Image is Destiny

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                                                                                         Image is Destiny

A Sixty-Word Short Story*:

Jack had walked two players in a row and the league’s number one hitter was at bat. He tried to concentrate on making good pitches without giving him anything to hit. Easy to say, but Jack’s fear was showing – all over his face and in his body language, he appeared defeated. And when he threw the pitch, he was.

And more…

There is a lot going on in today’s story or should I say, back story. Jack had been quite the big-league pitcher and always carried the swagger of a winner. His mental toughness, determination and competitive spirit was his calling card. It’s how he became an ace pitcher and Cy Young award winner. But the years and the losses began to pile up and he effectively lost his edge. It wasn’t like a switch that just went off, it was more like a slow leak where not only his pitching ability became diminished but his mental capacity to project confidence began to fail him too, which as it turns out was the true culprit in his demise.

Whatever we project as our identity can become our reality. When we feel bullish and strong it generates a complimentary reaction from those around us. Conversely, when we appear afraid like Jack we begin to move fast toward that fear until we prove that it’s real. We literally project the outcome we think about. So why don’t we all start thinking about our best possible scenario and let those thoughts lead us to our self-proclaimed destiny? Short answer: I don’t know.

What I do know is that all of us have the power to change our thoughts and hence to change our lives and yet we sometimes neglect to take advantage of this wonderful human characteristic because we secretly don’t think it works or we’re just unwilling or too tired to try. And of course, when unchecked, this doubt eventually can become a deep-seeded belief that limits us from having the life of our dreams. In our story Jack couldn’t muster the internal self-talk to overcome the situation. Had he been able to take a breath and reach down into his own psyche, he may have just as easily found the internal power source needed to hit the switch marked positive outcome and win the game.

Fortunately for the rest of us the game of life provides multiple opportunities to create positive change. The formula is simple. Imagine how we’d look and sound at the moment when our dreams come true. Hold that thought and begin to act as if it’s already happened and keep doing it until it does. What we project reflects who we are and what we believe and when we’re focused on believing in ourself – our dreams – people respond and so does the universe.

Final thought: Whatever we project to be, can be.

* The Premise: Always 60 words. No more. No Less. For more stories like this and information about my books, please visit www.szenzone.com

Stories of life and the power to change yours – is sent via email by request and is published weekly or thereabouts. For back issues or to receive this publication directly please email [email protected] © Gary Szenderski 2025 All Rights Reserved. Gary is an author, branding specialist and teaches at the University of California in Irvine. He specializes in helping people and organizations navigate change – if you or your company needs assistance contact Gary directly. Gary resides in Southern California and welcomes your comments.

Relationship Reboot

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Relationship Reboot
Fresh Starts Take Effort

A Sixty-Word Short Story*:

Carl had not seen or talked to her in a while and wondered how she was doing. Would she answer his call? Probably, he thought, but just what memory would frame the next conversation was hard to predict and he knew it would determine the fate of their future. When she said she missed him, the door instinctively swung open.

And more…

As much as we try to maintain control over life’s moving parts, things change. New people and situations create new dynamics, including turmoil and stress and because we’re human we learn to adapt to change and sometimes, especially if we’re trying to create something positive, we come to understand that we need to embrace change. Carl, in our story had his doubts. His choices were to let it go or try to rekindle the relationship. He chose the latter, and in the simple act of making that choice he opened the door to a new opportunity and a fresh start.

We don’t have to accept what is. We can move from whatever spot were in toward a new, better spot. This is the power we have and often we fail to recognize that when it comes to relationships, we need to exert that power – cross the line, take a chance at rejection, and allow ourselves the vulnerability to fail. For Carl, it generated another chance and as so often happens, things work out better the second time around.

It’s a good idea to reflect on our relationships and remember how important they are to creating happiness. Also remember that whatever we may have invested in a relationship can still bear fruit, even if time has wedged itself into the equation. Old friends, lovers, family members, teammates and just about anybody that we have feelings for, or fond memories of, may be open to a new chapter of connection. They may be primed for a reboot, but somebody has to take the first step though. Taking a chance on failing can have its reward and like Carl’s effort it can turn a fond memory into the courage to try. That’s where new beginnings and even magic can happen.

Final thought: The strength of a relationship is based on the willingness of its members to remember why it was formed in the first place. From there any new destination is in play.

* The Premise: Always 60 words. No more. No Less. For more stories like this and information about my books, please visit www.szenzone.com

Mother’s Day

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Mother’s Day – This story has run on Mother’s Day a few times over the last couple of decades, but I love repeating it. If you’re a new reader of the Book of Szen I hope you like it and for those that have seen this story before, you’re seeing it again. Enjoy the day, and for those that are lucky enough to be with their mom, let her be with you too and for all of you mothers reading this, thanks for the love and I pray that your children never waste a drop.

