Today Is... "It's Go Time!"

“God didn’t put those thoughts in your mind and on your heart for you to turn the other way. He put them there because He knew YOU and only YOU could do them. So pick yourself up, dust off your dreams, and go out there and change the world.” – ACB

“Dig deep and ask yourself what your purpose is…” – Lee Cockerell  “Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney

 “World changing leaders know they are not the best but they care the most. The world isn’t looking for anymore experts, what the world wants, what the people want, is passion and a heart.” God has unlocked the door to my heart and given me the key to open the way towards the vision and the purpose that he created me for. I am no expert, in anything I’m afraid to admit, however I know that I care the most! It seems that the past few months I have left this idea of being an expert take me over and get me to doubt the purpose that I know I was to fulfill but as I listened to Gil preach tonight, I knew that the ideas that once filled my head were now filling my heart and the time has come to JUMP! As he created the perfect metaphor between vision jumping and high dive jumping he told the story of when he was a boy and being catapulted off the high dive into the deep end. Before he jumped, his babysitter asked, “Want me to count to 10?”  Shaking, he nodded yes. “When I get to zero it’s go time” she replied. And as he said this, he asked, do you need God to count to ten? My knee jerk response… YES! There have been times in my life that I have made sacrifices, some much bigger than others, but nothing has scared me to my core like this decision to JUMP completely out of my comfort zone into a whole new way of life. “If you don’t have to come outside yourself to obtain whatever it is that you are after… your vision is not big enough and it is not a vision from God,” Gil subtly stated this evening. There it was again, undeniable evidence that it wasn’t what I had for dinner that burns my heart, but the vision that God has placed in my soul and carved into my very being that continues to pull at my heart strings and ask “Are you ready?” I know that God will be watching me, ready to see me make my splash on the world, as he reminds me “JUMP. You’re the person I made for this.” So tonight, as I stand up on the high dive and look down at the waters of fear below, I ask God to count to ten knowing that when he reaches zero… it’s go time.

“What in your life is calling you? When all the noise is silenced, the meetings adjourned, the lists laid aside.. What still pulls on your soul?” – Terma Collective “The Box”

“The real test of a man is not when he plays the role that he wants for himself but when he plays the role that destiny has for him.” – Stevie White “Boots on the Ground by Dusk”

Today Is... Don't Waste My Time Day

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/in_time/trailers/11156417/

As he described the movie to me I was intrigued, “Instead of money you have time so you don’t spend your money you spend your time”. Say no more, the cogs in my head started turning and I began contemplating what I would be willing to “spend” my time on so I agreed to go see the film “In Time”. As I sat in the theater and stared up at the screen listening intently to this scene I found myself replaying the moment

Henry Hamilton: ’For a few to be immortal many must die.’

Will Salas: ‘What the hell is that supposed to mean?’

Henry Hamilton: ‘You really don’t know do you? Everyone can’t live forever, where would we put them? Why do you think there are time zones? Why do you think taxes and prices go up the same day in the ghetto? Cost of living keeps rising to make sure people keep dying. How else could there be men with a million years while most live day-to-day? The truth is, there’s more than enough. No one has to die before their time. If you had as much time as I have, what would you do with it?’

Will Salas: If I had all that time; I sure as hell wouldn’t waste it.’

Henry Hamilton: “If you had as much time as I have, what would you do with it?”

What a question? We’ve all heard people say, “If I had all the money in the world I would…” but have you ever thought about if that money was your time? Thinking about my money in this way, seems to make my time that much more valuable. If every purchase costs me days off my life I have to believe that I would not choose to live the way that I live life now. I am convinced that I would choose to live my life more deliberately, spending nothing on unnecessary purchases but on things that only added value to my priceless time. I can only imagine glancing down to see my eternal clock ticking seconds off my life everyday and not doing the things that I was made to live for. As I think about this I think to myself, this is how you should live your life right now. No day is promised to you and your eternal clock is ticking, taking precious seconds off your life at every moment; do not waste those sacred seconds for those seconds soon make up minutes, which turn into hours, that suddenly become days and before you know it years have passed and you are left wondering… where did the time go? So begin living today as if there is no tomorrow and do not waste any more of your precious time!

