[JediNickD] World 2 Level 9: "Wars not make one great"

[JediNickD]

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. Upon my return, I have decided to revisit some of my challenge themes to turn them into lessons as I had been doing more recently.  I feel it is a good way to reflect on my own learning and progress to write about and share these lessons, but I also have another objective. I am cataloging these lessons in a document which is now up to 142 pages. The plan is to use this document as a reference for my personal Jedi training and to pass on for my Padawan training. It isn't just my Nerd Fitness challenges. It includes every Jedi-related writing I have done, training I have worked through, and documents I have collected (which are not protected but have sources noted).

 

 

Challenge Lesson:

"Ohhhh... Great warrior... Wars not make one great"
-- Yoda, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

 

Luke comes to the swamp world of Dagobah looking for the Jedi Master, Yoda.  He meets an odd alien hermit after crash landing in the swamp.  Their exchanges are quite comical as Luke's frustrations with the swamp and his search set in and are exasperated by the odd alien hermit.  Finally, Luke tells the odd alien hermit he is looking for someone, a great warrior.  The hermit replies with the above quote, "Wars not make one great."

 

I agree with the odd alien hermit for three reasons.  First, because he is Yoda!  You can't disagree with the Grand Master of the Jedi!  Second, it is not victory in war which brings about greatness, but all the work to get there. 

 

War is something that has been glorified through stories of drama and action to recount history or to entertain through all eras of humanity.  Today, it is through film, television, and books that war and the heroes of war are glorified.  The heroes are the main characters who could always be described as "great warriors" at the end.  A great warrior is the successful victor in battle.  The focus is on their accomplishments and achievements, not on the path which led them there.  Not every great warrior starts out great.  They have training, struggles, defeats, learning, practicing to go through before they can find success and claim victory over their opponents.

 

War is conquest and conflict where there are winners (the great warriors) and losers (not yet great warriors).  The loser of war or conflict has an opportunity to learn from failure.  After they learn from failure, they can then achieve greatness and be a great warrior, but the war is not what makes them great.  It is the training, struggles, defeats, learning, practicing which makes them great.   

 

But for my third reason, you have to take the quote in context.  Yoda is indicating a slightly different lesson.  A Jedi's purpose is to serve others, respect all life, and protect all life from those who wish it harm for personal gain.  A Jedi accomplishes these things by being one with the Force to see the "right" path forward to find solutions and results that benefit everyone involved and do not have harmful effects in the future.  Luke refers to the Jedi Master as a Great Warrior, but Yoda undercuts the compliment by implying the Jedi do not seek greatness through being a warrior.  Jedi fight as a last resort.  Jedi use the Force for defense, never for attack.  Instead, a Jedi achieves greatness through their servitude of the light side of the Force. 

 

 

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 2 Level 9 Challenge:

FITNESS:

• Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 500 min total, 120 weekly.

  DEX +1, STA +2

   

• Exercise: Stretch and Strengthen - 500 min total, 120 weekly.

  STR +2, DEX +1

   

• Karate: Training and Practice - 500 min total, 120 weekly
  STR +1, DEX +1, STA +1
   

DIET:

• Weight Control - Lose 2 lbs by end of challenge. Never weigh more than 159.0 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.
  CON +2
   

LIFE:

• Get Stuff Done - Complete (or dedicate at least one hour to) 75 Tasks or Projects, with at least 15 a week, from any of the following areas (minimum for challenge):
  Toastmasters Communication Practice (2), Toastmasters Leadership Practice (6), Webmaster Work (4), Mentoring (4), Charity Work (2), Jedi Training (4), Self Preservation (2), Reading (8)Church Work (4), Job Work (4), Business Projects (4), Household Chores (16), Yard Work (4), Animal Care (8), Home Renovation (4), Auto Maintenance (3), Family Activities (4), Adventuring (2).   
  WIS +2, CHA +2
  Added two new categories.  Reading for entertainment is something I have been neglecting.  Business Projects includes a few ventures I am working on with the Wizard Laser Tag, a Jedi Training Website, and a Life Coaching Website.  Each could result in extra cash if they reach they maximum potential, but personally, that is not the overall goal for any of them. 
  INCENTIVES!
  REWARD:  For each week I complete 15 or more tasks, I will put aside $5 to spend how I see fit ($215 total saved so far).
  CONSEQUENCE:  For any week where I complete less than 15 tasks, I will give up $10 of saved cash.
  BONUS:  $5 for each Business Project hour.

