Posts Tagged Henry Rollins
The Quiet of Power-washing
Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography
Over the past couple of weekends, I’ve discovered an activity that’s great for focusing my mind. It helps me block out all distractions, because it is, in fact, distraction incarnate. I’m talking about power-washing.
Yes, you read that correctly. Power-washing (or pressure-washing. Tomato, tomahto). That ear-splitting, hand-trembling job that shakes your fillings loose and makes neighborhood dogs howl. But look past the surface, friends, and discover the magic in this tedious task. I even dabbled in multitasking, an activity I usually avoid.
There’s a certain quiet that power-washing creates (I’m sure my neighbors would disagree). Power-washing, or any mundane activity, gives your mind a chance to think. I know it sounds weird, but after a few minutes, I was able to ignore the roar of the Honda’s motor. I felt enveloped in my own little noisy world. My mind began to wander, allowing me to dream up some good ideas for posts.
But that’s not all! As I scoured my grimy deck with its laser-like blasts, I was able to, in my mind, re-arrange my tool shed, develop a study strategy for my son’s Intermediate Algebra final, select a restaurant for our wedding anniversary, and flesh out a presentation that I had to give at work. All without slicing off any toes! I definitely did not have all of my attention on the task at hand.
So the next time you’re stuck doing some thankless task, think about what else you can accomplish while you get the drudgery out of the way. As Henry Rollins once said, “If life gives you lemons, say ‘Oh yeah, I like lemons, what else you got?’” Make the best of it.
Even if it does break your back.
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Toughness is a Virtue
Today’s the 31st anniversary of my father’s death, and I’ve been thinking about him alot lately. He came to this country as a poor nineteen year-old kid who couldn’t speak English, and he not only raised himself out of poverty, but paved the way for me to go to college. Although he had many health problems, he never felt sorry for himself. It’s an attitude that I try to emulate. Which got me thinking about his toughness, and other real-life tough guy role models.
Concrete Charlie
Concrete Charlie. The nickname just oozes toughness. For the uninitiated, Chuck Bednarik was the last of the true “60 Minute” NFL players. He played center AND linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1950s to the early 1960s. His hit on Frank Gifford, after which Gifford was given Last Rites, was the stuff of legends. He hit Gifford so hard in a game that I’m sure his mother felt it.
Old Blood and Guts
Eddie Shore, “Old Blood and Guts”, was a defenseman for the Boston Bruins. He once got into a scrap with a teammate in practice, and his ear was nearly ripped off. He watched through a mirror as the doctor sewed it back on. But only after he refused any anesthetic. He was a dirty player, and I’m sure if he were playing today, I’d hate the bastard. Besides, I think it’s a prerequesite to hate the Bruins if you’re a Ranger fan.
Give the Devil His Due
I give these examples not as a glorification of man’s Neanderthal side, but as a testament of his tenacity. How many times have you given up in the face of adversity? Well, there was no quit in these guys. I have to respect that, and I absolutely HATE the Eagles and Bruins!
Real Toughness vs. Hollywood Toughness
I’d like to differentiate between the real toughness exhibited by guys like Bednarik, Shore, and Thurman Munson, versus the unrealistic Rambo-type, superhuman Hollywood kind. The real kind can be witnessed firsthand, while the Hollywood kind is done with smoke and mirrors. When looking for tough role models, look first to the real world.
“When life hands you a lemon, say “Oh yeah, I like lemons. What else you got?” - Henry Rollins
When I’m feeling sorry for myself, because my boss didn’t like the report that I prepared for him, I don’t sulk. I go back and do a better job. When my weight goes up, I don’t blame it on Dunkin Donuts. I hit the weights harder and watch what I eat. Life always knocks you down. It’s your job to get back up.
That’s when I channel my inner Chuck Bednarik, and get to work.
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A Worthy Adversary
Posted by enrique s in Motivation, lifehack on June 10th, 2009
Superman had Lex Luthor. Luke Skywalker had Darth Vader. Joe Louis had Max Schmeling. Ohio State has Michigan. Even Bruce Willis in Unbreakable had Samuel L. Jackson. What did each of these heroes have in common? Right, a contradictory villain. But not just a bad guy, but a worthy adversary that challenged them to do better.
Luke, I Am Your Motivation
In most fiction, the hero has a nemesis, an antagonist that provokes the hero into moving the story along. Because, face it, without any bad guys to catch, Bruce Wayne would have no reason to dress up in that Batman getup. He’d probably be in therapy, working through his issues. The bad guy serves an important purpose. He’s the contrast to the hero; the dark to his light. He amplifies the good qualities of the hero by showing us his own dark side.
Who’s Your Baddie?
In the first Batman movie that starred Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson, Batman tells the Joker “You made me first.” Without the Joker, Batman needn’t exist. The bad guy challenges the hero to do better, to transform himself, just as our competitors keep us on our toes. Just look at how the Yankees and Red Sox try to one-up each other. Or why Roman mothers would scare their children by shouting “Hannibal is at the gates!” Your personal “bad guy” could take the form of a rival corporation, or a rival for your girlfriend’s affections. It could even be a coworker. The form of the opponent doesn’t matter; that he exists in the first place is the real significance. And the real gift.
A Swift Kick in the Ass
So someone challenges you. How do you respond? With your A-game, I would hope. Because your rival has given you a very special gift: a swift kick in the ass! Ding! Ding! The rival delivers your wakeup call. He spurs you to action, forcing you to dig down deep for your unawakened skills. He forces you to be prepared. He’s the stimulus that you respond to that helps you grow, like Rommel was to Montgomery.
“The scars will take me far, they always do.” - Henry Rollins
Don’t blame an adversary for your shortcomings. He’s a welcome obstacle, that will make you prove your mettle. For, if you had no obstacles to overcome, how would you ever grow? In order to grow stronger, a weightlifter adds more weight to the barbell. The adversary provides that extra weight. He makes you care. A few battle scars are good for the character.
Friendly Adversaries
I’ve worked with several adversaries that have become my friends. Sure, we’ve had our clashes, but we’ve also grown to respect each other. We respect each other because we’ve never taken each other lightly, and our competition has brought out the best in us. In a sense, we’ve made each other stronger in the long run by exposing each other’s weaknesses. I’m sure that Woody Hayes was glad that he had Bo Schembechler to butt heads with for all those years, because they kept each other on their toes.
So thank those people that are the grain of sand that spur you to create a pearl; that raise the bar and force you to jump higher; whose mere being scares the hell out of you enough to think up new ways to beat them. Thank them for the motivation. But just thank them in your mind, not to their face.
Now, go out and stomp them!
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