Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 89 – And the Award Goes To…
Good morning, guys.
Recently I was listening to a news broadcast and, as usual, the entertainment world was the focus of “the news.” Obviously we all lead such meaningless lives that we simply must keep up with what the celebs are saying, doing and wearing or we will perish. Ignoring most of what was being said, I caught a tidbit that amused me. Antonio Bandaras was awarded with a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. Now I don’t know about you, but somehow when I think of such things, the names Gregory Peck, Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stewart paired with the name of Antonio Bandaras just don’t seem to work for me. Please, don’t get me wrong. I enjoy many of the films that Antonio has been in, but his body of work just does not come close to being in their league. Well, anyway, that got me to thinking seriously about how shallow awards and recognition have become. The word “superstar” is bandied about so freely that anyone who was simply called a “star” would be insulted. We place people on pedestals who, in many cases, walking in our shoes, would be in prison cells. Our children, often unknowingly, look up to people who are little more than spoiled brats dressed as adults or, worse yet, common thugs who happen to be able to handle a ball, be it foot, basket or base. Our kids themselves become jaded and used to “awards” as every minor accomplishment is met with some form of recognition. Hell, even the losing teams get trophies nowadays, just so nobody gets a bruised self esteem.
So, when you do something in you life that you think is worthy of note, it can be a real let down when nobody notices or even seems to care. It may be something at work, at home, on a team or organization you belong to. How many of you have been on receiving end of a conversation like this:
“So how was your day?”
“Great, I went to the gym and pulled 300 pounds for reps.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Pass the salt please.”
Well, then, what am I trying to say? Just this. When you accomplish anything, don’t expect the world to notice. If someone does, it’s all the more gratifying. But, the true award, the valid recognition must come from the way you feel about yourself. The day you drop the dumbbell on your foot, everyone you know is in the gym. The day you set a personal record, no one seems to be around. Does that change what you did? Did you accomplish less? Of course not.
Awards are great, but what is left when the applause fades can be emptiness or the satisfaction of having done your best, regardless of who notices.
Have a great week.
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In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler
__________________ In Fitness & Friendship, MAHLER
______________________________ __________________________ There is no light at the end of the tunnel. You carry the light with you.
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Quote:
Originally posted by Howard_Rourke: Those 12.0 pounders really hurt.
Howie
Howie: You missed a decimal point. I went back and fixed it for you. You're welcome.
John,
Awesome, as always. If there were an award for Best Motivator, you would occupy a place in the Hall of Fame. Still, I wonder if we could get you a star?
“So how was your day?”
“Great, I went to the gym and pulled 300 pounds for reps.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Pass the salt please.”
Conversation I had with my wife when I got home from the gym saturday morning ..
Her: How was your workout?
Me: I hit a new personal best on deadlifts. How much do you weigh?
Her: ###. Why?
Me: I could deadlift you about ## number of times
Her: That's nice, I'll let you know if I ever need to be deadlifted.
__________________
Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.
-Henry Ford
Yet another awesome MMMM, John! You seriously should see about publishing some kind of compilation. I'd much rather see that on bookstore shelves than the tripe they try and peddle on us these days!
__________________
Gifted SmartAss Master Class Graduate
When you accomplish anything, don’t expect the world to notice.
Meanwhile the society is teaching exactly the opposite to our kids by giving trophies to everyone. There is some good to it for the kids who never would get any.. It's thier "pat on the back".
I certainly wouldn't have given Antonio Banderas a Star on the walk of fame in his "zorro" movie. There is probably lots of money behind those choices.
and sometimes.. it's easier to get an award than a pat on the back.
I know there are somethings I need alot of support in and other things I can do alone and even against many. So I don't think this is a "complete personaliy" thing (at least for me).
Maybe the things I need support in aren't for me, but I have to try them to find that out.
Mahler.. no trophy, no pat on the back for this post.. (if i give it sparingly, will it be worth more?) But alot of respect and a sincere interest in everything you write.
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