don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

In The Consolations Of Philosophy by Alain De Botton, a paperback summarizing the lifestyle advice of six of “the finest minds in the history of philosophy” (Socrates, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche) read to pass the time prior to the big race, two rather remarkably contrasting views about expectations were noted. 

The first is from Schopenhauer, the great pessimist (We can regard our life as a uselessly disturbing episode in the blissful repose of nothingness. Human existence must be a kind of error. It is bad today and every day it will get worse.) The prudent man strives for freedom from pain, not pleasure. The happiest lot is that of the man who has got through life without any great pain, bodily or mental.

At first besotted with such sentiments, Nietzsche came to regard this advice as both timid and untrue, a perverse attempt to dwell hidden in forests like shy deer. Fulfillment was to be reached not by avoiding pain, but by recognizing its role as a natural, inevitable step on the way to reaching anything good.

At times during yesterday’s race, I thought of both philosophers, especially during the run. However, when it was over and done, my sentiments were entirely with Nietzsche. While the outcome in terms of place was unknown, I knew I had a good race. In fact, for a few minutes, it was the consensus of my support team—darling Carol, Karyn and Rod Lees and Grant Donovan that I must have won. Nobody at all old looking had gone through the line ahead of me! Of course, this was not very scientific so it seemed wise to curb one’s enthusiasm, as Larry David might advise.

Then we heard a woman exclaim to a somewhat elder gent that he had won the world championship and, noting that he had a 70 written on his calf where age markings were affixed, we all concluded that second place, a silver medal, was pretty good in a race of this magnitude. It was not until four hours or so later, sitting in the hotel awaiting the awards dinner and ceremonies, that a phone call from Steve Jonas (who had checked results online) revealed that I had won the race—by over four minutes. (The 70 year old “innocent imposter,” a delightful chap as it turned out, was second.)

Nietzsche nailed it—a bit of pain for this level of fulfillment was a necessary step I’d cheerfully endure—any day of the week. We all had a fine celebration. Carol took lots of pictures—one is included and more to come. Between winning the bike and the race, it's been a series of epic and triumphant days, one after the other.

Off to Brisbane for two leisurely days of museum-going, then Canberra where I am giving a speech at a conference and then back to Brisbane before going to Carolina for the world duathlon race.

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the PHYSICAL DOMAIN under the skill area of adaptations and challenges. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

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