Undefeated

A few years ago an older gentleman used to volunteer his time ocasionally to help the pitchers on my school's baseball team. He was a pleasant man of good nature, with a wide smile and big ears that jutted out to the side giving him the portrait of an aged Alfred E. Newman, the iconic character from the cover of Madd Magazine. He had an ease about him that invited conversation and even the shy among us would feel obliged to at least wave or say hello. When asked how he was doing today he always offered the same, jolly response: "Undefeated so far." Clearly it was in reference to his background as a college coach, and intended to deliver the light hearted sense of humor people like him are generally able to inject into almost any casual social encounter. But take a moment to get past the sheer simplicity of his words and consider their full weight.

If we don't allow ourselves to get out of bed every day undefeated, then what's the alternative?