Motivation, Random Thoughts

Unwanted Actions, Personal Strength

Every day, we find ourselves doing things that we may not want to do, but we do them for others.

For example, even if we don’t feel like going to work, we still go. At work, we might be assigned tasks that we’re not enthusiastic about, yet we still carry them out. Similarly, as parents, we often make sacrifices and undertake tasks for our children that we may not necessarily want to do.

We are often oblivious to the fact that we engage in these actions daily, even if we have reservations about them. Therefore, we might as well invest our efforts in doing things that benefit ourselves, even if we don’t initially desire to do them.

This could include waking up early, exercising, pursuing education, or making significant lifestyle changes. Ultimately, it will all be worthwhile.

We understand that we are capable of doing things we don’t want to do, especially for others. So, it’s equally important to do them for ourselves. In the future, we will appreciate these efforts more than anything else.

Random Thoughts

Cherishing Family Moments

In the past 12 years, I’ve only spent Thanksgiving at home with my family once.

The rest of the time, I’ve been in my college dorm, eating Pop Tarts and snacks from the gas station, or in a hotel, at a coach or teammate’s house, and in recent years, in California with my wife.

This experience has taught me that nothing compares to the warm love and presence of family. We often take Thanksgiving, and any holiday when the family gathers, for granted. I’ve developed a greater appreciation for time spent with family.

Being alone on holidays puts things into perspective. You realize how much your family completes you. I used to feel a sense of incompleteness when I spent holidays alone or with other families that weren’t mine.

Fortunately, I’ve only missed holidays with family because I was pursuing my dreams or engaging in other productive aspects of my life, rather than being in jail or having a falling out with my family.

Now that I have a wife and child, holidays are more enjoyable than ever. I’m at a stage in my life where I’m creating my own family to spend the holidays with, regardless of our location. Even if I can’t go home and spend every holiday with my entire family, I feel complete and happy to spend it with my own little family, which is truly wonderful.

However, holidays aren’t everything. They don’t make or break relationships (or at least they shouldn’t). Every moment spent with loved ones is like a holiday to me. I’m always grateful for them, and this Thanksgiving, I feel even more thankful.

Faith, Random Thoughts

Divine Guiding Light

When I reflect on my life and think of all the trials and tribulations that I’ve been through, all the times of uncertainty, and any challenging moments, I realize that God was always there with me throughout the way.

Prayers that seemed unanswered were indeed answered. In the moments of uncertainty, I realize that I was being guided the entire time.

I realize that certain people were put into my life, and certain situations happened exactly when they didn’t need to.

I see all the lessons that were taught to me along the way, and I see that I got through any problems that arose.

I know I’m not special either. Everyone can feel the same way as I do if they reflect on their lives. We should use that reflection and realization that God is always with us, and use it to continue facing challenges with confidence and keeping our faith no matter what.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Pushing Through Procrastination

I don’t know how many dirty dishes I have washed in my life, but I know it’s well into the thousands.

Washing dishes (and cleaning the counters and stove, and sweeping the floor) was one of the first chores I ever had. It was also one of the first tasks that I didn’t enjoy doing, but I did it consistently.

Being tasked with washing dishes helped me with cleanliness, but also with mental toughness. There were many nights when the last thing I wanted to do was wash dishes, but I still did it. I had a responsibility, and I had to do it. This has helped me achieve many things in life.

No matter what you’re pursuing, there will be days when you don’t have as much energy or simply don’t want to do what you have to do. Those are the days you should appreciate the most. Those are the days that will build your character.

They will show you what you can still do even when you don’t want to. It will help build that grit and resilience. Every night that I did not feel like doing the dishes but still did them, the end result was happiness. I would be proud that I accomplished a goal, and I would also have peace of mind, knowing I wouldn’t be punished for skipping my dishwashing duties.

So the next task that you’re avoiding or dreading, think about the positive impact it will have on you when you follow through and do what needs to be done.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Change. Choose. Thrive.

One major lifestyle change can significantly impact your life, either for the better or for the worse.