 

[JediNickD]

Finished the lesson and goals.  Ready for the next challenge!

[JediNickD]

156.8 lbs this morning and I feel like it.  I need a run tomorrow morning.

[JediNickD]

157.2 lbs this morning.  Yesterday morning and afternoon, I developed significant soreness in my neck and shoulder, which I had to take an aspirin to relieve.  Then, I strained a hamstring at karate last night doing a split stretch.  I took it easy this morning doing therapy and stretching.  Both feel a lot better now.  More karate tonight.

 

Also, yesterday afternoon, I had a phone interview for a job in my previous work area which I was very comfortable in for 5 years.  I'm not sure how I feel about this new opportunity, as initially I was very excited about the possibility about returning to my technical expertise and doing work that is very rewarding mentally.  It is really interesting technical R&D work compared to a bit mundane Management, Production, and Sustainment work I do now, but it would also mean a return to a work environment which was constantly counter productive with toxic relationships and poor work conditions.  The contract was also always in jeopardy.  I felt like every 3 months I was fighting to keep employed.  I talked to a friend who works there still and I trust to be honest about the area.  He was not very pleased with how things have progressed there in the year since I left.  Usually, he is just negative about the contract company we worked for and very positive about the customer, but he was not in this case and advised I stay away.  I think what this opportunity has really done for me is remind me of the positives of leaving that job and taking my current one.  Sure, I miss the technical side being on a bench, in a chamber, or at a range, running simulations and tests, but there is opportunity for me to apply my technical expertise often and I can dig in at times for a more technical role.  My contract just keeps me from doing any of the actual work the engineers do.  The job security, work environment, and potential career path ahead of me far out weight what I left behind.  I'm likely to get an offer and unless they blow me away, I don't think there is any chance I take it.  It was a fun and exciting process though.  And a great one to do at the beginning of a new year.

[JediNickD]

158.8 lbs this morning.  My "last 30 entry" average now includes zero data points above 160 lbs.  The plateau is nearing... or I just need to increase the intensity! 

 

I decided that I need to replace my outside running (TOO DAMN COLD and sometimes wet and icy) with machine biking.  I have no desire to get on a treadmill.  I'll do sprints in the gym, but it isn't always available (gotta get there earlier).  The bike is a good cardio workout, but my legs are not use to it.  I should do rowing too, but I don't know how my back will respond.  So I got some "new" stuff this challenge for the cardio block.  Plan is MW strength training, TuTh cardio, and F is fun day.  I'd like to do strength and cardio on each weekend day, but the plan will be decided weekly based on weekend plans.   I'd like develop a habit of one lunch time workout a week.  Wednesday is the optimum day.  The lunch time workouts do wonders for my energy and diet during the day. 

 

Looking forward to Week 1!

[JediNickD]

Got a Jedi Studies Lesson out of the way today.  I have a 30 minute speech for the Toastmasters Training tomorrow.  That should be fun.  I got a speech in on Tuesday and am close to another leadership project completion. 

 

My wife and I worked on the Wizard Laser Tag.  Looks like we have a design and gameplay concept to move forward with.  The electronics should be fairly simple to setup with only a bit of engineering.  The wands and harnesses will be the most difficult part to put together.  Of course all the difficult stuff is outside my area of expertise. 

 

Week 0 has been highly productive!

[JediNickD]

158.0 lbs this morning.  My "starting weight" is an excellent starting spot.  Can I get down to 156.0 lbs by day 28?  Can I dip below 156.0 lbs for the first time since freshmen year of college?

