Follow through

Deep thoughts from a recent bowling excursion:

The biggest enemy of a strike?  That one last pin.  (This one is courtesy of my dad.  He made this statement after he had a particularly frustrating string of frames.  That silly 9-pin has a stubborn streak and just alludes him sometimes.)  But it made me think of another bit of wise knowledge:  goodness is the biggest enemy of greatness. As a recreational, every-once-in-a-while bowler, it would be very simple for me to be happy with getting those nine pins.  But that's not the object of the game.  And it's not how you get the big scores.  Whatever it is you're going after, go for all ten pins.

You can throw as many balls as you want, but you'll never improve your aim if you don't follow through.  You won't get the strike if you don't throw the ball, true.  But if you don't use good form and follow through, it really doesn't matter how many times you make the throw.  If you get knocked down, get back up.  But don't be halfhearted.  Make sure you follow through.  Don't just pitch an idea, create a plan and carry it through.  Don't just let that person cross your mind, pick up the phone and get in touch.  Don't let a bad day derail you, hang in there for the next frame.  Finish what you start. And finish with good form.  That's how you'll catch that pesky 9-pin (along with all the others), and get the strike you've been chasing all game.