Learning From the Best

I don't believe anyone would argue with the fact that we can learn much from reading and hearing what successful people have to say. On the flip side, I sometimes wonder what this generation is going to be like after years of watching their televisions which serve up endless hours of reality shows that portray and often glorify the basest type of human behavior. I recognize I've brought this up before but bear with me. Also consider the fact that reality shows exist and are growing in number by the week because people are watching them and the media execs are giving people exactly what they want. That's a scary thought.About 3 months ago some friends and I were sitting around discussing this subject and others like it when one guy said ."just imagine what kind of juries you are going to have in 10 years when people have been so dumbed down by what they watch on the tube." A frightening thought indeed.
Needless to say, we are profoundly effected by what we consciously allow ourselves to be exposed to. Consequently, we must be very vigilant about what we take in. I recall watching something on television awhile back and after it was over I said to myself, "I just wasted an hour and a half of my life, what am I doing?" After that I drastically altered how often I watched television.
So today I will begin an occasional series of posts that include quotes by people who are at the top of their game mentally and physically. This first one features a person,Yiannis Kouros,who I believe is the greatest runner who has ever lived. I'm aware that my assertion  would be viewed by many as a subjective one but if you take the time to Google his numerous world records you will see why I say this. Yiannis is also a poet, musician and craftsman. He achieved success while overcoming many physical and mental obstacles. He had this to say about  the challenges we face----
"Each horrid(or difficult) event should equip you with the necessary provisions so that you can confront the next one; it shouldn't make you yield. The continuous confirmation is that despair and hopelessness supply you with means--inconceivable at first, and they make you discover hidden unexpected powers."
The first thing I think of after reading this is that when we are in the midst of an athletic competition and think that we are about to succumb to the pain and fatigue that is a part of the event,if we persevere and don't simply get into a survival mode,we may 'discover those hidden and unexpected powers' Yiannis  talks about, powers that will carry us to unexpected heights.
I  also take from the above that we should be open to learning from our experiences, especially the ones that are most difficult and painful. We must not do what human nature often wants us to do, push those unpleasant  things out of our mind as soon as possible.
A lazy day--physically drained--walked barefoot for 45 minutes with stretching after.
And how was your day?