Are you ready for a bit of bragging?
What I noticed is that the joy of winning is based upon,
but is enormously DIS-proportional to the effort required
to achieve it. Let me explain.
I have a sense that as a culture, we are taking fewer and
fewer risks in the mistaken notion that, on average, this
will bring more more happiness for more people. Unfortunately,
it doesn't work that way. The pride and personal satisfaction
of great achievement only comes from taking risks and working
hard in the pursuit of your dreams.
Here's an extreme example: Would you choose the triumphs
and tragedies of a thrilling life, or the mediocrity of a
life that was "average" in all respects? I think the answer
is obvious! Human beings NEED challenge and we hate
being "average".
No one consciously chooses a life of boring mediocrity, and
yet we are drifting in exactly that direction.
Where once America was a nation that advised, "Go west
young man" and told both women and men to strike out, seek
their fortune, take risks and find adventure, today we are
determined to contain, if not eliminate, virtually all risk.
As a frequent traveler, one of my "pet peeves" is the focus
on airline safety. Obviously, no one wants a repeat of
9/11; it was a monstrous act of war. Of course we must
take steps to protect ourselves, but America have become a
nation obsessed with avoiding risk, and we are sacrificing
the rewards that come only from taking reasonable risks to
reach our goals.
What does this have to do with achievement and living the
good life? It has to do with our willingness to invest
ourselves and take risks to fulfill our potential.
As a nation, and as individuals, we must take risks and
invest ourselves in order to triumph.
There was risk in President Kennedy's commitment to landing
men on the moon. Amelia Earhart accepted the risks of
flying around the world. The crew of every space shuttle
accepts the risks of spaceflight, and not all return
safely.
There is risk in pursuing your dreams. There is work and
effort and investment, and you might lose, but that is the
price of triumph. There are no great victories purchased
at the "bargain counter" of life.
Invest yourself. Throw your heart and all that you have
into your endeavors. If you lose, it will hurt and be
upsetting, but if you win, there is a joy and satisfaction
beyond compare. Human beings were not made to sit still.
We must explore, we must adventure and try. In your own
world, in whatever way is calling to you, GO FOR IT!
What I noticed is that the joy of winning is based upon,
but is enormously DIS-proportional to the effort required
to achieve it. Let me explain.
I have a sense that as a culture, we are taking fewer and
fewer risks in the mistaken notion that, on average, this
will bring more more happiness for more people. Unfortunately,
it doesn't work that way. The pride and personal satisfaction
of great achievement only comes from taking risks and working
hard in the pursuit of your dreams.
Here's an extreme example: Would you choose the triumphs
and tragedies of a thrilling life, or the mediocrity of a
life that was "average" in all respects? I think the answer
is obvious! Human beings NEED challenge and we hate
being "average".
No one consciously chooses a life of boring mediocrity, and
yet we are drifting in exactly that direction.
Where once America was a nation that advised, "Go west
young man" and told both women and men to strike out, seek
their fortune, take risks and find adventure, today we are
determined to contain, if not eliminate, virtually all risk.
As a frequent traveler, one of my "pet peeves" is the focus
on airline safety. Obviously, no one wants a repeat of
9/11; it was a monstrous act of war. Of course we must
take steps to protect ourselves, but America have become a
nation obsessed with avoiding risk, and we are sacrificing
the rewards that come only from taking reasonable risks to
reach our goals.
What does this have to do with achievement and living the
good life? It has to do with our willingness to invest
ourselves and take risks to fulfill our potential.
As a nation, and as individuals, we must take risks and
invest ourselves in order to triumph.
There was risk in President Kennedy's commitment to landing
men on the moon. Amelia Earhart accepted the risks of
flying around the world. The crew of every space shuttle
accepts the risks of spaceflight, and not all return
safely.
There is risk in pursuing your dreams. There is work and
effort and investment, and you might lose, but that is the
price of triumph. There are no great victories purchased
at the "bargain counter" of life.
Invest yourself. Throw your heart and all that you have
into your endeavors. If you lose, it will hurt and be
upsetting, but if you win, there is a joy and satisfaction
beyond compare. Human beings were not made to sit still.
We must explore, we must adventure and try. In your own
world, in whatever way is calling to you, GO FOR IT!
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