As I observed this older man struggle to climb aboard our bus, I watched as he toiled to barely walk, even with a cane. Appearing to have been disabled by some health event I had imagined, such as a stroke. Finally, after some time he managed to climb aboard. I was impressed by both his determination and his resolve. He wasn't deterred at all by what seemed to be an insurmountable obstacle, no matter how long it took.
As we arrived at our destination, we unboarded the bus. I then noticed his sweatshirt. There in gold letters on a black background was the name of that famous brand EVERLAST. I commented to him how much I liked his sweatshirt to which his response was a gleeful "Thank you young man!" (which would make me the worlds oldest young man!).
While walking away, I began to think about that encounter, about that sweatshirt, about that brand,what it stands for and about his attitude. The image of a prizefighter training, running, working tirelessly came to mind. Getting up at dawn to run and train. Even when he was tired, didn't feel like it, but he pressed on. I thought, "How fitting for this man to be wearing that shirt. He IS that brand."
Then I considered people like you and I, who are faced with challenges everyday, how we must press on just as this man presses on. Be a champion.Be the brand. #bethebrand.
