Enjoy the Show

Out riding around the western reaches of the Black Hills on a gorgeous autumn afternoon, I wander over remote roads through golden forests of aspen, ripened meadows of grass, and bellicose herds of cattle. Oh, some of these roads may find their way onto a return loop for the Black Hills BackBone or another gravel ride. I check maps, jot notes and take pictures, but I'm out there to ride.

To just enjoy the show.

This did not happen by chance.

Cherishing an autumn afternoon riding in the Black Hills.

This past week, with baseball in the air, I watched for the first time the movie "MoneyBall."  This is the story of Billy Beane, an actual major league baseball player, scout and executive, who is consumed by a fear of failure that overwhelms everything else in his life. His drive to challenge conventional thinking changes the game of baseball, but he cannot see his own success.

As much as I enjoyed the movie, the father-daughter scenes hit the hardest. In the movie's final scene, Billy plays a CD recording his young daughter made for him, as he considers a $12.5 million job offer from the Boston Red Sox that requires a cross-country move away from her. She plays guitar and sings a popular song, modified slightly for her dad. Here's a few lines:

"I'm just a little girl lost in the moment,
I'm so scared, but I don't show it.
I can't figure it out, it's bringing me down
I know, I've got to let it go,
and just enjoy the show."

Sometimes, we strive so hard to achieve, we don't recognize success, let alone appreciate the journey.

Just enjoy the show.

Daughter Casey Beane playing for her dad Billy.

Here's a link to a video of the MoneyBall final scene.