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Be prepared for war…but don’t ever start one.  Always be ready to deal with chaos and stress…but don’t be the source of it.  Life can be very challenging at times. Often we find ourselves in adverse circumstances.  They happen every day, ranging from small to large. And we actually need them to thrive. Even at a cellular level, we know that small amounts of stress is what encourages our bodies to grow.  However, it’s very easy to become inundated with all of the multiple sources of that chaos. Individuals commonly find themselves overwhelmed by the ceaseless onslaught of suffering in their lives.   

Ailments, injuries, sickness…bills, taxes, insurance…car problems, property repairs, computer viruses…betrayal, stand ups, let downs…rejection, inadequacy, death…the list goes on and on and on.  

Ask yourself…are you completely prepared (mentally and physically) to confront all of that?  Are you going to be able to crush one or 2 of those…rest for a bit…and then take on more? Have you considered what would be the most effective mindset for handling those issues?  Do you think about the physical body, and how a strong and healthy structure is what will help to withstand that chaotic assault?

The answer for most of us is ‘yes’.  Unless you’re succumbing to the pressure…unless you’re falling apart, breaking down, and not finding a way to put yourself back together…then you are prepared.  You are crushing all of what life is throwing at you. You have built a beast. The human spirit is extraordinary and fascinating. It’s beautiful and powerful beyond belief.  We’re not omnipotent…but almost. There are so many stories speaking to the amazing human condition, in which an individual goes through excruciating pain and loss but then somehow climbs back in the face of that.  And it reveals how we can even stay positive through all of this adversity…we can still remain remarkably optimistic, and still make astounding progress. It’s not like we’re all constantly thinking about the bad things that are present in our lives…or that could be lurking around the corner.  That constant focus on the negative wouldn’t be an enjoyable life. Most of us are focused on all of the beautiful aspects of life, and the wondrous abilities afforded to us. But it becomes very evident real fast if we’re not prepared for life’s challenges.

When I was a young teenager, one of my friends and his father would order boxing matches on pay-per-view.  We’d often gather there really late on a Saturday night in hopes of a really good contest. Mike Tyson was one of the boxers who we frequently watched.  He was the epitome of a beast. The ferocity and intensity with which he fought was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. You could see that there was a deeper significance to his fighting.  He was battling some real demons in the ring as well…and you would not want to be on the receiving end of his blows. I have this particular image in my mind though…it was before a fight, in the training room.  Tyson was sitting so very calmly in a sweat suit. He had his hood up on his head….and it darkened his face so that his eyes were like a monster, hiding in the dark. His opponent was warming up, breaking a sweat already, throwing jabs in another locker room…typical pre-fight activity.  But Tyson was doing what predators and beasts do…waiting for their prey to be exposed. I remember noticing that he was totally covered…I couldn’t see any of his muscles yet. But I had this sense of what was contained within that sweat suit. It was an unstoppable rage. It was the product of chaos, and stress, and work, and preparation.  It was anyone whoever picked on him or beat him up for his high-pitched voice, or for being small. And it was patiently waiting to be released when the bell rang. His opponent might as well have not came out. It didn’t matter who it was. Tyson’s opponent didn’t have a chance in that ring. It was over in the locker room.

Mike Tyson was one of the best when it came to ‘being a beast’.  Unfortunately, he didn’t know how to ‘keep his sword sheathed’. It would have been fine if all the fighting he did was inside of the boxing ring.  But he had multiple altercations in many other areas of his life…allegedly brought on by his own behavior.  That was not admirable. That made him the opposite of a good model. It was easy to see that his qualities and character could take care of anything…but also that when they went unharnessed, how bad things could go.  

Train the body well.  Train it hard. Train it so that underneath your sweat suit…you have a contained beast, ready to take on the harsh realities of nature.  Prepare it so that you’re capable within your environment. Consider the possible threats in your environment (cold, hot, sickness, other people, etc.), and build your body to handle them.  Exercise your body so that it laughs at all of the physical adversity thrown at it…it asks for more.

Train the mind.  Educate yourself.  Arm yourself with the knowledge necessary to contend with harsh realities.  Learn from others. Grab advice from others who are living well…who have found the right paths.  Become incredibly self-aware. Lean on your strengths…and develop some of your weaknesses. Detach yourself from situations, and reflect on them, asking what went well…what didn’t?  Pay attention to your behaviors, and adapt when necessary. Practice ownership and autonomy as much as possible. Value the hell out of what others have to offer…and certainly take the help when needed (there will be times when you are weak, and down…don’t be too proud to grasp at a hand to pull you up)…but train yourself emotionally to take everything on yourself.  Ultimate responsibility…ultimate freedom. Get to a place where you can handle it all…regardless. Nothing can stop you. You have your limits, yes…and you love and value those around you. But you aren’t ‘needy’. You got it.

