Run Your Race

Run your race.  These are words I often say...sometimes to others, mostly to myself.  This phrase keeps me focused on the task at hand.  It doesn't have to be a race, just any task in life.  It simply means:

Don't worry about what other people are doing.
Don't let other things distract you.
Stay focused.

The end result is up to you.  Why worry about what someone else is doing?  Perhaps they are taller, stronger, faster.  Big deal!  Use your strengths to achieve your goal.  You may not accomplish your goal as fast as someone else.  Who cares?  Maybe your goal is to complete the task.  Then later, you can work on speed.  Bottom line, worrying about what others are doing or falling victim to distractions will only slow you down and perhaps prevent you from reaching your goal.  In daily tasks and life, you have run your race.  No one else will do it for you.

Public Speaking

I am an introvert; I tend to shy away from crowds...normally.  Yet, I crave the spotlight.  Weird, huh? Most people dislike public speaking and I am no exception.  I can and I will do public speaking but I usually only do it when I really have to.  I get nervous; my voice my lack confidence.  My eyes may dart from side to side as I avoid eye contact.  I would never say I'm a great public speaker.  My speech skills my change from day to day.  But there are times when I'm focused and...my voice is calm and confident and I give good eye contact to the audience.  It's not that I'm less introverted in that moment but more that I am welcoming the challenge.  It's still an uncomfortable situation but I'm not allowing myself to back down.  After all, what's the worst that could happen?  Embarrassment...I think I could live with that.

Broken Promises

Don't make promises that you can't keep.  That is a good statement but we can't see the future.  How do we know if we will be able to keep that promise?  Have we kept this promise or one similar in the past?  We learn from our past and history repeats.  We also know what is important to us and what lengths we are willing to go for the important things and/or people in our lives.  If you've ever been on the receiving end of a broken promise, you know it's not a favorable situation.  Sometimes you may have your heart set on something happening because someone promised it.  Sometimes you've already planned something else because you expect the first thing will happen.  Because I have had promises broken, I am now more cautious of the promises I make.  I don't want to feel bad for not fulfilling a promise and I don't want to let anyone down.

A Penny for My Thoughts

Sometimes I like to think about where I will be five years from now...in regards to relationships, work, and finances.  I feel like I'm on track in all regards but nothing is a given and a lot can happen in five years.  I'm not rushing the future.  It just seems so far away now but I know once five years has past, I will wonder where the time went.  Time is weird like that.  It's good to have an idea of where you hope to be in life five years from now but you can't be consumed by what the future holds.  You will miss the important life events in the present.  This year I am focusing on the present to create a brighter future.

Take a Deep Breath

Sometimes I can be too focused.  I'm sure somebody can relate to this.  Before I finish one goal, I'm already looking at or working on my next goal or two.  It's fine to be focused, but you have to take some time between goals...even if it's only a moment.  A brief moment to take a deep breath and enjoy the sense of accomplishment.  A brief moment to release all the stress this goal created.  A moment to recharge your batteries for the next task.  Some people are so focused, it's difficult for them to allow themselves this moment.  You need it!  You deserve it!  It will make you stronger for your next goal.  Go ahead...breathe.

Fragile--Handle With Care

With all the medical problems that can happen to the heart, the worst problem isn't diagnosed by a doctor.  This painful affliction is known as a broken heart and everyone is vulnerable.  Everyone has a heart and no matter how much some may protest, they want to share their lives with someone.  It takes courage to be vulnerable and put yourself out there because there is the risk of a broken heart.  There is the chance of everlasting love on the other hand...which should be worth the risk.  People respond to broken hearts differently.  Some people try and try again.  Others let this create a dark cloud over them.  Some people turn their backs on love and choose to never try again.  I'm not an expert on broken hearts.  I have experienced it in the past.  It was a long time ago and I still remember how it felt.  As the date moves closer towards Valentine's Day, I hope everyone realizes the heart is very fragile.  If someone has given you their heart, make sure you handle it with care!

The Light

I think it's only fair that I tell you about how my life changed after my bad year.  First of all, I can't say it was a completely bad year.  I didn't completely know it at the time, but towards the end of that year, I met the love of my life.  I didn't have a lot of friends but I did have a couple of really good friends to help me when I was down.  I was down, but not out.  I was devastated after my Grandma's death.  I thought I never did anything with my life to really make her proud of me.  It also made me realize how short life can be.  After the storm, I rose with a new fire in my heart and a positive outlook.  I knew my Grandma was watching from above  and I decided to give her a good show.  With the attitude change, everything else began to change.  I lost weight, work got better, and I got the promotion I wanted.  It didn't happen overnight but I made it through the dark to get back to the light.

