Doing Nothing Is Doing Something

 Inaction is a choice. Fear of failure is a mindset. Doing nothing is doing something. In each of the aforementioned statements the choice to not take action is in fact a decision that fastens a person's life to inadequacy and most certainly increases the likelihood of being a stagnant person. Inaction may appear to be the "safe" choice at times, but man's progress throughout the history of time was not fueled by fear and complacency, instead progress is directly attached to creativity, resilience, and courage. 

It's fourth down and one yard to go for the first down, a decision has to be made. Inaction is not a choice. Who makes that choice? The coach. The crowd is chanting "Go for it", insights are shared from his assistants in the press box, or from the assistant on the sidelines, but when the decision is made the head coach has to decide what the next call on the field will be. After the call is made it doesn't matter what anyone else was screaming for the coach to do, it all lands on the coach after the next play is run. The one choice that the coach does not have at his disposal is the choice to not make a choice. Actually, if the coach doesn't make a decision and call a play the team is penalized and then the coach is still on the hook to make the call. Inaction is not an option. Right or wrong, good or bad, a decision has to be made by the coach. You are the coach of your life, your family, and on your job. The failure to make a choice just so you don't make a mistake is a terrible choice in itself, but as stated, it is a choice. Whether you are the head coach of the team, or if you supervise a set of men and women on the job, you have been given the responsibility to make choices and firm decisions. Sitting or standing still is not an option. That is why you have been placed in the position you hold. When you are sitting in traffic at a traffic light and suddenly it turns green, inaction is not an option. Sitting still is a choice of inaction, but that is not what automobiles were created to do, right turn, left turn, or straight ahead are the options. If you know where you are headed your choice is informed, but knowing where you need to go doesn't always ensure you will make the choice to go there. 

Fear immobilizes action. "If I just sit still then I won't mess up", is not the mindset of progress. Instead of being afraid of what will happen if we make the wrong decision, maybe we need to be thinking about what will happen if we don't make a decision at all. Instead of fear of failure, we should be more focused on what will happen if we don't make a decision. The "wrong" decision is a misnomer, what might appear to be the wrong choice may very well be the stepping stone to the ultimate place God purposed you to be. "A person plans their way, but the Lord directs their steps." Proverbs 16:9. Trusting in God comes through faith and building our faith comes through time spent in a relationship with God. Reading and studying God's Holy Bible, meditating and praying about what we have learned through our studies are building blocks of empowering us in our decision making process. The very truth that God "directs our steps" gives me the courage to boldly make a decision and move forward. 

Today's Flat Tire Thought, "Doing Nothing Is Doing Something" was inspired by a news story I heard on the radio recently. In Tokyo, Japan an annual contest is held entitled "Space Out". In this contest competitors are tasked with seeing who can do nothing the best. As I listened to the story, my mind trailed off to the idea that sitting there doing nothing is, in essence, doing something. When the decision to not do anything was made, the mold was set for deciding to sit idle and do nothing. But, I guess what I am suggesting is that idleness in itself is a choice. Where there is injustice, we must take a stance. When we witness what we believe is a wrong, it is our job to make it right, and when we are faced with the  choice to help we really have no choice, we either choose to help or we choose to join the "space out" world of doing nothing. Not a good place to be!

Mistakes are made by humans and the last time I checked that is all this world is made up of. Perfection is not our goal, although in today's society many are driven to be "perfect". Let me assure you, there has only been one perfect person that has ever walked the face of this earth and today He sits at the right hand of His father in Heaven. Progress is experienced through choices to proceed, even when it looks like the safe thing to do would be to sit still and do nothing. Trust me, doing nothing is not our option. Get your hands dirty, sweat a little bit, make some mistakes along the way, and do something. As noted above, if God is directing our steps, then it is our job to go out and fulfill our life's purpose. Keep in mind, doing nothing is not an option in the Kingdom of God! 

Coach Carter