Friday, June 21, 2013

Daring a Field of Dreams and Celebrating Small Big Things

Field of Dreams
My grandfather, Father Dragon "The Great", taught me many Lessons of Life. Two were with baseball, the king of sports and his favorite one.

Lesson 1. "The Game is not Lost until it is Over." In baseball, one should not celebrate a victory or cry a defeat before the end. It doesn't matter who's winning because the score can still change drastically at the last minute of the game. My grandfather used to tell me that regardless how bad things may look in my life, I should never consider myself defeated. There is always the chance "to hit a home run" at the last possible moment and one should never quit trying. I'm a Pro in this lesson.

Lesson 2. "Let Go of the Ball." When you have the ball in your hands, you decide what to do with it. You do your best effort and your best call. You can control the ball while you have it. However, you can't control it the whole game. You can't clutch the ball in your hands and walk with it to the place you want it to get. If you don't let go and trust the other players to do their job, the game doesn't move on.

I get D- in this almost forgotten lesson. I'm one of those creatures who wants to control everything. I want total control on what depends on me (my thoughts, my actions, my feelings) and on what doesn't depend on me but has a direct impact on my life. When things don't happen as I expect, it could officially qualify as little less than a catastrophe by the levels of anxiety I can reach. I fear things that are beyond my control because my brain is programmed to believe it's more than possible something (or everything) goes wrong for me.

The problem is not me believing I am the best "baseball player" around because I'm not. I just believe that if I drop the ball, it will hurt me less than if someone hits me with it. In other words, I have problems with trust. Be it people or Higher Powers, I insist on clutching the ball even in the many situations it is no longer in my claws. The great revelation of centuries-distilled wisdom? I've had enough.

My grandfather was right. If you don't let go and trust the other players to do their job, the game doesn't move on, nor do you. It only gets extremely frustrating and exhausting as you circle the field, playing alone as catcher, pitcher, batter, umpire, ESPN reporter and fans. Absolutely NO fun at all.

I'm opening my Field of Dreams. I'm trusting the Higher Powers will come out of the corn field to show me how to be a good player.

Who knows? Maybe then people will come and see the dragon "hit a home run" and put the ball in the sky...


Celebrate the small things is the brilliant idea of VikLit. Each Friday we post something we wish to celebrate achieving or doing during the week. It can be writing/reading or life related. You can find the list and join us here.

1. Last Saturday I told my friend Jeff I was going to ask Dragon Santa for a tablet this year. But Melissa Sugar at Have You Heard saved Dragon Santa the job as she informed me on Monday I am the winner of the iPad Mini she was giving away in her 500 Fab Followers Rafflecopter contest!!! I've never got a request answered that fast before. :) This is quite a huge gift for me as it will not only help me big time with my artistic projects but it will also make it easier for me to read all the e-books I have not been able to read yet. Thank you, Melissa! My eyes and my muse will be forever grateful.

2. Lovely Laura Eno heard about my eye problem due to the computer and offered to send me a physical copy of her book Jewel of Shaylar. I just got it! I'm happy for that. She also was kind enough to send me back my dwarf Sessin, son of Tassin, after he managed to survive an interview with Mistress Snark. I am not happy with him having interviews and divulging my secrets behind my back but I am happy I don't have to seek for a cheerleader replacement.

Since the badge says "I had tea..." I am keeping the badge. After all, I am the boss. Otherwise, people may start to believe we're changing the name of this place to "Dwarf Sessin Writes" and would be false advertising. Anyway, what could a dwarf have to charm his way to Mistress Snark's parlor first than a big, red, dashing-looking, cuddling, awesome, gentle, fire dragon? Any idea? (Absolutely no dragon star pouting here. I'm just wondering.)

3. It's Friday! I have to celebrate I'm talking to you. Dragon has missed hearing from all the bloggy friends so much I've started making sketches of you.  That's either a sign of a great idea I'm concocting or a bad side-effect of blogaddiction withdrawal. You'll find out soon enough. In the meantime, dragon hugs and have a wonderful week!

56 comments:

  1. The problem with letting go of the ball, is the ball should in a perfect world should come bouncing back to you once in a while. When it dosen't then you get to feel less of yourself (which isn't true at all)At present I've been waiting for my ball to bounce back.
    Good post Al.

    Yvonne.

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    1. Yes, that can happen to. But I think in those cases, we should go and get ourselves another ball. Thanks, Yvonne!

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  2. now the wife and i watched "field of dreams" just last weekend... here i am tearing up at every major points of the film. she is looking at me, her never seeing it... i knew the outcome the end and if you build it, they will come. i think i am sharing in your post, to say... happy friday... may your ball field be built.

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    1. No matter how many times I see it, I always get teary. Thanks, Jeremy. Happy Friday to you too.

