Chapter 98

The journey, not the goal, is the real prize. We usually don’t realize this nor actualize this very well, but the process, the getting there, the effort day after day is what shapes us and gives us great gifts. The trophy at the end on the platform is just a momento. The prize is already yours before you ever get up on the stage. Don’t doubt it for it is completely true. You have been honed and sharpened and stretched and pulled and remade and reformed unto something more, and that is the true gift, the actual medal of glory.

Life is not in a trophy cabinet lined with awards and accolades. Life is in living it well, striving for that next goal or level or accomplishment, while understanding that the striving will give far greater gifts to your life, than will a small bit of medal at the end proclaiming you the winner of something. You change and develop and become something other, and that is the best possible outcome, regardless of where you place in the standings at the end of the run or the race or the process. What happens inside of you and to you, is the gift, the virtue, the point actually, if you can get your mind around what I am saying and advocating.

As a young man I focused on filling the trophy cabinet, covering the mantle with my accomplishments. Now as an old geyser, I realize that the most powerful position in the room is the back, orchestrating the symphony, the dance, the choreography, the production. I turn down all most all offers to lead up front, speak, or generally be the public face of anything. That is a personal rush to be sure, but the real power, the real development, the real skill is leading from the back as my friend Bernie says.  No physical medals or trophies will be awarded for this position, but it is the richest chair in the room.