Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Laps


Years ago I worked as an evening announcer at a radio station. It happened to be on the campus of a small college. The station was tucked away in the far corner of the property right next to the building was a track. Yah, a running track and it was quite popular.

Sometimes I’d just go outside and watch the runners. I’d think wow, that’s what I call commitment. Running isn’t fun. Running is what you do to get you where you want to go faster than walking. That’s what I thought until one of my friends started to stop by the track.

Every afternoon, like clock work he was there. Running sprints, doing laps. Just working, it wasn’t fun work, but he gutted it out. You see my friend was a hockey player and he knew the game would eat him alive if he didn’t get in condition. He was at the top of his game, and he was still working hard.

That was eight years ago, he’s still playing past 35 and he’s still in all-star shape. For my friend training has kept him strong and kept him around.

Do you want to stick around, do you want to thrive? Commit to positive behaviors that make you a better person. Invest in activities that make your character stronger and get away from things that you know are unhealthy. What’s unhealthy, anything that doesn't make you better.

That could be bad relationships. Behaviors and habits that are know you shouldn't be doing. The bottomline, everything comes with a price.

For my friend, the reward is being able to make a living off a sport. Compared to that goal, no price is to high to pay.

Is there a price that you aren't willing to pay?

Monday, May 29, 2006

Barry Bonds

So let the questions and doubt begin. Sunday afternoon Barry Bonds knocked number 715 out of the passed Babe Ruth and he’s seemingly locked into a collision course with 755 and Hank Aaron. One of baseball’s must hallowed milestones.
It’s a great moment sure, a secondary record, of course. Did you realize how little has been made of it. Even baseball doesn’t know what to make of it.
That’s because there’s a cloud that hangs over Bonds. A stigma that asks, “Did he or didn’t he?” I am not going to criticize Bonds or make him an example. I don’t know.
What I do know is this – the fact there are so many rumblings and questions make for a lot of doubt. Doubt that keeps you from being secure, that’s doubt that keeps you from being sold on the guy.
If you are leader who wants to make an influence on others, you can’t dabble in any behavior that creates doubt. If you are a pastor, that’s called avoiding the appearance of evil. It’s called integrity. Its that statement about you that keeps questions from forming around you.
Wise men count their steps and their words and understand what they want their life to stand for and then they conform to a standard.
That’s integrity.

Welcome


Hello to those of you who may be reading this. These thoughts aren't necessarily new or fresh or even my own. I write them as I try to understand everyday life and the lessons it teaches, especially through the world of sports and athletics. Some may be about professional sports, others may simply be about something i discovered some where along the way. I would love to hear your thoughts as well.