| The controversy surrounding Barry Bonds' pursuit | | | | down. Unless you prepare yourself for this, you |
| of the all-time home run record is well | | | | can be caught totally off guard. All the emotional |
| documented. If you are not familiar with the | | | | joy received from the success at that endeavor |
| affair, there are allegations that Bonds used | | | | is lost by the pounding you take emotionally from |
| performance enhancing drugs during his career. | | | | others. Unfortunately, it can come from some of |
| These drugs, according to many, gave him an | | | | the people closest to us. |
| unfair advantage that players in the past did not | | | | Often, people who criticize are trying to make up |
| have. It is this belief that leads many to feel that | | | | for their own inadequacies in life. They subscribe |
| Henry Aaron is still the home run champion. | | | | to the belief that misery loves company. Why |
| We are not here to discuss the merits of Aaron | | | | should you be happy and successful when they |
| versus Bonds. What is interesting is to see how | | | | are not? The fact that they cannot do what you |
| people criticize Bonds during the pursuit. In an | | | | did is irrelevant to them. Look at the professional |
| interview, he was asked about being booed by all | | | | baseball player again. Have you ever heard |
| the fans in Dodger Stadium if he would indeed get | | | | someone preclude the criticism by mentioning that |
| the record there. His response was a classic. He | | | | this individual is one of the best in the world and |
| said, “you have to be pretty good to get | | | | that the announcer could go no further than high |
| booed by 50,000 people”. What a way to | | | | school baseball.? The odds are that you never |
| keep things in perspective. Ponder that for a | | | | witnessed this. |
| moment. How often do fans ride the backs of | | | | Most people are unfulfilled in their lives. Ironically, it |
| utility players? Obviously, this is not done very | | | | is these same people who are quick to tear down |
| often. The ones who become targets are the | | | | another. Be extremely careful of these individuals. |
| stars. They become open game for the media, | | | | If you attempt to satisfy them by defending |
| fans, and opposing players. It is a price they pay | | | | what you are accomplishing, you are like the dog |
| for being at the top of their profession. | | | | chasing his tail. It will not get you anywhere. You |
| There is an old saying that goes, “they never | | | | will have to learn to turn a deaf ear to criticism. |
| erected a statue for a critic”. Consider the | | | | The actions you take will need to be done in spite |
| audacity of a person in the media criticizing a | | | | of the verbal assault that might ensue. Do not |
| professional athlete. In the example of baseball, | | | | alter your plans to please these individuals. It will |
| there are roughly 750 people in the major leagues | | | | not make their lives any better. In the end, you |
| at one time. Anyone on a roster is one of only | | | | will only be hurting yourself. |
| 750 men in the world who are good enough to | | | | Keep in mind the way Barry Bonds was |
| play at that level. This is from a sample of millions | | | | approaching his critics. Each time someone tries to |
| who start playing baseball as children. Yet the | | | | tear you down, just tell yourself that you must |
| critics sit in judgment by proclaiming someone a | | | | be pretty good to have them “booing” |
| failure, terrible, or some other derogatory term. | | | | you. It will enable you to take the action required |
| This without playing one minute at that level | | | | for success despite what others think. Let |
| themselves. | | | | criticism be a barometer for you to judge you |
| If you are going to be a success in any endeavor, | | | | progress. The more you are receiving, the more |
| the harsh reality is that you will not be without | | | | successful you are becoming. |
| criticism. The more successful that you become, | | | | “50,000 people do not boo a utility player”. |
| the more that people will attempt to tear you | | | | |