 

Handstands this morning were amazing.  I did 10 handstand pushups in my first set with only touching the wall to regain balance when I was in the up position!  I ended the workout with handstand walking side steps with the wall for support.  I was certainly impressed with how well I maintained balance on one hand.  I did some physical therapy exercises, hollow body, super man, leg raises (getting the toes above the bar!), and pistol squats totaling 40 minutes including my warm up stretching.  I did some cardio with broad jumps for 10 minutes.  INTENSE!  My body feels strong and energized!

 

Yesterday, I did a good job of making healthy choices.  So many chips in the house and I didn't touch them.  I made BBQ Pork Ribs with butternut squash, zucchini, red onion and radishes, and brown beans.  Last January, I'd only eat the ribs and beans.  This January, they were the smallest portions on my plate (but I did finish the rib meat off both my kids plates, because "mmmm... ribs", but it wasn't too many extra bites).   

 

Yesterday, I went to church, operated the sound board, and mentored a mother and son Toastmasters on club website administration.  Lastly, I did some reading on "Force and Destiny" RPG beginners game.  It looks even enough to run from a story perspective.  The difficult part will be interpreting dice rolls and identifying unique outcomes to enhance the game.  I also read "The Force Awakens" novelization.

[JediNickD]

157.4 lbs this morning.  Cardio day sprints with physical therapy HIIT and Karate form practice in between.  And some handstands and leg raises for extra practice.  Thursday I'm going to get on the row machine. 

 

With the crazy grilled cheese man on the news yesterday, I made a Tuna Melt for dinner with carrots.  My daughter wouldn't let me put onion or celery in the tuna.  Boo.

 

I cleaned the cat litter box last night and did the dishes. 

 

My wife and I are catching up on Season 2 of "Killjoys" from the summer (she was never home all summer).  We watched "I Love Lucy" where they visit the collector to trade for green stuff.  It was a pretty crazy episode with another character who has been cheating death with another method and sexy chick androids which John hacks with a Lucy app giving the spaceship an integral role in the team's escape and showing more of her personality.  I really enjoy the characters and their interactions, but the Level 6 green stuff story arc for this season is potentially world shifting.  It is changing what is possible in their world with a great mystery covering it up.  It almost upsets me that we (and the characters) will likely learn enough about it to give us (and them) a new outlook on life in their world making a Season 3 more difficult to keep up their lives as killjoys.

 

 

[JediNickD]

158.2 lbs this morning.  Exercise day with pistol squats, pull-ups, and handstand side steps.  Lots of stretching as I have a little strain in my back.  Need more rows, planks, and crow poses to strengthen my small group muscles in my back.

 

Karate last night was a lot of punching and kicking. 

 

I spent $50 of my saved cash on a new pair of water proof boots (on super sale!) for the snow and cold.  My old pair was pretty cheap and had sprung a small leak so I needed a new pair.

 

I did a speech yesterday at Toastmasters.  I also acted as the Presiding Officer and ran the business portion of the meeting.  After I mentored a couple members to help them improve and prepare for the next meeting.

[JediNickD]

158.8 lbs this morning.  I over-ate at dinner, which was chocolate chip pancakes and bacon.  I should have been more sensible.  Next week, I am planning salads.  I've got a few more planned lunches for this week so I can switch gears yet.  Hopefully, my wife thinks healthy for dinner tonight.

 

Played racquetball this morning with a guy on travel looking for a workout.  It was really fun to play someone different.  He was really good with power and speed shots.  He had a few that he expected to score, but my quick feet and hustle kept the ball alive.  I surprised him a few times.

 

Last night, I went to adult Karate.  It was a cardio class focused on drilling forms.  I was sweating heavier than the Mississippi River. 

[JediNickD]

Completed Jedi Lesson 7 for IJRS Jedi Studies 101.  It had me take an objectivity test.  Apparently, I am moderately automatically biased toward old people over young people.  Must be that old people are expected to be wiser than young people in my eyes, but I actually expected it to be opposite since I see myself as young still, even at 36. 

[JediNickD]

No weight this morning.  Running outside in the warm 50 degree weather! 

