So many of us have lived our lives placing unmerited value on the opinions of others while discrediting our personal truth and reality. Breaking the shackles of people-pleasing requires honest self-appraisal, a healthy dose of self-esteem, and an enormous commitment to self-realization.
What’s the mountain you are willing to defend with life, limb and honor? How about me? I’ve been at the base of numerous mountains, defended only a few. With each one, hopefully wisdom played a role, but more importantly I would like to cite courage as the determining factor in my choices.
I am not a sports participant, never have been. Doesn’t mean I cannot follow football or baseball enthusiastically or knowledgeably. Especially enjoyable are the personalities who have made sports their life-time endeavors and discovered lucrative careers playing a game for millions upon millions of dollars.
Patrick Mahomes just signed a contract with the KC Chiefs for a 10 year period for 450 million dollars. Amazing!! Do I begrudge him and the money? Absolutely not. He has discovered his niche in life and has learned early how to capitalize. If corporate America (yes, professional football is just another corporate conglomerate) is willing to belly up to the table with that much moolah, then more power to Patrick.
However, I do not idolize money. The less I have, the more content and peaceful I feel. What impresses me is not the money these guys earn, but the mountains they are willing to defend for reasons of social justice and moral compass. Colin Kaepernick is one such man.
Exiled from professional football in 2016 for taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality, Kaepernick was the focus of public scorn from a broad spectrum of political and professional celebrities for his “unpatriotic” behavior. Most notably was the involvement of the WH under the tweeting thumb of a well-documented draft-dodger during the Vietnam era.
Colin Kaepernick has signed a deal with the Walt Disney Company to be featured in a documentary series produced by ESPN Films ‘telling scripted and unscripted stories that explore race, social justice and the quest for equality.’
His deal will extend across all Disney platforms including Walt Disney Television, ESPN, Hulu, Pixar and The Undefeated. “I am excited to announce the historic partnership with Disney across all platforms to elevate Black and Brown directors, creators, storytellers, and producers, and to inspire the youth with compelling and authentic perspectives,” Kaepernick said in a statement.
The moral of this story – carefully choose your mountain to defend and then courageously do it never looking back. Great men will attack, small men will tweet, but those who matter will support your journey.
lpb quest - the twilight dance 