Contributed by Nicholas Pediaditakis, MD, DLFAPA
What in the world is “oomph?”! Simply, it is that faculty in humans partially wired in our nature — which later is promoted, and augmented by early experiences — that enables one, following an unpleasant weekend, to step out of his house on a Monday morning and look up and say, “Good morning God!” — ready to go and filled with enthusiasm and zest for being alive.
This sense of renewal, protecting you from the inevitable reverses and disappointments in life, together with persistence of effort, tenacity, and curiosity (and I would add eagerness to interact with and contribute to your fellow humans), enables you to perceive life not as a disease but as a potential and wonderful adventure. But for creating the adventure, you also need a plan; not only addressing attitudes you have been carrying from your past, but actively creating a plan for life-man-ship. To begin with, rules count! A sense of entitlement is a faulty burden to be dropped off sooner rather than later.
Avoiding creating cobwebs from your spirit or your own body is a must. Eat regularly, orderly, with well prepared meals of reasonable proportions.
Add to your plan to get involved in activities, whether as a deliberate exercise or as a hobby. And alcohol, while it is an agreeable companion in small amounts with meals, is also “poison of protoplasm” and you indulge in it at great peril. (It does kill the kidneys, heart liver, pancreas, stomach, and, above all, your brain.)
Further, get involved with your fellow humans in projects of common effort, for exploring or contributing to others less fortunate, should be added to the life-plan. Unnecessary anger and rancor, while giving you a temporary satisfaction, are outright stupid. Hugging, however, is not. The more hugging, the better — whether it is your spouse, your loved one, your children, your grandchildren, or even your pets. Social creatures we are! A philosophical view of what matters in one’s life, and remembering that you have only one visit on this earth — with the numbers of days been allotted, limited, and even uncertain — should be an awareness and a constant companion in your thoughts.
The faculty of us humans in wondering and marveling at the mystery of it all, along with exploring the “hows” and “whys” as science does, should be treasured and revered. Demeaning your fellow human because he is too tall or too short or too white or too dark is unworthy of one’s intelligence and damaging to the days on this earth, for himself and others.
So “oomph,” along with the rest of the plan or “prescription” have it! Think about them and perhaps put them into effect. When adversities take place, having a sense of fortitude is important. Remember that each one of us have a similar allotment (more or less) of “rocks fallen from heaven.” So, avoid recruiting adversities as if this natural allotment of yours is not enough. Good luck.
In case you cannot do it alone, by all means get help; but, just do it.
Copyright © 2015 by Nicholas Pediaditakis, MD
