On February 10, 2011 I began writing weekly essays. I was delighted when Tony, for my 85th birthday, facilitated the collection of all my written essays with PixxiBook . In essence, there are eight volumes in total, titled "It Has Nothing to Do with Age." Each hardbound cover has familiar photographs pertaining to those essays. This essay is revisiting the Mental Toughness comments that I wrote in 2015 employing a few personality variables . On the cover of Volume 4, are pictures that include U of M’s Big House stadium; U of M’s and NFL alumni Mike Keller, Jim Betts and myself at a table during Jim Brandstetter's U of M alumni radio show with U of M and NFL coach Jim Harbaugh; Denby and MSU football coach Ed Rutherford; Ed Budde All American and NFL great and I being photographed by the Detroit Free Press in our Denby football jerseys and a football ticket of the historic Michigan -Ohio state game in 1969, being held by Jim Betts.
A few examples from the 2015.essays include the mental toughness of Mohammed Ali, Joe Frazier, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, the perseverance of the Hebrew people wandering in the desert with Moses for 40 years , Meriwether Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame, Lieut. Louis Zamperini, Viktor Frankel, Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy.
In reference to personality development , the psychological importance of the caretaker is second to none. I was blessed and fortunate to have my mother . Mom was a mature 30 year old, self-assured, competent, smart, giving and nurturing. Being a firstborn male ,mom directed her attention to my well-being. The mutuality of my ego requirements of warmth ,comfort ,security and safety needs occurred during breast-feeding . I was blessed to experience well-established consistency, care and love. With consistency, regularity and love, I developed a sense of trust. I could then and later always count on mom being there for me. Mom was my first important identification figure.
During superego development, the ego ideal is an organization used in evaluating experience and behavior. It is considered an unrealistic part of the superego that has its origins in the narcissistic over evaluation of the self and an idealized image of parental power and perfection. It's one of the major sources of dissatisfaction with life.as it’s unattainable for the most part. However, the ego ideal is also responsible for a great deal of achievement as one is able to keep centered with a belief in one's potential capacities. It also can lead a person to become better than he is, resulting in a considerable amount of accomplishments, which reinforces self acceptance.
Identification is another significant variable in personality development. It can be conscious or unconscious, and initially one becomes like his parents. I was able to internalize the achievement, accomplishment, status, competence ,nurturance and intellectual characteristics of my parents. These internal " presescences" assisted with a regulating influence with my behavior. I was able to hold onto these character traits as they became me whether or not mom and dad were present .Additionally during development ,I identified with many others, especially those in the sports field.
Detroit is a major sports city. The heroics of Ty Cobb, Charlie Gehringer , Al Kaline, Harry Heilmann, Hal Neuhauser, and of course my favorite Hank Greenberg.were well known . I listened to Van Patrick on the radio, went searching for Art Houtman's house on E. Outer Dr. and enjoyed the exploits of Johnny Groth, the Detroit Tigers centerfielder. The Detroit Lions that I admired included Dick Night Train Lane, Bobby Lane,Hunchy Hoernschemer , Cloyce Box , and especially my favorite identification figure Doak Walker. As far as the Detroit Red Wings, Terry Sawchuk , Red Kelly ,Alex Delvecchio and the production line of Sid Abel , Ted Lindsay and of course my favorite Gordie Howe. I remember when Eddie Shack of the Toronto Maple Leafs injured Gordie. That occurrence was so upsetting that I hated that player. The Detroit Pistons on the other hand were so-so even with Dave Bing . My friend, player - coach Dave De Busschere, in spite of his talent , couldn't bring the NBA trophy to Detroit. I also listened on the radio to the 1950 snow bowl game between U of M and OSU. Boxing greats Joe Lewis, Sugar Ray Robinson and Marvin Hagler were a few of the champion Detroiters.
During my elementary school years, I have a picture of me in a T-shirt, baseball hat and Levi's swinging a Louisville slugger bat . I also fondly remember my next-door neighbor Al Noseda at 14943 Evanston Avenue . Al bought me a terrific baseball glove. Aunt Sarah ,a Tiger fan , took me to my first professional baseball game.During the day or after school I went searching for friends to start or join a baseball or football pick up game. I loved playing team sports.
During elementary school, John R. Tunis was my favorite author. I read and devoured books like The Kid from Tomkinsville, Rookie of the Year, High Pockets, and All American, Thank you Wayne elementary school library . I can't remember the librarian's name. Also, my friend and fiercest competitor was Tom Smith. In college, Tom played for Dan Devine's Missouri Tigers and played in the Orange Bowl After college, Tom became an elementary principal and unfortunately was killed in an automobile crash. 26 years ago my love was Judy that I met at a 40th Denby high school reunion. Judy dated Tom while at Denby.
