I wake up every morning, look myself in the mirror, and tell myself I will either do something I've never done, or do something better than I have before. At this point, it's gotten me through some rough days.
Over the last few months, I have been really dealing a lot with (what one of my athletes called) the "pussification of America." I have never heard so much whining from professional athletes. And, what's worse, it's not just confined to sports.
I could go on and on about this, but, basically, it seems to come down to two basic issues:
1. Winning, or even doing well, at anything really isn't that important. In fact, don't really try to be successful because you may make someone else feel bad
2. When you fail, it is never your fault. You can and should always blame someone or something else. Never accept responsibility for any of your failures
I did a lecture on this about 2 months ago to a group of athletes. As with all of my talks, we videoed it. But my employees thought that my opening monologue hammered it home so well that they turned it into a motivational video for my athletes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXxT8IrhwD0
I even talked about this at my summer youth camp that I just returned from 2 weeks of.
Okay, time for me to step off the soap box......
I work at multiple inner city charter schools and this happens at all of them. A "new" way of thinking, they say. Scores are at an all time low, learning disability's are at an all time high and curriculum is laughable for the grade level. It drives me crazy to see the constant lowering of expectations to try and make everyone feel all warm and fuzzy in side. Life out of school is going to be one tough and winding road for these children.
It's ideas like this that need to be taught to the youth, finding pride in their work, keeping positive thoughts and actions in the forefront of everything they do. The best thing I (or anyone) can do is to lead by example and be as positive towards ourselves and others as possible
I work at multiple inner city charter schools and this happens at all of them. A "new" way of thinking, they say. Scores are at an all time low, learning disability's are at an all time high and curriculum is laughable for the grade level. It drives me crazy to see the constant lowering of expectations to try and make everyone feel all warm and fuzzy in side. Life out of school is going to be one tough and winding road for these children.
It's ideas like this that need to be taught to the youth, finding pride in their work, keeping positive thoughts and actions in the forefront of everything they do. The best thing I (or anyone) can do is to lead by example and be as positive towards ourselves and others as possible
That is very important work that you do, man. Those kids come from such rough circumstances, it is almost like they never have a chance. All they see is negative.
Leading by example and being good to those kids, you never know what your capacity could be to change a young life and actually save someone.
Rev... Great video!! I definitely threw it in my favorites!! I sat and thought of my athletes and how I would love to show them, but also thought of myself and how there are no excuses for your failures. I own mine and others need to also...
No prob, D. It applies to so many things, not just sports. Plus, it was a ton of fun doing......lol
"Trample The Weak. Hurdle The Dead."
"Dominentur vestri venatus."
"Si vis pacem, para bellum."
"It's not that Strength & Conditioning is everything; it just really sucks to be weak and slow."
I think one of the hardest things to do is to let shit go. I find myself holding on to negativity and it can make you bitter and judgmental.
I think we can all relate to that.
A couple of attitudes and understandings that have made a difference to me personally are...
1) Taking nothing for granted. Life is very fleeting and fragile.
2) Balancing hunger with gratitude. I know what I want out of life and I have an insatiable drive, but at the same time I know that I am already very lucky and blessed in so many ways.
3) Balancing a sense of urgency with patience. Nothing worthwhile happens over night. Instead of being miserable with every day that isn't ideal, understand that it is all a part of a greater process.
4) Take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. You never know what might happen if you start to stack up the positive actions and accomplishments.
5) Appreciate the small things. The things you so often overlook or shrug off may in fact be the best things in your life--friendships, relationships (with family, friends, pets, etc), conversations, debates, discussions, learning, knowledge. Things you can't see in the mirror or count in your bank account are likely the things that matter most and have the greatest value.
I try to remind myself of this stuff whenever I find myself anxious or angry or frustrated.
Good points G, I can look back over many things in my life and see their purpose in the greater plan. I had a terrible job at Chase and I hated getting up to go to it every day. This is the same job that out of the and a few random questions later got me to where I am now. Before that I was laid off from a job I would have never left even though I hated it but that was just another stepping stone to get where I am. I am so happy now and everything is finally coming together.