The Will To Do

The Will To Do~ "My will to do springs from the knowledge that I CAN DO. I'm only being natural, for there is no fear or doubt inside my mind." Extraordinary effort, highly emotionalized conditions, or a true determination to win at all costs will release this extra energy. An athlete can actually be so tired, but since the athlete has that will and determination to win, they can keep on almost indefinitely in order to achieve their objective.

The Moon And Venus- September 8, 2013

A lazy mind will never grasp the true spirit of morality. Out of the conscience arises morality. Morality comes from having inner discernment of what is right or wrong for yourself. It involves making choices that are best for you and for the advancement of the whole...EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED. Thank you for checking out my slideshow. 

Time Is What Life Is Made Of

TIME ACCORDING TO BRUCE LEE:

THE CHANGE IS FROM INNER TO OUTER...WE START BY DISSOLVING OUR ATTITUDE NOT BY ALTERING OUTER CONDITIONS.

THE MOMENT IS FREEDOM. TRY TO LIVE FREELY FROM MOMENT TO MOMENT, LETTING THINGS HAPPEN AND ADJUSTING TO THEM.

THE TRUTH EXISTS HERE AND NOW. HAVE OPENNESS AND FREEDOM...THE FREEDOM TO BE OPEN AND NOT TETHERED BY ANY IDEAS, CONCEPTS, ETC.

TIME IS WHAT LIFE IS MADE OF! USE IT WISELY AND MAKE YOUR MARK ON THE WORLD! :)

I AM A TEACHER

My last day at home I was gathering all my things and trying to pack all my stuff in these two suitcases...leaving behind some wonderful things I received for the holidays....BUMMER! :( Hopefully, my mom will send them to me someday...lol (HINT, HINT). As I am doing all these things I am coming across all the wonderful books my mom has (and has had over the years, I just failed to pay attention). As I was chasing her down the hallway of our home I was pleading and asking her, "please can I have this book?" Or, "what do I need to do to get this book?" Or even..."how much will you sell this book to me?" She was really getting a kick out of my passion for these books...all these wonderful books. And because I have such a wonderful mother...she gave them all to me except ONE! :( Or maybe it was TWO...LOL. Just kidding. But that was ok, I had more than enough books to get me by for the next couple of months. So I first want to thank my beautiful mother for giving me all these wonderful books...LOVE THEM ALL AND LOVE YOU TREMENDOUSLY.

So this brings me to the point of this blog entry, as I was reading one of my books, I came across a BEAUTIFUL POEM that I want to share with you. A story that hits my heart to the core...I am the daughter of  A TEACHER...AND I AM SO PROUD OF THAT!!! TO THIS DAY I AM SO PROUD TO SAY I AM A DAUGHTER OF A TEACHER! I watched my mother day in and day out invest her time and her heart into teaching children...wanting so much success for each and every one of them...always coming up with new ideas...always letting her passion and her love shine through her work. I learned many things from my mother and I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for her. I know in my heart, my sister can say the same thing.

One interesting thing I must point out is...I believe my mother's work and passion live through me even today...in my training, in my dreams, in my wishes, and overall in my life. She did and continues to do so many wonderful things...She taught for 38 years and helped shape and create endless possibilities for so many children including my sister and I.

ALL TEACHERS GIVE US SOMETHING UNIQUE AND SPECIAL, WE JUST DON'T REALIZE IT AT THE TIME. BUT I CAN HONESTLY SAY ONCE YOU DISCOVER WHAT LIVES INSIDE OF YOU (WHEN YOU LOOK DEEP WITHIN YOUR SOUL)...YOU SEE EVERY ONE OF YOUR TEACHER'S FACE THERE. SOME OF THEM WERE HARD ON YOU (BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IN YOU), SOME NEVER GAVE UP ON YOU AND PUSHED YOU, OTHERS GAVE YOU HOPE AND GUIDANCE, WHILE OTHERS HELPED YOU FEEL SAFE AND ALWAYS GAVE YOU THE COURAGE AND SUPPORT YOU NEEDED. SO APPRECIATE THOSE MOMENTS YOU HAD WITH YOUR TEACHERS...KEEP THEM CLOSE TO YOUR HEART!

