Bernstein: Let Go Of Your Stupid Past, Cubs Fans
By Dan Bernstein--
CBSChicago.com senior columnist
(CBS) You know who you are, because we've heard you.
Even amid rampant hope and celebration of the arrival of the Cubs as championship contenders for this season and well beyond, you admit that you can't shake the fear of being hurt again, because of all you have been through.
Stop. You have to stop.
This team doesn't care about what happened years ago or any of your pain, and that's part of why this is so much fun. It's not about you or your feelings or any hackneyed, maudlin lore. These Cubs have no time for that, and neither should you.
Kris Bryant was born in 1992, Kyle Schwarber in 1993 and Addison Russell in 1994. They and their teammates are on to bigger and better things starting right damn now, and if you choose to allow your excitement to be mitigated by the stupid past, there's something wrong with you.
Not to mention what manager Joe Maddon says about such a mindset. Listen to him.
"I really believe the process is fearless," he said. "If you're really focusing on outcome and just winning, then you can become fearful. But if you just focus on the process, the process is fearless."
This is Tao. Joe Maddon as Laozi.
It's instructional to the young players first and foremost, but there's wisdom in there for you, too.
His Cubs are fearless and joyful, following his call to "do simple better" in their everyday approach to routine. This too echoes Taoist principles of naturalness, simplicity, spontaneity and detachment from desires. Maddon wants them to stay on the path, confident that will eventually lead to an ultimate goal.
Don't focus on the outcome. And don't wallow in any history completely disconnected from what's happening at the moment -- an entirely new and refreshing Cubs team setting the right example for fans who care to throw off old burdens.
Just try to appreciate the day as much as they do.
Dan Bernstein is a co-host of 670 The Score's "Boers and Bernstein Show" in afternoon drive. Follow him on Twitter @dan_bernstein and read more of his columns here.