Better Today.

“I may not be better than Socrates, but if I can be better than I was yesterday, that’s enough for me.”—Epictetus (maybe?)

I saw the above quote in a meme yesterday. Having little faith in Internet sources, I sought to confirm it. I could not find evidence that Epictetus said this, but I like the sentiment, nonetheless.

There is little need to compare ourselves—our value—to others. Our work, our performance, and all that we do should be our best—better or worse than Socrates (I can’t help but pronounce this as “So-crates” like Keanu Reeves’ character in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure). Our best today should be better than our yesterday best. Growth.

Better is a matter of Purpose—our role in the Universe, our calling. We are fulfilling our Purpose, not that of So-crates. We are not our neighbor or our co-worker. We alone are the individual “me.” Trust that you are valuable and valued and….

Be your best today; be better tomorrow.

Carpe momento!!

Consistency is Overrated.

“We’re always looking for more improvement. We’re always looking for more consistency.”—Brian Flores

“Consistency is the most overrated of all human virtues… I’m someone who changes his mind all the time.”—Malcolm Gladwell

We often hear that the key to success is consistency. To some extent this is true—for example, execution in sport. Growth, however, does not come with consistency. Growth, by definition, is the antithesis of consistency. Growth requires “progressive overload” (i.e., doing progressively more over time than that to which one is accustomed).

Growth requires a certain consistency of effort. However, the stimulus for more growth is more effort. It requires more consistency. Consistency alone is stagnation.

Consistency is an asymptote. It must be. We improve ourselves without ever achieving perfection. We improve ourselves by refining our effort and becoming consistently more consistent.

Malcolm Gladwell is not wrong. Consistency is overrated. I trust that when Gladwell says he “changes his mind all the time” he means that as his mind becomes better informed his knowledge and, thus, decision-making changes accordingly. I don’t expect that his mind is erratic and unstable.

Success requires a goal. Achievement requires effort—consistency, determination, commitment, and change. It requires that we….

Be your best today; be better tomorrow.

Carpe momento!!

Grace and Grattitude.

This last week sent me into a tailspin of negativity. It started with a call from my stepmom that my dad had passed unexpectedly in his sleep. Technically, it started with a weekend snowfall—a rather ordinary winter snowfall to anyone not living in the Northwest or South. The loss of my father stung, but the snow—or more so the local response (or the lack thereof)—pissed me off. My grattitude (gratitude + attitude) rapidly diminished as the week went on with school delays and cancellations and unnecessary accumulations of ice and slush (most of the week was rain and near freezing temperatures that would have been a limited problem if municipalities acted quickly to clear roads (and perhaps apply a bit of salt), kids didn’t ride sleds in the street, and if neighbors shoveled their sidewalks. Such weeks are difficult for me, and I still struggle to not let myself get worked up. This week, though, I would have like to have had time to process my dad’s sudden death and to celebrate his life without complications. But, as always, life presents us with opportunities. In this case, I missed an opportunity to demonstrate grace and grattitude.

I won’t ever say I am “wrong” to complain about the decisions that are made in my local area in response to the few snowfalls we get each year. (It happens every year, and, with climate change, conditions will continue to worsen—so, invest in snow removal, please!) I will say, though, that I can respond—to this and a lot of things—with grace, humility, and grattitude. I will say that our police, fire, and first-responders do a fantastic job with the resources and circumstances they are provided. City maintenance is limited be decisions made above them. Teachers and coaches are limited by administrative decisions. Decision makers are limited by the pressures put on them by an ever-the-more litigious community (and the lack of pressure from a community that is okay with the status quo). So, my responses are my responsibility. I need to extend grace toward other and be more other-centered. (Something that I find extremely difficult.

My grattitude is another personal responsibility. I will say that this week was a particularly hard one to find things to be grateful for—especially when trying to have an other-centered mindset and considering how the decisions made this week impacted others (lost instruction time, missed practices and training for athletes, the walks my dogs did not get, lost wages, the immobilization of neighbors because roads and sidewalks were not tended to, etc.). It was a hard week, but my response is on me. I could have been better.

Hopefully, amid a chaotic catch-up week, I will allow myself time to reflect on my father’s life and focus on considering the needs of his wife, my siblings and cousins, the grandkids, and the rest of the family and friends whose lives were impacted by the man. It is my choice. I also need to allow a little grace for myself without making excuses.

We all deserve a little grace and grattitude as we go through whatever it is that we are going through. We are all dealing with something.

Be your best today; be better tomorrow.

Carpe momento!!

Overload

As an exercise physiologist, I perceive wellness and life through a lens of physiology (e.g., Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social well-being as “well-centered fitness”). As such, I apply physiological principles to matters that are of the “psycho-social” parts of “bio-mechanical-psycho-social.” Thus, I discuss the challenges is life—the stimuli for personal growth—relative to the “principles of adaption” (i.e., overload, progression, specificity, reversibility, and individuality). The latter of these—individuality—if a principle that is often neglected. It is nevertheless important to consider that we are not all the same and we don’t all experience the same stressors in life.

It is wrong for any of us to say “this (or that) generation doesn’t have it as tough as I/we had/have it.” This is paramount to the strongest guy at the gym looking at the newbie and saying, “you’re not working hard enough because you are not lifting the same weights as me.” Overload (the principle that for a body system to grow it must be stressed to a level greater than that to which it is accustomed) simply suggests that we do the hard things in life to grow (Spiritually, Physically, Intellectually, Emotionally, and Socially)—that we do the “heavy lifting.” We are not all at the save “fitness” level. Hard is relative. What is a struggle for you may not be a struggle for me and vice versa. Hard is not absolute. Don’t judge yourself by what others can or can’t do. Likewise, don’t judge others by what you can do.