“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” – Henry David Thoreau

Today Is: Think Positive Thoughts Day

"Run away from toxic people. Instead surround yourself with others who are positive, who support you and want you to succeed." -- Gayle King

"Life has a way of giving you it's nectar one beautiful moment at a time... Life gives you the opportunities to appreciate it, but it is your job to wrap your arms around these opportunities." -- Justin Spizman & Robyn F. Spizman "Don't Give Up... Don't Ever Give Up ~ The Inspiration of Jimmy V"


"Positive thoughts, we're thinking positive thoughts." Those were the exact words she said to me as we walked into work today. I'm so unhappy with my current job that those around me have to remind me to think positively; who is this negative nay-say that cannot seem to see the silver lining? I typically would refer to myself as a very positive and upbeat person, however it seems that the moment I walk into the building my first thought  is, how do I walk right back out? Negativity 101! YIKES. Unfortunately I think that this little negative spell has been brought on from many of my past decisions that I am just beginning to see the effects of. As I begin to approach my 26th birthday I am looking back over the past couple of years and wondering to myself what it is that I have truly accomplished and what it is that I am living for? Besides coaching and the i have. i give. Project, I might argue that my past couple of years have not really chalked up to much, and I really have nothing to be proud of and say, I did that for them. (I hope that you're not reading this feeling sorry for me right now, this really is not a pity party) All that I am trying to say is that when I was younger, at least when I was still in college, I can vividly remember thinking to myself, when I'm 25 I am going to have X, Y and Z and I'm going to be able to consider myself successful. Here I am, 2 weeks away from turning 26 and the only thing that I have is a F. (Again not looking for your sympathy) I haven't done anything that I am overtly proud of yet, I haven't landed my dream job, my dream husband, or my dream life; instead I happen to be finding myself right now just dreaming about what that life would look like. I'm dreaming about a life that I could not only say, "Just livin' the dream" but really mean it! I reflect back over my past decisions and I feel ashamed, cheated and mostly irresponsible for not taking my life by the reigns and running with all the wonderful opportunities that I was given. Luckily for me, and everyone out there thinking the same thing, it is never too late. We can reach behind us, grab hold of the reigns and take hold of our lives. We are the commanders of our own ships, and we direct the sails. So stop sitting idly by and wondering if the tide will ever change, grab hold and chase your dreams the way that you were intended to; with gusto.

"Plot your course, because only then can you start heading toward your destination." -- Justin Spizma & Robyn F. Spizma "Don't Give Up... Don't Ever Give Up ~ The Inspiration of Jimmy V"


"...Release the dead weight of what I hope will happen -- and fully embrace the possibilities of what is happening." -- Theresa

Today Is: What Would You Do If You Were Not Afraid? Day

“It wasn’t that I had not seen the truth. I had. But I’d failed to find the courage to act on it.” – Oriah “The Invitation”

“….my real dream was that one day I would write something that people would read.” – Kathryn Stockett “The Help”

What would you do if you were not afraid? WOW! I could feel the heat rise into my cheeks as if someone were roasting coals inside my soul. What would I do if I was not afraid I thought, before I could even give the question deep thought things just starting pouring out of my mouth.

—     Write a book

—     Quit my job to pursue a career I love

—     Open my heart knowing it could be broken

—     Get my masters

—     Pursue my dream of Camp Hope

—     Dream BIGger

—     Believe in myself and the talents that God has given me

—     Start my own business

—    Write for my job

—     Become a teacher
  Believe in myself and the possibility of accomplishing my dreams

—     Surf

—     Challenge myself daily to step out of my comfort zone
   Inspire others to dream BIG and to GIVE more

—     Give everything I have

I would love to say that I this question has given me the strength to begin on doing my list but fear still has a death grip on me. I believe that until I am willing to allow faith to take over and push my fears aside I will more often than not be finding myself holding back because I am afraid. I must remind myself… What has FEAR done for you lately? Hold nothing back and pursue your dreams. What would YOU do if you weren’t afraid? DO IT NOW! There is no better time than today to begin on doing the things you have always dreamed of doing. Don’t let a little four letter word stop you from becoming the person you were designed to be; be that person! 

