Joseph Legaspi's Blog - Posts Tagged "hope"
The DNA for Success
First off, Happy New Year!
I want to wish you all a successful 2019!
Speaking of success, I read two recent articles in Forbes magazine that talk about predicting success. One was that standardized testing can teach us about success in business and life. The other was that parents can already use genetics to select for more intelligent children through DNA editing technology. I point out three problems with using these measurements for this type of outcome.
#1 We Don't Know Enough Yet About Our Brains.
Our tremendous scientific advancements this past century have led to a much easier and more predictable way of life, but also to our over-acceptance of science as the FINAL fact-checker of our truths. In addition, do we all fully comprehend what the data are telling us – and not telling us?
Take for example DNA. First of all, DNA has not been proven completely reliable. Secondly, if DNA experts are correct that we are 99.9% identical and the 0.1% difference at the genetic level distinguishes us from one another, then that 0.1% has too many variables. It is just a mathematical construct, meaning nothing if you look at sheer numbers, but everything when you look at possibilities. Imagine for a second, the person who is totally opposite you. That's the 0.1% difference. Pretty big, huh?
On the brain itself, researchers cannot find where memory is physically stored in the organ, nor how the brain produces our conscious awareness. In other words, researchers cannot prove that the brain IS the mind. In neuroscience and biochemistry, there is no clear connection between nerve cells, synapses and chemicals to PROVE we are thinking or know anything. But one thing is certain. If we are not conscious, we cannot know anything. Our thoughts, feelings, experiences, aspirations – all this happens in our consciousness, which is not capable of being measured (yet).
On top of those limits, what we do know about the brain is baffling: The more we shut down certain parts, the more it strengthens memory, imagination, and logical thinking. We think that drinking stimulants like coffee will "wake us up", but some who have tried deep relaxation techniques, such as meditation, have reported far more mind-opening and illuminating experiences. Did you also know we use more of our brain when we are asleep than awake? In fact, the more active are our brains, the smaller the brain waves. We also cannot concretely explain why some people with autism possess exceptional abilities or those cases where people with severe brain injuries are not only able to survive but thrive better than healthier brains! We have barely scratched the surface of figuring out the brain and the mind.
Researchers also say the universe is in a state of constant flux. As our cells change daily, our states of mind will change, our feelings will change, and thus our situation will change. Quantum physics proves that at the subatomic level, nothing is "real" except what we observe as real to us. Sound far-fetched? Well, no one so far has been able to find evidence otherwise. The universe is actually what you BELIEVE or PERCEIVE it to be, not what you THINK or KNOW it to be.
I am not challenging science; I am challenging how we sometimes use science as an excuse to define and limit us, or when we use these "facts" as a backdoor to escape from facing the responsibility of growing beyond our current states. You can look at the scientific report of your genetic make-up but you can also "expand it". Bottom-line: Don't confine yourself to the so-called abilities of your brain. We are more than that or the sum of any of our body parts, much more, which leads me to reason #2.
#2 There is Much More to Success than 'Natural' Ability.
In fairness, our increased research into the brain has led us to "better" tests to reveal IQ. But there has been way too much emphasis on these kinds of measurement tools to accurately measure "natural abilities".
Standardize tests may reveal some level of creativity and imagination, but they represent only one predictor of success, and I would note that this predictor is in a manufactured setting. I've been amazed of my classmates from grade school who were in the bottom of the class and soared later in life to become brilliant medical doctors, accomplished scholars, and other highly skilled professionals. Their brains didn't change; their attitudes did. They became fueled by human factors that overcame once perceived limitations, such as newly found purpose in life, sudden invigorating confidence, and even falling madly in love with a career or that special someone who inspired them to take massive action.
The Forbes article stated these tests measure how well we respond to pressure, but they are no match for the more tangible pressures of real life, particularly those on the level of pure survival. For many kids in impoverished communities, there is immense pressure to succeed in life or die on the streets. These and many other real life situations can never come close to duplication in any "test" or simulated environment to project any accurate outcome. On the other end, I know many smart students who had so-called "teachers" who belittled and constantly discouraged them. Suffice to say, they didn't go on to make the achievements everyone expected from them. Someone with superior intelligence still needs to master moments of crippling fear, self-doubt, and hopelessness. This mastery is more important than sheer intelligence. So I didn't need science to tell me that genetics doesn't always predict our success. I saw it for myself.
