At every martial arts tournament, you’ll see the rings set up for competitors. There’s plenty of seating around each ring for the spectators—the people who have come to watch and cheer for their favorite martial artists. No one pays attention to the spectators. It’s the ones in the ring who are the center of attention. Whether the competitors are four-year-old Little Dragons or black belt adults, the ones in the ring are the stars of the show.
After you’ve crashed and burned in life, it’s much easier (and feels safer) to be a spectator. You sit outside the action, always imagining what could be, what should be. You may torment yourself with memories of being in the ring, of having the courage to fight. But you’ve learned your lesson and you’re not setting foot in there again.
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