I ended the last contribution with a note about my return from Japan with a renewed interest and perspective on health but I think it is worthy to note how this perception was shaped before leaving.
Although sports and performance have always been a passion, Dr. David Dyck and the nutrition course I took of his, Nutrition, Exercise & Metabolism, really opened my eyes to the increasing burden on our society imposed by the epidemic proportions of people suffering from chronic diseases. The impact of the numbers he would present in his classes really began to hit home as we learned about the physiological causes of these diseases and that they were essentially lifestyle related diseases. I became increasingly engrossed in my education from this point forward as I began to understand the impact I could have on our society if I could somehow put myself in a position to educate and transmit this knowledge beyond the university classroom. My program leaned towards more exercise and movement mechanics courses and my passion for education was shaped by this and I became more infatuated with the idea of movement as an integral part of the cultural shift I was envisioning.
It was in part this education that I alluded to in my first contribution to this series that led my ascension to a level of living I was much prouder of and happier with, but I firmly believe that nothing happens in a vacuum. Just today I watched a lecture by James Surowiecki entitled "The moment when social media became the news", in it he describes the circular mill theory about networks that resonated with me and had me retool this post. Essentially he describes the ant colony scenario in that groups can produce amazing things when collaborating but also that should this collaboration be blindly followed, it can lead to disaster. Surowiecki describes a circular ant farm, 12 miles across where the ants just march and march, following the leader until they die. The reason I bring this up is that the social network I integrated with while at the same time becoming more passionate about my education dramatically shaped my progress in living, whereas my previous network and community had me somewhere on that 12-mile track. I entered this new ant race but did my best to keep in touch with my past to keep perspective and stepped off the beaten path when I felt I needed to. It was this trust in my previous selves that lead me to Japan after completing my degree but it was also the trust and love from my new social network that allowed me to take that next step towards a more self-realized Scott, whether they or I knew it or not.
So it was in this mindset that I came to Japan and it was this mindset and perspective that was shaped and changed dramatically and subtly by the people, environment and experiences I shared with myself and with many a solid person while abroad. (Part 3 will be posted on March 31, 2009)
I think I have been choosing for quite sometime to find a healthier and better way to live and reach my goals, but I am beginning to see just how my definition of choosing has been shaped and I hope this journey helps you find a more personal way to choose and move forward toward your goals along with me.
Scott Tate