Sunday Story…the Heart of the Matter

It is often said we are defined by the questions we ask. Way past the who, what, where, and why is the heart of the matter. Those deep philosophical questions have us pondering our place in the universe, our relationship to the other humans around us, or how we can impact the world we live in.

Yet, my answers and yours are seemingly different, contradictory even. But these are deep, important, and impactful questions. How are we going to reconcile those opposing, warring answers? 

We aren’t. It isn’t my job to change your mind. It isn’t my job to convince you. It isn’t even my job to be right. My job and yours is to have a deep, thoughtful, and thought-provoking discussion about questions that matter to all of us. I want to listen and seek to understand your point of view. 

And when the discussion is over and we have exhausted all of the turns and dead ends we can still love one another. I love and cherish our differences. The answers matter less than the discussion...it isn’t the destination but the journey that matters.

“Wouldn’t it be a real drag if we were all the same?”

John Mariotti

www.crossfitodyssey.com

www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com

775-338-2412

Sunday Story...Content

 In this case, I mean what lies within…in other words what lies within your coffee cup? Coffee? Tea? Whiskey?  

 

We are all different. We all have similar outcomes we are striving for…love, health, financial security, things of that nature. Most humans have similar needs in those areas. Some of us may place a higher priority on some things than others and those priorities are bound to change over a lifetime. But most humans have similar needs.

 

I care about the content of your character. Are you kind? Truthful? Can you be trusted to do what you say you are going to do when you say you are going to do it? Do you treat others with respect? Are you a person of your word? Do you value people over things?

 

There is no label on this. Judge me on the content of my character, not some made-up pigeon hole you think I belong in. At the same time, the content of my character is revealed by my words and my actions. Spewing hatred and vitriol reveals things about me regardless of my religion, race, class, or ethnicity. As a matter of fact, if you listen carefully I will tell you exactly what my content is.

 

So…what did your words and actions say about you today?

 

John Mariotti

www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com

www.crossfitodyssey.com

775-338-2412

Sunday Story…Between the Lines

It is often said that music lives in the spaces between the notes. In those places where there is rest, music gets defined. It is an oddity.

 

This is also often true of human communication. The real communication lies underneath the actual words, in what is not being said. The art of reading between the lines is not taught. It is only because somewhere along the way someone (usual the writer) points out what they really meant when they wrote or said what they wrote or said. Too often we are left to be a better guesser in this arena of human communication.

 

Expecting me to be a better guesser is a foolish game. Years ago I was told to “say what you mean and mean what you say.” If I do that I leave nothing to chance…you don’t have to guess at what I mean. It should be crystal clear by my words. That is the goal of communication…to give my reader or listener a precise picture of what I am saying or writing.

 

Next time you say or write something, ask yourself…”am I clearly and concisely telling this person what it is I want them to know or learn from my words?” If the answer is anything but a resounding yes then try again.

 

Message sent is NOT message received. And it is incumbent on the sender to make sure the receiver gets the exact message I have sent.

 

John Mariotti

www.crossfitodyssey.com

www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com

775-338-2412

 

Sunday Story…Right or Connected?

Every time I answer an email, make a comment on a blog, engage online, or have a conversation I have an opportunity to make a connection. Or to create strife and disconnection. I can open up possibilities or I can close off any hope.

 

I can make my argument, spew my answer (which is the one right true answer) all over or I could ask a question and seek to understand.

 

We often confuse being mean or cutting with being funny. Really all that does is create more disconnect. You might find it funny but the object of your remarks only finds hurt and disconnection. Using the excuse of “it’s only a joke” doesn’t mitigate the hurt or take the sting of your words away.

 

Once your words have escaped your mouth or your keyboard they are like an escaped animal…out of your control and in the wild. You can’t take them back. Wouldn’t it be better to slow down and be measured in your responses?

 

You can be right or you can be connected but it is difficult to be both.

 

John Mariotti

www.crossfitodyssey.com

www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com

775-338-2412

 

 

Sunday Story…Compete every Day

We seem to be obsessed with winning. Being the best. The GOAT…greatest of all time. Even if the competition is a small town pumpkin carving contest I want to Win, baby!

 

The facts, however, are simple. My pumpkin is not the best in the world. It might not even be the best in town. All it is is the best in the contest. It isn’t going to go to the Louvre; people are not going to give acclaim or a commission to do all the pumpkins next year. It’s just today’s best pumpkin.

 

I am going to compete with myself every day. That is the only contest that matters. Have I improved? Am I fitter? Am I stronger? Am I moving forward on my path? Is the me today the greatest me I can be?

 

The race I am running is first and foremost a race against me. Winning that race is the one that counts. Of course, the corollary to this is: Full effort is Full Victory. Did you give your best effort? Is today’s performance the best one you can deliver today? If not…do better tomorrow.

 

John Mariotti

www.crossfitodyssey.com

www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com

775-338-2412