During one of the usual workout sessions at the gym some 2 to 3 weeks ago, one of my gym counterparts received a T- shirt from another gym go-er whom I’ve not been closely acquainted with. On the front side of the tee was a centralized tribal design and on the flip-side, a posed masculine figure was shown emphasizing his well-worked areas with 3 words, “BLOOD SWEAT AND IRON” surrounding it. I then later knew that a few of the other gym go-ers own the same shirt and what I suspected was that they have ordered them from the same source. Having the same muscle tee to me raises a few questions that revolve around identity and ego, but what stuck with me till today are the words of BLOOD, SWEAT AND IRON. In the sweat room , anyone will agree that desired results if any, can only be realized through the passing of those 3 key words. Looking back in time at society at large, from the birth of any known civilization till the intermediate stages of growth, where ideas of materialism and industrialization became well spread, those words applied to almost every single area of life that anyone can possibly think of. A classical example, would be in the phase of career development, where an average joe would strive to slog it out at the same time better him/herself in hope to attain the economic position or social status he/she desires through the standard long winding path punctuated with the humps and bumps of life which were then accepted and unoften challenged. Clearly, the concept of 'I get what I deserve through the hard work that I put in’ was well received.
Fast tracking to the times of today, a different set of ideologies seem to be prevalent. One that promotes ‘getting there at the shortest time possible even if it’s through bended means’, ‘being no. 1 and not settling for 2nd best', and from where I come from, being kiasu and kiasi. I don’t mean to dramatize the situation but it really feels like an urban warzone as I peer out of my window. What happened to the classical way or method of getting there through blood, sweat and iron , the ideas that can well be translated to virtues of integrity, dignity and humility?
I’ll be leaving this virtual space unattended for awhile to fulfill personal commitments and perhaps, chase my dreams through BLOOD , SWEAT AND IRON. I wish you all well and take care...
Fast tracking to the times of today, a different set of ideologies seem to be prevalent. One that promotes ‘getting there at the shortest time possible even if it’s through bended means’, ‘being no. 1 and not settling for 2nd best', and from where I come from, being kiasu and kiasi. I don’t mean to dramatize the situation but it really feels like an urban warzone as I peer out of my window. What happened to the classical way or method of getting there through blood, sweat and iron , the ideas that can well be translated to virtues of integrity, dignity and humility?
I’ll be leaving this virtual space unattended for awhile to fulfill personal commitments and perhaps, chase my dreams through BLOOD , SWEAT AND IRON. I wish you all well and take care...
Till then !
