Sunday, April 1, 2012

Drive



A cousin walks on stage to receive a gold medal. He is in elementary, and the school recognizes, not only his talent but also his hard work. It's no mean feat to keep your grades above ninety. While spending your free time honing other skills with extra-curricular activities. He must have been driven. His parent must have promised him a generous reward.

Year after year, his name would be called. And his proud mother would walk on stage along with him. He would receive the medal, and she - the future matriarch of the entire clan - would put it around his neck. I would watch the spectacle from my seat, together with another cousin who always join us. Our minds, heeding more to the demands of our tummy than the shimmering metal on my cousin's chest.

But the thunderous applause, and cheers from the audience as my cousin walks across the aisle would interrupt my survival instincts. At the back of my head, I would remember what my elders always say, 

"Why can't you be like him?"

"When will you change your ways?" 

As much as people hushed their voices, comparisons reach my ears.



I would remember his recognition day while trying to lift a 140 lbs barbell for my bench press. Not because of the occasion, but for the incentives my cousin gets for his academic performance. Toys, video game cartridges - everything he wants - he gets as long as he did well in school. At a young age, he learned that every hard work has a corresponding value. 

He began setting goals.

Goals. It's no secret that I have none. Three months have passed and not a single one went beyond the blueprint. I've lost too much drive that I'd prefer spending my rest days locked in my room - playing sims. I used to have plans. My head is full of ideas. But sad to say, I'm only good with concepts. They hardly ever work.

And so I remembered my cousin's recognition day and the Favorite Aunt's method of keeping him motivated. Rewards - gave him something to look forward and so year after year, he went home with medals to remind him of his destined path. 

They say its hard to teach an old dog new tricks. And while I don't see myself as an old dog yet, (I prefer to be a cat) I acknowledge this on-going flux that keeps me, well, in a state of disarray. Much as I would like to move mountains - and spark a revolution that would turn my life around, I can only make small changes, that hopefully, would encourage me accomplish more.

A beginner's pabaon perhaps - or maybe, a rewards system that would keep me driven.

"Coach, is it possible to lose 10 lbs in one month?" I asked Coach Leo.

"10 lbs kamo? Madali lang yun." My eyes glimmered with excitement. "Basta consistent ka lang."

I don't know if I could accomplish a goal. But just this once, only to show I can keep my words and deliver. 

I will hit 165 lbs, and get back in shape and when the weighting scale tells me I'm back to my ideal weight, I will reward myself with this:


Sixth Generation Nano


And replace my Sun Wukong avatar with a new picture of me.



19 comments:

Eternal Wanderer... said...

up the ante.

get yourself an ipod touch 4th gen!

;)

james said...

me wants one of those.looks like a brilliant watch

em pretty sure ur bars will help u with the goal, pretty easy job for u.

Shenanigans said...

aaah! so that's the reason why ng pagpapalit ng DP dito at sa twitter. interesting huh' :)

Mark said...

i recently set goals for myself too..hmmm..ano kayang reward ang ibibigay ko sa sarili ko pag nagawa ko yun???

ZaiZai said...

yey you can do it Mugen!

rowell said...

hi, why don't you buy this to help you lose weight? it's nice to use it while working out.

^__^

Mugen said...

Rowell:

I'm actually tempted. Hehe. Pero iba pa rin na may pinaghirapan ka diba? :)

Zai:

Thank you!

Mark Joe:

Curious kami kung ano yung target mo sa sarili mo, at kung ano yung magiging reward mo. Hehe.

Mugen said...

Shenanigans:

Yup yup. :)

James:

Easy to say. its different when hard work begins.

Sana nga.

Ternie:

Furion was snatched from my pocket. I think I can't buy another Apple product that I've lost before.

Unknown said...

Kayang kaya mo yan master

zeke said...

@James: Palibhasa kayang kaya mo eh. Hahaha.

@Kuya Joms: Goals are like eggs in an omelette, if you don't beat it it won't come together. #masabilang kaya mo yan kuya! You are still in shape I surmise, a few sessions would do.

mico boi said...

haay nagising ako dun ah. I have been reflecting on myself the past few weeks. how my career seems to plateau and no sense of direction on what i want to achieve in life. same with my work out. haha. masabi lang na nakapag gym. O well. Gayahin kita Mugen. Set na rin ako ng goals! =D

@guaroebii

Blakrabit said...

kaya mo yan master. hehe. gawin mo nang iPhone! LOL! nice motivational system master but it's not as good as coming from someone else's pockets. wehehheh

cHard said...

After the latest heartbeak.. my goal was to lose weight also para magsisi sya hehe..

but now iba na.. i feel good pag sinabihan ako na pumapayat na ko.. keber sa opinyon ni ex..

Go, go, go master joms! i agree with blackrabit.. iphone ang gawin mong reward..

Neokiro said...

hala, same goals tayo...sana kayanin :))

(blotting out insecure thoughts)

sin at work said...

nice! looking forward to see your new pic in a month!! :)
go go go!!!

Mugen said...

SAW:

Still under consideration. I have a rule about not posting naked pics online. Lol. Not anymore. :P

Neokiro:

Good luck bro. Kaya mo yan. :)

Richard:

Motivation ko yun nung una akong tumuntong ng gym. Nagbanta (ng pabiro) yung ex ko na iiwan daw niya ako pag tumaba pa ako lalo, bumawi ako sa kanya ng hardcore workout. tapos nung sobrang fit ko na, ako yung nangiwan sa kanya.

Mugen said...

Kuneho:

Hindi pa ako ready sa iphone idol. Yung last kong music player na ipodtouch, na snatch sa bulsa ko. :(

Joe:

Haha bouncer bod na ako. I will take a revolution for me to really get back in shape. :)

Drew:

Thank you, sir.

Xian Garvida said...

motivation keeps you going!
go for it!hehe

sin at work said...

awwww, no more nudies? :( WHY???
BAKIIIIIIIT????!???!? *nagwala* wahahaha CHOS :D