Catching Balls

I remembered kicking off 2023 with a confident and reflective approach to goal setting. I did what most people do - spent time with family and friends, over-indulged and struck some ideas into plans and goals. Fast forward 356 days and nearing the finish line of 2023 - what's the outcome looking back? I think I got my butt kicked many times in a self-deprecating way. I felt I had dropped many balls as the year took its own auto-pilot form and carried me on a wave to this date.

There were some goals that I had invested time and effort in that didn't work out. It is frustrating but a deep breath moment before chanting, "it is what it is" and letting go to see the silver lining. I have accepted the notion that meeting goals is like a game of "catch" - some balls are caught, and some will be dropped. It is important to keep the eye on the ball and be ready for the next catch. It is easier to catch balls that you bounce off a wall but a different story when catching balls throw by someone from a different angle and power. 2023 has been a whirlpool of activities that I failed to meet many personal goals, but I did catch some interesting challenges from others and turned them into successful outcomes for myself.

The reflexive "a-ha" moment is not about the count of balls that were caught or dropped but the mental agility to determine which balls were worth dropping and infusing "joie de vivre" in play. To this day, I have not seen a dog stomped off a pitch after missing wayward balls. Dogs love a game of catch and keep coming back for more. As I look at my own goal setting as a game of catch, I shall give my best to catch them but also prepared to adapt for setbacks. C'est la vie mon amie!

As we turn a new leaf soon for 2024, I shall continue to throw out some balls of my own and also look forward to catching some from others in the form of new learnings, challenges and relationships. We just got to remember to have fun in the spirit of this game called "life". Wishing everyone a joyful year-end and Happy New Year in 2024. The best is yet to be!