Ken Poirot's Blog - Posts Tagged "what-if"
George Washington, the average person, and "epic battles never told"...
So what do George Washington, the average person, and "epic battles never told" have in common?
...my thoughts as I penned this quote:
"Be Courageous: Succeed or Fail Monumentally!"
The photo quote can be found here:
http://www.goodreads.com/photo/author...
I purposely hunted for the iconic painting I had in mind: a public domain photo of George Washington crossing the Delaware River in order to depict this photo quote.
As many of you know, one of my interests is history, learning more about the history of the places to which I travel, as well as American history.
I grew up on Long Island, in a small village called Northport. As with many small villages and places on Long Island, there are signs (blue markers in this case) designating historical incidents in connection with The Revolutionary War.
I will never forget one of these signs in Northport; inscribed upon it is the story of a man who died defending his cow from seizure by the British (an historical marker placed to commemorate the approximate location) during The Revolutionary War. Just an average person...not the name of someone famous or recognizable from history.
Many times I have watched the well-produced series airing on "The History Channel" called, "The Revolution." I find it fascinating to learn about all the trials and tribulations of those times...all the events that played out behind the scenes. The drama present day Americans normally do not think about.
I am especially fascinated by the situations and circumstances surrounding George Washington during this time.
Many of you may be familiar with this series, "The Revolution," but for those of you who are not, it tells history by analyzing concurrent events from different points of view to help the viewer better understand the backdrop of the events described.
Scholars analyze and peel back the layers to uncover what was really happening at the time. Different opinions, perspectives, and the original thoughts in the minds of George Washington and his contemporaries are told by reading their actual letters written in response to specific events.
"The Revolution" reveals all the generals under George Washington who openly criticized him (in their own handwritten letters), his betrayal by Benedict Arnold (who many scholars believe would have been worthy of his own monument had he not become a traitor siding with the British), the lost battles, the under funding of George Washington's troops, the lack of even basic supplies, like food.
The series conveys the desperation and despondency George Washington must have felt at times, trying to fight the world's superpower, the British, on a shoe string budget, which sometimes meant troops literally without shoes or boots.
One of the most famous examples of this took place at Valley Forge. It is recorded, the lack of even the most basic resources for American soldiers during the Continental Army's brutal winter encampment there, forced some soldiers to boil their own shoes (the soldiers who actually had shoes) in order to eat them for sustenance.
The events leading up to that brutal winter at Valley Forge added to the sense of hopelessness most Americans must have been feeling at the time. It came on the heels of substantial, demoralizing defeats for the Continental Army, culminating in the loss of New York City to the British.
So what did George Washington do at Valley Forge?
He led his troops across the Delaware River, with some soldiers (who did not have shoes) wrapping their feet in rags, while leaving trails of blood in the snow from their poorly protected, frozen feet.
This malnourished, starving, battered, and disheveled American army surprised the British Hessian soldiers (German troops hired by the British) at Trenton on the other side of the Delaware River. This surprise attack orchestrated by George Washington gave the American colonists a much-needed, overwhelming victory, lifting their spirits.
Some scholars point to this victory at the Battle of Trenton as the single-most important psychological triumph in The Revolutionary War. This inspiring, courageous assault eventually led to America's supremacy in its fight for independence from England.
George Washington never gave up and continued to push on regardless of his circumstances.
Through all the obstacles, road blocks, uncertainty, back stabbing, betrayal, lack of resources, and with poorly trained, ragged average citizens as troops...George Washington still managed to prevail.
Many scholars have stated at times the Continental Congress even debated over the firing of George Washington as the commanding general of the Continental Army during this time.
After all this drama and with all the difficulties...George Washington led America to independence against arguably the greatest superpower in the world at that moment in history.
It is said George Washington invested so much personally in The Revolutionary War...of his own time, life (he was willing to die for the cause), and finances, that he even had to borrow money just to travel to his own inauguration as the first President of the United States.
George Washington was decimated financially by the war due to his complete commitment to the American cause.
Yes, there are monuments to George Washington and many of our Founding Fathers; they were victorious in the end against what many thought to be insurmountable odds.
...but what about the average person? What about the person who gives their all, gives everything for their dream(s), goal(s), or achievement(s)...and who does not win in the end?
Where are the monuments to these people...the ones whose stories we will never hear? What about their strife, or as I like to call it, their "epic battles never told."
As we know, life itself is a struggle. Every day can be an "epic battle never told" for the average person.
What is important is that no matter what happens in your life, no matter what obstacles you have to overcome to pursue your dreams...never, never, never give up!
Put it all on the line and risk it all for your beliefs and for your dreams. The small fraction who achieve astronomical success in life against all odds have monuments erected in their honor. Yet, those who strive, toil, struggle, and fail, fight "epic battles never told," never commemorated, or even whispered.
That average person, the farmer in Northport who died protecting his cow from the British, just happened to be memorialized by an historical marker. How many other average people died giving their lives for freedom during The Revolutionary War, whose stories, and "epic battles" we will never know?
