Happy Monday,

The Philadelphia area recently had a two-day span of summer-esque weath-hair. Everyone was freaking out and smiling and outwardly happy for the first time since, I’m guessing, September when we last had similar days of rays. Two days of full-on swamp ass, coming out of no where, followed by an equally-intense-out-of-the-same-vein swampy experience; a thunderstorm. I forgot about summer thunderstorms. I forgot how much I loved them. I forgot how necessary they are not only to my life, but to the life of the Earth. It is nature’s yin and yang in full-effect and I think that’s why I subconsciously gravitate towards [thunderstorms]. I need that balance of give and take, of heat and cool, of push and pull, of intensity and sedation just as much as nature does, and my ability to put that relationship into perspective has been so gratifying/awe-inspiring for me lately. But, despite all of my ‘isms, I still have my 21st-century moments where I lose that one-with-nature perspective and get lost in the constricted world that I choose to be a part of rather than the boundless world that is a part of me; i.e. fabricate technology, fabricated societal pressures, or fabricated internal fears vs. a living nature, the living stars, or the living universe.

Keeping all that in mind, picture an Anytown, USA warehouse with a dock and a tin roof as a prime vantage point for kicking back on some uprooted mini-van captain chairs to watch a thunderstorm roll through the night; vivid lightening strikes streaking through the sky, ginormous rolling thunder clouds, and the melodic sheets of rain pounding against an old tin roof. Sounds good, doesn’t it? It’s the first thunderstorm of the new year and there I am, head buried in my iPhone texting excitedly about the storm, frantically searching for my Camera App so I can then “watch” the storm through a 3-inch screen while recording it so I can send it to a friend some 1000’s of miles away, requiring me to re-bury my head back into a world that is something us humans made up. I was sharing the physical stormy experience with a good friend of mine, only he was actually experiencing it while I was just riding the bench. I missed a few sweet lightening episodes and I made it pretty obvious that I was annoyed with myself for paying more attention to my phone. So, I picked my head up a little more often, but each time I soon dropped my head back into my phone to miss yet another lightening strike, which was followed by more frustration. Hearing my sighs, a little birdie chimed in with, “See what happens when you forget about the world, JD?” Man. Yes! Perfect! I was immediately brought back into perspective, into what matters…. only to realize this would make a great blog post to go into my Notes App and add one more line to my “Blog Ideas” note, and, of course as irony would have it, I missed another great lightening strike. Can win ‘em all, right?

But, what happens when we don’t miss “the small stuff” like jaw-dropping lightening strikes and the beauty of the rain to cool off a humid night, and, instead, we miss a turn on the road… or ample time to study for an important test… or a chance to meet someone that could change your life… or to give someone your undivided attention and eyes in a conversation… or to even have the ability to hold a conversation in person? All because we get caught up in the world that isn’t real and in a world that we’re not biologically designed to be a part of.

See what happens when you forget about the world?

The world doesn’t give a shit about you, but you sure as hell should give a shit about the world. Full-on oblivion and a sack full of self-irresponsibility equate to missing a huge part of what life really is. No, it’s not the concrete and advanced world we have built, rather it is the stripped-down, the-soil-is-the-root-of-all-life world that we were born from. We are children of the Earth and the Earth is a child of the Stars. It’s not the Earth’s responsibility to take care of us, but you can bet your ass that it is our responsibility to take care of ourselves so we can then take care of the Earth. And it’s when we lose sight of that - when we lose sight of what is real, what is important, or what we are all a part of - is when we lose ourselves, when we lose our perspectives, when we lose our true meaningful existence, and the loss of the living, breathing, moving Earth and it’s infinite life forms are not too far behind.

I encourage you all, if you haven’t already, to discover the Earth and our place, our role, our contributions, our give and takes, our reciprocal responsibility atop this floating ball of life that is amongst an endless, living Universe. The world would be the same, if not probably better off, without us. But we would certainly not be the same without the world. Don’t ever forget it.