It is up to us to choose which changes will enhance our lives and which will hinder our progress.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Choose Positive Days

Sometimes you just gotta wake up, pray, and choose to have a good day.

Before any problem or situation can deter your day, choose to have a good day. Many times, we actually wake up and choose to have a bad day. We have negative attitudes or already possess negative predetermined outlooks on what’s to happen in certain situations.

So, choose to have a good day, then handle everything that happens that day with a positive attitude. It’s something so simple that can positively affect your happiness.

Random Thoughts

Navigating Personal Relationships

I’ve come to realize that everyone goes through different things in life, and we all handle them differently.

I try not to take it personally if a family member, friend, acquaintance, or even a teacher or coach acts differently or distances themselves from others. When situations like this arise, it’s easy to initially think you’ve done something wrong, which can lead to taking things personally and building unnecessary animosity.

In any relationship, all you can really do is ensure that you’re doing your part – being the best spouse, friend, teammate, and so on. That way, when things become rough in the relationship, at least you know it’s not due to anything you’ve done.

You can then give that person the grace and distance they need without feeling like the relationship is damaged or harboring any animosity. Even when interacting with random people in public, I have to remind myself that I don’t know what they are going through, and it’s important not to take things personally. This mindset has helped me avoid road rage situations and navigate other uncertain or negative interactions.

What we can do for others in these situations is pray for them and hope that they get through whatever battles they are facing, while remaining willing to help when asked.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Unleashing Human Potential

When we are first born, we come into this world with immense potential already within us, and we are fully aware of it.

A baby may weigh just a few pounds and measure only a few inches, but we know that they have the capacity to grow and develop over the years, eventually reaching adulthood.

Although they lack the ability to talk and walk, among other things, we know they possess the potential to acquire these skills. That’s why we closely monitor their developmental milestones and do whatever it takes to nurture their growth and help them reach their full potential.

However, at some point along the journey, things change. People start telling us what we can’t do, what’s impossible. The praise and encouragement for achieving milestones gradually fade away. Unfortunately, we begin to internalize these messages and believe them.

Yet the truth remains: we are all still like babies, with untapped potential residing within us. There are countless things we can continue to learn and achieve. There is always room for personal growth.

While it may be that not as many people around you that believe in you, or perhaps there never were, it’s important to remember that success is still possible. We were all designed to thrive, and this potential remains true for each and every one of us until our final days.

Therefore, keep striving, keep progressing. You might be crawling in certain aspects of your life, but with belief, hard work, and dedication, you’ll be walking confidently in no time.

Random Thoughts

Understanding Through Empathy

You can listen to just about anyone and understand their mindset and actions.

That doesn’t mean they are right or that you would’ve done the same thing in their situation, but you can still have empathy for them.

Having empathy for others is just as beneficial for you as it is for the other person. You can know how to treat someone or effectively communicate with them if you understand them.

A lot of the times when we talk to others, we are looking for empathy, not sympathy. Empathy is when you truly understand and feel what someone else is going through, while sympathy is when you care about someone’s feelings and show kindness, even if you haven’t experienced the same thing.

To truly understand someone, you have to understand their full story and really listen. To do that, you have to be more objective and less judgmental. No matter who the person is, I know I can empathize with their situation and learn from it, as well as possibly help that person. It forces me not to be so quick to judge or impose my own emotions on the situation.

Like the golden rule says, I do that in the hopes that others will give me the same treatment when I’m the one telling my story and seeking understanding and empathy.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Beyond Comfort: Unleashed Potential

What is possible and what is comfortable are two different things.

For me, I had to step out of my comfort zone to discover what is truly achievable. I had to work hard, often in the early morning, and compete against other elite athletes to understand the potential of my body. That has now become the standard. I can recognize when I’m in my comfort zone versus when I’m truly giving it my all.

I had to take numerous classes, and even more in college, to earn my high school and college degrees. It would have been easier to drop out and never pursue higher education. Any success I have achieved has come from pushing beyond my comfort zone. Now, I actively seek opportunities to challenge myself.

So, what you may perceive as impossible might actually be possible if you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone for a while.