One World – Why I Love the Olympics

You see it in stores, in houses, in coffee shops and restaurants. It’s on billboards, webpages, tablets, and smartphones. It’s on the minds and lips of everyone: The Olympics. Every 4 years the world comes together to showcase the best physical specimens they have to offer. People invest time, effort and energy into watching their favorites compete, with hopes of being able to identify with their efforts for Olympic Gold.

As an athlete, I have a definite love for the games. I get hyped with every race, feel the adrenaline pumping through my body as the athletes near the finish, and understand the emotion of both victory and defeat. There is something life-giving about watching the Olympics. The Olympics show that it is OK to have dreams and pursue them, for it is at the Olympics that many dreams come true.

There’s another reason I love the Olympics though, and it has nothing to do with the athletes. It is what you see when you look in the stadiums and stages: nations, races, colors, beliefs all converging, participating together as one group of individuals. They are not battling over oil or money. No one is exploiting another for profit. There are no wars, no prisoners, no casualties. Only healthy competition, winners and challengers and the potential to come back again in 4 years and do it all over again. Whatever hatreds and prejudices there may be, they are left at the door of the stadium. The Olympics becomes the big equalizer. It takes the best of the best to show that we are all just (and marvelously so) human.

When I was in high school, at the start of every track meet, our team would get together and pray for both teams. We never prayed to win, which shocked a bunch of people. We weren’t concerned with what side of town the other team was from, what the ethnic or religious mix of the competition was or the right or wrong family structure each participant came from. We prayed that each athlete would perform to the best of their ability, that they would be able to walk away from the competition better than they were before. Rivalries were only for the sake of the competition. Outside of that, we were all the same: friends and acquaintances who loved the same sport and same race, and sought to challenge each other. Winning only proved that we won that race. It didn’t make me a better Christian, a more blessed person, a superior race or nationality. Just that on that day, I outperformed someone else. The next day it might be my friend’s turn, but the more we raced, the closer we became.

I wonder, what would happen if instead of prizes of gold, silver and bronze, we came together to look at world hunger, or child exploitation, or hatred and prejudice. If we challenged each other to love more and give more. If the “one world” of the Olympics really became the norm. It’s a dream, and I think it is a good one. It is a dream that the Olympics can help inspire us to make a reality, for the Olympics is a place where dreams come true.

Notable Notables

These are just  some of the people whose world view continues to inspire me in my one world dream:

J. Clement Wall – writer extraordinaire, J stepped into something that started as a thought, turned into a dream, and blossomed into a movement. You can find out about the Love movement that has touched so many around the world at http://www.ahumanthing.net.

Gina “SuuperG” Stark - Gina has the privilege of exposing the rest of us to the world, as she travels from country to country, making friends, learning culture, and sampling some wonderful food. Mark Twain said “ travel is fatal to prejudice bigotry and narrow-mindedness “, and Gina is carrying on that tradition. Share Gina’s adventures and travels at http://gitanablog.com.

Evan Sanders - I have come to love Evan’s blog. His premise is simple: “The world needs better men. This blog is simply my journey to becoming a better man every day and the lessons I learn along the way.” It is hard to argue with such a statement. I would encourage you to check out http://thebettermanprojects.wordpress.com.

Where does the time go?…

I was going through my posts last night as I was doing some cleanup and organizing on Kid Stuph. It was good for a number of reasons. First, it gave me the opportunity to see where I have been, what my mental and emotional state was like, and how my blogging has (ahem) improved. More than that though, it gave me opportunity to look at what I set out to do a year ago, and not lament the fact that I haven’t achieved all of my goals (trust me, that is a vast improvement).

See, as I was going through the posts, I came across my birthday post from last year. In it, I was pretty optimistic that the coming year would be great for me. I “had a feeling”, and it was a good one. Looking back over the past year, I probably should have taken that post and glued it to my eyelids, as there were parts of the year that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Then again, looking at it in retrospect, I can’t say that I would be where I am now if I hadn’t gone through some of those difficult times. Do I welcome the hard times? Heck no, but I can appreciate, with Joseph, how God can turn even the worst situations into something beneficial.

