"The Problem with Bench Riding..."- Encouragement Blog

I'm not certain about all of you, but I've had my share of sports. Gymnastics...yes, track and field...super yes...dancing/POMS...yes, basketball...NO! I wasn't made to play basketball nor make a career out of it. I had the height, the drive, a good left hand for sporadic 3's, and my specialty, scrapping for the ball. My elementary coach tried to work with me, but I didn't work with him. I tried...but...like deciphering who's better out of Kobe and LeBron, it was pretty intense-for a lack of better words . I knew when he called me into the game, it was to throw down, and I loved that. What I didn't love, was my (then) bony backside engaging in constant make-out sessions with the bench. The hard benches with the chips in them? I know you know about those benches! I hated being benched. It was uncomfortable, it made me feel like less than a team member, and it depicted the image to the onlookers that I was COMPLETE TRASH on the court.

 I waited, patiently, for my turn, but it seldom came. Looking back now with the type of temper I had (and one altercation against my OWN teammate), there was a play from the bench being played right in front of me. I not only learned that that basketball was not my calling, but sitting around doing nothing while on the bench did not improve my skills. Sure, I couldn't just be disobedient and walk onto the court during a game, but part of me had become comfortable with the bench because I was nervous about exposing my skills in front of a multitude of people roaring for their team in the school gym. The issue here, is that so many of us become too comfortable with the bench riding process. We accept what we grow accustomed to unwilling to step out of our comfort zones and learn about what we are gifted in. The bench becomes our partner and our enemy, and it's overlooked. Our benches are our shields from so many opportunities though. Understanding your comfort zone is one thing, but overcoming what is uncomfortable is so much more rewarding.

For things we know are unjust, some of us lean back on our benches uncomfortably unwilling to step put of what is comfortable-fearful of standing outside of the "majority". How can you find your gifts if you're constantly and willingly situated on the bench? Lack of hard work and improvement doesn't grant success. Of course, we've all been benched and learned that something may not be for us, but to stay there limits the opportunity for a multitude of things that may be. I've been bench-less for years..and I've moved up into a chair with limited cushion, BUT soon, like Red Riding Hood and her perfect porridge pick, I'll have my H.B.L. (Head Boss Lady) chair, and it will be mine and where I belong. Your bench may be stopping you.

GET OUT THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With realness,
Bee Elae
2:38 a.m.