With the right motivation, we can do almost anything. I've had some experience with this and would like to share a few stories. This first one happened when I was playing soccer.
Every day before practice, the coach had us stretch and warm up. Then he made us run a mile. It was competitive and I'm happy to say I routinely finished second. Normally that wouldn't be great, but the guy who always won was a long-distance runner on the school track team. He had won the county meet the year before and was only on the soccer team to keep in shape. I was happy.
Then one day in science class, I heard a girl (Harper) ask a fellow from my team why he lets me beat him. He explained everyone tried, but that "Rick wins." {No one considered the track fellow part of the race} Harper then pointed out that "Rick only comes in second" and started teasing me about losing to such a thin (as most long-distance runners are!) fellow. She teased me pretty good about it. So I decided I would beat that guy.
If you've been reading my blog for a while, you probably know what happened next. Every day I pushed harder and harder. Then, finally, it was our last day of practice. That would be my day! When it was time to run, the track man and I were both practically sprinting from the start, both determined to win. He pulled ahead. I pulled even, back and forth. He was ahead of me coming into the last 50 yards. I gave it everything I had and pulled even again. Then he gave it everything he had and he beat me! Again!!! You thought I was going to win, didn't you??? Me too! LOL, but not this time. That scrawny kid beat me every day, fair and square. Not my favorite memory! ;P
But it was a good lesson. That's how it goes sometimes. We can do our best, do everything right, and still not come out on top. But we keep trying because each day brings a new opportunity to succeed.
PS - That "scrawny kid" won both the county and the state championships that year. I felt good about that--maybe I helped motivate him.
Oh, there will be another story about Harper. She motivated me in the classroom too.
I wish you had won on your last day! But it is a good and certainly realistic lesson we all need to realize - we're not always going to be the best.
ReplyDeleteclothed much, a modest fashion blog
hehehe yes, i thought it would be like a fairy tale with a super happy ending. you sure know how to make us thrilled! :D
ReplyDeletewell, we cant always win, but we can always do our best and thats the important thing. :)
LOL, I totally thought you'd beat him!!! You got us thrilled indeed!
ReplyDeleteI loved this story, you're aboslutely right. It's not about winning. Awesome.
Lol,i thoroughly enjoyed this post. :)
ReplyDeleteWe can do our best, do everything right, and still not come out on top..
well,yes i totally agree ..in fact its something everyone can relate to. :)
That's a nice story :) I have to agree with you, you were his motivation! :)
ReplyDeleteI love competition. Keeps me on my toes, though I must admit that losing does give that little sore feeling.
ReplyDeleteGreat story once again, Ric. Regardless of whether you beat him, a lesson can be learned either way.
Love it. Sometimes you don't win, but sometimes it's personal achievements and seeing how much progress you personally made... Many times my mom's told me that know matter how hard I try to be best...there will always be somebody better!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story :) I sure you definately motivated the guy too and maybe even helped him to win those other races! Even though you didn't beat him you did achieve a lot for yourself.
ReplyDeleteMy dad's a runner and he's super skinny but he doesn't stop eating it always annoys me it's like his stomache is a black hole!
Aww what a positive message. You shoulda won though!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this story, I wish you could have beat him :D
ReplyDeleteYeah, we can not always win as we'd like to. To loose is a good experience as well, and it should not miss in one's own experiences.
ReplyDeleteMy motivation is my Working Holiday Year in Japan atm, otherwise I wouldn't stand doing all those part-time jobs, hahaha! :-)
I feel guilty. I am not even motivated enough to finish reading Jules Verne's 20000 Leagues Under The Sea...:(
ReplyDeleteI agree with ya. there's nothing wrong in losing. as long as you were motivated to accomplish a goal!! well, thats a good lesson. and always wanted to run fast. even though im thin and tall, i cant run fast. i can jog!
ReplyDeletebtw, check ur message box! i have this project for my blog about people's opinions. it should be a fun activity. if you're interested, just email me!! :D
ReplyDeleteGotta love the Harper's in our lives. haha! ;D Good lesson though... sometimes it's really not winning that matters but that you gave it everything you got! There will be another opportunity to "win" at something else. Maybe that time was scrawny kids time. :)
ReplyDeleteP.S - In 10 years, Herro Hachi MAY need a president! hehe!
Reading this line [thin (as most long-distance runners are!)] made me curious: have you ever posted a recent picture of you in this blog? I would love to see how you look like! Pretty please? =D
ReplyDeletethey said it all:(
ReplyDeleteanyways, im always fascinated with your stories:)
wow rick...you just enlightened me. you really did.
ReplyDeletei heart this story and i LOVE this -> "each day brings a new opportunity to succeed."
I was totally expecting to read that you won! What a surprise twist !
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of frustrating giving it your all, only to find that someone is always better than you, but it's true that it's not about being THE best, but about being YOUR best.
You are always filled with such wise words!
LOL I hope you remember me! Thanks for checking up on me every now and then, it really means a lot! School/life has been kicking my ass for the past few months that I barely even have the time to breathe, but I just wanted to quickly come & say hi to let you know that I'm alive =)
Don't know when or if I'll ever come back to blogging, but know that I miss talking to you! I'll find the time to keep up with your blog so I still have a glimpse into your life even if I don't get to say hi! =) I see that your blog has grown tremendously since the last time I visited, & I know that it'll only grow bigger. You definitely deserve all the good things that come your way ! =)
Until next time..which may be a very very long time...but the day will come !
It's one of life's best lessons, to try your hardest but still not have the outcome you imagined just to learn how to be humbled by yours and others abilities. There is nothing wrong with not winning when you knew you gave it your all. Good for you :) I bet you would win in a race against me.
ReplyDeletehaha, Harper is quite a character, she's almost like a Cheschire cat-type of sinister middle school/high school villain..
ReplyDelete