“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” – unknown

“Act as if it were impossible to fail and it will be.” – unknown

Today Is: New Year's Resolution Day

“Organization is about recognizing what ‘enough’ looks like and feels like; about holding things loosely while learning deep appreciation for the comfort, convenience, beauty and functionality that objects offer. When I clutch, grab, or hold something too closely or tightly, instead of creating a feeling of safety and security, what grows is a sense of anxiety and fear – that the object will break, be lost or assert its importance in some other way.” – unknown

“It’s not too late… the angel said.

Even though the world’s a mess…

Even though you’re not as young…

Even though you’ve made mistakes and have been afraid

It’s not too late…

And then I saw the world through the angels eyes…

I saw the colors I could paint

The bridges I could build

The lives I could touch

The dreams that I could still come true.

And it becomes very clear to me…

That is not too late.”

                                – Ron Atchinson

Well it’s a new year and with each New Year comes a fresh new start, a new look, a new hope for a better year than the last and typically new year’s resolutions. I myself usually do not set a new year’s resolution, but it’s a new year. This year I didn’t contemplate creating a resolution; I didn’t sit and stir over what my new year’s resolution would be or even give thought to having one or not… I knew that this year, 2012, I was having a New Year’s resolution and was going to dedicate the year of 2012 to organization. I know that sounds pretty broad, and in reality pretty boring, but organization means much more than just ensuring that I have a calendar and my closets and drawers neat and tidy. This year my resolution to be more organized is not just about the way that my items are organized but more importantly my life. This is going to be a year of big occasions and hopefully even bigger dreams and I need to be fully ready for all that lies ahead. As part of my resolution to become more organized I plan to utilize my time better, improve my financial situation, figure out the next steps of my future and take action, write down my goals and my dreams, dream bigger than I did in 2011, and figure out who it is I want to be and what it is I want to leave in this world to make it a better place. My hope, obviously is that my resolution will help me become more organized, more focused, more determined, more dedicated and overall a better me than I was in years past. I believe that is what New Year’s resolutions were set out to do, to make you a better rate version of yourself than you have ever been. To help you change something in your life to make you the best that you can be. So this year, 2012, may you take a moment and really think about what it is that will make you the greatest YOU, YOU can be? Maybe your resolution is to get healthier, lose weight, save money, fall in love, or maybe you decided like I have in the past that New Year’s resolutions are a waste of time; whatever the case, may you allow this year to help you grow into a better person and may you find the gift in challenge and change. I hope that the year of 2012 brings you great joy, unimaginable love, exuberant laughter, a clean slate of health and the love of God to fill your heart. Happy New Year!!!

“Do you need to say ‘no’ to the good in your life, so the great has room to enter in?” – unknown

“Real courage is risking something that might force you to rethink your thoughts and suffer change and stretch consciousness.” – Tom Robbins “Another Roadside Attraction”

Today Is: Thanks Givin Day

“Thank God for you good friend of mine,

Seldom is friendship such as thine;

How very much I wish to be

As helpful as you’ve been to me.” -- Clark

“Every time I think of you – and I think of you often. I thank God for you…” – 1 Corinthians 1:4

On a day where giving thanks is traditionally what we do

I wanted all my friends and family to know, that this Thanksgiving I’m especially grateful for you!

