New

I got meet my new grandson this week, Robby; man, is he absolutely A-DOR-A-BLE!! Because of current pandemic constraint guidelines imposed by the hospital where Robby was delivered, my wife & I were not able to be present the day he was born, but once he was released to go home, Oma (my wife) and I were egar to hold this new addition to the family in our arms & close to our hearts...Opa is one happy Opa. 😊💕

During those moments of holding my grandson, gazing upon his face, watching him breathe, sometimes offering a slow stretch or a yawn, and soaking in his tender presence, nothing else mattered...nothing. Being "new" has that impact; "new" has no rules sets to follow, no guidelines under which to operate, pushing everything else aside and taking center stage of focus and attention---rightly so for a new born...not so much for other things.  Like the term "social distance", a new addition to our global lexicon, or wearing masks regularly, a new accoutrement to our daily wardrobes, or other similar new-nesses introduced to our lives this past year.  Even the term "new" has taken on a different meaning, where once filled with anticipation and charm is now seasoned with a greater sense of unknown and mystique, even fear...

From an athlete's perspective, things that are "new" bring opportunities for hope---hope for increased skills, hope for improved performance, hope for better results.  Yet often, "new" is met with resistance due to the introduction of change invariably accompanying anything "new".  As a coach, I often must push beyond my own bias towards "new" in order to experience and comprehend what is being introduced and its benefits---holding onto training methods and processes of the past considered to be "normal", though still valuable and proven resources, creates interference and friction, not only to me as an instructor & guide but to my clients who may potentially benefit from that which is "new".

Scripture reminds me how Jehovah Jira (a name of God in the Old Testament) instructed His people to "not dwell on the past" but to look forward to the "new springing up in wilderness" (Isaiah 43:18-19).  For many of us, this past year of 2020 has been a "wilderness", one which the "new" brought fear and doubt; as we move into the Holiday Season and into the NEW Year, may we all be mindful of former things but not dwell on them, may we be aware of the NEW and its presence, and may we earnestly seek to create ways for bringing "streams into the wastelands" within our circles of influence and impact, both personally and professionally.  

Holiday Blessings & Treasured Memories to you this Holiday Season & New Year!

Fatigued

I was tired...so very tired. Due to a legal loophole and lenient interpretation (and leverage) of the leasing agreement between the homeowners of the rental home we occupied in Virginia and the property management office "caring" for the property, our family was "asked" to vacate the home within 5 days time (including the July 4th weekend, it's actually 4 days). Translation: rent two moving trucks in 24 hrs, pack up EVERYTHING in the house yourselves (with assistance from several amazing friends 😌👍👏💕), load the trucks, and clean the house...all in 4 days time. Then, drive said vehicles to Colorado ahead of my new duty assignment...yeah, I was tired.

Life runs that way sometimes, doesn't it?  Orderly schedules and efficient routines suddenly get replaced with chaordic (chaos + order) activities, over and over and over---makes me tired just thinking about it! 😟  Fortunately, we were able to meet the mandated deadlines placed upon us and complete our family's relocation to our new home with little additional drama, though I had to return to Virginia due to work transition constraints, delaying my reunion with the family by 3 wks---compared to the earlier "adventures", I'll take it...🥴  

Scripture is a central component in life often serving as a compass for re-channeling wayward and distracted thoughts; throughout those stressfully pressure-filled hours over the pre-July 4th weekend and during the days & weeks that followed our family's expedited transition across country, the verses from the book of Psalms bathed my soul & spirit in waves of reassurance, just as they did their author, King David, on how the challenges & pains faced in life are temporary.  "Weeping may stay for the night," penned the young Hebrew king, "but rejoicing comes in the morning!" [Pslam 30:5]  In parallel, the Old Testament prophet Isaiah proclaims "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." [Isaiah 40:31]---spirit renewing counsel for my soul from stellar men of faith...

