Saturday, June 25, 2011

Fire Within

Motivation is what gets you started,
habit is what keeps you going.
Sometimes half the battle,
is simply the battle of knowing.

Is your fire that burns within...
lighted by you or someone else?
Will it burn long and strong,
if you're able to light it yourself?

Ability is what you're capable of,
motivation guides the action ...
but your attitude makes the difference
in your level of satisfaction.

Are you inspired by your fear ?
OR perhaps you aim for reward?
Or is there that spark within,
planted there by the Lord ?

Can you boldly walk the talk ?
Or will you wilt like a dying flower?
The choice is up to you, my friend,
you've always had the power.

Never trade - - what you want most -
for what you THINK; you want now!
Light that fire - - from deep within ...
and praise God, when you take your bow.

Dear Unwanted Pounds

An Open Letter to My Unwanted Pounds 

Dear Unwanted Pounds: 

I have a bone to pick with you. You are my dark clouds that, en masse, have been growing inside of me, haunting me. Terrorizing me, really. 

The fat cells that encompass you are like pigeons who hang around garbage dumpsters, waiting for half-eaten burritos. You are scavengers who lie in wait scooping up pancake molecules that swish past you in the current, feeding on them like starving savages. You are evil and you are not wanted here. I’m in the process of having you 'exorcised'. Let's consider my gym a priest, a personal exorcist, if you will. 

First he will come a calling and clean out all signs of the gastronomic devil: French Fries, hamburgers, bacon, oh I could go on. And that’s the problem. 

This lean-muscled priest will 'exorcise' you, making me scream in pain as I repeatedly and incessantly flap about, without much grace. He'll yell at me. Or you. It’s hard to tell, frankly. 

“Get out!” he will yell. “Get out of this body!” Oh, he’ll be talking to you, then. 

“If it hurts, that means it’s working.” The personal exorcist’s lips will curl with a simplistic smile. I imagine he will not like you. 

When the exorcism is done, he will mutter something about what a fine job I have done. 

“This body needs work, but now there is less poison.” 

He'll say the only reason you hang around, the reason you “possess” me is because I keep feeding you, enabling you. If I quit throwing fried chicken and cheese nips into my dumpster, you will leave me and look for sustenance elsewhere. 

But I don’t know if I can. You tempt me so. I fear I’ve already sold my soul to you and it may be too late for redemption. 

The priest will strongly suggest that the only path to salvation is to attend his church regularly, like three to four times a week! 

“A pound for a pound.” 

But I know this church and it’s full of devoted folks. Far more diligent than me. These people hit it religiously. I want such passion and determination. 

Those dedicated souls, well they do have fewer fat cells. And they do look happy. 

So, it's farewell to you - my unwanted pounds. Prepare yourselves to be EXERCISED ! :) 

Sincerely, Your Master 

A bday poem for my friend

Happy Birthday Amy
April, 2011

On this day in history,
Back in 1975 …
The world became blessed,
as Amy became alive.

She graduated Monacan High,
then UVA – then ODU –
And the way that I see it,
there’s nothing she can’t do.

She’s a daughter and a mother,
little Jeffrey is her world…
embracing life, head on –
her beauty is unfurled!

She’s a fitness gladiator …
Or ‘fit chic’ as she goes by,
with eating right and exercise,
she could easily catch your eye.

She does marathons, triathlons,
Spinning…and other things …
She’s always up for a challenge,
to see what this life brings!

She’s a blogger on the web,
and a friend in the heart …
a loyal Catholic soul,
she strives to do her part.

“Start Strong, Finish Stronger”,
is what you’ll hear her say - -
whether she’s finishing up a race,
or simply winding out the day!

So Happy Birthday Amy - -
You deserve all that is fine,
Whether it’s coconut M&M’s,
Or birthday cake and wine !