 

Karate with the kids last night.  Focus was on fundamentals.  My wife went to adult class which turned out to be a sparing class.  She got torched to exhaustion.  I have to remember that second Thursday of the month is a sparing class. 

 

Math homework with the 6 year old was tremendously entertaining and frustrating.  She gets it, but she makes me work for her to do the work. It must be exhausting to be her teacher.  I gotta buy that lady a fruit basket or three.

[JediNickD]

158.4 this morning.

 

Ran 2.3 miles yesterday.  It was wet, but at least not rainy like this morning.  My wife is killing the dishes so I took care of laundry last night, but it is only half done. 

 

This morning, I did typewriter push-ups, uneven push-ups, handstand push-ups, archer pull-ups, shrimp squats, and toes-to-bar leg raises.  I also did some weighted physical therapy exercises for my neck and shoulders.

 

Last night, I went to Toastmasters and gave a significant accomplishment speech.  I did an Interpretive Reading where I read "To One In Paradise" by Edgar Allan Poe.  In middle school, I had to memorize and recite the poem in front of the class and be video taped.  I couldn't handle the it and threw up during my presentation, which led to my fear of public speaking.  I haven't mastered the skill, but I am certainly over my hump with that horrible experience safely in the past.  It wasn't perfect, but I enjoyed presenting it.  I plan to do it again and again, and may video tape it, maybe even Facebook Live it.   

 

I have two more reading to finish the manual: a play and an oratorical speech.  I'm thinking "Who's on First" for the play.  That should be a lot of fun to prep and deliver.  For the oratorical speech, there are so many great options.  I need to do some research on this one.  Contest season starts next month, so I need to focus on my speech for that, which will close out my 6th Competent Communicator manual. 

[JediNickD]

157.6 lbs this morning.  Karate last night.  Earned an orange stripe for my yellow belt form!  And spent myself doing every exercise to the highest intensity I could muster.

 

This morning I was sore, so I did some deep stretching and physical therapy exercises.  Then, because I wasn't exhausted enough, I finished with handstand walking, archer pull-ups, toes-to-bar leg raises, and dip leg raises. 

 

I'll have Karate again tonight, but I want to get a run in at lunch time with the nice weather.  It is suppose to rain on and off through the weekend starting Friday.  I'm hoping to take the dogs for a run Saturday.

 

I went to store yesterday and picked up healthy lunch stuff and snacks.  That should help with my weight control. 

 

I also did the last speech for my Speaking to Inform manual.  I've got two manuals and could submit my Advanced Communicator Silver award, but I'm going to pair each with an Interpretive Reading manual, to get my Advanced Communicator Gold as well.  That would complete my cycle from CC to DTM in one year, just not in order.  I may be able to finish my 2nd Advanced Leader Silver and second DTM if I can get a new club formed.  There just isn't enough interest in an Advanced Club.  I should focus on a regular club at a business near by.

[JediNickD]

158.0 lbs this morning.  Karate last night.  Worked on side kicks, which require lots of balance.  Good thing I have been working to improve on balancing on one leg with pistol and shrimp squats through the Assassin's Mini! 

 

I got my lunch time run in yesterday at 2 miles and had time to do some strength training.  I was dripping sweat and had to wipe up the gym floor when done. 

 

This morning, I was gentler on myself to let my body recover from such a big day yesterday.  I stretched with physical therapy, then warmed up with diamond burpees.  I did some handstand pushups, shrimp squats, archer pull-ups, and windshield wipers.  I also practiced my karate forms for 20 min. 

 

Last night, I helped a neighbor with moving some heavy garbage and we chatted about my Wizard Laser Tag project.  He is going to sell a drill press he recently acquired and will give me first dibs if I want it.  It may really help, but we talked about the depth I need to drill.  He agreed with me that plastic would be the best way to go for a prototype and, likely, production, as getting the consistency needed in wood would be difficult.  My wife's insistence on wood for the feel and look is costing us time and effort.  A drill press could solve our wood issue, or just waste more time on it.  I should mock up a plastic wand to test out. 

