Motivation? I have an endless source

The story of my lifetime hero

Motivation is the topic of the century. There are scientists who commit their life to Motivation Science. Every action, however small, needs the motivation to be done, they say. When I used to work in corporate, every other business training we had was on motivation. I personally think they complicate motivation too much. It’s very simple for me. I just do things when I have to. Like my grandfather did.

My grandfather’s story

My grandfather Leonid was born in 1925. When World War II came to us in 1941, he was too young to go to the front and defend the country against invaders. He had to wait for 2 years and joined the war in 1943 as a tank gunner for 85mm. Earned 2 medals ‘For courage’ in 1944 and 1945. Was wounded in the left leg on January 16th, 1945, had a concussion and burned in a tank. He had to stay in a hospital until June 1945.

The war ended in May 1945. They offered him a disability but he refused. He was 20 and he wanted to serve the country. He could go back and get an education or start working. Yet he stayed in the army for 5 more years. Why? Our country lost 27 million people in the war. There was a deficit of men everywhere. Someone had to serve and defend the country against post-war riff-raff to let civilians rebuild it.

He was demobilised in 1950. Worked in a metallurgy plant, operating a roll bender. Met my grandmother and raised 3 kids, making sure they got the education he had to miss. He enjoyed spending time with the 5 of us, his grandkids. He was a decent man all along and passed away in 1992 at the age of 67 years. The wound finally got him and he was in excruciating pain. I was only 13 back then.

His life was sure full of struggle and pain yet he never talked about it. He just went on and did things when he had to. Yes, he was a war hero yet he always remains a civilian hero for me.

What does my grandfather teach me?

The power comes from simplicity. Every time I face a challenge in life I think about my grandfather. Got injured? He burned in a tank with a huge piece of metal in his leg. Got hospitalized with covid? He spent 6 months in an evacuation hospital. Feeling a low energy level? They didn’t have breaks during the war.

Every challenge I faced so far feels small compared to things he had to go through. Or maybe it’s what he tells me from my blood. So blessed to have you, grandfather Leonid. I love you so much. Thank you for being there for me.

Do you have someone in your family to be proud of?