You’ve showered me in your love and wrapped me up in your warm embrace

You’ve also shared with me in laughter you’re the reason for the wide grin that’s spread across my face

When I think about the love and the memories we’ve made in the time we’ve shared

I’m so grateful for the person that you’ve been in my life and for all the loving ways you’ve cared

We’ve shared in life with much love, a lot of laughter, and together in our hopes and fears
It matters not how long we’ve known each other for I am grateful for the days, weeks, months, and years

And may you know that no matter the distance that may separate us, our friendship will always remain

For a friend I believe becomes a friend forever because you’ve touched my heart therefore I’ll never be the same!

I thank God for all my friends the old and the new

Thank God for my family and for everything that God’s given me to do.

No blessing should go unnoticed and no gift unthankful for

With each year that passes I am blessed with a whole ‘nother year more.

The turkey is always wonderful and the sweet potatoes are good too

But the best part of Thanksgiving is that I get to be thankful for the wonderful people in my life like YOU!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

“I am learning to live close to the lives of my friends without ever seeing them. No miles of any measurement can separate your soul from mine.” – John Muir

“Friendship is something that raises us above humanity almost… it is the sort of love one can imagine between two angels.” – C.S. Lewis

Today Is: Edwards Thanksgiving Treat Day

“Thank God for dirty dishes, they have a tale to tell,

While other folks go hungry, we’re eating pretty well.

With home, and health, and happiness,

We shouldn’t want to fuss,

For by this stack of evidence, God’s very good to us.” – unknown

“To have joy one must share it.” – Lord Byron

“She handed him the list with instructions about what to buy

As he stood in the store staring at the list looking for the items he looked at the prices and asked himself… why?

I could get this for that and that for this

And soon what was in his cart was not anything like what was on his list.

Sometimes less is more he thought,

 No one will notice the least expensive turkey is the one that I bought.

He called his wife and began to complain,

“Your list is ridiculous, this foods way too expensive, this just isn’t sane.”

He crumpled up the list and stuffed it away,

Not thinking twice about the meaning of today.

So he only got what he thought they would need and soon he justified his actions,

This is food, he began to explain, it will feed.

Just as he was hanging up the phone,

He saw a young mother with a family of her own.

Although they only had a few things to their name,

You could tell by the smiles on their faces that they loved each other just the same.

He couldn’t help but notice that their cart was rather bare,

With only a can of corn, a box of instant potatoes and no turkey found anywhere in there.

As Edward gazed from a distance, frozen to his spot,

It was at that moment that Edward really learned a lot.

He pulled out the crumpled list that his wife had given him before.

And began to scurry around, going up each and every isle in the store.

What once would have barely fed four, now could feed that and so much more.

Edward walked up to the family and said with a grin,

‘You have inspired me and taught me the true meaning of Thanksgiving again.’

He asked them to come with him and as he rolled his cart up to the cashier

He leaned over the counter and quietly whispered something in her ear.

She began to ring up the groceries one by one,

And by the time the last item crossed the scanner, the damage was done.

But instead of thinking about the money he was about to spend,

Edward quietly gave thanks for being able to do something for someone, who just moments before he wouldn’t have considered a friend.

Edward’s kindness did not end with taking care of the young family’s fare,

He invited them to his family Thanksgiving dinner, to come eat and come share.

Seated around the table about to say grace,

Edward glanced over and saw a small tear fall from the young boy’s face.

‘This is the best Thanksgiving that we’ve ever had,

Life hasn’t been easy since we lost our dear dad.’

The young mother swiftly bowed her head to the ground

And began to pray quietly for the grace that she had warmly found.

‘Oh Father, what a blessing,

To be able to stuff ourselves with such delicatessens like turkey and dressing,

To sit around a table with family and friends,

Laughing and talking, carrying on like the night has no end.

It is times like these we must not forget that others aren’t as lucky as we,

With heads bowed we ask you to watch over and protect thee.

Let us be grateful for all that we were given,

But most importantly that you died on the cross so that we could keep on livin’.

Although we may never dine this well again,

My children and I will always be grateful for Edward, our wonderful new friend.

