The “Diversion”
I first met my current wife in 2008 (actually New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2007). Before meeting Carolina, I was told by the mutual friend who introduced us that we had a lot of things in common. One of them was a love for the game of baseball. And, even though our major allegiances are to different teams, (Carolina is a diehard New York Yankee fan, while I am a New York Met fan), baseball has been among the things that has bonded us throughout our relationship.
We look forward to each upcoming baseball season. While Carolina never really got focused on any other sport, and while I on the other hand tended to watch all the major sports as seasons changed from one season to the next, baseball became a focus for both of us. I now find that I watch, listen or follow other sports far less, (in fact some such as professional basketball and professional hockey, not at all). The two of us do enjoy together attending Seton Hall University college basketball games. Carolina is an alumnus of the university, while I had season tickets for the school long before I met Carolina. In fact, that December 31, 2007 first date on New Year’s Eve included going to a Seton Hall game together.
Throughout this month of June 2022, pretty much every writing and the quote on the Absolute Transitions website is focused on the reality of coping with change, and adjusting to outer events and the impact they have had on our lives and continue to have on the lives of individuals throughout the world. From still being vigilant to the impacts of a world-wide pandemic, to a job market that still is looking to figure out not only what it wants to be, but how those participating in it are choosing to do so, to the largest inflation spike in 40 years, to unstable political situations in many parts of the world, life can get very overwhelming. And, while I am not advocating that one should 100% put their head in the sand, and not be aware of what is going on in the world around them, there needs to be time for not being 100% completely consumed by the happenings of the world.
During the period of 2015 to 2017, I spent many evenings apart from my wife as she cared for her mother, who was in the last years of her life. Often when we were together, my wife did not want to talk about the time she was spending caring for her mother, (unless it was absolutely essential). Instead, she wanted to share conversation on topics on which we could bond. That often focused on the “fantasy baseball team,” we shared managing. Or, it could be about something actually happening in professional baseball. Fortunately for my wife she came from a large family, and care of her mother could be divided among other siblings and caretakers. At those times, our focus was enjoying activities we could do together as a “diversion” from the life realities that were in front of us.
The “diversions” have continued to help get us through the pandemic period, bad news from around the world, etc. Diversions can be a reflective time for one to have some time for themselves, the activities they enjoy and the people with whom which they enjoy spending them. Admittedly, one must look to guard against a “diversion” becoming an “obsession,” particularly if it is causing them to lose focus on the goals and aspirations they are looking to achieve. However, healthy diversions, done with love for the activity and the people with whom you get to enjoy spending it with, can be healthy for one’s life and outlook.
What are the diversions you have in your life that help to get you through the tough times which will surely come your way?
