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training. love. art. △

25.02.2025 (12:43pm, Tuesday)

We all have a story.

We’ve all started somewhere, and we’re all heading somewhere.

We’ve also made many decisions throughout our lives.

We are made of decisions. Every day. Every minute.

Most of them don’t make a significant difference in our lives. But there’s that 1% that does.

One of mine was starting to train.

I started out of vanity. I had good genetics, but I knew I could have a much better body — one that, when I looked in the mirror, made me like what I saw.

But this is nothing more and nothing less than the tip of the iceberg. It’s not just about looking good — it’s about others seeing you that way too. It’s not just about lifting weights — it’s also about lifting your spirit. It’s not just about competing with yourself and trying to be better than your “yesterday self” — it’s also about being humble, going back to basics as many times as necessary, learning from those who know more than you, and refusing to settle — because settling is just another form of mediocrity.

But you don’t see this when you start — and you don’t need to. Even if someone tells you, it’s something you can only feel through experience — just like the child who asks what love is. No answer would be sufficient because the only real understanding comes when they experience their first love and feel that rollercoaster of emotions that’s nearly impossible to express logically.

And it’s that same innocence children have that we carry when making certain decisions. Sometimes things go wrong; other times, they go right. Because if there’s one thing we can be completely sure of, it’s that no one has all the answers. We’re all improvising. We’re all learning how to live. What we’re looking for — consciously or unconsciously — is to improvise as well as possible. And that’s what we might call “being happy” — but that’s a far too complex topic, and I honestly don’t have the energy to get into it right now.

…

Going back to the topic of training — moving your body is important. And yes, it makes you smarter. Not the act of lifting weights itself, but the indirect effect it has on your brain. Because let’s be clear: the mind-body duality doesn’t exist. The mind is the body, and the body is the mind. They are one.

But let’s go a bit further. Training gives you the confidence you lack. It fills you with self-esteem. It gives you everything — and more.

It’s that “magic pill” that works wonders in every other aspect of your life. And it’s also simple. Anyone can go for a run, lift weights, or jump.

It’s not something you need to learn in school, or in an online course, or by asking ChatGPT.

It comes instinctively. You take that step. You go for a run. You train outside. You breathe fresh air. Your body thanks you for it.

And every day is a day you take care of the temple you live in. You treat it the best way possible, and your subconscious notices. You earn your own respect, and you’re no longer as naive as before. Now you’ve learned so much along the way — your way.

“The hero’s journey”.

…

It’s been a few years since you made that decision. And you can see the progress you’ve made in your life. Everything is going pretty well. Well enough to wake up every day with a smile on your face and thank whatever exists beyond what your eyes can see.

It was just a small decision. That decision became a routine. And routine became identity.

You’re no longer that harmless child who was afraid of the dark.

It’s hard to see far ahead with so many distractions. And that’s why you need to listen to yourself — listen to your fears, to the innocence of that child you still carry inside.

We’re children in adult bodies, making adult decisions. But this is nothing more than a game. Everything is. We’re playing with life at every moment.

And if there were a golden rule — something that gave you an advantage, something that helped you level up and find treasures — something magical, something simple yet capable of dissolving the most complex fears — something so accessible to everyone, so easy to do and therefore so easy to stop doing — that something would be training.

It doesn’t matter what kind of training. Move your body. Move your spirit. Let your soul be freed in the vastness of existence. Training is an artistic pursuit — far from being something superficial.

“Gym bros are shallow.” That’s what they say. But training is an artistic pursuit. It’s not superficial — far from it. Those who see it that way are often the same ones who treat their bodies like trash, not like a temple. When I see someone taking care of themselves, I feel nothing but respect. I’ve learned that true humility can only be achieved when you’ve walked that same path. If you train, if you push harder than the rest, if conformity isn’t in your equation — you have my genuine admiration.” —aynat_one

Reminder: Your body is a lifelong project. Treat it like one.

…

Now I can say I look in the mirror and like what I see. I started out of vanity. I stayed for humility. I found discipline and made friends. I discovered passion and ignited a flame in my spirit. I built a temple. I undressed and liked what I saw. I liked myself. But it wasn’t egotism or narcissism — because when I looked at myself, I liked what I saw inside more than what was revealed on the outside.

I also understood that love takes many forms. And in this one, pain is its highest expression.

Suffering is an inevitable part of life. You might as well seek it voluntarily.

Do you a favor and train.

As hardest as you can.

age quod agis.