When I started writing Marty’s Minutes, I challenged my team to start writing their thoughts as well. And let me tell you, I have been blown away by what the team has come up with. Over the next few weeks, I want to share some of my favorite a-Minutes from the team. Starting with this one from Sam Tubb:
…
“The Iron will always kick you the real deal. The Iron is the great reference point, the all-knowing perspective giver. Always there like a beacon in the pitch black. I have found the Iron to be my greatest friend. It never freaks out on me, never runs. Friends may come and go. But two hundred pounds is always two hundred pounds.” –Henry Rollins
Recently while reading a book titled Do I Come Here Often? by prolific punk rock icon Henry Rollins, I came across a chapter where he describes something he calls “The Iron.” In this particular context, “the Iron” that Rollins is referring to are iron weights you would find in a gym. But he uses these as a reference point to explain how weightlifting has helped shape his personal ethos, confidence, and discipline. However, while reading what he had to say, I couldn’t help but apply the metaphor of the iron to life in a broader sense. (Probably because I don’t lift.)
To me, “the iron” can represent any practice in self-discipline that one may choose for themself, whether that be a diet, fitness regime, routine meditation, daily exercise, writing a book/journaling, etc.
Daily challenges such as these provide us with an incredible perspective of ourselves and help build our mental and physical fortitude. The fact that these tasks are difficult is largely what makes them beneficial to us. As Rollins explains, “I used to think that it was my adversary, that I was trying to lift that which does not want to be lifted. I was wrong. When the Iron doesn’t want to come off the mat, it’s the kindest thing it can do for you. If it flew up and went through the ceiling, it wouldn’t teach you anything. That’s the way the Iron talks to you.”
Constantly taking the path of least resistance and choosing solutions that pose no challenges to us will rarely provide any life lessons. Just like pushing against the resistance of a 200LB weight helps build muscle, pushing against any kind of daily challenge will build your strength in that particular skill, and more importantly, build your self-respect.
So, I challenge you to find yourself something in your life to be your iron, if you haven’t already.
“I used to fight the pain, but recently this became clear to me: pain is not my enemy; it is my call to greatness.”
Until next time…we are Advoco, make every minute count.
Comentarios