Getting what you deserve

Matthew 25:21

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good 

and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few 

things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou 

into the joy of thy lord.


Theodore Roosevelt

If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most 

of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.

Erin Cummings

At the end of the day, you are solely responsible for your 

success and your failure. And the sooner you realize that, you 

accept that, and integrate that into your work ethic, you will 

start being successful. As long as you blame others for the 

reason you aren't where you want to be, you will always be a 

failure.



Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

I believe that we are solely responsible for our choices, and 

we have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and

 thought throughout our lifetime.

Martin Luther

You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for 

what you do not say.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Problems or successes, they all are the results of our own 

actions. Karma. The philosophy of action is that no one else is

 the giver of peace or happiness. One's own karma, one's own 

actions are responsible to come to bring either happiness or 

success or whatever.

Jack Canfield

Remember, you and you alone are responsible for 

maintaining your energy. Give up blaming, complaining and 

excuse making, and keep taking action in the direction of 

your goals - however mundane or lofty they may be.

  When I think about my choices in life and I think about my 

desires, they never really seem to add up. The reason why I 

say this is because for example, if I have the desire of being 

wealthy then I should be doing things that will make me 

wealthy but I haven't always done that and I complain. If I 

want to be world champion then I should do things that will 

lead up to being world champion but I haven't and I get 

bitter.

  So many times I look around, look at videos, movies or 

listen to stories about people accomplishing things I want. 

And then envy those people or sometimes get jealous of them 

for what they have or what they have accomplished but never

take into consideration the struggles they went through to 

achieve it. The funny thing is when I have researched what 

some people have gone through to get where they are today, 

I humbly back up and think oh wow, I don't want it that bad.

  I also have to take in consideration that having more 

money, better car, bigger house, better job, better body, 

wife/husband, bigger salary, more kids, being great at 

something or whatever, comes with more responsibility. But 

what when I look at my life now, how responsible have I 

been with the money I do have? Can't pay the bills, have 

shitty credit, can't stop shopping, can't get my priorities 

straight on what I should pay first and yet I think that 

having more money will solve a deeper issue? As they say 

more money more problems. How is having a new car going 

to make my quality of life better when I don't appreciate the 

one that's paid for and faithfully gets me where I got to go? 

What makes me more promotable at my job then the next 

person when I half-ass my responsibilities every chance I get 

when no one is looking?

  Some of this is arrogance, pride, stupidity or some people 

just want others to feel sorry for them. You can be the nicest 

person in the world but it doesn't mean everything in life 

should be handed to you! Every time you take shortcuts or 

take something you don't deserve, you will never appreciate 

it and it will blow up in your face. If I was promoted to a 

position at work I wasn't ready for, I could ruin the company 

or cost it lots of money. If I took the championship belt from 

Floyd Mayweather or Klitschko then I would probably get 

my ass whooped the first fight. If I inherited a million dollars 

or won lotto (when I'm used to living on 25k a year) then I 

would probably be bankrupt in 3 years,  catch STDs from 

hookers and kill myself on alcohol or drugs.

  Every time we bitch, moan and complain for things we 

haven't earned then we disrespect those people who have 

earned it. And if you have done everything possible then your

 time is coming. Have faith that god has something better for 

you. Timing is everything and right now might not be it. We

are limited by our own minds and we can be so much more. 

But the key is to appreciate the journey and never stop 

working towards our goal. Everyday is one step closer to 

what you have worked hard for. 

  So before you criticize or think you deserve the lifestyles of 

the rich and famous or your neighbors, then check their story 

first. If you decide to take a shortcut then you have no idea 

the consequences that lie ahead. Ask yourself are you willing

to make the sacrifices they made. And if you are then 

appreciate what you have now and bust your ass to get to

where you want to be. Act and live as if you have already 

achieved it. It all starts in your mind first. With hard work, 

faith and persistence, we can all be better tomorrow then we

were today. Where the your story ends is up to you.

Thanks for reading. Please share and leave comments here.

Who do you see?

1 Thessalonians 5:22

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Deepak Chopra

Our minds influence the key activity of the brain, which then 

influences everything; perception, cognition, thoughts and 

feelings, personal relationships; they're all a projection of 

you.

Jon Bon Jovi

Miracles happen everyday, change your perception of what a 

miracle is and you'll see them all around you.


Edward Bono

Studies have shown that 90% of error in thinking is due to 

error in perception. If you can change your perception, you 

can change your emotion and this can lead to new ideas.


John C. Maxwell

The difference between average people and achieving people 

is their perception of and response to failure.


William Blake

If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would 

appear to man as it is, infinite.


Martina Navratilova

Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one 

thing well, you're needed by someone.



