If You Think You Can, You Can

If You Think You Can, You Can
by Denis Waitley

You can be a total winner, even if you're a beginner
If you think you can you can, if you think you can you can
You can wear the gold medallion, you can ride your own black stallion
If you think you can you can, if you think you can you can

It's not your talent or the gifted birth
It's not your bank book that determines worth
It isn't in your gender or the color of your skin
It's your attitude that lets you win

You can live with "coulds" or "shoulds," or be like Tiger Woods
If you think you can you can, if you think you can you can
Even if you're hesitant, you can be a woman President
If you think you can you can, if you think you can you can

It doesn't matter what you've done before
It makes no difference what the halftime score
It's never over 'til the final gun
So keep on trying and you'll find you've won

Just grab your dream and then believe it
Go out and work, and you'll achieve it
If you think you can, you can
If you think you can, you can

How to stay young ...

Today I exchanged a few e-mails with a good friend of mine, Greg Kogut. Greg is a fellow West Pointer and former roommate. He was a cadet company commander when we were back at the Point. I was one of the platoon leaders in B1 at that time. His career and my own crossed paths several times along the way. We both went to the Armor/Cavalry Basic Course together, we both served on the Blackhorse Regimental Staff, and we commanded sister units as captains. He went off to compete for an officer's billet on the "Delta Team" -- a very mentally and physically demanding stretch assignment. He gave it his best and came up short of the mark. And according to Greg, "They never tell you why you don't make it, they just tell you to try again if you can and wish you luck in your next assignment." I went into a R&D assignment -- a mentally simulating tour of duty but I genuinely can't say that it taxed me very much from a physical fitness point of view.

Years ago the two of us got together in Germany and later on that same trip Switzerland. We climbed the Zugspitze together and later the Rimfischorn. Foul weather kept us from climbing the Matterhorn but that was our next mountain if we hadn't run out of time, money, or good weather. Greg is the sort of fellow you'd trust on the other end of a climbing rope. "On belay!"

Today is Greg's Birthday. I woke up this morning with a sense that today was a special day. I couldn't remember exactly; but I sensed that it was an important day. Yeap, it is an important day. For Greg is the fellow who introduced me to the Body-for-Life program. He's a true friend.

Since those days in the military and/or having fun as climbing buddies, I've been inspired by my friend. He took up cross-country skiing. He's run in marathons. He keeps in touch.

Below is a list he sent me regarding: "How to stay young." Enjoy.

~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them "

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets,keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

And if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who cares? But do share this with someone. We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!
~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~ # ~

PS: If this list is too long for you, here's a one-liner...

The way to stay young is to find yourself a true friend like Greg.

Believe, achieve, inspire.

The irony of posting to a public blog

"Humility does not mean you think less of yourself.
It means you think of yourself less."

- Ken Blanchard
Consultant, Author & Speaker

... I once heard that you can't be humble and be an author. That the mere fact that you think your work is worth publishing is proof that your ego is a bit oversized.

... There is a certain irony to posting to a public blog. Every now and then someone will stop to read thru a comment or a rant. Every now and then another might even post a comment.

... Lately I've been 'attacked' by what obviously is spam trying to sell me something. It's too bad I haven't figured out how to delete such 'noise.' I do like it when I find a real, live human being (either a friend or a stranger) who'll stop by and chat.

... Perhaps I should be writing about something more provocative or interesting. Hmmmmmmmm?!?!

It's time to start again.

"Character may be manifested in the great moments,
but it is made in the small ones."

- Phillips Brooks
(1835-1893)
American Episcopal Bishop

... It is time to start again on another 12-week BFL challenge.

... There are so, so many folks who've helped me along the way: past champions, family, friends, and even a few folks who don't know that they're helping but from whom I draw inspiration.

... This challenge will run from May 1 thru the middle of July 2006. The timing should work out well. Debbie's surgery was a complete success (so the worrying is over). Both our teenage-children are scheduled for their own adventures; one to Brazil the other to Governor's School. The weather should be nice enough to take many of my workouts out-of-doors. Yep, no excuses in sight. It's time to build some character.

... Hoping along the way to assist others on their fitness quests.

... It's time to string together a few exceptionally small -- but most important -- moments.

Believe, achieve, inspire.
JL