In the gym, we “spot” another lifter. For the newbie, this is the service of keeping another lifter safe from injury and giving motivation and support. It is preventing the lifter from being crushed by a weight and helping complete the lift. It is not lifting the weight for them. (A sure-fire way to piss off an experienced lifter is to put hands on the bar when they “got it.”) We need to do the same in life. Watch out for one another. Help others to grow without judgement, without carrying the load for them, and not letting them be crushed by the weight of life.

We shouldn’t seek the easy path. We need to be challenged to grow—to become increasingly “well-centered.” We need to….

Be your best today; be better tomorrow.

Carpe momento!

Be Better Today.

One of my daily mantras that consider in my morning routine—in what I have now come to call my “grattitude journal”—is the statement “Be your best today; be better tomorrow.” The admonishment appears at the conclusion of each of these postings. The motivation implies constant improvement (“kaizen” to use the Japanese business philosophy). The reality is that I seldom feel like I am better today than I was a day ago, a week ago, a month ago…. To some degree, it is because growth moves toward an asymptote, and the more we grow the harder it is to achieve perceivable growth. Our standard grows higher. To some degree, growth comes in unseen areas—we are often focused on our worst self. Growth is also an attitude (a grattitude) more than a quantifiable reality. Consider it like a refined eyeglass prescription that allows us to see ourselves with increasing clarity.

It is often hard to be satisfied with our state of “well-centered fitness”—our Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social dimensions of wellness (SPIES). Growth reveals our inadequacies and drives the desire for further growth. Too much emphasis on any one dimension can lead to dysfunction (e.g., body dysmorphia in body building). Growth of the whole self should be perceived as uncomfortably slow but not discouraging or overwhelming. The target (i.e., the asymptote) will always seem too distant. The motivation comes from self-reflection—from looking back at how far we have come. Kaizen leads us forward—often discouraged but never defeated. The motto of the Scottish clan Armstrong is Invictus maneo—“I remain unvanquished.”

I teach exercise physiology and programming. So, my mind goes to the physical model of fitness and the principles of adaptation. Growth (e.g., muscle) requires progressive overload. The principle of overload is stated as: for a body system to adapt it must be stressed to a level greater than that to which it is accustomed. SPIES growth is no different. As we can’t grow every muscle and physiological system simultaneously (this is the principle of specificity—the body make specific adaptations to imposed demands). SPIES growth is specific. Growth in one dimension often reveals the deficiencies in another (e.g., Spiritual growth will most certainly reveal the need for growth in the Social and Emotional dimensions). Sometimes, we are so focused on our progress (or lack thereof) in a specific area that we fail to see our overall growth.

“Be better tomorrow” should be words of encouragement rather than discouragement. It requires patient and determination. It requires an attitude of gratitude (grattitude). Growth is, of course, a process. Sometimes, we must remind ourselves to just….

Be your best today; be better tomorrow.

Carpe momento!

Good Will Toward Men.

“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!!

Purposive Preparation

“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.

Survival of the Fittest.

“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!

For the Least of These.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:40).

I saw the above cartoon this morning and was struck by its implications for what we do for the least of our neighbors. I immediately thought of the “accommodations” I am asked to make as a professor—both for students with documented disabilities and for students with special circumstances. Matthew 25:40 then came to mind.

At my university (and probably all universities), there is an Office of Disability Services. Nearly every term I have requests for extra testing time. Sometimes, there are requests for notetakers. This term, I have transcribers for a student with hearing loss. In addition to these requests, I have athletes with travel schedules, students with families, students with jobs, …, and I have students who will take every advantage of you. Despite the latter, I have attempted to develop my courses “with the ramp shoveled first.” Do students take advantage. Yes. Of course, they do. I record my lectures and post them on our learning management system (LMS)—a post-Covid habit. I provide pre-lecture slides with recorded audio (and transcripts—to be ahead on the needs of some) so that lecture can be about discussion and adjusting my presentation to meet the varied learning styles and need of my students. I don’t require attendance. I have continued to administer my exams via our LMS. I try to foresee student needs. There is a selfish element to this. (I don’t have to adjust my teaching every term.) It is not without headaches, and it is certainly not without students cheating the system. (What the students often fail to recognize is that their integrity and character [or lack thereof] is revealed, and this is far more important in life than a grade. They also fail to recognize the implications for the recommendations that I may or may not write when the need arises.)

I don’t believe in equality. I believe in equity. I believe that success is individualized, and it means different things for different people. I don’t believe “everyone gets a trophy.” I believe that challenge is what stimulates growth. My mentor and friend, Dr. Travis Beck, once shared what he had learned from one of his professors—“We don’t really learn something until we are first totally confused by it.” In other words, we need to struggle to learn and to grow. This does not mean that one should struggle unnecessarily or that we “teach someone to swim” by tossing them in a pool in a burlap sack. It means we get in the pool with them and let them struggle under our care and support. It never means just handing out certificates of completion. Those for whom life has given them the better tools and skill set (“privilege” is often over-used and misapplied in academia, but there is something to its existence—in exercise science, I refer to the Per Olaf Åstrand quote: “If you want to be an elite athlete, choose your parents wisely”), individuals need to challenge themselves beyond the requirements of the task at hand and make the effort to help others. Using our gifts for the benefit of others, after all, is the Purpose for having them.

We don’t need to eliminate the barriers (i.e., challenges to our success) as much as we need to help one another manage the path to Success. We need to see that clearing the path for others (i.e., being “other-centered”) “clears the path for everyone.” Our Success is not in reaching the finish line first. Success (meaningful Success) is in how we arrive at the finish line.

Be your best today; be better tomorrow.

Carpe momento!!