Was driving on Friday, July 20th, 2011 and saw a bumper sticker that read the following:
"Women Who Behaved Seldom Made History."
Thought about that for a second. Thought about Harriet Tubman. My thought actually lingered there for a bit, so no one else cross my mind. Am currently thinking about folks like Sojourner Truth, Billy Jean King, Joan of Ark, Sacagewea, and present day folks such as, Danica Patrick, Serena and Venus Williams, Salt 'N Peppa, Michelle Obama (see, you thought I would forget her), Oprah Winfrey, Manon Rheaume, Cammy Granato, and a host of others.
Behaved is a crucial word in this sentence. It does not have to mean they did something wrong. Not right but wrong. Look at Harriet Tubman's case. She fought for freedom. Freedom is right in the eyes of those who want to be freed. It is wrong, however, in the eyes of those who maintain oppression. So, in the latter sense she had to misbehave in order to have her name synonymous with free, freedom, and a host of other inspirational truths. Behaved here means laid-low, laid-back, hidden, shy-away, and quiet.
There is a leadership component to this bumper sticker. It involves men. Men, most likely, are portrayed as leaders in their households, in their churches, in their communities, and at work. I said, most likely or in most cases. This notion subtracts nothing away from female accomplishments. Since men are often portrayed as leaders, this position room for more leaders to drop off, quit, be lazy, mess up, lie, overbear, and misconstrue...
Aside from these more negative characteristics, a great male leader absolutely changes history: Jesus, Martin Luther King, Moses, Ghandi, Michael Jordan, Ghengis Kahn, Wayne Gretzky, Jackie Robinson, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and to name a few.
How on earth does this relate to health, fitness, athletics, and wellness?...
Well, all of these individuals faced odds. Odds that were against them and that might have been supported by a majority or a strong minority of people. At some point in their leadership walk, they were all told "no!" At some point in their leadership walk, they all said "watch!" Team members jumped on board, some left, some vehemently opposed, and some were indifferent to changes. Sometimes, we adopt the same thought process as the individuals who opposed these leaders when we execute our health, fitness, athletics, and wellness.
However, we also abide by...misbehaving to behave. Also known as not settling.
No, that does not mean we can say to ourselves, "so, I can have a donut diet". Um, not at all! It does mean that we have the capability to overcome our physical and mental weaknesses. Have you ever met a person who just clearly was sedentary, stayed sedentary, and did absolutely nothing to free themselves from that sedentary state? This person may have shown zero...I repeat... zero interest in changing their lifestyle (i.e., did not perform any house duties, did not work, ate sloppy and unhealthy, etc). However, to this particular individual this behavior is quite sufficient and adequate...So, how is freedom and strengthening weaknesses emphasized in this case?
Likewise, a dog is trained to behave. But, if it is mistreated, then it should have the freedom to run away. Therefore, misbehaving to behave. An owner behaves when he/she treats people or things justly and appropriately. We are the owners of our bodies and minds. Treat them poorly, and they will behave how they are treated and with poor response and performance. Treat them well, and they will behave proficiently, thus escaping the trap of oppressed or challenged behavior.
What is going to be? Will we sit and wait? Will we go out and get? Or, we will rise to the occasion and bring others with us?
We have history on our side.
Be fit,
Derek
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