First Signs of Fall

Autumn colors are showing up all around.  Part of me doesn't want to let go of summer.  I really enjoy playing tennis outdoors but it's time to move inside.  I'm heading home to enjoy three days with my wife for the Labor Day weekend as soon as I finish my to do list at my day job today.  I'll share some pictures once I get back to my laptop.  Have a great day.

Consistency

I got together with my tennis teammates last night for our last outdoor practice of the year.  Next week we move indoors to prevent challenges with the weather.  For me, consistency is important.  No matter how busy my life gets, there are certain routines I follow daily to maximize my life.  It's all about the food choices, exercise choices and the daily routine.  Proper sleep is one of the most ingredients in the recipe.  I wake up at the same time every morning in order to maintain a certain body rhythm.


Consider what new daily habits you can form that will help you improve the quality of your life.  Once you find what works, stick to it.  The more consistent you are, the better the results.  Have a great day.

Wilson Gets a New Accessory Today

Wilson is excited to join the network of supporters with his new accessory today.  The package will be delivered today containing two pink headbands.  These headbands symbolize our support for loved ones fighting cancer.  Photos coming soon.  Have a great day.

Day Job Family Expands Rapidly

I'm on day 2 of week 2 today in Davenport.  The greatest joy is welcoming new family members.  That's what these amazing people are, family.  Speaking of family, I can't wait for one of my sisters to visit soon.  Like me, she loves tennis.  She happens to be one of the few family members who allows pics.  I have a feeling she will give permission to post a pic here when she visits.  We both have a mutual friend who is undergoing a major battle with breast cancer and we're going to do our best to offer support on and off the courts.  My sidekick, Wilson, will be a part of our support team.  Watch for the pink headbands when we're on the court.  I'm headed off to spend the day with my day job family.  Have a great day.

Pink Headbands on Order

More prayers are needed.  Support is appreciated.  One of my sisters called yesterday to break the news before I saw it on FB.  A mutual friend has been diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer.  The news is especially shocking because this anonymous friend is one of the healthiest people I know.  She plays tennis and my sister is a sub for her on her tennis team.  When the family is ready to release her name publicly, I'll add it for you so you know who you're praying for.

Two pink headbands are on order.   One will be for me and the other for my sister.  When I'm not wearing mine, Wilson will be sporting it during our travels.  I'm a big believer in prayer and I really appreciate you being a part of this.  I'm on my way back to Davenport for the week and will keep you updated as I learn more about what's ahead this week.  Have a great day.

Level 10 Gratitude

It's really easy to forget or take for granted all the blessings we have in our lives.  I was reminded of that yesterday when I attended a funeral for my beloved teammate, Dr. Fred Dietz.  Fred's oldest son spoke of the feeling he had of being robbed when he lost his dad at the age of 67.  Fred had that same feeling when his own brother and dad were taken from this world too soon.  How was Fred's grandson going to carry on without Grandpa?  Fred's oldest son felt lost as a parent of a young son.  Then it hit him.  All those years spent with his dad were times of preparation.  Fred taught his family how to love.  The stories will continue.  Fred's children will carry on the family traditions with their children.

A quartet of trombones played "When the Saints Go Marching In" at the end of the service in a farewell salute to Fred, an avid trombone enthusiast.  Fred's wife, Meg, exited first, followed by their adult children.  The family formed a reception line for the guests who comforted the family.  "We're serving Manhattans at the bar," Meg said after I shared with her and her sons about how Fred's team is dedicating all our matches to him and plan to all drink Manhattans in his honor when we're finished with the season.

"I'm going to wait until our season is over before I drink my first Manhattan," I replied with my teammates standing behind me.  We know how tough it will be to fill his shoes.  Fred taught all of us how to live life to it's fullest and he continued to play tennis until the very end.  We will play on without him but his spirit will always be with us.  Friends like Fred are why I'm at a level 10 gratitude.  Have a great day and don't forget to count your blessings.

