The Soul-Saving Art of Making Adjustments

In sport we have this phrase that we lean on a lot- and that phrase is: ‘making adjustments’. Clearly it’s something important because we say it all the damn time. From one throw to the next, one at bat to the next, one shot to the next, rep to the next, etc… it’s this phrase that we use that says: you were a little off this time, so try again in a different way next time.

PLNU, Baseball

When I was playing, my coaches made it very clear that adjustments were the name to our game. As the pitcher, I would strike out the side in an inning (3 up, 3 down)- but miss almost all my spots- and instead of congratulating me, they’d sit me down in the dugout with a pen and a paper to replay every pitch— making me write down the exact adjustments I needed to make in order to make that freakin’ ball land where it was supposed to land, next time. They made it very clear that the win was never in the outward appearance of success. They made it very clear that they didn’t care what I achieved— until they knew that I got there on purpose. 

So, as you can imagine, making adjustments was kinda important.

I’ve experienced this so many times since then. In my life, though. I’ve been misaligned in my behavior, in a relationship, in work… and can I tell you something?
Those times never feel good.
And never do I need anyone else to tell me I’m missing the mark… cause being *off* from your truest self is something that can’t be missed. Your whole body knows.

My ego wishes these paths were straight. But I’ve come to realize that the path to success in any endeavor— personal, professional, relational— never is... and that trial and error is the name of the game in this life. I can’t say I like it but I can say that every time life asks me to make an adjustment, turn the other way, or pick myself back up after a ‘loss’, God always meets me to lead me back. To take me in. And re-direct.

So I feel compelled to write about this for a couple reasons…

Reason #1: to encourage those who receive this process of correction so easily and willingly- to keep going. To say this is the path of leadership and fulfillment and true humility, and to say I’m proud of you— and honestly, so inspired by you. 
And Reason #2: to attempt to shine light on the process for those who resist. Who don’t want to do what someone else tells them to do, for those who don’t want to be wrong, for those who care what ___ thinks, for those (**insert personal story of resistance here**)… (listen, I can’t speak to resistance unless I’ve known it inside of myself right?!)

Here’s what I’ve come to know:

The opportunity to self-correct is probably the highest form of grace and mercy that I have ever experienced. One of the highest forms of love. Because in the game of self-correction, we get to be wildly imperfect and fully human. We get to own our faults and let them run off our back instead of denying them and bearing them as added weight forever. Self correction is freedom. For me on the field, self correction meant I got to stay in the game. It meant I got to go out another inning and pitch. It meant I got to keep playing. It meant I got to try again.

Whenever I surrender to this process with God— of reconnecting with who I am am and letting him redirect me and bring me back— my strength returns, my heart refills, my eyes are clear again, and just like that- I can breathe.

The whole idea behind correction and adjusting has been so heavy on my heart lately and I think it’s really because I’d be so heartbroken if I couldn’t try again. If I had to stop playing. Truly, I’d die inside. 
There’s just something about strength, and a full heart, and clear eyes, and breath, that makes anything less so wildly unappealing…
I’d so much rather be alive.