Cheering for the Underdog
Stories with Morals
I was raised in a home where we cheered for the underdog. It was true in sports as well as daily life. I recall my parents cutting out news paper clippings about individuals who overcame great adversity, struggles and misfortune until they eventually found success. They weren’t intended to succeed, at least by the world’s standards but they were determined in their heart.
That is largely the way I approach life, as though I am not supposed to succeed but determined that I will. That strategy has served me well, though I have been the fortunate beneficiary of many fantastic opportunities in my life.
As a result of this underdog mentality, I love movies and stories with a moral, stories about great successes, it is much of the reason I right about them… to inspire others as these stories have inspired me. I’m driven by stories with morals. The world today is a place where it is popular to be cynical, negative and even mean. That’s the easiest approach to life, because when we don’t believe in our self, how can we ever believe in another.
Instead, how different would life be if we all lived with the determination of characters in great movies like Rudy and Hoosiers. Small town hero’s who were never expected to amount to much but went on to achieve the greatest desires of their hearts. That’s where it all begins, finding with a desire and a determination to find what ever it is you are being drawn to today. I am convinced we all are capable of greatness, that doesn’t mean being a millionaire, playing in professional sports or even being famous.
Greatness comes in many forms, what that means for you is different than what that means for me. If you are honest with yourself, has there ever been a time in your life where you felt you were meant to accomplish something, you wanted to make a difference or leave a legacy in some form. If you have I believe that is your heart, guiding you on a path known only to you, a direction intended only for you. The challenge is that for so many of us we get caught up in the every day battles of life. Going to work, paying the bills and so much more -if we’re not careful those things can all get in the way of the dreams you once had or have today.
My hope is that this blog provides you with the courage you need to find your path and and follow The Compass.
Hanging On the Edge
Stories With Morals
I found myself this weekend in a precarious position. My heart raced as I wondered how the headlines might read the next day. As I looked up I could see the summit of the mountain that had been my objective. I was not an experienced climber, I had made climbs in the past but surely nothing as steep as what I now faced in the Utah mountains. My fingers clung to the anything within reach, my feet braced against the sheer wall on one side, while my right heel pressed for anything to catch a hold.
Despite my best attempt, I soon found myself sliding toward an empty abyss. Most concerning beyond the fall was the fact that my wife and our oldest daughter watched helplessly from from below. I knew the fall would hurt but I didn’t want them to see it. The adrenaline kicked in and I hollered to them, “steady the ladder.”
No, I wasn’t scaling a mountain. But the steep pitched roof of our home does sit in the mountains and I truly was fearful as I slid down a very steep roof line. In the end the only thing hurt was my pride. Embarrassed that the I have been bungee jumping, sky diving and paragliding, but unable to secure my footing on the roof, I admitted defeat and “agreed” to pay a professional to hang the Christmas lights this year. It will mark the first year I have not hung the lights myself.
Our prior homes have always provided relatively easy access to the roof line, making the job manageable. This was the first year, in this home that I had attempted to hang lights. Though that decision put me in a dangerous position, I learned a valuable lesson once again – I could either disappoint my family, spending the holidays with no outdoor lighting or I could ask for help. You have no idea how hard that is for me, but being the true Clark Griswold of Christmas I could never let that happen.
Ultimately the lesson I learned was one that I find myself needing to learn over and over again in this life, the moral of this story is,”Surround yourself with good people and let professionals be professionals.”
Too often people like us (you and me), believe we can do it all alone. For some reason I fool myself at times in believing that success will be a little sweeter if I do it all myself. In hindsight, the most successful periods of my life have come when I have a well thought out plan and align myself with other talented people. When you consider the most successful and inspirational people of our time, they were those with a vision who sought out the talent of others when they did not have the capability them self.
That is great advice for anyone in search of happiness and success. Follow your heart and seek out those who will support you in your journey.
To learn more about starting your journey to happiness and success read The Compass.