Truth has endurance

The other day I came across an interesting quote.

"A lie has speed, but truth has endurance."
-- Edgar J. Mohn

The more I thought about this the more truthful it became. Now this may sound a little illogical. For after all how can The Truth become even more so? But I digress.

During my last 12-week challenge it became too easy to rationalize my way around eating a piece of birthday cake or grabbing some left over BBQ versus preparing a more healthful meal. My son, daughter, mother, and wife all celebrate birthdays in June. We had a hugh high school graduation party -- catered by DIXIE BONES BBQ -- to mark my son's commencment. There were plenty of left overs and we definitely ordered too many beers to wash all of this down as well.

I found myself telling "rational lies" (the true definition of 'rationalize') and promising I'd just workout longer or run a little farther to burn those extra calories.

Now for the most part, I met most of my goals for this challenge. I entered a 5K race. I got stronger -- had to buy some heavier dumbbells. I was able to pack away my size 38-trousers and replace these with size 36. Yes, I met most -- but not all -- of my goals.

But for all the reasons outlined above, I failed to reach the CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL that was so clear in my mind's eye just 12-weeks ago. A lie has so much speed it will sneak up on you and then pass you before you know it.

So on July 4th I'm going to start again. This will be my INDEPENDENCE DAY CHALLENGE. This will be my get ready for a trip to TENNESSEE challenge. This is going to be a challenge that has to be based on truth and truthfulness to myself.

There are no shortcuts and no birthday party-based excuses to steal away the gains in strength and or the losses in fat. My 11th consecutive challenge is dedicated to endurance, stick-to-it-ness, and perseverence.

Today I picked up my AFTER photos. The camera and the tape measure don't lie. I can do this. I am worth the effort. I know the way and have plenty of friends to help encourage me.

There is no 'try' there is only 'do.'

End of challenge observations

This was a tough 12-weeks ... There were plenty of distractions in the form of birthday parties, a high school graduation, softball tournaments, and a crazy work schedule ... These aren't excuses ... Just reminders that no 12-week period will ever come and go without obstacles to overcome or work around ... Need a few days off to rest up and heal an ankle and an elbow ... Tendonitis, I think ... Then it's back to launching another 12-week challenge ... Number 11 ... Just in time to reach even higher performance levels before (hopefully) going to Tennessee in early October.

Nothing really profound to offer here ... Just the realization that maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle requires constant focus on making proper choices at meal time, while working out, and when deciding to stay up and watch mindless TV or get some sleep.

So what will be my next set of goals for the upcoming three months? Hmmmm?

It's all over but for the memories.

My son's high school graduation is history ... The block party that we held between five families which also doubled as a grad party is history too ... Family and friends have packed up and returned home. The DJ stopped playing music over 12 hours ago ... And the HUGH tents are now folded and will soon be returned to the military recreation center. (Yes, with five families sharing resources and combining our parties, yesterday was a three-ring circus!) ... Yes, it's all over but for the picture viewing and the memories ... The most profound memories are of all the compliments on successfully raising my son and of his academic achievements. My son's acceptance to the University of Virginia is a capstone event and my wife and I are truly proud parents. We've been blessed.

But there were two BFL-related memories worth noting here:

* It was terribly HOT on Saturday. We had hours of prepatory work to do before the party. We had dozens of tables and chairs to move. And there were two large -- no, make that HUGH -- tents to haul and erect in the back yard. Now since we had five families sharing in on this party, there were five men on the set-up crew. And a couple of other neighbors pitched in to help pull on various ropes and/or set the center poles. Did I tell you it was 90+ hot? ... So the swinging of the 10-pound hammer and the community tent pitching were tasks to be accomplish shirtless ... When it was all said and done, I received the "best physique" award ... Our wives were the judges ... Today, Sunday, was the clean-up. The men were shirtless again ... There was no body-building contest or pose off today. But a couple of the guys did admit that they were going to start exercising on Monday so that they too could 'show off' the next time we set up them fest-tents.

* The second BFL-memory involves an informal arm wrestling contest held yesterday between set up and showers. I'll just let you guess at who was the winner. [Hint: BFL rocks!]

Boy am I stupid sometimes!

... Last night I mistakenly worked at my desk until the last possible moment trying to get that last little task completed before packing up to go catch a train.

... And then the phone rang. And I mistakenly answered it. And I missed that last-possible connection between the METRO and the commuter train.

... Which meant that I missed attending an awards BBQ for the high school girls softball program. And I missed my daughter being named MVP for the JV team for the 2nd year in a row. And I missed her being presented with a varsity letter for the half-dozen games she played when they ’called her up’ to varsity.

... Like I said, "Boy am I stupid." I could have left the office earlier. I should have allowed that phone answering machine collect that last minute call.

... And then CSX freight placed a ’heat restriction’ on the track that runs between Washington DC and Fredericksburg, VA. Which caused the next train to be delayed.

... And I just made my son’s award ceremony in the nick-of-time. Summa cum laude he is. My wife told me that’s Latin for "with highest honors." Damn I’m sure glad my children take after their mother.

... So with all that running around and last minute rush-hour ’combat’, I missed dinner. So I enjoyed some cake and ice cream at the reception after that Latin-related ceremony.

... Yeah, yeah ... Totally unauthorized from a BFL point-of-view. I already told you I’m stupid from time to time.

... There went my FREE DAY for the week.

... But at the end of the day while watching game one of the UCLA v. Michigan Women’s Softball Championship Series, my daughter snuggles up to me in my favorite chair and whispers, "Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll be on the Varsity Team next year and I know you’ll make more of my school games. I love you."

... You can bet a dollar to a Krispy Kreme donut I will be catching the early train in the future and I’ll just have to let my answering service catch those end-of-the-day calls too.

... I’m not THAT stupid. And I’m definitely blessed.

God doesn't make junk

"Good people are good because they've come to wisdom through failure.
We get very little wisdom from success, you know."
-- William Saroyan

... Now I personally agree with Mr. Saroyan's conclusion that we do learn best when we think about life's challenges and our so-called failures.

... But I take exception to this fellow's premise regarding 'goodness.'

... I say that good people are good because God doesn't make junk.

... Each and everyone of us has been created in His image.

... The Body-for-Life program allows us to discover just how elegant His design truly is.