ACROSS the Board By Patrick Adams
What do you fight for?
hat Do you fight for?” I recently asked a good friend. He has led a heroic and decorated life and survived countless things that most would not have. His kids are now grown and doing well. He has retired. All in all, he’s what you would call a “success.” But now, he is a shell of his former self. I’ve seen this happen too many times. So on this day, I risked being the “jerk” and called him out. After some animated challenges, and a few tears, he admitted that he didn’t realize he “flipped the retirement switch” in his brain and thought he could now “relax.” And there it was. I purposely let it hang in the air for a long time and then jumped in with many statements that are not fit for publication. About how he used to be a hero. How countless people used to count on him. How I knew deep down that he was one of my “holy cow, I’m in trouble” 02:00 calls that I could make. But not now, I told him—he wasn’t fit, mentally or physically, to handle a conflict with his postman. I realize that the word “fight” is probably the wrong word to get my point across. It is a conflict word. You need an adversary to fight. A fight involves violence—something most people try to avoid. That isn’t what I’m talking about. Perhaps it is mission, or passion, or inspiration instead. To me, it’s what gets me up every morning at 04:00 to begin the day working out in the garage. Is it pleasant or fun? No! Do I enjoy it? No! But I do it because I know I’m a better, more capable version of myself when I do it. I know it gets harder every year—every day to keep it up. But I know I must. The alternative is what we’ve seen or experienced countless times. Those seniors around us, who lived amazing lives, and now we can’t imagine the last time they smiled, or laughed, or tried something new. I’ve been in situations like that many times in my life. It’s called “surviving.” I got through “surviving” because I still wanted to live! I wonder how many people think about that? Whether they are living, or just surviving? I believe we are our best selves when we have something to fight for. The fight gives us purpose and a reason to jump out of bed every day. Some people call them “goals”… a horrible, overused and neglected word that to me is synonymous with “give up now.” Who actually writes down a goal and accomplishes it? That’s my “to do” list! However, tell me that I’m in a “fight” and you get an entirely different reaction. I train for fights. I research fights. I prepare for fights. I have a plan for fights. As a result, I usually win fights and when I do, it feels good, makes me grateful and eager to fight again.
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For me, I fight to be the best possible version of myself for my family and those closest to me. I fight to be a good father and husband. I fight to make good decisions that ensure our business and employees are taken care of. I fight to find new ways to serve this great industry for the benefit of the countless people who we serve. I fight to be a good example to those around me, to provide inspiration, and hopefully make a difference. Most of all, I fight to be someone that anyone can count on, regardless of the situation, timing or conditions. Every day, I wake up thinking of these specific fights and how I would feel if I lost them. I imagine the looks on the faces of those I care about should that happen. And then, I get out of bed at 04:00, go down to the garage, and begin my daily fight. Some days, I do fairly well and I go to bed feeling proud of myself. Other days, I fall short and I go to bed disappointed with myself and wake up the next day more determined to do better. So, I encourage everyone as we get back to “normal” to go out and “pick a fight.” Not literally, but I hope you all immediately think of something worth fighting for… and begin FIGHTING because our blessed lives are too short to not have something worth fighting every day for.
Patrick S. Adams Publisher/President padams@526mediagroup.com
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n Building Products Digest n July 2021
Building-Products.com
