Origin Story
Bruce Wayne witnessed his parents’ murder as a child and vowed to fight crime in Gotham City. He trained his mind and body and created his Batman persona to strike fear in criminals and avenge his childhood trauma. Tony Stark, a weapons inventor, is kidnapped and in order to escape, creates the prototype of Iron Man’s exoskeleton that begins his inevitable quest. Walter White discovers he has cancer and, in order to preserve his family’s future, draws on his chemistry expertise and enters the drug trade. We can also add Uma Thurman’s character in Kill Bill. She is buried alive, and once she frees herself, she becomes a martial arts expert to exact brutal revenge on her captors.
The one common thread among all of these protagonists, whether you agree with their methods or not, is that they each have an origin story. Or, better yet, a jumping off point for their cause.
If you have read my previous blogs, I guess there is a central theme or point to most of what I share. That theme is that anything is possible through hard work, organized efforts, continuous assessment of your actions, and the overall desire to be the best at something.
The theme for today’s blog is Origin Story. As in, how did we get here?
In addition to describing the central themes of my blog, it is also important to add that I have sprinkled in a bit of self-analysis along the way. Meaning, it has become good practice for me to take a personal deep dive into how I operate personally. And truthfully, it wasn’t until I began my semi-retirement several years ago and started going on long walks as part of my exercise program that I was able to see things about myself like never before. My blog is also a form of journaling. An activity that I have recommended quite often in previous episodes.
The image above is not me, but it might as well be. I had crazy red hair as a kid growing up and I was on my bike constantly. I had a Huffy with a banana seat and a flag on the back. We also put playing cards on the tire spokes so it made a noise like a motorcycle. And in honor of Evel Knievel, we were always jumping ramps. We moved from upstate New York to sunny South Florida and our neighborhood was wide open for riding. But that unfortunately is not the start of the origin story.
I was about four or five when the training wheels came off and I “learned” how to ride a bike like a big boy. I remember that day as if it were yesterday. My father packed my bike into the trunk of the car and we drove off to some parking lot or open space on a Saturday or Sunday to learn how to ride without training wheels. We lived upstate and there were quite a few hills if I remember correctly. So, there was definitely an element of uneven terrain lending to potential danger.
I was born premature in 1967 and lived the first portion of my life in an incubator. I was also the firstborn and, more than likely, was overprotected, over-coddled, and super childproofed. So when it came time to spread my wings and go training-wheels-free, I was not ready. That unfortunately was not part of my father’s plan for the day, nor his expectation for his firstborn’s solo flight. After several failed attempts, I didn’t want to continue. And expressed in no uncertain terms that today was not the day. He became angry, picked up my bike, slammed it to the ground, and threw it in the parking lot dumpster. After some careful negotiation on my part, he took the bike out of the trash, put it back in the trunk, and we went home. Definitely no trip to DQ for a victory cone, that was for sure. Shortly thereafter. Probably the very next day I soloed, and I guess the rest is history. I terrorized the neighborhood on my bike, skateboard, and any wheeled vehicle I could get my hands on as I grew up.
Not quite the Batman origin story that you were looking for, but that day would prove to be a memorable starting point even if I wasn’t aware of it at the time. The origin portion of the program only makes sense or has meaning if you are aware of the protagonist, me, and where I am now, and how I got here. And by the way, I was unaware for most of my life that the defining moment of that day growing up would be a catalyst for what I might become. Truthfully, for a long time, I just thought my father’s parenting skills around that particular lesson were subpar.
If anyone knows me, they understand that I don’t take no for an answer very well. I am, by nature, a problem solver and view no as just an opportunity to get to yes. I am not a quitter when it comes to endeavors that I feel are worthwhile. Hell, I have had one job in my entire adult life. I don’t always see things through. Some ideas or projects just don’t need to come off the drawing board even after careful planning. I have definitely “given up” on things that I didn’t like, or don’t feel will have a high percentage of success. That said, I don’t consider myself a quitter, even though I may not have seen a project through to fruition. I am also notoriously fickle. I however prefer to call it flexible. Truthfully, forcing someone to do something because it is “for their own good” isn’t in my wheelhouse. Hence, the bike incident.
I wish that event had given me the proverbial “I’ll show him” response. It didn’t. It did however create my first memorable act of defiance. And that may have been the start of my quest for yes! Nonetheless, I am choosing to make that fateful day and the events that took place my origin story. Obviously, most people aren’t buried alive like Uma Thurman in Kill Bill and then create a persona that seeks revenge on her oppressors. Life isn’t always that dramatic. We are by and large the product of many factors growing up. Your personal Mount Rushmore, perhaps. Your experiences as well as dreams and aspirations and the positive reinforcement from those choices all shape us. Also, the occasional disappointment or tragedy helps create who we are as well. The thing to begin to consider is compiling that list of events that attributes to the creation of your personality. It is through self evaluation that may allow for a better understanding of yourself. This becomes especially useful if you are desirous of change and improvement. You can’t chart a new course without knowing where you came from.
I can honestly say that a good portion of my personality could probably be attributed to that day. I am still a bit unsure of how it all falls into place. But I feel that was a defining moment for me. I have often contemplated my father’s reaction on that day. And even had a conversation or two with him about what he did. And unfortunately it did not shed much light on the event for me. Both of us acted in a way that served our needs at that moment. I don’t ascribe blame, only observational commentary. And maybe that day was the beginning of a lifetime of standing up for myself and ultimately helping others as a Chiropractor. I have always championed the little guy. And I always root for the Indians. A little far-reaching, but hey, I am the one with the keyboard. LOL.
I have been fascinated with the study of human performance and why some individuals are seemingly more adept at higher levels of achievement than others. I typically read two books at a time when I read. One fiction and one non-fiction. And the non-fiction book is typically performance based. Either business or personal development. As a former Division 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach, I have studied various methods of tapping into the source that helps propel certain individuals to greatness and have read 100’s of books on the subject. And it is because of this fascination that I have started my 3rd act as an Executive Coach, specializing in coaching health care providers. I am excited to help others achieve their goals and aspirations while they are on their journey of caring for others. I may have been born early, but in some regards I am a late bloomer. Do I wish it hadn’t taken me 58 years to sort out what makes me tick? Yes, I do. But knowing what I know now might just make the next 30 even better. So, chart your course by beginning to understand where you started.
Remember, recognizing that you “must“ feel the need to fill the quiet with distraction is your first step into uncovering the mysteries of yourself. This quiet is where self discovery begins and the magic happens.
“All of humanity’s problems stem from a person’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone”- Blaise Pascal
Self-discovery and introspection:
Solitude provides the mental space to examine your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without external distractions or pressures. It fosters greater self-awareness and a deeper understanding of yourself.
Mental clarity and focus:
Quiet contemplation allows the mind to settle and process information, leading to improved concentration and clearer thinking. It helps reduce the mental clutter that often accumulates in our busy lives.
Stress and anxiety reduction:
Stepping away from the demands of daily life and social interaction can significantly lower stress and anxiety levels. Silence and stillness activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing cortisol levels.
Emotional regulation:
Quiet time offers a chance to process and understand your emotions without judgment. This leads to better emotional control and a more balanced mental state.
Boosted creativity and problem-solving:
Solitude creates the space for the brain to engage in the “default mode network,” associated with daydreaming and imaginative thinking. This can spark new ideas and enhance problem-solving abilities.
Enhanced relationships:
Paradoxically, solitude can strengthen your connections with others. By taking time to recharge and understand yourself better, you can show up more authentically, present, and empathetic in your interactions.
Have a great week everyone!
