Compared to what we ought to be, we are half awake. – William James
We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn. – Henry David Thoreau
Consider this your wake-up call. The world is calling for you. Why? Because, as William James said, we are only half awake to our true potential.
Each of us carries tremendous potential. We could shape culture for the better, yet we let ourselves drift off, convinced we are too old, too young, too much or too little of something. So we remain half-asleep, missing our chance to make a difference.
Lies. All of them.
This is your wake-up call. Now, more than ever, we need people who are truly awake. Society needs us to be present, to notice what matters right in front of us.
Skaters understand this instinctively. To excel, improve, and avoid injury, they are always searching for new spots to ride, practice, and enjoy themselves, knowing a little pain is part of the process.
They stay alert to every detail because it is the smallest things that trip them up: leaning forward by a quarter ounce, missing the height by half an inch, or placing a foot just a fraction off-center. One tiny mistake, and they bail.
No matter what profession you are in, being aware of the people, the places, and the things around you will benefit all. The best performers in any area of life are those who…
* don’t take a break when the pressure is on
* don’t walk out a pop fly
* don’t ignore issues in their path.
* stay alert and attentive by consciously removing distractions.
* Refuse to spend entire days staring at screens, not moving, not speaking.
* face their problems and fix them instead of just talking about them
They “reawaken and keep” themselves “awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn.” They know what they face today is momentary, and they keep their eyes fixed on the “dawn” of a new trick, job, and creation. That expectation pulls them through the pain of the moment.
Ultimately, being awBeing awake leads to a safer, more meaningful life. On a skateboard, anyone can spot a car or a tree and steer clear. True awareness is noticing the little things: a pebble, a raised crack, a slick patch of water. These tiny details can cause the biggest trouble. Staying awake helps you dodge the small rock that could stop you cold. Things tripping you up: cut the distractions, focus on the end goal, and address the issues in your path.
Of course, this is easier said than done. But nothing truly worthwhile comes without effort and a little pain.
