Dear ,
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Welcome to Issue 262. The mission of "Marvelous Mondays" is to offer an inspirational thought, a practical exercise, some humor, or a simple tip to jump-start your week and to enhance your life, business, outlook or relationships.
Please feel free to forward "Marvelous Mondays" to others who will enjoy it.
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| The Historical Facts |
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The Old Testament tells of a story in the second half of the 11th century BCE between David and Goliath. Goliath was the feared battle proven Philistine warrior who challenged the Israelites to send their best warrior to a one on one fight with winner take all. Goliath stood 6'9" and was armed from head to toe with 100 pounds of impenetrable armor. There was only one tiny spot in the forehead that was not protected by the helmet.
On the other hand, David was but a 15 year old shepherd boy who had never fought with a man. Against the wishes of King Saul, David's plea to fight the giant was granted. The stage is now set for one of the most historic battles of all time.
Goliath is accompanied by a soldier known as a "shield bearer". Goliath is carrying his shield, javelin, a spear, and a sword. He insults the Israelites and screams to David, "Come to me that I may give your flesh to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the field." To the surprise of Goliath, David is not wearing armor, is not carrying any shield, and has no spear or sword.
How could David win? Historians have researched and determined that in fact the size of Goliath reveals that he had a serious medical problem called Acromegaly, a disease where a tumor causes an overproduction of the human growth syndrome. A side affect of this disease is vision problems, including double vision. That is why Goliath had an attendant because he could not see his enemy unless at very close range. That's why he said, "Come to me" so he could do hand to hand combat.
But David surprised him by fighting him from a distance. A ballistics expert with Israeli Defense Forces, Eiten Hirsch, estimates that David whipped the sling faster and faster at multiple revolutions per second and that at a distance of 35meters the stone would have hit Goliath's head at a velocity of 35 meters per second which would be a lethal blow to the skull.
Now lies Goliath, the giant, felled to the ground by a single stone. Heaped on top of him was 100 pounds of armor and standing on top of him is the 15 year old shepherd boy.
I acknowledge as a resource Malcolm Gladwell's book, David & Goliath.
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| EXERCISE |
- Reflect on the past. Were there any issues in your business or personal life where you considered yourself the David, the underdog, or the disadvantaged? For example:
- Lack of financial or other resources
- Health issues
- Physical appearance
- Age
- Education gaps
- Time limitations
- Lack of experience
- Lack of family support
- Other______________
2. Were you able to find some "David" techniques to surprise and overcome "Goliath"
[Please share your story with me. I'd really like to listen to you.]
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