The risk in relying on past glory

Every human being surely do have a story to tell about their life. This stories, which makeup our experience in the journey, may not be the basis to define life or to help predict the outcome of life, but they can become a source of wisdom for the younger and unlearned generation.

While there has never been anyone without a bit of failure in their life story, yet our lives is a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly. The UPs and DOWNs of life is really what keeps the life we live alive.

If life on earth was predictable then we would have long lost the sense of expectation that an unknown future always affords. And some of us have been fortunate to have our life’s expectations met. These met expectations can be seen in the success stories of many lives, the degree of success notwithstanding.

Each episode of success brings with itself a sense of fulfilment and gladness of heart. But if not well managed, victory can get to the head. At such a moment complacency sets in. What then becomes of such a life will be an over-reliance on the glory achieved in the past.

As an example, we have witnessed how an artiste broke into the scene with a hit track or album which brought a high level of recognition and sales but under a twinkle of an eye this artiste is no way to be found because it wasn’t taken to heart that success must be sustained for it to remain relevant.

Life is dynamic. Things occur at every breath. Records are regularly being broken and made worldwide, therefore, the risk in relying on past glory is to go into obsolescence. Victories and successes are to be sustained if they are to benefit the possessor.

Consider a national football team that has won laurels through the help of past generations. Should the new generation of footballers in that same national team name don’t take it upon themselves to repeat history, but iinstead rely upon history to intimidate other teams, will never make it to the level of the past glory.

Past glories should better serve as a motivation to do more. Surpassing a past glory should always be a futuristic goal otherthan to wallow in it. We all watched as Usain Bolt, a one time sprint machine, surpassed his own record on the tracks. Others have done same.

The memory of a glory that’s in the past should contain lessons that can help in the present or future endeavour, the benefit of hindsight and foresight. We must keep on pushing.