Thanks for the wake-up call, G.

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Happy Monday,

So, I live in the city of Philadelphia in the northeastern region of the States. We have all four seasons and are currently at the tail-end of a frequent-snow-fall-of-a Winter, heading for a-hopefully-warm-and-refreshing Spring. Everyone and their brother seems to be ready for Spring. We all thought mother nature was, too, because she gave us a few warm days here and there, and about a month ago we were blessed with a warm weekend in the 60’s (about 15 Celsius). But, last week, out of no where, the weather took a turn and we were greeted with significant snowfall. Ok, so my day-job has me primarily outside in all types of weather and I am able to interact with a good amount of people who share the same fate. 100% of the people I talked to that day were not happy campers… Where’s the sun? What’s with this snow? I’ll be good when this weather is gone! What a crappy day. Yeah, a happy spring to you, too! Absolutely no one - not one soul - could take the day for what it was (a gorgeous snowy day) and, instead, everyone dwelled upon what the day was not (not sunny and 60). Hallelujah blog post!

The perspective shift can be better summed up as: See the big picture in everything. Take a step out of your skewed reality, your constricted awareness, your filtered conditioning, your negative nancy-isms, and look at life through the eyes of - as cliche as it is - through the eyes of God. And by God, I mean, through the eyes of nature, through the eyes of a greater consciousness, through the eyes of a wholeness and connectedness, through the eyes of a universal understanding, through the eyes of sincerity and compassion, through the eyes of the universe. And by all of that shenanigans, I mean, let go of what you think should be, of what you expect, of what you assume, of what you judge, of what you’re holding onto, of what you impose and project upon others (including nature) so you can see, feel, hear, and experience the beauty in everything.

You, and only you, have the power to turn the 5 random-ass inches of snowfall on the second day of Spring into such a beautiful occurrence that nature so generously provides. You, and only you, have the power to turn any negative experience - it could actually be the most negative and daunting situation in the world - and turn it into the best thing to have ever happened to you, to your perspective, to your humanity, to your path, to your personality, to your mentality, to your emotions, to your spirituality, and to your inner self.

I’ll leave you all with a perspective that I came across on this thing called the Internet…

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Happy Sunday,

What are your dreams? What is your bliss? Have you found it? Are you following it? Why is it your bliss?

What are your aspirations? What are your goals in life?

What will it take for you to be happy and content in your pursuit of happiness? What do YOU need to be happy (not what others need to be happy with you)? What non-physical and physical experiences or ideas do you need?

What do you want to accomplish in your lifetime? Immediately, and in the future?

What steps will you take to get there? If you don’t know the exact steps, what steps can you take to get you from A to B, B to C, C to D, D to E, and, ultimately, to Z (and perhaps beyond)?

Why do you have these goals? Who or what compels you to pursue such an idea? Who or what inspires you? Why?

Do you have a time frame to accomplish your dreams?

Why that time frame? How does it relate to your destiny?

Do you believe that your fate relies in your consciousness, a greater consciousness, or the combination of both… to meet a greater consciousness half-way?

Do you believe in yourself enough to accomplish your dreams?

You can do absolutely anything that you want to do in this lifetime on this earth, amongst the stars. How lucky are we?

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Happy Monday,

(I feel like giving tumblr a 12-hour advance on my usual…)

