Tag Archives: Discipline

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Day 3, Are you kidding me?

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Say hello to my little friends!  These are the 4 way adjustable hinged knee braces I wear every night to my basketball games.  Though they look like a bulky mess actually they allow for quite a bit of freedom.  I am not slowed down in the least bit.   And best of all, they take the pounding OFF of my knees so I come away with no pain whatsoever on most nights such as tonight after two games at a JV tournament.

Back to Day 3; Well the good news is that I did walk another 4 miles of power walking today.   The bad news is that while adjusting the volume on my cell phone while listening to a book, I dropped the thing clean on the concrete!  For the first time I had one of those phones with the cracks all over the screen.  Not just any cracks either, but the cracks you can actually feel.  Thank goodness for insurance right?

The second part of the bad news is that while I was closing in on the last mile and a half or so, I got this rubbing irritation on the back of my left heel.  Though I took my shoe off and adjusted my socks, I couldn’t get the rubbing to stop.  The results was the onset of a big blister on the back of my heel.  This is just what i needed considering that I am working multiple games ever day until December 22nd.

Walking was a pain and I had no idea how I was going to ref the games tonight without clean rubbing the skin off the heel.

There are two things officials need to know when entering a gym.  1) Who is the administrator?  2) Do you have a trainer on staff?

I met the administrator at the door who directed me to the trainer.  After explaining my dilemma, she treated and wrapped the heel to perfection.  To my relief, it felt at least 90% better!  Crisis averted!

Game on!

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Day 2… Staying True

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So far so good.  Just finished a 4 mile power walk.  Started off a little painful as my shins were stiff heading out.  They eventually loosened up.

Great day to do it as well.  The local temperature is 57 degrees and the skies are sunny!  Taking advantage of a day like this allows me to save on burning gas driving to the gym.  I don’t expect this to last forever!

My breakfast was a banana, and my lunch a meal of protein only.

When I first got out of bed.  I did not feel the same amount of enthusiasm as I would have liked towards looking forward to the extra workout.  But the best thing about it, is that I didn’t have force myself out the door.  I felt that inner motivation, that light that goes on in my psyche that says, “I WANT to go out there and capture the momentum that propels me to the point where I will feel as if I missed out on something wonderful if I don’t work myself out!”

It’s like the more you work out, the more you want to work out.  Just like the more you sit around, the more you want to sit around.

There are many accomplished people out there who are not as physically disciplined in their bodies.  For me, when I am physically sharp I am mentally and spiritually sharp!

The best part of it all, I still have a basketball game to officiate this evening.   In the meantime, I’m going to make myself a carrot and pear juice cocktail in the Blendtec, relax and ice my knees.

Looking forward!

 

 

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Good For The Soul, Great For The World ~ Full Circle

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This week we talked about just a few things that are good for the soul and great for the world.  The phrase was coined as a way of saying that when something is done in justice and truth with the intent of blessing others, a blessing is also automatically generated for the person doing the deed. 

When the scriptures talk about how it is more blessed to give than to receive, I always figured that when one is supplying something, that means first he possesses something to provide.  (Which is a blessing already as opposed to needing something.)  But also just for the sake of seed sowing or karma, giving blessings also open doors for you to recieve your own when needed.

It is with this in mind that I want to remind us that we have to invest into ourselves as well.  By that I mean we can only give and bless to the degree that we are fulfilled and functional within.  If we are stressed, worried and angry it’s difficult not to reflect that energy back into the world.  Giving will only be so effective as there will be a level of resentment and hurt because of our own unfulfilled need for love and security.  If we are free and flowing with the universe as it pertains to our peace and purpose, the fruits will be that much sweeter as we extend benevolence to one another.

So inward investment is in order.  Charity (love) starts at home – so we must learn to love ourselves and appreciate what we have inside.  We must recognize and acknowledge the gifts and talents we posess and believe that they are a blessing to others.  We also have to learn to accept the gifts that are available from others and deem them necessary for our own development.

What am I saying?  Its time to invest in yourself!  That means taking an inventory of your life – seeing where you are and where you want to be.  What is it going to take to get you there?  What steps are necessary for you?  What books do you need to read?  What are the initial phases of change that need to happen?  Who are some people who can help you? 

Look inward and ackowledge who you really are on both the good and the not so good sides.  Decide what kind of person do you really want to be.  How much integrity do you REALLY want to live with?  How far are you willing to discipline yourself to reach that level?

All these questions need to be answered if you are going to live your best life.  Time is short and we don’t know how much of it we have left.  But we do have the moment and if we build those moments piece by piece, we can accomplish goals and be a witness to other people the a life of peace and success is possible. 

By success I don’t mean money – though there is money to be made.  Successful people are people who have worthy goals and plans and follow through on them.  Successful people are focused and directed – they make things happen for the good even if no one else can see the progress for the moment.  Most times when we see someone who is a success, we see the finished product, but were not around to see the price that was paid to get to that point.

There are no quick fixes, but investing in your own goals, peace, and happiness is a great way to start your life that is good for your soul, and great for your world.

Be good to yourself~

Grace & Peace

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Most Notorious Thief! ~ Step Your Game Up!

Reading this recently reminds me to keep my game tight and not allow procrastination the great thief of my time to come between me and my destiny.  Working towards goals with patience is different than just putting things off.  I have to be wise enough to know the difference.

