Life repeats itself

A few days ago, my sister was told her husband had multiple myeloma. A cancer of the plasma cells in the blood. It is treatable, but not curable. Her husband of almost 30 years has a long hard challenging road ahead. I pray for them and pray for her.

It was just over 30 years ago that we lost our father to leukemia. Diagnosed during the 3rd week of October 1978 and passed away six weeks later on December 7. She, my mother and I lived through that challenging time and now the two of them battle the demon again.

To my sister and mother, you are two of the most courageous women I have ever known. My heart goes out to you. You keep smiling in the face of adversity and travel the rocky of road of life with grace. I love you both.

Slow down you move too fast

It has been a while since I have posted. To those that have visited and seen no new entries, my apologies to you.

I find myself many times getting caught up in life's fires and trying to put them out. I don't take the opportunity to enjoy the journey through my life. For that I must say I have regret. I must take time to slow down and focus on the things that make this life important, enjoyable and worth living. Family, gratefulness for the gift of grace and the power to be of service to mankind.

I thank everyone, friends and family, or the casual acquaintance who has left a blessing on my life. To you, I wish many blessings and for you I am eternally grateful.

The Woman on the Street

During the week I ride the bus to work. I get off the bus one stop ahead of where I could so that I can walk an extra 5 or 6 blocks in the morning before starting work. It gives me time to get ready for the day and gets the juices flowing before doing battle with the day's opportunities.

One morning this week I had just crossed the street and saw ahead of me a person that looked like they were laying on top of the trash can on the sidewalk. As I passed I turned to see who it might be and if they were OK. As I looked it was a woman that obviously had nothing but the clothes on her back. She was digging in the trash can looking for anything that might resemble nourishment.

I turned around and went back and gave her the contents of the bag I was carrying, my snacks for the day and a bottle of water. I realize it is not much, but it was what I had.

I finished the two blocks to work and got to my office. Everyday, I close my door and pray for my family and our business, but that day I included the woman on the street that someone could help her even more than the little I did.

Years ago, I remember going with a friend of mine to lunch. As we were leaving we could see an elderly lady with some car trouble. We got out of our car and were able to assist her.

My friend, told me that he will always get out and help if he can. His reasoning was that the lady could be some one's mother and he would want someone to help his if put in the same situation.

This lady on the street is part of some one's family somewhere. The only person who knows where her family might be is God. I pray now as I did that day that someone will help her.

I am angry at myself that I did not do more. I have the capability and the means. I need find my heart and act.

I firmly believe that everyday, we are faced with the opportunity to help someone in need. We need to find our heart, bring courage to our faith and do the things that need to be done to help someone in need. When the challenge or opportunity arises before you, be sure to answer the call.

Press On

I have found the when I begin a run or an exercise class regardless of my level of conditioning I hear the question in my head, "Can you finish this class?" Inevitably, I do, but there always seems to be that question. It usually creeps up in the first 5-10 minutes of what ever I am doing, spin class, aerobics class, or a run. There is a little voice that assesses my comfort level and tells me, you might be more comfortable taking it a little easier. But I continue on pushing myself a little more. Cranking down the resistance, or picking up the pace. Then I reach a comfort level.

When I am running I find the time to get to that comfort zone a little longer. Usually somewhere around 2-3 miles. But once you get into that rhythm, passed that threshold, I am fine. Getting there is the challenge.

I know in my heart that this is what I need to be doing. This effort will pay great dividends in the long run. But it is always a challenge of myself that I fight to continue on. Sometimes my effort is due to my desire to not wimp out. I have to keep going to save face. But then I realize, how superficial that is. I realize that I must find it somewhere else in my body to continue on. That usually is my heart. And I press on.

In my office is a picture of a lone runner running up a hill. It is labeled perseverance. The caption reads, "On the road to success, there is no crowd on the extra mile." How true. That the greatest challenge we face may be that first step of the journey wherever we are headed or being able to look ourselves in the eye.

I leave with this. Tori Murden McClure was the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic. During a radio telephone interview while at sea, the reporter asked Tori why she did this. Tori's answer was, "When I get to the end of life, I want to know that I asked enough of myself." I guess I am that same way. I need to press on and know that the effort I put forth asked enough of myself.

Because of the Brave

There is a frozen yogurt shop a few blocks from my office. Periodically I will head down there and see what new flavors are calling my name. I have sampled many and came away with none that I can say disappoint my taste buds.

Many times I will take that day's flavor selection and head to the Plaza in downtown Phoenix, just a block away from the frozen yogurt shop. There are benches and trees and plenty of sun for one to relax and enjoy the weather, the sky, the sun or that days sampling of frozen bliss.

Going to get frozen yogurt is a pretty simple thing. I walk to down, get it, enjoy it and am satisfied. Pretty simple.

The point here is not that I go to get frozen yogurt, but that I can. I am free to walk out my office door. Free to walk down the street, Free to choose what flavor I might taste. Free to enjoy a little piece of heaven in a cup.

We are a truly blessed society. We can walk the streets, enjoy the day and all it's blessings because of those who make it their job to keep the peace and keep us a free society.

Freedom. That precious right provided to us by those that have gone before us. Freedom, that privilege we have been given by those who defend and protect our cities, towns, states and country.

Our armed services, our police, our fire personnel and countless others whose job is to make sure we are safe and secure. Too many days they are in line of fire with the constant threat to their well being all in the name of freedom and security.

From my heart I give thanks to you. There is a reason that the United States is the Land of the Free Because of the Brave.

Keep up the Good Fight

As you can tell it is December 31. That day that we all look back on the previous year and examine where we have been, where we figure out that we should have zigged instead of zagged. Many of us, myself included, will make resolutions to change our behavior and make improvements for the upcoming year. I think a quote from Coach Bobby Knight is very appropriate here. "The will to succeed is important, but what's more important is the will to prepare."

We all want to succeed. We do not plan to fail. A lot of it is failing to make a plan to succeed. Someone might make a resolution that is life changing. Losing weight, quitting smoking, being a better parent, a more loving spouse. But fail to get there as they can't find the beginning or when results do not come as they had hoped or as fast as they desired, they opt to just stay as they were.

We need to slow down and realize that change takes time and perseverance. Break the challenges into smaller bites that one can realize small successes. As someone once told me, "Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves." Take the resolutions and promises of a better tomorrow and break it down into little tasks and challenges one can handle. Take those small wins and build on it for the next challenge. Will you have a setback? Probably, but find your heart. If you have a setback, don't quit. The next knock on the door may open it. Keep your eye on the prize. You will not get there tomorrow, or next day or even next week, but the joy of the journey is not the destination, but the path we traveled to get there.

Look at the story of Abraham Lincoln and the number of failures and setbacks during his life. Numerous lost elections, failed business ventures. He continued to press on and became one of our most revered presidents. Find the heart, find the drive and desire deep inside you to succeed, and keep up the good fight.

I leave you with this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us."

It is morning and so far it is just me and the cats. I am working 3 days this week then off to the midwest to see my children, grandson, sister, and my mother. It will be a great time that I know I will enjoy.