A new day

 Some days are HARD!  Wake up in a new day.  There are endless opportunities to be a blessing, receive, and provide new hope.

The sun is up, YOU are "here", and blessings will fall on you.  It is absolutely beautiful.  Even in a crisis, you can feel the love of so many around you.  Get caught up IN the love.  It trumps the negative.  Focus on the good, and a NEW day.  

I have been journaling and trying to practice what I preach.  God has soooooo many beautiful things for us if we simply have faith and embrace the gifts meant for us.  When things are taken away, more gifts are to come if we simply get out of our own heads and see the glory.

Thank you all for loving when someone needs to feel it.  Thank you for allowing people to understand we are all in this TOGETHER.  You are NOT alone.  We got this.

Love you all

Be there

 I have most certainly dealt with abandonment issues.  Do not get hung up on the people in your life that you feel threw you away.  Get caught up in the lives of the people that say "I LOVE YOU"  "I am here"

I have always been an optimist and believed in the best of ALL people.  Reality has taught me, there are few.  My ultimate goal is for you to be that strong and loving individual to always "Be there" for another.

I have an amazing family and am inspired by how they are always there when someone needs it.  Trees will intertwine roots under the surface when another needs nutrients.  Its a beautiful thing.  Hold a hand of another and let them know, you're there.

Stay strong.  Love you all

Hold tight

 I received some terrible news yesterday.  A dear good man lost his life in an accident at a place I used to work.  He also happened to be a great husband to my cousin.  

You never know what day all that you have, love, and depend on will be gone.  The ones you love, hold them tight.  The ones that bring joy to your life, let them know.  The ones that shine a light, thank them.

He was an organ donor.  So he will continue to give and his spirit will live on.  Be your best self each day for those around you bc tomorrow is not promised.  You have "moments" today.  What will you do to encourage, motivate, and be an example of a life well lived?

Don't take your day or the people in your life for granted.  With the time you have, love, accept love, and never lose sight of the impact it makes.

Love yourself in the same way and be a light.  You matter.  Hold tight.

Love you all

Blue Ridge

 I used to run a gazillion trails here.  The views were absolutely breath taking.  The journey to get to the view was also a beautiful experience in a different way.  There was beauty in the effort to get there.  Each labored inhale/exhale and exploding muscles made the destination that much more rewarding. 

When you labor for a destination while also breathing in the air of the journey to get "there", you are free to be where you are at with a goal of where you are going.

I miss it.  The air is sweeter, you are one with nature, and can feel the hand of God pulling you to the beauty you are in as well as what you KNOW awaits.

Fall in love with the process of the journey.  The view after the climb is worth it.  

Love you all 

Respect

 The fallen that sacrificed their lives to give us ours as we know it, will be remembered today.

Never forget that freedom came at a great cost.  The stories within those lives within this yard alone can inspire and press us to sacrifice each and every day for another.  We have an opportunity TODAY to love, encourage, and fight for another.  You don't have to serve in the military to do this.  Many are at war EVERY day.  Fight for your brother in arms and let them know you have their back.

The world will be a much better place if we all felt we were fighting for ourselves, another, and the betterment of life as we know it.  We also will feel the fight that another is having for us to provide "hope" and a better future.

Remember the fallen, but keep fighting while we are still breathing.

Love you all

Day Off

 

In my experience with workouts, you NEED a day off!  Taking two days in a row is a thin line for disaster.    You begin to creep into the realm of "comfort", making it harder to get back at it.  2 days turn to 3....4...a YEAR.  The next thing you know, you are right back to feeling you have to start all over again.  Its easier to keep going than to stop and start all over again.

Burn out happens when you don't allow a break to heal.  Complacency happens when you take too much time off and all of your progress begins to quickly slip away.  It takes consistent efforts to achieve hard gained results.  It takes DAYS to lose it.  Take your day off, but do not let the mental and physical gains slip.

Enjoy your weekend, and be ready to get back at it next week.  

Love you all

Lens

 You all know that I love trees.  They are LIFE.  How you look at them or the rest of life is all about the lens you are using to see.

Be aware and adjust the view.  You can see what you want to see in the proper light.  Adjust your lens.

Make LIFE as beautiful as you want to see it.

Love you all

Wake up

 How do you "wake up"?  

I am quite convinced that how you wake up is a reflection of what is going on in your life.  You're either waking up completely grateful for all that God has blessed you with or complaining when the alarm goes off because you don't feel you can tackle another single day.

How you tackle your day and the energy you put out/receive dictates how that next morning rolls.  You can either spend your day in a pity party or a gratitude party. 

"Waking Up" can go a bit deeper.  At some point in life, you simply have to "wake up" and choose how you are going to do it.  Eventually, you will need less coffee or external motivation.  You awake into a world with endless possibilities for that day.  You become high on what life can and will bring.  Stay positive, smile, and throw your hands up to receive the blessings and opportunities of the day.  The dreams of the night before have no place in the new day.  You choose to LIVE the "dream".

WAKE UP!

Love you all 

Write

 What a blank canvas...........  You have to realize the importance and impact of writing a new book.  The possibilities are absolutely endless.  What a beautiful story it can be!  