I also read about it. A few years ago, I came across a book called How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything by Dov Seidman, a man who suffered from dyslexia, struggled in school and could barely reach the top range of scores on the SAT, even after taking it multiple times. He didn't let that stop him, as he ultimately went on to get degrees in Oxford and Harvard, and started a company that was so successful it expanded worldwide. The Forward to his book was written by President Bill Clinton. Couple years ago he was a keynote address speaker at the United Nations Global Compact. Not bad, wouldn't you say?
Not nearly at that level, but my life has been filled with little surprises that defied expectations. Way back when I was taking my high school entrance exam for private school, I had trouble getting past the first few questions on the reading comprehension section. With my no. 2 pencil quivering between my fingers, the only thought running around my sweating head was: “OMG! Is this how hard high school will be?” I suddenly envisioned me always lagging behind in my language arts classes for the next four years.
Believe it or not, my future turned out quite different. I went on to win our high school essay contest, not once, but twice in consecutive years. I graduated with the English and Latin Medals for highest grades on those subjects in each of my years. I was awarded Advanced Placement English credits in my senior year so I would never have to take a single English course in college – that is, IF I decided to go to college. The prospect of succeeding in a big university seemed too challenging. Nevertheless, not only did I graduate with advanced degrees with honor, but today I work as Head Administrator at Rutgers University! On top of that, I lead writing workshops on a postgraduate level. Who knew?? Well, certainly not me at the time. It was a lesson for me not to define my future by my past. The problem with defining success is my final argument against predictive tools.
#3 The Definition of Success
Charles Hamilton, the renowned philanthropy gate-keeper at many charities, once imparted to me a profound piece of advice on grantseeking. “Want me to give you a grant?” He cautioned firmly, raising high his index finger. “I want one thing first and foremost: Show me what you mean by SUCCESS." He knew that everyone applying for a grant would use that word but may not fully explain it. Success is different for everyone and every organization, at different times and different circumstances. Some people became successful only after several little failures along the way, but they never regarded the failures as such. They were just little learning experiences, trial and error, to get them eventually to their goals. Success is subjective. So how can anyone accurately predict success when it is so dependent on each individual's perception?
My best friend's passion in life has always been defending animal rights. He could have excelled in any lucrative career he wanted. He has an incredible business mind, a powerful memory and can do lightning-fast calculations in his head. That said, he is neither rich nor wants to be. As an activist, he spends most of his time working without pay and lives a simple lifestyle – eating very little each day and not shopping for even basic items. His definition of success is incongruent with most of America's materialist culture, yet he is one of the happiest and most successful people I've ever known.
The definition of success also fluctuates and evolves with each person's prior experience of success. Long ago when I was just starting out as a grant writer, I wrote a proposal that was awarded a grant of $850,000. I felt on top of the world. Little did I expect that a year later I would secure an even bigger $16 million grant. Whenever old colleagues would remind of the $850K, I’d say, “Oh you mean the small grant?” They would then drop their jaws and reply, “Small?! You call THAT small??”
The definition of success identifies where your passion lies. On my success in school, I never saw myself as "better" than any test or smarter than any other person. Once I started high school, I don't know if my brain grew, but I surely knew my interest did in the reading materials. To this day, I cannot recall the topic of the passage I was reading (or rather 'struggling with') on that entrance exam, which speaks volumes -- I just didn't care for it. So I didn't WANT to understand it, and when you don't want something, it's hard to succeed with it.
Your definition of success sets your standards. It shows that you understand what you CAN achieve. And if you fail, what you can absorb as loss, but are still willing to take a chance and go for it. That state of mind makes you strive for more or remain where you are. No matter your superhuman DNA or genes, you cannot achieve any success without the right belief and drive. This new year, set a new standard. Live at a new level, a higher one. See what happens.
As I wrap up this blog, I point out that it isn’t where you start that matters as much as where you finish. DNA is only the beginning. It facilitates potentiality, not conclusions. The "you" that stands out as the infinitesimally huge 0.1% is waiting to be discovered, tapped into, and unleashed. The odds are astronomically high of someone having the same traits as yours, at the right order, and facing the exact life circumstances as you, at this precise point in time. Add to that the factors of confidence, perseverance, persistence, courage, determination, hard work, endurance, and so forth. They cannot be measured, predicted, or defined. But if you want to call them something, I'd say that entire mixture is the DNA for success.
