Three Things I Learnt This Week
What do James Mattis and Neil Gaiman have in common? Well, they taught me something valuable over this week.
I also add in one of my own insights too.
8–12 April 24
Momentum works both ways. Just as a good night’s sleep is a slow climb to being healthier, so is continuously neglecting yourself.
Phil Luke
The concept of momentum, as expressed by yours truly, embodies a fundamental principle of human behavior. It is the tendency for actions to perpetuate themselves in either positive or negative directions. After all, they do not sit still.
The idea that “momentum works both ways” highlights the physics that momentum can either propel us towards growth and well-being or drag us into stagnation and decline. This notion not only applies to physical phenomena, but also holds profound implications for our personal development and habits.
Momentum serves as a metaphor for the cumulative effect of our actions over time. Just as a good night’s sleep contributes to our physical and mental health, each instance of self-care sets in motion a trajectory of well-being. This positive momentum is characterized by incremental gains. However small, eventually consistent efforts compound to produce significant improvements.
Conversely, neglecting self-care and succumbing to unhealthy habits leads a downward spiral of negative momentum. “Continuously neglecting yourself” perpetuates a cycle of deterioration, where each instance of neglect further undermines well-being. This negative momentum is insidious, gradually eroding our health and vitality until we find ourselves trapped in a cycle decline. Eventually the inertia required to move in the other direction becomes… well… massive.
We notice negative behaviours more as gravity helps the decline.
Understanding both directions offers profound insights into the impact of our daily decisions. It underscores the pivotal role of purposefulness in our every action. It highlights how each choice we make contributes to steering the course of our momentum, whether good or bad.
From a psychological perspective, this idea speaks to the concept of reinforcement theory. In the context of momentum, positive actions are reinforced by their beneficial outcomes, leading to an increase in desirable behaviors. Conversely, negative actions are reinforced by their detrimental consequences, perpetuating a cycle of maladaptive behaviors and therefore outcomes.
I like to think that the quote highlights the role of self-awareness and personal agency in breaking the cycle of negative momentum. By recognizing the impact of our actions, we make conscious choices that align with our wellbeing.
This process of self-reflection and intentional action is essential for positive momentum, as well as noticing the decline.
Bloom where you are planted.
James Mattis
General James Mattis encapsulates not only the ethos of resilience but also a profound insight into the military experience, particularly the phenomenon of posting cycles. Within the military context, soldiers often find themselves uprooted from familiar surroundings and transplanted into new environments, sometimes at regular intervals dictated by posting cycles.
Often, you do not have a choice.
More often than not, when I receive my posting notice, I dread it. I often moan and complain about the remoteness of my next location. Or I wonder how will i struggle to enjoy it. Oh, how have I done a disservice to myself.
The metaphor of blooming where one is planted takes on added significance within the military community. It speaks to the necessity of adapting, regardless of the challenges or uncertainties. We must learn to embrace each new posting as an opportunity for growth and development, cultivating resilience and resourcefulness along the way.
Posting cycles highlights the ever-changing landscape of military life, where individuals must constantly adapt to new roles, duties, and environments. Each relocation presents a chance for personal growth, a platform to showcase one’s abilities and aptitudes in a fresh setting.
Every new posting is an opportunity for individuals to grow, no matter the strife. Military life’s ever-shifting nature underscores the value of embracing change. It then becomes one’s own responsibility to bloom there.
The wisdom inherent in General Mattis’s quote applies with particular poignancy to the military experience. And perhaps, a bit of the human experience too.
I like writing things that will surprise me.
Neil Gaiman
For Neil Gaiman, writing is not merely a means of conveying predetermined ideas or messages. It is an exploration. It is an adventure into the unknown. By seeking to surprise himself through his writing, he embraces the unpredictable nature of creativity.
Seriously, he is like the wise uncle I never had.
In many ways, this approach to writing mirrors the experience of the reader, who embarks on a journey of discovery alongside the author. Just as Gaiman delights in the unexpected revelations that arise during the writing process, so do readers.
Moreover, Gaiman’s desire to be surprised by his own writing speaks to a deeper truth about the creative spirit. It is an insatiable curiosity.
Truly, the narratives that etch themselves into our minds are the ones that break molds, defy norms, and whisk us away to realms unknown. Gaiman’s artistry is in his knack for crafting tales that even surprise him. In his works, he extends an invitation to readers, urging them to venture into a realm where storytelling’s essence is nothing short of enchantment.
Pure magic.
See you next week for another reflection on the week’s learnings.
