Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
“There are powers inside of you which, if you could discover and use, would make of you everything you ever dreamed or imagined you could become.”–Orison Swett Marden
As we enter into a new year, I leave you with these simple words of inspiration from Orison S. Marden.
Have a bless and happy new year!
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14 KJV).
Luke 2:14 is a common theme and hymnal verse in Christian churches this time of year as many celebrate Christmas as the birth of the Christ child. We can often recite or sing words out of habit and without reflection. For whatever reasons, this line came to mind as I was considering what I would write about in this posting.
The King James Version is possibly the translation with which most are familiar. Other translations state it slightly different:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests”(NIV).
“At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him” (The Message).
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased (ASV).”
Though each is slightly nuanced, the message is that peace is a reward for behavior that pleases God. It is a call to action. It is not something we merely pray or wish for. Peace is something we must work—and change—for. It is a product of our grattitude (our attitude of gratitude). It is our gift to others—the gift of living the life of love and sacrifice that is exemplified in the life of Jesus.
Luke 2:14 is a reminder that this is a season of giving and just receiving. (I add “just” because I personally struggle with the receiving side of the holiday. I don’t mind the giving, but I feel it unnecessary to “receive” gifts. Frankly, my grattitude takes a hit. I must be willing to receive with humility and gratitude.)
The peace of God comes with our actions toward others. Recently, I saw a posting (sorry, I forget the source) that stated:
“You can’t truly call yourself ‘peaceful’ unless you’re capable of great violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.”—Unknown
As we wish “peace on earth and good will toward men (and women)” this season, let it not be a shallow platitude but, rather, a sincere grattitude and a willingness to let go of self and to be other-centered. Let it be from a vantage point of sacrifice—from strength rather than weakness.
My God is a God/god of love and of favor toward all of Creation. Therefore, “on whom his favor rests” refers to a peace and good will for all (not a few). God desires peace for Creation. Peace, however, is the fruit of our choices and actions. (Speaking first to myself.)
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!!
“Preparation for old age should begin not later than one’s teens. A life which is empty of purpose until 65 will not suddenly become filled on retirement.”—Dwight L. Moody
In our teens, we are most often focused on preparation for the near future—career, family, etc. (i.e., what may be referred to as “Second Age”). Life, in general, is preparing us for all the steps and stages that lie ahead. It prepares us for Second, and Third Age, as well as Fourth Age. (According to Laslett [1987], First Age is the era for dependence, socialization, immaturity, and learning; Second Age is the era for independence, maturity, responsibility, and working; Third Age is the era for personal achievement and fulfillment after retirement; and Fourth Age is the era of final dependence, decrepitude, and death.) Life prepares us for our Purpose.
Preparation for the near future is limited if there is no eye on the long-term and, ultimately, on Purpose. Purposive preparation considers one’s Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social growth from an other- rather than self-centered perspective. Fulfillment exists in the present rather than the future.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!
Laslett, P. (1987). The emergence of the Third Age. Ageing and Society, 7. 133-160.
“The requirements for our evolution have changed. Survival is no longer sufficient. Our evolution now requires us to develop spiritually – to become emotionally aware and make responsible choices. It requires us to align ourselves with the values of the soul – harmony, cooperation, sharing, and reverence for life.”—Gary Zukav
Albeit a hard read, I enjoy The Phenomenon of Man by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Teilhard’s vision of the evolution of man and the Universe from early chaos to unification of consciousness under the watchful eye of the Creator God is an underlying theme of my philosophy of “well-centered fitness” (SPIES, as my friend Jay has coined—Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social well-being). As we progress from a developing Universe that can be described, in part, by Charles Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest”, we develop into a species that is increasingly dependent upon one another for survive—dependent upon “well-centered fitness.”
My original intent for this posting was to write about cooperation. This led me to the above quote from Gary Zukav. The “Universe” had another plan in my evolution of thought and for my SPIES growth.
As a professor of exercise science, I have found my teaching has evolved to include a greater bio-mechanical-psycho-social theme. I can’t teach exercise physiology, pathophysiology, and exercise prescription (for clinical, sport, and general fitness performance) without leaning into this theme—without including some elements of SPIES growth. I would paraphrase Zukav and say our evolution now requires us to become Spiritually, Physically, Intellectually, Emotionally, and Socially aware and make responsible choices. As such, I regularly draw on the concept of the Commons (from Garrett Hardin’s essay, “The Tragedy of the Commons”).
One of my greatest struggles is that, as a community, we just don’t get it. We don’t understand the “values of the soul – harmony, cooperation, sharing, and reverence for life.” It is why I need a practice of “hevel” (see my post from November 11, 2019) and to always look to the big picture (and to consider my role in the big picture). It is a struggle that often trips me. It is a struggle that often paints me a harsh and, ironically, uncooperative. I want to “get it.” I want others to “get it.” Fortunately, I understand that growth and change first require a stress greater than that to which we are accustomed.
I have hope, despite my current frustrations, that we are on a path to Teilhard’s vision. The road there will not be easy. Growth never comes easily.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!