Keep your sword sheathed though.  You’re not out starting intellectual battles with others to prove how much you learned.  Debating to discover truths is valuable.  Don’t devalue the group across the aisle though, because of what you’ve come to accept as your beliefs. You need that other group to strengthen the areas that you aren’t a part of…to balance out the equation…to build this incredible society that you’re thriving in.  Don’t let your rage come out physically. Don’t start arguments and confrontations, knowing that you’ve prepared your body for that. That is insecurity. Avoid physical altercations at all costs. Avoid negativity. When you must…defend yourself. But then, put the sword away.  Go back to your cave, and get back to doing what beasts do.

The ability to do what’s difficult…to do what you’re supposed to to…even while no one is looking…is an element that can set some individuals significantly apart from others.  Discipline is doing just that.  It’s sacrificing the current moment, in order to make things better in the future.  Discipline sounds rigid and routine.  It sounds like something someone does who is very ‘by-the-books’, and structured more than necessary.  We might think that the individual who is self-disciplined is that guy who can’t enjoy the moment, or the one who never stops to smell the roses.  He is overly focused on his routine, and therefore isn’t allowed to enjoy all that life has to offer. That is not true.  The individual that is disciplined, ironically affords himself more ability to enjoy life.  He actually creates time to smell the roses, by his uncanny ability to effectively plan and work on different aspects of his life.  

As former Navy Seal and podcaster Jocko Willink likes to say, ‘Discipline equals Freedom’.  He actually titled a book with this phrase, and I highly recommend it. His message is helpful.  It encourages folks to become ultra discipline surrounding what needs to be done (house work, relationships, health, etc.)…and by doing this, you free up and allow for time and space to do what it is you want to do.  It’s much more plausible that you can be spontaneous, and that you can follow your passions and desires, if your house is in fine order, if you’re body is as healthy as it can be, and if your bills are paid on time.  You don’t simply deserve a fruitful life on your own terms.  That takes work and discipline to achieve.  You must earn a life of that sophistication.  

Jocko’s Instagram page is worth following.  An interesting picture that he seems to post almost every morning, is one of his military style digital watch.  He takes a picture of his watch when he wakes up, and posts it in order to show what time he’s getting out of bed.  It’s very representative of his discipline equals freedom philosophy.  He’s getting up every day usually around 430am.  Sometimes he’s up before 4am. Often, another picture will be posted a little later on of some gym equipment that he just finished using.  He has a home gym, and he frequently gets a hard workout in immediately upon waking up. This is obviously what works for him. It doesn’t mean that we all need to do a hard workout first thing in the morning.  It is worth a reminder though…of that feeling when you’ve crushed a workout before most other people have even crawled out of bed. Sometimes, you’ve worked out, showered, paid a couple of bills, and had your breakfast…and it’s only 6:30.  This makes you feel like a beast! And like you’ll be able to crush anything in the upcoming day. There’s nothing that you won’t be able to handle. This perspective is created by discipline. Imagine what this person feels like after a year of doing this 6 days a week.  Imagine how they feel after 5 years. Consistent discipline does that. It affords an incredible ability to thrive in other aspects of life.

If you’re complaining about anything you don’t have…or a lifestyle that you want…try implementing more discipline into your life.  Try making a radical change. Don’t simply expect that an easy, small change will drastically affect your lifestyle.  Create and write down a challenging plan. Find out what motivates you to stick to that plan. And then develop some thorough and extensive disciplinary practices.  That’s when you’ll see incredible change. That’s when you’ll create a beast. And that’s when you’ll discover the ultimate freedom to play, to spend time how you choose to, or to build something worthy that you truly cherish.

 

The technological advances and the sophistication and skill-set of humans, has allowed us to build communities that are very comfortable.  Of course, we strive for comfort.  We aim for a life filled with soft furniture, warm healthy food, and a shelter with plenty of space.  It seems actually, that a life full of comfort is a life of success. Being the most protected from any threats and natural elements is a situation that most of us have a desire for.  

