Scale the World - The Breadth and the Height Day 2 of 32

"Scale" -- A measurement of mass.


Fellow Scaler,

As we begin the journey up and over the Round Mountain, which is the object of your desires, your life, the body of your dreams, and your fulfillment, we must take in the breadth and the height of the summit.

So many people begin a journey without a map, leading them to a destination that is set by the winds of the world. Those winds change at a moment's notice. It makes sense to be prepared for sudden changes in the climate as well as an understanding of the terrain you will be facing.

On our journey, this means understanding the path as best we can. Knowing what we are facing and all that is at stake. Knowing our friends and our foes -- and that they can be one in the same.

When you think of "width", perhaps you think in terms of inches. "How many inches must I lose in order to feel good about my body?" Or, perhaps, "How many inches do I want to put on my biceps to feel more powerful?" For me its how many inches must I lose to feel good about myself.

How about "height"? "How much further do I have to go in order to achieve X?" Or, "Why does it take so long to ... ?" Sound familiar? Yes it does....

There's nothing wrong with these questions. They are merely too small. You see, we are scaling the world -- and the world is much larger than our small questions. Small questions bring out small desires, and small desires will eventually fizzle out.

This is one reason you have yet to achieve what you were designed to create.

We need massive questions with massive desires. We need to fuel our minds with the truth behind why we're making this journey to the skies, otherwise it becomes nothing more than a journey to the next diet book, or the next self-improvement seminar.

What is the 'true' breadth and height?

The entire world.

First, there's the "micro" world, or the world of inches. This already has your full and complete attention, so there is really no reason to talk about "losing inches" or "gaining muscle" right now. You know all about the desire to do that.

How do you accomplish this goal? Very good question and if I knew the whole answer I'd be happy and at my goal weight now. Well, that comes later in the climb. First, we must do a bit of surveying. We must take in the full nature of why this ascent is so crucial. Otherwise the climb will have only a short-term meaning...and short-term results.

First there is your world -- the things and the people you love and care about. That list I've asked you to create -- the "who will I influence" list. This people care less about your personal inches and more about your "person." Be true to them.

Become the person you want, and in so doing become the person they want you to be -- not out of pressure, but out of love and support.

Out of influence.

Just think about it. How will it feel to really influence the ones you love the most in ways that transcend your wildest expectations? It will encourage them to continue on their journey to be healthy people, to be happy and live long lives...

Next, there is the world as a whole -- the whole of humanity. Do you realize that every pound of fat you release saves the world a bit of energy? No I didn't realize that. Less gas, less oil, and less food is required to get you from Point A to Point B.

If we were to release forever the excess body fat we carry as a world, we would:

1. Decrease the use of natural resources by over 30%, including oil.

2. Have the capacity to feed every hungry person in the world, every day, for the rest of time. The less food we need or choose to consume, the more food we potentially have available for those who have none at all. This goes beyond "the starving people in China" bit your mom or dad may have warned you about. By consuming the right foods in the right quantities, our earth will be able to grow more food for more people -- simple as that. From there, we will demand that
our leaders use this land and food for the best of causes.

3. Reduce our medical costs (varying by nation) by well over 40% annually, leaving billions of dollars for research for cancer and other diseases. These are diseases whose research funds are cut short due to short-term health care issues that you and I can and must prevent.

Remember: obesity, fear and a lack of responsibility is the number one cause of the short-term health care crisis in our world. This is a preventable crisis, and you have started the ascent to help do just that.

Prevent. Cure. Heal. Educate. Empower.

This is truth: what you do today affects the entire world.

The time it takes to do it can vary from a split-second decision to a lifetime of commitment.

In a split second, you can choose to continue the climb, choose the food that fuels it the best, and pass along the energy of acceptance and eternal progression to every person in your life.

Over the course of your life, you can journey toward excellence and mastery, accepting the path less traveled for the rewards rarely given.

Now do you realize the breadth and the height of the journey you are on? I'm beginning too and trying not to be overwhelmed by it. Can you see how your actions affect the people around you, and even the climate of the physical world? Yes I can see that.

Today, write down five things that you wish to change about the world as a whole. Then, underneath each, ask yourself this question:

1. Use less medical costs. By reducing my weight will reduce my risk of serious illness and medical costs.
2. Consume less gases and utilities in the world. Will help to reduce green house gases and will reduce my expenses as I will not consume as much utilities.
3. Recycle more. Will help reduce green house gases.
4. Consume less food. Will help to even distribute foods to those who need them more than I do. It will also reduce the cost of my shopping and I can enjoy other parts of my life with that money i.e. spending time with family and friends.
5. Educate people about the effects of being overweight has on the world. See all above.

"How can scaling my world help bring about these changes in both the smallest and greatest of ways?"

Answer them realistically -- and then thank yourself for willingly accepting the kind of self-responsibility few have the courage to embrace. This is the responsibility of change, growth
and accountability.

Climb brave. Climb strong.

Tomorrow -- power for the climb.