Vision Week

Last week was all about business, and from what I saw from the participation in class, you guys are about your business.  I was pleasantly surprised with the effort and commitment.  We blasted those legs on Monday, hit that upper body (chest/triceps) on Tuesday, Wednesday was high intensity cardio with some heat, Thursday was back and biceps.  If you have to ask, I think Saturday was our best class of the week, we did total body along with some extreme cardio.  I had several people text me shortly after the class stating that the class was a beast, but keep it coming.  I have to send a big shout out to SG and Amy, my new people, who have decided to become a part of this vision.  Amy completed two classes (Tuesday and Wednesday). Saturday was SG's first class, and he made it through.  As I’m typing this blog, I’m wondering how they are feeling and if they will show up on Monday.  To be continued. 

Quote of the week: “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” Helen Keller

This week’s inspiration comes from Zack, police officer for SPD.  Zack has been struggling with the loss of his mother over this past week.  I didn’t know that about his loss until Saturday after a very intense workout.  Before class I complimented Zack on his hard work and I told him that I noticed a difference in his overall physique.   He said thanks, T.  After class, I was packing up and Zack came back over to me and told me about the loss of his mother.  He went on to say how his mother, prior to her passing, told him she had taught him everything he needed to be a special person.  His mother was a visionary.  She saw something special in Zack, who by his own admission, has struggled with making poor decisions while he was growing up.  In spite of all his struggles, he held it together and now he is one of our finest police officers on the Shreveport PD.  I couldn’t help but to love that story about Zack, because he is a great example of a man with a vision.  I can recall how he stated that there was a minister who also recently passed, and he credits that minister with saving his life and putting him on the right track to being successful. I didn’t grow up with him, but I can see the amount of passion he has towards his children, his career and he goes hard in that gym.  He is a person who lost his mother last week, but has the vision to see that he gained insight from her and he can use that to inspire others.  I will be the first one to say that his story has been one that resonates in my mind and I will use it to help me get through some tough periods in my life.  Zack went on to tell me how our class helped him to not only get in shape, but to be able to tackle some other problems he has in life.  I heard somebody say Tough times don't last forever, tough people do and Zack is a tough guy. Everything that he talked about was inspirational.  It shed light on why we are here, who has helped us along the way, and how we can use the things others have passed on to us to inspire others.  According to Warren Buffet, "someone's sitting in the shade today, because someone planted a tree a long time ago".

I thought about Zack and his predicament.  A person with no vision would have been overwhelmed and maybe saw the situation as being helpless, although they had two eyes and could see.  However, Zack, a visionary by his own right, not only did he see his predicament, but he also saw the power within himself to overcome the predicament, as a result, he's a greater PERSON with a Purpose. 

This week let’s all focus on our personal vision.   Visualize yourself getting to that next level in your life, while looking forward to the next level.  I’m excited about this process.   I thought about Bart Scott, the NY Jets linebacker after they beat the Ravens this year in the playoffs.  The ESPN commentator said to him, Congratulations, see you in Pittsburgh, Bart replied, “Can’t Wait”.   He was looking forward to playing the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, even though things didn’t go exactly as planned. 

Hopefully this week you will be excited about this vision and change we are all working toward.   If you have time this week can you repeat a few of these phrases to yourself before you come to that gym, or when you are at home or work. 

CAN’T WAIT to get to that gym and work hard on my body. 

CAN’T WAIT to eat the right things that will serve as fuel for my body. 

CAN’T WAIT to see the results of the hard work I put in at the gym and home.

CAN’T WAIT to overcome the next obstacle that will get me to the next.    

T Can’t Wait to see you in that class, smiling, sweating, building and having fun with change. 

Remember when you Can’t Wait, you are looking forward to it and you have a positive attitude and visualize that change.  

Finally, there are two new people who joined the fun last week, SG and Amy.  Both of them heard about the class and how their hard work and dedication in the gym can lead to a healthier lifestyle.  I have spoken with both of them and they also agree that it’s some discomfort involved in the process.  Let’s continue to encourage them as well as the other people in the class or on the blog.  I see you Ivyleague, but you are MIA, blame it on the school.   

Big Shout out to my sister Leanis, I didn’t mention her last week, but she has been showing up like she told me she would, can your brother get 2 or 3 days a week.  She knows what I’m talking about.   

At the end of the day, we are a small community of diverse people who come together visualizing the common goal of global change.   “T”