Pick ME!!!

“Close your eyes, ladies… Imagine the role that you want. The role that you dream of dancing, and have been working towards all year…”

Ballerinas, age 10-18, are standing in their studio, about to embark on auditions for their annual Christmas program, a retelling of the Nutcracker, but while they are wearing mouse heads. (trust me- it’s awesome.) 

The young dancers stand there with their eyes closed, each imagining themselves pirouetting their way to stardom.

“Think of yourself dancing your dream role…” the studio director continues.

And then:

“Most of you will NOT get that part.”

This scenario happened to my niece, as she dreamed young prima ballerina dreams.

She did not get the part she wanted.

I have another niece who plays soccer. And she is SO good. She had high school try-outs this week, and ran circles around the other girls. Literally. There were speed tests where she smoked everyone. She made several goals during scrimmage games.  It was in the bag.

The team list was posted last night, and her name was not on it.

The reasoning from the coach?  She plays left wing, but is right footed.  He admitted that she was one of the best- that she was faster and more aggressive than all the girls there. But he only chooses left footed left wings.

In High School I was in Drama Club, and I tried out for every single play. All of my closest friends got the main parts. I always got call backs, but my name was never on the cast list.

In PE I was always one of the last one picked. An introvert who lacks athletic coordination is the kiss of death when combined with choosing the winning team.

Something I have learned in my 30 something(mumble mumble) years is that we don’t always get the part we want.

Sometimes you imagine a certain scenario, and sometimes the reality is completely different.

Sometimes we sit there expectantly, waiting, while others are put in the game.

And sometimes we don’t get to play at all.

And sometimes the reasons why are not very good ones.

Sometimes you just kick with your right foot.