The Dark Knight

My outlook on life wasn't always so positive.  I was just thinking about that.  Actually, a few years ago, I had a bad year.  I won't say it was just the worst because there is always someone that has it worse and you never know what the future holds.  At the time, it just seemed like a bad, hopeless year.  I had gained about 20 pounds and was just out of shape.  With that, my energy levels were low.  I had recently moved to a new location and didn't really know anyone.  I was unmotivated at work after I didn't get the promotion I had hoped for.  Financially, I was living paycheck to paycheck.  That's not suffering but it's not financially stable.  I was also lost in relationships.  Overall, nothing was going my way.  At the end of that year, my Grandma passed away.  That put the darkest cloud over my head.  I felt like I was stuck in quicksand and the more I fought, the deeper I sank.

Off The Sidelines

Being forced to sit on the sidelines sucks!  That's all there is to it.  Luckily, I managed to not push myself too fast.  I gave my ankle time to heal.  I decided to try running a couple days ago to see how it felt.  It felt good, no discomfort.  I did wear a more supportive shoe this time.  The shoes gave me a bit more confidence to push myself during a few stretches of my run.  I hope you're not imagining me as an everyday runner type.  That is not me.  I run a couple of times a week.  During this run, I did walk a bit but I still completed the 2 mile run.  Today, I will try running again.  I hope to improve my run today.  Regardless of how I run today, I'm just excited to be off the sidelines.

Sidelined

The title says exactly how I feel right now...sidelined.  I'm just sitting by as things happen around me.  Literally sitting.  I guess I should give you the back story.  Yesterday, I agreed to play ultimate football with my coworkers.  I told myself I wouldn't push myself past my physical limits but once the game started, my competitive spirit took over.  I wasn't the all-star but I made great contributions to my team: some great passes and some phenomenal catches (which probably seem better in my thoughts than reality)!  About half way through the game, my lower back began to tighten and hurt.  I moved a bit slower but I still had bursts of greatness because I knew my teammates needed me.  Afterwards, my back was killing me.  I could still walk, just uncomfortably.  Then later at work, while sitting, my ankle just began to throb.  At the end of my workday, I stood up to leave and I could not put pressure on my ankle.  That is the twist in my story.  It wasn't my back that sidelined me, it was my ankle.  I guess I sprained it but I didn't realize it until later.  So now, I'm sitting here...sidelined.

2012

It's a new year!  So far, everything seems about the same.  Now is the time that people begin working towards their resolutions.  Mine are the usual.  Be better at love, work, fitness, and finances.  Pursue my goals.  I think I'll stop there.  If I really sit and think about it, I'm sure my list would just continue to grow.  The main theme of my resolutions is to be better.  Some areas of my resolutions just require a little improvement while others will be more of a challenge.  "Being better" isn't really a well defined goal but it works for me.  I just want to see improvement and growth in myself.  So, what are your resolutions for 2012?

No Regrets

As I begin to unwind and relax over the holidays, it gives me time to reflect over the past year.  It was definitely a busy year.  It was a year with plenty of change.  It was a year of challenge.  I challenged myself to accomplish academic goals; I now have a 3.7 GPA.  Yes, even with my procrastination.  I admit I procrastinate but because of that, I work through days without sleep to complete assignments...which I don't recommend.  I challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone and I was successful.  I challenged myself to present my thoughts to the world and created my blog.  It's been running a few months and I enjoy it.  I feel this year I'm a bit closer to my friends and family.  There was and still is some pain in my life after someone close to me passed away this year.  I'm glad that I was able to see him before this happened.  Through the joy and the pain, I continue to live my life to the fullest.  I continue to live with no regrets as I welcome 2012.  Let's see what the year will bring!

You Better Recognize

When someone does something good, they should be recognized.  Often, people are recognized for the bad things they do.  If someone is only told about the negative things they do, they may begin to believe that they can't do anything right.  And that is not the case.  Everyone is capable of doing great things.  Recognition can be as simple as saying, "Good job!" or "I really appreciate your help."  These are small gestures to recognize someone.  There are bigger ways to recognize people such as cards, gifts, or awards.  You can also treat the person to lunch.  The main goal of recognition is to acknowledge the good deed someone accomplished.  Though many people don't expect recognition, it is nice to receive it.

