Have you been tested?

There’s a provocative question in today’s world, true?  You can relax, it’s not that kind of testing I’m referring to. My context today is about something else, something more important. 

I’m participating in a Men’s Health class at MSU Denver this spring term titled, “Aging Warriors”.  The Professor (Doc R) invited a few of us elderly men to attend so his undergraduates could get a feel for what we’re like.  He knows at our age, many of us have been tested: 

Aging is not for the weak. 

Dr. Steven Rissman  

Although this class is focused on men, many of the topics apply to women equally.  And yes, in the business world many women feel they’ve been tested.  There’s even a math expression for it: 

Woman's Equation 

Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult. 

Unknown (Female) Sage 

One of the many topics covered in class has to do with having a, “Strong inner self”.  That’s not something we can just say we have and be credible.  It’s like the sailing analogy: 

In calm waters, every ship has a good captain. 

Swedish Proverb 

Captains are tested in rough waters, true?  What about you?  What rough waters have you been tested by?  Do you believe in your skills and abilities? 

Doc R further presented in class that: 

If you believe in your own skills and ability to manage and master stressful events you gain a sense of security. 

“Stressful events” you say?  Why I bet in the business world you believe you’re bathed in stressful events, surrounded by pressure, faced with continuous deadlines.  That’s the American Way isn’t it?  I’m sure you are dealing with business stress.  However, there’s more to life than business, our work, the size of our W-2, the next promotion.  

Life’s stressful events are different.  They are the worse types of events that are almost indescribable.  They’re the events even the sturdiest of us wonder if we will be able to stand up under the weight.  They’re the events that take our mind completely off of work. They're Herculean:

Having confidence and believing in oneself is one thing.  But take it from an Aging Warrior, to have a strong inner self - it must be tested.  It will be tested. 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.