Author Topic: Obese asthmatic highly successful in life (Read 308 times)

Matthew · « **on:** April 06, 2020, 12:44:16 PM »

I'm into electronics as a hobby, as many of you know. I'm also into ham radio. I watched all the videos of "EEVblog" and then moved on to this guy's videos:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSRTiJhBE5GsP-1fCbpFRWg

At first it struck me just how out of shape the latter is -- Dave Jones of EEVblog fame is super athletic; he does military-style push ups, does hiking and running for fun, he's super skinny and fit with very good cardio health.

The guy at LearnElectronics is about the opposite. You can hear him breathing heavy, and based on his hands (which are all you see -- he never shows himself) I'm guessing he's quite overweight. His breathing is quite distracting at first. I was used to Dave Jones who jogged and did push-ups for 10 minutes to try to get his heart rate up to test some electronic gadget.

My point:

The LearnElectronics guy is a licenced pilot, has a Ham Radio license (at least General class, but possibly Extra class) and is quite accomplished at electronics. He taught that subject in school I believe. He also has a successful Youtube channel. He's divorced, so that's one way he's not so successful. But I'm talking about applying yourself and making something of yourself -- a marriage doesn't have guaranteed results for a given amount of effort. If you apply yourself 5 hours a day you WILL succeed in getting a ham radio or pilot's license, or create a popular youtube channel. If you apply yourself X hours a day there is no such guarantee you'll end up in a successful marriage.

How many other men could claim to be this successful at life? It seems like every dozen videos I find out some additional field this guy has mastered or has a license in. Think of all the overweight (or not so overweight!) young people who just watch TV or play video games all day. Maybe it's a generational thing -- this guy is in his 50's I gather.

I know men in their 30's who haven't accomplished anything close to this yet -- haven't been married, no professional skills, no real career, no expertise in any hobbies, nothing. It's like TV, the Internet, social media, porn and video games have taken away the younger generation's ability to go out and LIVE.

SimpleMan · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2020, 04:12:46 PM »

Come again?

Less-than-optimal physical fitness --- and I myself would fall into this category --- does not translate to a lack of success or accomplishment in life. I am not going to get into details, but I have some minor health challenges, nothing that's going to kill me, but situations that are less than perfect. I do take good care of myself, but there is always room for improvement. And some things are out of my control.

I, too, am a ham radio operator (though inactive for the moment, I sold my equipment in a cash crunch, seldom used it), and I have two master's degrees, a working knowledge of four languages besides English, and retired three years ago from a modestly successful career in the financial sector. I homeschool my son, I care for my disabled parents, I putter around with various home projects, and I am a halfway decent "firehouse chef". I didn't expect much out of my recipe for honey-soy sauce pork chops last night (Palm Sunday dinner), but they turned out exquisitely.

It is not the "Catholic thing" to praise oneself, to toot one's horn, or to seek praise from others, but I am content with my life. Now if I can just manage to save my soul --- the verdict is still out on that, as it is for all of us --- it will have been a life well lived. Ut in omnibus glorificatur Deus.

Matthew · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2020, 05:16:15 PM »

Quote from: SimpleMan on April 06, 2020, 04:12:46 PM

Come again?

Sure, I'll come again --
Try to read it completely this time -- no skimming.

How many other men could claim to be this successful at life? It seems like every dozen videos I find out some additional field this guy has mastered or has a license in. Think of all the overweight (or not so overweight!) young people who just watch TV or play video games all day. Maybe it's a generational thing -- this guy is in his 50's I gather.

I know men in their 30's who haven't accomplished anything close to this yet -- haven't been married, no professional skills, no real career, no expertise in any hobbies, nothing. It's like TV, the Internet, social media, porn and video games have taken away the younger generation's ability to go out and LIVE.

Matthew · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2020, 05:17:59 PM »

It's basically a less dramatic, more common version of the quadraplegic that runs marathons.

