Inspiration

Many times temptation allows you to flop on the sofa, feet up, beer in hand and searching for some munchies.  Getting up and about, away from the 'box can be such a chore.

Whilst sitting there munching on your Pringles, thinking about opening, and moving on to, that bottle of red in the cupboard, there are people all around dedicated to their cause.

They may be running, getting ready for a marathon.  Walking their dog in the endless rain, day in, day out. They could be sprinters, cyclists, gymnasts, walkers, swimmers.  All of them getting up early, turning around after work and putting in their 'stint'. Maybe working and breathing 24/7 in their quest for their goals.

Compare this with the other end of the spectrum.  The 'I can't get motivated. I can't lose weight. Why should I be bothered' brigade.

Underneath, both these types are exactly the same. Human, no different.  Some are driven, some are not. So what?

Here's my point.  A single experience I had recently.

I'm sitting watching shoals of swimmers racing, to get their PB's, at the local swimming club event.  Healthy kids, young and old, pushing themselves, having a focus.  Healthy kids from all over the country.  Our future. Not hanging around corners, vandalising, wrecking havoc just doing something good. 

But it wasn't this that inspired me.  No. What inspired me was the ten year old boy who swam against his peers in the 50m freestyle heat.  He came third out of four boys.  He then went on to do other heats. So what was the big deal?

The big deal was that this ten year old showed something special. Something that got my undivided attention. This ten year old is a double amputee.  Yet, he swam against abled boys and even beat one head on.

That's what inspired me.  That's a boy who is dedicated.  That's a boy that has got off his backside and said: "You know what? I'm no different from the next boy, I'm not going to make excuses. I'm getting on with it."

I wonder what he would think of those individuals that insist they need gastric bands fitted?

Medical reasons, I'm not at all convinced! What they need to do is be honest with themselves and watch this young boy and other kids like him. If that doesn't inspire them then they might as well give up completely.

I'm sure his parents are really proud, and so they should be!

Thanks also goes to Gloucester City Swimming Club for their hard work in this field.

Please note the image is a library picture, for illustration only, not of the boy concerned.