Building a Better Jay

Let’s spend a few minutes today discussing integrity.  (…and when I say discussing I mean I’ll be talking to myself.  LOL!)

Integrity is one of those things that you may have inherently, but once you dismiss it, even temporarily, you will have a difficult time getting it back.  In my travels around the world, I’ve found taht most people who say they have integrity usually do not.  These are the snake-oil salesmen who believe that by simply speaking something they can make it true.  Shame on us for believing them at times.  Shame on us for allowing such crap to invade the minds of those who choose to blindly follow.  (These are the thoughts of a parent: change the world to make it easier for those uneducated to follow the correct path.  At the same time, educate the "children" so they can determine for themselves what is and is not real.)

I digress.  Your integrity is something that you must stand up and defend on a regular basis.  Everyone must inherently know that when you speak you are speaking from an educated view or would state your ignorance on a particular topic.  To me, the essence of integrity is being able to admit that you are fallible and ignorant.  In other words, integrity follows from being humble.

Interestingly enough, this humble thing pertains directly to bodybuilding.  (See, I can bring BB into any discussion.  LOL!)  You must be humble in your training.  You have to admit that you are not the strongest man out there.  You have to admit that you don’t know how best to combine cardio and diet to meet your bf loss goals.  You have to take a long hard look in the mirror and say your biceps are too small for your chest.  You have to establish your base point in knowledge and physique so you can evaluate your weaknesses and act accordingly to correct them.

I, my friends, am a big (not-so-)fat dork.  I am one of those guys who reads inspirational material and gets inspired.  I think about ways to make my life, my family’s lives, and the lives of others better.  I think about what I can do to make the world a better place.  I have a mission statement.  I have compiled a rather large list of quotes that have inspired me in one way or another and review them when I need them.  I have a list of reasons I love my wife and I keep adding to it, just so I remember when we have a fight.  I believe intellectual growth stimulates spiritual and physical growth.  I like pushing my limits.  If I’m not challenging myself I get bored.  When I’m bored, I believe I atrophy.  That’s true for all 3 of the areas mentioned above.

So, one thing that angers me is when I look around and I don’t see that sort of passion in my leaders.  When leaders lack passion, they should not be leading.  Passion is innate.  Some people have it.  Some people pursue it.  Others flail fruitlessly while pretending to pursue it.  To me, the most rewarding and important thing one can do is to allow the passion within them to manifest itself in their lives.  If you are passionate about loving your SO and family, live it.  If you are passionate about bodybuilding, compete and teach others.  If you are passionate about our society or your business, lead those around you.  Just let the passion on the inside out.  We always talk about not supressing your feelings.  I argue that we should be equally concerned about hiding our inner passions.

…and off the soap box, I did a workout today.   wu’s not included - last set to failure: