The Rock Doesn’t Live by Culture Beat Lyrics

The Rock, Chris Rock, and Kid Rock. A Rare Photo. Hey Will Smith - Don’t Smack the One on the Left

It is a fast, fast-paced world.  People want what they want, and they want it now.  And this is not just a Grub Hub or an Amazon thing, either.  These days, for every person that signs up for the New Year’s Resolution-ary gym membership, there is another who gets liposuction or implants – pick your body part.    Why wear Invisalign to straighten your teeth? That takes months.  Now, you can get a “snap on smile.”  Seriously.  Want muscles – take steroids.  Well, that isn’t new.  Because, as we learned, the juice is pretty good for the home run swing, too. 

I went to the gym today, expecting it to be a madhouse – as it often is on January 1st.  It was dead.  Maybe everyone is waiting for tomorrow, though.  My visit had nothing to do with a resolution, however.  I’ve been going to the gym for years and years – but I have to admit that it has been at least a decade since I hit the gym as much as I did in 2023.  And you know what?  I feel great.  Everything feels better when you are healthy.  Every sleep, every breath, every step. Even a glass of cold water feels better than usual lately.  I never want to un-feel the way I feel right now.  Great health is the key to a great life. 

Arnold’s Take on All of This

As we enter 2024, it's become increasingly evident that our approach to health — encompassing both mind and body — requires a deeper understanding and commitment. Year after year, millions make health-related New Year resolutions with genuine enthusiasm. However, a significant majority find these resolutions fizzling out within weeks. This pattern is not just a personal failure but reflects a broader cultural challenge in cultivating perseverance and patience, especially in an era of instant gratification.  Like I said above, people want what they want, and they want it now. 

And let us not forget that health extends beyond physical fitness and into mental and emotional well-being. The mind-body connection is now more recognized than ever. Activities like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness have gained traction, emphasizing the importance of mental health in overall wellness.  And relationships, too.  What an incredible impact they have – sometimes amazing – sometimes not.  Never, ever underestimate the influence of a person who feeds your soul and your positive spirit.  Also, never forget the contrary.    

Perseverance is a key trait often overlooked in our quick-fix culture. It's about the commitment to persist in the face of setbacks. In health, this means maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mindfulness practices even when immediate results aren't evident. The failure to stick to resolutions often stems from a lack of perseverance, underlined by unrealistic expectations and the desire for quick results.  And in relationships, love at first sight is exciting, too – but rarely does it materialize into love at last sight.  The perseverance to get to love at last sight is a far greater miracle than what is felt at the inauguration of any interpersonal connection.   

Love at Last Sight is a Far Greater Miracle than Love at First Sight

Patience is intertwined with perseverance. In the I want it now culture, where results are expected instantaneously, patience in health and wellness is a rare commodity. Actual health improvement takes time, and patience is about acknowledging and accepting this journey. When resolutions fall apart, it's often due to impatience and misunderstanding the time it takes to see changes.  As an aside, the song was by Culture Beat in 1993.  Great year.

The way adults approach health resolutions has a direct impact on their kids. They observe and emulate. When they see adults giving up on health goals quickly, they will likely absorb the notion that perseverance and patience are optional. Teaching children the value of these traits starts with setting the right example. It means showing them that sticking to a healthy routine is valuable even when progress seems slow.

So when my son asks me why we are going to the gym again, I do my best to talk about the importance of brushing our teeth.  At first he was confused by this – but now I think he gets it that the health of our bodies and minds are not all that dissimilar to the health of our teeth.  And just as we brush them to keep them white, shiny, and cavity-free, we gotta be doing something with the rest ourselves too.   

Even when no one is looking

And then the best thing happened the other night.  We were out watching the Thursday Night Football game with about a dozen or so of our friends.  One of them is a Massachusetts State Trooper who has taken physical fitness very seriously, and it shows.  Luca – so curious about what it is like to be a Trooper got into a long conversation with him.  And without my saying a word, he told Luca how important it is to be healthy – the gym – and so forth.  Role models like that are essential for our kids, too.  Did I mention relationships?  Oh right.  I did.