I like the quote from Russell M. Nelson, President of the LDS Church when his first wife died suddenly. He said “God gave this tragedy to him because God knew he could take it.” I’d like to submit that we have to be able to see ourselves as perfectly capable of having what it takes to live our lives just as it has been presented to us. We have to believe that we are strong and virile and and determined enough to get out of bed each morning and put on our battle gear and face the world and win. What good is it to play “not to lose?” What if we saw each day as an opportunity to only avoid pain and defeat and then if we made it to supper time we chalk it up as a victory or a win? I think none of us would want to even wake up let alone get out of bed.
In bodybuilding it has been said, “I don’t stop when I’m tired. I stop when I’m done!” Each workout is a microcosm of how we approach our lives. Training is just that—training! We train our minds, our bodies, our heart to be something better. In the process, we learn that life is not getting any easier, it’s that we are getting stronger. We have to see ourselves in the light of carrying out a divine calling and purpose and that God will provide the strength to do it. But, this does not release us from the personal responsibility to take care of the training and strengthening of our person to be able to live this life.
There is a winner’s circle or moment on stage for us muscle heads where all of our efforts are rewarded with a medal or a trophy. These things symbolize our efforts even though they are just hunks of meaningless medal. As in life, gaining something because of our strength does not equal perfection. All of us would attest to our personal inadequacies. However! Being imperfect does not mean we are helpless. We have to seize our strength to be the best we can be despite the challenges we face daily.
Bottom Line: Nobody is perfect but we all have the responsibility to improve so what we possess can be shared with others. There is no substitute to the strengthening of all we have to be better than we are.
Get started. Make sure our competitors know that we are coming for them. Let those we love know that we are strong enough to win and to protect them. There are no other lessons!
Six Pack and Senior 