I want to wish you all a successful 2019!
Speaking of success, I read two recent articles in Forbes magazine that talk about predicting success. One was that standardized testing can teach us about success in business and life. The other was that parents can already use genetics to select for more intelligent children through DNA editing technology. I point out three problems with using these measurements for this type of outcome.
#1 We Don't Know Enough Yet About Our Brains.
Our tremendous scientific advancements this past century have led to a much easier and more predictable way of life, but also to our over-acceptance of science as the FINAL fact-checker of our truths. In addition, do we all fully comprehend what the data are telling us – and not telling us?
Take for example DNA. First of all, DNA has not been proven completely reliable. Secondly, if DNA experts are correct that we are 99.9% identical and the 0.1% difference at the genetic level distinguishes us from one another, then that 0.1% has too many variables. It is just a mathematical construct, meaning nothing if you look at sheer numbers, but everything when you look at possibilities. Imagine for a second, the person who is totally opposite you. That's the 0.1% difference. Pretty big, huh?
On the brain itself, researchers cannot find where memory is physically stored in the organ, nor how the brain produces our conscious awareness. In other words, researchers cannot prove that the brain IS the mind. In neuroscience and biochemistry, there is no clear connection between nerve cells, synapses and chemicals to PROVE we are thinking or know anything. But one thing is certain. If we are not conscious, we cannot know anything. Our thoughts, feelings, experiences, aspirations – all this happens in our consciousness, which is not capable of being measured (yet).
On top of those limits, what we do know about the brain is baffling: The more we shut down certain parts, the more it strengthens memory, imagination, and logical thinking. We think that drinking stimulants like coffee will "wake us up", but some who have tried deep relaxation techniques, such as meditation, have reported far more mind-opening and illuminating experiences. Did you also know we use more of our brain when we are asleep than awake? In fact, the more active are our brains, the smaller the brain waves. We also cannot concretely explain why some people with autism possess exceptional abilities or those cases where people with severe brain injuries are not only able to survive but thrive better than healthier brains! We have barely scratched the surface of figuring out the brain and the mind.
Researchers also say the universe is in a state of constant flux. As our cells change daily, our states of mind will change, our feelings will change, and thus our situation will change. Quantum physics proves that at the subatomic level, nothing is "real" except what we observe as real to us. Sound far-fetched? Well, no one so far has been able to find evidence otherwise. The universe is actually what you BELIEVE or PERCEIVE it to be, not what you THINK or KNOW it to be.
I am not challenging science; I am challenging how we sometimes use science as an excuse to define and limit us, or when we use these "facts" as a backdoor to escape from facing the responsibility of growing beyond our current states. You can look at the scientific report of your genetic make-up but you can also "expand it". Bottom-line: Don't confine yourself to the so-called abilities of your brain. We are more than that or the sum of any of our body parts, much more, which leads me to reason #2.
#2 There is Much More to Success than 'Natural' Ability.
In fairness, our increased research into the brain has led us to "better" tests to reveal IQ. But there has been way too much emphasis on these kinds of measurement tools to accurately measure "natural abilities".
Standardize tests may reveal some level of creativity and imagination, but they represent only one predictor of success, and I would note that this predictor is in a manufactured setting. I've been amazed of my classmates from grade school who were in the bottom of the class and soared later in life to become brilliant medical doctors, accomplished scholars, and other highly skilled professionals. Their brains didn't change; their attitudes did. They became fueled by human factors that overcame once perceived limitations, such as newly found purpose in life, sudden invigorating confidence, and even falling madly in love with a career or that special someone who inspired them to take massive action.
The Forbes article stated these tests measure how well we respond to pressure, but they are no match for the more tangible pressures of real life, particularly those on the level of pure survival. For many kids in impoverished communities, there is immense pressure to succeed in life or die on the streets. These and many other real life situations can never come close to duplication in any "test" or simulated environment to project any accurate outcome. On the other end, I know many smart students who had so-called "teachers" who belittled and constantly discouraged them. Suffice to say, they didn't go on to make the achievements everyone expected from them. Someone with superior intelligence still needs to master moments of crippling fear, self-doubt, and hopelessness. This mastery is more important than sheer intelligence. So I didn't need science to tell me that genetics doesn't always predict our success. I saw it for myself.
