March Madness

It was high counsel that I once heard

given to a young person- "Always do

what you are afraid to do"

RWE

Take calculated risks.

That is quite different from

being rash.

George S. Patton

After the game

the king and the pawn

go into the same box

-Italian proverb

A good athlete always mentally replays

a competition over and over,

even in victory, to see

what might be done to

improve the performance

the next time.

-Frank Shorter

It is about the game after all now isn't it?? The game of life. The game of work. The game of love. And whatever other realm you chose to enter to compete. The irony is amazing.

So here it is I am starting the parallel journey of competing as a team alongside my dogs, that reflects my evolution as a human. Now that is IRONIC. This is not the first or the last competition that I have encountered. It may be the toughest, that is yet to be foretold. It may be the purest of all competitions. I can train for it in the rain with a flock of soggy ewes, guiding them for hours while they graze... and my mind wanders, but my dog never does.

I have always been competitive. From the time I was very young I have had to strive for survival. Twice before I was 3 I ate toxic substances on our family ranch landing me in ICU in critical situations. I was tough and mean, the nurses didn't like seeing me back a second time. I didn't like seeing them either!!!

March Madness leads us to the big national basketball tournament that happens this time every year. So I will skip to the college basketball playing days. Two of my four years we won our conference tournament and proceeded on the road to the "Big Dance". That level of competition for me was bitter-sweet. Sweet, because it was my 'DREAM', and I was living it. Bitter, because no one can prepare you for that level of intense scrutiny and competition. I love pure competition. But life is not always that pure.

Things I learned to take into life from my college days of competing. I love my team. A true team sticks together through thick and thin. All parts of the team rely on each other, and you truly are only as strong as your weakest link. I learned how to be a "role" player. Even if I thought (and I could) be the ONE.... I was ok with not being the ONE, as long as we were able to succeed. And when the chosen ones failed, I would always fill the role and ensure victory without honor. The closer!!! And that is truly a tough role to play. I learned to be a "decoy". I would do the hard work and run the gambit knowing that I would allow another honor, but ultimately the victory for the team. I was a student of the game. I learned everything forward and backward. I saw nuances that the coach would never see. I set us up for success. And in the end I did not quit!!! The contradiction in that was that I probably should have. At the super high insane stress level that we operated at....being the team captain and point guard I was the easy target for the infuriated coach. He knew I could take anything he would dish out... and I did. To a point, that I actually lost respect for myself. I would not stand up for myself. I would not quit. At what price??? I am still not sure.

However, I take into life, and into my training that there is a higher good. Winning is not the ultimate goal. Purity of competition is. Excellence. The zone. Never compromise yourself or your dog for the game. Always seek the zone.... Not easy to find, but once you've been there, you know!

If you don't invest very much, then defeat doesn't hurt very much

and winning in not very exciting.

-Dick Vemeil

The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel

are the things that endure. These qualities

are so much more important than the

events that occur.

-Vince Lombardi

Do not let what you cannot do

interfere with what you can do

-John Wooden

Be more concerned with your character

than with your reputation. Your

character is what you really are

while your reputation is merely what

others think you are.

-John Wooden

I've always made a total effort, even when

the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying;

I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win.

-Arnold Palmer

Desiderata

Desiderata

-Max Ehrmann 1920's

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,

and remember what peace

there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,

even to the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;

they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain or bitter,

for always there will be greater

and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy you achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career,

however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing

fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals,

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love,

for in the face of all aridity

and disenchantment,

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things

of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit

to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark

imaginings.

Many fears are born of

fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is

unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors

and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace in your soul

With all its sham, drudgery,

and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be

happy.

Addendum:  This one never grows old.  Always a good reminder and gauge for us in life.  Meaning seems to be a little different, a little deeper and more personal every time I read it.

The Four Agreements

BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD

Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean.

Avoid using the word to speak against yourself

or to gossip about others. Use the power of your

word in the direction of truth and love.

DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY

Nothing others do is because of you. What others

say and do is a projection of their own reality, their

own dream. When you are immune to the

opinions and actions of others, you won't be the

victim of needless suffering.

DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS

Find the courage to ask questions and to express

what you really want. Communicate with others

as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings,

sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement,

you can completely transform your life.

ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST

Your best is going to change from moment to

moment, it will be different when you are healthy

as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply

do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment,

self-abuse and regret.

by Don Miguel Ruiz

Publishes some great books, with fabulous perspective. Great reads, will make you think and

evaluate.

Reflections of a Changing Season

Action and reaction, ebb and flow,

trial and error, change-

this is the rhythm of living.

Out of our over-confidence, fear;

out of our fear, clearer vision,

fresh hope.

And out of hope,

progress

-Bruce Barton

REFLECTIONS

I believe the introspective process of reflecting helps the healthy individual evaluate if he or she is navigating

their correct and solid course in life. A life full blown ahead without permission to stop and reflect is a

life of frivolity. If a soul can not reflect (def. of an act, to serve to cast or bring credit/discredit on its

performer.) on their previous decisions and actions, then their is no need to proceed. You have already

cast your stone, now you are just following out the projectory. A waste of air I might add. Life is fragile, and

today is a gift. Live fully!!! If you are deep in a hole, you might just stop digging.

One last comment on reflecting. I think it is also very healthy to reflect on history. Yes, for sure you

can see I am aging. History of the world, history of the country, your family history, and your personal

history. History. I see wisdom in history. More wisdom than we might gain, in our measly years. Be open

to it... history is not of the dead, it is of living more fully in the future. Nice paradox.

CHANGE

All change is not growth,

As all movement is not forward.

-E. Glasgow

Any change, even a change for the better,

is always accompanied by

drawbacks and discomforts.

-A. Bennett

Change is inevitable

-except from a vending

machine

-RC Gallagher

Introduction to wandering and wondering

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams,

live the life you have imagined" HDT

This is my first attempt at blogging. My hope is this may be a nice medium to express my random thoughts and ponderings. In no way is the purpose to be offensive or negative. However if I express something you don't agree with or that offends you, please feel free to not read any further. (Disclaimer)

First quote is a quote that I have had framed in my bedroom for about 20 years now. I pull inspiration from it often, and it helps me focus on the positive side of life. It may not be my favorite quote. It may not be my most inspirational quote. It may not be the one that gave me strength at a vital time. But it is my "work horse" daily grind quote.

I foresee much of my blogging to be wrapped around quotes and daily thoughts.

I have been very blessed in my life. I have focused on goals and positive situations, and I believe by doing so I have had great success in living a very full and mostly happy life.

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair.

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads to on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in the wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

--Robert Frost (1874-1963)

This is a vital poem. I think that there are many different trains of thought. This point to me on a personal level separates individuals who are courageous enough to pursue self actualization and not be swept up in a very Nietzsche life of living like one of a flock. Self actualization doesn't mean that you have to be the "black sheep", but rather find your own individuality.

Nietzsche also held that the ideals of human equality perpetuate mediocrity. Interesting concept that we may revisit in a future blog.