Before I dive into today’s “The positives about being positive” I want to address my recent blogging experience. Two weeks ago I did a pull-it-out-of-my-ass blog post regarding my “Current health advice” and I received my highest daily blog hits in months. Actually, I was this close to not blogging at all and taking another hiatus because I think I’m at another point in my life where I don’t need this blog as much (we’ll see what next week brings). But, something told me to keep going and I decided to just write a simple post which shared some obvious things to me but could be not-so-obvious to newcomers or sporadic readers. The post included a-day-in-the-life perspectives so it wasn’t too much sweat off my back, whereas last week I posted a no-commentary-figure-the-meaning-out-on-your-own interview between interviewer Bill Moyers and the late Joseph Campbell, a world-renowned myth-buster and saw some of my lowest Monday site visits. Honest to gad, I put so much more effort into simply listening to and writing down the words of that interview than writing some of the reoccurring themes of this health blog. Why? Because I got SO much more out of the interview with Joseph Campbell and to me, at this point in my journey, his perspectives had that much more of an impact on me than my olden days of reading health magazines for “fat-busting foods” or “calorie-burning work outs” or “muscle-building meals.” But, I think that’s where most people are at right now with this age of instant gratification. Information is in-demand to be short, concise, to the point, and in 140 characters or less. And so the post that I believe people can actually take a lot more from - i.e. self-awareness, self-discovery - saw the least amount of hits and the post that appealed more was in a bulleted form that a sheep could have provided. Interesting stuff. Onto today…

Two weeks ago I created an experiment that only I was aware of; it was an experiment of how positivity - being outwardly positive - affects a) myself and b) those around me. I didn’t have much faith on my possible mentality-shift with this little scheme but I, at least, wanted to see if I could brighten the day of those with whom I interacted (since I currently work at a hospital and that shit can get depressing). My day job (because my public health musings and my back-to-basics-warehouse-band guitar playing don’t quite pay the bills yet) has me interacting with a varied public on a daily basis. One by one people come and go, and as they come, I am provided an opportunity to greet someone first. “Hey, how are you doing today?” is my go-to greeting. I usually get, “Well, ok I guess” or an “I’m alright.” And when posed with the return question, two weeks ago I decided to respond with “I’m doing great!” This was a great stretch from my previous “Alright” default because I knew I didn’t feel great… I felt alright and the word “Great” better be backed up by a genuine smile and telling poise otherwise I’d be standing there like Chevy Chase in Memoirs of an Invisible Man. But I convinced myself to convince myself and wouldn’t you know it…

A week into this thing I noticed a few changes. I drew more smiles than usual, I created more conversation than normal, and I began to feel better about myself. Yep, and Bingo was his name-o. I literally felt better about myself - in my brains AND in my bodies. Sure, I had confidence my all-smiles greeting would bring some greatness into other’s lives, but I didn’t think it would do the trick for me. Perhaps I’ve been shat on one too many times or that I’m still wading my way through the sh-tuff, but Mr. Guru Perspective Shift Queen of Oneness over here didn’t have the confidence that a simple response of “I’m great!” really would have a profound internal experience and, thus, a perspective-shifting result! I’d be a Monkey’s Uncle if i said it weren’t true. It’s yet ANOTHER beautiful example of how the mind and body can act upon the same level.

In my seconds on this planet I’ve experienced a handful of people who consistently return with their versions of “I’m great!” and I’m sure you have, too. AND I’m sure you can count those posi-peoples on your fingers. I’m not off when I say that most people do not respond with “Great” - at best we provide a half-assed “Good” with a subliminal “I guess” lagging behind. I want to invite you all to do participate. Because we all know the whole P.M.A. talk doesn’t do a damn thing unless you start walking that talk. I’m on week three of the “I’m great challenge” (aka the IGC) and it’s done wonders for the way I hold myself and the way I am able to interact with others. Seriously. When someone asks how you’re doing, say, “I’m great!” and mean it (insert The Starting Line reference).

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Happy Monday,

Cut to me standing in line at Starbucks some months ago with two teenagers gossiping back and forth just one spot ahead. As their turn neared, one of the girls turns to the food display and began eying up the baked goods while predicting aloud their caloric value. She eyed and described them in succession, reaching what seemed to be the most unhealthy, ball-parked its calories, decided to purchase that good, she then turned to her friend, cocked her head to the side and exclaimed “YOLO!” I shook my inner head at the time and have since retold that story to my friends because I think it’s pretty hilarious that I was able to experience that reality, but there’s definitely something more to it that decided to stick with me…

