🏯

My mom made me play soccer for 6 years in middle school and high school and I hated it. On the field I often chose to be defense because I thought it involved less running (I was wrong) but mostly because it avoided the confrontation that being a midfielder or, god forbid, forward would involve. In many ways, I've "played defense" in life - consistently passing the ball forward for someone else to score.

I'll never have the main-character energy required to be a forward but I'm done playing defense for people who don't pass back. For those to whom I forget to pass the ball - I may not be sure we're on the same team. For those on my team who get the ball back to me, who offer me high-fives after the game, who appreciate the role I provide to the group and make me feel like I'm part of the team - I see you and appreciate you.