Benchwarmers

Life is coming at us from every direction.  The moment we think we have an idea of what tomorrow might look like, well, the world spins and we end up somewhere totally different.  We allow the tides to ebb and flow our emotions.  The rollercoaster of everyday life is far beyond overwhelming.  The bad days are bad and the good days aren’t as celebratory as we are used to.  But here’s the thing, don’t be a benchwarmer.  This is your life.  Yes, we are living in a pandemic but this is the time to get in the game and play your heart out.  Life is completely unpredictable right now, but it doesn’t mean it’s time to sit on the side lines.  This is your one life, your only life you get to live.  You might as well be the star player on the starting line up.  It’s time to play all four quarters and give it everything you have.  The world will be a better place because of you.  Your attitude will show and your accomplishments will change your perspective and the perspectives of those around you.  

I get that in these times its easier, maybe even safer, to take a seat and wait out the first quarter or even the first half.  Life is really hard right now.  And we don’t even know how hard it will end up being.  The constant changes in regulations and rules keep us unsteady.  The jobs lost and homeschooling is only just beginning to take it’s toll.  It’s an easy time to warm that bench while blaming the world, society, the government.  Here’s the thing, life is not fair right now.  People are missing weddings, birthdays, nights out with friends.  People are missing hugs, handshakes and high fives.  People are sacrificing time with family, travel and celebrations.  The things that bring us pleasure and connection are no longer accepted behaviors.  We have to take calculated risks just to have a friend over for dinner.  We have to figure out how to parent, how to work, how to go for a walk.  Right now, it’s easier to blame someone for what lies ahead.  It’s easier to blame anyone for what lies right in front of us.  But don’t!!!  Don’t give your power away, don’t stifle your super powers.  If life were a game, don’t sit on the sidelines watching others people play your game.  Get your ass in there, hustle, work hard, celebrate the successes and own the mistakes.  The successes are going to be hard to find and the failures are going to weigh you down.  But this is your life and own that shit, all of it.  

So often in life, we sit back and make excuses for where we are.  And right now it is all too easy to do that.  Don’t sit back and let life take a hold of you.  Own this shit, most of it is yours to own.  The good and the bad.  So you gained the Covid-19.  So you yelled at your kids for excessive screen time.  So you started a fight with your spouse.  So what.  You also showed up for your 6:30am workout.  You went to the grocery store and remembered your face mask, hand sanitizer and grocery list.  You made dinner and told your kids you love them.  Own the little things that make your world and the world around you a better place.  High five yourself for the times that you show up and play hard.  

We are all in a new space, a new world but it’s still the same us.  The unpredictability is almost comical if we weren’t actually living it.  The instability is almost laughable if we weren’t actually navigating through it.  The uncertainty is almost entertaining if we weren’t actually interpreting all of it.  And as alone as we feel during these times, we are not.  Your team is there to get you through.  Build your team with players that will make you stronger, that will push you to work harder and make you a better you.  Find the players that will make you stronger and push you further.  Be a team player in your own game.  

Even if you put your head in the game and play your heart out, your successes will probably feel far from celebratory.  The side lines will be calling for you and you may look to your coach and team mates to tell you what to do.  But follow you.  We all need to pave a path right now.  It’s time to own our weaknesses and our strengths.  It’s time to stop blaming the referees and just play like we are playing for the championships.  Trust me, this is a game that you can win.  Be gentle with yourself and show up for ready play.  Smile behind your mask, hand out an elbow bump and show the people around you that you are choosing to be here.