Stop Blowing the Whistle and Get in the Game!

Stop Blowing the Whistle and Get in the Game!

We have an important choice to make.

Get ready for my first sports post ever. Why not? We’re coming up on March Madness. Hey, I even used a basketball metaphor.

(And just to let you know, it’s not really a sports post). Let me warn you though, this one’s got an edge which is a little unusual coming from me. You might even decide it qualifies as a bona fide rant.

But it’s a metaphorical rant that’s open to interpretation.

That makes it okay, right? Are you ready? Okay, hang on to your (virtual) stadium seat… Here we go…

These days, we’ve all got the answers. That’s because we all know everything that’s wrong. It’s simple, the problem lies with the other guys, right?

Present company excluded of course. You and me… We’re not in on this.

Just so we’re both on the same page, it’s the other guys. Don’t forget that.

Now, take a moment and think about it...

If we’re in a real crisis, wouldn’t that be a huge part of it?

I believe that’s where much of it starts. No, not with the other guy… with automatically blaming the other guy.

So imagine this scene playing out…

Have you ever watched a basketball game where the ref’s called a foul on every little push and shove? Most fans, players, and coaches alike don’t appreciate an overly tight game. 

The players can barely play. The fans can’t build any excitement and energy to create any forward momentum. And the coaches are having aneurysms.

Some games are like that… any uproar from the fans only makes matters worse and slows the game down even more.

Now imagine a game where anyone gets to call a foul… ref’s of course, the players just like in a pick-up game, and the fans.

Yeah, that’s it. What if we gave all the fans a whistle? What if they got to call the fouls?

Can you visualize the mayhem?

Now, imagine the ‘whistle’ was actually their social media activity instead?

What if the whole country was calling foul on every little push and shove?

Even if they can’t really see the game from where they sit in the stands. You know… the cheap seats.

Anyone can have a whistle, even if they don’t know the game all that well.

And why bother doing the hard work of being informed?

I’m just trash talking with friends, they know I’m not serious.”

— trash-talking friend

What if it was their first experience ever watching basketball? Why not? Why should that change anything?

How would that even work?—You tell me, we’re all living it… every single day. 

Enough with all the pushing and shoving. Either get in the game yourself and do the work to make something better or lose the freakin’ whistle.

Can you think of a single (ball) game where the objective isn’t to move the ball forward?

So, whatever you believe, remember this… In one way or another, no one wins if we don’t move the ball forward.

Let’s play ball again. It could be fun. It could work.

Be Untucked.

p.s. If you don’t think it will hurt your relationship, maybe share this post with a friend.

p.p.s. But don’t share it on social media, it probably won’t go over well there!

Don’t miss a post! Click here to subscribe.

Copyright © 2021 Jeff Meister – All Rights Reserved