So, another year has passed, and I will be adding another number to my age at 6:23 tomorrow morning. More than a number, I want to add something of significance to the coming year. I don’t have to save the world, or hit the lottery or anything like that (although, if anyone has any tips, I’m open :-) ).  I do have my goal of finishing my novel before the calendar year is out, and I took a significant step to map out weekly goals to get me there (this is good for me) and actually put it on my calendar, with reminders and all. The novel, however, is my thing. What I really want to do is make a difference in the lives of people around me. I have been blessed to be able to do that, but I think I want to be more intentional about it. Spending more time with people, making myself available, using my gifts for the benefit of others.

I love having people around me who are doing just that: Hannah Katy and Estrella Azul making the world a better place through love letters. J Clement Wall challenging us to love fiercely through her love project. My daughter Imani Tahira, telling the stories of the hurting, lonely and disenfranchised through dance. The list goes on.

My hope is that this time next year, I will be different. Better. Not better because I have done something to improve myself, but better because I have taken every opportunity to make others better.

Here’s to another year. It will both go slow and fast, but regardless of where it goes, it will be important what I, and we, leave along the path.

Notable Notables

If you want to find a simple way to lift the spirits of people around you, write a love letter. Hannah Katy gives you everything you need to participate: http://www.moreloveletters.com/

Estrella took the love letter idea and decided to touch people that aren’t even expecting it: http://estrella05azul.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/love-lettering-my-world-a-summer-of-love-letters/

J. Clement Wall started a movement, just asking people to be willing to love. Imagine the possibilities: http://www.ahumanthing.net/

Imani Tahira and Tahira the Pure Dance Theatre have become the voice of the voiceless through dance: http://tahirapdt.wordpress.com/

Man Projects…

There is a running joke that men can’t follow directions… no, that’s not really it… Not can’t but won’t. The bad thing is when men are faced with a task that is generally associated as a “man project”, the directions actually promote the stereotype. An intricate task with minimal information. A few pictures, as if that were all that we needed, because Lord knows we aren’t going to spend our time actually reading anything.

I took on the challenge of replacing my stereo in my car. I’ve done it before, so I knew it was not an insurmountable task. I prepared myself, checked out videos, researched forums, and made sure that I would be successful. I even looked at the directions beforehand to make sure there were directions… last thing I wanted to end up with was a hole in my console.

Now, I admit, I didn’t have to look at much in pulling the stereo out (no, I’m not being a stereotypical man… the videos I watched multiple times helped ). However, it does seem to be much easier to dismantle something than it does to build. That’s probably true in so many areas of life… love, relationships, goals… whatever they are, break easier than they fix, and end much more simply than they continue. Percentage-wise, I probably spent 20% of my time dismantling the original stereo, and 80% putting in the new one.

I was feeling pretty confident. Probably too confident. Holding on to the success I have had in the past, I figured it would be a cake walk. Still, I kept the directions, what little there were, close.

Wires… so many wires… taking the console off was easy. Even removing the actual stereo unit came out without incident. Dealing with the wires, however, that was another story. If there was anything that the directions focused on, thank God, it was the wires. The problem was that on one connector, there were too many wires, and on another, there weren’t enough, and the directions only spoke of some, not all of the wires… what was I to do now? Roll the dice? Trust that the extra hanging wires were really not needed? Well, I had no choice… I could only continue to follow the directions in front of me, and hope for the best.

The new unit went in ok, or so I thought. Another problem arose, because the apparatus to hold the actual stereo had more pieces than I needed, and, you guessed it, no instructions on how to handle all the pieces. This was a serious man project challenge. I would love to say I got it right the first time, but it took a few (ok, a lot) attempts to figure out what I didn’t need. That’s ok, right? I have nothing better to do on a Saturday afternoon than to try and try again to get something to work…

Finally, I got it all in, secured, and after a big scare because of a small blown fuse, it is now working. Took much longer than I planned, but it was worth it. Yeah, sure I could have taken it to some professional to put it in, but I wouldn’t have had the joy of figuring out the mystery of  man project directions . I’m not always as good with my hands, say, as my son the repair tech, but every now and then it’s fun doing a stereotypically (no pun intended) “man project”

Notable Notables

One thing I learned growing up with a strong mother, is that there really is nothing men can do that women can’t. For proof, check out Estrella Azul, who is awesome at creating, fixing, and generally all things with her hands (not to mention being a great writer!)

http://estrella05azul.wordpress.com/

Dancing Redefined…

Today I had the opportunity to watch Tahira The Pure | Dance Theatre prepare for their upcoming show. I have loved dance as long as I can remember, and whether I am dancing or watching, I get excited to see the creative process expressed through dance. Truthfully, I love the creative process in everything, but I find that each expression of creation carries with it a uniqueness that needs to be celebrated. Even in dance, there are different expressions, different ways of telling one’s story, different ways of showing what is in one’s heart. As I was speaking to one of the dancers, the one in the photo, he summarized some of what he saw in the creative process this way: “movement is movement”. Now, he wasn’t reducing all dance to the simplicity of moving, but in the context of our conversation, he was setting dance free. Dance is not just synchronized movements and actions, but it is a free expression from each dancer – even in the synchronicity, there are subtle differences that each dancer brings to the piece that causes the dance to come to life.

