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I think back to when I made the decision to leave teaching . Oh , dear God was that probably the hardest decision of my life . I had security at a place I loved working with kids I loved . But life was calling me in a different direction . I agonized over that decision . I remember crying on multiple occasions ; while writing my letter to the superintendent , while sitting in my principal ’ s office breaking the news to him that it was time for me to move on . I remember my last day teaching , the kids coming up to hug me . I was a bumbling mess . Life moved on .
I often think about how bizarre my first thought was when I picked up our first baby , Mateena , from the breeder . Yes , I was ecstatic . But my main thought was : These next 12 or so years are going to go by way to fast , like the blink of an eye . She is laying here next to me , 4 years in already .
I frequently think about the day that Braxton was born . I knew I would be emotional but this time I made the decision ahead of time that I wouldn ’ t hold back like I did at my wedding . I didn ’ t plan it , but I did know I would be emotional . I remember seeing the crown of his head and weeping tears of joy . The nurse laughed and commented , ‘ Kyle is crying . Daddy is so happy !’ And I was and still AM .
Now he is 17 months old . Time fly ’ s boy .
I remember at the end of that year at our holiday team party for Newell Strength . I wasn ’ t expecting anything from the team but then one of them handed me a large frame that was wrapped in wrapping paper . I didn ’ t even finish opening it before the tears started .
Because I saw the picture on the poster . It was of the PIT , the gym that I had built in my parent ’ s basement with the words in caption ‘ success is deciding to simply begin ’. It made me FEEL all the times I wanted to give up . All the times I got so burnt out that I decided my dream wasn ’ t worth it . It was too much to bear . It would have been easier to just find a comfort zone and stay there . But something wouldn ’ t let me quit .
The point of all this is not to show you how emotional I can be .
No , the point is hopefully for you to realize that life is racing by us . Time waits for no man . Right now , you have the power and beauty of youth . If you are in your mid-20 ’ s , you are at the beginning of it . If you are in your mid-40 ’ s , you are on the back side of it but you still go it . Life will go on . You will one day no longer have the energy and physical strength and glowing skin that you now have .
Memories are being made , breath by breath . Stop thinking about tomorrow or next week . Life is NOW . The moments of today and right now are ones that you will one day look back upon in favor and reverence and say , ‘ I remember when …’.
Yes , those moments are right this second . Live them . Feel them . Love them and cherish them . Experience them and yes , cry about them . What ’ s your story going to BE ?
It ’ s Not the What But the Why