Skateboard scars — The original tattoo
Scars in the workplace are probably more common than tattoos in the workplace, but tattoos get all the press these days. Plus, a tattoo looks better on our skin than a good scar or two. When I was a youngster, not only did I have to walk uphill both ways in the snow, I also had to ride my skateboard uphill both ways and get a scar on my elbows and knees to prove it.
These days — you can easily pay someone to mark you up with a good tattoo or two. Tattoos leave a scar and there is no right or wrong scar or tattoo for that matter. Side fact, 3 out of 10 people have tattoos, 38% of millennials have tattoos and the military is the most tatted employer with 36% of the military having a tattoo.
The other day, I picked up a skateboard and rode it in my neighborhood amongst the youngsters. All was good until I fell off the board into the road flat on my back. I fell hard. Three good scars later and a few bruises on my hip and shoulder tells me that I should not ride a skateboard until I get further practice and training. PS — that is not me on the board, but it’s who I thought I was going to be when I was riding.
The scars I earned from my recent skateboard ride will fade away but they do not rival the scars I have from going out the back window of a car at + 65 mph about 20 years ago. These scars tell a story when I look at them. The one on the right side of my hip/stomach reminds me I have metal plates in my pelvis. The one on my left side of my hip/stomach reminds me I only have screws in that side. The scars on my left leg remind me I have screws in my knee that have since broken over the years. The slight limp I have, reminds me to be thankful I can walk. All of these scars remind me to be thankful.
Each scar is a reminder that something was different and things can change in the flash of a second. Your life can be one way and the next second it is the other way. If the change was drastic enough — it will leave a mark or a scar.
After my skateboard fall the other day, I limped the rest of the weekend and still limping a little right now. These limps and pains are a reminder to me that I am alive and can feel. The reason I can do things and respond to change and go after work is that I am alive and I can feel. The feelings of frustration, happiness, and stress — are all part of being alive.
Leading and working during times of stress is when we find out how large our capacity is for leading and learning. We find out how disciplined we are. Reading books and talking about theories of doing things does not replace doing things. I can read and talk about riding a skateboard or I can get on the skateboard to find out how much I know and what I need to do to ride a skateboard better. In my case, I had to get a good scar and fail on the skateboard to learn.
Working on our mind is our job and it is our mind that controls our thoughts and actions. There is not one text book that teaches you everything. At least, I have not found it. You have to read a little but ultimately get on the skateboard and use your mind to control your body to ride the board. You have to care more about learning something and achieving something than anyone else cares.
Getting a physical scar is not sought after but once you have one -they are not forgotten because they are permanent reminders of an experience. A scar works on your mind over the years to the point where you are thankful for the experience you went through to get that scar. Somehow you survived whatever event that took place to get the scar.
Starting a business, working a job, living the corporate life, raising a family, etc — they are all full of experiences that will make us happy and scar us. Your job is to use your mind to overcome each scar so that you can lead and serve the people who need you and make happiness a state of mind regardless of the situation.
Skateboard scars or tattoos — they are for the mind and only understood by the person who owns them.