I find the choreography expressed in PDT (the short name for Tahira The Pure | Dance Theatre) amazing, and not just because I am the proud father of the founder. The freedom of dance means that it doesn’t have to exist in 4/4 time, or in “feet on a stage”, or in signature moves that define a choreographer. Dance itself gets redefined, so it occures while sitting on a chair, or in warehouse rafters, or wherever movement can occur. Even stillness purposefully becomes part of the dance, like pregnant pauses in speech, or the turning point in a screenplay. The choreography takes on a life of its own, and each dancer is challenged to become one, not just with the specific movements, but with the whole – to feel the rhythms, the story, the heart of the dance, and to express that in their own way through various parts of the whole.

I have heard that many film directors, in working with the best of the best in the industry, do not give actors full scripts, but concepts. “Here’s the scene, here is where we need to get to. I want you to develop the character, and work out the scene to that end”. Much of that acting, then is not just improv, but creative, drawn from the depths of the actors  themselves. It is acting, redefined. PDT in some respects does the same with its dancers. “Here is the story, the heart and heartbeat, the focus of where we are going and where we will end up. I want you to feel what this means for you, and express this through your movement.” Dance, redefined.

As PDT polishes the final spots in their performance, there is such excitement and expectation over both what will occur on stage, and what will happen in the hearts of the audience. I can only agree with this, having had a preview of what the show will be.

Tahire The Pure | Dance Theatre in conjunction with Jnd Relations present Chapters From a Fluid Thought, Saturday October 22 at Santa Clara University. Tickets are available at http://mproductioncompany.com/tahirathe_pure_dance_theatre

Notable Notables:

Tahira The Pure |Dance Theatre: http://www.facebook.com/#!/TahiraPDT

Jnd Relations: http://www.facebook.com/#!/jnd.relations

M Production Company: www.mproductioncompany.com

Vegas, the land of dreams

I finally has a brief spot of downtime waiting for the shuttle to whisk me away from the Red Rock resort in Las Vegas to the airport. While I continued to knock out some emails, I decided to do one of my favorite things: people-watch. I looked at people at the slot machines, focused on the possibility, dare I say, the near reality of striking it big. Big money signs were everywhere, even promises of no lose games. It was intriguing, to say the least. I considered dropping some coin, and even thinking about it gave me a rush… What would I do with my winnings? I decided against it, but who knows… I just might try next time.

Then I looked up and saw a young bride taking wedding pictures with her bridesmaids. I thought about all those that go to Vegas to get married, with just about any theme you could ask for. I wondered if the bride was from Vegas, or if she had come to Vegas to make the wedding even more special (then I wondered where people who live in Vegas go to elope, but that’s only cuz I had too much time on my hands ).

What is so special about this place that makes people brave the 110 degree heat (in the shade) and roller coaster airplane landings (ok, maybe that’s just me… I hate turbulence)? Is it the geographical location, the majestic beauty of the mountains, the perfect weather? Maybe it’s none of the above. Sometimes the attraction to a place or thing has nothing to do with the actual place or thing itself, but more what that thing represents.

Last night, my company had a private affair at a popular nightspot. We had the place all to ourselves, until the place was set to open to the public. As we were leaving we saw “the line” –  dozens, if not hundreds of would be party-ers, waiting to get in to a potentially crowded (yes, it did get very crowded) place, to stand around, drink a little…. all the way to Vegas to do that? I can do that anywhere, right?

Ah, but that’s where the real magic comes in. They weren’t standing in line, waiting to pay their money just to stand around. They were going to be a part of something. To be seen. To experience “the place”. They wanted to be able to come back home and talk about “where they were” and “who they saw”. They were fulfilling a dream.

