Cotton Ball Chronicles
Lessons in Deserving vs. Earning
At first glance, a cotton ball might seem as inconspicuous as a raindrop in the ocean. However, embark on a journey with me, and you'll discover that life has a funny way of delivering profound lessons, even through the simplest of objects. Prepare to unravel the tale of the cotton ball and the unexpected wisdom it carries.
The revelation struck during a seemingly innocuous fire-building exercise nearly a decade ago. An exercise that is now a refined and integral part of The Warriors Path, where the primal elements of fire—Oxygen, Fuel, and Heat—are metaphorically intertwined with Leadership Development. Mindset, leadership, and culture ignite in an impactful and energizing display. A challenge was set: create fire and sustain it to burn through a rope at 22 inches in height, but there was a catch involving a humble cotton ball.
A cotton ball, flint striker, and firewood are the only tools provided to start the fire. Initially, I distributed 10 cotton balls to participants, believing they deserved them to kindle their flames. Yet, what followed was a humorous but enlightening sequence of events. Blinded by abundance, people carelessly burned through their cotton balls without grasping their significance. The average was a staggering nine cotton balls to start a fire. The cotton had become synonymous with entitlement.
Cue the 8-count bodybuilder exercise (a military-style calisthenic exercise similar to a burpee)—a quirky twist to earn the coveted cotton ball. Participants had to complete two of these maneuvers for each cotton ball. Remarkably, the dynamics shifted. Suddenly, respect for the cotton ball surged. Teams now willingly embarked on 8-count bodybuilders, gladly trading sweat for cotton ball currency.
Here’s where the revelation unfolds: The average cotton ball count required to start a fire plummeted from 10 to a mere 1. A single cotton ball birthed flames that could defy a 22-inch rope. But why? The answer, deceptively simple yet profoundly significant, lies in the disparity between deserving and earning.
Life often mirrors our cotton ball escapade. Handed privileges and items, we assume they're deserved, our respect for them dwindling. Parents and leaders, we're all guilty of this. We lavish our children and subordinates with what we think they deserve, only to watch them misuse or abuse their privileges. The cotton ball whispers a different wisdom—"Respect lies in earning, not entitlement."
As we navigate life, let's internalize the cotton ball's tale. Cherish the value of deserving and earning. Teach our kids and teams to respect the power of what's given and to comprehend that true value arises from effort and understanding. Like the cotton ball, when we earn our privileges, they burn brighter, illuminating the path to a more appreciative, wiser existence.
