I read a blog this week about a guy who had a tryout with one of the NFL team trainers. His objective: to be able to write about the typical tryout with an NFL team in areas speed, agility and strength.
As I began to read his blog, it was obvious by his self deprecating humor, that he was a writer and not an athlete. I was in a public location reading away when I started to laugh. The more I read the louder I laughed and then it hit me.....'I've got my headphones on and music playing and I'm really laughing quite hard.' I quick took a check around me and only a couple of people were glaring at me. I turned off the music and took off the headphones!
The blog only got funnier!
It reminded me of one of our friend's grandaughter. We were with them and her little daughter began to laugh. She laughed so hard that after a minute or so of laughing she started to cry. She would laugh and then cry. When everything settled down, we asked her why she was crying she said that her tummy and face hurt from laughing so much!
It's good to at least once a day (better if more), that you bust a gut laughing at something or someone. Be nice, but go for it! Ever notice how laughing is contagious? The bible says that laughter is like medicine. Researchers have noted that people who laugh and laugh often are healtheir than those who don't!
My suggestion: laugh until you cry!
MTC!
Mark
Friday, June 27, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
RED SCHWINN WITH THE CHOPPER HANDLEBARS
For my birthday in 1972, I received from my mom and dad a shiny, brand new, red body, white metallic seat, a big fat slick for the back tire Schwinn bycycle with the big chopper handle bars. I thought I had hit the big time!!!
That bike received major use! It took me to football practice, baseball practice, the local fishing ponds, to my friends and towed home-made hydros made out of plywood that we would drag up and down our street! Too many good times to count and far too many care-free moments to remember.
Today, yes today, I sold it in a garage sale. Kinda weird. Both tires were flat. The seat cracked and torn. The guy that bought it thought he was pulling a fast one by getting such a great deal. He hit the jackpot! I already had.
Getting the bike, for that fella, was a grand coup. But the reality is that there is no way to put a price tag on the years of fun the bike gave me. You couldn't put a price tag on how grateful I am, these many years later, for my mom and dad sacrificing to get me such a cool bike.
I hope the guy fixes it up and makes it look shiny and new once again. Maybe he'll re-sell it and make a few bucks.
The red Schwinn with the chopper handlebars is now history, but the good times on Robinhood Land riding my bike will always bring a smile to my face.
If only everything we possess could bring us that much joy!
Enjoy what you have and make great memories with it!!!!
MTC!
Mark
That bike received major use! It took me to football practice, baseball practice, the local fishing ponds, to my friends and towed home-made hydros made out of plywood that we would drag up and down our street! Too many good times to count and far too many care-free moments to remember.
Today, yes today, I sold it in a garage sale. Kinda weird. Both tires were flat. The seat cracked and torn. The guy that bought it thought he was pulling a fast one by getting such a great deal. He hit the jackpot! I already had.
Getting the bike, for that fella, was a grand coup. But the reality is that there is no way to put a price tag on the years of fun the bike gave me. You couldn't put a price tag on how grateful I am, these many years later, for my mom and dad sacrificing to get me such a cool bike.
I hope the guy fixes it up and makes it look shiny and new once again. Maybe he'll re-sell it and make a few bucks.
The red Schwinn with the chopper handlebars is now history, but the good times on Robinhood Land riding my bike will always bring a smile to my face.
If only everything we possess could bring us that much joy!
Enjoy what you have and make great memories with it!!!!
MTC!
Mark
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!
School's out! Unbelievable!! Remember how when you were a kid and the school year took forever? Now as parents we understand much better the phrase our parents would say: 'I can't beleive where the time went?'
I believe it now!!!
Time they say is our most precious commodity (well, now that gas is $4.37 a gallon we could debate that one!!). And we all know that once its gone, its truly gone. Things happen in moments. Learning to cherish the moments while focusing on the big picture of the day or week or month or year can at best, be a huge challenge. I'm trying to focus on moments more than the macro image in life. In other words, taking each day and absorbing mentally and physically and emotionally the varied and unique moments versus just looking at the 'to-do' list for today.
I, like my parents would often say, can't believe where the time goes and the end of the school year just seems to highlight that even more. BUT....the good news is that today is here and there will be great things that will happen and you and I need to be ready to seize those moments!!!
So, instead of trying to figure out where the time whent, add up the awesome moments of today!
MTC!
Mark
I believe it now!!!
Time they say is our most precious commodity (well, now that gas is $4.37 a gallon we could debate that one!!). And we all know that once its gone, its truly gone. Things happen in moments. Learning to cherish the moments while focusing on the big picture of the day or week or month or year can at best, be a huge challenge. I'm trying to focus on moments more than the macro image in life. In other words, taking each day and absorbing mentally and physically and emotionally the varied and unique moments versus just looking at the 'to-do' list for today.
I, like my parents would often say, can't believe where the time goes and the end of the school year just seems to highlight that even more. BUT....the good news is that today is here and there will be great things that will happen and you and I need to be ready to seize those moments!!!
So, instead of trying to figure out where the time whent, add up the awesome moments of today!
MTC!
Mark
Saturday, June 14, 2008
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!
Hey all you dads out there....HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!
Being a dad is one of highest honors we could ever have. What we do with that honor is up to us. We can wear it well or we can misplace it or we can neglect it or we can shine it up and polish it and make it bright and beautiful.
Listen, don't live in guilt if you feel that you have not met the standards you had hoped for in being a father. Rather, START NOW! You can do it! The game isn't over. There's lots of time on the clock. Begin today!!!
If you are doing well in this area of being a dad, right on! Keep going! Don't slack off!!!