So on with the poem....

I AM A TEACHER

I am a Teacher.

I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth of a child.

I have been many people in many places.

I am Socrates exciting the youth of Athens to discover new ideas through the use of questions.

I am Anne Sullivan tapping out the secrets of the universe into the outstretched hand of Helen Keller.

I am Aesop and Hans Christian Anderson revealing truth through countless stories.

I am Marva Collins fighting for every child's right to an education.

I am Mary McCleod Bethune building a great college for my people, using orange crates for desks.

And I am Bel Kaufman struggling to go Up The Down Staircase.

The names of those who have practiced my profession ring like a hall of fame for humanity...Booker T. Washington, Buddha, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Buscaglia, Moses and Jesus.

I am also those whose names and faces have long been forgotten but whose lessons and character will always be remembered in the accomplishments of their students. 

I have wept for joy at the weddings of former students, laughed with glee at the birth of their children and stood with head bowed in grief and confusion by graves dug to soon for bodies far too young.

Throughout the course of a day I have been called upon to be an actor, friend, nurse, and doctor, coach, finder of lost articles, money lender, taxi driver, psychologist, substitute parent, salesman, politician, and a keeper of the faith. 

Despite the maps, charts, formulas, verbs, stories and books, I have really had nothing to teach, for my students really have only themselves to learn, and I know it takes the whole world to tell you who you are.

I am a paradox. I speak loudest when I listen the most. My greatest gifts are in what I am willing to appreciatively receive from my students.

Material wealth is not one of my goals, but I am a full-time treasure seeker in my quest for new opportunities for my students to use their talents that sometimes lie buried in self-defeat.

I am the most fortunate of all who labor.

A doctor is allowed to usher life into the world in one magic moment. I am allowed to see what life is reborn each day with new questions, ideas, and friendships. 

An architect knows that if he builds with care, his structure may stand for centuries. A teacher knows that if he builds with love and truth, what he builds will last forever.

I am a warrior, daily doing battle against peer pressure, negativity, fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance and apathy. But I have great allies: Intelligence, Curiosity, Parental Support, Individuality, Creativity, Faith, Love, And Laughter all rush to my banner with indomitable support.

And who do I have to thank for this wonderful life I am so fortunate to experience, but you the public, the parents. For you have done me the great honor to entrust to me your greatest contribution to eternity, YOUR CHILDREN.

And so I have a past that is rich in memories. I have a present that is challenging, adventurous, and fun because I am allowed to spend my days with the future.

I AM A TEACHER...AND I THANK GOD FOR IT EVERY DAY.

                                                                                                         -John W. Schlatter

So in honor of teachers and to say thank you for all that you do...I want to offer a special discounted package of personal training for the month of January. If you are interested, please contact me at dofitness@gmail.com.  :)

Canfield, J. Hansen, M. Chicken Soup For The Soul. 1993. Pgs. 145-147.

The Moment My Life Changed Forever Part 2

The next day was a big reality check for me. I remember playing in high school...having concussions, pulling my back out, spraining my ankles and bouncing back. NOT THIS TIME...This was a totally different situation. Not only was it ten times the normal size due to the swelling but I could barely walk. My knee was upset!!! And it was showing me how upset!!!  I remember going to the training room and the trainers got right to work in trying to get the swelling down....from ice to the stem machine to light stretching. I was going to do whatever it took to get back out on the court...I wanted to be ready for my first SEC Tournament. Those two weeks prior to the tournament were such a blur...I remember the normal routine of icing and stem every single day. The trainers would then wrap up my whole leg and have me do cutting drills up and down the court (we still weren't sure the extent of my knee), to see if I would be ready to play in the tournament. I remember doing these drills up and down the court but the knee would just buckle on me. I would be able to run and cut a little then my knee would just give and buckle. I remember never losing hope and still believed that with some small miracle I would be ready to play in the SEC Tournament. It got closer to the Tournament and my knee just wasn't budging...I was so heartbroken. I did everything I was supposed to do and knew in my heart that my knee would be ready. MY KNEE WAS NEVER READY. I told myself I didn't have time to feel sorry for myself or to be upset...I would just have to deal with the card I was dealt and be there for my team. Cheer them on! I remember during the second half of the first game of the tournament, my coach paced up and down...looked over at me and said, "We could of used you today." I was speechless.

