Throughout the history of this blog, I’ve posted several inspirational stories, and I’ll continue adding more for as long as I host this site. One obvious reason for posting these stories is to motivate those who come across this page. I must confess however that I also post these stories for my own motivation.
And while I don’t actually need motivation from others to wake up each day and provide for my family, it is often nice (and useful) to put things into perspective. This morning my day started at 3AM. It’s now approaching 10PM. I’ve been working throughout the day. It has been one of those days if you know what I mean.
I’ve had moments today when I was tired and wasn’t in the best of moods. But then I came across the video below (along with this story)…
After watching Josh George’s story, I suddenly didn’t feel so tired. I snapped right out of the funk I had been in earlier today and ended up accomplishing a significant amount of work. I also put in a second workout this evening after having trained almost 12 hours earlier at the crack of dawn. I felt beastly in the gym tonight after feeling exhausted for much of the day.
Watching the Josh George story gave me the visual reminder that I needed to get on with the rest of the day. We all have good days and bad days, but often times our bad days are not as bad as we think (when living in the moment). This isn’t to say that our problems are not real, but simply a reminder that things could often be much worse, and we are often more fortunate than we realize.
As I mentioned above, there are times when it is useful to take a step back and put things into perspective. Today was one of those days for me.
this is great. I have never been or watched the para olympics. I will be the next one though. with a new appreciation. this is similar to stevie zee. To think that most of us look outside and think “I can’t be bothered today.” or “it’s too cold.” What the F$%K is your problem? really? most have 2 legs, 2 arms, 2 eyes… and here is someone that kicks everyones asses with half that!…Ross is right…now I feel like punching the bag.
I always enjoy reading these inspiriational posts and being both wowed and motivated by what people can achieve when they put their minds to it. To me they are like holding up mirror a and asking “So what’s your excuse?”.
Thanks for posting Ross.
I didnt get to see the video put i read the article. He has some serious strength and reading that article is very motivational and inspiring.
Hahaha, awesome quote…”I felt beastly in the gym.” I love that feeling and I love the videos…always keeps things in a good perspective. Live well and train hard.
What an inspiration! He was right on when he said he doesn’t have a disability. He simply cannot use his legs. He didn’t just get around this obstacle..he plowed straight through it. It really forces all of us to rethink and redefine what we consider the term “disabilities” to mean. Mr. George certainly plays by his own set of definitions and rules, and he is shining example of indomitable spirit for it all.
Josh is indeed an inspiration. A hero to the physically challenged and a motivation to those who aren’t. Kudos to you! 🙂
In that video Mr. George mentions breaking down the word “disability”. So here it is.
Dis: opposite or absence of
Ability:the quality or state of being able; especially : physical, mental, or legal power to perform.
So Disability would be the absence of the quality or state of being able and Mr. George and all the other athletes in his sport PROVE that they are not disabled at all. Perhaps when we, as a society, stop viewing these conditions (for lack of a better word) as “disabilities” we can truly create equality.
What an amazing story!
The lesson from Dan is every bit as important though: no matter how gifted and able and clever someone is, he (or she) is going to miss out if he decides he can’t or won’t learn from other people, even if they’re not as gifted as he is.
By a happy coincidence, the movie Blindsight (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0841084/) just came in the mail, about blind Tibetan teenagers who scaled 23,000 foot Lhakpa Ri (right next to Mount Everest). Despite severe cultural discrimination (and the use of the white canes), they still had the gumption to make the trek!
Oops, I meant to post the previous comment on the story about Ben Underwood (“The Boy Who Saw Without Eyes”). Sorry about that, Ross (and people reading it who were confused).