effort/reward

As I read my previous posts I realize that they all emerge from the recognition of a fundamental problem with fundamental values and the very foundation of self image, self confidence and self worth.

Being on the track, I would say, is a challenge at any given time for any given participant. It's an effort, which brings with real rewards upon completion. Regardless of results, really, it is mostly due to the various components of a single activity, such as a track workout. Let's break it down and see how it contrasts the perfect image for all mentality of the masses.

Just committing to an activity and simply showing up is an accomplishment itself. Knowing there are challenges that lie ahead and still being dedicated is an accomplishment. (For some, it's actually a prime directive: challenge oneself to feel a sense of accomplishment... another discussion perhaps...). During the track session one has to push oneself and also realize one's limitations and work within one's abilities and God given talent. Here, my friends, is a great fundamental value, that is to be content, or rather to push oneself to the limits of ones ability, not that of X Y or Z. What this means is to be your personal best and be happy about it, even if it's half as good as someone else's half a... efforts. Knowing that being half as good has taken you a whole lot of effort should bring the self confidence, self worth, and create a positive self image, regardless of where that puts you on the collective scale. Sometimes it is frustrating to exert so much energy and dedicate so much time and still come in behind another, but so what?
Does everyone have to look like Barbie? Does everyone have the same genetic composition and should have perfect features? Can an elderly woman with wrinkles be beautiful? Or should we all undergo the necessary procedures to become more like someone else? Can someone's natural weight be 10 lbs out of the normal range? Or should that person feel inferior and battle with physical and psychological issues and too undergo the necessary procedures to be closer to "normal"? Who set "normal", anyway? Is "normal" going to be something completely different 50 years from now? You bet your life! So who wins? The confident and the challenged, in my opinion. Perfection is an illusion. Self image, however, is a powerful thing, and can easily be fixed with the fundamentals.

Challenge yourself. Make a real effort. Go to the track, get up early and go to the gym. Once you accomplish one thing you'll move on to a bigger or a different challenge. Create something. Learn something. Buy an instrument or a craft kit or try a recipe. Find beauty in everyday things, in everyday people. Say "thank you" and mean it. Clean out your closet and take it to Goodwill. Appreciate the ordinary. Look up at the sky at least once a day. Want more cliches? Got plenty. Turn off the tv - read a book. Buy a plant and learn to nourish it. Adopt a pet and take care of it. Compete in something. Volunteer for something. Go to the theatre and see a play. Set a KRAZY goal, run a marathon. Once. Just once, make a real effort to accomplish something that is a real challenge. Than you won't need any procedures to see yourself pretty. Pretty worthy, that is...