Search the Community

Welcome back for another episode of The Exciting Adventures of JediNickD! It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away that I joined this site and started my first challenge.. World 1 was my first extended stay. I took a hiatus from NF and came back with a new direction for my goals where I warped to World 2, which I defeated in a Boss Fight slaying some mighty big goals. On to World 3 to continue to level up my life! Challenge Lesson "Don't Give in to Hate": From Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (emphasis mine): Yoda: Stopped they must be; on this all depends. Only a fully trained Jedi Knight, with the Force as his ally, will conquer Vader and his Emperor. If you end your training now - if you choose the quick and easy path as Vader did - you will become an agent of evil. Obi-Wan: Patience. Luke: And sacrifice Han and Leia? Yoda: If you honor what they fight for? Yes. Obi-Wan: If you choose to face Vader, you will do it alone. I cannot interfere. Luke: I understand. R2? Fire up the converters. Obi-Wan: Luke! Don't give in to hate. That leads to the Dark Side. Yoda: Strong is Vader. Mind what you have learned. Save you it can. Luke: I will. And I'll return, I promise. It is my personal opinion that "hate" is a strong word. I believe that to be true. If you say you dislike something, then you are conveying just your interest level in it. If you say you hate something, then you are conveying much more. You are saying that you will not tolerate it either. You are drawing a clear line in the sand. For Jedi in Star Wars, that line is like the edge of the Dark Side. Drawing it divides you from the Light Side. The only way back is to cross it removing your hate. There is a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr relating to this thinking which I use often: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that." To remove hate, you must show love, compassion, caring, thoughtfulness, and understanding. This is exactly what Luke does to defeat the Emperor, turning Darth Vader back to the light side to defend his son. The best way to show love, compassion, caring, thoughtfulness, and understanding is to learn about the other side. In the real world, hate is caused by ignorance. If you do not know and understand something which you dislike, then your dislike of it can turn to hate when you are forced to tolerate it. Your dislike boils and boils as you are continually subjected to it making you more and more uncomfortable for reasons that you just do not understand. When you see something for what it is, know it and understand it, then even if you dislike it, you learn to tolerate it, to manage it, to avoid it. I hated rap music when I was young. I didn't get the attraction or connection people had to it. I didn't understand the lyrics. I didn't understand the meaning and motives behind the music. It confused me and made me uncomfortable to listen to it. After growing up, learning about different cultures, meeting people who like rap music, listening to the words and understanding their meanings, I can say that there is rap music I like and listen to and rap music I dislike and avoid, but no rap music I hate. Educating yourself in other cultures is a powerful ally in the real world. When I feel anger towards something, when I find I dislike something and wish not to tolerate it, I respond by getting to know and understand it. I define questions and seek answers instead boundaries and conflict. Hate leads to the Dark Side. Knowledge leads to the Light Side. Side note: I'm almost through the World 1 lessons. Level 18 was the last one I didn't write a strong lesson on, so after that one, I'll be visiting new quotes and lessons. I feel that there is not strong material to pull from The Force Awakens or Rogue One for Jedi lessons (since no Jedi speak in either movie), but there is still useful lessons to write about, which unlike the original and prequel trilogies, has hardly been written about anywhere. After The Last Jedi hits theaters, I'll probably wait a couple challenges before I delve into the lessons to give readers time to view and digest. No need to spoil anything, right? My Main Quest and Mission: My mission is to be the best Jedi I can be. My main quest is always to enhance my overall health, fitness, and knowledge to be prepared for whatever challenges life could throw at me. As a Jedi, I need to be able to help people, whether that is a life threatening situation or just a charitable one. There is no boss level in Jedi training, there is only tomorrow. World 3 Level 6 Challenge: FITNESS: Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 500 min total, 120 weekly. DEX +1, STA +2 Exercise: Lifting and Bodyweight - 300 min total, 80 weekly. STR +1 Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - 400 min total, 100 weekly. STR +1, DEX +1 Karate: Training and Practice - 600 min total, 150 weekly. STR +1, DEX +1, STA +1 DIET: Weight Control - Lose 1 lb by end of challenge. Never weigh more than 155.4 lbs. Complete measurements before or during Week 1 and again during or after Week 4. Watch portions and make healthy choices for 24 of 28 days. Track "fasting" after dinner nightly. I'm looking to continue to cut down on snacking and desserts after dinner. I need to ensure I have a calorie deficit or I won't continue to lose weight. CON +2 LIFE: Get Stuff Done - Complete (or dedicate at least one hour to) 210 Tasks or Projects, with at least 55 each week, from any of the following areas (minimum for challenge): Toastmasters Communication Practice (6), Toastmasters Leadership Practice (8), Toastmasters Speech and Training Development (8), Mentoring (6), Charity Work (2), Jedi Training (8), Self Preservation (16), Reading (16), Church Work (14), Job Work (10), Business Projects (8), Dishes (18), Laundry (18), Cleaning/Dusting/Vacuuming (18), Other Chores (18), Yard Work (8), Animal Care (24), Home Renovation (4), Auto Maintenance (4), Family Activities (8), Adventuring (6). WIS +2, CHA +2 INCENTIVES! Working hard for CASH! ($183 carried over) REWARD 1: For each week I complete 60 or more tasks, I will put aside $10 to spend how I see fit. I only beat 60 once last challenge, so this will be tough to earn. CONSEQUENCE 1: For any week where I complete less than 55 tasks, I will give up $10 of saved cash. REWARD 2: $5 for each Business Project hour. NEED TO GET MY EXTRA-LIFE PROJECT RUNNING! CONSQUENCE 2: Lose $10 for each week without a Business Project hour. REWARD 3: $1 for each hour working on Jedi Training lessons. CONSQUENCE 3: Lose $5 for each week without working on a Jedi Training lesson. REWARD 4: $1 for each night of fasting after dinner. Fruits and veggies allowed in small quantities, but no dessert or snacking. CONSQUENCE 4: Lose $5 for each day without fasting. Lose $5 for eating more than 2 slices of pizza in any meal. REWARD 5: $1 for each day with a small, healthy lunch. CONSQUENCE: Lose $5 for each day without a small, healthy lunch. BONUSES: $5 for each Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance task. $5 for 10 or more sprints in one workout. (once a week only) $5 for running more than 3.5 miles in a workout. $5 for running below an 8 minute mile. (once a week only) $10 for running below a 7 minute mile. (once a week only) $5 for running 3 miles in less than 30 minutes. (once a week only) PUNISHMENT: Lose $10 each day with weight above 155.4 lbs. TIME FOR SERIOUS BUSINESS!