My son is playing T-ball this summer for the first time, and can I just tell you…it’s adorable.

Some of those kids are just. so. cute.

And when they run around the bases (and around their teammates who are currently occupying said bases), it’s impossible not to smile.

But just as I’ve gotten several smiles watching T-ball, I’ve also learned a few things.

3 Things T-ball Taught Me About Life

1. You don’t have to know someone well to be his/her friend. 

These kids don’t care that they just met each other five minutes ago. They’re best buds by the end of the first practice. (They might not know each others’ names, but that doesn’t matter. They’re pals).

We would do well to follow in their footsteps.

Instead of being so insecure around people we don’t know, why not reach out and say hello? Why not introduce ourselves and strike up a conversation?

Honestly, the worst thing that can happen is that he or she won’t reciprocate. (And would that really matter anyway, since we don’t know the person?)

A few months ago, I was eating at Chick-fil-a with one of my sons when another mom walked in. She had her hands full. One arm strained under the weight of her baby’s car seat, the other held the hand of her toddler.

Unfortunately, CFA was packed. There were no open tables. After watching her circle the restaurant a time or two, I finally got over my insecurity and offered to share our table.

And do you know what? We ended up enjoying a nice chat and have stayed in contact since then.

2. Don’t worry so much about the mistakes you make.

When these kids miss the ball and hit the tee instead, they don’t typically get frustrated, yell, and scream. They don’t lose control.

They try again.

Us adults don’t always handle our mistakes as well.

When I was dating my now husband, he once said the sweetest thing to me. He told me I didn’t know how to fail. I think I was nervous about a test or something, and his words meant the world to me.

But unfortunately, he’s mistaken. I do know how to fail. I just don’t do it all that often because I choose to not participate in things I could possibly fail doing.

That’s not something I’m proud of.

I’d rather not try something than risk failure. Kids, though, they’re fearless. Failure doesn’t plague them like it does us.

3. Enjoy the game.

One thing you’re guaranteed to see when you watch a t-ball game is a child or two NOT watching the ball. Maybe they’re picking at the grass. Or maybe they’re talking to an outfielder standing behind them. Or who knows? Maybe they’re looking into the sky or trying to find their parents in the stands.

They might not be doing exactly what their coach wants them to do, but one thing is for sure. They’re enjoying the game.

They’re having a good time, even if they stink at the game going on around them.

Little kids don’t typically worry about who is winning or who is losing because they’re too busy enjoying themselves.

I wish I could say the same thing about adults…that we don’t worry about who is ahead in this life because we’re too busy having fun.

Unfortunately, all too often, the opposite is true. We worry so much we miss out on the fun of the game.

This summer, let’s enjoy the game. 

I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment here sharing your favorite thing about watching young children play sports!