Saying Good-bye to a Teammate Today

 Dr. Frederick Dietz

I'm home for the weekend.  This is my base camp.  When the air gets thin on my travels, it's refreshing to return to my family and catch my breath.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to say good-bye to my teammate from our men's 55+ team today.  Funerals are never easy but I believe family members need to know we care.  Dr. Fred Dietz is one of those special people who made a difference in this world.  He chose to keep his illness private and I respect that.  Fred preferred to live life to it's fullest all the way to the very end.  Pancreatic cancer didn't beat him on the courts. He simply let go after completing his final set.  I didn't even know he was sick.  That's classic Fred.  Old school.  He asked that everyone have a Manhattan in his memory.  I'll save mine for the end of our season.  Win or lose, this year is dedicated to Dr. Fred Dietz.  Tough shoes to fill.  Good-bye, my friend.  Enjoy the air where you are and save a court for me.  I'll join you when my work here is done.  May God bless your friends, teammates and family.

First Week of Team Building a Success

I'm returning home today to spend the weekend with my wife.  This is as good as it gets.  Our day jobs often involve different days off and I'm getting some great quality weekend time with my family for the next four weeks.  Wilson hasn't left my side during my adventures in Davenport and we're making new friends.  It's amazing how my day job friends from across the country can come together in a short period of time and build a new team from the ground up.  Our main focus is making sure our new team understands our culture.  We call ourselves the welcoming committee.  The best words I'm going to hear tonight are "welcome home."  Have a great day.

The Fun Continues

These are full days.  My teammates invited me to practice with them last night in Iowa City.  Our new season is about to begin and they want to be ready.  The weather was amazing.  My body needed a strong workout and these guys pushed me to my limit last night.  Now it's time to get back to my new teammates and push hard at my day job.  I definitely feel like I'm in my element.  I'll share more later.  Have a great day.

Fun Day Ahead

The new team is ready to go out into the world today.  I got an opportunity to meet with them and share my story about how I felt when I started my day job six years ago.  Now it's their turn.  Those of us who are here from around the country are in a supporting role.  We're helping them get acclimated to our culture.  I'm really happy to be here.  This opportunity is a blessing.  I'll share more later.  Have a great day.

Getting Settled

I'm on a four week assignment at my day job.  I left my laptop behind in order to travel light.  The good news is my hotel has a business center and I have access to a computer to keep in touch here on this blog.  Our temporary office where I'm working has a view to the Mississippi river.  There's nothing like being connected to nature.  I'll share more tomorrow.  It's time to get to work.  Have a great day.

Hello, Davenport

Today is the day.  I'm joining teammates from across the country to help open a new location alongside the Mississippi River.  I'll be away for the next four weeks on special assignment.  Although I'm not authorized to share about my day job for confidentiality reasons, I will be sharing about the personal side of this exciting opportunity.  These stories will continue as usual.

My wife smiled at me when she saw the gleam in my eyes this morning.  "This is the moment you've been waiting for," she said.  I nodded in agreement.  This is personal.  It's time for me to give back.  I'm out the door in ten minutes.  Wilson is in my backpack.  I deflated him so he could fit.  I know he'll be pumped up when he sees his old friend from the welcoming committee.  Have a great day.

Exciting Chapter Ahead

My day job folks asked me to help open a new location in our state and I'm on my way tomorrow morning to help out.  The favorite part of my job is team building.  I'm thankful for the opportunity and look forward to making new friends.  These messages will continue and I'll share as much as I can about my personal experiences.  My wife and I are busy planning weekend getaways since our schedules will be better aligned while I'm on assignment.    The challenge is combining my love of camping with my wife's love of comfort.  There are some really neat solutions for those willing to be flexible.  Life is an adventure.  I'm looking forward to an exciting chapter ahead.  Have a great day.

One Small Positive Thought

There are 1.440 minutes in a day.  The number of thoughts you have is even greater than that.  The challenge is to remain positive no matter what you encounter.  Those first thoughts when you wake up are perhaps the most important because they set the tone for the rest of the day.  One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.  I'm sharing mine with you today...

God has exciting plans for me today and I can't wait to get started.

Have a great day.

Are You Ready to Let Go?

Have you ever considered that holding on to something or someone may actually be holding you back?  Your own destiny may remain in the fog until you're willing to give "letting go" a try.  If you break your life down into two categories that motivate you, you end up with hope for gain and fear of loss.  Fear of loss (or fear of letting go) is the strongest between the two and it can cripple you.

Scary things will probably happen once you let go.  I was hiking and camping with my daughter in the Cascades a couple of weeks ago and we encountered a bear in front of us on our trail.  He stood up on his hind legs about twenty yards in front of us, strained his head forward and raised his ears.  The three of us were frozen like statues.  The bear blinked.  He was gone before we could snap a picture.  This experience never would have happened if I allowed fear of bears or other wildlife hold me back.  I let go of fear long ago.  Fear was my anchor in my boat.  Hope is my sail.  I'm glad I cast my anchor into the sea and never looked back.