Fast forward to my recent weekend where I ran into an old friend where we happened to be at the same event to share the day with a mutual friend. After we had our fun, the group made its way to a crappy sports bar chain that will remain nameless, but I will say that there are chicken extremities involved. Sports bars aren’t really known as healthy havens. I say sports bar and I think wings, beer, burgers, and vegetable oil. This bar was no different and with menu options of a burger topped with mozzarella sticks and tomato sauce, well it just doesn’t get any more sloppier than this, folks. Now, I’ve always been known as somewhat of a health freak, nazi, stiff, and all around weirdo when it comes to eating food or my eating habits. I’ve come to be rather lax about it, but in my days of yesteryear I would have macguyvered some sort of “healthy” meal at an “unhealthy” establishment by pairing big green salads with grilled-this or from-the-storage-closet fruit with poached-that just so I could maintain my diet. My old friend still had the mentality that I lived and breathed like this, so after we sat down and looked at the menu he promptly asked if I am ok with the food options, am I still eating super healthy these days, yadda, yadda, yadda. I came back with, “I eat whatever. I just don’t care anymore. It’s more of a mental health approach for me because I spent too many days caring so much and being so unhappy all in the name of health.” His reaction was floored, but so excited to hear my personal breakthrough. My close friends, this one included, can relate to not making a big deal, not making such a fuss, and just living your life as best you can because in 2011 we lost a very important person in our lives to an accident. He immediately brought up our late-great friend, agreeing whole-heartedly with my approach to stop giving a shit about… well, stupid shit. At that moment everything kinda clicked for me to be like, “Yeah man, you’re doing it!.” 

I’ve been practicing a “no diet diet” since September of 2012. One day I just had a perspective shift to stop giving such a shit about food and to take the necessary steps towards mental and emotional happiness; allowing for the physical to follow suit instead of the other way around. I can eat all of the healthy food in the world, but if my mind isn’t fully behind it, if I’m doing it because I think it’s better for me, or if eating turns into a chore then, my friends, I will get absolutely no where. And for a very long time I could not get close to where I wanted to be in terms of personal happiness because of this freaking food wrench I was throwing at myself on a daily basis. To show you where I’m at, I am not eating what I define as “unhealthy” food every day, but I’m certainly not limited myself when the opportunities present themselves to eat a few donuts for breakfast, to make an impromptu Wendy’s trip at 2am, to bathe myself in pizza, or to order a sloppy burger, fries, and a beer at some crap sports bar in the company of good friends.

“Suffering ends when we let go” is a quote that I just made up but I’m sure I came across something similar not too yonder ago that didn’t mean much until I was able to experience it for myself. Having said that, it’s time to bring back the YOLO girls at the beginning of this story. Perhaps they may have been just joking about it, but to some people, specifically me, that joke has been such a life-changing-for-the-better experience when it comes to eating and building a path towards my ultimate happiness. A lot of people poke fun at YOLO. A lot of people say it without much thought behind its meaning. I think it’s a damn good approach to living one’s life as the most fulfilling and most meaningful experience one could ever dream of… because we really do only live once in this body and for us to go through that experience unhappy WITH ANYTHING does not make one bit of sense to me at this point in my understanding. 

You only live once. Do everything and anything that you desire. Make the absolute most of our experience on this earth. 

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Happy Monday folks,

“The greatest problem in the world today is intolerance. Everyone is so intolerant of each other.”

- Princess Diana

Having said that…

“If each man or woman could understand that every other human life is as full of sorrows, or joys, or base temptations, of heartaches and of remorse as his own… how much kinder, how much gentler he would be.”

- William Allen White

I came across the above quotes earlier this week and sat with them a bit. I sat with them to really take in what they mean to me; my interpretations according to my understandings, which is one of my points today. Quotes mean what I want or need them to mean to justify or expand my reality, respectively. According to my definition, this intolerance that Princess Di speaks of exists because people do not have a reason nor an understanding for tolerance to have a place in their lives. Said people are quaint in their reality of self-righteousness and existence, not co-existing. I suggest that intolerance is not really the issue at play. The language that we use when approaching such universal subjects is what gets lost in the definition shuffle.

Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy the late Princess’ approach to raise an awareness that we are so unaccepting, or perhaps impatient, and it is that which brings suffering to the masses. But, what struck a nerve for me is her use of the words, problem and intolerance. They produce such a negative connotation to such an inspiring perspective. What that quote says to me is that we need to be more tolerant. We need to be more able to put up with people’s shit. No where does it say how to do such a thing. No where does it offer an opposing approach. Not only do I read negativity, but I also read subjectivity because I do not believe that everyone can relate to intolerance. To relate to intolerance we all have to experience intolerance on the same level and I’m not so sure if that fits into everyone’s reality. Ya understand? This brings me to the second quote by Mr. William Allen White. I believe, with the help of White’s words, that the greatest reality (not problem) we face is what we do not understand nor care to understand, and not intolerance. It is from that foundation that breeds tolerance or intolerance. It is from that foundation that we accept or dismiss. It is from that foundation that can lead to joy or suffering for one or many. “How much kinder, how much gentler he would be” if we took the time to understand a reality that was not our own by using such relatable life experiences (sorrow, joy, temptations, remorse) that we all share to give oneself a glimpse into another’s journey. Sure, we don’t all have to live such cliche morbid lives, but the reality is that life can be tough if we don’t make an effort to understand nor give consideration to ourselves and others. 

What quotes say is one thing for us to understand. What they don’t say and imply is a-whole-nother ballpark that’s rarely sees the limelight. 

“Silence is the language of god, all else is poor translation.”

- Rumi

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Happy Monday students,

Four week ago I discussed generic health advice and how it’s a one-size-fits-all health advice crap sandwich.You know, the kind of advice that says we should consume a specific amount of calories each day, that we must weigh a specific amount in relation to our height, that we must drink a specific (copious) amount of water each day, or that we need to avoid or consume specific foods all to be “healthy.” Today’s post stems off of that - off of the blind advice we’re told on a daily basis by health professionals - by highlighting some of the marketing campaigns said professionals swear by. And I cannot help to wonder if they really know what they’re talking about: Have they done their research? Research as in not just Google-ing a few articles that all support the same claim. Research as in understanding the physiology of the body, it’s mechanisms, and how it acts or reacts. Research as in understanding the food, it’s properties, and how it acts or reacts within the body.

• Improves digestion
• Boosts metabolism
• Supports immune system
• Detoxifies
• Heart healthy
• Lowers cholesterol
• Improved mental clarity
• Increased sexual stamina

The first marketing campaign that comes to mind is “Cheerio’s can lower cholesterol in two weeks.” Does anyone know what that actually means? Does anyone actually understand the mechanism by which Cheerios - a cereal made out of genetically modified oats and corn, and synthetic vitamins - can lower cholesterol? Do most people understand what cholesterol is and its purpose in the body? Do people most people understand how food affects cholesterol levels? Or are most people on the level that high cholesterol is bad, low cholesterol is good, and to avoid food with cholesterol because too much is bad? Oh, then there’s my favorite campaign, “part of a heart-healthy diet.” What the HELL does heart-healthy mean?! System of systems. One food does not benefit only one part of the body. System. Of. Systems.

I would really like to see the studies that allude to such claims. I would really like to see all of the stipulations that go into a claim, too, because of a little thing called subjectivity: Who was the study done on? Male? Female? Child? Animal? What age? Other current health factors? Exercise program? Genetic factors? General diet? And, probably the biggest factor, who funded the study?

I want to open some perspectives on what we become numb to and sheepishly believe. Before you go reading food labels as scripture and devouring every last morsel to boost, support, lower, or improve something within your physical self, take a moment to gain perspective with your all-encompassing non-physical self as to who is making the decisions here… your better judgement or the company’s fancy label. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve overheard two women of college age in a local coffee shop conversing about beauty products and superfoods, exclaiming how said factors can do wonders for the skin and metabolism and yadda, yadda, yadda. Ok, maybe I’ve heard it only twice BUT THOSE TWO TIMES were significant enough to stick and make me think… I can’t tell if they actually know what they’re talking about or if they’re really good at memorizing labels.

