If you’re not in the parade, you watch the parade. That’s life. – Mike Ditka
There is something for everyone to do in the Parade of Life. It doesn’t matter if you will march with the band, or march with the pooper scooper!
What does that mean?
You’re either a participant, or you are an observer. You’re part of the solution, or you’re part of the precipitate. You are either doing, or you are watching.
Those who are in the parade, the quote starts, they are the people who are doing, participating, and making things happen. Everyone else is just sitting on the sidelines, watching, and not really contributing.
Not everyone will contribute to every parade, and some are perfectly happy being an observer. Take football, for example. I’m no longer even remotely in condition to play, so I enjoy watching instead.
Life is full of parades, and few, if any, can participate in every parade. But neither should we spend our lives simply watching the parades. I believe we should participate in at least a few, and have some fun!
Why is participating in your life important?
Whether it’s voting in an election, actually marching (or playing an instrument) in a parade, or just being active in your life, there are many ‘parades’ in which to participate. Even being part of a family can be a parade, when it’s not being a circus!
Being active in the things that are happening in your neighborhood, community, or social groups helps us bond with other people, and make friends. It also helps to bring the observers a little closer as well. Even if it’s just a little step, building a sense of community is a good thing.
Doing is the opposite of sloth, and while we all take some time off every once in a while, making it a lifestyle isn’t my idea of being your best possible self. Unless you’re part of a monastic order, life is usually considered a participatory experience.
Where can I apply this in my life?
What sorts of things do you do in life? Are you active with your family? Do you have a group of friends, perhaps multiple groups, each with their own special function (running friends, movie watching friends, etc)? What about a social group (like religious, book club, roadside cleanup, etc)?
Life is full of parades. The choices, once you start thinking about it, are staggering. Any group of people with whom you are currently associated would probably count. Some parades only have two or three people. Just figure out in advance who is the Grand Marshal, and who’s on cleanup duty. 8)
What this quote means to me is that being active, taking part in the activities around us, is an important part of life. Even something as simple as walking through a park, and getting involved in a friendly game of flag football or catch with a complete stranger (or group of strangers) is participating in life.
Life is about sharing experiences, and learning from each other. life is about helping each other. Without participating, it’s hard to do much of either. Yes, we will pick and chose which parades to participate in, but if all we ever do is watch, that sounds kind of lonely, doesn’t it?
Think about all the groups you are involved in, and how much you participate in them. In formal groups, have you ever held an office or helped on a committee? In informal groups, have you ever taken the lead in planning an outing or a get-together? That would, in my opinion, be participating in the parade.
If you don’t help out with much of anything, it sounds like you’re leaning towards being a watcher of all your parades. It sounds like your life is passing you by. Just like every parade ends, and the watchers go home, you go home, once again having not participated.
If you’re that shy or awkward, perhaps you should find some help, such as a close friend, a book, or a competent professional. Let people help you come out of your shell and be part of the fun and joy of the parade. Even if it’s just a small parade with a couple trusted friends.
If you’re that anti-social, you might want to consider why you are that way, and see if being like that still serves you. At one point in time, being that way made sense, but it might be time to let it go and engage in the fun and joy of the parade (or at least try one, and try to like it).
I believe that life is meant to be lived, not observed. Get out there and have some fun, and join a parade!
From: Twitter, @MaryDimino
confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/mikeditka451915.html
Photo by oddharmonic
Happy Birthday to Mike Ditka, aka Iron Mike and Da Coach, born 18 Oct, 1939.
