Waiting to be Chosen

Waiting to be Chosen-

Did you ever experience this?  There is a game.  Everyone is told to stand in a line and wait to be picked.  The chosen two look long and hard at the people in the line.  Everyone knows what will happen next.  The best friends of the people making the selections will get the nod to join their side.  It will continue until there are only a few people left standing.  They have to be chosen because that is how the game is played.  So, reluctantly, the final selections are made. Now the game can begin.

I would venture most of us have been on both sides of that scene.  If we were waiting to be chosen, our hearts fell each time our name wasn't called. If we were making the selection, I hope we thought about how it felt to be called last everytime.  Actually, there was more than one game being played.  One game about rules and winning, and the other game about keeping best friends close.

The sad thing about those types of games is there is no escape.  Everyone has to wait to be picked.  No one is allowed to turn and walk away.  No one is allowed to sit this one out.  For those picked early, it is all fun and games.  For those who must wait, it is agony.  Much can be learned from games.  And much can be applied to life outside the classroom.

While I could write endlessly about all the pros and cons of this type of game, I am not going to do that.  Rather, I want to spend a little time together thinking about the wait to be picked.

The wait to be picked.  Those words tell us that we are not in control.  We are in the game, but we have no decision making opportunities.  We must wait.  Once we become adults, we are in a different game. This game is ours.  Right or wrong, we get to make many decisions.  Certainly there are those who still exercise control.  Our bosses, the laws of our land, our partner/spouse, our health are only a few of those with some decision making control.  Nevertheless, that still leaves many opportunities for us to make choices.

And this is the best part.  If we see something that moves our hearts and souls, we don't have to wait one minute to be picked.  We can begin something all by ourselves.  We can take action to right a wrong.  We can decide to help a cause that is dear to us.  We can take a stand against something that causes pain and suffering.  We can step up and be heard.  We can offer our assistance to others who need us.  We don't have to wait.  Did you hear that?  We don't have to wait.  In fact, our waiting is over.  We can move forward on our own.  Games are over.  Real life is happening.  There is no line anymore.

Games teach us many important life lessons.  Even though some may have been a little difficult for us as young people, we can take those lessons and apply them to our adult lives.  We can reach out to those who have been hurt by life and offer friendship.  We can make sure that no one is left out anymore.  We can create a loving space that welcomes new people in.

Know what?  I choose you, and you, and you and you.....