What about your story? What about your "epic battles?"
It is better to give everything of yourself for your dreams, even if you fail in the end, versus not giving your all.
Live monumentally!
For if you toil, strive, and still fail in the end...it is better than not having the courage to give all of yourself completely, to lay all of yourself and your being on the line in order to achieve your dreams.
It is better to never have to ask, "What if?" about your life.
"What if" I had given it my all? What would have happened? How would it have changed my life if I had only had the courage to give all of myself completely to achieving my dreams or my goals? "What if" I had the courage to get up after being knocked down just one more time?
Courage is not lack of fear (a fear that paralyzes most people into lack of action); true courage is being afraid and taking action anyway.
Have the courage to never have to ask "What if?" about your life.
Live monumentally!
Give of yourself completely for your dreams. Invest all of yourself for what you want and what is most important to you.
Like George Washington, don't make excuses, hold back, or let any obstacle(s) defeat you!
Can you imagine if George Washington had just admitted the Continental Army could not win against the British due to the lack of funding, lack of resources, lack of supplies, back stabbing and betrayal by his generals, defeats in battle, and seemingly insurmountable odds against his better-trained and equipped British superpower opponent?
Never give up or surrender...no matter what the odds against you!
If you fail...fail monumentally by giving your dreams everything you have. If you get knocked down...get up again and fail on your feet.
It is better to be the "epic battle never told," to be the person who everyone can say never gave up or lost sight of their ultimate vision. Much better than just giving in or surrendering to defeat: being too afraid to fight an "epic battle" in the first place.
Never have to ask "What if?" about your life!
Engage your "epic battle." Confront the road blocks on your way to victory head-on. Have the courage to give of yourself completely to all that you do and set out to achieve.
When you succeed they may build monuments in your honor. At least live the "epic battle never told" and have the courage to never, ever give up or have to ask "What if?"
So I ask you...what are your obstacles? What are your insurmountable odds in the way of your success and your dreams?
When you feel defeated on the way to achieving your goals or dreams, think of that iconic image of George Washington crossing the Delaware River.
Yes, you may fail and you may be an "epic battle never told," or you may have monuments erected in your honor for your success in the face of insurmountable odds like George Washington.
Never, ever, ever give up! Never stay down after being knocked down in pursuit of your goals or dreams! Never surrender and never succumb to defeat!
Give it your all...give of yourself completely to the pursuit and achievement of your dreams! Never have to ask "What if? about your life!
"Be Courageous: Succeed or Fail Monumentally!"
http://www.goodreads.com/photo/author...
Warmly,
Ken
Ken Poirot
...my thoughts as I penned this quote:
"Be Courageous: Succeed or Fail Monumentally!"
The photo quote can be found here:
http://www.goodreads.com/photo/author...
I purposely hunted for the iconic painting I had in mind: a public domain photo of George Washington crossing the Delaware River in order to depict this photo quote.
As many of you know, one of my interests is history, learning more about the history of the places to which I travel, as well as American history.
I grew up on Long Island, in a small village called Northport. As with many small villages and places on Long Island, there are signs (blue markers in this case) designating historical incidents in connection with The Revolutionary War.
I will never forget one of these signs in Northport; inscribed upon it is the story of a man who died defending his cow from seizure by the British (an historical marker placed to commemorate the approximate location) during The Revolutionary War. Just an average person...not the name of someone famous or recognizable from history.
Many times I have watched the well-produced series airing on "The History Channel" called, "The Revolution." I find it fascinating to learn about all the trials and tribulations of those times...all the events that played out behind the scenes. The drama present day Americans normally do not think about.
I am especially fascinated by the situations and circumstances surrounding George Washington during this time.
Many of you may be familiar with this series, "The Revolution," but for those of you who are not, it tells history by analyzing concurrent events from different points of view to help the viewer better understand the backdrop of the events described.
Scholars analyze and peel back the layers to uncover what was really happening at the time. Different opinions, perspectives, and the original thoughts in the minds of George Washington and his contemporaries are told by reading their actual letters written in response to specific events.
"The Revolution" reveals all the generals under George Washington who openly criticized him (in their own handwritten letters), his betrayal by Benedict Arnold (who many scholars believe would have been worthy of his own monument had he not become a traitor siding with the British), the lost battles, the under funding of George Washington's troops, the lack of even basic supplies, like food.
The series conveys the desperation and despondency George Washington must have felt at times, trying to fight the world's superpower, the British, on a shoe string budget, which sometimes meant troops literally without shoes or boots.
One of the most famous examples of this took place at Valley Forge. It is recorded, the lack of even the most basic resources for American soldiers during the Continental Army's brutal winter encampment there, forced some soldiers to boil their own shoes (the soldiers who actually had shoes) in order to eat them for sustenance.
The events leading up to that brutal winter at Valley Forge added to the sense of hopelessness most Americans must have been feeling at the time. It came on the heels of substantial, demoralizing defeats for the Continental Army, culminating in the loss of New York City to the British.
