Full Strength LIFE

It’s Been My Privilege, Paul…

In the last few days we’ve experienced a considerable loss. And I’m not talking about the financial disaster which is weighing heavy on us all.

I’m talking about the passing of Butch Cassidy, Fast Eddie, Frank Galvin and many more… or the man who brought all those names to life, Paul Newman.

I grew up watching Paul for his career hit stride as I was coming of age. His face was such an integral part of my life I feel like I’ve known the man all my life.

But Paul, as you know, was much more than an actor—he was a man who personified the sort of true-strength I speak to in Strength for Life. He was a man of integrity, clarity, courage and contribution. He gave as much as any man ever has on the stage and many times more off.

And more than all he did in service of others, his commitment to living his life to his fullest stands as a shining—albeit humbling—example of what it means to life to our full potential.

A gracious man who seemed to fully comprehend the responsibility that comes with fame and power and at the same time have worked hard enough to get to where he was to fully appreciate the nature of his good fortune.

Just a couple days before his passing, as they watched the fading sun in the garden of his Connecticut home, Paul told his daughter, “It’s been a privilege to be here.”

Such simple words. Such immense meaning. These words simply pierce me to the core.

I ponder, will I have this sort of clarity and appreciation in my final days? Will I have the sense of completion? Well I feel the gratitude for all that this life has been?

I don’t know about what is to come but I do know that this is a terrific motto for life—today. For if the life you and I have, whether it’s to its full potential or not, is a terrific privilege and holding that truth as present in awareness as possible is sure to help find gratitude and appreciation for each and every moment of life whether its going as we wished or not so much

Paul, thank you all you’ve given—for the all to rare intersection of role model and icon. You’ve made this world a far better place for having been here.

It’s been my great privilege to have shared this time you.

Remembering: Obligation or Opportunity

Where were you 7 years ago today? Are you like me, can’t believe it’s been 7 years since the 9/11?

Like most of you, I thought about the anniversary, the loss, the feelings, where I was that day and then went on about my day. Wasn’t sure I’d mention it then I saw Seth’s post today, [remembering].

I appreciate his simple, eloquent point: “Wherever you live, whatever you do, you have an obligation.”

To this I add you have an opportunity.

Where obligation is a moral duty to do something, to take action—opportunity is a chance to make an impact, to offer something.

And while the result may be the same—to do something—for me to embrace an “opportunity” just opens up the possibilities. When I think about the opportunity to make a meaningful impact I think bigger. When I act in obligation I do what needs to or should be done.

It may look like I’m splitting hairs here—and maybe I am but it’s my preference. Whether you’re coming from obligation or embracing opportunity, consider how you can make a difference for those near or far from you.

"If we are strong,
our strength will speak for itself.
If we are weak,
words will be of no help." - John F. Kennedy

As I speak to in my book, life will challenge you. Directly or indirectly, your reserves of strength will be called upon to in times of great difficulty. The question is, are you actively building an abundance of mental, physical, emotional and spiritual strength to draw upon or are you getting by with just enough? 

At the very least, it is your obligation to have enough to sustain yourself in times of crisis—to not become a liability. But the real opportunity is to do more, have more and be more: to be a source of strength that sustains and elevates others.

Which do you choose?

Are You Seeking Fitness Backwards?

If you’re not 100% overjoyed with the body you’re wearing right now, what’s holding you back?

Why are you not enjoying the lean, strong body that screams fitness from 100 yards? Is it the wrong diet, the wrong equipment, a less than perfect exercise plan or something deeper?

While there are some people who are quite content with their fitness level (or lack there of), most of us want "this thing" below my neck to change—to be more of this or less of that. We’d like to push, pull or twist it into a more pleasing shape.

Unfortunately, most go about it backwards. We struggle mightily working “on it” and rarely even consider that we could be working “in it.”

Because our bodies appear to be relatively solid objects, it seems as if we can and should act “on it.” Thus, we’re ever looking for the right pill, tool, technique or trick that will shape it in line with our desire.

Further reinforcing this belief are the masterful marketers seeking to benefit from this erroneous belief by convincing you that you’re just one perfect sequence, special machine, magic potion or powder away from total bliss and a stunning body. Hey, we’ve all been there, hoping, "this is the thing that’s finally going to make me fit."

What's missing from the vast array of strategies and technical solutions is any reference to your interior—to that which you most often refer to as "you."