Many will say,
“I could’ve done better.”
Really?
Are you sure?
Can you prove it?

As someone who aspires to be more and more scientific,
I like to base my definitive beliefs on evidence,
on proof, some times anecdotal, sometimes empirical…
and try not to be certain of things that cannot be proven.
Believing one could’ve done better is an unprovable proposition.

But believing one couldn’t have done any better
is also an unprovable proposition.
Believing that one was doing one’s best
is an unprovable proposition.
But it’s one that I believe.
For a few reasons.
Here are two.

The most prominent one is this.
All things in nature are subject to the laws of physics
and knowing enough the variables
one can predict the outcome of the equation.
Stay with me.

Humans are subject to the laws of nature
and like all things natural,
humans follow the path of least resistance.

The path of least resistance being
the best one can do.

If this stinks of determinism to you,
you may be on the right track…
but you may be tracking the wrong scent.

While I prefer the ability to prove logically and empirically
the validity of my beliefs,
I also take advantage of those beliefs
that have utility to me psychologically
and by implication physiologically.
To state it more simply,
I like beliefs that make me feel better.

Believing everyone, including me, is doing the best they can do
makes me feel better about me, you and everyone else.

This belief isn’t the easiest thing to integrate.
Some have a hard time applying it to themselves,
others to others, and others to both.

The implication is that
no matter what someone does:
no matter how inconsiderate,
intentionally hurtful
or downright evil it is,
they’re doing the best they can do.

The same extends to you.
The same to me.
I can’t prove it…but it works for me.

Understand, this belief in no way removes the responsibility one has for one’s actions…nor does it require us to tolerate each others’ actions.

But what it can do for you, for us,
is to lower the emotional valence
we have for our and others’ thoughts, feelings and actions.
It can afford us a degree of compassion for ourselves and others.

When I’m understanding, when I’m compassionate,
I feel better, I can often think better and do better.
And for me, better is what it is all about.

For those who have applied the GYM MOVEMENT PROTOCOL,
we have a visceral relationship with better
getting better in every lift, every time.
I can prove that.

Every time I hit a PR, a personal record…
a new personal best,
I’m reminded that my best just got better
and also reminded that
PRs don’t just happen in the gym.

And each time I may mess up and not perform as well as I thought I
“should have,” or think others “could have” done better, I remind myself,
That was my best.
That was their best.
My best is going to get better.

If their best isn’t, well then…
time for me to change directions.

Try this belief system out.
See if doesn’t help you to think better, feel better, and do better.

Because I’ve believe, because I’ve seen, because I know…
Your best can get better.
I can’t prove it but I know you can.
Are you going to prove it?