Thursday; March 26

Today is one of my favorite days of the year – it is Opening Day for Major League Baseball.  I know that we have been playing practice games for the past several weeks, (and the Yankees and Giants got a head start yesterday); but for many of the rest of us, starting today, it’s for keeps.  I realize that the absolute best day is the day your team clinches the World Series title, but let’s be honest … for most of us, this is what we have been looking forward to since early last autumn. 

As I think about Opening Day, the word hope comes to mind.  We are all filled with hope that our team will do well – that our pitchers will pitch and our sluggers will slug.  We have hope that this will be the year we will turn it around or that it will be the next year of a growing dynasty.  We hope that someone will have a dominant Hall of Fame caliber season and that others will be in contention for Rookie of the Year.  Yes, hope springs eternal – at least for the next couple of weeks!

Years ago, there was a song that advocated that what the world needs now is love sweet love.  While that is still true, I also believe we could add a second verse, “what the world needs now is hope, real hope.  We live in a distressed world that has a tendency to give up too easily.  As MLB kicks off this year, let’s spend a little more time hoping that things and people will turn out better.  Remember, thinking good, positive thoughts doesn’t cost us any extra, so we might as well do it!

Think About It!

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