However, stress and discomfort is actually what encourages us to grow the most.  Placing ourselves on the edge of comfort is how we learn most effectively…about ourselves, and our place in the world.  Musculoskeletal growth comes after break down of the fibers has occurred. That break down is due to work, stress, pressure, and discomfort.  In a similar manner, a life full of purpose and fulfillment is one that’s full of responsibility, connection to others, persistent effort…not one that’s mostly made up of enjoying the comforts allowed to us.  So have we gone too far?  Are we too comfortable?

We could say that modern society in the West has led the way in creating all too comfortable environments.  The further away from agricultural or hunter/gatherer type of lifestyles we get, the more comfortable we are.  The more we allow technology to do more of the work for us, the more comfort we find in our lives. It is extraordinary how disconnected and disengaged most of us are for instance, with how our food gets to us, and where it comes from.  We sit in our comfortable vehicle, tell another person what we want…and then drive up to the window. After about 60 seconds, we are presented with a clean package of different foods, and perhaps a toy…all from different parts of the world.  These foods were researched, planned, grown, fed, harvested, slaughtered, cleaned, packaged, delivered. And our comfortable position allows us to pay around $5 for a meal and presentation like this. That is awesome in a way. It provides us with the ability to be efficient, and to put our energy elsewhere, considering we don’t have to worry about all of that work for our meal.  It comes at a cost too though.

When we become too comfortable…too removed from the source of our existence…further and further away from nature…we distance ourselves more from the natural animals that we are.  Our physical bodies are designed to move…to stand more often. Our minds are designed to seek out and find…to aim at a goal and pursue it. Without progress and some confrontation with the ‘natural world’ (and that phrase needs to be defined), we go against our own natural evolution.  

‘Well,’ you might be thinking, ‘maybe we’re evolving into something that needs pursuit and discomfort less and less.  Maybe that’s what we’re destined to become.’ We certainly are doing that. With generations of folks living in more and more ‘comfort’, we’re definitely modifying our genes, and developing more into a being that is more suited for an agreeable environment.  I would argue that this weakens our species over time. It’s making us soft. A cynical perspective might be that as we rely more and more on technology…as we create more and more sophisticated technology, and bring AI, and machine learning, and robots into the fold…that we’re creating our own demise in the process.  At the end of that road, we either aren’t necessary, or only necessary for a power source. I don’t even like to think about that type of situation.

Instead, I like to hold a more optimistic outlook on our future.  I believe that we will continue to keep a balance of comfort and chaos.  I recognize that even as soft as we’ve become within our societies, we are smart beyond belief…we are incredibly tough in the face of the most tragic of adversity…and we understand that we still need that balance.  We know that rest and respite are necessary…but are much more deserved and even more enjoyable when we deserve it…when we’ve worked and confronted and progressed.  The ‘sitting down’ has a much deeper meaning after taking multiple deliberate steps.  

Look to achieve a minimum amount of comfort that will allow you to function effectively. That’s not deprivation.  Awareness is key here.  After that minimum is defined and discovered, continue to apply pressure, stress, chaos…at maximal levels of allowance. Again, self awareness. When we walk that line…on the edge of comfort…it’s a constant battle of getting a little uncomfortable…and then finding that situation acceptable.  We consistently move the bar, and allow ourselves more stress…more growth. It’s at the place between chaos and order. It’s the yin within the yang. It’s the path.

Get some.

i am nothing.  i am dirt and dust. i’m a trivial collection of cells, on one of many planets, soaring through the galaxy and circling a sun at about 67,000 miles per hour. This galaxy that I’m in seems big to me. It’s only one of 100 billion though. And with newer technology, it looks like we’ll be discovering 100 billion more galaxies. Try to consider the size of that universe. Try.

i am one human of seven and a half billion  on this earth. my actions and behaviors are meaningless and very insignificant. my thoughts, opinions, and judgments don’t matter. my writing, and any other contributions are pointless and arbitrary. Other people shouldn’t waste any time consuming it. They shouldn’t be reading this. i have nothing to offer. i am small and humble. i’m modest. i am nothing.

I am Everything. I have an incredible amount to offer the rest of the world. I’m confident and proud. Pretentious and presumptuous. I’m audacious beyond belief. I can and will actually influence the 7.5 billion. I will somehow reach to the other galaxies. I can do that. My reach is grand. My presence omnipotent.

