Remembering 9/11, The Brevity of Life, and Your Health

Definition of a Flash Bulb Memory:

Flash Bulb Memories are highly detailed, exceptionally vivid 'snapshots' of the moment and circumstances in which surprising and consequential (or emotionally arousing) news was heard...Flashbulb memories are believed to be highly resistant to forgetting.

Today, on the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center, we are all remembering. We are remembering the devastating events that took place that fateful day. We are remembering the innocent and brave people that lost their lives. And all of us are remembering exactly where we were, what we were doing, and how we felt when the attacks happened. Very few memories are probably as vivid and powerful as those from 9/11. Why is that?

Flash Bulb Memories are characterized by their high level of consequentiality. We can all agree that on September 11, 2001 something profound happened that would change our country and the world, forever. The bedrock of our nation was shaken that day. The attacks on the World Trade Center have changed the way we live, the way we think, the way we spend, the way we attack, the way we defend, and the way we love. And all of that change...took minutes to take place.

It is these days that make us all realize, life is short. Also, sadly, that life can be taken from us in the blink of an eye. Understanding our own volatile mortality makes us take stock in our lives. We analyze what we have done, where we are now, and where we want to go. It is a humbling moment for all of when we reflect on the finite nature of life, but it is a powerful thought that can shape the future. Just as 9/11 shaped the future of our country.

For most of us days feel long, weeks feel longer, and a year seems like an unfathomable amount of time to pass. It is on days like these though that make us realize every second we are here is precious. But just realizing that life is fleeting and therefore precious, is not enough. We must all act on that feeling.

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
- Albert Einstein

Today has brought something else to my attention. And that is, if we intend to live life to the fullest we must treat the vehicle that carries us through life with the utmost respect. I'm talking about the miracle that is the human body. I truly believe quality of life is directly related to quality of health.

Right now you might think your health is of high quality, just like on the morning of September 11th we thought that our lives were of high quality. 9/11 showed us all that we are only a blink of an eye away from disaster and radical change. The same thing applies to you and your health.

What is it going to take for you to start treating your body with the respect it deserves? Do you need a Flash Bulb Memory like a bad visit to the Dr.'s office, an injury, or a heart attack? I hope none of those things happen, but you should be prepared, and more importantly you should be proactive.

Are you taking the necessary steps to avoid a Flash Bulb Memory? You know when you go to the airport now, and the security process always seems to be painstakingly slow and overly tedious? Well that's called being prepared and proactive because none of us want another Flash Bulb Memory involving lost loved ones. So when you are faced with the choice of exercising or not, the chicken breast or the burger, the bottle of coke or the glass water, realize you might be one choice away from a Flash Bulb Memory.


Don't be scared, be prepared.


Don't be reactive, be proactive.

We will never forget.

You Can Handle the Truth! (It Begins)

 

George Costanza doesn't think you can handle the truth...I think you can!

“Don’t write because you want to say something, write because you have something to say.”
- F. Scott Fitzgerald

I love using quotes to communicate what I want to say, only in a vastly more eloquent fashion. So, thank you F. Scott Fitzgerald for telling everyone why I am here today despite the fact that I may or may not have actually read The Great Gatsby the summer it was assigned to me. I'll get around to it. But by golly, I think I've got something to say. Here's the catch though, it might not be what most want to hear, but it might just be something you need  to hear.

“Sometime, somewhere you take something to be the truth. But if you cling to it too strongly, then even when the truth comes in person and knocks on your door, you will not open it.”
- Buddha

Too often the things we actually take the time to listen to nowadays, are usually things we already know about. There is so much information out there right now it is hard to just turn off the filter, and absorb. Especially when it comes to anything health and fitness related. We might actually need to add personal wellness to the list of things not to talk about with a new acquaintance, along with politics and religion. Touchyyyyyy.

Unfortunately with the way things are right now, no new information can find it's way in to our heads. Beliefs are confirmed every day because there never seems to be enough time in the hustle and bustle to be open-minded.

We hear what we want to hear. 

It is time to change that. It is time to have our beliefs challenged and our minds blown. No more excuses. No more ignorance.

No one can tell you what to do, and that's not why I am here writing this. This simple blog post might have a serious tone, but it is not meant to be a tone of judgement. I lived in a bubble of ignorant bliss, just like so many others, for long enough. And I don't mean to burst your bubble, but maybe it's time to burst your bubble.

Have you been going through the motions? Do you do the same workout today that you were doing a year ago, and does your body still look exactly the same? Do you eat the same things every day, and do you feel sluggish and tired more often than not?

If any of the above is true, then maybe it is time you create a new truth for yourself.

This is just a primer of what's coming your way. Through this blog I want to present health and fitness information to you, and not force it upon you. My posts might be relevant for some and dismissible for others. All I seek to do is give you a chance to give yourself a chance to learn and grow. With your help, soon enough, the saying will go...

People want to hear what they need to hear.

And we will all be better for it.

Welcome to Copeland Fitness!

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