You realized that you only have control over yourself, even though other people were behaving badly. You then helped your kids to feel better about themselves, in spite of what others had said. And finally, you were able to turn it into a learning experience.

Good Job!

I was thinking about this thread some more, and came to realize that this thing we’re talking about, this willingness to risk embarrassment and the ridicule of others, is one of the keystones of a successful life. I can think of numerous critical decisions/situations as an adult, both personal and professional, where risking public failure and embarrassment, and shaking off the unwarranted (vs. constructive) criticism of others, has made a huge positive difference in my life. Conversely, the times I have let the fear of embarrassment get in my way, its usually resulted in regrets.

I think it has a lot to do with believing in yourself and having a healthy dose of self-confidence (balanced by some humility and sensitivity to others). And that, of course, is aided by the kind of support and encouragement you get from parents as you’re growing up and your formative experiences.

As I progress thru middle-age, I am finding that these qualities are a critical component of leadership and success. If you don’t first believe you can achieve something (whether its asking the pretty girl to dance, stepping up to bat, or managing a global business), you’ll never find out if you can. Simple right? But something I still have to remind myself nearly every day before I take a deep breath and walk into the ring.

My son’s swing wasn’t funny. His timing was off. He knew how to stand at the plate and all that.

Also, I wasn’t trying to compare baseball to playing guitar other than to illustrate the point that we all have different talents abilities and that we shouldn’t make people feed dumb if they can’t do something as well as someone else.

Miguel,

Thanks for your comment!

I don’t know how fortunate my boys are to have me as their dad but I do what I can. I’m not always the most understand individual. LOL!

In fact, that ability to shrug off crap from the other kids (as well as some adults) is one of the key reasons I’m not still living in the ghetto slums I started out in. Would you believe that learning how to read well, speak proper English, and get good grades, were also qualities worthy of ridicule and derision.

The ability to ignore (or at least discount) the stupidity of others is a key determinant of success on so many levels its not even funny. Your kids are very fortunate to have a supportive and encouraging dad like you! And we’re fortunate you’re willing to share such personal stories with us.

That post you referenced was a question, NOT an outright statement of my belief that people can’t beat the market.

Not hard to do, how about the title of this article?

http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/01/04/when-an-active-mutual-fund-manager-beats-the-market-is-it-luck/

However to play the devils advocate, if your boys swing is funny enough, I would probably laugh too. The thing is that swinging a bat is much easier to learn than playing the guitar, I mean cavemen were swinging for thousands of years to bring home raptor meat to their wives. You don’t have to be Barry Bonds, just learn to swing well enough to get you in the game or get a few hits. And you can’t compare a guitar to swinging a bat, the guitar is much more sophisticated.

I think the other thing I would do(maybe months later so the boys don’t connect the dots) is go to a batting range to get some practice in to help the boys gain confidence. As my daughter grows I want to help her get as many skills as we can squeeze into a lifetime; academic, athletic and musical.

“I hope you will remember this the next time you write something like, “No one can beat the market” so invest in index funds.”

I challenge you to find that statement (by me) on this blog.