random thought: never let 'em see you sweat (but sweat you must)

This past weekend, I bought some grocery store gerbera daisies, and decided to take them outside to photograph.  When I took the shot above, I hadn't noticed the water droplet on the petal -- it was only when I pulled it up on my computer screen that I did.  And when I did, my first, fleeting thought was:

Never let 'em see you sweat.

Have you ever heard that saying?   Back in the day, there used to be these deodorant commercials on television here in America that featured that tagline -- never let 'em see you sweat.  Some of the commercials featured famously hard-working celebrities, who talked about the rules of their game:  a famous American football coach says "never let the press pick your quarterback."  A famous fashion designers says, "never forget it's your name on every label."  A famous comic says, "never let a heckler get the last word."  And they all agree:  never let 'em see you sweat.

I get it, I do:  sweat might give others the impression that you're not sure of yourself.  That you lack experience.  That you're new to the game.  Sweat might make them think that you haven't been that committed to your craft in the past -- otherwise, why would you be sweating now?

"They" might get that impression, but you know what?  Forget that noise.  Sweat also means you're working -- hard.  It means determination.  Stick-to-it-ive-ness. Drive.  Forget whether you were committed in the past:  sweat means you're committed now.

So perhaps there are times when I don't want 'em to see me sweat, but you know what? I'm not going to be embarrassed or ashamed if they do.  I'm working hard for that sweat, man.  That sweat means something good.

 

Soundtrack:  WTF (where they from) by Missy Elliott, featuring Pharrell Williams

 

big plans, random thoughtsKaren Walrondsweat, working hard, big goalsComment