Diamond in the Rough

As I sit here at midnight (not being able to sleep), I scan through the channels looking for anything that might be of interest. A-HA! One of my favorite shows, The Antiques Roadshow. Yep I LOVE sitting and watching a typical everyday person bring in some of the most hideous unique pieces of junk eclectic charm. The stories behind how these items have been acquired are just as interesting as the item itself: the great grandmother was a personal secretary to Abe Lincoln, it was bought at an estate sale of the great great granddaughter of a colonial settler, it was handed down from 15 different generations.

But the best part of the show is when the appraiser tells the owner how much the item would go for at auction. Sometimes a piece that I think is worth millions won't fetch $20.00. But there are those moments where the owner is told that they own a baseball bat worth $25,000. The man/woman gasp for air and commonly grab their chest thinking that they are having a heart attack. Sometimes they even jump up and down; but more often then not they quietly weep. They have discovered an amazing hidden value to something that they took for granted.

We all can't be as lucky to have found a $35,000 needle point. But what we learn from the Antiques Roadshow we can apply to ourselves and our daily life. Never underestimate our true worth. You don't know what you're capable of until you put yourself out there to truly "appraise" your hidden value; this could be a half marathon, marathon, IronMan, or even the first step of the first mile you will ever run.

With this wisdom I impart to you, I think it's time for me to hit the sack before I start explaining the learning value of the Jersey Shore :)

Be Inspired, Stay Motivated, Run Strong!