Search Institute

For those of you turned off by the over-importance given to sports in our culture, give this post at least a paragraph or two before discarding.

Last night marked one of my favorite days of the year: opening day of Minnesota Twins baseball. An eternal optimist and avid fan, I look forward to opening day because I believe (really) that each year the Twins might win it all. Barring that, I’m happy because I know that opening days marks the beginning of listening to games on the radio while I mow the lawn or sitting with my two sons and my wife at the game, eating hot dogs and having four hours together. What’s not to like?

But this year, baseball might even be important. Frankly, it seems as though our collective default mode has turned to stress and worry. And for good reason. We’re living through a peculiar time, a time that thwaps us on the head and tells us daily that we’re in the midst of something historical and generally scary. From melting polar ice caps to wars abroad to our crippled economy, as soon as we open our brains to a new day, we’ve got a lot to worry about. Give it enough months in this mode, and consternation sort of becomes a daily reality.

So if that’s true, then living life beyond those confines is going to be a choice. Worry is going to find us, so we might have to go find relaxation. Tough times are going to surround us, so we might have to be active in seeking pleasure and release.

That means that what might have once been frivolous can take on increased importance in our experience of these unique times. I think of this when I listen to good music or go for a morning run or spend time with friends or watch my boys play in the backyard. These experiences aren’t luxuries or superfluous. They’re completely critical.

It’s far too easy to think, “With things as they are, how can I take the time to relax?” Or, “I’ve got too much on my mind and too much to do to take the time to hang out with my friends.” Of course, a moment’s pause tells us that it is exactly because things are as they are that we need to increase the quality and amount of these nurturing and fulfilling experiences.

As for me? I’m looking forward to 161 more baseball games and real spring thaw and wearing the base paths bare in my backyard. In “times like these,” how couldn’t I?