I like to think that I learned a few things in college, but mostly they were academic not too much that I could put to use in everyday life. The two things I learned that have stuck with me my entire life since those college days are as follows. First, when I took statistics the first thing the instructor said was statistics don’t lie, statisticians do (and as I have grown and seen what has happened with all sorts of numbers out there I understand how absolutely true that is). Second, I took a course in sociology and I used to say I could summarize the entire class with the following statement “you are a product of your environment. While I know there are always exceptions to the rules I think the two things I came away with for life usually work for me.
I can look at so many events during my life that have shaped me; I am a product of those environments. I believe that health is another example; our health is dependent on our environment. What are our genes (often overlooked), how where we raised, what did we eat, how did we take care of ourselves, did we exercise. If you want better health than you need to improve your environment.
Every now and then you run across a brilliant exception to the rules. Let me share one here.
Last night I went and saw the new Kevin Costner movie, McFarland, USA. I am not a film critic by any stretch of the imagination. I just know how I reacted and how the rest of the audience reacted. Some humor and a lot of sweat and tears, and in the end, I felt the movie was somewhat inspirational. If you put your mind to it, it is amazing what might be accomplished. I won’t share the details because I don’t want to ruin the movie for you, but you break the mold of which you are formed…..it takes dedication and focus.
I guess what I want to get across here is if you want it bad enough, you never know. But if you don’t try I can guarantee that you won’t get it.