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From Allister Begg –
Truth For Life Ministries

A LITTLE SLEEP, A LITTLE SLUMBER, A LITTLE FOLDING OF THE HANDS TO REST, AND POVERTY WILL COME UPON YOU LIKE A ROBBER, AND WANT LIKE AN ARMED MAN.

Proverbs 24:33-34

The worst of sluggards only ask for a little slumber; they would be indignant if they were accused of complete laziness.  A little folding of the hands to rest is all they desire, and they have a host of reasons to show that this indulgence is entirely legitimate.  Yet by these “littles” the day runs out, and the time for work is all gone, and the field is overgrown with thorns.

It is by little procrastinations that men ruin their souls.  They do not intend to delay for years-a few months, they say, will bring the more convenient season-tomorrow they will attend to serious things; but the present hour is so occupied and so unsuitable that they beg to be excused.

Like sands from an hourglass, time passes; life is wasted by driblets, and seasons of grace lost by little slumbers. Oh, to be wise, to catch the fleeting hour, to use the passing moments!  May the Lord teach us this sacred wisdom, because otherwise a poverty of the worst kind awaits us-eternal poverty that will want even a drop of water and beg for it in vain.

Like a robber steadily pursuing his victim, poverty overtakes the lazy, and ruin overthrows the undecided: Each hour brings the dreaded pursuer nearer; he doesn’t pause on the way, for he is on his master’s business and must not delay. As an armed man enters with authority and power, in similar fashion want will come to the idle, and death to the impenitent, and there will be no escape.

O that men would become wise and would diligently seek the Lord Jesus, before the solemn day will dawn when it will be too late to plow and to sow, too late to repent and believe.  In harvest, it is useless to lament that the seedtime was neglected. As of now, there is still time for faith and holy decision.  May we obtain them tonight.

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The Blueprint ~ Finishing the Year Righteous!

I live that thug life baby I’m hopeless – smoking off indo tryin to keep my focus!  – Tupac

Familia~

First I have to say Thank God for that xtra hour – cause it was on point today!

Anyway with a little less than two months remaining in 2008, (man does the time fly) it’s time for me to step my game up in a few areas.  I decided to put it on out there on record so my friends can hold me accountable to my goals.  My first set are for the last couple months or by the New Year.  After that I will drop the 09 personal and professional goals.  With that said feel free to comment and ask me anytime how I am doing in said areas – and I will answer honestly of course.  So here goes!

Vote Barack Obama in for president! – Hey, this is at the top of my food chain of things to do.  Not sure whether I will make it early or after work to the polls – but I will be casting my vote for this life changing moment in time!

Discipline My Temple: Ok, so I am not a fat slob or anything, but still I need lose 20-25 lbs.  Currently I am hovering slightly above 200lbs.  Idealistically I need to be between 175-180 lbs.  Realistically I can rock it at 180-185 and be relatively comfortable.   That means feeling energetic and fitting in all of my pants!  I am a health concious person – and am disciplined enough to fast and drop 15 lbs with the quickness – but my challenge is eating healthy on an ongoing basis.  I love to eat – flat out.  And I love a cold beer after a long day to help take the edge off.  So balance and temperance are in order for me to make good choices.  By Jan 1st, I will not weigh over 185 – PERIOD!

Embrace The Day: This morning I woke up in a wonderful place.  I felt in tuned with my spirit and was ready to take on day.  I put myself in the mind to make a positive contribution and to remain calm – ready to accept the challenges and give grace where needed, wisdom where asked, and peace to all whom I come into contact with.  I don’t know how many days I have left in this life – but to look at each day as a gift and an opportunity rather than “just like any other day” is my goal.  I don’t want to carry yesterday’s junk into tomorrow.  I want to fully live in the present moment with gusto – while being able to learn from the past and project goals for the future.  So for this I need to continue to feed my spirit the things it needs to thrive and connect with the power of the universe.  I want to flow with what is already in place and manifest my destiny.

Step up My Daddy Game: Most of the time I have adjusted well to the changing needs of my children.  But for my baby, I seemed to have missed the mark.  In her desire to please me I never know the difference as she “acts” happy and joyful when we are together.  However, she is probably growing and maturing at a faster pace than I have noticed.  Plus I think I will always look at her as my little girl.  So I need to regroup and bring her closer to me so that by the time she’s a teen she is not missing what she needs from me.  I am very concerned about this – so I just plan to shower her with love and pray I get the answers I need to provide the spiritual and emotional security she needs from dad. 

Finish Small Book: I am working on a book I believe will really benifit the youth (mainly young men from 16-25).  It’s at least half done but I need to finish it so that I can make the connections I need to have it edited, published, marketed, and into the hands of those who will benefit from the things that are shared in it.  Again this is part of my destiny and purpose for being here.  So I can’t devote all of my time to corporate America and the day to day “busy work” of errands, fun etc.  In the words of Dr. James Farmer (Forest Whitaker in “The Great Debators.”) “We do what we have to do, so we can do what we want to do.”

I guess thats a big enough list for two months right?  I do have plans for 09 that I will document at the beginning of the year.  If I can just regulate these areas of my life, these disciplines should put me on a more direct track to living my dreams.  I have lived most of my life for others in most cases.  And by the time the middle of 09 comes around, I want it to start being about me a little more ya dig?  I just need to be more disciplined and focused. 

Thanks for your help and encouragement!  And by all means check on me!