Your Happy Place? It Changes Sometimes.

Happy Easter to those who celebrate today. This time of year, spring, has always lifted my spirits.

As a young kid, my softball season started in the spring and ended in late summer. For years, softball was no longer part of my life. Partly on purpose, I became very burned out from the sport and had a less than optimal experience as a college softball player.

In fact, anytime someone would mention softball, I would find a way to excuse myself from the conversation. Everyone would ask if my two daughters had started softball yet. The answer was a quick “no.” It’s not that I wouldn’t support their involvement, but I was not going to push them into playing softball.

This year, my younger daughter, Charlotte, asked to play. So… I signed her up and started some light practicing. As we began our practice outside our house, my older daughter, Betsy, decided that she might like it, too. So… we signed her up.

Next thing I knew, we were in it. We had the equipment and some basic skills and we were ready to go.

I was nervous for them both. I know how long it takes to develop your skills in this sport, and as a perfectionist myself, I wanted to be sure that my girls did this for fun, not anything else. I was worried that they would be bored and then I would have to motivate them to show up. To my surprise, this was not the case.

Betsy, the artist, became obsessed with hitting. She is now constantly asking for me to pitch to her. Charlotte still wants to go to practice which is a big deal.

This past week, I was having a rough day. I could not get out of my head. I could not be in the moment. It was almost as if I had no tools to help myself. Betsy had practice, so we headed out. I had offered my help to the coaches earlier in the season and thankfully they took me up on it. From the moment I stepped on the field that day to help the girls, I found my way again. In fact, when the practice was over I realized that I hadn’t thought about my troubles - not once.

I had found my happy place. On the softball field. A place that I chose to avoid for years. I was grateful. I was surprised, too. I had been given a gift. In fact, softball has always been my gift. I just chose not to see that for a bit. 

And, there is more. That evening when I went home, a huge wave of compassion for myself and those who I blamed for my negative college softball experience was present. And, it hasn’t left me yet.

This message is to say, you may find your happy place somewhere unexpected. And, I urge you to find it. Go to the place where you are out of your head and into your body. Make this a practice. You will be so glad you did.

XO-
Ali