Sunday April 19, 2020
Good morning and happy Sunday. Another week at home is in the books. The virus continues to spread its devastating effects around the world. I remain the perpetual optimist, spreading positivity and happiness. We will move past this with our grit and determination. I look forward to sharing time with my family and friends again soon. I know that day is coming, as our country and world will re-open cautiously. Keep the faith and keep moving forward.
My father was always a positive person. “If you put in the work, things will pay off,” he’d say. He always encouraged me to look toward the future. Dad would tell me how important it was to have a positive outlook and attitude. I doubt I really grasped that concept until I was a senior in college. When I graduated college and entered the workforce, those two character traits became all too important. Great things aren’t just handed to you. Success and achievement are earned through effort and determination. Dedication, perseverance and hard work are a must if you wish to reach your dreams.
Maintaining a positive outlook and attitude begin with knowledge. As we grow and mature we become educated to many things. This all begins at an early age. It continues with receiving a formal education. This process starts in elementary school and often extends through college. Reading and learning more about life is always encouraged. Going out and experiencing the world we live in provides us the practical aspect. It bonds the two learning experiences. The more time we spend out in our world, the more information we are exposed too and the more we absorb. The socialization process brings us into contact with a wide variety of people, new ideas and thought processes. The internet opens a vast array of material available at our finger tips. While this is amazing for immediate discovery, there is nothing better than traveling to new places and talking to people. All of our experiences have an impact on our educational growth. The more we seek to know and understand ourselves and the world, the better we become. We should question who we are, where we are going and what we want to accomplish. This self-educational process is just as important as any school learning. When you combine these, we really are incredible humans.
I understand what motivation is and how it works. It has been my spark to boost me off my butt and up into action. I have always been able to draw from it when needed. I didn’t learn how to incorporate discipline into that process until after college. When I was hired by the US Forest Service, as a firefighter for a Hot Shot crew, discipline became my new mantra. Motivation is great to get you pumped up for certain events, but like adrenaline, it only lasts for a limited amount of time. Discipline is required to sustain our endurance past that initial blast of motivation. Passion and determination assist in lifting us beyond everything life throws our way.
Life can be challenging and difficult in so many ways. I find it a must to always keep my outlook focused on attaining any goal. Coupled with that, is our mental strength and a positive attitude to keep us moving forward. This is where discipline plays a huge role. Education, training and knowledge were a must for me during my fire crew days. When I was dropped at the edge of an out of control raging forest fire, all these traits combined to provide focus. Giving up or failure were not an option. Maintaining discipline and strength proved to be extremely beneficial in all aspects of my life.
Our ability and desire to learn should never stop. We should constantly push ourselves to learn more, seek the truth, find answers and empower ourselves to know more. Never settle on any explanation or story. Go out and explore the possibilities. Reading, watching, listening and doing, provide excellent sources to absorb new information and clarify old. During my career in law enforcement I was constantly learning, growing and evolving. The intake of information was a daily process. If I didn’t know the answer, I made sure I sought it out. I always strived to know all I could about my job or assignment. The more educated I became, especially about my job and life, the greater my confidence grew and the better person I became. Being more confident gave me the ability to better fulfill my duties. It was a winning situation for the officers I worked with, for the community I served and for myself.
Don’t allow others to dictate what you are capable of being or accomplishing. I realized years ago I wasn’t built to be a world class runner or professional athlete. I’m sure it could have been fun, but that wasn’t my path. Our genetic makeup has an impact on some things. Our brain provides us with the platform to learn and excel. Knowledge is limitless because it allows us to imagine the possibilities. It empowers us to reach for our dreams. Hard work and discipline can make those dreams attainable and turn them into reality.
My best advice for all humans of any age, young and old, is the same. Balance your knowledge base with both theoretical and practical experience. As much as you learn from books, get out and learn from doing. Reading about people, places and things is wonderful, but nothing can replace or replicate actual hands on participation. Strive to be the best educated version of yourself. Meditate, journal, sit in nature and take the time to relax your mind and body. Allow yourself to release the stress and pressure of our fast paced lives.
We all follow our own path. Take the time to set the proper example for others to follow. Lead by example. Remember that sometimes bad things happen. Life events, like the coronavirus, occur. The pandemic is beyond our control. It’s sad, frustrating and temporary. You can’t allow these circumstances to control or paralyze you. Live a healthy lifestyle and maintain your physical, mental and spiritual health. Always begin your day with gratitude, compassion and love. Make each and every day special, from beginning to the next beginning.
Our increased knowledge and understanding the world around us builds our attitude, confidence and outlook. The universe is a massive unending realm. That fact can make us feel rather small and insignificant in the grand scheme of life. The earth was formed billions of years ago. Man, in his earliest form first appeared thousands of years ago. Use your time here to your best possible ability. Enhance your experience, but always empower others along the way.
Please tune in and join me again next Sunday for more! The healthy life puzzle is always in rotation. Let’s be healthy and strong mentally, physically and spiritually!
Thanks for your love and support! Embrace Life! Be sure to get outside and enjoy nature!
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