Can’t Do It?

Can’t Do It?

"I’ve often heard the phrase used for athletes and

musicians, “They were born with natural talent.” I know

that some people can sing better than others and some can

play baseball better than many others. Granted, some people

are born with physical advantage that may be better suited

for certain sports, such as above average height, weight, or

bone structure which will make it a little easier for a person

to succeed in a given sport.

More importantly though is the athlete who loves his

given sport and has a desire to succeed. When a person

has a true burning desire, he can compete against the best.

A burning desire drives an individual, pushing him to

greatness.

It’s a well-known fact that many Olympic athletes

practice ten to twelve hours every day for many years in

preparation for the Olympic games. Now think about this:

If you were to practice a given sport with the proper attitude

for ten hours a day and were strengthening your body over

the years, don’t you think that you, too, could excel in the

sport? Maybe you would not be the best, but perhaps you

would be in the top ten percent of all the players in the

game.

This brings to mind a professional baseball player

named Jim Abbott who played for the New York Yankees.

Jim was born with only one hand – his left. Picture yourself

trying to play professional baseball with the great players

in the major leagues and being able to use only your left

hand.

Jim Abbott was a starting pitcher for the Yanks. He

usually pitched about eight innings a game. Not only could

he play the game, which is remarkable in itself, but Abbott

was also a very good pitcher.

How did he do it? Well, what he did was catch the ball

from the catcher with his glove on his left hand. He then

held the glove against his right limb, the stub with no hand.

Then, with the limb resting against the glove, he’d wind up

and pitch the ball. As soon as he had thrown the ball, he

would slip his left hand into the glove. Abbott, believe it or

not, could actually pitch the ball with one hand and field the

ball very well if it was hit back to him.

Talk about “burning desire” and faith in oneself! He

was in the Major Leagues for many years starting in 1989,

and in September 4, 1993 he even pitched a no hitter against

the Cleveland Indians. It’s amazing what some people can

do when they want something badly enough.

If you think you can’t do something, think about Jim

Abbott. “All things are possible as long as you long for it

enough!” By changing your attitudes, you will change your

results."
C- 2005 John Paul Carinci -from the book The Power Of Being Different