The experience of identity is awareness of the self as a distinct entity, it's a perception of self based upon infancy , childhood ,self-image. mental representation of objects or persons of great significance. It's a conception of self, which is an integration of ego needs, capacities, significant identifications, defenses and roles. The conception of self is based on body image within ego development. Feeling comfortable about one's own body ,receiving closeness and acceptance from those who mean so much to the individual are also factors of importance.
During adolescence, I became interested in dads heavy free weight York barbell set and his reference on strength and physique. Dad took me to wrestling matches that seemed real. Bert Ruby and Leaping Larry Shane were favorites. During weight lifting workouts ,I had my brother Ron and friends hand me weights so I could do bench presses. I worked on becoming stronger also in order to improve my ability to play football. Lifting free weights assisted in my body image and I remember admiring bodybuilder Steve Reeves in the movies. I also followed the achievement of Norm Shamansky , a Detroit fireman weightlifter preparing for the Olympics. When about 15, I visited Dad at the University of Michigan Hospital and met Terry Sawchuk, also a patient. Dad had me demonstrating to Terry.,my physicality. He asked me to lift up the chair with one leg while holding my arm parallel to the floor.
My ego needs of achievement were extreme as I worked to accomplish something difficult, as I wanted to excel and surpass others. My friend Bob Barr introduced me to lifting enormous amounts of weights . We would do partial squats with 600 pounds . My bench presses improved and I nearly benched 400 pounds. In P. E, with football coach JackRice, I did 60 push-ups in a minute and 25 to 30 chins with little difficulty. Of course, no one in the class could come close to my physicality and strength. I wrestled Ed Budde, my football teammate.. Unfortunately, I couldn't put him down nor could he put me down. Also I wrestled at the same time two football friends , one a tackle and the other a fullback from nearby Notre Dame high school. I had no difficulty throwing them around.
Dad was supportive of my athletic pursuits. He attended football practices and high school and college games. He formed Denby's Dad Club and attempted to reinstate our undefeated team for the city championship . He was known as Big Ray to my friends. One holiday I carried mail at his Kerchaval post office. He Introduced me to so many employees and proudly told them about my achievements. During those times, we had one TV and we watched football games.
The extreme ego need of abasement also played a significant part in my self perception identity . I accepted potential injury and expected pain while playing football ,lifting weights and ultra running. Overuse injuries are common, and unfortunately I didn't experience any serious injury while playing football or lifting weights.
In my Ride and Tie experience and my ultra running, I experienced many overuse injuries. Ibuprofen, ice, heat, Monster of Massage, Jim of physical therapy and Matt the chiropractor were invaluable treatments. Running the Western States 100 miles illustrated the strength, drive , striving, tenacity and perseverance and depth of my ego needs of achievement and abasement. I'm one of 4 individuals that has completed Western States ,Tevis and 100 miles Ride and Tie , but the only one to have completed these three events in my 60s. In my late 70s, I was running Salmon Falls and Jed Smith 50 k's. These events became more difficult. Just prior to my 80th, I ran the Jed Smith half marathon and enjoyed that competition. Then came Covid -19 and I decided not to run in any more competitive runs.
In order to meet my extremely high levels of achievement, I had to set realistic goals which meant a graduated series of successful completions, irrespective of the challenges, barriers or obstacles. Continued repetition of goal setting success leads to a significant and higher level of aspirations and expectancy of success . When the fear of failure of not completing the goal emerged , I trained harder. Realistic goal setting success leads to more successes . I expected success even when dealing with extreme barriers and conditions. I agree with Albert Bandura's statement "self belief does not necessarily ensure success, but self disbelief assuredly spawns failure .
There are many human examples of the term mental toughness. When it comes to sports, the ego needs of achievement and abasement are apparent and necessary. Also, the personality variables of trust, ego ideal identifications and identity are some of the significant factors necessary for tenacity, perseverance, and drive for goal completion despite all the hardships. The wise philosopher Epictetus said, "it's the difficulties that show what men are."
PS
I just got off the phone with cousin Rick . He told me his father passed away.. Shell was one of my favorite cousins. Rick and I talked about his dad and the U of M and Lion's victories. I'm now the second oldest member of the family. It's hard to believe.
Reference
Cameron, Norman.. Personality Development and Psychopathology . A Dynamic Approach.
