Monday, January 28, 2008

I believe in the greatness in each of us...

What is it about the indomitable human spirit? That thing deep within us that makes us stand when all we want to do is lay down. What keeps us walking when all we want to do is quit, keep fighting in the face of staggering odds? What is it that compels us to strive?...To reach?...To push beyond what we believe to be our very own reasonable limits?...To go beyond all reasonable doubt and catch hold of something amazing?...Something so full of passion and fire?...Of steel will and iron determination?...To get up off the canvas, blurry-eyed and dizzy, and fight on?...What is that thing that asks, "Just one more round"?

What is it that drives some of us to these maddening places? Where do we get this desire to define and then re-define our very own mortal limits?

I gotta wonder this because I believe we all have this "unfinished business" within us. I guess maybe some of us have it a little closer to the skin than others. Maybe for some of us its buried deep within. Maybe some of us just deny it and dismiss it...I don't know, maybe some people don't have it all.

But ya see, I gotta believe that we are all wired this way. I believe this instinct exists in order that we do not waste this wonderful opportunity we have all been given called life. I feel as if some of us (without this encoded desire) would supremely waste this life if not driven (inherently) to make the most of it. Make sense?

I don't know. Maybe I just wanna believe we are all capable of impossible things...maybe I just wanna believe that we all have this greatness in us...That thing that makes you stand up and clap at the end of a great movie: teary-eyed, heart pounding, hands shaking with utter emotion...passion...life

Just some thoughts...

Thanks for reading,
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael

JUST SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in
life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental. You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

"I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man- made calculator.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know
about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life."

Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.
"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, and I, knowing money isn't everything...I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant.... You want to know what I make?
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make Mr. CEO?"

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Ahh...The New year's Resolution

It would be cliche for me to write about a New Year's resolution wouldn't it......oh well. if you don't wanna read about'em, stop now:

1.) Become financially responsible:
I hate living check to check, going broke in the middle of the week and living off water and canned soup until the next payday. I am going to actually save money in a savings account. I also need to begin to invest money with a financial advisor (Steve Econ of Econ Financial)cuz I wanna start planning for retirement and college for my children (no, no major announcements regarding children). I guess I figure that I'm 31 years old and I don't save money. I would like to have a future someday (with some hot chick)and I'd like to be able to afford that future.

2.) Get down to 200 lbs by July 4th:
I should start by weighing myself (which I haven't, but I'm gonna guesstimate I'm somewhere between 210-220 lbs). I wanna train for a marathon again this year, and I'd like to be much lighter when my mileage begins to add up. I bought a Bowflex from my friend Richard and I've been using it at least twice a week. I need to get back to running and lifting at least 3 times a week. Most of my problem comes with my schedule (especially once baseball starts) so I just need to streamline it and take advantage of the little time I have. I also need to eat better.

3.) Get started on Grad School:
I've already started that one! I applied to Cabrini College's Off-campus Graduate Studies Program. Upon my acceptance, I'll be enrolled on their Masters of Education with Principal Certification. I'll be finished in 2 years. Classes Start January 10th.

4.) Find a hot chick and let the ol'lovedaddy charm work on her:
Did it! More on that in some other post, some other time

5.) Become freakin' awesome:
C'mon! As if you didn't know...been there, done that....old news...accomplished that many, many, many years ago.

Have a great start to the new year!
Be good!


Thanks for reading
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael