The "I Deserve It" Life Lesson =)

"I deserve it" is a statement we don't hear much. It is more of an 'attitude' we all have come across on a pretty frequent basis in the competitive world. I just want to touch base about this 'attitude'.
Life is full of circumstances. Whether they play out in your favor or not.. it's just the way it is. Someone always has to draw the short straw. There can only be one winner at each event. And no matter who you are or what you do, there is ALWAYS someone out there better, smarter, faster, leaner...than you! That's just the way it is. And everyone has something to overcome, whether it be visible or something in their private life. I think this picture speaks for itself...


I've talked to and seen a few competitors over this past year who never said it, but who definitely have the 'attitude' of "I deserve it". They have very openly displayed the feelings and thoughts that since they trained and dieted for the show.. that they DESERVE to win. That they overcame SO much and worked SO hard that there's no way anyone else could have possibly worked that hard and they "DESERVE" that 1st place even though they didn't get it.
The thing is, every single person who steps on stage... who trains for a marathon... who takes that step to complete a huge task... all work hard and prepare! We never know what their history is, where they came from, what their life situation is, or what they personally had to overcome... whether it be emotional, physical, financial or something else.
The Lesson: Let's be supportive of our fellow athletes and friends! We all work very hard to do what we do and all deserve a pat on the back! We need to stick together to support each other in a sport that so few understand!
We also need to focus on improving ourselves from year to year. We will never be perfect. No one is or ever will be. The goal shouldn't be to be "good enough to win"..Our goal each time we step foot on stage should be to let someone in the audience, or a judge, or our fellow competitors see that we've worked hard and are ready to have the time of our life rockin' that stage!! Enjoy the process and discipline it takes and be proud of all you've accomplished! Be proud of your placing... whether it be first or last! Even in last place, you are STILL among amazing company and STILL doing something that VERY FEW people can do!
So Enjoy 2010.. what's left of it.. and make it a priority to have a positive attitude to simply be YOUR best possible in 2011!