Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 142 – Top Hat

[Mahler]

Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 142 – Top Hat


Top Hat


It was a long and busy day with plenty of work to be done around the house. Late in the afternoon what a relief it was to call it quits and have a simple meal. After a quick cleanup, it was finally time to relax and my wife and I settled in the family room and I turned on the television. It never ceases to amaze me sometimes that there are so many channels and yet so little of substance on television. Yet, this time, after a few clicks on the remote, we struck gold. There was a movie that was just starting. What an old classic it was; Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers in Top Hat.

As we watched the simple story unfold, my wife made a comment that it was too bad that it was not filmed in color. Yet, as I sat through those amazing dance numbers I thought to myself, did it really make any difference? Would color have improved it? Could the extra trappings of red, yellow and blue have added anything significant to the blacks, whites and grays? Of course, in the true tradition of Hollywood, the sets and costumes were fabulous, but still, in this early monochromatic world of top hat, white tie and tails it all boiled down to performance. And what a performance it was.

So often we find ourselves in situations where performance takes second place, if it has a place at all. It seems to me, sometimes, that the trappings of performance are the goal.

What is very confusing to me is that I see people all the time with expensive athletic shoes that I can guarantee you have never run more than the distance from the couch to the refrigerator during a halftime commercial. I see people in workout gear; the finest that the high end athletic wear makers have to offer, but I look at the wearer and know in an instant that appearance is the important part and not performance. A funny thought enters my mind. You have to take a test and get a license to drive a car. How about doing a 100 yard dash before you can purchase those running shoes. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if someone went into a store to buy athletic wear and the clerk said, okay drop and give me twenty. Let’s see if you can perform in this stuff.

How odd it is that we seem to be more concerned at times about the things that we wear or use and less about the quality of what we do while wearing or using them. In short, what about performance? The very word “gymnasium” has as its root meaning “to exercise naked.” Apparently those Greeks didn’t worry about what they wore to workout. The ancient Olympic Games were conducted in the nude, as well.

Sometimes we can become overly concerned about having the best shoes, the coolest workout clothes, the latest MP3 player and the most advanced equipment that we forget that most essential of ingredients in our fitness pursuits, performance.

It’s not the shoes, but the feet that do the running. It’s not the clothes, but the body that does the work. It’s not the gadgets, but the mind that exerts the will to perform and to excel.

When you put on the top hat, white tie and tails, just make sure you dance.

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Have a Great Week!

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[Deserve]

Come on. It's all about the shoes.

Nice one John.

[OldGuy]

Nice one, John.

[UConnJulie]

Thanks John! A good reminder especially during this time of the year when rampant commercialism is everywhere!

[djhaycock]

Wouldn’t it be hilarious if someone went into a store to buy athletic wear and the clerk said, okay drop and give me twenty. Let’s see if you can perform in this stuff.

This cracks me up because it is soooo true.

Ever since I started wearing my basic Chuck Taylor's to the gym, based on some very good recommendations from this board, I get funny looks on leg day ALL THE TIME!!!

This idea would sure put those "tracks" to use at stores like The Finish Line.

[finboy]

I have an Under Armour shirt I received as a gift that I can't bring myself to wear at the gym. Instead, I've got the pit-stained, 5K race t-shirt.

Love your analogies here, John. This is one of my favorite MMMMs. Thanks, bud.

[Jimbo]

Dang it. Right before Christmas too.

[Chris Correia]

What do you know, I pop back in to the read a Motivator, and get a good one. (Well, they're all good -- except that last one. )

I don't have any of those trappings; I work out alone at home and wear the equivalent of rags. But I can certainly take to heart the notion of, "It's about the training and performance, stupid," and try to whittle away the extra thoughts, motivations and hindrances in which I tend to clothe myself.

Thanks, John! See, all you have to do is watch the right movie. LOL

[GG300]

It drives me crazy when I see people wearing sweats not because they are working out or ever intend to but because they come in large sizes and it covers their obviously neglected bodies.

Nice thoughts John.

[Erika]

Yeah - now I have someone on my side when my darling husband tells me I need to wear something else when I go running. I don't have gear.

You are an excellent writer, I need to say it more but am the opposite of a post ho.

[kingkop182]

Very true john, there are so many people who are more concerned about what they look like whilst training than the actual training itself. As for the mp3 players; don't even get me started.

[ParanoidAndroid]

awesome.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Triple post,my bad.

[Lost Dog]

Erika
Empress of this little kingdom... Bow before me!



Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 666

666? That's not very motivating. Post something, quick!

[Kaiser]

All this talk by John of naked workouts and top hats has me humming the Joe Cocker tune 'You Can Leave Your Hat On'.

LD, IIRC she edited her post count a long time ago to take it down to what it is. She's got way more posts, despite her protests about the ho-ing thing.

[FlyinM]

Excellent MMMM, John.

[Pman]

Well done as usual John!

Now I have to scratch all that stuff off my gift list!

[BjsAust]

I think John wants us to workout naked?