Tom, when God handed out gifts, I think he saw something special in you that caused Him to bless you with an enormous amount of intelligence. Alongside that intelligence He graced you with a humble and kind spirit. Your insights and your descriptions of those insights never cease to amaze me, yet you remain kind and humble. You are never arrogant, which I am truly thankful for!
You wrote these words -"Because a Resolution is a “Soft Word.” It is a wish. It relies on Motivation, and motivation is a biological weather pattern. It changes with your mood, your sleep, and your blood sugar". This group of sentences is a treasure trove of truths that reveal to the reader the extent to which "Society" consistently places unrealistic expectations upon us. Expectations that become the birth of "the Himalayas" within our own minds. Unattainable goals that make us feel "less than" and incapable. These "Himalayas"actually rob us of any motivation to even attempt to climb them no matter what they are because they are just too big.
With the intention of motivating us, Society constantly places burdens upon us too impractical to achieve such as the "New Years Resolution", the ideal weight chart at the doctors office, the worship of beauty, and last but not least the expectation that we should be working out for the perfect body instead of "a body perfect for me", which you mentioned in another article you wrote pertaining to health. A revelation you gave me that has actually set me free from my "internal Himalayan mountain range". I chose very profound language to describe the importance of what those sentences mean and reveal because they hold the power to flatten those inner Himalayans. It can be life changing realizing for the first time that you have what it takes to achieve those goals, your mountains were just too high. Thank you once again for help in my life! You are a real life blessing and I am so grateful for you. Laney
That image, the "Internal Himalayas", is a profound piece of mental geography. You've perfectly described how societal pressure creates artificial elevation. We stand at the bottom of these mountains (weight charts, beauty standards) and feel exhausted before we even take a step, not realizing that the mountain itself is a hallucination.
Flattening that range isn't about lowering your standards; it's about realizing you were climbing the wrong peak. The moment you shift the goal from "impressing the world" to "powering your own life," the incline disappears. You just start walking. I am honored to have handed you a map, but you are the one doing the hiking.
Such an important distinction you are making herein Dr Kane. One that speaks to whether we are moving from within a harm reduction model or more of an enjoyment enhancement one - and whether one knows what is required to move from the first to the latter.
Happy New Year, Bronce. That frame, harm reduction vs. enjoyment enhancement, is the precise architectural difference. Most resolutions are negative; they are attempts to fix a defect. An oath is positive; it is an assertion of capacity. You cannot build a compelling future solely by trying to repair the past. Here's to the enhancement phase.
Tom, when God handed out gifts, I think he saw something special in you that caused Him to bless you with an enormous amount of intelligence. Alongside that intelligence He graced you with a humble and kind spirit. Your insights and your descriptions of those insights never cease to amaze me, yet you remain kind and humble. You are never arrogant, which I am truly thankful for!
You wrote these words -"Because a Resolution is a “Soft Word.” It is a wish. It relies on Motivation, and motivation is a biological weather pattern. It changes with your mood, your sleep, and your blood sugar". This group of sentences is a treasure trove of truths that reveal to the reader the extent to which "Society" consistently places unrealistic expectations upon us. Expectations that become the birth of "the Himalayas" within our own minds. Unattainable goals that make us feel "less than" and incapable. These "Himalayas"actually rob us of any motivation to even attempt to climb them no matter what they are because they are just too big.
With the intention of motivating us, Society constantly places burdens upon us too impractical to achieve such as the "New Years Resolution", the ideal weight chart at the doctors office, the worship of beauty, and last but not least the expectation that we should be working out for the perfect body instead of "a body perfect for me", which you mentioned in another article you wrote pertaining to health. A revelation you gave me that has actually set me free from my "internal Himalayan mountain range". I chose very profound language to describe the importance of what those sentences mean and reveal because they hold the power to flatten those inner Himalayans. It can be life changing realizing for the first time that you have what it takes to achieve those goals, your mountains were just too high. Thank you once again for help in my life! You are a real life blessing and I am so grateful for you. Laney
Laney, I am genuinely humbled by this. Thank you.
That image, the "Internal Himalayas", is a profound piece of mental geography. You've perfectly described how societal pressure creates artificial elevation. We stand at the bottom of these mountains (weight charts, beauty standards) and feel exhausted before we even take a step, not realizing that the mountain itself is a hallucination.
Flattening that range isn't about lowering your standards; it's about realizing you were climbing the wrong peak. The moment you shift the goal from "impressing the world" to "powering your own life," the incline disappears. You just start walking. I am honored to have handed you a map, but you are the one doing the hiking.
❤️❤️❤️
We are starting 2026.
Most people are setting "Resolutions."
Resolutions fail because they are based on how you feel.
"I want to feel fit."
But in three weeks, you will feel tired. And the resolution will die.
You need an Oath.
"I am an athlete. I train regardless of how I feel."
In today's post, I break down the Stoic approach to habit formation.
And if you want to know what to train?
Check the comments for the "Anti-Frailty Protocol."
Resolutions are fragile. They rely on motivation.
Oaths are antifragile. They rely on identity.
Stop making wishes. Start signing contracts with yourself.
Welcome to the new era of The Measured Word.
Such an important distinction you are making herein Dr Kane. One that speaks to whether we are moving from within a harm reduction model or more of an enjoyment enhancement one - and whether one knows what is required to move from the first to the latter.
Happy New Year Tom! Solid write up :)
Happy New Year, Bronce. That frame, harm reduction vs. enjoyment enhancement, is the precise architectural difference. Most resolutions are negative; they are attempts to fix a defect. An oath is positive; it is an assertion of capacity. You cannot build a compelling future solely by trying to repair the past. Here's to the enhancement phase.