love: participate

this summer, meredith and i had a chance to go to a major league baseball game. it was the final game of a three game series between two division rivals who were both in contention for first place.

let's just say it got heated at times.

at different times throughout the game, a ground swell of noise would make its way through the domed stadium. it would happen and then people would stand.

like we were pavlov's dogs and the bell had rung.

there were certainly good reasons for this outburst of emotion and fist pumps:
a full count, 2 strikes with the tying run at second base, the final out of the game...

but as i looked around the stadium, everyone was not standing. people were actually sitting down. intense moments in baseball lore were happening and they sat through them. the moment was happening whether they stood or not, but

they missed the depth of the experience because they refused to participate in it.

i actually heard some "sitters" telling the "standers" in front of them to sit down because they couldn't see.
they were offended and even grew bitter because other people were excited and participating in what was happening.

because that is what happens when we sit...

we get offended.
we get bitter.

we think we are experiencing all there is, but the truth is we are not even close.
we may be in the stadium, but we are certainly not experiencing the game.
we may even experience part of it, but when it gets really intense, our comfort is more important.

it happens at concerts, too.
and theme parks.
and churches.
and in love.

the experience is the fullest when we participate.