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Happy Monday (wo)men,

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” Plato

I really enjoy this quote because I am able to apply it in my life and I am able to understand it in relation to my experiences. Throughout my trials I realized that advice… any advice… it could be the best advice in the world… will not make a difference unless I (emphasis on I) am able to create a connection to my life; until I am able to fit the words or perspective into my definition of reality. I have my share of hard battles and those battles certainly affect the way I see, hear, do, don’t do, act, or react to my experiences. There’s nothing wrong with me for being the way I am (and there’s nothing wrong with you, either). I have chosen my current path because this is what I feel that is best for me. I am doing things the way I need to on my own time and at my own pace as I experience life. My path may not be deemed “right” by some. It may be deemed weird, dumb, stupid, lame, odd, not normal, gay, or even loser-esque by some. And I may not agree with the paths of others, too. The difference is how I act or react upon other’s reality in relation to how the self-righteous act or react upon my reality… I am kind. I am considerate. I get it.

I experience life in a completely different light than I did two years ago; post some life-changing experiences that brought me to question everything about my life (hence the blog). These days my daily interactions with people have me silently eager to understand the person who speaks, the person who sees, the person who hears, who acts, and who reacts. I am curious as to what their reality is, who they are, and why they are. I am curious as to what battles they are fighting within themselves that may project outwardly. We all choose different projections or personality quirks or coping mechanisms or vices or reasonings. For instance, I am quiet, introverted, and retreat to the depths of my mind because that’s how I choose to project. Someone else may choose to be loud, to be angry, to want attention, or another reality that is completely different than mine. It’s really an interesting view for me. I analyze my reality of others all because of this Plato quote and the fact that I was able to relate it to my life. Going further, I have taken this quote to music and how I now listen to/relate to music. Last year I got lost in the blues. I got lost in another’s interpretation of music, of lyrics, of guitar riffs, of their reality and nothing projects more than broken men singing and playing the hell out of the blues. Music has come back into my life with such a bigger meaning than it ever did before.

I am generalizing a bit. I am suggesting that one must go through some shit in order for things to click towards the betterment of one’s path. This is how I do things. It tends to be the hard way, but the easy way was never meant to be for me (at least not in the big picture… although small victories do add up). Yeah, I probably could have done things differently, but I would have ended up back on the same path that brought me here (perhaps just delayed) because, again, advice or perspectives meant nothing until I was able to apply it to my life. If there isn’t an understood personal value in a proposed change then it will not hold water until that requirement is met. Hell, you can memorize math formulas all damn day and absolutely nothing will stick, nothing will hold value, until you’re able to apply it to and understand it in accordance to your problems.

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Take other’s battles into consideration as you consider your own. Life is too damn short to go around judging, assuming, pushing, or projecting upon others. Be kind.

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Happy Monday cadets,

“The President in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land. But how can you buy or sell the sky? The land? The idea is strange to us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them?

“Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every meadow, every humming insect. All are holy in the memory and experience of my people.

“We know the sap which courses through the trees as we know the blood that courses through our veins. We are part of the earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters. The bear, the deer, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rocky crests, the juices in the meadow, the body heat of the pony, and man, all belong to the same family.

“The shining water that moves in the streams and rivers is not just water, but the blood of our ancestors. If we sell you our land, you must remember that it is sacred. Each ghostly reflection in the clear waters of the lakes tells of events and memories in the life of my people. The water’s murmur is the voice of my father’s father.

“The rivers are our brothers. They quench our thirst. They carry our canoes and feed our children. So you must give to the rivers the kindness you would give any brother.

“If we sell you our land, remember that the air is precious to us, that the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports. The wind that gave our grandfather his first breath also receives his last sigh. The wind also gives our children the spirit of life. So if we sell you our land, you must keep it apart and sacred, as a place where man can go to taste the wind that is sweetened by the meadow flowers.

