Better together
Dear Blog Diary,
“My 100% is nothing compared to 1% of my whole team” - Eliud Kipchoge
You realize that in 1991 Michael Jordan won his first championship and people asked, “But can he do it again?”
Hindsight is 20/20 but it’s reassuring. Even Michael didn’t know he was going to be 6/6 but now we look at Jordan as this beacon of success. No one wins better than Mike and it’s a given that he will win, but it’s not that way in the moment.
When you’re living it, we are all just trying our best. It’s only after the fact that we realize that yes, you can do it and it wasn’t as scary as it seemed.
Revisionist history is fun that way. We look back and in reality the good old days weren’t that great and in general I personally think fondly of the toughest times of my life.
In the same light, I think we tend to remember things in a way that fits a narrative that we are comfortable with, and I totally understand why. It’s much easier to paint that picture as opposed to posing the question, “what the fuck?”
Important to keep perspective and not judge harshly by a present standard, but personally I’d say I was fairly stupid, naive, unfocused, lazy, spoiled, and the simple fact that I’m saying it is called “progress.”
I make the argument that the present is always better simply because the decisions of the past have already been made and in this present moment you can choose. I won’t be president or play in the NBA but my future is still at least 1% in my hands. Some things you just can’t control, and sometimes you get a little luck, but the ink is not dry and you’re holding the pen. You can be as incredible or as disappointing as you want to be. There are no rules to this thing.
The funny thing about Jordan, as everyone knows, is that he has zero rings without Scottie Pippen.
Granted, there’s only one goat and it’s Michael. But to those who are living in the moment, unsure of themselves, giving 100% of their selves striving to live your greatness…I recommend checking in with your Scottie Pippen, because your 100% is nothing compared to 1% of your whole team.
Best,
E
#ARTiculate