do something you didn’t want to do
Here’s a story of challenging those who can accept the challenge, the self-satisfaction of doing it yourself.
Dad started travelling. Sent me to the kennel, I put one of my toys in his luggage to shame him. Then said, I DONT WANNA DO THE KENNEL. So he got me a nanny una chica, Colombiana. We bonded she became my sister, mi Hermana.
Three of us traveled to this big rock. “Twinkle, these are the 742 steps to the self proclaimed ‘Greatest View in the World,’ La Piedra Del Penol.” I’m tiny can do maybe two. “I got the backpack for you. You know the smuggle drill, zip you up 30 seconds, no stirring, I do the Jedi mind trick to guy at entrance, we’re good.”
As we grabbed a light meal of Colombian arepas, Hermana says, “Padre, can’t you see the sign, ‘Perros Prohibe.’ (No dogs allowed, no pups or hounds,) You two just climb the rock, take some pictures. Twink and I will finish our desayuno.”
Clearly a veiled exuse not to do the climb. Dad gets possessed look of resolve, in Spanish Dad barks “Mierda de toro that Hermana. No reason why Twink shouldn’t be able to enjoy the greatest view in the world and you juntos.”
Hermana gave the Dad a gristling look of ‘reluctant acquiescence.’ The ascent begins. 742-steps later we declare VICTORY.
The climb took our breath away so did the view. Victorious, Dad, in the tone of a high school football coach, said “Hey you two, doesn’t IT FEEL GOOD TO DO SOMETHING YOU DIDN’T WANT TO DO?”
We enjoyed the vista few minutes, did the photo opps, but no trips to the Gift Shop. Cara de Hermana a was increasingy '‘verde’ and it wasn’t because of the hike.
Hermana said, “Padre I’ve always wanted to do this. I did it becuse I didn’t want to let down the team and just needed the ignition, encouragement.
But … read the next page to get the untold story.
Checkout Paulo Escobar’s outstanding aerial video of ‘The Rock.’
Crafting a Spontaneous recognition award
This story is about being aware something’s wrong, how adversity builds bonds, every exemplary accomplishment needs recognition.
Dad gives me specialized recognition awards in the moment when I’m doing something I don’t want to do (like he’s late coming home.) Could be an extra walk, a piece of pork rib bone in.
Something You Didn’t Want to Do resulted in an exhilerating experience, the self satisfaction of physically earning our ticket to ‘Most Beautiful View in the World.’
Wasn’t easy, lotta adversity but that activity made a strong bond stronger. On way down, I asked Dad, why Hermana didn’t say much when we reached the summit. I knew Colombianos sometime struggle to verbalize a genuine ‘Gracias.’
”Twink, instead of empty ‘bon mots’ they convey emotions using heart-felt actions. I I fully emerged from my cloaking device (the backpack) we’re 20 steps from basecamp. Hey Dad where did Hermana go? “Oh, there she is.” Hermana had scrambled ahead to take a video of our triumphant return.
She knew it wasn’t easy to accomplish this gargantuan effort and was appreciative of ‘Doing Something She Didn’t Want to Do.’ Hermana left us to make that video.
“Twink Hermana just presented us with a custom crafted, spontaneously created, immediately gifted ‘recognition award.”
My award to her will be a lick to the face!
wished you could do that
Here’s a story about how ‘digging for false credit’ is unsustainable, how to kill your credibility.
Ever upset when somebody takes credit for work you did? I sure did when Tia Margo, the Beagle came over. I cleaned up the toys, she just smiled at Dad, took credit for it.
She took the easy way out. Wanted to do it, didn’t have the skills to do it, so crafted a plot to take credit for it.
Part of my ‘Road to Princesa’ was proving I could be a real dog. I got this network of friends at the beach. I learn ‘dog’ from them. There’s this Boxer named Bob. He’s big and his passion is digging. We’re talking a dig a hole all the way to China digging. He look like he has fun doing it so I gave it a try. Ugh, I suck at digging.
So Bob the Boxer dug this cavern, then as Dad showed up, I stood next to the cavern and pulled one from the bottom of the deck, Did the same thing Margo did that day with the toys.
Dad just looked at me shrugged and under the breath laugh. “Twink you telling me you did this? Next time you do some digging, can I watch?”
getting your paws dirty
Here’s a story of being happy to do the dirty work, discomfort with success-formula.
“Hey dog, can I tell you a story.”
Oh dios no, not another one.
“Back in my consulting days, had this boss. Old-school, defined tough love. 98% tough, not a lotta love. He’d bark”
“Hey Stanford guy, he thinks he’s smarter than everybody. Sees the big picture but a bit reluctant to get into the details. That will be a real limitation.”
“Get your HEAD DOWN, TAIL UP. GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY. Be happy to do stuff that’s not fun Mr. Know It All. That’s the only way your big brain gonna be succesful. not just here but in life!
“You gotta be able to see from 30,000 feet, explain at 50 feet, toggle back and forth deftly.”
Dad, I can understand. Sure I’m La Princesa but the only way can unleash the beauty of my inner dog is to do exactly that. Gotta spend some time in the basura to cement my paw-print that I’m a real dog.
Dirty dog, princesa, repeat.
And it establishes street cred with my fellow caninos. I learned my UNLEASHED status, my PRINCESA status..
learning to swim, but i don’t have fins
Learning to swim, but I don’t have fins. Water in nose, is the hardest thing. I really have adopted the whole ‘Doing Something You Didn’t Want To Do.’ Also I knew Dad was going to be my sponsor. As I learned something new, he was there to guide, help, support.
That’s right. Look Dad, no life vest. Chihuahuas ARE water dogs. Not only can we lounge on laps of our humans, we can swim laps too, jajaja. I saw how blue, calm, warm that water was best test.
Dad had rye smile on his face, shaking his head. I looked up at him, aren’t you proud of me? He said “Yes I am, but that doesn’t matter. It’s self-satisfaction that you got that’s really important.”
“All the bumps and bruises that got you here. Worth it.”
As a fellow Tom said, “Started out on a dirty beach. The good ol days will not return. Then the world got still.”
I’m proud of myself. Nice to get affirmation from others, but how I feel about myself is what really matters.
“Correcto young dog, Twinkles es juror de Twinkle. ” Oh Dad i know enough spanish now that means i’m my own judge. Set my bar every day and i’ll figure out how to raise it.
good ol days may not return, beat your heart break you down. you down, steal your crown, guess i know when i’ll get there.
Oh Dad, I know enough Spanish now, that means I’m my own judge.
I set my own ‘bar’ and try every day to raise it. Wow, that swim was fun and refreshing.
That mass transformation is painful, was patient, and the world stood still.