Teach, learn or leave

 

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Arriving at two scores and ten, the older I grow into my genes or jeans, the more I contemplate the brevity of life and discover myself numbering the days left on the calendar, which is healthy to do. Now, when I utter the words that I communicate through writing and evaluate the possibility of a personal literary work, I have thought thoroughly about what I want to say. 

If you read others' works and struggle to adapt their styles, while observing and taking note of their writing processes, namely the structure of it, with the begining being an introduction and trying to capture the readers attention, then followed with the meat and potatoes followed by a recap, this is standard writing of which the elements contain in at least good writing your are not alone. Academic writing typically consists of the same components, including methods, tables, graphs, and charts, followed by a discussion, limitations, conclusions, and recommendations for further research.

Blog writing, on the other hand, has no set structure beyond the writer's preference. Why? Because it is not peer-reviewed, nor is it submitted to the rigorous requirements for published writing. That is why it is called blogging and precisely why I have an affinity for blogging. Although I occasionally attempt to maintain some structure in the blog writing process, I am at liberty not to conform in this way, and the joy of breaking rules and the freedom to write as one wants is a welcome relief.

Although I would never recommend writing a piece and claiming it as your own without recognizing and crediting source material and following the rules against plagiarism, which is increasingly becoming more challenging with the proliferation of language learning applications and the availability of AI, for instance, I follow the APA guidelines solely regarding those to whom I must give credit and to avoid plagiarism at all costs, which is considered literary trespass and author burglary especially if I ever seek to be guarded as a respectalbe writer, as it is now my bloging is strictly a place for the practice of writing, sort of like my gym time, daily training to stay in shape is blogging: staying in writing shape.

The reader of this blog will be disinterested if forced to digest these words. That I aim to write like the great literary geniuses seems preposterous. The least of my attempts is at best a virgin imitator and an unpracticed writer. I am probably a fool for taking the advice of a former professor who encouraged me to keep writing-pipe dream?

The numerous authors of the works I have combed over, from deceased poets and ancient Greek intellectuals to modern-day scholars in the social sciences that I have attempted to read, often leave me feeling hollow and thirsty. Still, they do encourage me to grasp and read a little higher than my ability. Literature that lacks soul-nourishing words is like reading the fine print of a guide for instruction on a piece of technological equipment, which is helpful as a resource but does nothing for a person's spirit. That being the case, that is my point.

I am ashamed that I was uninformed and delinquent for so many years before my formal education, although most of my education was skills-based training. It was not until my bachelor's studies that I was exposed to a more liberal approach to the theoretical nuances of complex healthcare delivery. My informal, nervous exploration of the reservoirs of knowledge has opened my eyes and helped me interpret the world around me, allowing me to make minor improvements in my knowledge and character development. Trying to further my current understanding is a sobering reminder of how lightweight my education is; rather than being substantial, it is paper-thin.

But I love the process of learning, and as such, I have been dissecting Joe Moshenska's insightful biography of John Milton, Making Darkness Light (Moshenska). The Latin phrase 'doce disce aut discede', found at one of the schools where John Milton studied, as used by one of the school's founders, who had it displayed on the walls of the building, translates to: 'teach, learn, or leave'.

I confess that I am not a teacher; at the bare minimum, I am a sharer, and I will never be credited with instructing, cultivating, or enlightening another human being. However, I can share where good teaching originates, and that is the home.

The Bible and William Cowper are referenced often in my home. They should be possessed and then all of the excellent writing of our time from Homer, Plato, Lucretius, Augustine, Chaucer, Machiavelli, Shakespeare, Francis Bacon, Pascal, Locke, Hume, Kant, Mill, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Tacitus, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Milton, William James, especially his Varieties of Religious Experience which are canonized in the The Great Books of the Western World, these and others should be attempted with humility and courage by all.

Additionally, one should have on their shelf topics in psychiatry, psychology, disease processes, and medicine, as well as the plethora of spiritually inspired texts available for study, including commentary and other scholarly works, for quick referencing and frequent investigative browsing.

Furthermore, two recommended reading lists are strongly endorsed. The first is the recommended reading list, which continues to grow and can be found online by searching for Douglas Jacoby, who has compiled a growing bibliography. The second is the Commandant's Professional Reading List, also available online.

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I want to write for others and convey what needs to be said to benefit and uplift the reader. Therefore, whereas others have attempted to address topics of vulnerability in their writing style, I shall adopt a modest and self-effacing approach, building on where others have left off.