Let go of something or someone today.  Raise the sails and hope for gain.  Have a great day.

Tribute to a Teammate

Our men's 55+ tennis  team lost a good man.  Dr. Fred Dietz passed away on Sunday, August 12.  He will be missed greatly.  We didn't know he was sick.  When others would ask about his weight loss, he attributed it to diet rather than share about his pancreatic cancer.  It's a tough loss.  Fred helped us in our battle to win our league and advance to regional competition.  We narrowly missed advancing when we finished in a three-way tie for first place but got beat out by the tie-breaker rules.  It's knowing people like Fred and spending time with them on drives together to away matches that make tennis so much more than a game.  His obituary is a genuine reflection of the man we will all remember.  If you have a moment, please click on the link below for his final words which were perhaps self-penned and catch a glimpse of our beloved teammate.  Good-bye, my friend.  I'm dedicating next season to you.  God bless you and your family.  Thanks for the great memories and for all your earthly contributions.

 https://www.legacy.com/link.asp?i=ls000189917026

How to Develop a Cozy Relationship with Your Credit Card Company

When it comes to debt, there's no greater voice than Dave Ramsey, a gentleman I respect greatly.  My wife checked out his book from the library when we relocated to the Midwest two and a half years ago.  We followed his plan step by step until our debts were eliminated with the exception of our mortgage.  We're on the fast track to pay it off and finally be debt free.  After much serious discussion, my wife and I made a deal about the one remaining credit card we still have.  Our promise to each other is to use it only when the funds are already in our checking account and to make sure the balance is paid in full every month.  We agreed to cut up the card should we ever pay interest on the card.

Some day our credit card company may want to break up with us.  It's not because we're late with our payments.  In fact, it's the opposite.  We're getting quite cozy using our rewards card to earn money every time we charge while saving on fees like car rental insurance that is covered when we use our card.

Any time I meet a Dave Ramsey follower, I share my story about how I can make a credit card payment whenever I want and that my wife and I pretend our credit card is actually a debit card.  The difference is in the rewards.  It all comes down to discipline.  A cozy credit card relationship isn't for everyone.  It works for my family and we take an extra vacation every year thanks to the annual rewards check we receive.  Before you make any changes to your financial plans, I do recommend you get out of debt as fast as you can.  Have a great day.

Caveman Update

The lab rats are running amok.  Those who are following the "Caveman Food Program" are healthy and happy but some prefer to be off the grid with their results for privacy reasons.  The "others" are experiencing some challenges.  It's been a roller coaster ride.  Eat like a caveman and life is good.  Succumb to processed food temptations and they have negative consequences.  My writing about the details is in a holding pattern while I attempt to make sense of what's going on with my volunteers.  This is real life.  The road blocks are overwhelming.  I'm really thankful for all the volunteers who are giving this experiment a try.  Stay tuned.  I'm not giving up.  Have a great day.

Day Job Fun

My bosses at my day job prefer anonymity when it comes to social media so I don't share much here on my blog but I do want to let my friends and family know I've been asked to help out with a new store opening in our state in late October.  Next Monday I will be joining teammates from all over the Midwest to help get our new location opened.  These people are considered the best in the business and I feel blessed to be a part of the journey.  Once the dust settles, I will return to my regular location in November.  These stories will continue while I'm on the road and I will be home on weekends to see my wife and keep in touch with my tennis teammates.

One of the most important lessons I learned at my day job is to be yourself and have fun.  I'm bringing Wilson with me.  He may be inanimate but he makes people smile.  I'm hoping one of my teammates captures a shot with me, Wilson and all my new friends.  This will be the picture I share for those who follow me here.  If I ever get approved to be an authorized speaker at my day job, I promise to give you greater access to this part of my life.  Thank you for keeping in touch.  Have a great day.

Awestruck

Imagine you're stranded somewhere in the wilderness and one of your buddies leaves you to go climb a mountain.  You feel lost and helpless and now your friend is off on some kind of mission to find God.  Then, he comes back.  The look in his eyes reveals something that raises every hair on your body.  You know deep down inside that your friend accomplished what he sought after.  Your friend encountered God.  Awestruck is the closest word you can find to describe the look on his face.

