We saw a quote by John J. Bingham, “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the Courage to start.” I’m sure you have read in past articles that Steph and I frequently run the hills up to the Hollywood sign and I have to tell you that it never seems to get easier. Yeah, there are some days we feel stronger but running up-hill never is easy. Recently we ran past a lady walking up the hill and she said “You are making me look bad”. I replied instantly “but isn’t it great that we are outside getting some exercise?” Steph added in; “With all the people that can be out here; it’s just us three working this hill.”

It got me thinking that some people are so busy trying to keep up with the Jones’ and get so embarrassed when they cant surpass them that they never seem to go out and try anymore. The negative chatter rings so loudly that sometimes your brain begins to rattle. “I can never be as good as him” and “how in the world can I catch her?”. How can you ever begin to taste success, when in your mind you already lost? What most don’t realize is that the competition starts with you. You crawl, you walk, you run, you compete, you soar!! in that order. Is there any other way? I’m sorry to say, there are no short-cuts. The problem remains that we live in an instant gratification, high soaring, steroid induced electronic world, and everybody wants to soar before they crawl.

At times it’s not always easy for us when we go out and exercise, trade and educate students or even when we have to deal with day to day life, but one thing I can tell you is that everyday, we get up and try to do our very best. It reminds me of a 68 year old student we taught that one day gave me such an unbelievable perspective. Believe me when I tell you, it stopped my negative chatter in its tracks and it was such a simple thought. It was about 10 years ago when I met him and he wanted to learn how to pit-trade and compete with a bunch of 20 to 40 year old adrenaline junkies. If that wasn’t enough for you to get out and try, I asked him before class one day, “How are you feeling today, are you ready to get at it?” He responded without hesitation, “Mike, as long as I get out of bed and get vertical, it’s a good day.” I laughed with him and we “high-fived”. By the way this man lost his entire family in a car crash. Talk about persevering.

Get out of bed, wake up and get at it!!

(High + Low) / 2 = 50%. Are you half full or are you half empty?

Whatever you decide to try; you can’t win, if you don’t play!! Prosperity is at your fingertips! All you have to do is grab it!!