One of my former players was shot and killed Thursday morning. He was an awesome guy. Tough and yet kind & tender at the same time. Humble, gritty, and intense.
I turned 48 on the same day he was killed. The older I get the more I catch myself thinking about life, death, and what is really important.
As I reflected on Chris, and life in general the last couple of days, this idea kept coming to mind: Travel light through this world.
I wrote the following in one of my journal entries in 2017. “Travel light so you don’t get bogged down with stuff. Travel light so you can move around easier and are flexible. Travel light so when you lose everything, you haven’t lost much. Depend on as little as possible.”
I think this ‘travel light’ idea is primarily about stuff and possessions, but I want to extend it to accomplishments.
It is totally fine and good to chase accomplishments. As long as the primary focus is on the people you are leading/journeying with. What good is it to win a championship if you aren’t developing and enjoying people in the process.
Travel light.
‘Stuff’ doesn’t satisfy us. Sure, it might bring some enjoyment for a short period of time…but eventually, the ‘stuff’ ends up in the dump…literally.
Like ‘stuff’, accomplishments will never truly satisfy. They might make you happy for a couple of days or maybe even a couple of weeks…but eventually…
Travel light. Pour into people. Accumulate memories. Accumulate relationships. Develop others.
As I reflect on Chris, I don’t reflect on his batting average or his fielding %. I reflect on our relationship. Our interactions and time spent together…in the bullpen, in a hotel lobby, on a bus, etc.
Travel light. |