The reader must be made aware. I esteem those writers who have braved and navigated the turbulent literary waters of complex and abstract ideas and principles. But, again, I will refrain from contributing to the abundance of available knowledge to produce a prosperous life. Subject matter experts who aim to increase your financial nest egg or help you lose weight and achieve your best physical health by adding to the inundated treasury of words with unproductive rhetoric would misuse my strength and misplace my competence.

However, I recognize how difficult that will be as an unlettered and unpublished man. Nevertheless, some authors have inspired me to do the same and endeavor to accomplish a writing task, albeit an obtuse goal. Therefore, whereas I shall write the lettered piece of my liking, I will write, in fact, the words I want to read and, perhaps, contribute, in my assessment, and with humility, perform such a task where others have done so incompletely.

At this point in my journey, I have come up short of discovering that elusive text waiting on the shelf I have always wanted to read. After years of turning ink-filled pages and reading treasured words, with a sense of emptiness following such laborious scanning and research, I still find myself thirsty for more. I must write something, I most eagerly and desirably want to read. Before my time is through, I shall do it. The brief segments and chapters of my novice and unsofisticated literary exercises are what you are reading. Inside them, I want to tell a little of what the world is like and how I experience it.

There are, of course, pieces of work that I have yet to read in other literature, mainly nonfiction, and my current knowledge base of different ideas and theories is limited and incomplete. In the absence of such novel and or perhaps antiquated concepts, I should consider what I might like to say when delivering a message to help formulate my thoughts by considering up to the point what I know or reflect on what current, albeit limited, knowledge I possess.

First, what has genuinely not been done before would appear, at the minimum, a conjecture; that would be impossible to estimate, as I have regrettably not read all that has ever been written. Nevertheless, I have acquired a humble library of knowledge that informs my thinking. 

Let us consider, as an introduction, Stephen Pressfield's writings; three of his unsophisticated books, "Do the Work," "Turning Pro," and "The War of Art," collectively have an extraordinary force on the reader. His unfeigned ability to articulate and describe, as evident in his definition of overcoming resistance, enables him to write and express words easily.

Furthermore, his work captures the thoughts orbiting the idea of prevailing over life's adversity. And quite briefly, he adds commentary on what he has covered in his prose thoroughly; I suspect it would be a wasted effort on my part to attempt to embellish what he has already produced. I would only be reiterating his writing. He happens to be, and I want to bring to attention his veteran status, as he is also a product of the brotherhood of Marines.

It has been my experience, perusing the shelves of our local brand-name bookseller and online, that what appears to be hanging from the branches of the publishing industry tree are the low-hanging fruit of the self-help genre. In addition to the self-improvement subtype of nonfiction, a plethora of other personal empowerment literature exists. 

You can feast on philosophical, religious, and spiritual compositions and dive deeply into the social sciences. The abundance of published literature from the health and wellness cognoscenti is also accessible. With multifaceted intelligent flavors, you can strategize, philosophize, and exercise your mindset, behave your way to a name it, and claim it life.

Moreover, some books, such as the "look-at-me-now" titles, are strategically marketed and positioned to capture the reader's senses. Or consider the nicely bound manuals and guides in the business section on how such an individual, famous or financially savvy and connected, accomplished Warren Buffett's financial independence. Then we have a buffet menu of personal empowerment variety to meet your how-to demands! They include, but are not limited to, pursuing your passion and achieving the physique of a fitness model, or taking a course to earn financial freedom, as I mentioned before. 

Finally, to help you fill your pockets and stock your cupboards to overflowing, various options are available as long as you subscribe to an email list or take a course with the many experts on standby. You may be familiar with the successes of a noteworthy film actor, actress, or fitness model, and have discovered their New York Times bestseller. Suppose you follow their methodology and approach their tactics systematically. In that case, all one has to do is subscribe now to the opportunity, making a small donation equivalent to three months' rent, and we can achieve a reproducible success story. 

These are old-school telemarketer strategies camouflaged in new technology on our smart devices and computers. It is evident and commonplace, especially in the podcast sector today, to employ motifs of the motivational "horse and carrot" strategy. By luring subscribers, creators seek to secure a monetary commitment, stuffing their pockets and lightening yours and mine. The user often receives a free downloadable e-book and is encouraged to enroll in courses taught by the author or architect. And, as mentioned earlier, geared to help you, again, achieve your best self now through online virtual courses, more often than not given by their followers and devotees. A hint of multilevel marketing with a new theme comes through if one is astute.

