Quoting bbqchickenrobot:

I've come to another realization in my life. This time, it has nothing to do with age or any particular recent [wasted] incident that challenged me to reflect. Rather, it has been the series of small battles through the various stages of my life from an early age to present time. I realized while watching Friday Night Lights that my life is exactly this story. I am the Permian Panther. No matter how hard I try, no matter how hard I've tried, worked, and buckled down I just can't seem to be the champion. Oh, no doubt I can go the distance. No doubt that I don't have the tenacity and voracity to walk the walk. Yes, I may have come out with the title of second best, which is just the last loser. However, it was only for a brief battle. Not overall. You see I'm not a loser or a champion. I'm stuck somewhere in the middle. My scales balance at the measure of good. or great. but not champion. I am the living embodiment of that Permian Panther football team. I have the power. I have the ability. I have the potential, the desire, the willingness. But it's my destiny to remain and stay constant with what I have already become. This doesn't mean I still won't rise to the occasion or readily accept a challenge, no, it just means, I may have to say yet again, well, I gave my all and I gave it my best - maybe next time.

Each player on Permian represents the many facets that comprise the composition of my being. My soul My personality. I have the cocky, able, loud mouthed Booby Miles in me. But, just as he eventually became, I am wounded. I am crippled and that has somewhat silenced my clamor. I mask the pain of my injury by masquerading via confidence and humbled arrogance although, it is limited and not quite what it was.. I am Chavez, hard working, not incredibly gifted but I can hang. I am the quiet Winchell who is always serious and really aspires to achieve his goals. I have a deep burning desire to make it to the top just as he. I am also Coleman, who is talented, but rarely given the chance to display his skill. Out shadowed by somebody quicker, faster, better. But, not just better - somebody who is outstanding and shines when compared to all others in the game. The one they call a star. But now, since Miles is wounded, I rely on my Coleman to get me through and he's got a certain shine to him, just not quite like Miles did. I waited for my chance and will not give up, I await my chance to be a star still. Although shy and not as boisterous as Miles, I know what I can do and believe in myself, hope keeps me alive. I am also like Preacher. Quiet. Extremely confident and able but humbled and reserved. I am uplifting to others and can provide a spiritual inspiration and guidance to others in times of need. When a leader is required, Preacher steps up, mostly leading through example and action with minimal spoken word other than what is necessary. I also feel like 'Billingsley ', beaten up and abused. Tired. I try hard, but being human, mess up from time to time. Again, though, I know I can do it and if pushed, you will see the beast unleashed. All these characteristics are the reasons why I won't be champion. The sum of the parts cannot be greater than the whole. This is me. This is how I've come to be. Some parts push ahead and prevail and shine and are stars. Others, hold back and hold the team down, although they put forth their best concerted effort. This is me. And I accept it.

All of these people are inside me. All of these beings, these men, these personalities, they are the composition that make up Troy Robinson. I have come to realize, I am the Permian Panther. Analogies and metaphors are great because they give an example or model of reality from one's own perspective and allows them to explain a notion or idea. The beauty of it is that a good one is usually an accurate representation of reality. So, like the Permian Panthers, I feel like I just can't win that championship. I can get to the championship game with blood, sweat and tears, but I just won't come out on top. Although I give it everything in my power I will not leave with the trophy and that's ok with me. I have come to an understanding and accepted my destiny. Again the beauty is that yes, I may never come out a champion and bask in the glory of complete, sweet and total victory. As much as that sucks, it really doesn't matter. Every member of Permian loved the game. That's what their effort was about. Sure a championship would have been nice. But, even with the outcome they will always love the game and that's what truly matters. They may have lost here and there. But each member, each part of my composition still loves the game and will never give up. And just as I am Permian, the game of football equates to the game of life. And as each member of Permian loves football, so do I life. I love the game and will continue to push on with love and commitment and perseverance until one day, my team is no more. Go Permian!

I've come to another realization in my life. This time, it has nothing to do with age or any particular recent [wasted] incident that challenged me to reflect. Rather, it has been the series of small battles through the various stages of my life from an early age to present time. I realized while watching Friday Night Lights that my life is exactly this story. I am the Permian Panther. No matter how hard I try, no matter how hard I've tried, worked, and buckled down I just can't seem to be the champion. Oh, no doubt I can go the distance. No doubt that I don't have the tenacity and voracity to walk the walk. Yes, I may have come out with the title of second best, which is just the last loser. However, it was only for a brief battle. Not overall. You see I'm not a loser or a champion. I'm stuck somewhere in the middle. My scales balance at the measure of good. or great. but not champion. I am the living embodiment of that Permian Panther football team. I have the power. I have the ability. I have the potential, the desire, the willingness. But it's my destiny to remain and stay constant with what I have already become. This doesn't mean I still won't rise to the occasion or readily accept a challenge, no, it just means, I may have to say yet again, well, I gave my all and I gave it my best - maybe next time.

Each player on Permian represents the many facets that comprise the composition of my being. My soul My personality. I have the cocky, able, loud mouthed Booby Miles in me. But, just as he eventually became, I am wounded. I am crippled and that has somewhat silenced my clamor. I mask the pain of my injury by masquerading via confidence and humbled arrogance although, it is limited and not quite what it was.. I am Chavez, hard working, not incredibly gifted but I can hang. I am the quiet Winchell who is always serious and really aspires to achieve his goals. I have a deep burning desire to make it to the top just as he. I am also Coleman, who is talented, but rarely given the chance to display his skill. Out shadowed by somebody quicker, faster, better. But, not just better - somebody who is outstanding and shines when compared to all others in the game. The one they call a star. But now, since Miles is wounded, I rely on my Coleman to get me through and he's got a certain shine to him, just not quite like Miles did. I waited for my chance and will not give up, I await my chance to be a star still. Although shy and not as boisterous as Miles, I know what I can do and believe in myself, hope keeps me alive. I am also like Preacher. Quiet. Extremely confident and able but humbled and reserved. I am uplifting to others and can provide a spiritual inspiration and guidance to others in times of need. When a leader is required, Preacher steps up, mostly leading through example and action with minimal spoken word other than what is necessary. I also feel like 'Billingsley ', beaten up and abused. Tired. I try hard, but being human, mess up from time to time. Again, though, I know I can do it and if pushed, you will see the beast unleashed. All these characteristics are the reasons why I won't be champion. The sum of the parts cannot be greater than the whole. This is me. This is how I've come to be. Some parts push ahead and prevail and shine and are stars. Others, hold back and hold the team down, although they put forth their best concerted effort. This is me. And I accept it.

All of these people are inside me. All of these beings, these men, these personalities, they are the composition that make up Troy Robinson. I have come to realize, I am the Permian Panther. Analogies and metaphors are great because they give an example or model of reality from one's own perspective and allows them to explain a notion or idea. The beauty of it is that a good one is usually an accurate representation of reality. So, like the Permian Panthers, I feel like I just can't win that championship. I can get to the championship game with blood, sweat and tears, but I just won't come out on top. Although I give it everything in my power I will not leave with the trophy and that's ok with me. I have come to an understanding and accepted my destiny. Again the beauty is that yes, I may never come out a champion and bask in the glory of complete, sweet and total victory. As much as that sucks, it really doesn't matter. Every member of Permian loved the game. That's what their effort was about. Sure a championship would have been nice. But, even with the outcome they will always love the game and that's what truly matters. They may have lost here and there. But each member, each part of my composition still loves the game and will never give up. And just as I am Permian, the game of football equates to the game of life. And as each member of Permian loves football, so do I life. I love the game and will continue to push on with love and commitment and perseverance until one day, my team is no more. Go Permian!