Month: November 2023

“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!!

As I look back over my posts for Thanksgiving over the last several years, I see a theme of grattitude. Yes, I know how I spelled it (gratitude + attitude = grattitude). Perhaps, I can get the word officially added to the Oxford dictionary so that Word doesn’t keep putting the red squiggle under it every time I type it. (I will note that I am grateful for the spell-check. So, thank you Microsoft.) GRATTITUDE. I must continue the theme. Grattitude, after all, is a mindset. It is not a thought for one day of the year.

Perhaps this year we can focus less on gratitude and thanks for what we have received. Instead, focus on grattitude and literally give thanks by sharing with others—particularly those who are in want. (Recognize that “want” can be Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and/or Social. It is not always (rarely) simply financial.)

Don’t wait for the meal to be on the table this Thanksgiving to express your thanks. Carpe momento. Express and demonstrate your thanks by you consistent grattitude.

Today, I reiterate my thanks from a previous post (the feelings are the same only stronger):

I am thankful for my faith—that I am not so bound up in religiosity as to lose sight of my calling.

I am thankful for my family—though mine is scattered they are with me everywhere.

I am thankful for friends—those who are near and far; all who profoundly influence me daily.

I am thankful for my neighbors—be they friend or foe.

I am thankful for the impetus to grow—for the inclination to be my best today and be better tomorrow.

I am thankful for my health and the opportunity to help others find a path to well-being.

I am thankful for the opportunity to have an impact on others and have a role in shaping my world.

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.”—Henry David Thoreau

Be your best today; be better tomorrow.

Carpe momento!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”—Viktor E. Frankl

We are often driven by our circumstances. In which case, we have three choices: succumb (i.e., give up), run, or stand and “fight.” To fight does not necessarily me to resist. Often our circumstances simply demand that we adapt. We frequently hear the Nietzsche quote, “that which does not kill me makes me stronger.” We hear it so often because it is true. It follows a basic physiological principle of adaptation—the overload principle (i.e., for a body system to adapt it must be challenged to a level greater than that to which it is accustomed).

Of course, discussion of overload often leads to questions of “overtraining.” While the possibility of overtraining is very real (and it is possible to be over-stress Spiritually, Intellectually, Emotionally, and Socially, as well as Physically), it is often over-emphasized. We are quite more capable of managing overload than we are led to believe. We are not as frail as we are convinced.

I teach my exercise science students that overtraining is merely the result of mismanagement of the training stimulus. Indeed, most of us are undertrained (considering that a mere 23% of the US population meets the minimum guidelines for physical activity). From a broader wellness perspective (i.e., Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social well-being), it is true that many are dealing with some profoundly serious circumstances that are not to be easily dismissed. We go through a lot of heavy sh** in our lives that is outside of our control—sh** that often breaks us. It is these situations to which Mr. Frankl speaks.

When the load is heaviest is when we have the greatest opportunity to challenge ourselves to change. Growth is always a possibility.

How do we grow amid such heavy burdens (excessive overloads)? We manage our stress response the same as we should manage Physical training—with proper nutrition, recovery strategies, and managing extraneous stressors. Strong support and capable coaching are also essential. Proper nutrition is not only the Physical feeding of the body. It also includes our Spiritual, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social “diets.” Recovery is not only sleep, though sleep is essential when we are heavily burdened. Recovery includes all that helps us adapt to the challenging circumstances in our lives—journaling, meditation, counselling, physical activity, enjoying nature, etc. Managing the extraneous stressors in our lives is perhaps the greatest threat to our recoverability. We must prioritize and focus on the biggest challenges and dismiss the small stuff. Above all, we must consider our relationships amid the challenges in our lives and seek support. Find those who will facilitate growth and remove yourself from those who impede upon your “recoverability.”

Face the challenge before you as an opportunity for growth. Be challenged to change. If it appears overwhelming, manage the things that you can control and….

Be your best today; be better tomorrow.

Carpe momento!

“Spiritual balance is the principle that allows the mind to be still. You cannot expect the world to settle down, everything to work out, in order for you to be happy. You have to get control of your mind.”—Frederick Lenz

I have adopted Carmine’s Law in my exercise science teaching. (Carmine Arpaia is the former Fitness Director at Peconic Landing in NY.) The Law states that Strength + Posture = Balance—a concern for the aging population (from a Physical standpoint).

There is a Spiritual application of Carmine’s Law, as well. This is likewise a concern for a population that is increasingly divided… and unbalanced.

Spiritual Balance is the capacity to see all sides of a situation. Frederick Lenz writes that “Spiritual Balance is the obvious answer to the obsession that sometimes accompanies religious practice, occult practice, philosophical understandings – the assertion that one is right – that something that you’re doing is better than something somebody else is doing, the way you’re doing it is better than the way someone else is doing it.” I trust that we can all admit to lacking Spiritual Balance. It is a personal and a global issue. “Spiritual balance is how you deal with opposition, outside of yourself and within” (Frederick Lenz).

“Physical strength (hard work), mental strength (perseverance) and spiritual strength (love & acceptance) are the keys to continuous growth.”—Rickson Gracie

Spiritual Strength may be referred to as one’s strength of moral character—of one’s capacity to love and accept one’s neighbor. This is a foundation of Christ’s teachings (and of most religions) that is often neglected and ignored. Thomas S. Monson wrote that “Spiritual strength frequently comes through selfless service.” I refer to this as “other-centeredness.”

The Bishop of Liverpool, J.C. Ryle, wrote that “the true secret of spiritual strength is self-distrust and deep humility.” These, too, are keys to continuous Spiritual growth.

What, then, is “Spiritual Posture”?

Physical Posture refers to the body’s position in space. From a biomechanical point of view, balance refers to the stability of a body (of the body’s center of mass) within its base of support. Think of trying to stand on one foot versus two feet and the effect of positioning one’s feet relative to the forces acting on the body (e.g., spreading the feet forward and back in preparation for a push from the front).

Spiritual Posture is one’s position in the Universe. It is no surprise that a common position for prayer is kneeling. Biomechanically, this is a stable position (lowered center of gravity and solid base of support). Spiritually, it is considered a submissive position.

Posturing is defined as “behavior that is intended to impress or mislead” (Oxford Dictionary). It is “behavior or speech that is intended to attract attention or interest, or to make people believe something that is not true” (Cambridge Dictionary). This should not be confused with one’s Spiritual Posture. Merriam-Webster defines posture as the “state or condition at a given time especially with respect to capability in particular circumstances… a conscious mental or outward behavioral attitude.” Spiritual Posture reflects an attitude of gratitude (grattitude).

Spiritual Posture determines how we will take life’s hits. It affects how we respond to circumstances, to the opinions and actions of others, to facts that challenge well-established belief,…, and how we love and accept (i.e., love unconditionally). It is how we present ourselves Spiritually to the world—self-centered or other-centered.

As much as I work on the Physical determinants of balance (strength and posture) through physical training, I must also work on my Spiritual balance through self-reflection and the practice of other-centeredness. I grow in Spiritual well-centeredness as I seek to allow myself to be vulnerable, to humble myself, and to practice unconditional love.

Be your best today; be better tomorrow.

Carpe momento!