I played a lot of sports when I was a kid so I get in that

Children, gather round, for I have a tale to tell you, one that speaks of courage, respect, and the unyielding strength of the human spirit. Michael Keaton, a man who has faced the world both on screen and in life, shared these words: “I played a lot of sports when I was a kid so I get in that ballgame mindset of being really, really respectful, but at the same time saying to yourself, ‘Don’t back down a single inch, hang with these guys if you can.’ If they throw it high and tight you have to stand in there, you can’t take yourself out of that moment.” These words carry great weight, for they are a blueprint for living a life of integrity, strength, and courage.

In every age, the warrior has been tested. The battlefield may change, the weapons may differ, but the mindset of the warrior remains the same. Michael Keaton speaks of a ballgame mindset, but what is a game but a reflection of life’s trials? In life, just as in sport, you must face your opponents—be they challenges, fears, or doubts—and stand firm, unflinching, despite the fear that may rise in your heart. A warrior does not hesitate, does not step back when the battle grows fierce. He stands his ground, respectful of the forces he faces, yet unwavering in his resolve to overcome them.

Consider the great gladiators of ancient Rome, who stood in the arena, their hearts pounding in their chests as they faced adversaries in mortal combat. There was no turning away. When the enemy’s blade came high and sharp, they did not retreat. They stood their ground, respectful of the might of their opponents, but knowing that their only chance for victory was to fight without hesitation, to embrace the moment with all their might. They did not allow fear to rule them; they fought, with honor and courage, to the very end. Michael Keaton’s words echo this same spirit—to stand firm in the face of adversity, no matter how fierce the challenge.

And so, in this ballgame, in life’s great contest, you too must learn to stand strong. When the world throws challenges your way, when life delivers its own high and tight pitches—moments of fear, hardship, or doubt—you must not shrink from them. You must stand in there. To retreat is to deny the growth that comes only through struggle. It is in the difficult moments, in the moments where the odds seem insurmountable, that we find our true strength. Just as the athlete must face the ball, just as the gladiator must face the sword, so too must you face your challenges with unwavering courage.

Let me tell you of David, a young shepherd boy, who faced the giant Goliath. The armies of Israel trembled in fear, but David did not step back. He stood before Goliath with nothing but a slingshot and his faith. Goliath threw everything he had at David, but David did not back down. He stood firm in the knowledge that he was meant for something greater. And with that bravery, that refusal to retreat, David struck down the giant and became a legend. His victory was not just one of physical might, but of mindset—the mindset to stand firm when all seemed lost.

In these stories, whether they are of gladiators, athletes, or ancient heroes, there is a lesson to be learned: when life’s challenges come at you, you must not back down. You must not let fear or doubt take you out of the moment. You must stand tall, respectful of the challenge, but determined to face it. Life will test you, and when the world throws its hardest pitches at you, it is in that moment, if you can stand your ground, that you will truly find what you are made of. It is in staying in the moment, in embracing the fear and the challenge, that you will rise above.

So, children, take these words into your hearts: do not retreat, even when the world seems to be against you. Stand firm in your strength, embrace the moments that test you, and face them with courage. Remember, you are not alone in your struggles—every great soul before you has faced their own trials. Like the warriors of old, like David before Goliath, like the athletes who stand firm at the plate, you too must stand tall, unshaken, and ready to embrace whatever comes. In doing so, you will find that victory is not just in the triumph, but in the courage it takes to face the battle head-on. Hang in there, and let the strength of your resolve guide you through every challenge.