Risk More Than Others And Dream Like You Mean It

I've been looking back at the decisions I've made in the recent past. The overwhelming majority of them I've been completely happy with. Some I've just accepted as "ok," nothing great or anything awful has come of them. And only a few have I regretted. 

But hold on, I'm not going where you think I'm going with this intro. This isn't about me right now. It's about you for a minute. Yes, you my readers, my fans (I like to think I have some), my followers, my friends, and my fam. I hope you don't mind. 

I wondered what you have all thought of me and the steps I've taken for the past, call it, 2 years. I've imagined you thinking me crazy, determined, changed, risky, impractical, and sometimes unrealistic. I've heard something in your voice or seen a glimmer in your eyes. It's the sound of confusion regarding something you found questionable or something of a surprise. It's the look of fear that I may do something I would regret, something strange in your mind. In other cases, it's been positive, at least from what I can tell. But I'm not sure, and that's ok because I continued to do things my way anyway. 

I've laughed, been angry, upset, and sad, then anxious, sometimes happy or bashful or mad for things that I've done, both good and bad. But all that I've done and what I continue to do, is driven by the quote above as it should drive you. There's a cadence to my madness; I beat my own drum. I don't do things because I'm crazy. I do it for fun. With many goals in mind, with limited time, to succeed and be happy is impossible all of the time. But to risk more than other think safe, and dream more than others think practical, the results can sometimes be more than magical. We were taught to dream big, no risk no reward. It's time to stop quoting others and keep moving forward.

Look at that. It's funny. I broke into rhyme. I wish I had the ability to do that all of the time.

The next moves I make, the next steps that I take, might be bigger and better than any previous stake. For my future, my family, the people who make me happy, tomorrow's dream might soon become a reality. (396)

Sports Over Time

When I was growing up, I played probably every sport there was available in my youth. I was an outdoors kid too; we went camping, rafting, biking, hiking. But in terms of playing sports, there was Tee-ball, then baseball, soccer, football, and of course basketball.

I was in love with playing and watching basketball. I watched the NBA on TV every weekend. I watched NBA Inside Stuff with Ahmad Rashad. I listened to Marv Albert and Bob Costas commentate. I collected basketball cards. I had jerseys. I wore Reebox Pumps. I played it in gym class. I went to the park on Friday afternoons. I played in the school yard after school.

I was in the recreational leagues, then the middle school team, then the Freshman team, then JV. I played intramural basketball in college. I played in different cities and in different tournaments. And then I played in corporate leagues after work hours as an adult. It was my first sports love. 

But lately, say maybe the past 3 to 5 years, my interests have shifted. I've tried my hand at golf. It's a fun individual sport and a good way to let off some steam, but it's expensive. Tennis is another sport that I've put some time into. Bought a couple of racquets, tennis balls, and found local courts to play on into the evening hours, but my endurance and my backhand needs work. Then I trained for a triathlon. Swim, bike, run. I accomplished it. And I continued to do those exercises at the gym. But it's getting boring and repetitive. I'm sure I'll be keeping it up because it's a great way to stay healthy. Every once in a while, I throw in some time on the heavy bag and box for a while. That's a lot of fun. 

It seems like over time, the sports that I find interesting and prefer to participate are those that are less contact with others. They are more individual sports and more about mental toughness and self discipline. This realization comes as I watch a soccer game on TV. I suppose the excitement of team sports I save for watching, rather then playing. Contact sports are for a younger man. And as I get older, I find it more important to keep my body functional and healthy. 

What am I watching these days? I'm watching a lot of soccer, a good amount of boxing, and some baseball. 

Who am I supporting?

Sports will always be a part of my life. There are so many lessons to be learned, battles to be won, and support to be given. I will always look to sports for example, for encouragement, and for excitement. God knows that we'll always need excitement especially the older we get. 

Where has the time gone...

Wow! July 11, 2011 was the last time I posted. Time flies when you're having fun...

I'm making it a point to start blogging again. I've been wanting to evacuate my brain of thoughts, concerns, and questions for a while now. So this is my attempt to begin again...

Ready...

Set...

Jesse...

GO!

Time...

...I've been passing time... doing TAX RETURNS!

So much so that I've been lagging on my reading front. So I decided to make a quick run to my neighborhood Barnes and Noble to pick up these: