Tough is

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How would you define tough? Is it embodied in the boisterous competitor who claims victory before the match? Maybe it's getting shot and raising your fist as people rush you toward safety.

This analysis of toughness came after watching the Netflix documentary Sprint and learning of the shooting at Trump’s rally.

Sometimes, toughness is external. An athlete with a hard physique and a blunt demeanor might come to mind. 

Many times, dependable toughness is internal. It may appear soft, but when necessary, it surpasses expectations.  

Tough is the workout you do alone in the dark. It’s the jog before 5 am and the extra set before your coach and teammates arrive.

Tough is in the years of meaningful work without recognition. It doesn't ask for awards or promotions; they are byproducts of many hours and completing demanding tasks.

We see examples of genuine and artificial toughness in politics and sports.

The Netflix documentary Sprint provides access to the track and field professional world. It follows top athletes preparing for and participating in local, national, and international track meets.

One of the athletes, Noah Lyles, confused me about toughness, confidence, and arrogance. While he demonstrates serious skill in his ability to beat other sprinters, his personality is off-putting.

Noah Lyles believes he is the “fastest man on the planet.” In the documentary, he declares the 200 meters race his “wife” and the 100 meters his “mistress.” He won both races in the qualifying meet for the Paris Olympics.

Lyles is about as quick as his legs move on the track to tell anyone how highly he thinks of himself.

When you're 26 years old, like Noah, you think you're invincible. Sooner or later, age, loss, or an injury humbles your worldview.

By the end of the docuseries, you get tired of Lyles’ mouth. It’s impossible to deny his talent, but his over-the-top personality leaves you grateful for silence when the film’s credits end. He should consider politics after his professional athletic career.

Deceit and conceit exist in the hidden job descriptions for many political roles.

Running for public office is tough, especially when candidates are willing to risk their lives for redemption. You can’t ignore Trump’s ability to bring people together in support of his anti-diversity agenda. His hate speeches to "Make America Great Again" always leave me with much desire to see him sit down, shut up, and drop out of the race.  

I’m not advocating for violence.

Regardless of political differences, I don’t wish death on any human being. Peace is always the preferred route to addressing disagreements.

It's less about the man in Donald Trump and more about his leadership of the anti-DEIA movement. Trump is human and bleeds like all of us. It’s his immigration, white supremacist, anti-LGBTQQI, and other stances that concern me.

Last week's bold statement on toughness places him in an unfortunate position to win November's election. The refusal to walk under the Secret Service's guard after being shot in the ear charged his supporters. Without saying another word, his fist in the air yelled, “I AM THE MAN FOR THE JOB.”

Many pundits have commented on Biden's age and fitness to handle another term in office. Biden is 81 and the oldest to serve as president. With the proper attention to his health and lifestyle over the next four years, he can lead the US, but many question his strength.

Republicans are capitalizing on doubts about Biden's competence and Trump's infamy. Last night, they formalized their nomination for 2024. If re-elected, tough will be one of many words suitable to describe the omnipresent challenge of making America great.

Subscribe to this blog here. Pick up one of my books at this link. Below this sentence, you can watch the tribute video for my dad, who embodied toughness for over 50 years in ministry.