…Be Upward Bound.
Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It
Up Up & Away, My Beautiful Balloon — Fifth Dimension
Elevate Your Self.
When I think about success, I think about the ability to keep going. There’s an old expression I hear from time to time about resting on your laurels where it pertains to complacency. I can generally tell when someone is really committed to their cause by the way they approach it. People who do not really want to succeed will typically make up some kind of excuse. Work. Family. Timing. Etc. These are all signs that the person in question doesn’t want it bad enough. This isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes it’s wise to go after different goals. Maybe taking care of your children or working the extra overtime is more important. Maybe spending time with friends or relaxing with your partner is exactly what you need. I just happen to think it helps to be honest about the situation. It helps add clarity. Everything, everything, Everything requires sacrifice. You have a choice, and if you choose not to take it it will be made for you. In other words: Not making a decision is a big decision.
Y’all better just be turning back if y’all want this boy to win
The Devil Came Back to George, Charlie Daniels Band
’cause practice is the only cure for the predicament he’s in!”
Die Another Day — Madonna
Sometimes you have to find another way.
Near as I can tell, there are two paths to power in this world. There’s one to the left, and one to the right. The problem with power is that it requires competency to wield appropriately, if at all. People who gain power through dishonest means will ultimately be corrupted by it, and in their pursuit of it will manifest their darker intentions in subtler ways. The only person who should ever wield a sword is the person who never wants to use it. The only person who should ever take responsibility is the person who can handle it. Responsibility can add a lot of meaning into a person’s life, but the cost is very real. There’s a reason why so many people opt to pursue simpler things in life. Not everything is for everyone at all times, and not everyone can do everything at all times. Sometimes you have to redefine your parameters, opt for a lower resolution of play. The game works at every level if you but understand the rules of engagement.
Chaaaaaaaaaarge!
Johnny Knoxville, while carrying an American Flag and running into an electronic stun device.
It’s Time — Imagine Dragons
It’s always time.
Things happen every day. Most of these things are beyond your control. Everything that you encounter is a test of your character. As you continue to make better choices for yourself you will discover that it gets easier. This is because you are strengthening your integrity. The more you speak the truth into words and act in a consistent manner, you will naturally become more magnetic. People are naturally attracted to people they can depend on. Having that quality commands respect at a subtle, yet primal level. As you grow, you’ll notice the way you carry yourself change. The way you look at the world will become radically different. As you begin to wake up to larger and greater possibilities, you’ll be forced to redefine yourself over-and over again as you learn things that were previously hidden and unknowable. This will always be true.
You gotta fight…for your right…to paaaaaaartyyyyyyyyy.
Beastie Boys, Fight for Your Right
Knights of Cydonia — Muse
Don’t waste your time or time will waste you.
Backsliding is inevitable. There is no sense in beating yourself up when you miss the mark. Everyone must fall short of the Glory. It is an inevitability. In the Batman story, Alfred tells a young Bruce Wayne that the reason people fall is so that they can get back up again. This is a deep truth. The difference between a winner and a loser is that a winner will never accept defeat. The goal is not to win every game, the goal is to participate in as many games as possible, to win the highest possible number of games across all games. And there is more than one way to win. You do not need to be the brightest star. You don’t even need to be the longest lasting. Your goal should be to shine in the way that suits you the best. This can change with time. No one is in control of your destiny but you. So take aim and break the mold.
Only shooting stars break the mold
Smash Mouth, All Star
Zombie — The Cranberries
What’s in your head?
Everyone is different and it really does take all types. Every problem gets treated like a nail if your toolbox contains only hammers. The ability to think outside the box, to consider things in the abstract is a useful ability to have, but you still need an outside perspective from time to time to truly grow and advance. When learning to play a competitive game, you don’t get better by winning every game. The way you grow is by taking on opponents who can beat you and teach you. You need to lose exactly as much as you can stand for optimal growth. This means embracing rejection. This means ignoring ridicule. This means asking questions and accepting help. The king may sit at the top of the hill, but he does not rest easy, for the pauper knows at any time he can make the climb and knock the king off his lofty throne. We all require support. Not one of us can do it alone.
No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
John Donne, “No Man is an Island”
Lean on Me — Bill Withers
For no one can fill those of your needs that you won’t let show.
That’s all for now.
Until next time,
Thank you;