Don't Stop Believing

If you really push yourself, there will be times when you begin to question yourself.  You will wonder if you can succeed.  You may ask yourself questions like...Am I strong enough?  Am I smart enough?  Am I mentally tough enough?  When you are in this situation, one of two things needs to happen to get you through this moment.  One, if you have someone in your life that believes in you, you can turn to them and they should provide you the added boost you need to get through.  A loved one should be your biggest fan and they can tell you why you are great and push you higher.  Two, you can know your own strength and value and never stop believing in yourself.  You have to determine which scenario works best for you.  Probably, the best solution is to have both in your favor.  If you never stop believing in yourself and you have a loved one that believes in you, this will provide a lot of strength in your corner.

Outside the Comfort Zone

Most people are aware of their comfort zone and even more aware when they step outside of it.  Lots of people choose to remain in their comfort zone.  Why?  Because it's easy.  It's comfortable.  I used to stay inside my comfort zone.  I'm introverted and my shyness always prevented me from doing more.  Then one day I took a look at myself and decided I will try to be better and step outside my comfort zone.  Once I did it, it was scary.  It was highly stressful but I survived.  It was exciting.  I didn't have to wonder if I was capable of doing something anymore.  I knew because I had already done it.  Now, I like to step outside my comfort zone.  I still get the same feelings each time I try something new.  Worry, doubt, frightened, excited.  But, at the end, I get the sense of accomplishment.  That makes it more than worth it.

Remember When?

I enjoy technology and the Internet, but I look at how it has changed some parts of our lives.  I'm sure most inventions are for the better; I just like to think back to a time that wasn't so long ago.

Remember when...

You used to go to the movie rental store to rent movies?

You used to watch movie previews before a movie at home?

You used to have to get home by a certain time to watch your favorite TV show?

You used to have a large DVD rack to hold your collection?

You used to have a larger CD rack to hold your collection?

Your TV was so heavy and not thin that you never thought about mounting it on the wall?

You used a VCR?

You jogged with a portable CD player?

You used to go inside your bank or use the Drive-up Teller?

You carried a checkbook?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello to everyone that's tuning in.  Today is a day when most of us enjoy a much needed day off.  No sitting in traffic during your daily commute or any other work hassles.  It's a day that we don't worry about the politics of the world.  We can just relax and enjoy good food and good company.  Don't forget to take the time out to think about who and what you are thankful for.  Enjoy the time off and share it with your friends and family.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Derailed

We all have plans or ideas for how we anticipate things will happen.  When it works out, that's great.  Sometimes plans go awry; sometimes we just fall off our path.  We desire the end result but sometimes the road is so long, you can't maintain your focus.  If you truly want the end result though, the realistic answer is you have to refocus and keep pushing towards your end goal.  Nobody ever said it would be easy.  Most of the difficult goals in life are worth the struggle and sacrifice.  So when you feel like you are no longer focused, you have to reach deeper into your soul and find the strength and focus to persevere.  Show the world you can do it!  Most importantly, prove it to yourself!

Connections

One of the most priceless things about this world is the connections we make.  Love connections are great but that's not my focus here.  The connections we have with family can be just as wonderful.  My family has always been close and with that, you love the good and you expect, accept, and move past the bad.  Of course it's family so sometimes it doesn't move that quickly through the process.  Some family members can be very stubborn.  Sometimes it's justifiable, but it's hard to see it being worth the rift in the relationship.  I mean it's family!  That's one of your closest bonds.  Then you have the connections you make with friends.  It's interesting how you may be the new person in any given situation and everyone welcomes you into the group.  You feel like you are part of something much larger.  They give you strength; they make you laugh.  You all can share your past experiences and ideas and you learn from it.  It makes you wiser and you can see more than just your own perspective.  That's priceless!  That's why I welcome my connections.

RIP Heavy D

I guess I haven't paid enough attention to the news lately because I'm just finding out Heavy D has passed away.  He was only 44 years old.  This is a tragedy.  I feel like everyone should have enjoyed his music or watched him perform.  I never saw him live but just from the music videos, he was always awesome.  Even though he was overweight, his performance was always energetic.  His music was always positive; he wanted people to dance.  I believe that he enjoyed dancing.  I truly feel he was a true artist.