ACROSS THE BOARD

What do you fi ght for?

“What Do you fi ght 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 “fl ipped 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 fi t 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 fi t, mentally or physically, to handle a confl ict with his postman.

I realize that the word “fi ght” is probably the wrong word to get my point across. It is a confl ict word. You need an adversary to fi ght. A fi ght 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 fi ght for. The fi ght 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 “fi ght” and you get an entirely diff erent reaction. I train for fi ghts. I research fi ghts. I prepare for fi ghts. I have a plan for fi ghts. As a result, I usually win fi ghts and when I do, it feels good, makes me grateful and eager to fi ght again.

Patrick S. Adams

Publisher/President padams@526mediagroup.com

For me, I fi ght to be the best possible version of myself for my family and those closest to me. I fi ght to be a good father and husband. I fi ght to make good decisions that ensure our business and employees are taken care of. I fi ght to fi nd new ways to serve this great industry for the benefi t of the countless people who we serve. I fi ght to be a good example to those around me, to provide inspiration, and hopefully make a diff erence. Most of all, I fi ght to be someone that anyone can count on, regardless of the situation, timing or conditions.

Every day, I wake up thinking of these specifi c fi ghts 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 fi ght. 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 fi ght.” Not literally, but I hope you all immediately think of something worth fi ghting for… and begin FIGHTING because our blessed lives are too short to not have something worth fi ghting every day for.