RR 35

Source: Endure –  Alex Hutchinson/Malcolm Gladwell

Lesson: Endurance is the struggle to continue against a mounting desire to stop
Reflection: So far this book has talked about the importance of the mind as the central governor in our ability to tolerate pain and persist in athletic endeavors. I continue to wonder if this theme continues beyond just physical pursuits. Do we have to train our minds to withstand complexity and stress?. Is there an equivalent of eustress and distress in the development of “grit?” Are we limited in our ability to take on new tasks? My bias is I tend to believe in free will and the development of habits and thus discipline. I also tend to believe that we have a limited capacity to implement new behaviors. The key to progress is to determine the long goal and set up daily habits that will lead to the desired outcome over time. The development of endurance is the progressive ability to handle more load over time by increasing efficiency (through mental models and systemized habits) and increasing consistency of repeatedly progressive stimulus. 

Source: A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society
Lesson: Before a man can do things there must be things he will not do
Reflection: This thought ties in nicely to the concept above and it’s something I continue to struggle with. I continue to define myself as someone who wants to keep as many doors open as possible for a long period of time. This comes from maintaining a base level of skills in multiple domains. The equivalent would be a crossfit athlete or renaissance thinker. To become either, there needs to be a defined base of which I consider the fundamentals. For me I keep trying to define categories of life. While I like the work, rest, play and pray. I think about my reading in terms of MSK medicine, Nutrition, Family Medicine, Relationships/Family, Spirituality, Personal Finance, and everything else. I try to get a chapter a day in at least once of these fields on a weekly basis. As much as I would like to read them all daily, I don’t have time and need to keep working on cutting back. 

Source: 40 Years with a Whistle: Dan JohnLesson: If people complained about the way God handled things, you have to realize they might find issues with your moral wisdom too.
Reflection: I have nothing more to add.