Honor Role

Day 108:

Today I had the privelege of reading the names of 7th grade students that earned a 4.0 GPA for the Fall Semester during our Honor Roll Assembly. A treat indeed.

The experience took me back to when I got my first video game console.

I was in the 2nd grade and my parents sat me down and told me that due to my much improved report card, they were going to reward me with the original nintendo system. I wish I could write that in second grade I too earned a 4.0 - that it was academic merit that would enable the merriment I would find in fireballing bowzer. But alas, my parents gifted me the NES because my report card finally didn't say "Talks too much".

Needless to say, this phrase would follow me most of my academic career.

I've been blessed with lessons galore over the past few weeks. I'm tempted to share them here, but part of what I've learned is that the weight of hashing what has been can be a bit cumbersome - besides, moving forward is far more fun.

But one key lesson I've been learning over and over all week(s) long, the lesson that's connected to my 2nd grade greatness, is to LISTEN.

For the first time in a while I'm doing some deliberate deafening of the tongue while letting my ears ring freely.

At first glance, it may not seem so, but I assure you that it is.

I'm listening more to my body and refraining (although maybe not as much as I should) from consuming the negative nuggets that are no where as good as Mother's natural foods.
When it comes to the conversations I have with others I'm listening more to the words rather than trying to make my own meaning of them.
I'm listening more to my mind as I close in on the trails my thoughts journey along, trying to connect the consequence of how one thought leads to another, of how this thought leads to that.
I've been listening to the fact that I'm better than what I've been, and am trying to make it so.

Point blank, I'm simply listening.

The inspiration behind this lesson, behind these efforts, were the truthful words of this man.

Have a listen for yourself...





Now think about what you just heard, and then give listening a shot...after all, you may very well be pleasantly surprised by the sounds you stumble upon.

What have you been listening to lately?
What have you learned today?

Getting back on Track

Day 105:

My apologies for entering the realm of triple-digit-days without so much as a hello....it's been far too long since the last post.

Life has been not so usual.

The good news is the inspiration for this effort, and much more, has been rediscovered.

Today I learned that motivation really can be found behind the flip of a switch.
Today I learned how to look forward to tomorrow.


What are you looking forward to?
What have you learned today?