I also read about it. A few years ago, I came across a book called How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything by Dov Seidman, a man who suffered from dyslexia, struggled in school and could barely reach the top range of scores on the SAT, even after taking it multiple times. He didn't let that stop him, as he ultimately went on to get degrees in Oxford and Harvard, and started a company that was so successful it expanded worldwide. The Forward to his book was written by President Bill Clinton. Couple years ago he was a keynote address speaker at the United Nations Global Compact. Not bad, wouldn't you say?
Not nearly at that level, but my life has been filled with little surprises that defied expectations. Way back when I was taking my high school entrance exam for private school, I had trouble getting past the first few questions on the reading comprehension section. With my no. 2 pencil quivering between my fingers, the only thought running around my sweating head was: “OMG! Is this how hard high school will be?” I suddenly envisioned me always lagging behind in my language arts classes for the next four years.
Believe it or not, my future turned out quite different. I went on to win our high school essay contest, not once, but twice in consecutive years. I graduated with the English and Latin Medals for highest grades on those subjects in each of my years. I was awarded Advanced Placement English credits in my senior year so I would never have to take a single English course in college – that is, IF I decided to go to college. The prospect of succeeding in a big university seemed too challenging. Nevertheless, not only did I graduate with advanced degrees with honor, but today I work as Head Administrator at Rutgers University! On top of that, I lead writing workshops on a postgraduate level. Who knew?? Well, certainly not me at the time. It was a lesson for me not to define my future by my past. The problem with defining success is my final argument against predictive tools.
#3 The Definition of Success
Charles Hamilton, the renowned philanthropy gate-keeper at many charities, once imparted to me a profound piece of advice on grantseeking. “Want me to give you a grant?” He cautioned firmly, raising high his index finger. “I want one thing first and foremost: Show me what you mean by SUCCESS." He knew that everyone applying for a grant would use that word but may not fully explain it. Success is different for everyone and every organization, at different times and different circumstances. Some people became successful only after several little failures along the way, but they never regarded the failures as such. They were just little learning experiences, trial and error, to get them eventually to their goals. Success is subjective. So how can anyone accurately predict success when it is so dependent on each individual's perception?
My best friend's passion in life has always been defending animal rights. He could have excelled in any lucrative career he wanted. He has an incredible business mind, a powerful memory and can do lightning-fast calculations in his head. That said, he is neither rich nor wants to be. As an activist, he spends most of his time working without pay and lives a simple lifestyle – eating very little each day and not shopping for even basic items. His definition of success is incongruent with most of America's materialist culture, yet he is one of the happiest and most successful people I've ever known.
The definition of success also fluctuates and evolves with each person's prior experience of success. Long ago when I was just starting out as a grant writer, I wrote a proposal that was awarded a grant of $850,000. I felt on top of the world. Little did I expect that a year later I would secure an even bigger $16 million grant. Whenever old colleagues would remind of the $850K, I’d say, “Oh you mean the small grant?” They would then drop their jaws and reply, “Small?! You call THAT small??”
The definition of success identifies where your passion lies. On my success in school, I never saw myself as "better" than any test or smarter than any other person. Once I started high school, I don't know if my brain grew, but I surely knew my interest did in the reading materials. To this day, I cannot recall the topic of the passage I was reading (or rather 'struggling with') on that entrance exam, which speaks volumes -- I just didn't care for it. So I didn't WANT to understand it, and when you don't want something, it's hard to succeed with it.
Your definition of success sets your standards. It shows that you understand what you CAN achieve. And if you fail, what you can absorb as loss, but are still willing to take a chance and go for it. That state of mind makes you strive for more or remain where you are. No matter your superhuman DNA or genes, you cannot achieve any success without the right belief and drive. This new year, set a new standard. Live at a new level, a higher one. See what happens.
