Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play. – Mike Singletary
He wants the ball! Just like in the game, in real life, you don’t always get the ball. You don’t always win. But you do get to play, you do get a chance to make things happen.
What does that mean?
Isn’t that what you want to do? Do you want to spend your life just watching it go by, or do you want to get in there and play? While the quote is by a football (American style) player, I believe it applies to all of us.
We all have choices in our life, and some choose to watch their lives, rather than participate in the game. Others are in the game every chance they can, playing their hearts out. Most of us are somewhere in-between. We pick and choose those those things that mean a great deal to us, and go in for those plays.
Often, we step off the field when that which is being contested is of little interest or will have a minimal impact on us one way or the other. But the guy quoted loves to play. And for the most part, so do I. What about you, how often do you play, or do you mostly watch?
Why is getting in the game important?
We aren’t just spectators in our lives, or at least I don’t think we should be. Life is to be lived and participated in. Yes, it’s fun to cheer from the sidelines, or even the cheap seats, but you need to get down on the field if you’re going to change how the game of life is going.
Keeping with the sports analogy, you won’t always win. The weather won’t always cooperate. You may play in sweltering heat and staggering humidity. You might play in snow on a field frozen solid. But it’s your game to play, or to watch.
No one can take your place. If we don’t get in the game, we don’t have much of a voice in what happens, do we? We just get whatever happens to us. I don’t know about you, but that’s not how I want things to go, do you? I want to be in there, trying to accomplish the things I want done.
Where can I apply this in my life?
I used to play football, and I agree, the best part was hearing your name called and told to get in the game. At that moment, every workout in blazing heat, swarmed by mosquitoes, became worth it. Every rainy, muddy practice became a distant memory. It was time to come alive, time to play the game!
Is that how you approach life? I’d like to think that I do, but that’s not really how I live my life. Sometimes yes, but at other times, not so much. I spend more time reading that running these days. Not that the reading isn’t helping forge my path, but it isn’t as glorious as the game.
And for me, that can be a bit of a letdown. There was an intensity in the game that I sometimes lack in my real life. Isn’t that kind of backwards? Shouldn’t we be more involved in designing and working on our lives, rather than on our silly sports games?
Yes, games can build minds, bodies, and character, but in the end, they are just games. They occupy our lives for a period of time, then they move on without us. Age, injury, availability, interest, all work to bring an end to the game. Then what?
We need to find something that inspires us, that gives us the sense of purpose and drive that we felt when we were playing the game. That is what is going to get us back into our life, playing our hearts out. The only question is, what is that passion?
If someone were to describe you, how would you have them speak of you? What is your purpose? What do you want to accomplish in your life? What are your goals, both short term and long term? How would you like your life to unfold? In what directions, and how far?
What will get you to go the distance, to play the game with intensity, despite inclement weather? To face any opponent, to work hard, to finish each game with vigor, regardless of the score? To learn from each experience, and get better after each game?
Yes, there will be times you take a breather, and sit out for a few plays. But don’t let the bench get hold of you and never let go. Yes, you’ll get more bruises on the field than on the bench. You’ll have a much quieter life on the bench than on the field. But you won’t be living your life if you’re just riding the bench.
Get out there and play a role in your life. There is nothing better than playing. And if you don’t play, you can’t complain about the score, right?
From: Twitter, @Sports_Greats
confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/mikesingle127505.html
Photo by Mike Morbeck
Happy Birthday to Mike Singletary, aka Samurai Mike, born 9 October, 1958
