Don't Fear a Broken Heart: Chapters Two and Three

(Continuing a series of lessons in life and love my children will learn from the Red Sox)

2. Thou Shalt Not Steal.
If you steal 30 times, and get caught 10 of those times, you may think you've gained something. You haven't. Getting caught once is enough reason to not do it at all, and it shows that you don't have faith in your hitting. I think the romantic and other life applications to this should be obvious, or else I can't think of any and want you to do the work. Thats what the Comments section is for.

3. Pitching Wins Games
I know. You're powerful, a big strong strapping person (I have a daughter as well as son, and I expect greatness from both), and you think that hitting one out of the park is the way to success. Well kids, I'm hear to tell you that man shall not live by the long ball alone. The Sox of Red won that big shiny ring a few years ago with not just one ace, but two. And it wasn't the cleanup hitter who was held together with duct tape and baling wire to get them through, it was a pitcher.

There will be a time in your life when this becomes very important. You need to see a certain result in a relationship, a job, or a 6th grade science fair, so what do you do? Is it time to swing for the fences and win the game with a mighty blast? Maybe. But it might be time for some good pitching.

Approach your adversaries with finesse (thanks for agreeing to meet with me on short notice, i know you're busy). Set them up on the outside, about knee high, so they have to reach (i've been thinking about the increasing responsibility and workload we've all been experiencing lately). Back them off the plate a little with some chin music to show them who is in charge (i've been offered a position in another company and i'm strongly considering it). Baffle and defy all expectations, don't be afraid to use the knuckleball to keep them off balance (its not an easy decision, i value the relationships i have here but it might be time for a change). And then dare them to hit your high heat (it would take a pay increase for me to stay here, what do you think?)

You could go in guns blazing, showing off your might accomplishments and making demands, but take a moment to remember the bloody sock, the crazy guy who ran to second from the mound in an attempt to pick of a runner, and the knuckleball. Pitching wins games, kids.