Don't Do This!

You know any people who are always talking about the past, what they did, things that happened to them?

Don't let this be you.

Always look for new adventures, new goals, new things to do.

Live life vigorously!

Alpha Males and Getting Old

"Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Dylan Thomas.

The picture at the top is of a real alpha male. His name is Jack Lalanne. He was a fitness and health innovator.The real deal, not someone who created an image by manipulating the media. Go to his Wikipedia page and read his bio. He was one of a kind. 

But here's the thing, in this picture you see an 85 year old man doing extended arm, fingertip push-ups. That's Jack.

Now consider this quote by Jack: "People work at dying, they don't work at living."

This now brings us to the heart of my message today. Getting old. Notice, I didn't say aging or getting older. I'm talking about getting OLD and being OLD.

There is much talk these days about growing old "gracefully" and just accepting what is called the inevitable decline associated with the passing years. To that I say, why, and what sense does it make?

My view on this train of thought is contained in the first three lines of the poem, 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night' shown at the beginning of this article as well as the quote by Jack referenced above.

Here's an example, as soon as someone is not feeling well or has aches and pains, they say: "I'm getting old," by doing this they are setting themselves up for an unhealthy mindset that includes not changing yourself.

It may be easier to just kind of roll over and do nothing. However, the end result is anything but easy. Illness and lack of mobility are too often the end result of the blind acceptance of getting old.

Choose to resist this passivity and acceptance. Be like Jack who lived to be a healthy 96 years. 

Exercise, use your mind, have a purpose and goal(s).

"Rage against the dying of the light."

Most White People Need to Consider What This Means

We are seeing right now, acting out in real time as they say, the consequences of the last sentence above.

 A guilt ridden, self-loathing population of white people who believe they have to make excuses and concessions to a group of people who don't deserve it.

There is the ongoing marginalizing of the people who created the inventions and made this country into what it once was, the greatest and most powerful nation on earth.

A Creed to Live By

Quote by George Patton. Sort of says it all doesn't it?

Next article coming on Saturday.

Why I Don't Go to Commercial Gyms

There was a time many decades ago, emphasis on many here, where gyms were vastly different than the ones that exist today. Most, if not all, were not co-ed, there was no cardio equipment, no TV's or sound systems. It was a bare bones set-up with weights and a minimum of weight machines. A classic example of this type of gym would be one called "The Dungeon" in Southern California. Google Dave Draper and the Dungeon to read a fascinating account of how it once was. To my knowledge, there are very few gyms like the one described above that exist anymore.

This brings us to 2023, so, why don't I go to commercial gyms? Here are the main reasons:

1.Too Loud. 

You walk into a gym and it's like a sports bar. TV's around the room or loud, pounding music. First off, I don't watch much TV and never watch the News. And secondly, 98% of the music is unlistenable and there is now a heavy emphasis in gyms on "rap," which to be honest, is not music.

2.Women.

Now before you call me a homo let me say this, women are a distraction in the gym, and may I add, some much more than others. If I have to explain what I just said, then hand in your alpha male card at the door.

3.Lighting.

The brightness in most commercial gyms is unreal. I prefer a dimmer setting except of course if I am exercising outside during the day.

4.Waiting to use equipment.

This isn't so much an issue for me because I use mostly free weights and dumbbells, but I know it is for many.

The logical question now is? What is the alternative to commercial gyms? Well, the logical answer is that you set up your own. I built one in my garage and it's as basic as you can get. Pulleys and machines? You don't really need them to build a strong, muscular body. If you have a weight bench, weights, a barbell and dumbbell bars and collars to load weights on, that is more than sufficient. You can rely on dumbbells for most every exercise if you don't have a spotter or a squat rack.

If you need a concise, no bullshit book on weight training I can't recommend enough Bradley Steiner's book, 'A Complete Guide to Effective Barbell Training'. The best site to get it on is superstrengthtraining(dot)com. There is so much misinformation on weight training these days as well as over thinking about what is basically a fundamentals based way of working out. 

So guys, Time to get at it!

Timeless Wisdom

 

The following was something compiled by J.D.Meier from Bruce Lee's notebooks. There is much to be learned from those who have overcome and reached success. The big problem I have found is that most people read things like the following and just sort of move on. They don't really think about what they've read and apply it to their lives. The advice given below is probably the most concise and best I've read in ages. As alpha males we should strive to better ourselves each and every day.

Final thought--I was prompted to post the picture above after seeing multiple people still wearing masks in and outside. As for the males who do this, I only feel pity and sorrow. Fear can be crippling.

1. Be YOUR best. 

It’s not about following in someone else’s footsteps or trying to be somebody you’re not.  It’s about unleashing your best version of yourself.  According to Bruce, “Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.”

2. Absorb what is useful. 

It’s not about blindly adopting patterns and practices.  It’s about taking the best of the best and tailoring it.  It’s also about throwing away what doesn’t work.  Bruce borrowed concepts and techniques from everybody and every art in a relentless pursuit of the best of the best.  According to Bruce, “Absorb what is useful, Discard what is not, Add what is uniquely your own."

3. Keep an open mind. 

You have to be willing to throw out what you already know and have a curiosity to explore new paths.  If you’re cup is already full, you can’t learn new things.  According to Bruce, “First empty your cup.”

4. Aim past your target.

Aim past your target, so when you fall short, you still land in the ballpark of success.  Bruce Lee was famous for his one-inch punch, but in reality he was aiming past the one-inch.  According to Bruce, “Don’t fear failure.  Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.”

5. Stay flexible. 

Be flexible in your approach.  Learn from everybody and everything and don’t get locked into a particular style.  According to Bruce, “Expose yourself to various conditions and learn.”

6. Focus on growth.  

Push past your limits.  According to Bruce, “There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.”

7. Know yourself.

Your blind spots and ignorance can be your biggest weakness.  According to Bruce, “After all, all knowledge simply means self-knowledge.”

8. Master your mind and body.  

It’s not enough just to be smart.  It’s not enough just to master your body.  Your body and mind support each other.  Your body helps turn what you think or dream up into results.  According to Bruce, “As you think, so shall you become.”

9. Apply what you know. 

Life is not about watching from the sidelines.  Use what you know and put knowledge into practice.  Test yourself.  According to Bruce, “Knowing is not enough, we must do.  Willing is not enough, we must apply.”

10. Make things happen. 

When there is no wave, make one.  According to Bruce, “To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.”
I think it really boils down to making the most of what you’ve got, including your mind and body, pushing past your limits and following a path of continuous learning and growth.

The Old Double Standard

“Black solidarity is so taken for granted in America that almost no one ever points out that what is entirely acceptable for blacks would be considered hopelessly racist if done by whites.” Jared Taylor.

What's good for thee is apparently not good for me.