YOUTH SPORTS

It was not to very long ago, I wrote a post about the athletic attributes of my youngest daughter Taylor.  Well that was just about a year ago, (July 25, 2009).  Of course, you may wonder why or think that I'm bragging about my kid again and If that's what you're thinking, I must admit that you're absolutely right.

Sports has always been and probably will always be significant in our families lives.  My wife and I both participated in sports and found it very rewarding. There are just so many amazing advantages to kids and their parents when sports are included in their daily activities.  For one thing there are both mental and physical benefits as it relates to overall health.  Our daughter has a difficult time with seasonal allergies. Thanks to sports she has responded quite well when she's dealing with the wheezing and sneezing etc., because it forces her to breathe deeply and the air she's intaking is fresh and outdoors vs. being stuck indoors sucking on a humidifier.

Sports have also become a very positive distraction for her and it seems to actually enhance her competitive nature during these most difficult times.

Speaking of distractions, youth sports have in my experience, proven to help kids focus and most importantly it has kept a boatload of kids off the streets and out of trouble.  Being a retired law enforcement professional, I have personally witnessed troubled kids turn their lives around and become viable and outstanding law abidding citizens due to their involvement in sports.  Of course, there are a few who fall off the wagon and become involved with the wrong crowd or group, leading them to crime, but those aren't the ones I'm talking about. There are tons of documented success stories, than those of the failures.

Sports has a way of turning intraverted kids into excited outgoing communicating team builders and leaders.... YEAH!!

This phenomena is especially helpful when its time for them to grow up and get out into the job market(s). The beautiful results are that these kids are usually no longer insecure, but confident individuals who are driven.  They tend to look you in the eye and state exactly what it is they want and why. Sports has assisted with the development of  recognizing and enjoying the sweetness of victory, as well as shielding them against the depressive state of dealing with the agony of defeat. So if they don't win today so be it. Thankfully, it becomes somewhat of a motivator, because they've learned that you can't win by merely be comfortable to sitting on the sideline. You've got to get in the game!  The kids I'm talking about know how to do just that.

We are just so very proud of Taylor.  Although she loves practically any sport, she's really dialed into soccer and basketball.  This year she was selected to participate in a State wide soccer event called, ODP, which is an acroynm for Olympic Development Program. This was and is an incredible achievement, because you have to tryout/compete, in order to be selected.  This program, trains and prepares kids for State, Nationals, College and olympic level competitions in soccer.  She really enjoyed it and I sure she'll tryout again next year too. This year's season ending basketball playoffs, she was just short of a triple double.

"You Go GIRL!!"

So, if your brother, sister, son, daughter, niece or nehew etc. is willing to except the challenge to having absolutely incredible fun and the possibility of achieving greatness.... Please don't just point them to it, but get up and literally get involved and take them to the nearest youth sports entity and... GET IN THE GAME!        

Will I Ever Learn

Ruff, Rufff!!! ahh, I mean hello.  My name is Jack, and although you're accustomed to hearing from my family member, I thought and heard about this thing you humans call change. Soooo, for this particular post...here comes change and you're going to love it, because if you haven't heard, my bite per square inch of power is AWESOME! Just kidding.

The photo above is one of me when I was just a wee lil pup. You see 3 and a half years ago, I was sitting all alone starring out and doing a little people watching, when this couple stopped by and gave me the warmest smile of my puppy life.  I became so overwhelmed by their exhibited non verbal skills, that my tail wagged so hard I was literally being thrown all over the place. Suddenly, I began to feel rather silly and desperately tried to control my emotions, but it was to late. That's when it happen, time seemed to slow down and the attendant's speech began to drag and slur. As she slowly approached my gate lock, and attemped to open it, her fingers seem to lose it's way. I tried to help but to no avail.  Finally, the lock gave way and I was in the arms of the lady with the pretty eyes and great smile.  We couldn't help but be a match, because after all, I picked her.

She introduced me to her partner.  He's the guy you're more familiar with and who by the way, is still trying to figure out how I managed to get into his head and write this post. But desperate times require, desperate measures.  Besides its his fault for allowing me to watch tv. I particularly like Jerry Springer and that guy who yells, "You are NOT the father", ... Ha, ha.... . Of course, my favorite is show is watching "Brian", from Family Guy.

Ok, back to my plight.

I need your help in order to find out does anyone else out there, who try with all their might to just be friendly..., get hammered when you kiss a frog?  Ummm, and if you don't, then why, Oh why sweet Jesus, is it always me?

Here's what I know.

The practice of  "toad-licking" has evolved into an urban legend, in that the venom secreted through the skin of some toads cause hallucinations. Which is why I think, I'm a contributing author of this blog post.

See what I mean?

Anyway, the venom is highly toxic to pets. Take for instance, my other friends and family members (dogs), are most likely to come in contact with a toad, and have a high probability of dying if untreated.

I quess, I should leave that curiousity thing to cats.

The Colorado River toad and the other giant toad, known as the Marine toad are the two most common venomous toads found in the U.S.  Of course this guy wouldn't win any beauty awards like yours truly, because he's all covered with warts. UGGGH!

I also found out that I don't necessarily have to lick or God forbid eat a toad, to be poisoned.  There have been cases where frogs have been attracted to a dogs water dish and just because it was unattended, they sat along the rim, leaving enough toxin to make you sick.  It's actual difficult to find the presence of  the toxin.  You technically have to see it happen, but if you're suspcious...

