To be Understood and to Understand

There is a BIG difference between Obvious and Oblivious.

“Doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”

Actually. Yes. It does.

“Playing the Game”.

Protecting the integrity of the game is the name of the game.

And at times, Life will seem like a game. Strategies, Motivational speeches and talks, meetings, are a game in and of itself.

Know the rules, so you know how to break them? Maybe.

Best rule of thumb is to get it best the first time.

Even though it may not seem like it right now, some rules are NEVER made to be broken. They exist. It is important to find the right person to teach them to you. Then you are assured you are learning, “The Right Stuff”.

Can a professional please tell the kids what “true freshman” or “red-shirted” actually means. The kids should know. The parents and guardians should know.

Just to know, you know, the name of the game. The rules of the game—down the road, or field if you will, it will matter. After all, images and likenesses will matter. On down the field.

And so will ego.

In your search, keep in mind:

Some adults use strategies and approach life games with the following:

Say Anything is one “strategy”.

Not say anything is one “strategy”.

Wear anything is one “strategy”.

Not wear anything is one “strategy”

Taste anything is one “strategy”.

Not taste anything is one “strategy”.

Touch anything is one “strategy”.

Not touch anything is one “strategy”

Do anything is one “strategy”.

Not do anything is one “strategy”.

Smell anything is one “strategy”.

Not smell anything is one “strategy”.

Hear anything is one “strategy”.

Not hear anything is one “strategy.

See anything is one “strategy”.

Not see anything is one “strategy”.

If you see something, say something. Yes or No?

Or is that “Old News”. Because it collides with the current narrative attempting to be “sold” . “AS IS.” Because, hey, I gotta get outta here.

It was mid-afternoon and Jay was kicking around a ball. Passing it back and forth. Foot to Foot. “Dribbling”. This deal just ain’t working for me. How can you tell? Jay pondered as he kicked the ball around in circles. On his way to the market, marketers to do some marketing. He recalled a straightforward, no-nonsense Life Skills Instructor who once posed the above questions. The teachings were thought-provoking and open minded enough to allow honest, debate. Honest in the fact it did not sell a bill of goods. It sold the goods. Actually. Tangibly. Honestly.

Experience is oftentimes the best teacher.

Bad Salespersons sell it at all costs. They sell others out at all costs. O.K. Salespersons, sell it at all costs. Fair Salespersons sell it with a bit of give and take. Good Salespersons have a steady following, folks that feel confident enough to call back. Take a bit of risk. Great Salespersons have a following, care about what they sell to others, never sell out their clients, persons. Smile, maybe even rejoice at the reception of the exchange, the trade. Feel it in their bones.And move along.

Perhaps, happily do a “cancellation dance” when they are “dropped” from a client’s payroll. Why. Of this I am sure. They know they gave of themselves fully, honestly, fairly. And did not punch back when it was inappropriate. That takes a really “Big” Person both in stand and stature. They too played the game of life. A different way.

Clearly, Jay was unafraid of competition. But not a win at all costs mentality. Jay reflected on this thought. He kinda liked it because he felt it did not sell his soul. Sure he like the game, liked to play the game. He liked it sometimes when the opponent got so frustrated they cried a little, stomped his foot a little. One of his favorite parts of the game was at the end. After a hard fought, perhaps hard won battle, the two opponents lined up and shook hands, fist pumped, hugged (in olden times) gave high fives.

Competition with out all the images and likenesses.

As he pondered these thoughts, Jay ran around a bit and kicked the ball in the direction, toward a tree down the field. He missed his mark a bit, and continued to independently play the game. Jay was able to continue to play because he was not tethered to the play the game narrative of “Sell it at all costs—including your Soul”

Thank goodness for small victories. Thank God for guiding the victories. Cheer them on with a reckless love. Not too reckless. There are images and likenesses up there to “see”.

There exists a problem of one “getting too big for their britches.” No, We are not talking about personal appearance, as in “My jeans don’t fit.” We are talking more about ego—as in “My genes don’t fit”.

When the genes don’t fit it is indeed time to start running. When the jeans don’t fit, it is indeed time to start running. Away from how great we think we may be or actually are. Bonafide Humility goes along way towards success, just gotta know where to find it. For some it is or becomes a race or a dance.

And to others, it comes naturally. Fierce Resolve.

Therein lies the nuances of the lies. Learning the best ropes from a Good, Straightforward Adult. Then it will be all the more successfully good for the person you pass it on to. An education of something positive while playing the game.

One would assume, obviously, if the player shows up to play, they want to play. The game. They are either a “true” freshman. Or not. Some of the nuances of the lie, lie right here. Playing the game of life may have “rower” rowing in image only—to get in the door to an education. How does this happen? Pay to play.? Play to pay.?

The game of life, my friend. Jay thought, well, then is it worth it for me to continue practicing. By the luck of the natural draw, Jay was blessed with natural talent. So, why was he uncertain he would make the team?

Well, perhaps he did not have an appropriate or good image of himself to sell as a “rower”. Huh? I thought I was here to earn an education and play my heart out for the school—for the school that put faith in my abilities.

Jay began doubting his abilities because of that darn images and likenesses thing. A low blow to say the least. A harsh lesson. Of playing the game of life to be sure. he was not much for rowing. He preferred…..

When push comes to shove, and it does and it will. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s how you play the game. When some things change, some things stay the same.

Naiveté is the sincerest form of honesty. Wait. Staying the same ain’t so bad after all? It really does matter. If you win or lose, and how you play the game.

Jay dribbled to another tree, lined it up, kicked as hard as he could, and hit his mark.

Let’s go with that.