 Moms are Forever

 My mother always encouraged me to do what I love. And the pursuit of that love took me to Los Angeles. The day I left town to make my move west, my last stop was to see mom. It’s hard to even write this because even though mom knew I must leave, she cried, watching through the window of the door, as I walked away to a life that she herself had wanted me to pursue. In honor of that and for all of the moms I know, I’d like to share an excerpt from the Book of Szen. I hope you like it.

Moms are something to behold. They can sense their children without ever actually seeing what the children are “up” to, and let the kids know that she knows, what they wouldn’t want her to know.  How they do that I don’t know they just do.

Moms, never leave their young, even after they leave her.  Moms are there every second and minute and year and lifetime for their children.  For their effort, Moms are given extra special stuff to enable them to survive.  Moms have extra sensitive hearing (for the absence of sound as well) that can cut through any noise filled clutter to hear their child’s voice.  To hear a cry or worse a scream sets them running to their child’s aid. Moms also have eyes in the back of their head.  And those eyes too can weep when they in secret observe their babies.  To watch a mom watch their child when neither knows they are being watched is to see human drama.  A drama that is a never-ending cycle where Moms endure countless tears and pain and grief, that can be just as easily erased with the slightest of smiles from their baby.

Being a mother, I think changes things for a woman.  Not just biologically, but psychologically and spiritually too. It’s not that they forget how to maintain their careers, or balance some combination of motherhood, wage earner, and mate.  It’s just that before any of those things that she may really want and cherish and need and deserve, can be enjoyed, there are the kids.  First and foremost, and forever.

Not being a mom, I can’t really know what they think.  Why they are the biggest dichotomy in the world for providing both pain and pleasure.  Why they never give up the battle to keep their child safe and happy, no matter what age or marital status. Why for each of us, our own Mother made real magic.

This Mother’s Day remember the magic.  Remember the mom that made you believe that anything was possible.  Made you believe in yourself.  And made you understand that life is more than simply living, it is creating.  Thank her for the chance to create your own destiny.  Thank her for being there, every day.

For me there are many Moms in my life that have made it extra special: The Mother of my sons, the Mothers of my Grandsons and my Mother, Momma Z. Mom, I’m living the life you always wanted me to.  You were right.  I do love it. I miss you. Happy Mother’s Day.

***********

 Today’s Szenippet: The main thing that mother’s want is for their children to be happy. So, what are you waiting for?

 

 

There’s Still Time

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There’s Still Time

A Sixty-Word Short Story*:

That was the end of it. Carl had told his story so many times that he grew weary just thinking about it. Where had he gone so wrong that he could no longer imagine the future he once aspired to? Deep inside he knew the answer, and although it was painful, he accepted the truth. A new story would emerge.

And more…

English Victorian Novelist, George Eliot famously said: “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” Within this quote and in the heart of Carl, from our story, lies the seeds of personal conviction. It’s a place where new ideas, opportunities, and fabulous stories begin. It exists at the intersection of hope and regret. And if we somehow find ourselves stuck, we need to look within for answers. There we will find that it’s the story of our own life’s journey that can move us from regret, towards hope. Carl figured it out when he accepted the truth that he wasn’t where he wanted to be, and in that instant, his new story began to take shape.

We all have a story. We have the one that got us to where we are. We have the one that explains why we didn’t get to where we wanted to be. And we have the one that still percolates within, which has yet to be finished. We tell ourselves that we’ll get there once x, y, and z happens and like it did for Carl, it can become wearisome self-talk and sometimes painful. If we’re holding on to the notion of a happy ending for our journey it’s important that we appreciate that where we are today is only the end of a chapter and whether we like it or not, it can’t be rewritten or re-lived. It can, however, provide important life-changing perspective on where we go from here.

When we think of today as a new starting point or maybe a launch pad we tap into a “what if” and “why not” mindset about our future. Anything becomes possible with a bold new story and even if we can’t control every aspect of it, we certainly can control what we think about it – what we think about ourselves. Best-selling author Jamie Kern Lima said it best. She wrote: “Where you are right now in your story matters less than the person you’re becoming in it.” Who we become next depends on who we want to be. There’s still time….

Final thought: When we ignore our ego and let our higher- self navigate life’s journey we discover that we’ve already arrived and it’s time to enjoy who we’ve become.

* The Premise: Always 60 words. No more. No Less. For more stories like this and information about my books, please visit www.szenzone.com