May we be thankful for all that we have each and every day

May you continue to remind us that your love comes in the small blessings you send our way.’

They said their amens, the turkey was carved and served onto their plates,

And for this young family who was expecting nothing more than canned corn and instant ‘tates,

They too understood the true meaning of giving thanks.

This Thanksgiving meant so much to them and it would go down forever as one of the best days in their memory banks.

Let us learn from Edward this holiday season

That holidays come about for a very special reason.

It is not about how much you have to spend,

No, holidays are about spending precious time with your loved ones, your family and friends.

It is not about the presents or the feast

But about our loved ones, the people that matter the most, but cost the very least.”

-- ACB

“Edward’s Thanksgiving Treat”

“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat;

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink;

I was a stranger and you invited me in.” – Matthew 25:35

“Gratitude… can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events.” – Melody Beattie

Today Is: When You're Weak I'll Make You Strong Day

“It often takes an experience of crippling weakness for us to finally discover it. That is why so many of the most God-blessed people limp as they dance for joy.” – Timothy Keller “Counterfeit Gods”

“When she gave her heart finally to the Lord, she got her life back.” – Timothy Keller “Counterfeit Gods”

“If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart.” – Oswald Chambers “My Utmost for His Highest”

Maybe that is why I have felt the tug so strong recently, as I am weak, in my weakest and shameless moments I feel the pull on my heartstrings and I hear the whispers louder than ever! “God chooses the weak things of the world to shame the strong, the foolish and despised things to shame the wise, even the things that are not, to bring to nothing the things that are.” – Corinthians 1:29-31 God brought me down to my knees, not to feel sorry for myself and look inside for courage, but instead to look up for guidance and comfort. To look to him to bring me through and to guide me on to the next journey, to use me to be all that he intended me to be. Almost four years ago now, God found me at my weakest moment, and with His great grace I collapsed to my knees and into His loving arms, four years ago I heard him whisper in my sorrow and I could feel the great tug on my heartstrings. I got a glimpse of what God had intended for my life and it was in my weakest and most painful moment that he gave me determined strength and unbelievable opportunities for my future. All he needed me to do was listen to his promise as he told me, “Come follow me!” Through our weak he makes us strong, and in our pain he brings purpose and meaning.

Remember when you are knocked down, God’s hand is already outstretched waiting for you to search out for him to pull you back up!

“We can’t know all the reasons our Father is allowing bad things to happen to us, but like Jesus, we can trust him in those difficult times… to follow the call of God when times seem at their darkest and most difficult.” – Timothy Keller “Counterfeit Gods”

“So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.” – 1 Peter 1:6

“I agonize and cry when the cross is working within me, but when it is over I look back in admiration for what God had accomplished.” – Francois Fenelon

Today Is: Dream Bigger Day

“You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.” – unknown

“God gave me talents as a gift to me. My gift to him is to use those talents to his glory.” – Lori Neal

Have you ever had a dream that you though to yourself this will be nothing more than just a dream? Have you ever thought about that dream so much that you literally started to dream about it at night? Have you ever shared that dream with someone and they looked at you with that look that says, “Only in your dreams!” Have you ever been afraid to share your dreams because what happens if that dream never comes true? What happens if you chase after that dream and you fail? Have you ever had a dream that you know is your dream for a reason? Have you ever wondered what could I do with my one precious life that would make a difference in this world? Have you ever dreamed so big that the dream didn’t even feel like it was your dream? Me too and this dream that I share with you below is all of that in one… This is the dream of CAMP HOPE.

