What follows is a parable that’s written for you. To hear the voice of the nine year old boy is to listen to and take to heart the voice of your inner child, your inner Being. The story is a reminder for you to believe in your authentic inner Self not the outer crowd of discontent and disconnection.  Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest this story in Appreciation and Receptivity for this is your story, my story, our story. Inner Being is always cheering you to play on…

It was like a dream. “Three strikes, you’re out.” shouted the umpire. I walked to the dug-out pelted by jeers, hisses and boos. I was really down this time.The life I’d lived seemed to have vanished. The death of my best friend had dropped me into a bottomless pit I couldn’t seem to pull myself out of.  I didn’t seem to be able to do anything except rage, cry and wonder why.

“Three strikes, your out.” I heard the umpire say again and again and again.

“No hope, no vision, no purpose.” my counselor said. “I’ll see you again next week when you’re back in town.” But I didn’t go back. What was the use? It was all just a foolish game anyway. “Who cares? I’ll just drift off in my depression and turn to dust. What’s the point of any of this?”

My foot hit the dug-out step as I heard a voice yell, “Hey Champ!” I turned and looked up to see a nine year old boy standing at the fence looking at me, eyes wide open shining wisdom from his depths. “You can do it Champ. I know you can. I believe in you. You’re still the Champ and I’m with you and rooting for you.”

A part of me wanted to respond with “Sure kid, what do you know?” but I held my tongue. I just stood there looking at this innocent young boy looking at this tired depressed beat-up me. He smiled and again said, “You can do it. I know you can. I believe in you.” Then a man I suspect was his father took his hand and led him away as he looked back over his shoulder, smiled, winked and gave me a thumb up.

“You can do it. I believe in you.” In that moment something shifted in me. From the depths of my heart tears of joy welled up in my eyes and I felt a new power surge through my soul. When I got up to bat again I didn’t strike out. I got a hit. I got a run. I got on with my life and began to play for the enjoyment of it, for fun. I played for that boy and his sister and all the children who need a Champ; someone to believe in, to be inspired by.

I began to play for all the would be Champs, the could be hitters who needed a little encouragement; someone to help them believe in themselves. I played beyond myself, beyond the game, beyond the depreciation into appreciation, beyond the dullness into enthusiasm, beyond the known into the unknown.

And today, beyond the baseball game, I’m playing the game of Life for children of all ages that they may continue to play on and on for the sheer enjoyment of being alive. I’m beginning to again see with their eyes that everyone is a potential champion who needs affirmation,  encouragement, inspiration and appreciation.

What do you say? Are you willing to again be a Champ and enjoy playing the game of abundant life? It’s high time to be inspired. You can do it. I know you can. I believe in you. Batter up! ! !