The bride, the gambler, the clubber, all of them had one thing in common. To go to Vegas to fulfill a dream. Romance, riches, or revelry, they all counted the cost of the heat, the travel, the time as worth it for their particular dream. Some might say that their dreams are too small, too insignificant, but I would beg to differ. Why is someone’s dream more important than another’s? Who’s to say what is really at the core of someone’s dream? Maybe the gambler would become philanthropic with his winnings. Maybe the clubber would get noticed, and eventually become an ambassador for the poor. Or, maybe, their dreams fulfilled would just make them a happier person. Lord knows we could use some more happy people around…

All of this started me thinking about my own dreams. About what would make me happy, and whether I would “make the trek”, braving the elements for the fulfillment of the dream, or make excuses (it’s too hot, I don’t like to stand in lines, I can’t afford it…). Maybe I can take a lesson from those I saw in Vegas this week. I’m sure most of the clubbers did not get discovered. Most of the gamblers lost money (I have hope for the bride ). For them, however, it doesn’t matter, cuz they took the chance. They jumped into the river of “dream potential”, and for that, they are better.

What dreams are waiting for you to go after? Are you ready to jump in?

Birphday Stuph

Tomorrow I mark another year. I don’t know why, but I’m looking forward to this particular mark more than years past. How can you be excited about getting older? I know, weird isn’t it? I shouldn’t be surprised though. One of the things I appreciate about my mom is that she continually teaches me to appreciate where I am now, and to grow old gracefully (if you call jumping out of a plane at 66 years old graceful! Go mom! )

Maybe because it is a marker for something new, and this year has been all about new. New endeavors, like this blog. New friends, like Estrella, Rev. Pat, Gina and Joanne. New challenges, like J’s Love Project. Even what is old is new. Existing relationships, perspectives, outlook, hope… When I started this year, I determined it would not end up like last year. I’m shooting for the moon. Not always getting there, but it’s better than burying my head in the sand, or just letting life happen to me.

Maybe because I am in a time of transition, and for once, I’m not afraid of where it will take me. I’ve learned this year to face some of my biggest fears, to accept things I never would have, to not feel that I have to conform. I’m learning to love me in a completely different way, and with that to love others more deeply.

As I contemplated my birthday, I didn’t think about what presents I would get, or even what I want (ok, I do need a new gym bag, but… ). I really started thinking about my friends, family, loved ones, and what I want for them. For you. I thought about a wish for each year, but I am so not that creative , so I will do what I can:

My Birphday Wishes for you:

• I wish that you experience a love that lets you know that you are valued, important, and unique among all creation
• I wish you laugh until you cry
• I wish you real hugs… the kind that make you feel safe and loved and protected, and make others wonder…
• I wish you at least one new experience that takes your breath away… and then one more
• I wish you the conquering of your biggest fear
• I wish you would dance like no one is looking, and then like everyone is watching… and cheering
• I wish you new friends like those that have blessed my life, and old friends to become even stronger
• I wish you passionate kisses, goosbump raising touches, breathtaking glances
• I wish you the fulfillment of your dreams

I wish you know just how much you mean to me. How this birphday would be nothing without you, and that I am the man I am partly because of who you are to me.

Self Love Part 2… From Me, To Me

Today’s challenge for the love project is “Express Yourself”. Typically, that is not a problem for me… well, in most circumstances. I’ve always felt comfortable on the stage, in a pulpit, even in most writing events (once I get past the initial fear ). Like many, though, expressing myself to myself  has not been my forte’. Every once in a while, though it has to be done. This is one of those times.

Part of the Love Project is to write a love letter to yourself. When that was announced, I wasn’t ready. I had to, effectively, find my open door. In other words, I had to find the “point of faith”, or something that would allow me to engage on that level, and not automatically go back into old habits. There were a couple things, but one was a Christmas present from my kids – on it, the simple phrase, “Respect The Architect”. I have pondered it over the week, and now my door is open. I’m ready to write my letter…

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Dear Ken,

You do a great job having words for others, encouraging them, seeing the best in them, but now, it’s your turn. Don’t think you are exempt from your own words – I know you spend way too much time being hard on yourself. Even when it came to this, you saw how you couldn’t do it. However, let me share with you a few things that you need to, well, not just know, but accept.

