MUHAMMAD ALI, while giving a talk to 2,000 Harvard seniors at a commencement ceremony in 1975, was heckled at the end by somebody shouting out, “Give us a poem!”

Everyone quieted down.

‘The Greatest’ looked about the room for a few moments before giving maybe the shortest poem in history, two words; two syllables:

Me, We.

The brilliant simplicity of these words echo through the decades and give us an immediate sense of community, collective support and togetherness. In this age of vast opportunity it is so easy to get our competitive head on, dog eat dog, everyone the enemy. But does this frame really give us what we want? And if it does in the short term, does it really in the long? Does it give us fulfilment?

Not of course talking about sport, where the very purpose is to challenge one set of skills against another, the drive, will, and determination against that of another is the very foundation of what is great about athletic competition. And this everybody is a winner/it’s the taking part that counts does crush the spirit of what sport is about, healthy competition.

But outside of that, as a lifestyle, as a state of mind and the way in which we live from day to day, what gives us the deepest and more lasting satisfaction, being against or with?

Creating this inner fortress where everyone is seen as an opponent, where we become these isolated little islands, in business, creativity, health, social, relationships, recreation, where we have to the best, strongest, smartest, sexiest, richest, funniest. Where we inhabit this morbid frame of self-indulgence/obsession, constantly assessing and regulating our own progress, our own missions on our own journey. Without a thought to our neighbour, our contemporaries, peers, friends, family.

Isn’t it the biggest buzz ever to see people do well, especially if you’ve played your part in that success? Everyone sharing ideas. Sharing posts. Little helping hands, here and there. I gotcha back. Word of mouth. Referrals. Recommendations. Making it free and fun. Adding your strength to people’s weaknesses and then vice versa. We all have our role, part to play. Spokes in the wheel. Thinking about the bigger picture. Karmic blessing of what you put in, you get back out. And if you don’t believe in the woo-woo of that then consider it in the form of The Law of Averages. Keep on giving and you will be a magnet for all those people of a similar mind.

So big-up ya mates…and see what happens. Share this post and see where it takes you. Send out one wave of encouragement and watch that momentum build into a tidal of triumph.

Ali was onto something back in 75, his poignant piece of petite poetry cannot be any more relevant than it is today.

Me, We.

Book recommendation: Power vs. Force by Dr David R. Hawkins.

(Anyone looking for top quality Person Training, search Joe Taylor P.T. And anyone in need of the highest quality in Sports Injury/Physiotherapy/Osteopathy in Nottingham seek Scott Poundall at Excel Therapy).

*Article provided by Joe Archer (Health & Lifestyle Correspondent).

*Main image @USATODAY even the greatest can sometimes be simplicity above complexity.