If you were raised like me, you know that this is from an infamous Abbott and Costello skit. It also is where the title of this post came from and I'm still trying to figure how to use all this fancy new technology to make things appealing and everything. So, please have patience with me…
Does anyone remember when you were younger playing Tee Ball? There was always that one kid who would hit the ball and run to Third base instead of First. No matter how many times he instructed otherwise, he still had that instinct to run straight to Third.
Well I was never that kid in Tee Ball, but I did happen to be that kid in life. As soon as I would make contact with a ball that stayed in fair territory, I would run as hard as I could in the wrong direction. It didn't matter how many times I was pointed to where I needed to go, my initial instinct was to run the opposite way. Countless times, I have gotten up to the plate listening to all the wrong things. Mainly, to the overwhelming shouts from spectators and critics announcing some revolutionary tactic, or what they thought to be friendly advice. When I should have been focusing on my Coach, who stood calmly and confidently by my side with only words of encouragement.
Every time at bat, I would hit a line drive down the middle but then off to Third I would go. Sometimes, I wouldn't even stop at Third. I would head straight through the outfield and find myself waking up with a headache after a collision between me and the wall. Until one day, it just clicked. I was tired of going the wrong way. I was tired of all the aches and pains and head-on collisions. I made connection and ran towards first. My Coach met me there with arms open wide. He lifted me up and said, "I knew you would come around. I'm so proud of you."
Then, I finally realized that I knew the right way all along. I just never knew how good it felt to be on the right path. Now that I know, I'm going to make it home. It doesn't matter how much I have to give up to get there. There is freedom in sacrifice. I know that now.
