Thank you Dr. Hall. Likewise, it's been a pleasure to read your work.
Every battle is different no matter what it is called or how many people know about it. All that matters, I think, is how well be bear it, how much we sit on it, and write about it, and use it to become better humans.
Duathlon's are great events - I'm very excited for your upcoming races and that you're representing the USA.
Yes! For my part, I believe much of the happiness we were designed to get out of life is due to responding to pain in its various forms: physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, etc.
I am a psychoanalytic warrior.
Uninterested in a nice, easy middle-ground life.
I have spent my life doing battle.
Strategically defeating the internal enemy
(the sadistic part of the mind--my own and others'.)
We analysts call it the sadistic superego.
It lies to the ego and goads it
into self destructive activities and paths
that ruin life and love.
I am an ally of the Navy Seal.
We both use mental strength
to strategically defeat enemy forces.
Another dimension you and I share, Sam,
is we both know how to endure.
There is no way I could have endured what you have,
in combat and its aftereffects.
And the autoimmune battle is terrible.
But I have endured and survived many traumas and losses.
And, like you, I remain fresh and keen for the fight.
I am an international endurance athlete (Duathlon)
currently ranked 7th in America in my age group.
Was recently named to Team USA representing America
at the World Championships in Australia in August.
I will race two events:
Standard Duathlon (run 10km, bike 40km, run 5km)
Sprint Duathlon (run 5km, bike 20km, run 2.5km)
It has been a joy to meet you
and to begin to get to know you, Sam,
and I look forward to learning from you.
Thank you Dr. Hall. Likewise, it's been a pleasure to read your work.
Every battle is different no matter what it is called or how many people know about it. All that matters, I think, is how well be bear it, how much we sit on it, and write about it, and use it to become better humans.
Duathlon's are great events - I'm very excited for your upcoming races and that you're representing the USA.
Thank you, Sam, for your insights about battle.
Being a loner, hardly anyone ever knew
there WERE any battles :)
Like you, I channel my whole life
into building myself and others into better human beings.
Thank you for being excited about my races!
I am deeply honored to race for my country.
My hero is my grandfather, Colonel Theodore Hall (Army),
who held the record for the mile at Western Reserve University
for years after he graduated.
Thank you for sharing, and to your grandfather as well. He probably had some incredible stories.
He surely did!
Here's how I look at pain at this point
in my journey--
As a psychoanalyst I provide insight with which the individual
can prevent the pain of unnecessary and tragic self damage.
However, there are other kinds of pain
which cannot or should not be avoided.
These are necessary in order to live an honorable life,
and are to be endured with stoic courage.
Yes! For my part, I believe much of the happiness we were designed to get out of life is due to responding to pain in its various forms: physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, etc.
This is a worthy battle.