Well this is it, you’re reading it first, and I’m declaring one of my ultimate dreams… To open up a camp for teens of all ages and backgrounds, races and religions, that teaches them about the essentials in life. I want to have a camp that provides teenagers with life lessons and shows them that there is more to life than what many of them may know. Like I said, the camp would be open to all teens, but my vision is teenagers of low income or just teenagers that need to see that there is a better life out there. That life is supposed to be enjoyed and filled with love. I hope to one day open a camp that teaches self confidence, self respect, volunteering and giving of ourselves, a camp that teaches about money, not the importance of astronomical amounts but the importance of how to save, taxes, etc… I want these children to learn about leadership, and commitment and standing up for what they believe in. I want them to learn from greats like Martin Luther King, Ghandi, Jackie Robinson, Oprah, Blake Mycoskie and many more. I want the camp to feature all types of different activities that will allow these teens to explore their own drive and purpose such as, photography, creative writing, sciences, sculpting, math, drawing/painting, exercise… I want this to be a place that teenagers come to not only learn about how to live their lives but how to give of their lives too. Each student would have a mentor and the mentors would be someone older than themselves, for the oldest students they would get members of the staff. The mentors would be with their mentees through their entire time in camp until their mentee graduated. It would be a glorified LINKS program. I would love to have the camp in association with multiple different organizations so that we could have an internship program for the students to be associated with. Students could volunteer as interns at organizations to determine if they wanted to pursue careers in the given fields before they committed to degrees in college. Each student of the camp would also be responsible for supporting a child financially from another country by performing chores around the campus. Each student would also be required to have “X” amount of community service hours at an organization of their choice. The schools principles would revolve around the meaning of giving and living a life of service along with joy, happiness, and love!

Camp Hope would be the start of “No Strings Attached” the sports program that would work with other high schools in their sports programs by helping to provide efficient sporting equipment and support for their sports teams. “No Strings Attached” would allow other high schools to attend practices with students at Camp Hope and would require that students from both Camp Hope and adjoining high schools attend each other’s games and events.

The first graduating class of Camp Hope will be in 2024, with all 118 students graduating and attending college.

For some of you as you read this you may think, ‘Oh that’s just a dream!’ Or maybe, ‘That’s impossible.’ And for some of you, you may read this and think that dream is so big that you cannot even fully grasp the concept right now. Believe me I understand, but I challenge those of you who doubt my dream or those of you who think that my dream is too BIG, to dream BIGger for yourself, no matter how impossible it may seem because if you want it bad enough you will find a way to make it happen. God turns “That’s impossible.” Into “It’s not only possible, it’s done!”

“If you are called, God will make a way. Either where you are or through a change of circumstances. Follow your lover, respond to his invitations. With him there is no stopping you.” – John & Stasi Eldridge “Captivating”

“Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.

“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. DON’T MAKE MONEY YOUR GOAL! Instead pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.” – Maya Angelou

Today Is: Coach Me Day

“It’s true, that once in a while God lays fantastic surprises on us.” – Sam Childers “Another Man’s War”

“Caring for those Jesus loves draws me closer to him.” – Kay Warran “Dangerous Surrender”

“Coach, today I saw this group of kids in the hall worshipping Satan!” I looked at her with confusion, she went on to tell me what she was interpreting as “worshipping” and then she said, “You know what I did to them?” My mind went immediately to, “Oh no! Please don’t tell me you punched one of them!” I was preparing to reprimand her for her disciplinary behavior but before I said anything I looked at her and her sweet eyes looked up at me as she said, “I prayed!” I’ve been reminded of that conversation all week as I have witnessed people, including myself, partaking in things that are not in the spirit of God. Although I’m the coach and I tend to think of myself as one of the people who has the opportunity to teach my players how to do things the right way, or the way that I think is the best way, I was the one who was learning on this day, she was coaching me on the power of prayer. Instead of placing ourselves above others, condemning them for their beliefs and actions, seeing ourselves and our actions above theirs, stand alongside them, show them love and compassion. Sometimes when you set out to teach others, it’s those you hope to teach, that end up teaching you the greatest lessons.

“To care means first of all to empty our own cup and to allow the other to come close to us. It means to take away the many barriers which prevent us from entering into communion with the other. When we dare to care, then we discover that nothing human is foreign to us, but that all the hatred and love, cruelty and compassion, fear and joy can be found in our own hearts…” – Henri Nouwen

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21