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.