[JediNickD]

Completed Lesson 8 for Jedi Studies 101.  It encompassed overcoming aggression (yet remaining assertive), recklessness, and attachment.

[JediNickD]

158.4 lbs this morning.  I am certainly in a plateau.  I'll stay there unless I can make new progress on my diet.  Maybe I should consider calorie counting for the next challenge...

 

I ran on Saturday with the dogs for 1.5 miles, then walked with the dogs and kids on Sunday for 1.1 miles. On the walk, we ventured into some unknown woods and found a picked clean possum skeleton.  Pretty neat. 

 

This morning I did an HIIT bodyweight workout with some of the new Assassin exercises.  Phew was I wiped.  Typewriter pushups, uneven pushups, handstand pushups, archer pull-ups, toes-to-bar leg raises, dips with a knee tuck twist, and shrimp squats about exhausted me.  I wrapped up with some physical therapy exercises for the back and neck. 

 

I worked hard this weekend around the house.  After my run, I got started with cleaning the rabbit hutch and chicken shed.  I brushed the rabbit too, but that was for me just as much as it was for him.  I need to cuddle with him more.  I cleaned up the Christmas decorations from the front yard (still got the icicle lights on the roof, but rain and ice), changed a light bulb on the van, and cleaned up a bag full of dog crap.  There is probably another bags-worth out there :-(.  After thoroughly washing my hands, I took a lunch break and washed all the dishes when I was done.  In the afternoon, I helped my 6 year old organize her room (mostly putting away two baskets of clean clothes), then cleaned and organized the living room, kitchen, and dining room with help from the kids vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping.  In total I spent 5 hours doing chores around the house.  On Sunday, I kept it up with more dishes and laundry (IT NEVER ENDS!), but Church sucked up most my day as there was the annual meeting.  I'm not a member, but I am on the Worship committee and had to work sound for the meeting.  Plus, there was a potluck.  I found out at the meeting that the church is looking for a part time worker for the cemetery maintenance team due to declining health of the current workers.  My roommate was interested in the work, so I have a job description to print and give to him.  After church, I swung by an older couples home to help them learn to operate their new washer and dryer.  At home I downloaded and installed a widget update for the Toastmasters District website.   

 

I read both days for about an hour.  The Force Awakens novelization is a little different from the movie in that they focus more on all the characters.  You really get to know Poe and Finn better, whereas in the movie, you see their personality but don't really get to see their thoughts.  The movie focuses mostly on Rey (and Kylo Ren).  I'm only a quarter of the way in though.

[JediNickD]

157.4 lbs after a 30 min run and walk cool down plus 30 min of stretching and bodyweight exercises.  I exercised last night after karate to get more shrimp squats in for the Assassin Mini challenge.  240 total between last night and this morning.  That put us over the top and we get to move on to the next task, which ends Wednesday night.

 

Earned my yellow stripe last night for form.  I have creed and something else left.  Maybe I can get them this week and make Yellow belt Sunday?  I need to ask an instructor at the next class.

 

I read last night had to renew the book as I am only a third of the way through.  I need to read more if I'm going to get through 5 books by December. 

 

Toastmasters today.  Contest is in three weeks!

 

 

[JediNickD]

157.8 lbs this morning.  Stretch, physical therapy, and bodyweight exercises interwoven with LEG PRESS!  I hadn't gotten onto that sled in quite a while.  Felt really good to load it up and work.  Pressed 840 lbs with ease, but my focus will be the one-legged presses at ~300 lbs.  I need to strengthen for stability first.

 

Last night, I did dishes after my wife made a delicious vegetable curry soup.  I played with the kids a bunch with toy lightsabers after finishing up the homework.  Practiced Karate with the kids for a bit, too. 

 

At Toastmasters yesterday, I did Toastmaster of the Day and Speech Evaluator.  What was really great is having to former members come back to visit us.  One had been out for a while with cancer treatments.  The other dates back before my time in the club and is looking to return.

[JediNickD]

Made it to the gym at lunch time and cranked out a ton of bodyweight exercises.  I'm pooped.

