Sometimes when you think something is lost you actually can't see how much you have gained.
I was a Junior in high school and I had just walked to the locker room to check the cut board and get ready for this years baseball season. There was one minor problem. My name which had been right there on the list every year, wasn't there. At first I thought it was a mistake and something must of been wrong with the list. A guy, me, who the previous year had led the team with a .397 batting average and only 7 strikeouts in 107 at bats didn't make the baseball team the following year. The coach's motto of, "If you hit you'll play," just didn't make any sense with those stats. Mad, sad, pissed, I just didn't get it. I spent a few days walking around with a cloud over my head and hating any couch who I crossed paths with. But then, I crossed paths with someone else, someone I would consider the "weird people" in my ignorant jock headed mind, the choir teacher. She was behind me in the lunch line, with a bright charming smile, and she looked at me (like she knew I was some x-jock) and very politely asked me if I would come to her office after school to try and sing a song while she played piano. Why did she ask me, why would I join some choir, why would I spend my afternoons singing with the "weird people." Well for starters, I didn't have much else to do since I got cut from the baseball team, and I really didn't like the class that I had 6th hour anyways, so I thought what the hell and I went. I showed up early to her office and there I was trying to sing. I was embarrassed, nervous, and having second thoughts about why I had even decided to come. Lets get this straight right now, I really sucked. I could not hold a note for the life of me. So for any of you out there who think you can't be taught how to sing (not that I am much better now but can at least stay in tune) I am telling you that it can be done. Even though I was horrible she kept pushing, encouraging, and hinting that I should join the 6th hour choir. I had already stepped outside of my "comfort zone" so after a couple of days I gave in. I remember that first day I walked into the choir room with the entire class looking down on me. No longer was I running around the halls getting homecoming court, class flirt, or the other nonsense I got, no, I was just some guy that didn't belong, wasn't "in." I was the "weird people."
I spent the next few months finding friendships, relationships, and experiences that I never could have imagined. My ignorant views on sub cultures, groups, choir, almost everything, were demolished and I had a burning curiosity to learn more about people, life, and music. But even with all these new experiences, I still had my "other" group of friends, the "cool but really no different than anyone else group," and I started bringing back ideas, stories, and new people to break the walls and stereotypes down that were lying between our blinded worlds. I would see two groups of people who don't like the other yet they have no idea what the other is doing and then come to find out they are doing they exact same thing. (Sound familiar?) It takes certain individuals to be influencers and help bridge the gaps that people are afraid to jump but once the bridge is built it makes it much easier for others to follow. As my choir teacher was, I strive to be that type of individual. She can talk you into anything, in a good way. I would never have imagined myself being in a musical, ever. Not only did I land the role of Willard in Footloose that year in High School, I was able to convince 2 of my close "athlete" friends to try out as well. Not just athletes, these were guys that had scholarships to play college sports. They tried out though, and they too landed roles. I think we all agree that it was a pretty incredible time. I believe it is the ability to inspire and create commonalities between groups of individuals that help bridge gaps that shouldn't exist. It is the foundation for life, business, getting a job, etc. It is something that I truly believe can help solve micro and macro problems in our society today.
I would have never
started singing, playing guitar, stepped outside of my "accepted norms,"
started my own company, this blog, charity work, moved to Seattle, or who knows what else if it wasn't for that one day, one moment, one person, who helped shape my life and beliefs while helping bridge the gap that I didn't see. Like my choir teacher, I strive to be the person to build the bridge. I thank her for being that person.
So maybe it is not you holding yourself back, maybe you just need that moment, that inspiration, that time, that person that will help you walk a different path, play a different game, and strive to always do better. It are those critical feelings of embarrassment, nervousness, and excitement that are needed to help you get better and you should strive to put yourself in those types of situations if you want to build yourself. If not then you are not striving to be the best and do your best, you are simply settling. I write this as the person trying to bridge the gap for you and maybe from reading this you will decide to walk a different path tomorrow, look for a different job, talk to someone new, or just pick up the phone and say hi to an old friend.
I learned something from the day I was cut from the baseball team. It is sometimes the things we don't get that can show us what is out there and keep us working harder to find more.
I dedicate this story to the Limestone Community High School Baseball Coach. I thank you, truly. One decision to cut me from the baseball team has had an everlasting effect on my life in the way I think about business, people, and everything I do, whereas if I would have made the team it would have all ended at 18 when I graduated and I would still be talking about my highlight reel from my senior year.
The funny thing about writing stuff like this is that I still have close friends who will give me a hard time and make cracks about "stuff" I do, but there still my good friends and you will have those too. Don't let that hold you back because most of the time insults come from those who are wishing they would have done that.
So I ask. What is holding you back? Are you where you want to be?
P.S. I never returned my baseball jersey.
