I just learned that the title of a 1962 travel movie by two Italians, “Mondo Cane”, means “a dog’s world” in the King’s English. I have a tad of difficulty linking man’s best friend with globetrotting.
So it goes.
My newfound awareness stemmed from a Doctor Google search about “MORE.” Why was I looking for more? Well, most of us do.
Yet my trigger for that little bit extra was a local priest’s homily about “MORE” as a Easter transformation. I am not going all the way with transformation in a Christian sense, I promise. Yet, transforming is a fine verb for the lesser yet vital goal of self care and improvement. So, I’m not penning a metamorphosis from chrysalis to butterfly. Rather, I am musing about the maturation of that butterfly. So, now you have the start of a page 2 story for my little journey from a ’62 flick to church and now to us on April 29th, 2025. More from page 2: Sir Thomas More, that great thinker and author of Utopia [published in 1516 A.D.] sets my stage with his thought for individuals and their society:
“Nobody owns anything but everyone is rich.”
Sounds like Sir Thomas read and followed the rational thoughts and deeds of stoics. You see, stoics indifferently viewed ownership and wealth as means, not ends. “Stoics believed that true wealth resided within, in qualities like virtue, self-mastery, and contentment. They foresaw wealth’s potential to distract from the pursuit of inner well-being.
Everyone is Rich
Hmmm. This purported richness from antiquity beckons a 20th century metaphor of Earl Nightingale that we are in the midst of “acres of diamonds” – IF we look carefully. Inner wealth and soft skills of virtue, mastery, contentment and purpose sound valuable – don’t they?
Question: Do we need lots and lots of things to work on our self improvement and self care? The one-word answer is “no.”
Got a towel, a PBA-free water bottle, and a good mental outlook?
Then, my friend, you are good to go and to look carefully.
Surely… fitness appliances, workout accessories and products that are likely made in China :), and of course supplements or ergogenic things may selectively help you. Yet, those items are beyond “self” – right?
What time and effort are needed to find a wall, a small floor space, or free-standing space to move your joints for isotonic deeds? Just a little!
What more do you need to contract your muscles in isometric ways? Not much!
It is springtime in our hemisphere, so mindfully breathe in the renewed sensory wealth around us. Then, make the time to sweat a little in the spirit of Healthitude.
Remember that acronym of mine – Healthitude – and its components?
Here is a strong to save refresher:
H Hearty
E Endocrines
A Attitude (remember your Mind and Body are aligned)
L Lungs (Oxygen is life and breath)
T Transform
H Healthspan
I Invest
T Train
U Upbeat / Utopian riches
D Desire
E EXERCISE
I look forward to a chat with you about this combo approach for healthspan and attitude. Look around you, as there often is MORE – – – even in a competitive “dog’s world.”
Stay well past forty,
DF