I’m no longer young (except in heart), but I have started to play football again, enjoying myself immensely on the hallowed astroturf of Llandudno FC. I’m dribbling, passing, shooting, resuming my life-long effort to become the new Johan Cruyff. You should put the same amount of enthusiasm you put into your fantasy world into your real life social world.
Being able to be your true self – and having the confidence to be your true self – is an essential component of mental and physical health.
On the football field I have no worries. I don’t care that I am far from being the best footballer in the world. I will take players on, I will dribble, I will shoot – I will have a crack at goal. I’ve scored more than a few goals, now, my inabilities notwithstanding. How odd that in social life, where I have a range of abilities, I have tended to pull my shots for fear of failure. Take a shot at goal! I don't worry about making a fool of myself on the football pitch. I don't care if my failures may amuse myriad others. If it cheers them up, that's fine by me. Because I get enough right to cheer myself up in the process. Do it in social life! Take a shot on goal! You never know, you may score. You never will if you don't shoot.
