In defense of the sidelines
Lately it seems the theme of every television show I watch, conversation that I have, book that I read, espouses the notion that it is just absolutely, unbelievably important to just "get in the game." I hate sports analogies first of all. But this whole "get in the game" business has me thinking that everyone is completely overlooking how wonderful the sidelines can be. You're unlikely to get hurt on the sidelines, but you can get really hurt playing the game. Sure the game can be fun, but sometimes it's awful, and painful, and no fun at all. You miss that with the sidelines. Other things happen on the sidelines too. It's not like you're just sitting there. Maybe you end up doing something you never would have otherwise because you didn't "get in the game" and discovered something else there on the side. I'm not saying the game is meritless. I'm simply saying that there really isn't much wrong with sitting it out once in a while. Right now, I'm over it.
posted by LuLu at
11:42 PM
2 Comments:
As one of perpetrators of this "get in the game" discussions, I am sorry that I made you feel pressured or otherwise uncomfortable. That had not been my intention, and I am horrified that that is what I did.
I only made the "get in the game" reference because when examining my own life, I find that though I live a lot on the sidelines, and that they indeed are more safe, that time spent there does not necessarily further my goals. But what I failed to account for in our discussion the other night was that that is *my* opinion because I find it to be true in *my* life, not anyone else's. It was incredibly shortsighted and insensitive of me to try to force my opinions on you.
I really thought I was just giving good advice. I did not mean to be hurtful. I am so sorry.
Oh CLC - don't be silly! I wasn't hurt by you at all -- this whole post was more in a long line of my "bah humbug" posts of late & really was nothing more than a "hey, it's OK not to be in the game" than anything else. That goes to your life too! Really - I was just commenting on the other side of the conventional wisdom. No place for horror, nor were you in the slightest bit insensitive. Please -- you are the opposite.
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