"我了解到你不应该在人生中戴着两只接球手套。"

Life requires a certain level of engagement and openness that you just can’t achieve if you’re always in a defensive position. Imagine you’re playing baseball — if you have a glove on both hands, you’re just ready to catch whatever comes your way, but you’re not prepared to throw anything back. The quote essentially tells us that living a fulfilling life means you need to give as much as you get. You can’t be all about protecting yourself and never taking risks, giving support, or lending a hand.

Eleanor Roosevelt, who lived through some of the most tumultuous times in American history, famously said this. She was the First Lady of the United States during the Great Depression and World War II. Her life was full of challenges, both personal and national, yet she was always more of a participant than a spectator. She didn’t just sit back and protect herself from the struggles surrounding her; she actively engaged with the world, advocating for human rights, speaking at public forums, and writing her newspaper column.

Let’s bring this into a real-life scenario. Picture a classroom setting. There’s a student, Alex, who’s always quiet, never raises his hand, never takes a risk to answer a question. He’s like the guy with a catcher's mitt on both hands, making sure he doesn’t drop the ball, but also never really participating. Then there's Jamie. Jamie asks questions, sometimes even gives the wrong answers, but learns and grows from every interaction. Jamie is playing the game fully—catching, but also throwing.

So, how do you apply this to your own life? Start by identifying where you might be holding back. Are you always waiting for the perfect moment to do something? Maybe you’re hesitant to start a conversation with someone new, or you’re nervous about tackling that big project at work. The key is to take off one of those gloves and start engaging. Take a risk, make a move, and see what happens. Life is about the give and take, not just the catching and holding.

For example, think about a time you missed an opportunity because you were too cautious. Maybe there was a job you wanted, but you didn’t apply because you were afraid of rejection. Or perhaps you didn’t tell someone how you really feel because you were scared of how they might react. Holding back like this is like going through life with that catcher's mitt on both hands.

Imagine you’re at a friend’s party, and you don’t know most of the people there. You could stand by the wall, sip your drink, and wait for someone to approach you. Or, you could step into the circle, introduce yourself, and start a conversation. The second option might feel a little risky, but it opens up so many possibilities for connections and interesting experiences.

In the end, it's those moments of reaching out, taking chances, and throwing the ball back into the game that make life richer and more fulfilling. So, let’s not go through life always on defense. Let’s engage, participate, and take those chances. You never know just how rewarding it might be.