So what did George Washington do at Valley Forge?
He led his troops across the Delaware River, with some soldiers (who did not have shoes) wrapping their feet in rags, while leaving trails of blood in the snow from their poorly protected, frozen feet.
This malnourished, starving, battered, and disheveled American army surprised the British Hessian soldiers (German troops hired by the British) at Trenton on the other side of the Delaware River. This surprise attack orchestrated by George Washington gave the American colonists a much-needed, overwhelming victory, lifting their spirits.
Some scholars point to this victory at the Battle of Trenton as the single-most important psychological triumph in The Revolutionary War. This inspiring, courageous assault eventually led to America's supremacy in its fight for independence from England.
George Washington never gave up and continued to push on regardless of his circumstances.
Through all the obstacles, road blocks, uncertainty, back stabbing, betrayal, lack of resources, and with poorly trained, ragged average citizens as troops...George Washington still managed to prevail.
Many scholars have stated at times the Continental Congress even debated over the firing of George Washington as the commanding general of the Continental Army during this time.
After all this drama and with all the difficulties...George Washington led America to independence against arguably the greatest superpower in the world at that moment in history.
It is said George Washington invested so much personally in The Revolutionary War...of his own time, life (he was willing to die for the cause), and finances, that he even had to borrow money just to travel to his own inauguration as the first President of the United States.
George Washington was decimated financially by the war due to his complete commitment to the American cause.
Yes, there are monuments to George Washington and many of our Founding Fathers; they were victorious in the end against what many thought to be insurmountable odds.
...but what about the average person? What about the person who gives their all, gives everything for their dream(s), goal(s), or achievement(s)...and who does not win in the end?
Where are the monuments to these people...the ones whose stories we will never hear? What about their strife, or as I like to call it, their "epic battles never told."
As we know, life itself is a struggle. Every day can be an "epic battle never told" for the average person.
What is important is that no matter what happens in your life, no matter what obstacles you have to overcome to pursue your dreams...never, never, never give up!
Put it all on the line and risk it all for your beliefs and for your dreams. The small fraction who achieve astronomical success in life against all odds have monuments erected in their honor. Yet, those who strive, toil, struggle, and fail, fight "epic battles never told," never commemorated, or even whispered.
That average person, the farmer in Northport who died protecting his cow from the British, just happened to be memorialized by an historical marker. How many other average people died giving their lives for freedom during The Revolutionary War, whose stories, and "epic battles" we will never know?
What about your story? What about your "epic battles?"
It is better to give everything of yourself for your dreams, even if you fail in the end, versus not giving your all.
Live monumentally!
For if you toil, strive, and still fail in the end...it is better than not having the courage to give all of yourself completely, to lay all of yourself and your being on the line in order to achieve your dreams.
It is better to never have to ask, "What if?" about your life.
"What if" I had given it my all? What would have happened? How would it have changed my life if I had only had the courage to give all of myself completely to achieving my dreams or my goals? "What if" I had the courage to get up after being knocked down just one more time?
Courage is not lack of fear (a fear that paralyzes most people into lack of action); true courage is being afraid and taking action anyway.
Have the courage to never have to ask "What if?" about your life.
Live monumentally!
Give of yourself completely for your dreams. Invest all of yourself for what you want and what is most important to you.
Like George Washington, don't make excuses, hold back, or let any obstacle(s) defeat you!
Can you imagine if George Washington had just admitted the Continental Army could not win against the British due to the lack of funding, lack of resources, lack of supplies, back stabbing and betrayal by his generals, defeats in battle, and seemingly insurmountable odds against his better-trained and equipped British superpower opponent?
Never give up or surrender...no matter what the odds against you!
If you fail...fail monumentally by giving your dreams everything you have. If you get knocked down...get up again and fail on your feet.
It is better to be the "epic battle never told," to be the person who everyone can say never gave up or lost sight of their ultimate vision. Much better than just giving in or surrendering to defeat: being too afraid to fight an "epic battle" in the first place.
Never have to ask "What if?" about your life!
Engage your "epic battle." Confront the road blocks on your way to victory head-on. Have the courage to give of yourself completely to all that you do and set out to achieve.
When you succeed they may build monuments in your honor. At least live the "epic battle never told" and have the courage to never, ever give up or have to ask "What if?"
So I ask you...what are your obstacles? What are your insurmountable odds in the way of your success and your dreams?
When you feel defeated on the way to achieving your goals or dreams, think of that iconic image of George Washington crossing the Delaware River.
Yes, you may fail and you may be an "epic battle never told," or you may have monuments erected in your honor for your success in the face of insurmountable odds like George Washington.
Never, ever, ever give up! Never stay down after being knocked down in pursuit of your goals or dreams! Never surrender and never succumb to defeat!
Give it your all...give of yourself completely to the pursuit and achievement of your dreams! Never have to ask "What if? about your life!
"Be Courageous: Succeed or Fail Monumentally!"
http://www.goodreads.com/photo/author...
Warmly,
Ken
Ken Poirot
