some point he threw a wild pitch that hit the backstop. I recall laughing at it. Partly because I had jumped when the ball looked like it was coming at us.

By now most people know the story of how he collapsed that same year in the playoffs. One wild pitch after another his promising young career was being thrown away (pardon the pun). Attempted comebacks, more wild pitches, and then injuries derailed Ankiel. He had been one of the most promising young left-handed pitchers to enter the game. Now he was washed up. A mental wreck and no one knew how to stop his epic collapse.

He was sent back down to the minor leagues and in 2005 announced that he was giving up pitching forever. But the story doesn't end there. He decides he can play the outfield and can improve his hitting. Pitchers aren't supposed to hit, much less chase fly balls in the outfield. He was working an up hill battle. Last season he got the call back up to the major leagues. If you follow sports at all you know that in just three days he began taking baseball and the Cardinals by storm again. He homered three times, had many more hits, and was making some great plays in the outfield. The fans were giving him standing ovations nearly every time he came to the plate it seemed. Ankiel, even if it was just for a moment, had returned.

Charles Krauthammer, normally a political analyst, wrote an article on him in the Washington Post comparing him to The Natural. He writes, "His return after seven years -- if only three days long -- is the stuff of legend."

We now begin the 2008 season. It's still early, but two games in, Ankiel has already homered and is making great plays in the outfield. He's come into this season with high expectations. He's the starting center fielder, replacing a legend who's roamed the Cardinals outfield for years, in Jim Edmonds.

So is there a lesson here besides just a feel good story? A story that probably makes Hollywood producers drool. I think so. Here are three:

1. Know When to Change Course - Ankiel could have continued to work on pitching. He could have tried to regain the command and control he once enjoyed. Stubbornly attempting to go back to the way he once was. Problem is, I think he would still be pitching in the minor leagues, or out of baseball altogether had he taken this path. Instead of stubbornly holding on to the past, he changed course. He set his re-aligned his goals and set a different path. How often could we stand to change course? How often do we sometimes insist on everything going back to the way it once was? Instead of stubbornly trying again and again to make something work, that just no longer works, maybe we should change course.
2. Identify Your Talents - If you see you have a talent in something why not pursue it? We aren't all able to throw curve balls to get major league hitters out. Even Rick Ankiel figured this out. He had to identify his talents. It was still in his field of baseball, but different. When you find something you can do well, instead of spinning your wheels doing something else, pursue your talent. Life is too short trying everything else your not good at.
   
3. Determine to Achieve Goals - Too often we get to the hard part in our goals we have set for ourselves and we get discouraged. It's easier to just quit. It's easier to walk away and set an easier course of action. Usually one that achieves nothing. I suspect for Ankiel, the hard part of his goal of becoming a power hitting outfielder was when he was traveling around to second rate cities in the minor leagues. It would have been easier for him to demand immediate rewards. After all, he once pitched in the major leagues! He started Game 1 of the 2000 Divisional Playoffs! It probably wasn't easy while chasing down fly balls in AA ball in Springfield, MO, but he remained determined to achieve his goal. It was going to take some time, and he was prepared to work through the hard part.

In anything we do, I mean anything, if we would just figure out when something is not working and change course, identify our true talents and pursue them with determination we would see positive results much more often. Rick Ankiel may never make the Hall of Fame or crush 50 home runs in a season, but he'll always have a great story for all of us to learn from.