Month: December 2021 (Page 3 of 5)

Eventually, every dog has his day. It’s funny to think that as time passes we all go from young green horns to seasoned veterans, whether we like it or not. I’ve been on this earth for 50+ years and I would love to think I’m going to live to 100 in great health, but the reality is there are more years behind me than in front of me.

That amount of time walking this earth has given me all kinds of life experiences to learn, grow and evolve from – if you choose of course. It has also given me some space between me and the next generation. It has earned me the honors of the younger people in my life calling my methods “old school.” I adore it. Even though it seemed like yesterday that the old men on the opposing team – while running up and down the basketball court – were calling us “flat bellies,” it would appear that I’m the old man now. It’s all good. I’ve earned it and do my best to leverage those principles and disciplined methods I learned from my father into tangible habits and a work ethic that brings my goals and endeavors to me in the perfect time.

Remember: there is no substitution for Grit. Never has been. Never will. Period.

Most importantly, don’t get bamboozled into thinking there is. Whoever told you that is a charlatan. Run from them as fast as you can.

Don’t talk about. No one wants to hear your grand plans. Keep your mouth shut and get to work. Keep your head down and mind your business. Talk with your game.

Buckle down. Show up and merely begin. Then repeat.

Oh yeah. Sprinkle a whole lot of Love and Laughter along the way. They make for some brilliant colors.

Night time falls over the land every 12 hours or so and we typically know what to expect. I have found some of my darkest hours – mentally – in the middle of the night. Either because of food poisoning, the flu and having strange dreams due to a high fever or waking up in a panic thinking about a project that has consumed my last several weeks.

However, the problems never seem to be quite as daunting after the sun rises the next morning. They haven’t left, but it feels like at least there’s hope. What has changed? Is it only because the earth is bathed in sunshine? Maybe.

Whatever causes me to be encouraged to move forward and face my fears, I’m grateful for.

It just goes to show that even in our darkest hours, that time too shall pass. But we must be in the game in order to watch the sun rise and transcend the darkness into light.

We can do our best to plan out exactly how we want our day, week, month or year to go. The chances of it happening just as you planned it are slim to none.

Did you put that in your plan?

Now what?

Re-think, revise and move forward. Adversity is a key element to our attraction of goals, deadlines and targets. Don’t get thrown into a tailspin because your plan is out the window.

Stay nimble, keep your head and make the strongest choice possible for the moment. It’s about staying engaged and pushing through more than anything else.

The rain will eventually stop and the sun will come out again.

If you have ever watched the show “Naked and Afraid” you will learn pretty quickly that it isn’t how physically prepared you are, but your mental toughness that gets you farther than the other contestants. 9 our of 10 times the person who is able to remain steadfast with their mental focus is the one who comes out a winner in the end.

So often, we self-sabotage ourselves by giving up mentally. We write off the entire endeavor because we aren’t getting the results we want the first, second or even the third time through.

I believe this has to do with where your focus is located. Sometimes to place your attention on the end result is not the best place to spend your time. Sometimes it is. When working towards a goal, it might be in your best interest to focus on the day to day habits you are creating by putting in the work. Laying one brick the best you can is your job today. The big picture will take care of itself in due time.

Before you know it, you will arrive at your destination, but to embrace and learn to find satisfaction in the process might be better for us in the long-haul.

After all of these years, I think the marketers have gotten to me. Congratulations to them!

During the holiday season I have to make a concerted effort to stay grounded, humble and grateful. It seems that if I don’t watch myself, I can get caught up in the pressures and expectations of the Christmas must-have’s. I think that’s why when I was younger and even now at times, there can be a real let-down after New Year’s. This – on top of the constant barrage of marketing on social media, etc. we are exposed to – can make me a bit anxious.

This is when I know I need to get away from the screen time and re-connect with the things in my life that are important to me. My own well-being, my legacy and connecting with my family and friends.

After all, how much do we need?

The Bare Necessities

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
Old Mother Nature’s recipes
That brings the bare necessities of life