I can’t help myself. Every time I hear those words, my heart is lifted and I am filled yet again with an eternal hope. They are (bear with me), simply this: "The Chicago Cubs are on the air!" The voice of Pat Hughes, Cubs radio announcer, which I have heard at least dozens and dozens of times, is always enthusiastic and always excited.

No matter that the day before the Cubs may have turned in a terrible performance. No matter that the Cubs are in last place, that it is the end of the season, that they are playing only for pride. No matter that sometimes this season it has seemed like all the breaks have gone against us.

No, no matter at all. For today is another game and anything is possible.

The thing I love about baseball (okay, just one of the things) is that it shows us things about life that we don’t always see. A few things off the top of my head: that there is always another opportunity, that we can make both huge mistakes and glorious plays in one day, and that sometimes despite our best efforts we just can’t win. Another one, one of the most important: It is teamwork that keep us alive.

With 162 games in a regular season, the routines and rituals tend to form a soothing presence. But make no mistake. This is not just a game of sameness. It is a framework for endless opportunities. Pat Hughes and his partner, Ron Santo, have baseball experience which far outreaches mine both in its depth and width. And every so often, they will say to one another: "I have never, ever seen that before." And so it is in each of our lives.

I wonder what it would be like if we greeted each day with the same enthusiasm and excitement that I hear before each game. Instead of thinking about how we might want more sleep, or how much there is to do, we could see each morning for what it truly is. A gift. An occasion for eternal hope and endless possibilities. Anything may happen today, and it is a blessing just to have the opportunity to live it.

Just a thought.

Let me know later what you think. The baseball season will be over soon. But right now, it’s time for the game. And like I said, anything may happen.