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Of course, how can one forget to mention the prominent celebrities' subtle, sublime, and captivating book covers? Included among them are now, since 9/11, celebrity heroes, who are stockpiling in the ranks, on the shelves right next to the Tony Robbins of our time, with their most unique battle-tested soldier stories wrapped up and bound on recycled paper. They aim to win you over with Jujitsu techniques, marksmanship instruction, stealth mode, and night vision concealment tactics, so that you can overcome the enemy within and without with the precision of special ops as they coach you on becoming a business, fitness, or family warrior and how your resilience will manifest in your favor if you apply their techniques. Victory is guaranteed, all the while capitalizing on their cash cow and printing paper faster than you can say "the only easy day was yesterday". All will submit to your might and foremost importance; you will possess the courage and force of William Wallace himself if you put their training into action, maybe at least theoretically.

But, lest I forget, and to refrain from standing on a soapbox, not all books are self-help; you can learn how to cook like the Iron Chef and prepare meals that would make Wolfgang Puck quiver at your kitchen table. And with the unlimited how-to books, anyone can learn anything at any time, with limitless information available.

Notably, the spiritual genre and the sections in religion and philosophy are not immune to the industry's antics, I suspect. In a market designed to sell books, those collecting dust on the recommended reading list that do not sell are a poor business model, regardless of the genre. Likewise, books that fail to capture and engage the emotions and senses of unsuspecting readers are a terrible business. 

Although I consider this, I consent and do not find fault with the methods of printing the written word, although I believe it is a secret society accessible only to those in the inner circle. Who would fault someone seeking to derive monetary benefits from consumable marketing items, such as books? That is the genius of a free enterprise market and capitalism; just as car manufacturers are in the business of selling cars, great publishers need to sell books to keep the printers rolling.

Nevertheless, and by the same token, I do not fault a writer or author for being compensated for their work. Monetary compensation for the distribution of an author's work is prudent, but the onus for my writing is not motivated externally in the hopes of financial reimbursement. Actually, and quite honestly, in the hopes of removing the hard-to-connect attributes of distant writers or the more famous authors, as I am a commoner, the motive for writing is to help serve and meet the needs of another traveler on our shared terrestrial globe.

Works Cited

Moshenska, Joe. Making Darkness Light: The Lives and Times of John Milton. Basic Books, 2021.

Where did Heart go?

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Reading the words, thoughts, and pensmanship of deceased authors is an addiction or a passion; it is unclear which one it is, as the line between the two is sometimes blurry. Sometimes, I'm not able to decipher why the draw to read older authors intrigues me or captivates my mind. I enjoy reading them; it takes time, as a professor of English literature at Oxford College suggests (Moshenska). In his book, Making Light of Darkness, Joe Moshenska's biography of John Milton, describes what, in actuality, reading entails: time.

It takes a great deal of time to read the words that others have written, demanding and challenging words, such as those found in the late 16th-century poet John Milton, most famous for his epic poem Paradise Lost. When reading others, I do it with my heart; I am genuinely interested and attempting to grasp the author's intended meaning. I pay attention, make notes, and meditate on it.

The pandemic has challenged us. Nevertheless, change is constant and is understood to be trying. Most people, regardless of their workplace, believe in what they are doing to the extent that they contribute and strive to do a great job. However, even in the most successful industries, most individuals experience some form of apprehension and uneasiness related to work and life.

Most people are not comforted by change. However, we all contribute our diverse talents to the mission, regardless of our current life circumstances. What is most noble among people, as I have experienced, is commitment and their heart. The human drive, determination, and expertise of others inspire me, and it is contagious if we let it. People want to do good and are seeking opportunities to bring their best to the world.

Most people want to be recognized, distinguished, and respected by their peers. Most people possess the competence and drive to elevate their roles, responsibilities, and careers. Most people strive to do their best. Most people show up with their knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as a genuine sense of personal pride, which is apparent when we observe the details in everyday life.

Toyota

I recall a story that is not my own. During World War II, how did a country evolve to produce a product so commonplace on America's freeways? Toyota is such a brand. Decades ago, a mathematically gifted engineer was preoccupied and consumed with producing in others a sense of personal pride. It translated into high-quality products. It was primarily due to the efforts of W. E. Deming. Therefore, a willingness and enthusiasm are required to apply the concepts outlined in Deming's early work. He developed a sense of personal pride in those devastated by the war and improved Toyota's vehicles, which had a trickle-down effect (Butler-Bowdon). What is the application here? We can make an argument for Deming's heart; he cared about what he was doing.

Although the after-effects of the pandemic are still present, we all strive to help one another and our society. We continue to develop our skills, artistry, and personal satisfaction in each other's unique attributes, contributing to our world wherever we find ourselves. We bring to our area of influence the tools needed to produce profound benefits for others, and in doing so, we benefit ourselves. And who does not want other people to be better?

