Untested Ideal

Sometimes it is easier to complain about not being picked for the team, than it is to get in a situation where one would actually have to step to the plate. When left out by the choice of others, our contribution remains an untapped ideal in our minds. We can feel the disenfranchised victim and leave the precious ideal untested. When we do find or create an opportunity to step to the plate, our contribution then goes from conceptual ideal to concrete reality. And most likely, however adequate, this participation will fall short of the ideal. Even excellence can feel like failure when compared to an ideal. Better to stay out of those situations altogether. Better to keep trying out for teams for which one will never be selected. The ideal will remain intact. That is if the safety of hitting home runs in your imagination is better than the risks of striking out on the ground. It's time for me to risk more strike outs.