As we all know, there have been a lot of Batman movies over the years.
(NOTE: At the time of this post, Joaquin Phoenix had JUST won the Academy Award the previous evening)
A long time ago, Jack Nicholson played the part of The Joker. I thought he did a great job.
It was definitely “campier” than Heath Ledger’s darker version years later…which really was spectacular.
Of course, now we have Joaquin Phoenix’s version. I can’t see it getting much darker than that!
The thing is, no matter which version you prefer, one thing holds true: The character of the bad guy is ALWAYS more compelling than the good guy. (I think it was Jack Nicholson who actually said something like that when his version came out.)
I mean, we like Batman because, even though he’s technically an “anti-hero”, he still represents the ideals we expect from a hero.
Strong.
Incorruptible.
Determined.
This is in stark contrast to the bad guy who always represents pure evil.
It’s that eternal conflict between good and evil that keeps people coming back to movie theaters.
So, what does this have to do with you and your health?
More than you think really…
I read this quote recently and the connection just clicked for me. I’m always trying to find ways to “trigger” people into changing their habits; swapping out bad ones for good.
I’ve learned by now that the key is in the message!
“How” I present positive habits and nutrition, etc. is just as important as “what” I’m saying.
If I miss the mark with my presentation, my message just isn’t motivational enough to inspire change.
That’s just human nature…
What was the quote that stuck with me?
This came from a Hollywood screenwriter…one of the big guys. His name is Michael Hauge.
He said, “It’s physically impossible to actively pursue a goal and stand in your own way at the same time.”
I read that and reread that multiple times…
He was talking about the art of storytelling—good versus evil stuff, but the connection to our own health was blatantly obvious.
Goal=Lose weight, feel great as you age, stay vital, vibrant and independent
Conflict=No time, tempting food and drink, sugar, TV versus going to the gym, stress, etc.
The “bad” is ALWAYS more compelling (or harder to resist) than the good!
You cannot be one both sides of the health/weight loss equation at the same time.
It doesn’t work.
At some point, you MUST make a call.
And the bad side is always there calling you, isn’t it?
Summary, you cannot be the hero and the nemesis simultaneously.
No one can make this call for you either. It MUST some from within.
Am I getting too dramatic?
I don’t think so, especially when you consider what’s at stake.
Is it the “fate of the world”?
No.
But it certainly impacts yours…