Help, Play or Shut up.

Have you ever watched a game of tennis?

Yea, me neither.

But the other day I accidentally left the channel on ESPN while a tennis match was on.

I don't remember who was playing but I do remember the commentators muttering something like this over and over again.

If only he stops doing ________ and start doings ________, he'd be winning this game right now.

I couldn't help but burst out laughing at the irony of grumpy old men in suits getting frustrated that the athlete on the field wasn't doing what he was supposed to be doing.

It's so easy to coach from a booth isn't it?

How often do we look at other parents, our bosses, pastors, organizations, friends and think if only they would stop doing _______ and start doing _______, then things would be so much better?

I'm not saying we don't have wisdom to impart to others.

I just want to remind us that coaching from the booth has never changed the world much less a life.

If you really think you have valuable information/experience/knowledge to offer someone or something then get on the field, grab a whistle and build a coaching relationship with said someone or something.

Or grab a jersey and get in the game.

But whatever you do, stop getting frustrated from your air-conditioned booth at what the world should do or shouldn't do cause no one is listening.

In other words, we have 3 options with the things the frustrate us in others.

Help, play or shut up.