Being a great dad has nothing to do with giving your kids all the latest and the greatest, but rather, focusing on them as individuals and helping meet their needs in each area of their lives. As we help our kids grow into potential packed young adults by giving them love and encouragement and boundaries and relationship and a solid spiritual foundation, we will have done well!
Go for it dad!! You are so very important to your kids!!!
MTC!
Mark
Being a dad is one of highest honors we could ever have. What we do with that honor is up to us. We can wear it well or we can misplace it or we can neglect it or we can shine it up and polish it and make it bright and beautiful.
Listen, don't live in guilt if you feel that you have not met the standards you had hoped for in being a father. Rather, START NOW! You can do it! The game isn't over. There's lots of time on the clock. Begin today!!!
If you are doing well in this area of being a dad, right on! Keep going! Don't slack off!!!
Being a great dad has nothing to do with giving your kids all the latest and the greatest, but rather, focusing on them as individuals and helping meet their needs in each area of their lives. As we help our kids grow into potential packed young adults by giving them love and encouragement and boundaries and relationship and a solid spiritual foundation, we will have done well!
Go for it dad!! You are so very important to your kids!!!
MTC!
Mark
Thursday, June 12, 2008
HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH
I bought a new running watch. Totally nuts. The thing has a barometer and altimeter on it. Tells you the temperature outside. It syncs to the computer and in no time flat puts out what you just ran, how fast, how far, heart rate, average heart rate, oxygen consumption, etc.
HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
As if I need to know all that (which begs the ? why did I buy it in the first place!!).
The watch is really, really cool. It is a great help in my running. But, man, I can't believe how much stuff is on it. It will take me some time to get the most out of it.
I probably stepped up and out of my league on this one, but I am using it and learning how to use it better and it has already helped in my daily running routine.
What's the lesson here: absolutely nothing, just letting you know about my new watch!!!!!
HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
As if I need to know all that (which begs the ? why did I buy it in the first place!!).
The watch is really, really cool. It is a great help in my running. But, man, I can't believe how much stuff is on it. It will take me some time to get the most out of it.
I probably stepped up and out of my league on this one, but I am using it and learning how to use it better and it has already helped in my daily running routine.
What's the lesson here: absolutely nothing, just letting you know about my new watch!!!!!
Friday, June 6, 2008
RELATEABLEVANTCY
Terminology changes all the time. Phrases become obsolete. Words come in and out of vogue. The word 'cool', was something we said in the '70's and it has been back now for a number of years.
Relate, Relevant are two words that on the surface, may not appear to connect. You hear alot about being relevant. You hear alot about relationship.
In our culture there is a huge need for both: being about connecting in meaningful and positive ways with other people and being connected with what is happening 'now' in the most sensible and positive manner.
The rub comes when relationship and relevance twist and contort into a pressure packed, either or scenario.
When relationships become pressured, they don't work. When someone or some place or some group tries too hard to be relevant or hip, it comes off contrived and superficial.
If we can sing at the top of our lungs each day the phrase "I gotta be me!", and if everyone of us did that, relatability and relativity would rise. Being authentic with self and to life (another word) promote relateablevantcy.
MTC!
Mark
Relate, Relevant are two words that on the surface, may not appear to connect. You hear alot about being relevant. You hear alot about relationship.
In our culture there is a huge need for both: being about connecting in meaningful and positive ways with other people and being connected with what is happening 'now' in the most sensible and positive manner.
The rub comes when relationship and relevance twist and contort into a pressure packed, either or scenario.
When relationships become pressured, they don't work. When someone or some place or some group tries too hard to be relevant or hip, it comes off contrived and superficial.
If we can sing at the top of our lungs each day the phrase "I gotta be me!", and if everyone of us did that, relatability and relativity would rise. Being authentic with self and to life (another word) promote relateablevantcy.
MTC!
Mark
Thursday, June 5, 2008
MEASURABILITY
I read some rather jaw-dropping stats today. Check these out.
Tiger Woods
$111,941,827
Oscar De La Hoya
$55,000,000
Phil Mickelson
$51,256,505
Shaquille O'Neal
$35,000,000
Kobe Bryant
$33,718,750
Between salary/winnings and endorsements, that is what the aforementioned gentlemen made last year.
Interesting. The decimal point is at the end of the numbers. We're talking millions. We're talking playing games and punching someone.
What is the measureable worth of someone to something?
How valuable are you to your kids?
How valuable are you to your spouse?
How valuable are you to God?
I would say your measurable worth to your family and to God is much greater than the numbers listed above. You are worth more than a few hundred million per year. You are irreplaceable, invaluable, and worth far more than any team or corporation could pay.
Players come and players go, but there is only one of you and you are the most important person in quite a few people's lives!
MTC!
Mark
Tiger Woods
$111,941,827
Oscar De La Hoya
$55,000,000
Phil Mickelson
$51,256,505
Shaquille O'Neal
$35,000,000
Kobe Bryant
$33,718,750
Between salary/winnings and endorsements, that is what the aforementioned gentlemen made last year.
Interesting. The decimal point is at the end of the numbers. We're talking millions. We're talking playing games and punching someone.
What is the measureable worth of someone to something?
How valuable are you to your kids?
How valuable are you to your spouse?
How valuable are you to God?
I would say your measurable worth to your family and to God is much greater than the numbers listed above. You are worth more than a few hundred million per year. You are irreplaceable, invaluable, and worth far more than any team or corporation could pay.
Players come and players go, but there is only one of you and you are the most important person in quite a few people's lives!
MTC!
Mark
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