Definition of perception/perceive by Websters dictionary:

-To be affected of influented by.
- To take intellectual cognizance of; to apprehend by the mind; to be convinced of by direct intuition; to note; to remark; to discern; to see; to understand.
- To obtain knowledge of through the senses; to receive impressions from by means of the bodily organs; to take cognizance of the existence, character, or identity of, by means of the senses; to see, hear, or feel; as, to perceive a distant ship; to perceive a discord.

  So I have been thinking lately about perception. The perception I have of myself, the perception others have of me, the perception I would like to portray and it all can be overwhelming. I have struggled all my life with this but I think for me, it challenges me and makes me a better person.

How often have you said or heard someone say, "I don't care what others think"? Well that's always a lie because someones opinion of you always matters. It might not be the worlds opinion and it shouldn't be because you can never please everyone. But whether it's your parents, significant other, friends, coworkers, kids, your church, god etc. You care about how someone perceives you and may even alter your behavior or appearance just to please them. To thine own self be true they say. Don't listen to what they say but the funny thing is we always do.

Perceive yourself as the best no matter what anyone else thinks

So how do I please the people that matter to me or the people who are around me? The truth is if being who you are offends people or they can't accept you for who you are then you don't need those people in your life. Sure sometimes easier said then done but when your tired of feeling guilty, being judged and feeling miserable for who you think you are, then you will let them go. Most of the time people push us, challenge us out of love and good intentions because they see so much potential in us or they know the good person inside you choose not to portray. But at the end of the day, if your vision is different then the one they perceive then you have to be honest with them and yourself. And I don't mean if your cashier this week, aspire to be on fries next week and then promoted to flipping burgers next month. I mean you want to be an artist but everyone says you should be a doctor. You want to be a missionary but everyone says your to smart and do something else.

This is your life and mine. You can be as great as you want to be or be anything you want to be. You can love who you want, live how you want, pray to who you want, hang out with who you want, listen or say whatever you want and its up to you. You have to look in the mirror every night and be ok with the decisions you made and still love who you are. And if the people who are in your life don't accept you after that then I promise you that you don't need them. I'm not saying every decision we make may be right but if you can live with it, then that's between you and god.

If you want people to think differently in general about you then you must be more conscious about everything you do and your surroundings. If you are tired of everyone thinking your a bitch then try to smile at all times, speak to everyone, leave big tips, laugh even when its not funny, go out of your way to help someone, wear a t-shirt that says "I'm not a bitch". Tired of being considered an asshole, try thinking about others before yourself, check to see if others are ok around you or call them, smile, cook for someone, bring people gifts or flowers, say nice things (try to mean it), give things away, let her finish first. 

Its in our power to control the image that people have of us and its our job to project the perception we want them to have. You only get one chance to make a first impression but you have a life time to affirm it or change it. If it really matters to you than you can and if you don't care then shake the dust off your feet and move on. Don't let people bring you down for being who you are especially if you know your heart is in the right place. As someone said, don't let people touch your soul with dirty hands and if they do, cut them off. 

Thanks for reading. Please share and leave comments here.

Workout today:
5 sets - 4 reps front squats and muscle ups or pullups in between

then:
5 sets - 4 reps push press and 30 inch box jumps in between

then:
50 double unders
40 wallballs
30 pullups
50 double unders
30 wallballs
20 pullups
50 double unders
20 wallballs
10 pullups
50 double unders

Whatta Monday

Luke 9:25

For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Michael Jordan

I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost 

almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the 

game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and 

over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

Arnold  Schwarzenegger

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop

your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide 

not to surrender, that is strength.

Vince Lombardi

Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all time thing. You 

don't win once in a while, you don't do things right once in a 

while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. 

Unfortunately, so is losing.

William Rudolph

Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do 

something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody 

goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a 

crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a

champion someday.

Vince Lombardi

Winning is not everything, but wanting to win is.

Alyssa Milano

First, accept sadness. Realize that without losing, winning 

isn't so great.


Colin Powell

I think whether you're having setbacks or not, the role of a 

leader is to always display a winning attitude.

Billie Jean King

A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.


 How is everyone doing on this fine Monday? Well it's finally over thank god! I had my competition this weekend and lets just say it didn't go as well as I hoped but probably better than expected.

  We had a 3 event competition (4 events if you made top 5) Saturday at an awesome gym called Crossfit Lorton. The crew was great there, very hospitable and they had some great athletes! I think I have a crush on one of them to but thats another story and I love everybody :O)

  Anyway the 3 events were:

                          1.  row 2,000 meters for time

                          2. 50 burpees, 30 squats (95lbs for                                                      intermediate men) and 10 toes to bar.
                               You had to do as many rounds as you could                                  for 10 minutes. Of course I didn't know that                                  until the event started!!

                         3. 5 rep deadlift - You had 6 minutes to find                                      max weight for 5 reps.

