Most in present day associate the term “GLADIATOR” with Shonda Rhimes’ hit television show, Scandal. Many are referring to themselves as GLADIATORS all over Facebook and Twittersville, especially on Thursdays. Who didn’t buy into the speech Harrison gave Quin? But are you really a GLADIATOR?
History tells us that GLADIATORS were used for sport by the Roman Empire engaging in arena combat with other GLADIATORS. More noteworthy, while a GLADIATOR’s status was considered less desirable, their unyielding spirit of fighting to the bitter end was an awe-inspiring gesture of audacity and triumph. When we think of a gladiator, we think of a beast of burden who has the fortitude, iron will and tenacity to remain an effervescent symbol of resilience and determination in combat to the death.
A GLADIATOR is a powerful representation of what most of us would hope to be and others dare to consider…
Most in present day associate the term “GLADIATOR” with Shonda Rhimes’ hit television show, Scandal. Many are referring to themselves as GLADIATORS all over Facebook and Twittersville, especially on Thursdays. Who didn’t buy into the speech Harrison gave Quin? But are you really a GLADIATOR?
History tells us that GLADIATORS were used for sport by the Roman Empire engaging in arena combat with other GLADIATORS. More noteworthy, while a GLADIATOR’s status was considered less desirable, their unyielding spirit of fighting to the bitter end was an awe-inspiring gesture of audacity and triumph. When we think of a gladiator, we think of a beast of burden who has the fortitude, iron will and tenacity to remain an effervescent symbol of resilience and determination in combat to the death.
A GLADIATOR is a powerful representation of what most of us would hope to be and others dare to consider themselves worthy of comparison.
So I ask….
Are you a GLADIATOR?
Are you willing to fight for what you want in this life?
Are you willing to fight for your dreams and goals you set long before disappointment became your foe?
Are you willing to stand up for what you know is right and true in spite of consequences?
Are you willing to fight for the love that once permeated your heart before scorn became a dominant inhabitation?
Are you willing to step out on faith and believe in the talents and abilities God placed within you to plow through adversity, interference and interruption in your life in effort to prohibit a dream to be fulfilled?
What say you…are you a GLADIATOR? I dare you to defy the odds of societal parameters and say…I am a GLADIATOR destined for success, settling for nothing less than what God intended — living a life that is pleasing to Him and before Him!! I will fight to the death against the adversities of this life that resolve to hold me hostage to my fleshly limitations. “We are more than conquerors through Him that love us!”
Most of us who were 90’s teens remember Calvin. We watched Calvin grow over a few years as he progressed from a young kid looking forward to his new job at McDonald’s to ultimately working his way up to manager. When I ask, “Where is Calvin?” I am figuratively speaking.
My family and I had the opportunity to live in Japan for three years. What we were astonished to experience was how Japanese employees working at McDonalds had a great sense of pride in their job. Their uniforms were pristine, the restaurants were clean enough to eat off of the floor and most importantly they made their customers feel that they were so grateful to serve them. Oh, and did I mention that the burgers tasted far better than the restaurants in the U.S.? What’s wrong with this picture?
I remember when I was in high school, having any type of honest paying job was respectable for a teenager by adults as well as their peers. Today, working at some place like McDonalds is considered shameful and/or embarrassing. Teens have no sense of customer service, work atmosphere decorum or a sense of pride in their work. I see more gum smacking, cell phone using, pants sagging teenagers that could care less if they get your order right or who take their jobs seriously. Of course there are some teens who do not fit this category. Unfortunately, I can count on one hand how many I have run across in the last several years.
The Calvin commercials were a hopeful display of youth aspiring to be something and be somebody important. It signified a great pride in being productive and the aspiration to be greater than the present. I WANT CALVIN BACK to give our kids hope again and prayerfully inspire them to want something out of life and to take pride in small strides toward “that great life achievement” of being one’s best.
I want employers to have greater expectations of our kids regardless of where they work and challenge them to a greater standard than what we see today. I don’t care if you start off as a street sweeper or custodian, have a sense of pride in a job well done. Do your best and be your best — you never know who’s watching. You cannot allow them to come to work dressed inappropriately or talk to the customers any kind of way. Teach them recyclable skills that will help them grow and develop as a professional.
I got my first job at the age of 16 working at Lerners New York on Canal Street in New Orleans. I was the youngest employee in our store. My manager was Kim Joseph who is now deceased. When I worked at Lerners, Kim had no less expectation of me than she did our 60+ year old assistant manager who affectionately referred to me as “little one”. I had to pull my weight like everyone else. I had to come to work dressed properly. I had to show up on time. I was expected to deliver exceptional customer service. I learned so many valuable job skills that I still use today. That job inspired me to want to do something meaningful with my life. And it all started with a manager who use to drive me nuts by kicking my butt to do my best and I am forever grateful. While she died in her 30’s of cancer several years ago, I wish she could be alive today so that I could tell her a simple thank you. I would say to Kim Joseph, thank you for commanding nothing less than excellence from me and instilling in me actionable experience that allowed me many subsequent employment successes.
If we don’t have expectations of our youth today, there is no hope for a better tomorrow. We have to demand more of our youth so that they can make a significant mark on this world that will propel it and them forward. We should not allow there to be a constant maintenance of stagnation and ignorance in our youth that only leads to increased drop out rates, unwanted pregnancies, low wage jobs, public assistance and overpopulated prisons.
WILL THE CALVINS OF THE WORLD PLEASE STAND UP AND TAKE YOUR RIGHTFUL PLACE AMONGST THE STARS!!! Great things are in store when you do.
You have to admit that this kid is quite cute and fascinating to say the least. However, this brings into question what it means to have respect for authority and parents to be more specific. Mateo was awarded all of the cupcakes he can stand and his family was awarded by Ellen $10,000 which I am sure any family would welcome including my own. I just wonder if this will encourage families to not correct disrespectful behavior and find it cute instead. Remember, this little sweetie is only 3 years old. We are in an age where young kids are killing and/or abusing their parents and others. So far 4.3 million viewers, is this the right message to send? What say you?
