WARNING  This is an observation that turns into a rant.  

There are many types of personalities but I only care about two: the LIVER and the Practicer.

The Liver, besides being a large meaty organ that sits on the right side of the belly, is a personality. A personality that lives has some of the following traits: (in alphabetical order)

  • Courage
  • Determination
  • Exciting
  • Positivity
  • NON –  Perfectionist
  • Prioritise according to → Intrapersonal ← values
  • Self – Motivated
  • Selfless  before Selfish
  • Sees life in Perspective

In college I played Defensive End. I had a Defensive Line coach that did not like me, so I thought. As a result, I got little game time and spent more time on the bench while the starter and second-string played. I figured it had something to do with my size and skill. Because of that I would give 120% on game day. In practice I went through the motions like everyone else.

During a home game, the opponent scored a touchdown. I remember the Defensive Coordinator telling the line coach to put me in on the extra point. Typically the extra point kick is an uneventful play for the Defensive End. However,  this time it was a trick play.  They ran the ball around the left end (my end) for the two-point conversion.

The ball was snapped and pitched to the half back. He stumbled after a spin off the left tackle and came face to face with me. He was about my size but twice as fast. I was able to catch him below his shoulder pads and bring him down just shy of the endzone. There was nothing special about what I did except we won game 14-13.

The next day in the team room reviewing the game, I received kudos on what turned out to be the game winning play. I received kudos from everyone on the coaching staff except my coach. After practice I stopped him in the hallway and asked him what it takes for me to get game time. Thirty-three years later I still hear his voice as he replied “You’re a practicer not a player. you will get game time when I think you are a player ”

Unfortunately, I was a better footballer than student. The next semester the Dean informed me that I lost my partial scholarship and perhaps I should consider community college. I never got a chance to show my coach I was a player.

That was my first and last year of playing college football, but the coach’s words left an impact. I would spend the next 10 years in the military discovering the difference between a practicer and player (liver).

A practicer does or perform customarily without conscious effort. They make a habit of social courteous (practices) in social situations without conscious effort. I am guilty of exchanging social niceties without conscious thought of the other person. They  tend to do do the same thing repeatedly not to acquire or polish a skill but because it is familiar and safe. 

Ironically, a practicer rarely put skills into practice. To do so would require:

  • Courage
  • Determination
  • Excitement
  • Positivity
  • NON –  Perfectionist
  • Prioritise according to Intrapersonal values
  • Self – Motivation
  • Selflessness before Selfishness
  • Seeing life in Perspective

 

 A liver is in the game. They see the big picture. That is, they see life → systematically ← and are not just practicing living.
 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength
Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)

Now for the Rant

 

It starts with a question … giphy

If you are going through the motion with no goal in mind. If you are lack courage to change. If you lack the determination to make life better for others (NOT just yourself). If you feel you are owed a starter position. If your life is boring and you are unhappy because it isn’t getting better all on its own. If your prioritise for the future are according to what YOU want with no regards for the future of others closes to you. If the opposite is true and you do for others without setting boundaries and resent others because of YOUR failure to set limits. If your life is ruled by → misconception: you can’t or won’t see what others see …

Buckle up! rollercoaster

 

 

 

NOTE: If the use of a bible verse or the translation bothers you,

Your life is ruled by misconception!

Now for the cliche:

Get in the Game!

 

If you THINK you’re in the game and feel you aren’t the starter … you are NOT in the game 🙁

If you THINK you’re in the game and feel you are part of the team … you ARE in the game   😉

 

What do you THINK ? Let me know → HERE ←