Greatness Week

Greatness Week

We have been busy over the past few weeks, focusing on handling our business and actually visualizing that change we are all seeking with our bodies, mind and meal plans.   I know you all are continuing to support this vision and I’m excited that you all are talking about the changes that are already happening, but I truly believe that your personal Greatness is on the horizon.  The reason we are focusing on greatness is because we want to begin to separate ourselves from just being good.  Last week I found myself walking down the halls in Webster Parish Schools, I started asking some of the students how they were doing.  I must have asked about 25 children of various different backgrounds that same question.  The consensus was, “I’m good”.  I found myself thinking, out of those 25 children i asked, how many were really doing good, how many weren’t doing as good as they said, and how many were doing GREAT?  I believe we are so programmed these days to say what everyone else says and in some cases, wear same type of clothes, want the same type of car, etc.  Do we really need more people being just like others who are just average?  I still haven’t figured out what good is by the way, what are we good at, what feelings are good, what did you do good?  Must I go on?  I feel in life we settle for something’s simply because its a societal norm.  Although, societal norms are constantly changing in today’s world.   Do you find yourself being more like everyone else, just being, saying, looking, feeling and acting GOOD?  Are you the person who is distinguished because you have transitioned from being good to embracing the Greatness that’s inside of you? 

Quote of the Week:  Don't live down to expectations.  Go out there and do something remarkable.  ~Wendy Wasserstein

I was inspired by another member of our class this week, who has done something remarkable.  This young man has used his tools to inspire the students at Southwood High School to become more fluent with the nuances of the English Language.   I knew there was something special about him because he always has a glow about him.  He is always smiling and he’s a very modest man.  If you get a chance to speak with him, you will notice he’s articulate, spiritual, compassionate and truly cares about others.  I had the opportunity to meet him about a month ago and I knew that this guy was special.  I recall telling Toya about this new guy in the class.  It’s amazing how you can get so much from a brief conversation with a person.  I remember telling Toya that he was going to go hard in the class because he was open, willing and ready to change his body not to overlook his great attitude.  During our conversation, which he stated that he watched the class from the treadmill for about a week and he wanted a challenge.  I interpreted that as he wanted to go to the next level with his body.  He spoke about his spirituality, his educational goals and his passion for teaching.  By the time I was finished talking to the guy, I had forgot his name and I was focusing on his gifts that he uses to inspire those students.  So many of us have intrinsic power to persuade others to change, this man combined his power with his passion and he is the being recognized as the teacher of the year at Southwood High School.  That’s a remarkable accomplishment considering the tremendous obstacles a teacher has to overcome to teach this modern day student.  So many of us are satisfied with just making the mark in life, when we can set the mark for others to follow.   Jimmy Brown has set himself apart and he exemplifies the skills and traits of a great man.    He is a great example of not just settling for being good, he has worked to improve himself and visualize greatness.  I have heard it several times that teachers aren’t valued and sometimes that shows up in their financial compensation.  It’s great to hear that he was recognized for his accomplishments. His story hits home with me.   

If you all didn’t know, my family has a lineage of teachers.  My mother received her degree from Grambling State in Education.  Three of my 7 sisters are teachers, Latisha, Bernadette and Paulette.  My mother’s sister, IS Sanders is a 30 year educator.  Finally, my younger brother Tellauaunce, currently the assistant principal are AJ Moore, was voted teacher of the year at Fair Park prior to accepting to his current position.  I recall my brother taking my mother up to Fair Park and taking pictures under the sign at the school.  I know my mother was so proud of him, because he is the youngest of 13, but also because she didn’t get the opportunity to teach because she was prety busy with 13 children, (7 girls and 6 boys).  However, she did become the greatest Social Worker in the CCAA and she blazed the path for me to become a counselor.  I get a little pumped up when it comes to those teachers and my mother, if you can’t tell.  Back to Jimmy.  I saw so many similarities between Jimmy and my brother Tellauance.  My brother is doing some big things in Caddo Parish School Board, I’m hoping that Jimmy will continue to pursue his craft of teaching and go to that next level and continue to help those students.  If Jimmy’s other passion doesn’t take over, he will be a principal or in some other administrative position at CPSB.  He is truly a remarkable man, and the sky is the limit for him. 