If a quaraplegic can do ____ and _____, how pathetic is it that so many able-bodied, healthy young and middle-aged people accomplish so little in their lives?

All excuses kind of melt away when those with much bigger obstacles have overcome them. I know that having extra weight "weighs you down", affects your energy and health, etc. But, in the end, being overweight is just one obstacle or challenge out of many that a person could have.

The man who runs "LearnElectronics" just struck me as someone who has accomplished/mastered quite a bit in his life, and I see a lot of Millennials and Zoomers who will NOT have as much expertise under their belts when they reach their 50's.

Matthew · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2020, 05:25:01 PM »

Quote from: SimpleMan on April 06, 2020, 04:12:46 PM

Come again?

Less-than-optimal physical fitness --- and I myself would fall into this category --- does not translate to a lack of success or accomplishment in life.

Is THAT what you took away from my post? Go back and read it again.
For crying out loud! Is reading comprehension a lost art?

Please don't place words in my mouth. If that was what I wanted to say, I wouldn't have beaten around the bush.

Croixalist · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2020, 06:40:26 PM »

Either way, the more successful you become at anything, you better not let the spiritual side lag too far behind. Imagine if Michael Jordan put in as much effort trying to find God as he did playing basketball. I guarantee he wouldn't have time to do both! The overweight guy with fine motors skills and tons of education and maybe a lot of money, won't be able to squeeze himself through the eye of the needle of God's grace if he lets it define his life.

But yes, compared to others he has excelled though without the need for God in his life, he's always going to be plagued by other voices comparing him in places he hasn't done so well. Maybe the devil will find the perfect second wife for him...

SimpleMan · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2020, 11:08:44 PM »

I'm going to let this go. I can now see that you did not mean to trash people with physical imperfections or health issues, and I took it the wrong way.

I'm also going to let this board go for the remainder of Holy Week. I shall tend to my soul, my family, and my garden. Pax tecuм.

Matthew · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2020, 08:55:59 AM »

Quote from: Croixalist on April 06, 2020, 06:40:26 PM

But yes, compared to others he has excelled though without the need for God in his life, he's always going to be plagued by other voices comparing him in places he hasn't done so well. Maybe the devil will find the perfect second wife for him...

Generally speaking, an "undisciplined/unmotivated bum" who doesn't push himself to learn or accomplish anything in life is ALSO not doing so hot in the spiritual realm. After all, becoming a master of a skill and mastering your vices/the Spiritual Combat both take CONSTANT, DAILY EFFORT.

He who can do one CAN do both, though it's possible for an ambitious go-getter to ignore God and his spiritual life -- to become one of those seeds who is choked by the thorns (riches and cares of this world).

But I am certainly not criticizing those who have prioritized their Catholic Faith. But even so, a person who has purposely decided not to excel in anything in the world is problematic. 1. How do they expect to support a family, and even themselves? He who will not work, neither let him eat. 2. Why not learn how to cook, clean, fix your house? You can't exempt yourself from EVERY worldly care, not if you wish to live in this world.

But if those issues are covered, my next point would be: is he maximizing the gifts God gave him to serve the CHURCH then? Is he expert at Catechism and apologetics? If he doesn't have the brains for that, at least is he volunteering at his local Trad chapel? Is he helping/mentoring those who need it? Is he active in the pro-Life movement? Etc. Even the saints were go-getters in the spiritual life and the salvation of souls. The saints were NOT lazy or passive.

"The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away."

Author Topic: Obese asthmatic highly successful in life (Read 308 times)

Matthew

Obese asthmatic highly successful in life

SimpleMan

Re: Obese asthmatic highly successful in life

Matthew

Re: Obese asthmatic highly successful in life

Matthew

Re: Obese asthmatic highly successful in life

Matthew

Re: Obese asthmatic highly successful in life

Croixalist

Re: Obese asthmatic highly successful in life

SimpleMan

Re: Obese asthmatic highly successful in life

Matthew

Re: Obese asthmatic highly successful in life