Scars for motivation
I have read comments left on my blog and BodySpace and I receive the occasional personal message about how positive my attitude has remained through my finger ordeal. Some people have asked how I do it: "What keeps you motivated?" I, first, want to thank those that read my blog - my rambling utterances that have no bearing on anyone else’s life but my own. I put my thoughts in print so I can see how I feel at certain times, then go back and adjust my attitude. It keeps me honest with myself.
Motivation - the thing(s) that drives one to be successful - is different for everyone. What works for me may not work for you. I am intrinsically motivated; I do not need an outside source of motivation to get me to hit the weights with the utmost intensity. I set goals and I clearly know what my goals are. My job is to attain those goals by whatever means I have available to me. Right now, my finger is swollen, stiff, and not good for much. I know I will never regain full use of it, but that’s not going to stop me from trying to rehab it back to as close to normal as I can - that’s a goal of mine. Some people get discouraged over little things and give up. Being a teacher, I see that all the time. I’m not giving up because of a boo-boo on and in my finger. Growing up as a kid I had been bullied and picked on at school. Some folks, even as adults, get picked on or harassed in the workplace. People react on how they perceive these kinds of situations. Some commit suicide. Some become school/workplace shooters. Those people have one thing in common in my opinion: they wanted others to change. We all need to realize that no one else will change for you. The only one you can change is you. We all have emotional or physical scars, or both in some cases. They can be discouraging and bring you down if you let them. Or, you can redirect your focus. Focus not on how the scar feels or looks, but how you will persevere and overcome. Let that scar become a battle wound, ever remembering how you fought or are currently fighting through it. Let it be your motivation. Allow it to push you to another level and become a better, stronger person. I’ll leave you with a couple of great quotes from Henry Rollins that I think everyone can appreciate in some way, shape, or form:
"I think about the meaning of pain. Pain is personal. It really belongs to the one feeling it. Probably the only thing that is your own. I like mine.”
“Scar tissue is stronger than regular tissue. Realize the strength, move on.”
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May 12, 2007 at 6:55 am
I have one to add;
"Scars are like tattoos - but with better stories!".
:-)
May 17, 2007 at 10:21 am
Great post.
"The only one you can change is you"
I find it amazing how some people assume that when you are successful that you "had it easy" or "didn’t have to overcome the challenges [they] had"
Everyone has challenges some are visable some are not, but it is how we respond to those challenges that makes the difference.