RECOGNITION
On several occasions, I have been asked, why do I write inspirational articles, as I don't get compensated for it. My response is usually a derivative of the fact that I write because I love it. I love to tell stories and share my life experiences. I also write because I really try to practice what I preach, and writing inspires me. That may sound selfish but it's true. I get inspired by writing about life. If it helps someone, that's wonderful but, it's really about making me a better person. It is not much different than why people work out. If you ask them, and, I too am in that group, why do you work out, the answer is probably because it makes them physically better and stronger. Writing makes me stronger mentally and spiritually and working out makes me stronger physically and keeps me healthy. However, one thing for sure is that I do not write for recognition. I do not need recognition and in fact, I do not want recognition.
Regardless of what individuals do, it should be done for them not for anyone else. You see, if you are the type who needs recognition, you are going to be miserably disappointed. That is because, if you are striving to be recognized, you're really not doing it for yourself. You are actually living for someone else. I have very different views about life and living. Some may say my views are weird or selfish, but I really do not care about what other people's opinion of me are. Others don't know me the way I know myself. I beat to the beat of my own drum. Just like you should beat to the beat of your drums. I do not want anyone to follow my beat. It is my beat. Now, if my beat were to inspire you like a good song, then use it. If not, don't use it. The recognition that I strive for is personal recognition. As long as I know that I am making progress at whatever it is I am working on, then I can feel accomplished. I'll give you a quick example of my unorthodox way of thinking. When I was younger and an avid runner, three blocks west of where I grew up in New York City, was the West Side Highway. It was elevated and it was not being used for vehicular traffic and in order to get on the highway you would have to walk up from the street level about 20 steps. I would start my run south to the end of the elevated portion of the highway which was at Battery Park and return to the 18th street exit were I started. The round trip was approximately 5 miles. It's a beautiful run. On one side you would see skyscrapers and on the opposite side was the Hudson River. When I started my run south, I would focus on a runner heading south who was a significant distance away from me. I would always make it my goal to catch up to that runner, which was a moving target. The majority of the time I would succeed. Most runners or people in general when they are setting goals, they set their sights on a fixed object. I on the other hand prefer a moving object. Fixed object will eventually be hit. Moving targets well, that is a bit more challenging. My point is, although I diverted into the story telling aspect of my character, is that I see things very different. Conventional wisdom will tell you focus on a fixed object but, I certainly am not a conventional type of guy. I leave you with a quote on point. "Happy people don't go through life collecting and seeking recognition. They go through life giving it away." Author unknown.
Just a thought.
Regardless of what individuals do, it should be done for them not for anyone else. You see, if you are the type who needs recognition, you are going to be miserably disappointed. That is because, if you are striving to be recognized, you're really not doing it for yourself. You are actually living for someone else. I have very different views about life and living. Some may say my views are weird or selfish, but I really do not care about what other people's opinion of me are. Others don't know me the way I know myself. I beat to the beat of my own drum. Just like you should beat to the beat of your drums. I do not want anyone to follow my beat. It is my beat. Now, if my beat were to inspire you like a good song, then use it. If not, don't use it. The recognition that I strive for is personal recognition. As long as I know that I am making progress at whatever it is I am working on, then I can feel accomplished. I'll give you a quick example of my unorthodox way of thinking. When I was younger and an avid runner, three blocks west of where I grew up in New York City, was the West Side Highway. It was elevated and it was not being used for vehicular traffic and in order to get on the highway you would have to walk up from the street level about 20 steps. I would start my run south to the end of the elevated portion of the highway which was at Battery Park and return to the 18th street exit were I started. The round trip was approximately 5 miles. It's a beautiful run. On one side you would see skyscrapers and on the opposite side was the Hudson River. When I started my run south, I would focus on a runner heading south who was a significant distance away from me. I would always make it my goal to catch up to that runner, which was a moving target. The majority of the time I would succeed. Most runners or people in general when they are setting goals, they set their sights on a fixed object. I on the other hand prefer a moving object. Fixed object will eventually be hit. Moving targets well, that is a bit more challenging. My point is, although I diverted into the story telling aspect of my character, is that I see things very different. Conventional wisdom will tell you focus on a fixed object but, I certainly am not a conventional type of guy. I leave you with a quote on point. "Happy people don't go through life collecting and seeking recognition. They go through life giving it away." Author unknown.
Just a thought.