Your sweatshirt says “Respect the Architect”. That should say a lot to you. It’s not about what you do, Ken. It’s about who you are. Who you are is what makes you do the things you do, feel what you feel, and touch people in ways that only you can. Who you are makes you want to bring out the best in others. Who you are is a guy, a man who takes chances, who dreams big, and refuses to be dissuaded. You never give up, even when things turn against you, when people tell you you’re crazy, when you think you are crazy. You hold to your dreams and convictions, not because you have proof, but because of how you are made.

Even now, you are pursuing some pretty lofty goals this year, and I know you (I better…) – you will get to the end of the year, and torture yourself over the specific goals you have not met. Don’t do it Ken, please.  Rather, think about it this way… you are pursuing them. That’s more than can be said for many, but truthfully, looking at others doesn’t matter:  it is what makes you, you. It’s not about the finishing of the goal, Ken. It’s about what is accomplished, what is experienced along the way. You have already seen great things because you decided to start, because you faced your fears and dared to dream larger than you have before. You are fun when you dream. You come alive when you live those dreams.

Ken… passionate, visionary, dreamer Ken. Never shrink back from being that you that others love. That you love. That you were made to be. Never be afraid to jump, to leap, to soar. To be the you in your dreams. Don’t get so caught up in the stuff you do that you miss the joy of the journey. You were made for the joy. Others see it, you have seen it too. I emplore you, to know it and live it.

Respect the Architect, Ken. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You were made to be exactly who you are, and all that you can become. It’s exciting to watch and be a part of.

Me

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Riding Horses…

Earlier this week,  I visited some friends who have a ranch in Nevada.  Being a city/suburban kid, the only time I got close to farm animals was on school field trips. There were some  ranches around the area I lived growing up, but all I would do is run by them and see the animals from a distance.

While my friend was showing me his horses, he threw out  the obvious question,

“do you want to ride?”

 Well, obvious to him. It was literally the last thing on my mind, if it entered my mind at all. Of course, I know people ride horses, and I have some close friends who have ridden competitively, but for me, I was a complete newbie (aside from the one very short ride when I was about 13).

I didn’t feel like I could say no. It’s like an invitation to dinner when you are already in the person’s house: saying no is almost an insult to their cooking. He was sharing something that was special to him, and I have learned through various cultural experiences that it is very important to be appreciative when people want to share.

Al and Carolyn began prepping the horses – brushing them down, putting the saddles on (which was a fascinating process in itself), then finally setting the bit and reins. The horses were ready, and so was I, or so I thought. I climbed up on the horse, and tried to keep my game face on, but truthfully I was freaking out. My issue? This thing under me was starting to move on its own, and I couldn’t control it.

They gave me the briefest of instructions, and as I resisted asking all of the “what if’s” going through my head, we were off. We rode up the mountain, and I reacted to every attempt my horse made to run. I wanted to enjoy myself through the ride, but I was too afraid that if I allowed my horse to do anything, there’s no telling where I would end up. I had all of those Hollywood reels running through my brain of horses that got spooked and the poor rider clutching for dear life as the horse ran at full tilt.  I broke my death grip on the saddle, and my associated fear long enough to notice that my friends were about as free as they could be – letting the horses do what they wanted, riding without hands, just having fun. I wanted to be that free.

Something happened to me on the second half of the ride. I began to trust my horse. I’m not sure why – maybe I figured I had no choice, or maybe because I realized that the horse was actually working with me. On one occasion I watched as she went away from the trail, and thought she was trying to just go off on her own, but realized that she was just trying to walk on a smoother surface. I relaxed my grip on the rein, and in one sense, gave myself over to the horse. She found her footing aside the path, and followed my friends’ horses down the hill. I looked up, breathed a sigh of relief, and gazed at the beauty of the valley below me. I was finally having fun on the ride.

Giving up control is such a hard thing for me. I like knowing what I am doing, where I am going, and how I am getting there. One of the downsides of this, though, is that I can be so focused on my destination that I miss the journey. There are times, for sure when we have to execute, implement and get things done. There are others, though, when it is appropriate to take the passenger seat, and let someone else drive. Or, in the case of my horsey ride, share the control. This is new for me, as I have always considered myself the “get it done person”. However, I have been blessed with some great people around me. Family, friends, coworkers, even a horse or two. All with great things to contribute, all there to share this journey with me.

I remember something one of the church mothers told me a long time ago. “Don’t ever turn down a gift”. Now, for the life of me, I don’t remember doing it, but she did, and wasn’t going to let me make that same mistake twice. The gift doesn’t have to be monetary, or anything like that. With my ride, the gift was relaxing and enjoying it while my horse did the work.

Next time I go, I’ve been told we will let the horses run… ok, yeah, I’m a bit scared, but not as much as I was before. I figure they (the horses and my friends) know what they are doing, so I can focus on the fun part. I’m actually looking forward to it.

Mission Possible – Pushing Past Your Fears…

I went to the doctor on Saturday to get some xrays. I’ve been having some back pain, and my doctor wanted to take a deeper look. No big deal, I was in pain, but not debiliated. I knew that certain things would show up, because they had been there since I was a teenager. Again, no big deal…

I was called back in the room and the technician started the xrays. “One more”, she said, and I would be on my way to take care of the rest of my day. Now I know that they can see the shots before they go to the doctors, but they are bound to keep quiet about anything they see, no matter how bad or crazy it is. It is up to the doctor to tell the patient what is wrong, not the tech.

As she was looking at the final film, she casually threw out a question that stuck with me throughout the weekend: “Have you had any neck trauma?” I knew I had not, but why was she asking me that now? What was she seeing? Maybe I had something and forgot about it. Maybe my back was worse than I thought. Although I was “in motion” for the rest of the day, it was hard to not be paralyzed by her question.

Some things do paralyze us. It’s like when your boss tells you that they have to meet with you tomorrow… Ugh! I have no context for the meeting, and for the next 24 hours, all I can do is think about being in trouble for something. I hate that paralyzing feeling, and it is always a struggle to get past it. I have vowed, however that the tech’s question was not going to determine my destiny.

Fear is a powerful thing. Sometimes it is good, but most of the time it stops us from being who we are really made to be. It keeps us in “safe” places, not moving forward, not trying new things, not living life. Research says that people would rather die than speak in front of a crowd, because of fear. How interesting that we would prefer dead silence to living conversation…

One of my core scriptures is II Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Through my life, I have developed a lot of reasons to fear. Rejection, failure, low self esteem, comparing myself with others, and yet, when I do end up facing my fears, they appear more like an old toothless lion – look very scary, but have no ability to really hurt me.

I’ve written about facing my fears in the Fear of Writing blog a couple of times. Ironically, I was afraid both times I wrote… I guess that makes the pieces authentic .  Writing about it definitely helps. So does talking about it, and sharing it with others who are close to you. Sharing is good, because it gets right at the heart of one of fear’s main tactics – making you feel like you are all alone in your struggle. Once you know that there are others like you out there, it becomes so much easier to deal with, especially if you can see how others have successfully gotten past the fear.

So, I’m on a mission… a mission to, as “superhero J” likes to put it, leap, and your net will appear. A mission to not only face my fears, but to blow past them toward my goal of being me. A mission to not let my fears paralyze me. A mission to live with a spirit of power, love and sound mind.

I decided then, and continue to decide that I won’t let the tech’s question dominate my thinking. I’m pushing past my fear of writing too. Two down, and one by one, I’ll conquer the rest.

How are you dealing with your fears? What are you doing to get past them? I can bet that you are not alone in your quest.

Here’s to your mission!

New Goal… Post a week in 2011

I grew up in a very competitive family. My brothers, who were all older than me, were great at sports. Ron was so good, his coach told him to try the Decathalon, and he almost qualified for the Olympics in just his third attempt. Yeah, you know it… the kinda guy you love to hate . Just kidding. I loved watching him do great in all sports. Gary was just as talented, but focused on basketball, becoming All American in high school, playing semipro in Europe, and all that. I loved being the loudest fan at his basketball games. Me? I was the geeky younger brother that loved books and wrote stories, but like them, I was also extremely competitive. So, what they did, I wanted to do. Not only did I want to do it, I wanted to do it the best. I couldn’t match them in their natural sports skills, but I did find my niche and worked as hard as I could until I could be a jock like they were. It was a challenge, and I never back down from a challenge.

So, when I saw the Post A Week 2011 challenge, i was intrigued (I saw the Post a day challenge, but decided I was a bit too busy to be that intrigued…   ). I was already trying to have something up consistently every week, but now, someone had thrown down the gauntlet… I was ready to pick it up.

So, you can expect to see a new dose of kid wisdom  every week in 2011. I’m looking forward to what will come from this. I’m hoping that I make some new friends, share some fun stuph from my life, and like Bill said on the Fat Albert Show, if you’re not careful, you may learn something before it’s done. Hey hey hey!