I had a conversation with a member today that had a marathon race shirt on from 2010.  These were the best fitness years of my life as well.  We dug in, and confirmed the fact that we can't discuss the past.  What are we doing NOW?

Guess what?  You have a choice to write your current and future story.  It requires you to not compare yourself to your past self or anyone else.  Its time to write YOUR story NOW.

It only requires a little discipline to pick up a pen and the courage to know you are worth the story you "want" to write.

Its time to fill some pages that equate to the end meant for you.

Love you all

Choose wisely

 We are to "pick our battles"...  Wayyyy too much time and energy goes into battles that don't matter.  I have often said, "But, its the principle of the thing"...   Let that ego go.  Your ego is not your amigo.  Let God do what God does.

Most of these battles happen in our own mind.  We have to choose those battles wisely as well.

What matters in the BIG picture?  What equates to your growth and peace?  Even if someone is trying to destroy you, hold your head high, and do the things that create strength.

Love you all

Let it Go

 I have been very much in a place over the years of grass not greener on the other side. "Its green where you water it" can take on a new meaning.  When that grass dies, JUMP THE FENCE!

If what you are doing isn't providing fruits of the water you provide, pour water into a new plant, pasture, field, and watch it grow.  There is a Bible verse: Luke 9:60  Let the dead bury the dead".  That verse always threw me for a loop.  But, I get it.  Shake the dust from your shoes and move on.  Stop watering the dead plants.  There is a new green field thirsting for your water.  Pouring what you have into something that will never have life again will drain you and lead you to the same dead plant.  There are no tumble weeds over "there".  Jump the fence!

Take care of yourself and fill your container in order to pour life into GROWTH.

Love you all

Mail

 We are always getting mail.  A lot of incoming junk.  This also goes with our interactions each day.  Everybody is delivering "something".  Its up to you to toss the junk in the trash and get excited about about that incoming "check".

It goes into the box of your thoughts.  Manage the mail.  You can also see the flag up in this picture.  What is the mail that you are sending out?  Sometimes the carrier is just the messenger, but you can control what you read and what you place in the shredder.  Also be conscious of what you're sending.  

I am a firm believer that what we send out opens the door of what we receive.  It doesn't always work that way.  We are still going to get "junk" mail, solicitation, and bills.  We still have to open that box and anticipate the good in the next sealed envelope.  Its coming.  Write the card that can comfort another.  Send help to those that need it.  Heck..., even write a letter to yourself.

Time to send and receive some mail

Love you all

What?

 Life is INSANE!..  It becomes beautiful when things come out of nowhere that prove who you are and what you do is rewarded.  Be in a place to keep with the process of giving/receiving.

To get to the place of reward, you have to be in a place outside of your own ego and GIVE.

Your "out of nowhere" is coming soon.  Keep the FAITH.  Thank God for what is happening and about to happen.  There is an Andy Griffith episode where Andy tells Barney that "The sun is gonna shine on your back door"

Its gonna shine.  Roll with the punches and stay true to YOU.  Ignore the noise, and ride the gifts that are coming.

Love you all

Turn around

 My life this past year could be a movie.  I am constantly in awe of the lessons this year has taught me.  I have laughed, cried, and been involved with laughing and crying with so many...........

The more I awaken and help others awaken, that worm on the hook loses it's draw.  Be YOU.

It may be time to turn from the herd and venture into the deep.  Lets explore.

Love you all

Go with it

 Soooo many times in life, we have that "Gut Feeling" of what is right, what we should or should not do.....

Why do so many people ignore the feeling?  Take a chance, and you will suffer the consequences.  We know what we need to eat, do, and actions that could equate to a better life, but we too often ignore.  Its time to go with your gut.  Do what life nudges you to do.  Flow with THAT, and ride the path meant for you.

Take a little more time in your decisions and listen.....

Love you all

Flow

 There is a state of being where you simply learn to let things flow.  You stop trying to control everything.  The blockage from doing that  does not allow what is meant for you to naturally be.

The goal is to be in the best place you could be to take advantage of what flows to or through you.

Today, we are going to simply breathe, and allow. We are going to accept and allow the good that was meant for us to FLOW.

Love you all

Game night

 Every Monday night is "Game Night".  It is a time to simply unwind for a second and laugh with family.  It can get competitive, but the ultimate joy, whether winning or losing, is time with family.  

As hard as we work, take time to release, relax, and enjoy what is important in the BIG picture.  Use times like this as a reward for the work you put in.  No work.....No reward.  Work hard....Play hard.

Balance.  Lets put in some work today to get to "game night"

Love you all

Sledge Hammer time

 Many things can box you in.  The bricks keep mounting, the mortar dries, and the wall can seem impenetrable.

Do not settle for the walls built around you.  You may have even had a hand in laying a few bricks, but there are some pretty big sledge hammers at your disposal.  

Its time to grab the biggest one you have on hand, take a deep breath, and start swinging.  You will sweat, get hit by pieces of brick, your hands will bleed, and you may question what is on the other side.  Keep swinging with the gumption of release from prison.  There is a mountain top and light on the other side.

