Maybe, it is right in front of you. Have you heard it said that there is a dearth of true leaders in the world today? Certainly, you might be able to quickly identify leaders who you dread and others who entertain us all with egos and extremes. But if you’re lucky enough, it could be that those who can lift you, motivate and inspire you, are right in front of you today.
This morning, after a fulfilling weights workout, as I sat in a quiet area of the gym I had what some might call, an epiphany. Completing my session with an all-round stretch I realised that the habit of doing this was inspired by reading the life story of one of the toughest guys I’d ever heard of – David Goggins.
Then, as I gazed forward my eyes fell upon other ‘leaders’ around me. Three highly disciplined young mothers, who have met at the gym and now encourage and inspire each other for a daily workout together. Ash, Tayla, and Tash have honed physiques resembling highly trained athletes, always adding new dimensions and strategies to their routines.
In the background I saw four slightly older ladies, Catherine, Maralyn, Angela and Alice, who joined to gain strength and wellness. They all met at the gym and the common bond that they share is that they each had been formerly diagnosed with terminal cancer. And yet, the leadership, courage and self-discipline that they have since gained – again, inspires all those around them as well as one another.
As I move slowly from stretching my back to my legs I see in the shadows, appearing from another area of the gym, Chris, who had been unable to walk, with a severe spinal injury from a swimming pool accident in recent years. Now standing tall, still balancing, but enthusiastically running through his drills with our Personal Trainer, Kevin. This is highly inspiring.
Just five degrees to the left I see Scott, a fighter who is also recovering from a severe leg injury, now coaching an enthusiastic group of his mates, boxing.
Then I realised. There is such a great deal of inspiration, leadership, perspiration and community right in front of me, how could anyone not be motivated.
It was an epiphany. You too might be lucky enough to have ‘leaders’ in front of you that, perhaps you’ve taken for granted. People of determination, integrity, strong attitude and community.
When you experience it, appreciate it fully. Soak it in. They say there is a shortage of true leaders in the world today. I beg to differ.
Paul – Wednesday morning at the gym
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