“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”—Albert Einstein
Growth is the very definition of life. According to John Henry Newman, “Growth is the only evidence of life.” Einstein focused on the Intellectual. As an exercise science professor, I often focus primarily on the Physical, but I also contend that one cannot separate the Spiritual and the Physical and that these are the very foundation for Intellectual, Emotional, and Social well-centeredness. Thus, to paraphrase Einstein: well-centered growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.
Purpose in life is to grow—kaizen. We are not to achieve perfection. Rather we are to pursue perfection.
We must have a daily growth plan. There must be a process. Much like with performance-driven exercise, there must be a strategy that involves progressive overload—a periodization plan that focuses on growth potentiation. (This is why I structure wellness as an ever-expanding pyramid rather than a divided pie as it is often depicted.)
I find the Spiritual and the Physical inseparable because I regard everything as Spiritual. The Spiritual dimension of well-centered fitness considers one’s place in the Universe—that there is something greater than self. Growth in the Spiritual dimension considers this “other-centeredness.” We cannot attain our Purpose without a Physical presence. Thus, focused growth in the Spiritual and Physical dimensions potentiates growth in the counter-part. Likewise, growth in these dimensions feeds the will and ability to grow Intellectually. In turn, leading to growth potentiation in the Emotional and Social dimensions. These, in turn, potentiate Spiritual and Physical growth, and the cycle repeats.
The target of perfection is an asymptote. It is only death that we should end this pursuit.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!