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  3. Another beautiful post. May your week be full of the magic and wonder you give to others.

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    1. Yours as well! Thanks for coming and for your words

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  4. It's like the prayer - "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
    Your interview with Laura was the best ever.
    And you are so going to dig that iPad.

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    1. You are triggering some of those thoughts, you know. :)

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  5. We can't control everything. It can be tough to let go, but for our own sanity, sometimes we have to.

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    1. I agree with you. I'm making my best. Probably the ball will have to be surgically removed from my paw but I'll let go. :)

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  6. Oh boy, I sure can relate to having issues with control, heheh. It's hard to let go! And so glad your dwarf enjoyed his tea with Mistress Snark :)

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    1. Still suffering the hangover, but yes, he did have a lot of fun, hahaha. Hope Laura's readers had fun too. :)

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  7. Father Dragon, 'The Great,' know's what he's talking about. Life lessons can be hard to grasp - life is a fast game of ups and downs. Winning an IPad is phenomenal! I don't own one, but I've played with one and loved it. And congrats to Dwarf Sessin to surviving tea with Miss Snark.

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    1. My grandfather was phenomenal, hahaha. Many things I'm just beginning to understand now. But I guess life is a never-ending lesson. I'm excited about the prize too! Can't wait. Thanks for visiting! :)

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  8. Hi Al, there is a saying in cricket that the game is not over until the last ball is bowled. Anything can happen in that last ball.

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    1. That's a similar one, Rachna. And truth as well. :)

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  9. Oh Dragon Friend-- trust, faith, hope-- they are a braid I fail to grasp most of the time. And yet my own efforts are rarely productive. I have a tendency to just tune out the offensive emotion that is plaguing me rather than deal with it head on, as a result. And yet, paradoxically, I cling tenaciously to a belief that life and its outcome isn't completely up to me alone. A mess, I am ;) Lovely post as always. I love your heart.

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    1. We'll call ourselves paradox beings. There is so much we share that's why we feel so much empathy with one another. I also love your heart, my friend.

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  10. Your grandfather was a very wise man. Loved the baseball analogies. :)

    And that's awesome Dragon Santa worked that fast to get you an iPad Mini!

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    1. Thanks! And you're one of those I got in a sketch already. You look lovely ;)

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  11. Al, it seems like you -know- your lessons...it's just implementing them, that's giving you trouble. Don't worry, though, you'll get them with practice :)

    Have a great weekend and congrats on the iPad!

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    1. Practice, practice, practice. :D Thank you, Mark!

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  12. Wow. I needed that reminder. I've not only been trying to play every position too, but I yell at people who try to step on the field. Not good. Wise words I will try to heed.

    So wonderful that you won the iPad. I think that is just awesome!!!

    And how great is Laura? I have an even deeper love for her now!

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    1. I knew I was not alone in this habit, hahaha. Good you found this useful. Laura is of course extraordinaire. And so do you. :D

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  13. I'm so glad Sessin arrived back to you safe and (mostly) sound. Father Dragon himself should consider entertaining Mistress Snark sometime. :)

    Three cheers for the iPad! I love ereaders because I can enlarge the print and they're lighter weight than a paperback book.

    The game is never over till the lights go out...sending bolitas your way!

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    1. He's never been sound, my friend. He might be good in convincing others that he may pass for a sane individual, though. He sends flowers to Jezebel for the additional box of punch. I think we'll drink it on my birthday party. It's going to be hot! Hahahaha
      Bolitas!

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  14. I'll be there to see Father Dragon hit that home run. I'm a huge baseball fan and can also relate to your trust issues, so I loved this post. Beautiful analogy.

    Just caught up with Sessin's visit to Jezebel's place and I do hope he is recovering with no lingering effects.

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    1. I am not betting on the absence of lingering effects. Now he just has attacks of laughter for no reason at all. Not complaining, though. He looks happier that way, hahaha. Thanks for reading. (I got you in sketch too.) :D

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  15. Great baseball analogies, Al...
    really touching, letting go is the hardest ((Hugs))

    Congratulations on the iPad Mini, also I Loved that interview... so dance moves? ;)





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    1. Yes! Dancing moves! Please start practicing yours because you're gonna need them in the near future. You're on my list, hehehe. Dragon hugs back at you!

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  16. This year has been a bounty of blog gifts for you - congrats! Didn't know about your eye problem. Praying that healing and comfort come and remain in them, so that your reading and art will go smoothly. Enjoy your weekend. Writer’s Mark

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    1. Yes, it has come to be a good year, isn't it? Thanks for the prayers and thoughts, Nancy. Happy weekend too!

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  17. We are missing you too Father Dragon. Nice to hear you are something of a dancer, glad Sessin told us that. He sure enjoyed himself with his "tea".

