Michael, thank you so much for the mention. You already know what I think of the book and the idea that our bodies “keep” score, like it’s some intuitive list—which obviously isn’t true. What I find more interesting is the fact that so little time and research are spent on expanding how powerful the brain is, and how undeniable healing is when it is the only narrative.
If you tell a patient that they’ll heal, they’re more likely to heal. If they’re told that their body will never forget, their brain will likely remind them. It’s profound. Resilience doesn’t pay as much as trauma, that’s the fact.
Exactly right. The power of those positive vibes. Modern psychology jeeps people focusing on the negatives and they never get out. Even my physical issues (degenerating disks) can be viewed as a challenge to work through, which Indo, unlike a friend who uses his as an excuse to not be active and his entire health is suffering.
It's crazy how we can embrace challenges like that.
Michael, Awesome article!! I’ve had some age related physical and financial challenges in the past couple of years. As a result, at times I’ve started thinking like a “snow flake” about some difficulties. You know, “Don’t start anything - you won’t be able to finish it anyway”, “Quit thinking like a teenager - your a feeble old man”, and my favorite, “That’s gonna’ hurt - so don’t even go there”. The youthful exuberance (still there in the background) and the young Marine Corps Sergeant (still alive and well), that have fed my energy at every turn (for my whole life), eventually crowd their way back to the front of the cluster; telling the weak me’s to lead, follow or get out of the way. So, I still go places despite that part of me saying “you can’t handle that”! A wise person will discover that an old person can do things if they put their mind to it. I can use some tech to do what my body used to do. Where my body may fail, my mind may succeed. There’s more than one way to do almost everything. Slow and steady may still win the race (remember “The tortoise and the hare”). Thanks, Michael, for reminding me of my strengths, rather than my weaknesses. You young folks; I suggest you learn where your limits are (they’re a lot farther out than you think), don’t be afraid of hard work, in fact pursue it! Have courage to be the first one to volunteer for a difficult task, learn by doing, share what you learn.
That's awesome to see you working through that. I like to say my 27 year old brain can't quite figure out what's wrong with my 44 year old knees. However, I then walk through a Walmart in a local retirement area and watch the 70 year old shuffle along and know I don't want that either. So I double down and focus on my exersises to maximize my mobility 30 years from now as much as right now.
That said, if I could go back and tell my 27 year old self to take it a little easier on those knees, I would. 🤣
I can’t believe this newsletter is free. What amazing insights. You’re only the second person I’ve seen that criticizes The Body Keeps Score and I appreciate it each time I see it. Everyone else just seems to use in a way that makes themselves weaker. Thank you for this.
Thanks and awesome to hear. I liked the book the first time I read it. It felt right. However, watching how people applied it drive me nuts so I started to dig!
And Polymathic Being is free It's free because I'm using a Wikipedia model and if you want to become a paid subscriber, you'll help keep them open for everyone.
Reading the body keeps the score didn’t make me put blame on others. I do see your point now. From what I got from the book was focusing on the body, which requires energy and that energy helps with entropy.
I love that you work out with your kids. Very important.
hmm, interesting perspective, but I think this time I don’t fully agree.
Understanding that the body keeps the score can sometimes be the first step toward agency and resilience, and sometimes it’s really one of the "hard things" to do.
I agree that emotional and physical trauma can leave scars. I have both in my life. The problem is that everything that the book claimed is fundamentally wrong. We need to acknowledge our histories and see where it's given us issues. My beef with the book is that agency isn't part of the equation.
Michael, thank you so much for the mention. You already know what I think of the book and the idea that our bodies “keep” score, like it’s some intuitive list—which obviously isn’t true. What I find more interesting is the fact that so little time and research are spent on expanding how powerful the brain is, and how undeniable healing is when it is the only narrative.
If you tell a patient that they’ll heal, they’re more likely to heal. If they’re told that their body will never forget, their brain will likely remind them. It’s profound. Resilience doesn’t pay as much as trauma, that’s the fact.
Exactly right. The power of those positive vibes. Modern psychology jeeps people focusing on the negatives and they never get out. Even my physical issues (degenerating disks) can be viewed as a challenge to work through, which Indo, unlike a friend who uses his as an excuse to not be active and his entire health is suffering.
It's crazy how we can embrace challenges like that.
Michael, Awesome article!! I’ve had some age related physical and financial challenges in the past couple of years. As a result, at times I’ve started thinking like a “snow flake” about some difficulties. You know, “Don’t start anything - you won’t be able to finish it anyway”, “Quit thinking like a teenager - your a feeble old man”, and my favorite, “That’s gonna’ hurt - so don’t even go there”. The youthful exuberance (still there in the background) and the young Marine Corps Sergeant (still alive and well), that have fed my energy at every turn (for my whole life), eventually crowd their way back to the front of the cluster; telling the weak me’s to lead, follow or get out of the way. So, I still go places despite that part of me saying “you can’t handle that”! A wise person will discover that an old person can do things if they put their mind to it. I can use some tech to do what my body used to do. Where my body may fail, my mind may succeed. There’s more than one way to do almost everything. Slow and steady may still win the race (remember “The tortoise and the hare”). Thanks, Michael, for reminding me of my strengths, rather than my weaknesses. You young folks; I suggest you learn where your limits are (they’re a lot farther out than you think), don’t be afraid of hard work, in fact pursue it! Have courage to be the first one to volunteer for a difficult task, learn by doing, share what you learn.
That's awesome to see you working through that. I like to say my 27 year old brain can't quite figure out what's wrong with my 44 year old knees. However, I then walk through a Walmart in a local retirement area and watch the 70 year old shuffle along and know I don't want that either. So I double down and focus on my exersises to maximize my mobility 30 years from now as much as right now.
That said, if I could go back and tell my 27 year old self to take it a little easier on those knees, I would. 🤣
If you haven't already, check out knees over toes guy!
I can’t believe this newsletter is free. What amazing insights. You’re only the second person I’ve seen that criticizes The Body Keeps Score and I appreciate it each time I see it. Everyone else just seems to use in a way that makes themselves weaker. Thank you for this.
Thanks and awesome to hear. I liked the book the first time I read it. It felt right. However, watching how people applied it drive me nuts so I started to dig!
And Polymathic Being is free It's free because I'm using a Wikipedia model and if you want to become a paid subscriber, you'll help keep them open for everyone.
https://www.polymathicbeing.com/subscribe?coupon=4f50679e&utm_content=172820142
Don't be weak and complain about circumstances but be strong and resilient to finally shape them !!
On YT, there's an interesting series with an ex Russian mafioso called Djusha: GRIM, the hustle ...
I would love for you to join the bad day conversation on Resilient Magnolia.
I'll take a look.
Reading the body keeps the score didn’t make me put blame on others. I do see your point now. From what I got from the book was focusing on the body, which requires energy and that energy helps with entropy.
I love that you work out with your kids. Very important.
Glad to read this today. Especially liked the framing of resilience around doing hard things with your kids. Thank you for the essay. Tim
Awesome to hear and glad to have you here.
hmm, interesting perspective, but I think this time I don’t fully agree.
Understanding that the body keeps the score can sometimes be the first step toward agency and resilience, and sometimes it’s really one of the "hard things" to do.
so yes, we can and should do hard things :)
I agree that emotional and physical trauma can leave scars. I have both in my life. The problem is that everything that the book claimed is fundamentally wrong. We need to acknowledge our histories and see where it's given us issues. My beef with the book is that agency isn't part of the equation.
for me this book was a path for the agency, but still thank you for your perspective 🙏
I'm curious as to how? I feel like it externalizes, not empowers. So your perspective is important.