I’ve been so focused on the trophy and all that it means that I forgot about all those of you who have been watching me. I didn’t mean to but I did. In my quest to be the best me possible, even at this late stage of my life, I didn’t think anybody else cared about what I did or what I accomplished. I have dug in and kept my nose to the grindstone with a singular focus and purpose. I’ve done well for an old fart with big ideas but I absolutely have to do more if I am to retire one day a champion on my terms. To all of you who have taken a moment or two to look in on me, my progress, photos etc. I thank you from the depths of my heart.
MORAL VICTORY
As I have pushed to be better I have written extensively about the things that are required to start and continue toward our stated goals. During this journey I started to received messages, texts, emails, and face-to-face meetings from various people from many different walks of life congratulating me on my success, effort, and appearance. In so many ways they told me that I was an inspiration to them. Often they would say, “I hope that when I am your age I look as good as you.” Others would not include age in the compliment as they would say, “You look fantastic!” I routinely get these sorts of messages daily from numerous people who read my articles or see my pictures. Needless to say, I am humbled.
COLLEAGUE ENCOURAGEMENT
I get scores of these comments, again on a daily basis, from guys and girls who train at my gym (University Vasa, Orem, Utah). An example is a girl who saw me putting in the time posing (that Justine Dees asked me to do) in the gym. She headed me off at the door to the posing area and said, “You are great. You make all of us want to better.” I was flabbergasted. It seemed to come out the blue. One of my favorite compliments came from the “GREAT” Heather Dees when she caught me at Iron Ground Gym a month ago and said, “You are such an inspiration for so many people.” When Heather said this I did not have a ready comeback so I mumbled something that was totally unintelligible. But her encouragement caused me to ruminate on being an inspiration all the way back to Provo from Murray, Utah. It turned into a trip that I cannot remember making — I was so deep in thought. I just didn’t know what being an inspiration meant.
MY THOUGHTS
I never set out to be an inspiration but since this is hitting me in the face daily I cannot ignore it. In fact, the chase for the trophy is a little less important. Of higher priority is to keep going to be the best I can be so that others will want to follow. I told my wife recently that, “since I’ve started this bodybuilding quest I have been given hundreds of opportunities to touch the lives of people struggling with their own aspirations and demons.” This topic seems to be a central theme of my bodybuilding conversations with Christine. Frankly, I am grateful to be directed into tough situations paved by my efforts in bodybuilding.
DIFFICULT TASKS AWAIT
It is sometimes daunting. One time a fellow competitive bodybuilder told me, “I’m so glad to see you. While I was gone I got so depressed that I went to a solitary location where I almost shot myself.” Whoa! I had no response except to say, “I’m glad you didn’t kill yourself. Heck, I would miss you here in the gym and backstage at contests.” He was in a better frame of mind and was off and running again. I was glad he thought well enough of me to tell me his deepest and most dangerous urges that nearly took his life. We talked for a little while and he left. I saw him months later and he looked great. These are the things that my quest to be my best has brought me. In my estimation God could not have given me a bigger responsibility than that of others who want to be better and for those who are thinking of giving up on themselves, their marriages, friends, and personal goals.
WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
In closing, there is not anything that I want more than to cause many to keep going when it seems much easier to just quit. Heck, I am an inspiration for a lot of people though I never sought to be anything more than me. Each of us has to realize that there are thousands of eyes on us whether you know it or not. We have the capacity and opportunity to teach others to drive on through their darkness by our examples. I have hundreds of other stories but you get the gist. Keep on upward and onward because they are depending on us to lead and succeed.
Until next time I remain, Douglas E. Graham, Lt Col, USAF, (ret), MHSM
Six Pack and Senior 