My lifelong experience has shown me that obstacles sometimes arise as barriers to helping others; however, opportunities and possibilities emerge when we gather momentum and energy from one another. Hopefully, you gather energy from the writing here. We share the same vision by helping each other. 

You may not be in the business of patient care. Still, we remember that we are in the business of caring for one another as a community and a society, and by extension, our neighborhoods. We care for each other. Our relationships are crucial. We help each other by focusing on and capitalizing on teamwork. We encourage one another to share ideas that help us improve our work. Continuous knowledge upgrading is vital; that is why we maintain a spirit of learning. We also understand that systems often underperform and processes can be improved upon, but people want to do good. Everyone has input, and ideas are valued. 

We are all challenged to bring a sense of personal pride in our professional roles, responsibilities, and competencies. We are all continuously learning, growing, and developing ourselves. 

We help each other recover, recuperate, get back on their feet, and regain their vitality.

People are good at discerning someone's genuine zeal to help them, and such is the case; authenticity needs to be present. I am humbled to carry the mission, vision, and values of my professional organization and my faith-based organization (FBO). I am reminded of what professionalism is through firsthand experience, gained from direct contact and observation with my mentors, teachers, and teammates. As a pathfinder, I continue to journey to help others.

In the field of healthcare, it is said that a provider, whether a nurse or a physician, who aims to help others heal can do so to a certain extent with their knowledge, skill, and aptitude. However, unless the heart is involved in the healing process, the patient is likely to face a long road of recovery (Zimmerman). Such is the case in point here that work is involved when helping others: it takes heart.

Works Cited

Butler-Bowdon, Tom. 50 Business Classics: Your Shortcut to the Most Important Ideas on Innovation, Management, and Strategy. Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2019.

Moshenska, Joe. Making Darkness Light: The Lives and Times of John Milton. Basic Books, 2021.

Zimmerman, L. M. Sparks: A Series of Popular Reflections on Ethical and Social Topics. 1st ed., Meyer & Thalheimer Printers, 1912.

Image and Appearance

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Consider what psychiatrist Anna Lembke describes when discussing the benefits of exercise instead of prescribing medications for her patients with addiction disorders in her best-selling book, Dopamine Nation. Lembke (2023), an expert in addiction medicine, informs the reader that the health benefits of consistent physical activity alone not only improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and burnout but can also aid in recuperative sleep and rest. Additionally, for individuals with addictive tendencies, it can reduce obsessive and craving behaviors related to substance dependence, like street drugs and alcohol. All excellent alternatives that a majority would agree with.

The question proposed in this blog post is: At what point do the health benefits of exercise and reducing cravings associated with substance use become evident? Perhaps a total recovery from dependence? Furthermore, does posting on social media one's health journey and images of fitness, muscularity, bikini summer physique, and surfer bod-six-pack abs replace the alcohol/drug-seeking cravings of people with addictive personalities and replace it with a substitute addiction that seeks approval and likes online? That is yet to be discovered.

In a world where praise and recognition are often immediately gratified with a click, technology, as the additive medicine physician suggests, has now become the new electronic drug of choice (Lembke, 2023, p. 23). The ever-increasing desire to portray a pseudo-self online and to look and appear physically attractive and noticeably appealing, as well as muscular, has been described by healthcare providers as hijacking the brain to stimulate feel-good sensations through the responses to social media connections on online posts.

Cast your ballot for who-me?

However, where is the line crossed between staying in shape for health benefits and seeking approval from others, thereby living a manufactured online life? Like a puppeteer pulling the strings, are people marionettes online? Is it all for the show? This is a question that Dr. Jonathan Haidt and others have addressed, suggesting that the appearance of oneself is far more attractive and inviting than what is going on in a person's life, along with trying to look a particular part instead of trying to act a specific part in life suggesting that in person and even online, we are much like a politician trying to get the people to like us than like the diligent laboratory scientist trying to figure out the truth of a matter (Haidt, 2012, pp. 88-89).

In his thought-provoking book, The Righteous Mind, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt pointedly addresses the innate human need for approval and describes the idea that all human beings have an internal social speedometer. This gauge tells us how, in our social order of relationships, we are measuring up or falling behind the popularity scale; hence, the need for likes online (Haidt, 2012, p. 91), where individuals who do not care what others think of them are deemed psychopathic. We have social media platforms to thank for our current epidemic of an exacerbated need for approval.

References:

Haidt, J. (2012). The righteous mind: Why good people are divided by politics and religion. Random House Inc.

Lembke, A. (2021). Dopamine nation: Finding balance in the age of indulgence. Penguin Random House Publishing Group.

