The Writing On the Wall

Endurance is required in a multitude of ways. It is required in our jobs, our families, our relationships, ourselves in a physical and mental sense, and much, much more. However, it's important to note that we must also endure as a species . . . the human species. We are all connected whether we want to admit to this or not. We are also integrally connected to this planet and what she provides for us. "She" (Earth) must also endure!

In you don't mind, let me get all science"y" with you all.

• According to Dr. Stanislav Grov, chief of psychiatric research at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, "While the traditional model of psychiatric and psychoanalysis is strictly personalistic . . ., modern consciousness research has added new levels, realms and dimensions and shows the human psyche as being essentially commensurate with the whole universe and all of existence."

• Dr. F. David Peat, a physicist at Queen's University, notes that synchronicities "reveal that our thought processes are much more intimately connected to the physical world" than once suspected.

CLIFF NOTE VERSION: We are all connected as one. Positive can breed positive, while negative will certainly breed negative.

In all honesty, I have no interest in political jargon or perspectives. To each their own. Whatever makes you happy . . . run with it. All I am sharing this month is one singular thought-point. You can take from it what you'd like. What I do know is that to make a significant change, we must start with who we see in the mirror. However, if we try to take too big of a bite, too soon . . . it can be overwhelming and feel hopeless.

So, we start with baby steps. We start with us.

Now, I'm a rocker at heart and when I heard the new song from one of my favorite bands growing up (Iron Maiden), I was taken aback. The song, "The Writing On the Wall", encapsulated so much of what I've been thinking about lately: our endurance as a living, breathing species. One verse I found truly poignant is shared below:

"Holding on to fury, is that all we ever know?

Ignorance our judge and jury all we've got to show.

From Hollywood to Babylon, holy war to kingdom come.

On a trail of dust and ashes, when the burning sky is done.

A tide of change is coming and that is what you fear.

The earthquake is a coming, but you don't want to hear.

You're just too blind to see.

Have you seen the writing on the wall?"

Now remember, at its core essence, ENDURANCE is the power of overcoming an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way. Survival if you will.

You see endurance goes far beyond me just surviving an epically long race or making it through a difficult school year. These are miniscule compared to the big picture. IF WE ALL DON'T work together for the greater good; for what's right; for what's just . . . when we finally notice this "writing", it will be far TOO LATE.

Time to work. Your training session is very simple. I want you to journal your thoughts on the following:

• As a species, what are we doing well to ensure health, prosperity and hope for future generations?

• As a species, what can we do better to ensure health, prosperity and hope for future generations?

I'm going to leave you with the Iron Maiden video, for it is truly a work of art. However, just as I do with my students, I'm leaving it to you to figure out its symbolism and its allusions . . . and most importantly, what "The Writing On the Wall" means to us as a living species. Remember, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, while expecting different results.

So, let's not be insane and always remember that positive change starts with who you and I see in the mirror.