TRAINING ALONE IS LONELY
Training alone is one of the loneliest tasks in the world. It is required that we learn to train alone because there will be times when having the luxury of a training partner or a faithful crowd of fans is not possible. We have to establish the mindset that we are the “Captains of our own ship (fate).” In my experience, training alone is much preferable to having a gaggle of people around me. It seems that I can focus much better on what I am doing and what I am trying to accomplish. Others interrupt my brain as I try to stay on task and to plan the effort needed to progress. Good meaning friends tend to slow down the pace of my workouts such that I spend way too much time standing around. Many times associates in the gym want to do more talking than training. All of these examples has a tendency to derail my progress and ultimately my “PASSION” for the sport.
Flex Lewis, Olympian Many times over under 212 lbs.
FLEX LEWIS HAS THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE
Flex Lewis said, “The Trophy is Earned in the Hours When Nobody is Watching.” This ability to train alone is an extension of the ‘PASSION” that we have to have to possess in order to win. There is not a thing in this world that would make me take time, or to perform, or to practice alone—unless it had money attached to it. I train because it’s part of me. There is no winning without hard training. I do not have to be talked into training because winning and training are both part of my “PASSION” and I dare not disobey my desire to do better and eventually to win.
OUR “PASSION” IS THE ENGINE THAT DRIVES US FORWARD
I use bodybuilding as the back drop for me to explain my “PASSION” but all of us knows that “PASSION” is a part of anything we decide is worthy of our effort. All of us works a job out of necessity in order to eat, have shelter, travel, to get a better education etc. But, in this world, unless our work is our “PASSION” we exist only to sustain life or to advance our lifestyles. Quite apart from this world is a universe where we hold ourselves to a standard that demands our best. Our best is directed toward the that which ignites our souls. This is “PASSION” summarized. It is the very thing that drives us to accomplish the thing that we are called to do. I would contend that each of us has something that lives inside of us that is bigger than us, that attracts us, that aims us in the correct soul driven direction.
“PASSIONATELY” PURSUING OUR DREAM TAKES SINGLE-MINDEDNESS”
When I was much younger I discovered an essential truth. If I work real hard, miracles tended to happen. One example was when I was 13. Baseball was a big part of my life. I used to play as many as five organized games a day in the summer.
Even in the off season I dreamed of being great. I practiced daily. I threw tennis balls and baseballs against concrete walls to practice fielding. I tossed rocks into the air and hit them with my baseball bat to see how far I could hit them. I coerced my little brother into pitching to me so I could hit. I played baseball and softball from dawn to dusk each and every day of the early spring and summer. Every moment was filled with all things baseball.
After an entire season the league chose the All Stars to represent our city in the national tournament. Much to my little surprise I was placed on the All Stars. This is a pretty small example but it illustrates the point that if we want something it has to take first place in our lives. It cannot be a “bucket list” item that you take out and execute in it’s own time. “PASSION” to attain anything of value must come at the expense of other things, many of which are good. The bottom line is that when you love something or you want to have something all of us must turn our quest into an exercise of “PASSION” or it will not happen. We have to be willing to go it alone because it is that important to you.
“PASSION” TAKES ME TO THE THING THAT “IGNITES MY SOUL”
Bodybuilding has to have an element of “PASSION” associated with it. It is a world where mere mortals need not apply. It is hard, it is daily, it is always there. Effort is the name of the game and you must be “PASSIONATELY DRIVEN” so much so that we can be alone in the journey. I need to say no more. It’s time for me to get back to work doing the thing that ignites my soul.
In closing just remember that working alone on something and loving it is a sure sign of your “PASSION.” Work it into your life to paint the best picture of your life in this world. Don’t quit and don’t be talked out of your dream. This is your time—make it happen. Engage your “PASSION.”
Until next time I remain, Douglas E. Graham, Lt Col, USAF, (ret), MHSM
Six Pack and Senior 