One of my favorite things about kicking off this time of year is all the festivities that accompany its kickoff. This past weekend, we attended West End Little League’s Opening Day. There is truly something so special about watching the kids run over home plate and receive their hat! It is always great weather and being out there most week nights truly makes my heart happy. I enjoy most the social aspects of WELL. It is a place my husband grew up learning to play baseball and now a place my children are learning all the ideas behind winning and losing.
Speaking of winning and losing, it seems to be most important as I get older that all my relationships both in business and in my personal life are a win-win relationship. The older I get, the more I realize how important it is that everyone wins. Sure there are times when I lose real estate deals or times where I lose in the Connect 4 game with my littles. Even in the times that I lose the game, I realize that the loss is even a WIN for all. That may sound a little counterintuitive but honestly, how many times have you failed or lost the battle but overall later down the road you have WON something much bigger and better than you dreamed.
Recently, we lost our home in Tropical Storm Imelda. Let me clarify: we sold our home after flooding from Tropical Storm Imelda. At the time of flooding for both Harvey and Imelda it certainly felt as if we were losing so much. But each time we flooded, I was reminded of truly how much we gained. We gained new found friendships, a new career, new neighbors (who we love dearly) and a new home with an amazing cul-de-sac that my children enjoy riding and playing on their bicycles in. Had these storms not come, we would not have had these wins.
As my children play ball, or dance or whatever games or activities they partake in, I try to remind myself of this major life lesson we learned through flooding. When you lose, it might truly be a life gain! When they lose the baseball game, they learn the lesson of being a good sport. When they mess up the dance on stage, they learn the lesson of not being embarrassed because you truly gave it your best. When they lose in Connect 4, they learn the lesson of how to be happy in another’s joyful win and success (even if it is your older brother). And maybe the biggest lesson for a child in losing is learning to get back up and try again.
These lessons I know will form my children into better adults. For we all have heard the phrase, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. At this point, I pray for my children to face the adversity of failing. I want them to know the difficulty of not always winning for this way when they win, it will be that much more glorious! In addition, it will build in them and me as a parent a true blessing of gratitude. Gratitude for both the times we win and the times we fail. For it is in the times when we fail that we grow the most.
I assure you that I feel like I am winning in the game of life. As I get older and I watch them grow into kind hearted, playful kids, I realize more and more how each moment with them is fleeting and the lessons are there in everyday activities. Watching them win and lose on the baseball field and otherwise, is truly a blessing for Robert and I beyond our wildest dreams.
Enjoy this spring, full of winning and know even when you might feel like you are losing in this game we call life, maybe it’s God’s way of repurposing you to be made better for something much bigger coming up on the horizon.
Ashley Hurlburt Beaumont, TX Realtor RE/MAX ONE 