The arrival to our new home in Colorado has indeed brought elements of joy to our family, and though some challenges remain through this transition, our days are welcomed with joyful anticipation, for each other and for our individual selves.  And through this very physically-draining transition, I have come to realize that just as an athlete with deep conviction and desire can far exceed their boundaries of physical performance, so can people inspired by the deepest faith, hope, and love of family and friends overcome the spirit-draining weariness and fatigue the secular world presents in life regularly---the key lies within the bonds of community & fellowship with those who lift our very souls above the mediocrity standards of secular realm...

Fatigue---like weeping---is temporary; striving for and achieving joy---true joy---is worth the journey. 😊

Weary

During the current global environment of societal isolation, there's been a lot--A LOT--of movie and TV binge watching of favorite films and series from a variety of genres and subjects and characters, many of them fictional yet identifying and resonating to many.  And while many of those characters may be "other-worldly" in physical, mental, and/or character abilities, there are elements of their own "human" nature conveyed by the character which seemingly form "connections" to the viewer.  For me, I've always been a big fan of Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, not so much for his heroic physical endeavors but for his deeply abiding commitment to doing the RIGHT thing.  Recently, while watching various film segments on YouTube of Cap being Cap, I came across a scene from the ever-popular action adventure film, Avengers: Endgame where Cap has been battling Thanos the Titan alongside his trusted and ever supportive collegues Iron Man and Thor; nearly beaten and exhausted from the extensive effort to defeat the evil menace intent upon bringing an end to the universe, the expression in Cap's eyes conveys the description of being weary---drained of hope, completely spent and worn-out, and of shattered.  Being weary can disconnect one from the very essence of their core, leaving them isolated, fearful, and lost...

It goes without saying there is a present atmosphere of weariness these days as our communities, let alone the global community, continue to face the impacts and effects of the current pandemic, to the point of levying a seemingly ever-present spirit of sadness.  So what then do we do?  How do we face the tough times of the present day...how do we manage seeming dark days?  Sadly, there are many, many vices available to numb and distract one from what is important and necessary; hopefully--and prayerfully--the rise of building connections that matter within our living areas, our neighborhoods, and our communities mitigate those ill-willed vices from having a foothold, offering even the smallest glimmer of hope and assurance...

As an athlete and coach, I sometimes become deeply puzzled or confused when training sessions and planned activities executed over several weeks, even months, do not produce the desired intended results after painstakingly preparing and investing more than ample amounts of time & effort--true in other disciplined life commitments as well.  During these times of perplexity, I can be easily distracted by the "weariness" of my efforts which seem to produce little or no results regardless of what I do to "fix" it...

 It is in those shadowed, even dark at times, moments I'm reminded from Scripture to "press on to the prize to which I have been called." [Phil 3:13-14].  Being a committed athlete necessitates a committed work ethos; being a committed co-worker and employee requires dedicated loyalty & service; being a committed husband...father...friend...professional---name your role---entails being resolute towards achieving the desired destination...to press on...to STRIVE.  "The act of striving, " Madeleine Albright once remarked, "is in itself the only way to keep faith with life."--so true in the roles we select to pursue and to which we dedicate our time; truer still in the relationships in which we find ourselves and seek.  And it is in that striving of life I find relief from my own weariness, for I do so in the camaraderie and fellowship of family and friends, of mentors and ministers, of coaches and collaborators, all bathed and clothed in the spirit of living lives of service and passion---there can be no better way to keep faith in life!

Drained of hope, completely spent and worn-out, and shattered---we've all been there, we've all experience those shadows, we've all known the taste of weariness in various forms; yet, just as Captain America's countenance & spirit was  immediately strengthened when Sam Wilson (aka Falcon) called out "On your left" as he entered the battle through the time-portal (along with thousands of fellow warriors), so do you and I when a close friend or confidant enters the troubled arenas of our lives, essentially our own personal "on your left" moments.

So....who's your "Falcon"?  Who's called out "on your left" to you when you were weary and lost of hope?  Who is the one who encourages you to keep your faith with life?  Find them....and love them, now and always.