Here's what to look for:

If your four legged family member has ingested enough toxin, they may have an irregular heartbeat and may start acting strangely, as if they are locked in the grip of a hallucination. Call your veterinarian if you observe:

*Mouth irritation with foamy salivation
*Depression
*Weakness
*Collapse
*Difficulity breathing
*Seizures
*Fever
Vomiting
*Diarrhea

Well, I patiently await your reply to let me know if it's just me, because just the other day, I was in the back yard minding my own business, when suddenly there he was, gazing at me with those huge bulging eyes. I tried to just walk away, but I was trapped in their stare. That's when it happen, I heard that ribbb--it call and I... ok, I licked it. YUKK!!,  not again... "Will I Ever Learn"?

*Data collected from http://www.petplace.com/    

For Your Precious Love...

Two days ago, my wife and I celebrated our 15th year wedding anniversary and a very dear friend of mine expressed how amazing it was that in these times, how rare it was to be in a relationship of any significant amout of time.  She then ask me if I would one day talk about how we made it, while balancing both of our demanding careers.

First and foremost,  I'm not my any means an expert when it comes to relationships. What I do know, is that based on my personal experience, relationships require time, commitment, and the willness to being honest and open to your partner as well as yourself.... ALL DAY, EVERYDAY!!

Looking back, I used to look at relationships the same way I used to value life in general. Wow, was that a big mistake. I constantly created a life filled with headaches and heartaches.  I was simply initiating relationships based solely on a "want".  Just because I was watching others around mingling and giving the appearance of having such a wonderful and exciting time together, didn't necessarily equate to long term or that life of forever after effect you read about in story books.

Of course, I'm not saying that everyone of my, "want" relationships resulted in disaster, but there usually was no tenure experienced and that was because, not long after I "fell" in love, I quickly "fell" out of love. Uummm, I wonder has this ever happen to you and your relationships too?

The key is "growing" in love. The goal is "growing in love together". The result..."PRICELESS".

Anyway, while coming up through the years, I've learned a lot about what I "want" compared to what I really "need".  What I did was honestly, evaluate each of these factors and the sum of which, put me on the right course.

Careers are great to have, but they can also be a hazzard to a relationship if YOU allow them to. Think about it, when was the last time on a cold and dark lonely night, and you're watching this incredible movie or listening to your favorite Barry White tune, and suddenly the thought of sharing this moment of hot and steamy passion with someone.... you picked up the phone and called your selfish, demanding, stressful career, to come over and extinquish your flames?  Ummm, again!

Additionally, sharing with one another is also essential.  Most, excessive career minded individuals tend to really separate their personal life from their professional life. I feel that once you both start separating some of the things in your relationship, it creates an avenue of acceptance to separate not only other things but everything.  To each his or her own, but some people take this process literally; they separate money, cars, children, the house, the food, the bed, the dog and eventually each other. This mindset, I believe sacrifices the partnership... the core of the relationship.   

Careers were invented by man, not by the higher source that I associate with, who like himself is everlasting and loves unconditionally. Let me just say, that in my book, the latter should be the pattern of our love to one another.

So, if your one and only, secret and true love is your career..., you have my heartfelt sympathy.

The choice is rather simple and ultimately always yours.  Like the songs says, It's your thing, do what you want to to do.....

Or,

Like this post title states, "For your precious love, means more to me, than any love could ever be".                 

No Reason To Quit

Seven years ago, in the fall of 2003, I turned the eager and energetic age of 50. Wow, I had hit the top of the hill according to a few of my closest friends. Soooo.... what are you going to do different they ask?  Of course I was still caught up in the fact that I was blessed to even see 50 years of life, especially with practically everything from all my physical and mental aspects in tact.

After several minutes of beinng in my own little world, the voices around began to get louder and more direct. I guess I spaced out a little.  I only remember saying yes I can and yes I will!  After high fiving everyone, I discovered that I had agreed to enter a local bodybuilding contest.

YIPES!

Anyway, through all the 24 weeks of training and grueling dieting regimine, I guess I shocked some of those doubting friends, when I delivered a FIRST PLACE trophy in the masters division.

Since that time, I started to seriouly train again, only this time just to duplicate and or simulate that bodybuilders look, without the stresses of actually doing the show.  My problem this time is that, I'm seven years older and believe it or not, I'm convinced that things really do change.  This old body constantly reminds me that I need to make new mental and physical adjustments.

Interestingly enough life is, has and can have a strange sense of humor. It also has the tendency to every once in awhile.. throw you a curve ball.

My curve ball came fast and hard. Initially, I took a mighty swing at it, but I really should have ducked. There it was flying toward me as if it was shot out of a cannon. The final result of the umpire's (surgeons) call was... A HERNIATED DISK.

No way, I said. Yes it is, he replied.

It's now been seven to eight months of every pain pill the doctors could prescribe. Then came the echoing advise of trying acupunture; chiropractic; deep tissue massages; decompression therapy; hot and cold compresses; crutches; limping and finally, "Why don't you just stay in bed"!

Last resort.. SURGERY.  YIPES!! AGAIN.

Through it all, thanks to my strong faith in sincere prayer.  Everything turned out just fine. 

The hills of life are still present and will be for as long as we are alive and breathe air. A positive mindset and the willingness to forge forward and never give up is vital to a positive outcome.  Here's what I thought of most and I truly hope that this statement will help you when you're standing at the plate of life's challenges and the next pitch you're thrown is a curve ball.

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust him fully and let go, only 1 of  2 things will happen; either he'll catch you when you fall, or.. he'll teach you how to fly!