You don't need to be named Moses to encounter what he encountered when he went looking for God on the mountaintop.  You can experience this feeling right now.  God is seeking you.  It's no coincidence you're reading this story.  You may be feeling that calling inside to have your own mountaintop experience.  My advice is to get moving.  If your hair goes grey or even white, don't worry.  God's "lightning strikes" may have an affect on your outward appearance.  That "spark" you feel in your soul will propel you to new heights.  You will have this desire to keep climbing no matter how challenging the circumstances you may find yourself experiencing.  Yes, I'm awestruck.  I will keep writing about these experiences until my last day with you.  Follow the bread crumbs.  Savor the beauty around you.  There is no greater feeling in the world than to be awestruck.  Have a great day.

The First Step Towards Changing the World

Changing the world may seem impossible to the untrained eye.  I know exactly where to look – in the mirror.  This is the first step.  Accomplish this and you're on your way to making an impact in the world around you.  It may take a while.  The more rigid and stubborn you are, the longer you're going to be on step one.

I know something about change.  It's impossible to get others to change unless they want to.  If you like what you see in the mirror, all you need to do is keep doing what you're doing and others will follow you because they like what they see and they want results like yours.  If you find others don't want to follow, it's probably because they believe their way is better.  Improvement is the name of the game.

The man in my mirror needs a lot of work.  I'm going to keep sharing updates here.  Thank you for being patient with me.  Have a great day.

Find the Better Way

Are you interested in improving your life?  It's really simple.  Make it a habit to ask yourself, "is this the best way to do what I'm doing?"  Do this for everything you're doing at the moment.  When you see a better way, go for it.  Adopt it as a new way of life until you see an even better solution.  These small changes add up to more a efficient lifestyle.  Ignore those who scold you when they say, "this is the way we always do this."  They aren't interested in self improvement.  They will still be in rut long after you've achieved your goals and lived your dreams.  Have a great day.

Soar Like an Eagle

One of my teammates asked me what I ate for breakfast during our warmups last night at tennis practice.  "Not much," I replied.  I rarely get tired on the tennis courts.  There are several things I do to help me soar like an eagle.   My food "program" is rather simple – fruits, veggies, nuts, beans, seeds, water, wine and small amounts of dark chocolate for dessert.  I refrain from eating processed foods.  My preferred method of travel is walking.  The more I walk, the better I feel.  I'm on my feet 8 hours a day at my day job.  Sitting is an invitation to a life of lethargy and I avoid it as much as possible.  Adequate amounts of sleep is a must.  Rarely do I sleep less than 8 hours.  If you practice all of these suggestions on a daily basis, you will feel like you found the fountain of youth.

Your attitude determines just how high you will fly.  Hope is your most valuable asset.  If you find yourself struggling in this area of your life, I recommend you spend some time reading Isaiah in the Bible.  You got a glimpse of this prophet in the verse above from Isaiah 40:31...those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Are you ready for takeoff?  Go climb a mountain.  Have a great day.

Sharing About My Sidekick, Wilson

If my sidekick could speak, he would have an extraordinary story to share about his life.  I know he's inanimate and most people don't understand the relationship we have.  Before I delve into the details, I want to dedicate this message to all the outcasts and misfits who may feel like they don't belong in this world.  There have been many times in my life when I felt the same way.  Perhaps that's why Wilson bounced out of a moving van in the parking lot at my day job and dribbled into my life as an abandoned orphan.  A stranger brought Wilson inside and turned him in to lost and found where he was confined unclaimed for several weeks until my general manager asked that he be trashed.  Wilson's bloody handprint made my boss uncomfortable.  Uncomfortable is my specialty.  I'm always striving to push the boundaries of my comfort zone.   Perhaps Wilson sensed I needed a companion who would be go the distance.  My family appreciates Wilson's willingness to be a stand-in for photo shoots during my travels.  Yes, I do have a family.  No, you won't see their pictures here unless they give permission.  That's why Wilson is so valuable.  I have a story to tell and he helps me along the way.