Today is a day of breakthrough.  We are busting out today!

Love you all!

Enough

 I give an assignment to many members for a food journal.  I didn't even get into the club this morning, before a member caught me in the parking lot to let me know what an eye opening experience it was.  He has good Genes and is "FIT", but he realized his nutrition was garbage and he wasn't tapping into his potential.

Food is one thing you can conrol to create an outcome that is better than what "was".  

The same thing comes in life.  Things you are DOing, the people and environment you place yourself in can make you or break you.  You have a choice.  Recently, I have come across a life changing experience that makes me want to be better....stonger.....mentally, spiritually, and physically fit.  The things in life that clouded that vision dissipated.  The fog is going away, and clarity is hitting me like a sunrise.  Thats when I said "Enough"  Grab the sun, the new day, smile, laugh, embrace the hope, and let the light shine.  ENOUGH.  Today is a new day.

Love you all

Get some wings

 Every time an angel gets wings, a bell rings.  There is much that is being worked for our greater good.  Don't miss the angel or the bell ring.  

When the angel comes, and the bell rings, HOLD ON!

Love you all

Storms

 Quite a few storms last night.  I actually love it.  Its all about finding the beauty in what Mother Nature is doing.  There is often damage caused.  Trees go down, debree scattered, and an aftermath that needs to be cleaned up.  I used to commute to Brevard.  The only route was up Caesar's Head.  Many trees came down across that road with it's 67 curves.  I kept a chain saw with me, and used it on a few occasions bc that was the only way I was going to get through to my destination.

Embrace the storm, whip out your chainsaw, and get to your destination.

Its okay to sit on your backporch and watch the show, but know you might have to do some cleaning in the morning.

Love you all

Hope

 We are all trying to come through the cracks of life.  There is beauty and hope.  Allow the growth to come up through the cracks and be the beautiful flower you were made to be.

Lets burst through.  There is growth and beauty to be found.  Don't run over that flower in the road.  Protect it.  A lot had to come into place for it to grow.

Hope does not dissapoint.

Love you all

Do

 I used to be very much a "to do" list person.  Check it off.  The time in creating the list was important bc my time was important, and wanted to check off each item.  What is your list today?  Its not too late to create one.

Share.  P.M.s  Accountability matters.  Life is FUN with the right attitude, goals, and friends..

Love you all

WTF

 This is the look.  WHAT?  All we can do is focus our atttention on what we can control.

What will you do today to let other people's crazy go and focus on YOU?

It's up to you..  Refocus.  Let it go, and get after it.

Love you all

Flip

 If things aren't working, sometimes you have to "flip"hoping to land on your feet.  It beats being on that trampoline bouncing around in a circle.  Even if you flip to the ground.  (Done that before......  It most certainly changed my day)  Land on your feet or get the breath knocked out of you when you hit the ground.

Regardless, take the chance.  Stop bouncing around.  FLIP

Love you all

Return on investment

 I spent decades investing in something with no return.  Its why I have always loved running and lifting.  What you put in, you get out.  Invest in yourself.  What you put in, you get out.  People......  As much as you want to invest, don't expect a return.  I am a giver, but have learned my lesson over the years to simply give with good intentions without expecting anything in return.  Life will repay in time.

Be patient.  Allow the ignorant to be.  Stop leading horses to water that won't drink.  Invest in YOURself

Love you all

CRAZY

 There are times in life that make you feel you have completely lost your mind.  You haven't.  Just know that people are crazy.  They should not have the power to make you feel that you are.  As frustrating as it is, know you are sane.  Keep doing what YOU do to improve yourself.  Let the crazies go to the looney bin, and stay after it.  You are better than to join them.

No matter what......  YOU have power over YOU.  It will all iron out as its supposed to be. Karma, and all.  Just take care of YOU!

 I can honestly say, life flipped upside down based on the insanity of a narccisist.  I'm not going to judge their childhood trauma.  Just going to focus on me, and love.  If they don't receive your love or give it back, MOVE ON!  As hard as it is, you have to understand that you can't control another.  Control yourself.  Let it go, and get after your best self.  Attract what was meant for you.  Don't chase the things not meant for you.  The sooner you realize, the more peaceful you WILL become.  Stay after it.  You're worth it.  No matter how much someone tells you that you aren't.  Don't listen.  Laugh it off bc YOU KNOW who you are.  Absorb the people that love you.  Love them back.  Don't waste a day on a single person that doesn't take the time to know and appreciate you.  You are NOT a leftover.  You are brilliant, and deserve to be treated as such.  

Love you all

Put the weight back

 One of my pet peaves has always been to put things back the way you found it.  It was a battle with the kids.  I just had a member literally about to do this to someone that didn't obey the signs.  It was about to get nasty.  All bc someone didn't understand the common courtesy to understand that someone else was going to have to clean up their mess.  

There is more to this on a deeper level.  You are carrying weight.  When you are done, put it down.  Don't make someone else carry the weight you were carrying.  You are free, and don't place the burden on another.

Re-rack your weights.  

Love you all