As soon as the SEC Tournament was over and my swelling was finally down, it was time for me to get an MRI and know the real damage done on my knee. I remember getting the MRI and feeling positive as I left the doctor's office. The coaches informed me that they would contact me in El Paso as soon as they knew the results (since I would be there for spring break). I was at home talking to my sister and my best friend when I received a phone call from my mother who was at her school working in her classroom. I remember her voice being a little shaky and she asked me if I could come by the school for a bit she had to talk to me about something very important.

I arrived at my mother's school and I remember her having such a heartbroken look on her face. I wasn't sure what this was all about but I was ready to hear what she had to say. She sat me down and she began to cry...she explained to me that the coaches had just called her and gave her the news that I had been waiting for...what seemed like a lifetime was now going to be my reality. Her voice got real low and she said that I had torn everything in my knee...the whole knee had exploded inside and the chances of me ever playing again were slim to none. She began to cry...she immediately grabbed me and hugged me tightly...I remember sitting there numb to the whole thing. I was in shock and could not comprehend the words that she had just told me. I remember her looking at me and asking me if I was okay, she reassured me that we would get through this. I looked at her and said, "I know, everything will be okay." I remember I was trying really hard to be strong for her...I didn't want her to feel worst than she did at that moment. I hated seeing my mom in so much pain because of me. I looked at my mom and said, "Mom...everything will be okay. You know me...it is hard to keep me down. They may say I will never play again but I really am the only one that knows if that is going to happen or not." My stubbornness began to shine bright...lol. My mom knew what that meant but her main concern was getting my knee better. I know she was hurt knowing that the love of my life (basketball) may be over for me...but just like any mother/parent, her main concern was my injury.

I remember driving back to my house and thinking that everything was just so surreal...I felt like I was in a nightmare and was going to wake up at anytime. I began to cry...and cry...and cry. It felt good to cry and really process everything that just happened. I remember telling myself..."It couldn't be that bad." All I could think about is my mom telling me that the coach was absolutely heartbroken and that the doctor specifically said..."It looked like a war zone in there." Wow...A WAR ZONE.  It was at this point I made a pact with myself that I was ready to take on this challenge. I was ready to do whatever it took to get back on that basketball court. WHATEVER IT TAKES! BRING ON THAT WAR ZONE!!!

Thank you so much for reading my story and I hope you stay tune for my Part 3...The Fight To Get Back On The Court. Thought for today is: Accept any challenge that is put in front of you. Turn any negative into a positive experience. Always see the GOOD out of something that is BAD. Never let ANYTHING stop you from doing what is in your HEART! Have an absolute wonderful day!
Lots of Love,
Dofitness

We Live The Life We Choose

WE ARE ALL, RIGHT NOW....RIGHT THIS MOMENT....LIVING THE LIFE WE CHOOSE.

Interestingly enough...this choice is not a single, monumental choice. No one decides, for example, "I'm going to move to L.A., and in five years I will be a trainer for the stars." Or I am going to marry a dreadful person and we will live together in a loveless marriage, staying together only for the kids." No! You must understand that choices are made on a daily, hourly, moment by moment basis.

Do we try something new, or stick to the tried-and-true? Do we take a risk or eat what's already on our dish? Do we ponder an adventure or do we stay at home? Do we indulge our heart, or cater to our fear?
SO THE QUESTION I ASK YOU IS: Do you pursue what you want or do what's comfortable?

"We act as though comfort and luxury are the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about."- Charles Kingsley

"You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover will be YOURSELF!" -Alan Alda

McWilliams, Peter. DO IT! Pgs. 23-26.