"Honesty"

A pretty important part of life in general, I think we could all agree, but when it comes to training for an Ironman it becomes paramount. You can lie to everyone else I suppose but any self deceipt will simply catch up to you. And in a very big way come race day. I have seen it before in individuals who time and time again failed to complete races, or were much slower than they told the world they were going to be. And they always had an excuse....something they ate, or someone who held them up, or equipment problems or whatever. After a while I find those types to become a bit tiresome as it seems they're clearly deluding themselves about their own readiness. I remember the nuns way back when telling us that if we cheated on a test we were only cheating ourselves, and I remember thinking what bullshit that was, but I am gradually figuring it out. Cheating or lying is simply self delusion that you have to pay for sometime, somehow. How do I know? Personal experience! The truth, is the truth, is the truth and that's all there is to it. I know that I am still not where I want to be but I do at least acknowledge it as the only road to happiness and as such continue to strive for the ideal.

Today I want to share something with you that I started to work on even before I was sick. It is a work in progress and I have come back to it a few times and will come back to it again. For some reason today seemed like a good day to share it, complete or not. I hope it doesn't seem too corny. No one has ever seen it before. I call it my

"Personal Statement of Philosophy"

"I will search for the truth in everything I do. Not just the superficial truth but the deep down everlasting truth. I will especially look to find the truth within myself
I will learn to give of what I have and learn to gain joy from it.
I will constantly measure my activities to see that they add value to my life, and to my world.
I will not influence/manipulate others for my own peace of mind.
I will focus on becoming one in mind. body, and spirit...me, myself, and I.
I will avoid wasting time on activities that simply keep up appearances.
I will strive to be a leader for my family by doing the right things for the long term.
I will be an exemplary role model for my children.
I will remind my self often that material things have no lasting value and I will govern myself accordingly.
I will always accept responsibility for my own actions and my own condition.
I will monitor the level of my self-talk.
I will wear no mask.
I will be humble.
I will be honest."---Peter W Rooyakkers

I wish to dedicate day 153 to Aurel Bisaillon, Grampa B. to my grandchildren

"We tell lies when we are afraid... afraid of what we don't know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger."---Tad Williams

"The highest compact we can make with our fellow is - "Let there be truth between us two forevermore."---Ralph Waldo Emerson


"I believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. From the moment of birth, every human being wants happiness and does not want suffering. Neither social conditioning nor education nor ideology affect this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. I don't know whether the universe, with its countless galaxies, stars and planets, has a deeper meaning or not, but at the very least, it is clear that we humans who live on this earth face the task of making a happy life for ourselves. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness."---Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

love
peter