As I wrap up this blog, I point out that it isn’t where you start that matters as much as where you finish. DNA is only the beginning. It facilitates potentiality, not conclusions. The "you" that stands out as the infinitesimally huge 0.1% is waiting to be discovered, tapped into, and unleashed. The odds are astronomically high of someone having the same traits as yours, at the right order, and facing the exact life circumstances as you, at this precise point in time. Add to that the factors of confidence, perseverance, persistence, courage, determination, hard work, endurance, and so forth. They cannot be measured, predicted, or defined. But if you want to call them something, I'd say that entire mixture is the DNA for success.
Books and Thoughts for Encouragement
Dear beloved readers,
During these trying times, I thought I might share some of my favorite books on hope and optimism below:
The Power of You: How to Live Your Authentic, Exciting, Joy-Filled Life Now!
The Shawshank Redemption
A Tale of Two Cities
The Secret
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
As a Man Thinketh
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT AND ADD YOUR BOOK TO THE LIST!
Also, one of favorite quotes is from the late Admiral James Stockdale, winner of the Medal of Honor who survived seven painful and frightening years in a Vietcong POW camp.
What not only amazes me about enduring so many years in brutal captivity, but how he endured it. He was asked if he had known whom of his fellow captives had the inner strength to make it through the ordeal and those who wouldn't. He said yes that was easy and proceeded to say that the optimists would never make it out alive. I had to re-read that over and over. Did he say the OPTIMISTS? Yup, he sure did. He explained that the optimists would set a goal of Christmas that they would be freed. But when Christmas came around and they were still imprisoned, they grew discouraged and gave up hope. The others, including himself, instead accepted the cold hard fact that they didn't know when they'd be freed, but believed they would eventually make it.
That requires looking beyond the surface. Positive thinking is not enough when you are not facing the reality of the situation. You must really believe you will prevail in spite of the questions, statistics, and doubts surrounding you. You must feel it inside too. That is the test.
My friends, WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS.
Don't just BE strong, FEEL strong.
Don't just BE brave, FEEL brave.
Don't just BE healthy, FEEL healthy.
Spend as much time as you as you can communicating with your higher power.
And like the great admiral said, I don't know when... but we're gonna make it.
Best,
Joe
During these trying times, I thought I might share some of my favorite books on hope and optimism below:
The Power of You: How to Live Your Authentic, Exciting, Joy-Filled Life Now!
The Shawshank Redemption
A Tale of Two Cities
The Secret
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
As a Man Thinketh
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT AND ADD YOUR BOOK TO THE LIST!
Also, one of favorite quotes is from the late Admiral James Stockdale, winner of the Medal of Honor who survived seven painful and frightening years in a Vietcong POW camp.
What not only amazes me about enduring so many years in brutal captivity, but how he endured it. He was asked if he had known whom of his fellow captives had the inner strength to make it through the ordeal and those who wouldn't. He said yes that was easy and proceeded to say that the optimists would never make it out alive. I had to re-read that over and over. Did he say the OPTIMISTS? Yup, he sure did. He explained that the optimists would set a goal of Christmas that they would be freed. But when Christmas came around and they were still imprisoned, they grew discouraged and gave up hope. The others, including himself, instead accepted the cold hard fact that they didn't know when they'd be freed, but believed they would eventually make it.
That requires looking beyond the surface. Positive thinking is not enough when you are not facing the reality of the situation. You must really believe you will prevail in spite of the questions, statistics, and doubts surrounding you. You must feel it inside too. That is the test.
My friends, WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS.
Don't just BE strong, FEEL strong.
Don't just BE brave, FEEL brave.
Don't just BE healthy, FEEL healthy.
Spend as much time as you as you can communicating with your higher power.
And like the great admiral said, I don't know when... but we're gonna make it.
Best,
Joe
New Year's Message
Dear friends,
As we turn the page to a fresh new year, I want my first goodreads words of 2021 to be "Thank You."
This virus took away so much from us in the past year. In that way, it has also made me think about what it hasn’t taken away – you. I am grateful to those of you who friended me, shared your comments with me; or read my reviews, comments or my book. You have reminded me of the type of happiness that can only be found in talking about books.
