Happy Easter, Fantastic People!
That’s my new word, “Fantastic.”
It’s Arnold’s favourite word and that’s a good reason by itself. If ever a man was achievement orientated, he’s the one.*
Also, it’s positive and happy. Most importantly, it’s true. Even on your bad days you are fantastic and have enormous love and goodness within you, waiting to burst out.
Sometimes, I’ve discovered, feeling enthusiastic about yourself can be as much about eliminating bad habits and negative behaviours as being positive. Now, when you replace them with new good habits and thoughts, this is where the fun that begins.
The fun that says, “I’m working, and I feel great about it.” Or, “I’m not working, and I worked when I worked and now I can enjoy and relax with pleasure and pride.”
How does this relate to tomorrow, which is Easter? In no way I can imagine! It was on my mind, so I thought I’d share.
Well, maybe in a way. Easter is the day Christians celebrate when Christ rose from the dead after being punished for sins — sins that, in His case and unlike you and me, were not even His.
We can also arise from sin (bad habits and behaviours — thoughts are a tougher one, but doable in large measure!) if we will decide to do so, then immediately set about learning how. And once we learn how, conditioning — training — the new habit(s) so they becomes natural for us.
Not entirely an Easter story, however, Jesus taught people to live well in this world so it is my earnest opinion… and that’s all it is, my opinion… that He would want that for us.
As He said:
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For whoever asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds…
He was speaking on an entirely different level than what I am qualified or able to speak. I acknowledge that.
Still, in many areas of life, isn’t it the truth? And — with a veritable certainty — isn’t the opposite true too?
Happy Easter. May you love God and/or goodness in your own way. While you’re doing that, consider the feelings of accomplishment, peace, and love you’ll receive when you choose to get rid of some of the less than fantastic ways of living you’ve been engaging in and replace them with even small, yet practical, new habits, thoughts, and behaviours out of which you’ll enjoy long-term benefits.
And moments of unexpected pure joy.
* Now I don’t agree with every item of his politics or his past personal behaviour, so understand me clearly. I’m referring to the dedication it takes to become an athlete, training even while being a member of a tank crew in the Austrian army. Then going to a new country and becoming the very best in the world, popularizing your sport, and lighting the way for people to follow you. Writing a book on your sport, “The Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding,” that’s relevant and in print today over 30-years later. Also, supporting yourself by your business ventures, making tens of millions of dollars in real estate, and giving people advice and encouragement, helping them do the same. Breaking into Hollywood and dominating box office revenues when you don’t even speak the language well. Mastering that language, cleaning up your personal life, marrying, having 4 children (not necessarily in that order), and becoming Governor of the largest state in the most powerful country in the world, a state with a population almost twice the size of Canada and three times that of Australia.
By Christoph Dollis at 9:44 AM Vancouver, Canada time on Saturday March 22nd, 2008 |
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