When things get bad they tend to feel like the weight of the world is upon us.  So my theory and practice to take the "regular" days and string them together and notice the daily miracles each - then you know for sure the good truly outweigh the bad.  It helps to have loved ones, family, and friends to connect with during these times as well.  This week has gone from despair with two of my children to levels of resolution and a connection with a long missed friend and a check in call form a cousin I respect and regard.  My wife is beginning a new endeavor and used the words she feels "Liberated".  When I feel like a day is too much to bear I simply go to bed a little early.  Because I know for a fact the difference a day can make.  Thank you for all the beautiful people and events in my life that help me string the best of life together.

Love Always - Coach J

As the seasons begin to shift and fall approaches the sunrise and sunset are amazingly orange and pink - with velvet blues and hues.  Yet the backdrop of trees are still a vibrant green and flowers are still in their summer best.  What a beautiful spectacle to behold.  Good morning and good evening my friends.

Love Always - Coach J

Getting back to school - or day one of a new grade level.  The beginning was always exciting to me.  No nerves, more excitement about new faces, new teachers, new friends, new adventures.  New clothes, new backpack, new supplies, new desk.  Day one and even week one was always an acclimation period.  Much like day one on a new job or in a new city.  Let go of any fear - that comes from expectations.  Simply deal with what is in front of you and observe the beauty in each moment.  Here is to having a day one daily.  And here is to those who are having a day one of some sort today.

Love Always - Coach J

I have witnessed a young man work hard at his academics and at his sport.  In high school he was an average performer that always had to apply himself to maintain around a 3.0 grade average.  He joined cross country in his junior year and fell in love with it but was not a top performer in that area.  He trained hard and got better and was very respectable.  His dream was to attend a university and run on their cross country team.  He got accepted by the school and pushed himself to unbelievable degrees and made the team after being denied the first year.  A side result of his training discipline is he became very focused in school and now maintains a 3.4 grade average at a top university.  Also after making the cross country team he joined a triathlon for sport and found this is where his heart really is.  His first major tri he placed second!  He had a coach reach out to him to help him train, he has a major sponsor.  He is breaking rookie records and is more fulfilled than he has ever been.  He put the work in.  Even when you are not completely sure what the work is going towards or you don't feel completely fulfilled any work you do, any strength you build is yours for future use.  I raise my glass high to know this young man and I know that anything he does in life will be successful.  I knew that from his first training sessions that junior year in high school when I had the pleasure of working with him because he's had the heart of a lion from the beginning.  The best part of this story for me is now he knows it is only going to get better - and he earned it all himself.

Love Always - Coach J

Have you ever seen something so bad or ugly it made you realize how good you really have it?  I can admit I have had experiences where I wish I had been wiser and not put myself in a situation that made me think "What am I doing here?  I don't need to be in this environment!"  In those moments I was fortunate enough to have a measurement of good that I could reference as the place I'd rather be.  If you are in a dark place and do not have a frame of reference of a better place, I tell you it exists, simply look for small clues first.  And for those of you in a good place now, don't wait to be tested or witness something less than beautiful to fully grasp and appreciate the good that is in your life now.  The good will only multiply.  If you have a little, amplify it, if you have a lot amplify it.  Focus on the good, and minimize the bad and the ugly.

Love Always - Coach J

Look beneath the surface today.  For all the similarities you have daily it is possible you are missing the little miracles that happen right before your eyes.  Just as each day has its own challenges it has its own blessings.  A day that seems uneventful is a day where you are not fully alert.  Events need not be massive to be wonderful.  Look for the inside joke, how many times you see your favorite color, what your wife's hair really feels like and how heavy your kids are.  Where are all the cracks in the sidewalk and how awesome is it that you can grow hair without even trying.  Each day is so much the same and yet so different all at once.  Find the beauty in each day and you'll be pleased at what you find hidden inside a "normal" day.

Love Always - Coach J

Every morning I have an routine to bring in the day with the most positive energy and insights to make the most of my day.  When the people that comprise my inner circle are all having a low energy morning I find myself being drawn into that field and the power feels low.  I reach for sources of energy and actually have to take the same advice I give my children.  When you are in that space what is one thing (toy, book, song) that makes you feel good?  Start there to increase your energy.  Find a positive marker and build from there.  I have to do it myself from time to time.  Stay away from the victim mentality and control what you can. 

Love Always - Coach J

In this fast paced society plan time to listen to songs from your youth.  Watch a movie you watched as a child.  Teach your friends or children a game you played when you were young.  Eat figs right off of the fig tree or crabapples.  Things that take you back to your youth.  Get that good energy of your youth back.  Stay young, and take memory lane with you.

Love Always - Coach J

Have you ever had an experience where you were working on something or having a physical experience and the self talk in your head was telling you to quit or give up?  Have you ever felt like you are not smart enough or strong enough?  I am not sure why that wall is there.  Many times I have read and written walls are put up to keep the people out that don't want it bad enough.  I know you get stronger and smarter by pushing past that voice and performing regardless of what it says.  When those thoughts come (and they come to us all) replace them with positive self talk.  Try switching it up just a little from "I'm not smart enough" to "I don't have all the facts yet but I am researching them now" or "I'm not strong enough" to "I can do this one step at a time".  When you break it down to stages and look back you will find you are incredibly smarter and stronger than that voice in your head ever believed.  Smash the mental wall.




Love Always - Coach J

Soak up the relaxed mood of returning home from the office, the little ones with no homework, no rushed plans for dinner, chatting and enjoying each other with no preoccupation of what needs to be done tonight for tomorrow.  Staying up until you fall asleep on a couch or in a reading chair only to awaken midnight and take yourself to your bed.  No alarms or expectations set.  Enjoying your night fully.  Enjoy your Saturday morning after you've enjoyed your Friday night.

Love Always - Coach J