As we continue to endure the pandemic, never forget how books have the power to lift us up when other avenues fail. They set our minds on adventures of endless possibilities. They spark innovation, imagination and creativity – all key to keeping our human spirits alive. They awaken that part of us that transcends our pain and despair. Stories give us more than momentary respite from the stress of real life. They can provide healing when even the passage of time and the best counseling cannot do so. Books are not meant to be kept on shelves to collect dust. They are there for strangers to share our stories. In times of prolonged solitude and loneliness, we can find a voice that we can empathize with, hope with, and learn with. They are where our minds and dreams reside, the home that no one or thing can ever take away from us.
So my friends, in that light, let us look forward to a new year of great readings and amazing books that will surprise us in many ways. They may educate us, provoke us, or even save us.
Have a healthier and happier new year.
Joseph Legaspi
January 1, 2021
As we turn the page to a fresh new year, I want my first goodreads words of 2021 to be "Thank You."
This virus took away so much from us in the past year. In that way, it has also made me think about what it hasn’t taken away – you. I am grateful to those of you who friended me, shared your comments with me; or read my reviews, comments or my book. You have reminded me of the type of happiness that can only be found in talking about books.
As we continue to endure the pandemic, never forget how books have the power to lift us up when other avenues fail. They set our minds on adventures of endless possibilities. They spark innovation, imagination and creativity – all key to keeping our human spirits alive. They awaken that part of us that transcends our pain and despair. Stories give us more than momentary respite from the stress of real life. They can provide healing when even the passage of time and the best counseling cannot do so. Books are not meant to be kept on shelves to collect dust. They are there for strangers to share our stories. In times of prolonged solitude and loneliness, we can find a voice that we can empathize with, hope with, and learn with. They are where our minds and dreams reside, the home that no one or thing can ever take away from us.
So my friends, in that light, let us look forward to a new year of great readings and amazing books that will surprise us in many ways. They may educate us, provoke us, or even save us.
Have a healthier and happier new year.
Joseph Legaspi
January 1, 2021
Surviving the Uncertain Road of COVID-19
WHEN? That’s been the predominant question for the longest time. When will the pandemic end? When can I get the vaccine? When will life return to normal?
We are so close with the vaccines, yet still so far with the slow roll out. The persistent questions, confusions, and doubts can lead to an enormous emotional and mental strain. Why? The virus has taken away our sense of control, subjugating us to feel, think, and act with heightened vulnerability. It forces us into a reactive state, where we can find ourselves weak and helpless in pervasive fear of so much unknown.
At the same time, the virus reminds us that life has always been full of deadly risks. We live on a tiny, blue speck speeding incredibly fast, out of our control, in the utter darkness of space. Our defenseless planet also constantly faces asteroids, comets and all sorts of unknown interstellar objects that can end all life on Earth in the blink of an eye. There has been, is, and always will be another virus, plague or calamity that threatens our existence.
Please understand. This isn’t intended to fuel more anxiety, but to explore a fundamental truth: If you search for guaranteed safety in your life, you will never find it.
A more productive search lies in strengthening a clear-minded, healthy approach to get through this uncertain reality.
I say “strengthen” because, underneath all the weariness, you already possess and use a practical approach to meet uncertainty. Think back when you were a child. Did you know for certain what lay in your future? What you did was envision your life ahead and take steps to reach it. Your vision was a stable career to support you in all areas of your well-being. You researched, planned, studied and found teachers, role models or mentors. You armed yourself with confidence, courage, determination, and discipline. You did everything in your power to get to your vision.
Today, we share the same vision of survival. Our steps include quarantining, masking and distancing. I get it. It isn’t easy. In addtion, at times we appear to take one step forward and two steps back. Just when we hear about antibodies giving immunity, we hear about reinfections. Each time we hear something new about this virus, it often isn’t reassuring. This just adds more stress to our growing fatigue and impatience from taking so many daily preventative measures. Nevertheless, these measures have kept us safe so far. The power of patience is invaluable in warlike times. Remember, wars are won with two intangible but vital resoures: Time and Endurance.
Take the prime example of Admiral James Stockdale, a POW for seven brutal years. When finally released from his captivity, he made the paradoxical comment that he had always known certain optimistic comrades would never make it out alive. I had to think about that for a while... Did he say OPTIMISTS? Yes, he did. The optimists would set a goal of Christmas that they’d be freed. When they were still imprisoned by then, they reset their goal to Easter and targeted other dates. But when no release came by Easter or those other dates, they ran out of hope and literally died. The optimists refused to accept the horrifying uncertainty of their situation. He and others, instead, accepted the harsh truth that they didn't know when they'd be freed. Yet, they did everything in their limited power to keep themselves alive, believing one day they would make it out.