Today is 808.  It's like a foundation for me and my stories have their roots in this number.  There's something Supernatural at work here and I can't really explain how it works.  All I can say is that when I let go of all things I thought were important in my old life, miraculous things started occurring, such as Wilson appearing out of nowhere.  Wilson is like the Holy Spirit.  And Jesus is the cornerstone.  Jesus makes all things new.  My own life is an example of what happens when you trust Jesus.  Everything that is happening I owe to the one I follow.  I'm happy my sidekick is with me.  Thank you for allowing me to share my life with you.  There's a certain vulnerability about sharing my life with you in this manner but I'm willing to do it in order for us to have a connection.  If you like these stories, please feel free to come back at any time.  I will do my best to here every day at 8:08 AM, Pacific Time, along with my sidekick to share a tidbit or two.  Have a great day.

Heading Home

This chapter is in the books.  I'm thankful the pages were filled with so many brilliant colors never before seen.  My color palette has been expanded.

It's time to go home now.  This adventure may be over but there are new chapters still to be written.  I'm thankful for the new friends.  See you soon in the next chapter.  Have a great day.

The Adventure Continues

Fear cripples.  Most people choose the "safe" option because of the risk involved.  I believe safe is more risky.  Safe is not in my vocabulary.  Adventure is what drives my choices.  Adventure woke me up at 2:30 in the morning and called my name.  I knew there was no way I could go back to sleep so I showered, packed my travel bag and checked out.  The roads in Calgary were nearly empty on the two hour drive even though it was a Holiday weekend in Canada.  I arrived at Lake Louise before sunrise. There were a handful of photographers setting up for perfect morning shot.  I took some shots of my travel buddy, Wilson, and hiked around the lake.  On the way back I heard people speaking in many languages.  One familiar word could be heard over and over.  "Wilson," they shouted with huge smiles on their faces, forgetting their fears about the bears in the area. 

The parking lot was completely full when I returned to my car and there was a waiting line to get in.  I was happy I answered the call to adventure.  Never again will I allow fear cripple my choices.  Have a great day.

Celebrating Life Today

Today is my 6 month anniversary since my auto accident.  I'm 100% healed and feeling better than ever.  I promised myself I would be thankful for every day of my life since my icy off-road adventure that ended with seven broken ribs and some other scary injuries.  This is "bonus time."  I'm in the mountains in Banff and it doesn't get much better than this.  There is much to celebrate.  Pictures are coming.  Have a great day.

Oh Canada

The journey here was worth every minute of delay.  I'm in Calgary for some hiking/backpacking/camping and plan to visit one of the most scenic places in North America for some adventure in the wilderness.  I'm taking this opportunity to use the hotel computer for today's update.  I know my loved ones are nervous about the bears and other wildlife so these posts are to let them know I'm alive and well.


I promise to post some pictures when I return home.  This is an adventure of a lifetime.  I highly recommend you spend some time with Nature.  It's good for the soul.  Have a great day.

My Blog Has a Safety Net

It's not a lunar landing but the place where I am today is definitely unfamiliar territory.  I wrote this story in advance before I started my journey just in case there's no internet connection to the outside world.  Yes, my blog has a safety net, perhaps my only one on this adventure.  I'm able to set up stories in advance and program them to be released on schedule at 8:08 AM Pacific Time while I'm away.  This is because I place a high value on the connection we have.

There are some blank pages to fill.  I promise to share more with you as I go.  Have a great day.

The Unknown Path

Today I'm walking the walk.  The path is unknown to me.  It begins with a flight that may or may not end up outside the boundaries of my country.  Standby travel is becoming my new approach to discovery.  This is my ultimate test.  I'm traveling light today.  The goal is to learn what I'm capable of.  I promise to share whatever I learn.  Stay tuned.  Have a great day.

I Caught the Travel Bug

Despite years of nearly perfect attendance in grade school, high school, college and work, I caught a severe case of the travel bug.  It's highly contagious.  You can catch it simply by reading some of these stories.  I think I got it from my cousins in Kino Bay or on family vacations to San Diego when I was a kid.  I tried to "cure" the travel bug by pushing really hard at my day jobs but it hit my family really hared this year and I don't think I'm gonna find a cure.  My family doctor says drink plenty of fluids, get lots of rest and try visiting climate zones where there's abundant sunshine.  Who am I do argue with an M.D.?

The challenging part about following the prescription is posting these daily stories as promised while I'm too far away from an internet connection.  If you don't hear back from me right away, don't worry.  I may schedule messages to appear automatically while I'm gone and then respond to you when I'm back.  Have a great day.