New York, New York...(and Josh Hamilton)

I don't know how many of you watched the All-Star game last week, but there was something for every sports fan. Every year, fans select their favorites from all of the teams. 64 players are chosen (32 from the American League, & 32 from the National League). And each year, the game is held at a different park than the previous year. Since there are now 30 teams, and one game a year, you can do the math. When it comes to your area, it is a rare thing indeed.

This year, the game was held at New York's Yankee Stadium. Yankee Stadium was built in 1923 to showcase the Yankees premier slugger at the time, Babe Ruth. This year, is the 86th and last season for Yankee Stadium. (They are building "New Yankee Stadium" as I write this, across the street from the original ballpark.)

The night before the All Star game, there is an annual event known as the Home Run Derby. 8 players are chosen from the aforementioned 64, and they have one goal: To hit as many home runs as they can. This year, Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers put on a show for the ages...(right click link below to open in new window)

All-Star Home Run Derby 2008

Now the reason this is in my blog in the first place is not to showcase the athleticism of Josh Hamilton. It is to recognize his accomplishments. Yes, he's been blessed with many physical gifts that enable him to make a living as a professional athlete.

But Josh Hamilton's biggest accomplishment happened off the field. Between 2002 and 2005, he was addicted to drugs. He abused his body. He lost his will to live. He was suspended by MLB for testing positive and eventually released. He was completely out of baseball for the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

So to come back from all that, to end up being the #1 story at baseball's grandest theater, you couldn't write a story any better.

And my two cents on this? NEVER give up. It may seem like things can't get any worse, (and sometimes get even worse) but ALWAYS get back up. And push forward. We were created for greatness, not failure. Like Babe Ruth. Like Josh Hamilton. We are no different. We were created to succeed, to hit "home runs" of our own...and to win.

Thought for the week (July 7th)

"If you were on a plane going the speed of sound and walked from the back of the plane to the front, would you be walking faster than the speed of sound?"



Discuss.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Yes, I just had another birthday. June 26th. They just seem to fly by now. As a kid, a birthday came about once every millennium, but now, about every few months. That has to be the reason for it...there's no way its been 42 whole YEARS since I first took a breath...

How could that be?

Let's see...I remember being a little kid...then moving when I was going into 4th grade. Going on to Jr. High. Going into high school. Graduating. Attempting college. Working multiple jobs. Getting married. Having a child.

But 42 years....OLD? Unbelievable. Where does all the time go?

Honestly though, I wouldn't change much. Sure, I'd like a nicer car, house, have a great bod etc, but I'm grateful for the life I have now.

"Where you are going is MUCH more important than where you've been."

I don't know if that's someone's quote, but it's what came to me today. Because that's how I feel. And I hope you do too. You can test that by asking yourself "don't you wish you knew THAT 10 years ago?"

Your answer should be "He_ll yes!" That will tell you that you are on the right track. That you are growing, seaching and discovering yourself more and more.

(Now if you say "it doesn't matter", I'd worry a bit.)

But nearly all of us are searching to improve ourselves. I think that's human nature. To be a better ME, whatever that means to each of us. And that's what's so enjoyable and facinating about us in general.

So, what path are you on? Are you working on a better you too? Let me know.

When Life Hands You Lemons...

Yes, it happens to all of us...even us bloggers:-) What would you have done in my shoes?

Mobile post sent by jeffbunnell using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

The Starfish Story....

This story is very famous; sometimes the old man is the boys grandfather, other times the main characters are mother and daughter. What matters most is that the message remains the same...


"Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"


Every day we all come in contact with people that we may never meet again. Did you make a difference in their life? You may have, with just a simple wink, a smile, or holding the door open for the mother with groceries in her arms. Big or small, we all have the power to make a difference.

Great Poem that I want to share...

I found this earlier today and really wanted to share it with everyone...

I Asked God...

I asked God to take away my pride.
God said "No. It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up."

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said. "No. Her spirit is whole,
her body is only temporary."

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said "No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is earned."

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said "No. I give you blessings,
happiness is up to you."

I asked God to spare my pain.
God said "No. Sufferings draw you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said "No. You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful."

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, "No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things."

I asked God to help me LOVE others,
as much as God loves me. God said....

" Ahhhhh............ Finally you have the idea!"