    Hey, Sir Jeff and I are planning to meet up in North Carolina in September. Wish you could join us.

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    1. I would love to. I could use some vacation. Too bad USA won't give dragons visa. :( I do expect for you two to share a lot of pictures with me, though. :D

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  18. I'll come watch you hit a home run! And anyone who can survive that tea party has my deep respect. I still have pruny skin from my experience.

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    1. Oh yes! the small pores all ruined, :) YOu will always look perfect to me, Christine!

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  19. Congrats on winning the tablet--I'm so happy for you! :) Have fun playing with it!

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  20. Faith is a difficult thing. Trust is a difficult thing. Throwing that ball out and having faith and trust that you aren't letting go too soon, too late, or handing it off to the wrong people. So, I say to you this: choose wisely. Pick your teammates wisely. If you have a lousy team, you will worry every time you let that ball go (and rightfully so). If you choose your teammates well, you can release it without fear. Another great post!

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    1. Have you ever wondered why nothing is easy in life? I do. Each time I think on all those things you're wisely mentioning, I wonder why things cannot be easier. But as someone said, "if things that are really worthy were easy to do, anyone would do them."
      Thanks for your words, Robin!

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  21. Great post. Love the analogies. They are good, but hard lessons to learn. It is easy to feel defeated before the "game" is even over. Also I like to look at it like this. A one person team is almost always guaranteed a loss.

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  22. Greetings Al,

    And one of my favourite movies. My friend, you build a blog of hope and they will come. Out from the cornfields, they shall arrive. Play ball, batter up and hit that home run of hope.

    I've got this urge for, peanuts, popcorn and Cracker Jacks. Happy Friday, happy weekend to you and all our friends who visit your wonderful blog.

    In peace and goodwill, your friend,

    Gary :)

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  23. A visit to this blog is like taking a long drink of cool water pouring from a mountainside. (that happened to me in the Sangre de Cristos range in Albuquerque). Always refreshing and a lot of gentle but humorous wisdom. I am happy for you about everything and so glad I was able to stop by!

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  24. I think many of us will sympathize with the desire to control everything. It's instinctive to fight for ourselves and protect ourselves from harm. Strangely, some things we think are good for us, aren't; and somethings that might hurt in the beginning are good for us in the end. One thing is for sure: stressing out over controlling everything is bad for us. When playing baseball, it's not necessary to win every time to be happy.
    Have a nice weekend. :-)

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  25. An iPad?? That is awesome! Letting go and having faith is never easy. Great post!

    Meredith
    Meredith’s Musings

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  26. Wonderful post.. I can totally relate to letting go... I struggle with that big time.

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  27. Another lovely post, Al. Congrats on your win you deserve it.

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  28. Congrats on the win - and after reading the first part of your post, it seems so fitting. I've learned that it's amazing how many problems solve themselves, when one just lets go and watches. Not all, mind you, but more than one would imagine.

    Love your survived tea badge! I'd wear that with pride, if I were you ;)

    And thanks for the Field of Dreams reminder. I loved that movie but had forgotten all about it. Have a great week :)

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  29. Congratulations on winning the ipad mini! How exciting.

    As for control...we really don't have control over as many things we think we do and when we try to have that control it effects us in adverse ways. I like the thought of letting that ball go!

    Sia McKye OVER COFFEE

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  30. Congratulations on winning an ipad! That's so cool!

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  31. Sounds like a wise old dragon.

    mood

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  32. Your winning illustrates your lesson #2 very nicely. It can be hard to trust others.

    Nice on Laura's new book. I haven't read it yet, but I know it'll be good. She writes an awesome story.

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  33. I can't wait to see you put the ball in the sky. When you do it's going to be incredible! (:
    Sorry to hear about the problems with your eyes. Hopefully some rest and the iPad will make it a little easier. Great win by the way!!

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  34. WOW, FD...

    CONGRATS ON THE IPAD MINI!!!! How sweet and wonderful of Melissa to offer such an AMAZING prize! And how SWEET of Laura... who is such a honey, to send you a physical copy of her book!

    The gods are certainly smiling down upon your dragon hide this week. How wonderful. As for your home run, with patience, practice, prayer, and a bit of luck .... YOU WILL HIT IT OUT OF THE BALLPARK!

    Our journeys are littered with mines and ten foot holes we all fall into, but we drag ourselves out with the helping hands of our loved ones and BLOGGER BUDDIES, and continue our journey...

    Keep safe in your cave and heal.... until the you are ready to soar through the skies once more!

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  35. Great post, Al. You are so wise. ;)

    Woohoo! What a cool thing to win!

    *blush* Sorry I'm so behind on my blog visits.

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  36. I can't wait until you get that iPad mini. You're gonna love it!

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