I know these are just words but I encourage you nonetheless. You are approaching your peak in neuro-physical development in these next few years. You are still pliable, flexible, and mendable as your body and mind learns. Stay the course. You are giving your future self, and family, and friends an invaluable gift in so many ways. P.S. Save your writings! :)
“If I don’t quit, I win”, is a quote I keep repeating in my mind quite often. Your journey is so unique to you, and I pray that all young men can find inspiration, through your example, to experience their own unique life path.
Oh and about your dad. Don't have to tell you, you won the dad-lottery. Too many guys have a useless or absent dad. I had a dad who was a good man, but not invested in doing dadly things. I didn't let that slow me down. Your dad will get a kick out of this: both my parents were sergeants in the Marines. My dad was a drill instructor and my mom had a similar role with the women Marines.
To get a taste of your dad's army life, you may want to check out a memoir called "Pink Marine," about a gay guy who joins the Marines in the 1990's before "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." And the memoir was turned into a TV show called "Boots."
My new catch phrase that I share with the too-many lost boys of all ages that I meet:
"The hard things we do make us.
The easy things we do break us."
I am a 65 year old that grew up very working class and looking back, I am SO proud of myself for ALL the so hard, difficult, draining, tiring, exhausting things I pushed myself to follow through and just effing DO in my early adulthood and late adolescence. (just two examples: being the weakest guy on every construction site for several years and risking my life fighting a bigger man to save the life of a friend.)
Doing hard things builds muscles--"character" muscles--for lack of a better term. I could tell the difference, in middle age when I did things equally hard to some youthful hardships, it just felt like, "yeah, I can do this. I've done it before."
Plus....women find a man Very Attractive, if he can do those kind of emotionally hard, demanding things. No sane woman wants to join forces with someone who quits when the going gets tough.
Your book is right on target for what men need. Congratulations and keep up the great work.
I would bet $100 that your GF, when she catches up with her friend circle--despite how much she misses you--takes a certain pride in sharing the Very Hard things you are doing.
Life has a “breath” quality to it and if you can flow with this “inhale/exhale” rhythm, very soon you will realize that The Preparation phase, pun intended, will make it that much better every time when you are back together.
Eventually, it will become clear that you can’t have one without the other and the trick is to embrace both.
I remember falling in love and then being separated for three weeks from my now-husband, every day is a lifetime. Sophia’s latest Preparation Substack has some beautiful words on suffering, and becoming closer to Jesus, it’s one of the most powerful ways our Lord draws us close to him. Try to still enjoy each day, this phase will end quickly enough, reference any piece of Stoic wisdom for a mental boost.
Maxium, EAT more meat! As you enter these last 3 weeks, what you eat and how well you sleep will be paramount to your recovery and therefore your ability to train optimally.
Strive for 1 gram protein for every pound of body weight per day. Ex: If you weigh 170lbs = 170 grams protein. You can get only between 75-90 grams of protein in one lb ground meat so you need almost 2 lbs/day. Do it for these last 3 weeks and you'll be impressed how you build muscle and strength!
I know these are just words but I encourage you nonetheless. You are approaching your peak in neuro-physical development in these next few years. You are still pliable, flexible, and mendable as your body and mind learns. Stay the course. You are giving your future self, and family, and friends an invaluable gift in so many ways. P.S. Save your writings! :)
“If I don’t quit, I win”, is a quote I keep repeating in my mind quite often. Your journey is so unique to you, and I pray that all young men can find inspiration, through your example, to experience their own unique life path.
Oh and about your dad. Don't have to tell you, you won the dad-lottery. Too many guys have a useless or absent dad. I had a dad who was a good man, but not invested in doing dadly things. I didn't let that slow me down. Your dad will get a kick out of this: both my parents were sergeants in the Marines. My dad was a drill instructor and my mom had a similar role with the women Marines.
To get a taste of your dad's army life, you may want to check out a memoir called "Pink Marine," about a gay guy who joins the Marines in the 1990's before "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." And the memoir was turned into a TV show called "Boots."
Awesome stories.
My new catch phrase that I share with the too-many lost boys of all ages that I meet:
"The hard things we do make us.
The easy things we do break us."
I am a 65 year old that grew up very working class and looking back, I am SO proud of myself for ALL the so hard, difficult, draining, tiring, exhausting things I pushed myself to follow through and just effing DO in my early adulthood and late adolescence. (just two examples: being the weakest guy on every construction site for several years and risking my life fighting a bigger man to save the life of a friend.)
Doing hard things builds muscles--"character" muscles--for lack of a better term. I could tell the difference, in middle age when I did things equally hard to some youthful hardships, it just felt like, "yeah, I can do this. I've done it before."
Plus....women find a man Very Attractive, if he can do those kind of emotionally hard, demanding things. No sane woman wants to join forces with someone who quits when the going gets tough.
Your book is right on target for what men need. Congratulations and keep up the great work.
Okay, sorry, last thing.
I would bet $100 that your GF, when she catches up with her friend circle--despite how much she misses you--takes a certain pride in sharing the Very Hard things you are doing.
Life has a “breath” quality to it and if you can flow with this “inhale/exhale” rhythm, very soon you will realize that The Preparation phase, pun intended, will make it that much better every time when you are back together.
Eventually, it will become clear that you can’t have one without the other and the trick is to embrace both.
Wish you all the best!
I remember falling in love and then being separated for three weeks from my now-husband, every day is a lifetime. Sophia’s latest Preparation Substack has some beautiful words on suffering, and becoming closer to Jesus, it’s one of the most powerful ways our Lord draws us close to him. Try to still enjoy each day, this phase will end quickly enough, reference any piece of Stoic wisdom for a mental boost.
Maxium, EAT more meat! As you enter these last 3 weeks, what you eat and how well you sleep will be paramount to your recovery and therefore your ability to train optimally.
Strive for 1 gram protein for every pound of body weight per day. Ex: If you weigh 170lbs = 170 grams protein. You can get only between 75-90 grams of protein in one lb ground meat so you need almost 2 lbs/day. Do it for these last 3 weeks and you'll be impressed how you build muscle and strength!