To be honored at the funeral

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The Funeral Games

Homer poetically details in his writings the character traits of the ancient Greek warriors and their relationships with their gods; the literary work in the Iliad serves as an excellent metaphor for life, emphasizing the importance of physical ability, courage, bravery, and allegiance to one's nation and people in the service of the community but the reader of Homer is called to the attention of the common tragedy of battle-hardened idols that of the epic end of the road for most when the weight of one's years will plant wearisomely upon the shoulders of us all.

Recorded in The Iliad, Book 23, a great warrior has died, and games are held in the dead hero's honor, called the funeral games. Such games were native to ancient Greek culture, including chariot racing, wrestling, gladiatorial sports, running, discus throwing, and javelin throwing (Butler & Dirda, 2013, pp. 364-386). Achilles, the coordinator of the event to honor the deceased Patroclus, his fallen brother-in-arms, sets aside prizes for a great chariot race, a boxing and wrestling match, as well as a gladiator event, a sprint, a spear throw, and a javelin throw.

One of the main characters, a young, vibrant warrior named Antilochus, hails from a warrior lineage and is the son of a former great soldier named Nestor. In the epic poem, Achilles sets aside prizes for the young champions who would rise to compete. The poem also tells of Achilles setting aside a gift for Antilochus' father, Nestor, as a gift of honor, respect, and recognition for an older warrior who can no longer perform as he once did in his youth.

The old warrior receives a small token of appreciation, an ornamental urn, from the event coordinator, Achilles. Achilles tells the aged Nestor that he will hand him an award like this. However, Nestor can no longer compete for it, as his legs and arms are no longer fit for a foot pursuit or striking an opponent. However, Nestor is reminded by his son and of his current greatness; Nestor is reminded of the fleeting youthful vigor, endurance, and strength but is now more able to guide, mentor, and coach with skill younger gladiators than himself and is fitting given the context of the romanticized story of heroics and bravery (Butler & Dirda, 2013, pp. 364-386).

Physical Training Limited Benefit

It is essential to recall what Paul wrote to Timothy, as much has been commented on, allowing the reader to delve deeply and widely into commentary; see the reference below. However, the following essay aims to dissect one element of Paul's charge to Timothy for training himself. It applies to all, that is, training in godliness. However, physical training is of some value. The extent of this essay does not aim to preach or be pastoral, for that is reserved for others more qualified and educated who are more apt to write about such things than the author of this blog. However, an affinity for strength training is a subject matter close to the heart of the blog author, a veteran and a current healthcare provider. Pursuing a disciplined approach is an ongoing pursuit, faltering yet striving to be a disciple and admittedly stumbling to be reverent.

William Barcley points out his theological approach when interpreting the letter to Timothy, noting that people generally seek and search for structure and order. However, they often inaccurately think that spiritual codes of belief are equivalent to God and truth, and are catching, enticing, and convincing. Much is created through error and confusion because they are, first and foremost, unchristian and extrabiblical teachings (Barcley, 2005, p. 133). For more information, refer to the reference list below.

We read that the letter was written by a man who formerly gave those Jesus followers during the early days of the church a hard time, which would be a meager descriptor, he was an arrogant man living in unbelief, that is, not believing that Jesus was who he said he was (The Holy Bible, New International Version, 1999, 1 Timothy 1: 13), but Paul now emphasizes the importance of growing in character such as running after trying to be right in the eyes of God, practicing faithful living, being kind, compassionate and loving to others, running with endurance towards spiritual goals, being gentle to others not from a position of pride or arrogance but out of a desire to help and serve knowing that God is observant (The Holy Bible, New International Version, 1999, 1 Timothy 6: 11-12).

The call of the hour is to persevere faithfully. When it comes to training, training to be godly supersedes physical training. However, it is postulated that in this life, strength is necessary to be useful, helpful, and an asset that God can use. As followers of Jesus, we acknowledge that our current physical bodies are perishable and will not last; the similarity between Homer's epic poem and Paul's letter to Timothy rings true for the modern-day pilgrim. 

We all know that our physical bodies will not last forever, and being physically fit, attractive, and beautiful will ultimately have its limits because death is inevitable for all. Being Godly will serve in the life to come (Barcley, 2005, p. 138), something that one must eventually begin to devote considerable effort, time, and energy to, especially as we age. 

References:

Barcley, W. B. (2005). A study commentary on 1 and 2 Timothy. Evangelical Press. 2025, https://archive.org/

Butler, S., & Dirda, M. (2013). The Iliad and the Odyssey: Homer. Barnes & Noble.

The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1999). Cornerstone Bible Publishers. (original work published 1973)