Last month, my Commander decided to send me to the 2-week Master Resiliency Instructor Certification training or Master Resiliency Trainer (MRT) course. Not only do I feel privileged, I am excited to learn more about holistic fitness for both personal and professional usage. And so, for the next few weeks, I am a student in this course. The MRT course is based off of the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program. The Comprehensive Soldier Fitness is a holistic fitness program for Soldiers, Family members and Army Civilians that is designed to enhance performance and build resilience in the following strength dimensions: 1) Physical, 2) Emotional, 3) Social, 4) Spiritual, and 5) Family.
One reason why I am excited is personal. You see, although I do personally believe that holistic living is important. I have a lot to learn how to live holistically. Thankfully, God has placed numerous of people in my life as examples and subject-matter experts in teaching me the how-to’s. And yet, when it is all said and done… it comes down to self-discipline to always continue to improve. Have you struggled with holistic living? But, let’s observe the definitions of the each dimension of strength. And just for fun (in italics), I add my personal evaluations of how I fare (at present) in these various dimensions of strength.
PHYSICAL = performing and excelling in physical activities that require aerobic fitness, endurance, strength, healthy body composition and flexibility derived through exercise, nutrition, and training. Aerobic Fitness: Check. Endurance and strength: Okay. Healthy boy composition: getting there slowly. Nutrition: yes and no. Inconsistent and lacks knowledge.
EMOTIONAL = Approaching life’s challenges in a positive, optimistic way by demonstrating self-control, stamina and good character with choices and actions. Self-control: improving. Stamina: okay. Good character: Hope so…
SOCIAL = Developing and maintaining trusted, valued relationships and friendships that are personally fulfilling and foster good communication including a comfortable exchange of ideas, views and experiences. Developing and maintaining trusted relationships: a few. Being an introvert, I only have a few trusted best friends. But I hope to increase in fostering better communication with co-workers and friends alike.
SPIRITUAL = Strengthening a set of beliefs, principles or values that sustain a person beyond family, institutional and societal sources of strength. Um, I think, I am off the chart compared to my fellow comrades…
FAMILY = Being part of a family unit that is safe, supportive and loving, and provides the resources needed for all members to live in healthy and secure environment. Family. Good as far as father-mother-brothers. But, kind of waiting on God for the wife thing…
One thing for sure, I am a work in progress… (Some would say that I am some piece of work, if you know what I mean)… <laughing>
And so, this week, join me in thinking about holistic fitness…