[JediNickD]

159.2 lbs this morning.  A little rain and all the treadmills in use, so I biked for 30 min while watching Robotech.  Finished off with sprints and pull-ups.  Just 13 but focused on starting position and engaging my shoulder blades with a slightly wider grip.

 

Karate last night.  Practiced my combos at home and reviewed the creed.  Soon...

[JediNickD]

157.2 lbs this morning.  Ran for 30 min on the treadmill while watching Robotech.  Until the weather improves, this will be my go to cardio routine.  I plan to extend my running time as I move forward.

 

Karate last night.  It was a fun adult class, but I'm mad at myself for not going to the kid class as they did out-to-in kicks for their blue stripe.  I could have easily done both, but my wife wanted to re-hem my pants during the kids class.  Oh well, I'll get it next month anyway. 

 

My job is in flux with the contract option year ending on Feb 12th.  Could be stressful and I could disappear for a bit.  We'll see.

 

 

[Mr_Willes]

On 23-1-2017 at 2:42 PM, JediNickD said:

This morning I did an HIIT bodyweight workout with some of the new Assassin exercises.  Phew was I wiped.  Typewriter pushups, uneven pushups, handstand pushups, archer pull-ups, toes-to-bar leg raises, dips with a knee tuck twist, and shrimp squats about exhausted me.  I wrapped up with some physical therapy exercises for the back and neck. 

 

That sounds like a hell of a workout!!!

 

And reading all your other posts seems like the workouts are a solid habit. So i have to agree with you on:

 

On 23-1-2017 at 2:42 PM, JediNickD said:

I am certainly in a plateau.  I'll stay there unless I can make new progress on my diet.  Maybe I should consider calorie counting for the next challenge...

 

The counting could give you a great insight!

 

On 27-1-2017 at 2:16 PM, JediNickD said:

My job is in flux with the contract option year ending on Feb 12th. 

 

Hopefully you can keep your workout streak, it;s pretty badass if you read back to what stuff you get done!

[JediNickD]

2 hours ago, mr_willes said:

Hopefully you can keep your workout streak, it;s pretty badass if you read back to what stuff you get done!

 

Reflecting on the past feeds into consistency.  Whenever I think that I could have a cheat day or an unplanned rest day, I look at my progress and I remember that I do not want the trend to stop.  I have physical goals I want to achieve in this lifetime, and I'm only getting older and further away from opportunity to complete them.  I already missed my opportunity at some physical goals because of my back and neck issues and inability to continue playing full contact sports. 

 

The important part is having a vision.  Where do you see yourself in a year, 5 years, 10 years?  Live your life like you are already there, challenging all obstacles, fears, and failures in the way.  You WILL get there.  It is just a matter of time.  Especially, if you make that vision a priority with a solid WHY to reflect and remind yourself what is driving you.  Turn that vision into a mission with SMART goals setup as building blocks making clear what are foundation goals, what is the pinnacle goals, what are the steps at each level.  Make a plan to achieve each goal accounting for any known issues and risks with contingency plans in case of unexpected construction delays.  Lastly, lay each block as though it is the most important using the smallest bricks to assemble a sturdy structure while building strength and momentum for when a larger, heavier brick is needed to be lifted.  It is easier to land many small calculated stones in the right spots, than to heave a hefty ones each time. 

 

[JediNickD]

157.8 lbs this morning after a 2.28 mile run on the treadmill and some bodyweight exercises. 

 

Yesterday, I walked the dogs with the kids at a park we hadn't visited before.  In the winter, it's not so pretty, but it was still a fun adventure on a paved path through the woods. 

 

On Saturday, I took the kids to the local Children's Museum for a few hours.  It's a great place to learn, play, and discover while interacting with many other kids.  We topped the night off with a Toastmasters "holiday" party.  It was a great weekend.

 

Now, back to the grind while I await my fate in this job and whether two other opportunities unfold.  I should probably consider looking for a few new opportunities, as well, since I am not completely sold on any of the three jobs in front of me (not counting my current job that I expect to not exist after the 12th).  Things could change.