My contributions touch others. The ripple effect of my influence is extraordinarily boundless. I can change the world. I do change the world. I am affecting the trajectory of the evolutionary human experience. I will make it smarter, more sophisticated. My behaviors are creating a more fulfilled life for the next generations. My parenting is a microcosm of that endeavor. I am powerful and significant. I am this incredible integration of mind and body. I’m all ego….very special. I am everything.

There are truths present in both of these perspectives. One could say that actually, they are both totally true. One could effectively argue that either of the viewpoints is legitimate. I try to identify with both. The ‘i am nothing’ angle can feel nihilistic and full of pessimism at times.  A healthy self-awareness surrounding this is important, as to not allow for depression to seep in. The ‘I am Everything’ angle can get you too full of yourself, encouraging you to get too high on the horse. That’s when you get ‘top heavy’ and stumble back to the ground.

This practice is effective for gaining perspective and insight…and to expose us to the full span of human experience.  We can’t though, allow ourselves to get heavily swayed to one side or the other. It’s more effective to be able to practice both simultaneously.  It’s a balance. It’s a push and a pull. A paradox and a hypocrisy.

i am nothing, I am Everything.

This topic is a nice segue from yesterday’s ‘Make your Bed’ theme.  As I spoke about in that piece…it’s nice to make your bed, in order to 1, have a tidy bed, and 2, lead you into the rest of your day…which is shaped by the tidy bed.  Well, why does it matter if your bed is made? Why does it matter if you’re building momentum throughout the day, and compounding your experiences in a positive matter? Why improve thyself?  

Well, because it beats the alternatives.  That is a simple and avoiding answer to the question.  However, it’s actually very true and very practical to consider.  So what is the alternative.  You could say that the alternative is not to improve.  This would be considered a static life, defined by inertia.  What could be more probable though…and this would be the opposite of self improvement…would be self degradation or decay.  Thinking about those options, self improvement really does beat the alternatives.  Part of why I make some of the choices I make is simply because it’s better than sitting around doing nothing.  If you consider exercise, not even taking into account all of the health benefits it provides, it’s simply better than sitting on the couch (not improving, static). Or, it’s better than sitting on the couch and drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana (degradation, decay).

Another way to think about this ‘beating the alternative’ idea is that…life is hard.  It’s chaotic, it’s suffering. If you’re not dealing with something adverse, it’s probably right around the corner.  By simply ‘keeping yourself busy’ with positive behaviors and an upward mobility, you concern yourself less with the difficulties that life delivers.  You certainly don’t avoid all of the difficulties. But you mitigate them. You are stronger in the face of those challenges. And your just less aware of many of them, because you’re busy with keeping busy.  This sounds uneducated and full of avoidance. That may be in a sense. It still beats the alternatives.

Beyond the idea of ‘just because’, the next step of comprehension on the topic of self improvement for me, is in a very deep and meaningful place.  Let’s begin with the idea that you have a given amount of time here on the planet. Within that time, you have the potential to affect and influence a certain amount of people in a wide span of ways.  You have the ability to affect this place…this environment in that given amount of time as well. And, you are allowed a beautiful and extraordinarily staggering ability to shape your very own physical body…as well as your soul.  Those responsibilities are immense and far reaching. Do not take it for granted.

When you improve yourself, in a way that’s more novelty, or in a powerful and purposeful way…you truly improve the world around you.  You really do make the world a better place. It spreads to your family and friends…your coworkers and boss…your social media connections, and their followers.  Your potential influence is hard to comprehend especially considering our ability to reach globally, directly through the phone in our pocket. Your children model their behavior after you, your family becomes more comfortable and secure knowing that you’re moving in a positive direction, your community can look to you for help or guidance…and you can see how the interconnected webs can effectively spread throughout our planet.  This is also true if you’re on a downward spiral. Your negative energy has swift and distant reaches too…except you’re adding chaos to the mix. You’re contributing to the world in a sinful, immoral, and nefarious manner. The ramifications of living this way span from bad to extremely tragic and horrifying. You don’t want to be there. You want to be making progress…improving.

This perspective, of subscribing to an upward trajectory in order to improve the world…is even your responsibility.  The evolutionary path is being trodden by you and your sword. You are actually breaking the path, and setting the course for all others.  You’re responsible for how others break the path…how they brandish their sword. It’s all on you.

With all of that pressure…with all of the adversity you face on top of that…you’re still able to stand tall, and continue on the path of self improvement.  It’s an amazing feat. And you should be stoked as hell to be there.

I wish you the best.  

Oh, and Merry Christmas!