Dec 14, 2023 - Spiritual adaptability in the midst of hardship
The Klondike Gold Rush, asking for help, and getting rid of "tech neck"
Welcome to Climb Today’s Mountain!
In this series, I compile wisdom from other writers and historical figures on how to improve your mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and relational fitness. I provide a key takeaway and actionable steps that you can take today, this week, and this month to improve your life, starting now!
Last week’s topic: Practicing gratitude and treating your body with respect
Quote by Stoic philosopher, Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Hip mobility exercise for joint longevity
This week’s topic: Spiritual adaptability in the midst of hardship
Quote by adventure novelist, Jack London
Neck and back mobility exercise for better posture
Spiritual adaptability in the midst of hardship
When a man journeys into a far country, he must be prepared to forget many of the things he has learned, and to acquire such customs as are inherent with existence in the new land; he must abandon the old ideals and the old gods, and oftentimes he must reverse the very codes by which his conduct has hitherto been shaped. To those who have the protean faculty of adaptability, the novelty of such change may even be a source of pleasure; but to those who happen to be hardened to the ruts in which they were created, the pressure of the altered environment is unbearable, and they chafe in body and in spirit under the new restrictions which they do not understand. This chafing is bound to act and react, producing divers evils and leading to various misfortunes. It were better for the man who cannot fit himself to the new groove to return to his own country; if he delay too long, he will surely die.
The man who turns his back upon the comforts of an elder civilization, to face the savage youth, the primordial simplicity of the North, may estimate success at an inverse ratio to the quantity and quality of his hopelessly fixed habits. He will soon discover, if he be a fit candidate, that the material habits are the less important. The exchange of such things as a dainty menu for rough fare, of the stiff leather shoe for the soft, shapeless moccasin, of the feather bed for a couch in the snow, is after all a very easy matter. But his pinch will come in learning properly to shape his mind’s attitude toward all things, and especially toward his fellow man. For the courtesies of ordinary life, he must substitute unselfishness, forbearance, and tolerance. Thus, and thus only, can he gain that pearl of great price—true comradeship. He must not say “Thank you;” he must mean it without opening his mouth, and prove it by responding in kind. In short, he must substitute the deed for the word, the spirit for the letter.
Jack London, In a Far Country
Takeaway
Jack London’s short novel, In a Far Country, is about two men seeking gold near the Yukon River in Alaska. They leave their company behind to shelter from the winter storms in a cabin. At first they are able to cooperate and maintain a neat living environment, but eventually the dark winter days, boredom, and scurvy take their toll on their emotions and mental health.
You may have never spent a lonely winter in an Alaskan cabin, but London’s description of adaptability in the face of physical hardship is a vivid reminder of how reliant we are on other human beings for survival. We can grit our teeth and soldier through difficult, uncomfortable problems in our lives, but it is much harder to adapt our mindsets to operate freely within the external restraints upon our time, physical ability, or unwanted responsibilities. Instead, we often become brittle and resentful, lashing out at those around us, refusing to accept the reality of our condition.
Men and women who join the military are subjected to frustrating, sometimes arbitrary hardship during their training, and it’s not by accident. They are required to meet unrealistic deadlines, to keep moving even when they’re in pain, to adjust the workload around the individual strengths and weaknesses of each member. This training simulates real life conditions they might face later in their careers, when relying on your team is truly a matter of life and death.
Accepting and being willing to be shaped by less severe “training days” can prepare you for the day you face the “primordial simplicity of the North”. These are the times when all life’s petty fluff is burnt away, your dreams and ambitions disappear, and you feel the cold, hard edge of reality pressed against your neck. You’re standing in the Alaskan tundra, winter is coming, and you need a friend to help you winter the storm. Who will stand by your side during those sunless days and nights?
Application
In this moment: Ask someone for help today—at work, at home, or wherever you spend most of your hours. Request assistance from a true need, even if it is only to help you carry a box or stack of papers. Give gratitude honestly, and pay attention to that person for an opportunity to reciprocate.
In this week: Write down a brief list of the current stressors in your life. Underline one that makes you feel an extra layer of stress because you are “chafing in body and in spirit” against it, unwilling to accept its intrusion into your life. (It’s not fair. I shouldn’t have to deal with this.) Now, write down what it would mean to be a “fit candidate” for this challenge.
In this month: Practice adaptability when you feel resistance to feeling stressed or overwhelmed. If you cannot remove the stressors from your life, at least do not let your attitude towards that problem make you brittle and resentful. You can do this by:
Asking for and receiving help in small things (this won’t solve your problem, but it will help you remember you’re not alone)
Practicing gratitude for receiving help
Paying attention to the needs of others, and reciprocating help when asked (once you have incurred a small debt to someone else, they may feel better about asking for help when they need it)
Share your progress!
Bonus content—Improve your posture with this neck and back mobility exercise!
Mobility training is often overlooked in exercise, in lieu of cardio and weight training. The lack of mobility training is often expressed as: “I must be getting old, I’m so stiff I can barely touch my toes.” The big difference between mobility and flexibility is that mobility improves range of motion for joints and surrounding muscle areas, while stretching lengthens muscles.
Incorporating a few minutes of mobility training each day can begin reversing the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, improve your body posture, reduce muscle knots, and increase the longevity of your joints.
Open Book Rotation
Difficulty level: easy
This mobility exercise focuses on thoracic rotation, or the upper-mid back, and it is great for people who spend a lot of the day sitting. Long periods of sitting can increase the potential for tight shoulders, bad posture, and even injuries. Additionally, the time we spend looking down at our phones adds up, and can cause painful soreness.
Start by lying on your side with your knees bent at about a 90-degree angle to your body. Squeeze a yoga block or similar object between your knees, while lifting your arm and rotating your upper body (like opening a book). Try to touch your hand to the ground behind you, but don’t force it if you’re too stiff. Return to the starting position and start again. Don’t forget to do the other side!
Watch this video on how to do the open book rotation.
Let us know how you put this week’s ideas into practice. Have a great weekend!