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John Baumeister

Wrigley Field Zen (Between Pitches and Phones)



Being present moment has always been a huge challenge for me. My mind tends to wander, jumping ahead to whatever is next on the to-do list. Whether I’m working or just trying to relax, I’m already thinking about what’s around the corner. I’ve tried meditating and other techniques to stay grounded, but it’s difficult unless I’m with people. That’s when my mind can settle down, especially at a Chicago Cubs game.


There’s something about Wrigley Field. The cool breeze, the atmosphere, and being there with a good close friend—it all seems to calm me. For those few hours, I’m not thinking about tomorrow or what’s next. I’m just in the moment, talking, and enjoying the game. It’s not perfect, but it’s the closest I get to being present moment.


Recently, on two occasions while at Wrigley with my wife, I noticed something that really surprised me. The first time, I saw a father and son sitting together, barely talking. They were glued to their phones, not even watching the game. The dad was constantly scrolling, checking out the latest gummies and searching for the nearest dispensary. The second time, there was a couple celebrating their first trip to Wrigley. The guy was engaged, watching the game, but the woman was completely absorbed in a video game on her phone. Her fingers were flying on the screen. Check out these photos.



Now, I’m not claiming to be perfect. We all have our distractions, our own ways of finding peace or being present with the ones we love. Maybe for those people, their phones were their escape. But for me, that place is Wrigley, with its breeze, a good friend, and the energy of the crowd. That’s where I can pause the constant forward-thinking and just enjoy the moment, even if it’s only for nine innings.

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