Dad told me before a soccer game in 3rd grade to stand on the outer edge—I remember him showing me in X’s and O’s on the back of a church bulletin. If the action was in the middle of the field, stay on the outside, because the opportunity to score only came once the ball was dislodged from the mayhem. When this worked, I felt great (or smart). Usually though, it resulted in me being less assertive on the field. I traded vigor for ‘endurance’, always played defense, and eventually dropped soccer as a sport.
What does one do when their irons are in the fire? Is the night watchmen more admirable than the vigilante? Is man born or bred* to be an athlete or a scholar**? Who is more alive? Who is a better servant? Who is happier?
*because it seems to me there are two fundamental approaches to living:
"defense is the best offense" (scholar)
vs.
"throw everything against the wall and see what sticks" sports newscasters call it "picking up the trash" (athlete).
**third category: artist
