Be Thankful.

Be grateful.

I have been thinking a lot about Thanksgiving these past few weeks. It has traditionally been my favorite holiday for as long as I can remember. It is one in which new traditions have been easy to create because it’s not tied to religion. I am in no way trying to sound like an atheist, but it has always made the day about your tradition and creating traditions vs. having to carry out traditions.

Today we stand on the eve of Thanksgiving. A day that was declared a national holiday in 1863 by President Lincoln that we have done what we as Americans always do gluttonize that entire thing. Somewhere along the line it became about what your favorite side dish is and what time are you eating dinner because you might go to two places. Not so you can say hello but so you can eat two meals. A day that now has three NFL games so that we can be assured not actually to talk and connect with the company around you. A holiday that started as a celebration of a successful fall harvest has been warped into an overindulgence of many things.

As you start to think about your day tomorrow I ask you to be very open and upfront with yourself and those around you about what you’re thankful for. Don’t take the easy road either. “I’m thankful for my health” – WTF does that mean to you? Do you mean that you’re happy you don’t have cancer but not thankful enough to do 30 minutes of exercise every day? “I’m thankful for this meal” – because you know it’s going to be delicious & you didn’t have to cook it? Or are you grateful you can take a day of rest with your family and friends under a protected roof and financially afford to place a meal on the table? Get into what you’re grateful for and enlighten yourself as to just how many wonderful things you have around you.
I thankfully work is busy, and I have to work every day.
I'm thankful I didn't grow up thinking families were perfect, and shit is hard.
I'm thankful I got a job as young as I did and always kept one.
I'm thankful I blew out my knee because it reminds me to slow down and re-evaluate things.
I'm thankful I have seen what alcoholism does to a person, so I am mindful of my relationship with it.
I'm thankful I have people who love me.
I'm thankful I can afford a car.

You’re right there is always something else to drive towards but never forget what you have. Be thankful!

- GS

Extreme Weight Loss

The other day someone asked me what my opinion of gastric bypass and other surgical, and non-surgical, forms of extreme weight loss were.  My response was/is not a very positive one.  I do believe it may be the last resort and possibly necessary for some people to go through with a procedure like that as a last resort, but I think they those cases are pretty rare.  Although these cases may not be so rare as our society continues to puff up like a tick.  

There are several things to take into consideration when talking about these drastic procedures. The person's health and degree of obesity prior to, the persons motives for such steps, the health implications, the restrictions or guidelines following the procedure, and lifestyle changes that may take place before during or after.  If you are not willing to take these things into consideration and follow all of these aspects of such a procedure, then I don’t think you should have such a procedure done.

With regards to these procedures I think people fall into three categories:

Legitimate need: There are people - be it a reasonable health condition or lifestyle conditions - who do need such a thing. If a health care provider believes that your life depends on it, then I would tend to agree and be for it.  

Non-Need Structured: These people are those that in my opinion don’t need a procedure just a good swift kick in the pants to make lifestyle changes.  None-the-less they do go through with it, but follow all of the guidelines and suggestions for making the most of it.  They still make some better lifestyle choices in an attempt to better themselves and become an all around healthier person, with the help of the procedure.

Non-Need Unstructured: Unfortunately, this is where I think the majority of people fall.  They get the procedure because they are lazy and don’t want to do much work to get themselves to a better place.  It’s the quick fix that everyone is looking for nowadays, the magic pill, the overnight cure.  These people also continue their awful habits after the procedure which are the reason they got into this situation in the first place.  Losing weight yes, becoming a healthier person and adopting some lifelong wellness habits, not at all.  

In short - sack up, do the work, and make some serious life changes if you want to lose weight and/or become a better healthier version of yourself.  Don’t look for the quick fix, you’re not doing yourself any favors.

-MS

They’re Deadly for a Reason

I do not consider myself a particularly religious person but I would say that I am spiritual one. Understanding the difference between the two may be difficult for some but not all. There is one overwhelming aspect of religion that I grew up with and has carried with me for all my adult years. The Seven Deadly Sins. Greed, Gluttony, Wrath, Sloth, Pride, Lust and Envy. I truly believe that constant self reflection is necessary to not fall victim to any of these fatal flaws - yes they're fatal.

I want to reflect on Envy for just a moment. What is it to be envious and what is it to be jealous? I'm not saying I'm dead on, but it's my blog post so tough shit. This is the way I look at it. In my opinion, it’s not bad to be jealous. It’s not healthy to allow it to consume you but it is not good be complacent and let life pass you by. To me jealous means I care, it reminds me to push and to live everyday with my very best self forward. It's the fear that a worthy competitor will take the next stride in front of me, my lifting partner will get one more rep, or a colleague will get published before I do. To be jealous is to look at someone and WANT what they have but you COULD have it. You just weren't willing to sacrifice and go through pain to get it. It wasn't important enough for you to be uncomfortable. Do be jealous might mean you let yourself settle and accept your current situation because quite frankly you didn't give a fuck. So, what is it like to be envious?

Envy is all consuming. Envy will paralyze you with negative thoughts. Envy is to look at another person and be CONSUMED with jealousy that they are more *blank* or that they have more *blank* than you. They may have better cheek bones or thicker hair and that makes you envious of their beauty. They may have been born into a wealthy lineage or had a trust fund and you didn't. They have a genius level IQ or are the height you wish you were. Envy is to not just want but covet something that you have ZERO ability to change. The thoughts running through your mind no matter how hard you push, how badly you want something, and what you're willing to sacrifice can change that fact. THAT is envy! It is an ugly, all consuming and life altering state of mind. Be careful my friends - this is a question you may have to ask yourself more than you want to admit. "Am I jealous or?.. Oh shit! I'm envious!" Scary realization but not a dead end. We are are all blessed with amazing qualities and making sure we are thankful for our true character and what makes us beautiful is to be happy with yourself. 

I am a competitive son of a bitch and I need to reflect on that daily. As I said, I am not a religious man but I have my outlet to "pray". I have the place in MY life where I can connect inside my own head and be at peace with me.

To quote one of my favorite artists: "This is my church / This is where I heal my hurts / It’s a natural grace / Of watching young life change / It's in minor keys / Solutions and remedies / Enemies becoming friends / When bitterness ends / This is my church." He was speaking about the recording studio. I am speaking of CPC. It's not just a place of business or where I see my friends - It’s my outlet. It’s where I find MY peace. 

The realization is that we are surrounded by temptations daily that will pull us in towards those seven deadly sins. Being in touch with who you are and remain damn proud of the beautiful things you contribute to everyone else's lives will help keep you away from at least one... 

~Sully