“Will you teach your children what we have taught our children? That the earth is our mother? What befalls the earth befalls all the songs of the earth.

“This we know: the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.

“One thing we know: our god is also your god. The earth is precious to him and to harm the earth is to heap contempt on its creator.

“Your destiny is a mystery to us. What will happen when the buffalo are slaughtered? The wild horses tamed? What will happen when the secret corners of the forest are heavy with the scent of many men and the view of ripe hills is blotted by talking wires? Where will the thicket be? Gone! Where will the eagle be? Gone! And what is it to say goodbye to the swift pony and the hunt? The end of living and the beginning of survival.

“When the last Red Man has vanished with his wilderness and his memory is only the shadow of a cloud moving across the prairie, will these shores and forests still be here? Will there be any of the spirit of my people left?

“We love this earth as a newborn loves its mother’s heartbeat. So, if we sell you our land, love it as we have loved it. Care for it as we have cared for it. Hold in your mind the memory of the land as it is when you receive it. Preserve the land for all children and love it, as God loves us all.

“As we are part of the land, you too are part of the land. This earth is precious to us. It is also precious to you. One thing we know: there is only one God. No man, be he Red Man or White Man, can be apart. We are brothers after all.”

Chief Seattle 
via

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Happy Monday… we survived!

Where, oh where did we get the idea that exercise is a form of physical punishment, a real-life mulligan, a good-negating-bad choice, a means to self-worth, self-confidence, and self-love? And if we don’t exercise, do we not punish ourselves mentally with shame or through other physical reasoning such as diet restrictions or binges or vices? I’m certainly generalizing on behalf of a few, but I still think that a few involves… well… many.

Shit, I used to think or feel this way. I know a lot of my health-seeking peers share those thoughts or feelings, too… at least that’s the reality I peering-eye experience on my social networks; i.e. facebook prophecies, instagram progressions, twitter vents, and tumblr no-holds-barred’s. I experience people who hold exercise as the parting of the Red Sea to the healthy promise land. I experience people whom are publicly frustrated with themselves over poor diet choices. I experience people whom are up in a never-ending cycle of searching for themselves with external justification. I experience people whose achievements or success are based solely on hard-work, burning the wick at both ends, and pain.

I am aware that there is an extreme to this; one that is more in-touch with an inner peace as a means to reach outer satiety (as I have so novice-ly discovered along my journey). But not everyone is at that point, and there could be many drifting along in purgatory; searching for a quick-fix way out that could send them further down or a patiently-puzzle-pieced journey that may give rise to one of many epiphanies. I am not one to say who is right or wrong. I am no one to say my way or the highway. My point is to bring this constricted reality to light because it’s been on my subconscious radar for some time; that is, why does it have to be this way?

I do not have a black-and-white answer. What I have are some qualms. As long as work-out dvds exist, as long as diet-fads promoted by wolves looking to profit from sheep, as long as fitness buffs market an external body-image as the end and quick video clips of them exercising as the means, as long as specific advice is given to a world of individuals then this reality will continue to exist. There is, however, a growing awareness that health doesn’t mean pain, agony, stress, turmoil, punishment, or a daily kill-yourself. There is a growing awareness that health comes from within, from an awareness of one’s wants vs. needs, from an awareness that love and understanding precede permanent change (and not the yo-yo we may experience). There is a growing awareness of smarter, not harder to accomplish goals. There is a growing awareness that it’s ok to be less of an image and more of a path.

I am not bashing exercise. I think there is a time, a place, and an individualized need for exercise. I think that exercise has incredible benefits… when it is implemented properly. I think that people have built exercise up to be more of a reaction than action. I think that exercise went from a daily instinct to a daily grind. I think that if someone uses exercise for self-discipline, self-control, or self-confidence, I’d say there’s a lot more going on underneath it all that is in dire need to be addressed and not suppressed.

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