“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” 

Thornton Wilder

Ask yourself: “How does the technological medium used change the way that knowledge is produced, shared or understood?”

We live in a world today predominantly centred on the systematic usage of technology to live everyday life. One flick of a switch and you have light, you can seamlessly blend a healthy smoothie, you can binge-watch on Netflix, or even check your daily messages on your handphones. For decades, the evolution of technology has displayed a more refined way of living by effectuating daily routines, workload, and study. However, there is a growing ethical dilemma which I believe the world has already sensed but hasn’t provided practical means of addressing – the ironic substitution of life’s simplicities .

Let’s take one of the most iconic moments of the basketball world within this year. LeBron James, argued by his fans to be one of the greatest to play on a basketball court (and needless to say NOT my GOAT!), surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in terms of earning the scoring title in the NBA. Currently holding the scoring record of 38,424 points, it’s a feat unimaginably witnessed in today’s day and age (and would probably take more than a decade to break!). However, I’m not here to debate on who’s the greatest basketball player of all time. Meticulously observe the fans in attendance during this game through the clips uploaded by the NBA on their Instagram account. What have you noticed?

• In my own personal estimation, around 95% of the onlookers had their phones propped up for social media posting/recording.
• These people had their faces covered by their own phones on live national television.
• You can see a few of them with their phones up who’d raise their hands rejoicing in that specific moment.
• The relatively few, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar included, applauded LeBron for a record-breaking moment in history. He, alongside the rest who didn’t have their gadgets up, cherished and lived in that moment!

Numerous digital ethicists have endeavored to intentionally inform the public on the dangers of technology as it gradually replaces everyday behavior by ensuring that its users are constantly feeding into daily screen time. That has been thoroughly communicated in the open world through interviews, documentaries such as “The Social Dilemma”, and random clips on YouTube (ironically) which discuss the degradation of technology ethics in shifting humane activities. Regardless of this imperative awareness, I believe that technology is now unanimously part of this symbiotic relationship with anyone who allows it to control their lives. Thus, even living in a moment, unequivocally requires the erratic need to pull out a handphone and click “record”.

The video above is a great example of how technology has officially replaced life’s simplicities. “Be like Boomers in this moment is what I’m trying to say!”, mentioned concisely yet convincingly by Richard Jefferson – a timely reminder for me and the younger generation to ponder upon.

As a former Theory of Knowledge teacher, nothing excites me more than discuss the benefits and disadvantages of technology with my Gen-Z students. If there’s a recurrent message which I impart to them everytime I teach “Knowledge and Technology”(one of the optional themes in this subject), it is the value of living in the moment apart from technology! Nothing replaces the unfiltered satisfaction and fulfilment of witnessing and cherishing historic moments through the naked eye.

Navigating through today’s world without technology may not be entirely feasible. Nevertheless, in the few seconds or minutes where history is taking its course in front of your very eyes, I do hope that the relatively few (who don’t allow technology to dominate their behavioral patterns) stand as emulable models for the youth to learn from.

“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
    and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”

Proverbs 18:15 ESV

Ginosko,
Joseph L.

“Physical dominance can make you great. Mental dominance is what ultimately makes you unstoppable.”

Tim S. Grover (Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstopppable)

Every year, I’ve been searching for answers on how to develop and sustain an incredibly, impenetrable mental fortitude in my life. It’s a pursuit that I’ve been grappling with since moving to Indonesia as I constantly undergo the process of adjusting to new working environments, diverse communities, and a culture quite different than my own. Last year, I purchased a book entitled “Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable” by Tim Grover (Michael Jordan’s former full-time personal trainer for the Chicago Bulls in the 90’s and the GOAT of all personal trainers in my opinion) which helped me to a certain extent in understanding how a few athletes in the world enhanced their “already” strong mental foci by being completely, imperturbably dedicated to their own craft whether it’s in the realm of sports, other professions, or everyday problems.

Although there are numerous takeaways that I’ve learned from Tim Grover’s experiences with the athletes he trains and his undoubtedly shining display of athlete successes alongside attained championships, I believe there is one valuable key aspect that isn’t extensively highlighted – something that I believe isn’t highly talked about because it primarily contradicts the human logic of mere hard work in response to the trials and tribulations of life. Mental dominance or mental toughness irrevocably requires vulnerability.

The idea of being “laser-focused” on your own respective professions or calling – be it a coach, athlete, or even a father – was predominantly stated within the book. However, counterintuitively, the underlying repercussion in this claim is that you can only focus on one and dividing that focus inevitably compromises either your work performance or your relationships. It seems that you have to embody this “Superman” persona to get a 100% dedication on your job, family, relationships, and friends; thus, rendering the idea that you gotta focus on either doing ultimately great in one of them while the rest suffers. Being vulnerable on that one particular “laser-focused” profession or calling consequently becomes taboo. The philosophy of self-reliance crumbles when a person becomes vulnerable to the overwhelming pressure and hardships brought by that single pursuit.

As a Christian, I believe that all those priorities in life that make up our daily schedule can be essentially balanced; however, it requires being totally vulnerable before a GOD who sovereignly oversees everything you do and can stengthen you to overcome obstacles which you cannot handle on your own. This is the secret to mental toughness. I used to think that true mental toughness is singularly driven by sheer motivation or the will to succeed. This equation isn’t entirely viable since it unilaterally positions success and the perfection of one’s craft on our own limited palms. We, as any other normal human being, can’t shoulder everything or even our most desired goals by ourselves.

“The art behind truly sustainable mental toughness lies upon the acceptance of the reality that you couldn’t do it all alone and perfectly! It begins with being broken and vulnerable before Jesus.”

Lardizabal (2023)

From that focal point, we can develop a mental tougnhess anchored not on our limited, frail selves but on the everlasting promises of GOD. GOD’s ultimate design, whenever we face adversity within the professions we undertake or the goals we aim to accomplish, is to acknowledge that HE is with us and will help us go through it all – to endure and enjoy HIS presence in this process.

This is not, in any way shape or form, an indictment to the Relentless book I’ve read. It’s a retooling of the mental toughness formula and a refocusing on the Being who guides you in becoming mentally strong – and it ain’t you. I’ve learned this the hard way – prompting myself to think that it’s all about my own determination and self-reliant mentality which elevates me to success. In several instances, be it in work or studying for my Master’s degree in the past, I’ve burnt out and got exceedingly frustrated with the errors or mishaps barricading me from the goals I’ve set. Little did I know, GOD is just waiting for me to come before HIM in brokenness and seek HIS strength to overcome the overwhelming hurdles and doubts.

However, it’s crucial to note that being vulnerable is not an excuse to manifest a “victim” mentality whenever we face difficulties in life. Vulnerability is a take-off airstrip for us to move from the pain and steadfastly persevere in GOD’s calling for us. Thus, true mental toughness or mental fortitude becomes entrenched in our daily endeavors.

To cap this off, may Proverbs 3:5-6 rest with you as you go through developing mental toughness in your own struggles and desires in life:

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.

Ginosko,

Joseph L.