Sooooo, I had really no clue where my times would be or 

what I was capable of doing. All I knew is I couldn't wait for 

it to all be over. So on the first event I rowed 2,000 meters in 

7:17. The guy who won rowed in 6:42 (Christian who goes to 

my gym. He's a professional but you can't tell anyone). I was 

apparently more nervous than I realized because I started 

way to fast :O) I stopped 7-10 times because I had to catch 

my breathe. When it was finally over I almost crawled out. So 

I took 15th on that one.


Then came the burpees, squats and toes to bar. I thought I 

was good until I realized you had to keep going as many 

times as you could for 10 min. There is no mercy in crossfit 

for people who are fat! I'm 265-270lbs and cardio for me is 

seeing how many trips I can take to the buffet bar before the 

Asians kick me out! So after 10 minutes of absolute pain and 

torture I did 133 reps. First place guy (Tony who is 

new lol) was another guy from my gym who did 202 reps. 

I took 26th place in this event and 21st overall. Oh well...


Next was deadlift. By the time my heat started (there was 9 

heats throughout the day and I was in the 8th heat) the 

heaviest lift was 475lbs for 5 reps by a guy from my gym 

(Stephen). My 2nd goal for the day, first goal which was 

make top 3, was to beat Stephen Rombado at every event! 

For people who don't know Steve, he's between 50 and 80 

years old, been crossfitting for years, bodybuilding and has 

nipple rings. So by default he's the coolest dude in the gym 

and closest to my weight. So I opened with 480lbs for 5 reps 

just to beat him, then did 500lbs, 510lbs and finished at 

520lbs for 5 reps. I won that event moving me into 9th place. 


In order to make finals you had to be in the top 5 so my day 

was done (thank god and I survived barely). We had almost 

20 competitors there who did amazing and I'm proud to say 

I train at Crossfit Forward. Owners were both there to 

support, we cheered each other on, ate together, laughed 

together, cried in pain together and there might have been 

some alcohol but just in case, I do not recall officer. The men 

took 1st, 2nd, 5th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 36th out of 39 people 

and I know I missed a 1 or 2 sorry. The women did 

phenomenal as well. 

  All I can say is some of us didn't win but we came out to 

battle and now we know where we are at. Honestly I was very

disappointed with my performance but I really can't 

complain. I've lost 30lbs (on a non cheat day), I'm stronger, I 

can run again and I'm almost cute again. I've made awesome 

friends and because of them I don't mind getting up at 4:30 

every morning to go do a shitty workout. The athletes at 

Crossfit forward are phenomenal and you will only get 

better. Shout out to Corina who went to Philly and won a 

crossfit event up there! Shout out to Megan who dominates 

the volleyball court with her amazing ass-ests. And can't 

forget Kent Ingalls who always wins and Herb for letting me 

win sometimes!

The aftermath!!

 I don't know what to tell you people. No more excuses, no 

more putting things off, its time to get it done. Tomorrow 

isn't promised and you will never get this time back. Go be a 

better you starting today. Have a great week people. I look 

forward to sharing with you more accomplishments in the 

near future and the great people that helped me get there. 

Why don't you be part of the story?


Oh side note I actually got the best deadlift so far in the 

country for the festivus games, wow. 

Now we here!

Motivation Monday again

Phillipians 3:12

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have 

already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take 

hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.


Jeremy Irvine

Determination becomes obsession and then it becomes all that matters.


Eric Clapton

An obsession is where something will not leave your mind.



Curtis Judalet

Love is as much of an object as an obsession, everybody wants it everybody seeks it, but few ever achieve it, those who do, will cherish it, be lost in it, and among all, will never...never forget it.”

Paul Carvel

Passion is a positive obsession. Obsession is a negative passion.

Henry Moore

“The creative habit is like a drug. The particular obsession changes, but the excitement, the thrill of your creation lasts.”

  Good day folks! Another good week to accomplish greatness and our goals. I was wondering though that if our passion or what some people refer to as an obsession with getting in shape is really a bad thing.

  Personally I believe that whatever you want to be great at or achieve takes some level of commitment. Whats wrong with people being dedicated to their health. Its only a problem when your passion is something other people don't agree with or their not passionate about.

  The funny thing is that people use the word obsession as a dirty word. Don't ever let other people knock your choices and what you choose to accomplish. You only have one life to live and that is your own. The sad thing is that sometimes people want you to stop because they could never see themselves doing it. Even your loved ones could be holding you back. The confidence and just knowing you can do anything you set your mind to is one of the most rewarding feelings you could ever experience. Never let anybody take that away from you. Quit when your dead and make everyone jealous when you succeed. 

Thanks for reading. Please share on social media and leave comments here.

Workout today:

Hang clean + clean & jerk + jerk 5 sets

Next:

Back squats 3 sets 5 reps, 4 reps, 3 reps

Next:
Row 8 minutes for distance

Have a great day folks and don't be afraid to chase greatness.