I’ve had some interesting conversations lately about how the general public perceives those who achieve amazing things.  We know that Olympic athletes work hard, we realize that those who march drum corps spend many hours practicing, we know that professional bodybuilders spend many hours in the gym…but I don’t think that people realize just how much blood and sweat actually goes into these accomplishments.

There are many contexts for this discussion, but I’ll focus on the ones I know the best.  We just finished the DCI season and we all marveled at the great performances and entertaining shows this year.  Though we appreciate the shows, I don’t think most fans realize the HOURS of planning, design work, construction of props and musical scores, stretches of mental work…all of which went into only the design phase of things.

Then we have young people spending hour after hour out in the heat and sun perfecting each move, each note, each toss… and all the while shelling out a lot of money for the privilege to work this hard!

In the gym, I’m surrounded by many very muscular individuals who dedicate hours to working out in the gym, working through pain that most people walking around in this world can’t fathom.  Then they spend even more time preparing the rights foods, getting adequate rest, and doing many other things which require a lot of diligence and attention.

In this same gym are folks who are just trying to get into shape, and I applaud them as well.  But I always get frustrated when anyone scoffs at the amazing accomplishment of bodybuilders or jealously writes off their gains to drugs or other shortcuts. 

So let’s gain some perspective.  Anyone who achieves any kind of special success, whether in the business world, athletics, music, academics, or whatever, has likely gone beyond what the average person can imagine.  So let’s applaud them, appreciate them, and be motivated by them.  These folks are showing us what is possible!  Thank goodness for their example and inspiration.