The Secret

by graceunderpressure on Oct 2, 2008 2:22 PM CDT

Has anyone read this book? Well it is really nothing new, but the underlying premise is that we can create the world around to resemble our thought process through energy put off by our thought process. So for instance, if you fear failure you are more likely to fail, because you are constantly tapping into negative energy by thinking about and fearing scenarios with which you could fail. Although I don't believe in this to a tee, I've been doing some soul searching today. I keep asking myself, "why do I keep doing this to myself?", "when will the insanity end?", "can I go through this again?", "should we really be talking about his beard?". Anyway, I keep thinking that for as long as I've been a Cubs fan I have feared the meltdown, and not just in the playoffs, hell for the big portion of my adult life we didn't even sniff the playoffs. I always fear the series against the Cardinals, I always fear opening day, and I ALWAYS fear the ninth inning when the Cubs have a lead. It is always the same question of fear, "what is going to go wrong?" Well I know I'm not alone, because is appears close to 40,000 people had the same sentiment last night. Now I'm not blaming US the fans, no fans care more or are more loyal. But I do think we collectively (EVEN THE POSITIVE POLICE ON HERE) fear the meltdown. So I'm for one going to truly try to believe tonight. I'm going to try to spin my nervous anxiety into sweet anticipation. I'm going to view mini failures as opportunities for the next time to succeed. I'm going to for once in my life as a Cub fan truly believe that it is possible. I won't fail at this, just as the Cubs won't fail tonight!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I don't care what anyone thinks

As far as I’m concerned, the Cubs are going to win this series. They are going to win the NLCS. They are going to win the World Series. Things aren’t always going to be perfect. We saw this last night. But I believe they will prevail. They’re a great team. They have great players. And as we have seen throughout the season, they know how to find ways to win.

by rambler19 on Oct 2, 2008 2:32 PM CDT reply actions

Two things...

No. 1
Let’s be honest. Virtually every baseball fan wonders “what is going to go wrong” when their team has a lead in the ninth inning. It’s not limited to Cubs fans. Even if K-Rod or Rivera were out there, there is still that element of fear, that question of “can we hold on?” It is human nature.

No. 2
Your life will be a lot more peaceful if you remember that there is absolutely nothing you can do, individually, to control whether or not the Cubs win a game. Nothing. Revel in the success, lament the failures, but don’t get so worked up that it interferes with your life. I said this elsewhere, but I think it bears repeating: Baseball is a game. It is supposed to be fun. It is not life or death. I think that those who do consider it to be life or death have some seriously skewed priorities.

In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband

by Ross on Oct 2, 2008 3:30 PM CDT reply actions

I agree with you, but for me personally...............

how I emotional engage with this team is how I tend to engage with life stressors. So for me, working to do better each day in viewing the positive is a true goal. I also agree about the ninth inning thing, so maybe all of my points weren’t valid or at least novel to one teams fans. All that being said, I have close friends and family who are not Cubs fans, and I can assure you that there is a difference in their view and attitude towards their team. I can’t simply define that difference, but it feels like an underlying confidence that we tend to lack. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts and this whole blog will have a much different feel after tonight, i’m sure.

"Bring On The Major Leagues" Stephen Malkmus

by graceunderpressure on Oct 2, 2008 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Good points

Your right is is just a game and it is for fun, but some of us have those personalities where it seems like more than that. I know that I was very upset last night, and in retrospect I am sure alot of people would have thought I was nuts for being so upset, but thats how I felt — Call it a personality flaw. I think many of us place more importance on certain influences in our lives than we should, it does not make it “right” but it exists. Turning that off is not easy.

by StevenABQ on Oct 2, 2008 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

I know...

Despite my big words, I have been known to turn off the TV when the team seems to be on the verge of imploding, simply because I don’t want to watch it. I did it the other day when Marquis blew up. I didn’t watch game 7 in the Marlins series or game 5 in ‘84, not because I didn’t think they could win, but because I didn’t want to watch if they lost.

But I think that is different than fearing that they are going to lose. As I said, regardless of what they do, it is out of my hands. What I do have a choice of is whether or not I choose to watch it. It is a risk. By not watching, I run the risk of not getting to see something magical. But I also avoid the risk of seeing something heartbreaking.

In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband

by Ross on Oct 2, 2008 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions