I very clearly remember the times I spent as a child washing the dinner dishes at my Grandparents’ house. On one such occasion, my grandmother suggested that I use some “elbow grease” to get the baking pan scrubbed clean. I started opening up every one of her kitchen cabinets. She asked me what I was looking for and I replied “I am looking for where you keep the elbow grease.” She laughed so loudly and for the longest time! My grandma had to explain to me that “elbow grease” isn’t a product that comes in a container, it is the amount of effort that you put into getting a job done properly. I have never forgotten that moment and the very important lesson that I learned that day in my Grandmother’s kitchen!
I recently heard the wrestler/entertainer John Cena being interviewed on the radio. When he mentioned the title of his new children’s book, I was brought right back to my grandmother’s kitchen. The storybook he wrote all about cartoon car characters is called “Elbow Grease” which is the name of the story’s monster truck and main character. Elbow Grease the truck is determined to prove to his four older and bigger brothers that he can keep up with them. He enters the Demolition Derby and throughout the story, displays his determination and can-do attitude. The little monster truck’s hard work and perseverance show that he is not only able to keep up with the bigger and stronger cars, he also lives up to the meaning behind his name - Elbow Grease.
I have never been a wrestling fan so I haven’t followed John Cena’s career very closely. His interview caught my attention because he is an alumnus from one of the colleges that my second son is looking at. I learned several things about him from the interview, including that he keeps trying to reinvent himself by learning and doing new things. For example, he taught himself to play the piano when he turned 40 and he works at it a little bit each day. He has a wonderful attitude! He says “I may not be great, but I know every day that I am better than I was the day before.” I love that philosophy! We don’t need to push for perfection today, if we persevere like the monster truck in Cena’s Book, work hard and try our very best, we will very likely be better tomorrow than we are today. That really takes the pressure off, doesn’t it? If you don’t finish your planned workout for the day, or didn’t get to eating all 6-8 fruits and vegetables, or drank less water than you intended...you have tomorrow to work at it, improve, and get better.
Is there something you have always wanted to do but have not yet learned? Why not be like John Cena and start playing the piano today (or whatever it is that you want to do)? It is never too late to start living the life you want to live. Whatever you decide to do, just remember to use a little elbow grease!