Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Welcome to the Grind

Every once in a while there is an inspirational video or commercial (or both rolled into one) that has a big impact on me. Like it gives me major goosebumps and I really "feel it" and want to just put it on repeat. When I first saw Nike's "Rise and Shine" motivational clip (which I may or may not have watched over and over again), I sat there with my mouth agape and eyes welling up, just thinking "Wow, this gets me." The song, the cinematography, the message, the tone. Everything. It was just so "me."

I just felt like this ad was talking to me. Understood me. I connected with it. I have always been an athlete and although I am not a professional, I am always working toward something. Whether its a race or a specific goal or just being a better individual overall, I always strive to better my best and find my greatness. I think we all should. I know it sounds corny, but there is greatness in everyone and it is our job to bring it out the best that we can in ourselves. Only we have control over that.

There is a reason I am up at 5:15 in the morning to get my workouts in. Up and back before the sun even rises.
There is a reason I am my own worst critic.
There is a reason I want to constantly push myself to my limits.
There is a reason I want to take on these challenges again and again.
I want to find my greatness. Plain and simple.

So give it a watch. See if it does for you what it does for me. Maybe nothing, but maybe everything.
For those of you that also enjoyed it, here is the actual script from it. (I've even taken the liberty of boldfacing my favorite lines for you. You're welcome for that.) Once again, goosebumps. 

Rise and shine.
It’s 6am and your hand can’t make it to the alarm clock before the voices in your head start telling you that it’s too early, too dark, and too cold to get out of a bed.
Aching muscles lie still in rebellion, pretending not to hear your brain commanding them to move
A legion of voices are shouting their unanimous permission for you to hit the snooze button and go back to dreamland, but you didn’t ask their opinion.
The voice you’ve chosen to listen to is one of defiance.
A voice that’s says there was a reason you set that alarm in the first place. So sit up, put your feet on the floor, and don’t look back because we’ve got work to do.
Welcome to The Grind.

For what is each day but a series of conflicts between the right way and the easy way,
10,000 streams fan out like a river delta before you, Each one promising the path of least resistance.
Thing is, you’re headed upstream
And when you make that choice, when you decide to turn your back on what’s comfortable and what’s safe and what some would call “common sense,” well that’s day one.
From there it only gets tougher.

So just make sure this is something you want.
Because the easy way out will always be there, ready to wash you away, all you have to do is pick up your feet.

But you aren’t going to, are you?
With each step comes the decision to take another
You’re on your way now
But this is no time to dwell on how far you’ve come.
You’re in a fight against an opponent you can’t see
But oh you can feel him on your heels can’t you?
Feel him breathing down your neck
You know what that is?
That’s you…
Your fears, your doubts and insecurities all lined up like a firing squad ready to shoot you out of the sky
But don’t lose heart
While they aren’t easily defeated, they are far from invincible
Remember this is The Grind
The Battle Royale between you and your mind, your body and the devil on your shoulder who’s telling you that this is just a game, this is just a waste of time, your opponents are stronger than you.
Drown out the voice of uncertainty with the sound of your own heartbeat
Burn away your self doubt with the fire that’s beneath you
Remember what we’re fighting for
And never forget that momentum is a cruel mistress
She can turn on a dime with the smallest mistake.
She is ever searching for that weak place in your armor
That one tiny thing you forgot to prepare for
So as long as the devil is hiding the details, the question remains, “Is that all you got?” “Are you sure?”
And when the answer is “yes.” That you’ve done all you can to prepare yourself for battle
THEN it’s time to go forth and boldly face your enemy, the enemy within
Only now you must take that fight into the open, into hostile territory
You’re a lion in a field of lions
All hunting the same elusive prey with a desperate starvation that says VICTORY is the only thing that can keep you alive
So believe that voice that says “you CAN run a little faster” and that “you CAN throw a little harder” and that “you CAN dive a little deeper” and that, for you, the laws of physics are merely a suggestion.
So rise and shine.
Luck is the last dying wish of those who want to believe that winning can happen by accident.
Sweat on the other hand is for those who know it’s a choice.
So decide now because destiny waits for no man.
And when your time comes and a thousand different voices are trying to tell you
that you’re not ready for it,
listen instead to that lone voice of descent,
that one voice that says:
“you are ready”
“you are prepared.”
It’s all up to you now!”

So Rise and Shine.


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