Doesn't Jimmy's story remind you of these 5 P's: Prayer you have to ask before you will ever receive.  Priority - somethings are more important than others, they go to top of the list.  Power you have control over what happens to you and how far you go.  Passion you are enthusiastic about your pursuits, you want to do it.   Persistent - in the words of Shirley Ceasar, "Don't give up and Don't give in, you are going to make, yes you are".  Now all the church folk repeat after me, Praise Him, Praise Him.  Somebody saying that's 6 P's T, well when you know him and Praise him, he will always give you more than you will ever deserve. If you have any questions or don't understand the abundance that you can have in your life please call or visit Mount Bethel #2 BC in Keithville.  Trevor Allen, Pastor.  (318) 925-0884.   

Are you excited about being GREAT.  

Tip of the Week:  Review the Checklist to Change

 1.  Put your sign up,  MY BODY IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  

This process will take time and a lot of work.  Just think about what you see before you get to a construction zone which warns you that there is work going on ahead, slow down and it usually tells you how many miles the construction zone will inconvience you.  I need you to mentally put up your sign to let yourself know that I have to work with this body day by day to enhance my overall lifestyle and well being.  Your sign should always be up because as humans we can always improve.  The great thing about this construction zone is your level of control on the project.  You are the supervisor, worker, equipment operator all in one.  You get to make this project the personal success you want it to be. 

2.  ACCEPTANCE  -  I know many of you are familiar with the serenity prayer, one part of it states that I have to accept the things I cannot change.   I truly believe that true for somethings, however, when it comes to your fitness level, at least the people that I encounter in our class, there's room for change.  I want you to accept where you are now, thoroughly analyze what got you to that point.  You may have to accept that donuts are a weakness for you, is that something you can change.   You may have to accept that when you feel down, you turn to food for comfort.  You may have to accept that you set limits on yourself at home before you even get to the gym.  Those are a few examples, but they can change if you are willing and work daily to change them.  You have to acknowledge an issue before you can ever change.  

3.  Sacrifice  -  All of us have to give up something, if we really want to get to that healthy lifestyle. 

4.  Balance  -  Its very important that we work continuously to balance our emotional/spiritual needs, relationships, intellectual needs and physical needs.  Do I have the answer to how to balance, no, because I'm still working at it.  I have figured out that when one of those four is out of line, it has consequences that tend to be overwhelming.   I will primarily be focusing on those physical needs in our class.  We will focus on the mind and meal plan together. You will have to get your rest alone.  

5. Believe  -  you have to believe in you, believe in your overall new lifestyle and start to claim it before it happens.  Now after you start to believe, you also have to work your butt off to get that body right. 

6.  Time and Consistency - It will take some time as we travel this journey to a new lifestyle and how consistent you are will determine what pace you will travel at.   I guess you have to ask your self the question, When do I want to reach my goals for my overall body and lifestyle?   or am I comfortable where I am right now? 

7.  Write down your individual goals.   Be realistic when you are writing your goals.  Take a picture of your body, measure your inches, etc.  Post your goals where you can see them daily. 

8.  Motivation -  hopefully a new body and lifestyle means something to you and that will get you pumped up, if not meet me in the gym at 5:45 and by 6 I will get you pumped up and ready to fight for that change.

9.  Get out of your own way.    Nobody is stopping you but YOU.

10.  Don’t settle for good, BE GREAT or REMARKABLE.      

How many will you be able to check of this week?

How is the meal plan coming for you guys?  There are some examples of meals on the blog, I will update some new meals.  The goal is always to educate you on what you should be consuming,  then it becomes a lifestyle change and you will always be aware of it. 

Can’t Wait to see you in that gym.    

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”