You are your own action hero

It took only a second for America’s top agent to assess the situation.

Fierce training ensured that Jake Power was the man for the job. Even after the three-mile sprint to the villain’s mountain hideout, he held the 50 mm cannon like it was a kid’s BB gun.

Using his leather flight jacket, he gently covered Dawn – the beautiful super model, talented actress, and author of three bestselling novels – who lay barely alive.

She had tried to stop Dr. Doom, but failed. Now that Jake was there, she rested, confident that he would save the day – again. And indeed he did. One look at Jake’s powerful muscles, huge weapon and stalwart act of kindness, Dr. Doom surrendered, knowing Jake Power and the forces of good had foiled him.

Jake Power is an action hero I made up to illustrate a point, but his traits and abilities are not fiction.

During my life I have recognized particularly strong traits in certain people. I’ve met a few people I would want by my side in the heat of battle. Others have such incredible mental abilities. I’ve seen tremendous moral leaders and teachers. Then there are those who naturally nurture and love others. On some level, each of us has these qualities. Maybe the traits are not exposed or developed, but they reside in us all.

In a very real sense you are an action hero.

None of us will ever save Dawn against the evil forces of Dr. Doom, but we all have a vital mission. The mission I’m talking about is difficult, and you will meet challenge upon challenge. You will never know what insidious villain or awful situation awaits.

Unlike the Mission Impossible team, you have no choice in the matter.

The mission is life, and you are your own action hero. The fierce training to prepare you has been going on since before you were born and will continue until your last breath.

From this day forward, if you devote your life to a few basic principles, living will get better and more successful regardless of your age or situation.

• Physical health: No one needs the rippling muscles of Jake Power but life is motion, and without strength, we cannot participate fully.

• Mental health: Our mind requires challenges to maintain normal function. We can begin by keeping a constructive attitude even when things seem bleak.

• Biological health: Increasingly, our immune systems are threatened. We cannot always know what lurks out there, but when our nerve systems accurately coordinate and organizes each cell it is our optimum defense.

• Nutritional health: The building blocks provided by good nutrition are essential for an abundant life.

•Environmental advantage: We must assess health risks from our environment, not only pollution but also dysfunction including stress, fear and joylessness.

Keep these principles in mind as you train each day and enjoy your role as an action hero.

Your future depends on you!

Dr. Ray Pope is a licensed chiropractor at Action Potential Chiropractic, Inc. on Camano Island.