The consequences are the same for failing to recognize COVID’s grim realities and the need to maintain our daily preventive measures. It isn't pleasant, but keeping one eye on the crisis maintains our state in problem-solving mode. Though we may be groping in the dark, it keeps us digging down for the will to go on and sustains our focus on the ultimate goal — even when target dates pass and nothing seems to get better. This approach keeps us tapped into a wealth of inner resources, the kind Admiral Stockdale found, which have also sustained humanity’s survival through the ages. We exist today because nature has pre-programmed us to adapt to such moments of desperation.
We don’t know when exactly this pandemic will end. But we know what is needed to survive, and we need to keep doing them, until that one day when we all finally make it out together.
We are so close with the vaccines, yet still so far with the slow roll out. The persistent questions, confusions, and doubts can lead to an enormous emotional and mental strain. Why? The virus has taken away our sense of control, subjugating us to feel, think, and act with heightened vulnerability. It forces us into a reactive state, where we can find ourselves weak and helpless in pervasive fear of so much unknown.
At the same time, the virus reminds us that life has always been full of deadly risks. We live on a tiny, blue speck speeding incredibly fast, out of our control, in the utter darkness of space. Our defenseless planet also constantly faces asteroids, comets and all sorts of unknown interstellar objects that can end all life on Earth in the blink of an eye. There has been, is, and always will be another virus, plague or calamity that threatens our existence.
Please understand. This isn’t intended to fuel more anxiety, but to explore a fundamental truth: If you search for guaranteed safety in your life, you will never find it.
A more productive search lies in strengthening a clear-minded, healthy approach to get through this uncertain reality.
I say “strengthen” because, underneath all the weariness, you already possess and use a practical approach to meet uncertainty. Think back when you were a child. Did you know for certain what lay in your future? What you did was envision your life ahead and take steps to reach it. Your vision was a stable career to support you in all areas of your well-being. You researched, planned, studied and found teachers, role models or mentors. You armed yourself with confidence, courage, determination, and discipline. You did everything in your power to get to your vision.
Today, we share the same vision of survival. Our steps include quarantining, masking and distancing. I get it. It isn’t easy. In addtion, at times we appear to take one step forward and two steps back. Just when we hear about antibodies giving immunity, we hear about reinfections. Each time we hear something new about this virus, it often isn’t reassuring. This just adds more stress to our growing fatigue and impatience from taking so many daily preventative measures. Nevertheless, these measures have kept us safe so far. The power of patience is invaluable in warlike times. Remember, wars are won with two intangible but vital resoures: Time and Endurance.
Take the prime example of Admiral James Stockdale, a POW for seven brutal years. When finally released from his captivity, he made the paradoxical comment that he had always known certain optimistic comrades would never make it out alive. I had to think about that for a while... Did he say OPTIMISTS? Yes, he did. The optimists would set a goal of Christmas that they’d be freed. When they were still imprisoned by then, they reset their goal to Easter and targeted other dates. But when no release came by Easter or those other dates, they ran out of hope and literally died. The optimists refused to accept the horrifying uncertainty of their situation. He and others, instead, accepted the harsh truth that they didn't know when they'd be freed. Yet, they did everything in their limited power to keep themselves alive, believing one day they would make it out.
The consequences are the same for failing to recognize COVID’s grim realities and the need to maintain our daily preventive measures. It isn't pleasant, but keeping one eye on the crisis maintains our state in problem-solving mode. Though we may be groping in the dark, it keeps us digging down for the will to go on and sustains our focus on the ultimate goal — even when target dates pass and nothing seems to get better. This approach keeps us tapped into a wealth of inner resources, the kind Admiral Stockdale found, which have also sustained humanity’s survival through the ages. We exist today because nature has pre-programmed us to adapt to such moments of desperation.
We don’t know when exactly this pandemic will end. But we know what is needed to survive, and we need to keep doing them, until that one day when we all finally make it out together.
