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finding our path
I’ve hit a slump recently.
Everything seemed grey, somewhat lifeless.
I was about to start a new training plan, but some virus has attacked me, and I’ve become bed bound for the better half of the week.
Between countless hours of scrolling through Instagram, and watching mind-numbing Youtube videos, I also had some interesting feelings, which made me think about role models.
One of my favorite Polish poems touches upon this subject a bit toward the end of it.
Go where those others went to the dark boundary
for the golden fleece of nothingness your last prize
go upright among those who are on their knees
among those with their backs turned and those toppled in the dust
you were saved not in order to live
you have little time you must give testimony
be courageous when the mind deceives you be courageous
in the final account only this is important
and let your helpless Anger be like the sea
whenever you hear the voice of the insulted and beaten
let your sister Scorn not leave you
for the informers executioners cowards - they will win
they will go to your funeral with relief will throw a lump of earth
the woodborer will write your smoothed-over biography
and do not forgive truly it is not in your power
to forgive in the name of those betrayed at dawn
beware however of unnecessary pride
keep looking at your clown's face in the mirror
repeat: I was called - weren't there better ones than I
beware of dryness of heart love the morning spring
the bird with an unknown name the winter oak
light on a wall the splendour of the sky
they don't need your warm breath
they are there to say: no one will console you
be vigilant - when the light on the mountains gives the sign- arise and go
as long as blood turns in the breast your dark star
repeat old incantations of humanity fables and legends
because this is how you will attain the good you will not attain
repeat great words repeat them stubbornly
like those crossing the desert who perished in the sand
and they will reward you with what they have at hand
with the whip of laughter with murder on a garbage heap
go because only in this way you will be admitted to the company of cold skulls
to the company of your ancestors: Gilgamesh Hector Roland
the defenders of the kingdom without limit and the city of ashes
Be faithful Go
Czeslaw is trying to say that no matter how you feel about life, you’ve been brought to it to live.
And through your actions, things that cannot be grasped, you will or won’t be remembered.
The poem's end is incredibly daunting but also a stark reminder that life does come to an end at some point and that what is left behind are the myths and legends.
But How Does It Relate to Role Models?
The role models you like aren’t the stories that describe them.
They are human (mostly), and they also have their drawbacks: personal struggles and moments of weakness that are omitted for the sake of the legend.
Before they got to the point of fame or recognition, they fell on their face many times.
But that one time, they overcame adversity with great success; that is what they are remembered for.
What Are You Trying To Say, Piotr?
You might have someone in mind. That person seems like a perfect being.
But it’s their imperfections that make them human.
The story of David Goggins wouldn’t be so riveting if he weren’t an overweight 20something trying to turn his life around.
In that story of pain, there is something to be learned.
Dig deeper. Find the outliers.
Test. Fail. Test again.
Grow, develop, and come out on top.
Become someone to follow.
Be faithful, go.