It's my great fortune that I have the opportunity to meet with a variety of individuals who are my clients each day. Whether they realize it or not, these very people present me with questions and psychological challenges that entice me to ponder in greater depth a whole myriad of situations and potential road blocks that the vast majority of us face regularly. What I like to call the Hope versus Faith controversy is one of these.
I grew up in a small, rural community where family and good 'ol earthy living seemed to be the foundation upon which we built our lives. Farming, ranching and the like provided the way of living for most of the area towns and congregations. Speaking of congregations, there were many. I would say that most in these communities attended one or the other religion based churches of their choice.
Now, I am not here to criticize or bash, I am merely a philosopher of perception. So, that being said I will continue by saying that I have heard the words "hope" and "faith" interchanged to great extent. As I matured, I began to find difficulty with this blending of terms and the emotions attached to each. To this day, I hear many of my friends and family continue to use the word "hope" in a way that I believe restrains them from taking action and making advancements. My clients are no different.
To clear the air momentarily, I don't believe religion is the sole influence of this perception. I can say that in my early years it definitely had a tremendous influence. Secondly, I'm not saying that we should lose the usage of the word hope and therefor the emotions tied to it entirely. I will say that in my experience it is imperative that we clarify what we set our habituated identity up for.
My definitions for the "hope" versus "faith" controversy: Hope: to passively desire a particular outcome without taking personal responsibility and action. Faith: to take action(s) to produce the stimulus required to generate the intended result while continuing to commit your spirit to the possibilities of your Higher Power. The condensed version: to hope is to remain passive and to have faith requires taking personal investment through positive actions.
Is that too much to handle? Did I create some egocentric backlash and upheaval? Then I have successfully done my job and got your attention. P.C. I am not. So, take a deep breath and try to engage in the mystery momentarily.
If you are my client and reading this, then you well know my constant encouragements to think around situations instead of through them. If you are not my client, then pay attention. You have much to learn and ponder right now. If you think you're going to "hope" your way through an exercise program to reach your particular goals and potential...think again. Ever heard of the term plateau? Well, if you're at one or experienced one you should think about whether or not you were doing all you could to better your situation or were you just hoping your way into a self sabotaging loop that stunted your objectives.
Yes, this too is something I struggle with, AND I won't let it get the best of me. So what's the remedy? There's only one as far as I can tell. Keep putting yourself out there. Find the motives in the "other" realms of possible achievement and "not so ordinary" hiding places of positive reinforcement. More than one way to skin a cat, right?
Look toward personal bests within your exercise sessions. Involve yourself in new, unstructured physical activities. Grow a garden or buy from a weekly produce vendor instead of shopping at the big chain grocer. Eat for sustenance instead of pleasure. Find a workout partner that's in better shape than you. Play with and like your kids for a few hours each week and see what you may find out about yourself. And, above all, don't be afraid to fall. More on that in a future correspondence.
You see, when you limit your brain to exposure through fear or lack of experience, you limit your chances of becoming and growing into the "real you". Challenge your body by challenging your mind. You may be surprised and excited to find the potential and possibilities. Don't hope for a better body, implement action and congratulate yourself on each and every minor achievement and reference gained in the process.
If you are still reading this article and were or are upset with my philosophies and concepts, congratulations. You have just allowed yourself exposure to possible new stimulus that may have an effect on you at some point....maybe even during your next workout. Even if you disagree completely, the next time you workout remember what I said here in this post or reread just before you engage yourself in physical activity. I have "faith" the emotions that are stirring inside you might just bring a little more intensity and possibly even new awareness into your workout.
I grew up in a small, rural community where family and good 'ol earthy living seemed to be the foundation upon which we built our lives. Farming, ranching and the like provided the way of living for most of the area towns and congregations. Speaking of congregations, there were many. I would say that most in these communities attended one or the other religion based churches of their choice.
Now, I am not here to criticize or bash, I am merely a philosopher of perception. So, that being said I will continue by saying that I have heard the words "hope" and "faith" interchanged to great extent. As I matured, I began to find difficulty with this blending of terms and the emotions attached to each. To this day, I hear many of my friends and family continue to use the word "hope" in a way that I believe restrains them from taking action and making advancements. My clients are no different.
To clear the air momentarily, I don't believe religion is the sole influence of this perception. I can say that in my early years it definitely had a tremendous influence. Secondly, I'm not saying that we should lose the usage of the word hope and therefor the emotions tied to it entirely. I will say that in my experience it is imperative that we clarify what we set our habituated identity up for.
My definitions for the "hope" versus "faith" controversy: Hope: to passively desire a particular outcome without taking personal responsibility and action. Faith: to take action(s) to produce the stimulus required to generate the intended result while continuing to commit your spirit to the possibilities of your Higher Power. The condensed version: to hope is to remain passive and to have faith requires taking personal investment through positive actions.
Is that too much to handle? Did I create some egocentric backlash and upheaval? Then I have successfully done my job and got your attention. P.C. I am not. So, take a deep breath and try to engage in the mystery momentarily.
If you are my client and reading this, then you well know my constant encouragements to think around situations instead of through them. If you are not my client, then pay attention. You have much to learn and ponder right now. If you think you're going to "hope" your way through an exercise program to reach your particular goals and potential...think again. Ever heard of the term plateau? Well, if you're at one or experienced one you should think about whether or not you were doing all you could to better your situation or were you just hoping your way into a self sabotaging loop that stunted your objectives.
Yes, this too is something I struggle with, AND I won't let it get the best of me. So what's the remedy? There's only one as far as I can tell. Keep putting yourself out there. Find the motives in the "other" realms of possible achievement and "not so ordinary" hiding places of positive reinforcement. More than one way to skin a cat, right?
Look toward personal bests within your exercise sessions. Involve yourself in new, unstructured physical activities. Grow a garden or buy from a weekly produce vendor instead of shopping at the big chain grocer. Eat for sustenance instead of pleasure. Find a workout partner that's in better shape than you. Play with and like your kids for a few hours each week and see what you may find out about yourself. And, above all, don't be afraid to fall. More on that in a future correspondence.
You see, when you limit your brain to exposure through fear or lack of experience, you limit your chances of becoming and growing into the "real you". Challenge your body by challenging your mind. You may be surprised and excited to find the potential and possibilities. Don't hope for a better body, implement action and congratulate yourself on each and every minor achievement and reference gained in the process.
If you are still reading this article and were or are upset with my philosophies and concepts, congratulations. You have just allowed yourself exposure to possible new stimulus that may have an effect on you at some point....maybe even during your next workout. Even if you disagree completely, the next time you workout remember what I said here in this post or reread just before you engage yourself in physical activity. I have "faith" the emotions that are stirring inside you might just bring a little more intensity and possibly even new awareness into your workout.