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Humble Pie
By Anthony Douglas Gere
Have you ever seen an award show when the winners of whatever category
points and looks into the sky to give thanks? Ever seen a sporting contest
where after a goal is scored, the individual dances and boast his
accomplishments in a flamboyant way, up staging his or hers peer that they
have defeated for the moment? I for one, understand the emotions and the
feeling of accomplishment better than anyone, but at what price should we
flaunt our achievements above others mis–fortunes, to celebrate a moment
and more than likely years of hard work and what seems to be at the time, a
struggle. In short, it makes one believe that the other side is not as green
than the pasture just seen, or as hard working as the award winner that just
won the prize? I remember when I was in high school, and would simply
devour my opponent by shooting over them or dunking on them, scoring at
will and making them look like a puppet in a side show circus.
Now with all of that, I received many scholarship offers, media coverage,
high praise from my team mates & fans, women and a sense of invincibility.
On the other side of that coin, when I missed the game winning shot, the
many that would cheer me, would boo me and cast doubt on my ability even
though I might of carried our team 90% of the game. As a youngster, I had a
hard time understanding the monster I created, and would find myself lost
or isolated from those I embarrassed and those I seem to let down with my
accomplishments and failures.
These things that I experienced, the highs and the lows, molded my
character and allowed my insecurities to search for stabilization in many
arenas on and off of the court, which is why I write and recite passion with
no boundaries. Now to be totally honest (like any of this is a lie any way,
sorry), I still haven’t really figured this thing out yet to this day. It seems as
though if I try to be me and have people see me for who I am, they create
this image of what they think I’m all about. If I live by my means, they label
me by my watches or clothing and the toys I play with freely, which I may
have worked hard for, or inherited out of pure luck and circumstances
beyond my control. What does seem very apparent to me is this, I can not
control what people feed me or themselves in their desire to eat what
ever dish they serve up in their mind. All I can do is appreciate each dish,
as if I was eating humble pie.
While watching the tube the other day, I heard this statement that really
caught my attention. The person, who has lived on both sides of this fence,
quoted something like this, “ Those who glorify their actions & words will
be humbled, and those who are humble will be glorified in words and
action ”. Now to you that might not seem like much, but to me, it brings on
feelings of those I left behind in my climb, purposely or mistakenly, and
those I brought & bought allow for those same reasons. Just because I or
someone is blessed in a unique way, does that allow me or them to
cosmetically elevate my status over the other persons unique gift?
By Anthony Douglas Gere
Have you ever seen an award show when the winners of whatever category
points and looks into the sky to give thanks? Ever seen a sporting contest
where after a goal is scored, the individual dances and boast his
accomplishments in a flamboyant way, up staging his or hers peer that they
have defeated for the moment? I for one, understand the emotions and the
feeling of accomplishment better than anyone, but at what price should we
flaunt our achievements above others mis–fortunes, to celebrate a moment
and more than likely years of hard work and what seems to be at the time, a
struggle. In short, it makes one believe that the other side is not as green
than the pasture just seen, or as hard working as the award winner that just
won the prize? I remember when I was in high school, and would simply
devour my opponent by shooting over them or dunking on them, scoring at
will and making them look like a puppet in a side show circus.
Now with all of that, I received many scholarship offers, media coverage,
high praise from my team mates & fans, women and a sense of invincibility.
On the other side of that coin, when I missed the game winning shot, the
many that would cheer me, would boo me and cast doubt on my ability even
though I might of carried our team 90% of the game. As a youngster, I had a
hard time understanding the monster I created, and would find myself lost
or isolated from those I embarrassed and those I seem to let down with my
accomplishments and failures.
These things that I experienced, the highs and the lows, molded my
character and allowed my insecurities to search for stabilization in many
arenas on and off of the court, which is why I write and recite passion with
no boundaries. Now to be totally honest (like any of this is a lie any way,
sorry), I still haven’t really figured this thing out yet to this day. It seems as
though if I try to be me and have people see me for who I am, they create
this image of what they think I’m all about. If I live by my means, they label
me by my watches or clothing and the toys I play with freely, which I may
have worked hard for, or inherited out of pure luck and circumstances
beyond my control. What does seem very apparent to me is this, I can not
control what people feed me or themselves in their desire to eat what
ever dish they serve up in their mind. All I can do is appreciate each dish,
as if I was eating humble pie.
While watching the tube the other day, I heard this statement that really
caught my attention. The person, who has lived on both sides of this fence,
quoted something like this, “ Those who glorify their actions & words will
be humbled, and those who are humble will be glorified in words and
action ”. Now to you that might not seem like much, but to me, it brings on
feelings of those I left behind in my climb, purposely or mistakenly, and
those I brought & bought allow for those same reasons. Just because I or
someone is blessed in a unique way, does that allow me or them to
cosmetically elevate my status over the other persons unique gift?