Tis the season...

It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts - Robert H. Schuller

I thought about not starting out with this, but here we go.......
Well, it's been awhile since I last blogged....LOL  Yes, I've been a stranger when it comes to this, but I'm hoping to change all that and get back into the swing of things...

It's that time of year again....The holiday's....A time where good and bad come together.
The good....Time spent with family and friends, time to give thanks, time off from work, time to shop and time to give and receive.
The bad...Not enough time in the day, time to shop, time for excuses, time to overeat and gain weight.
For a lot of us, that is....
Just like with anything in life...It's all what you do with your time and how you look at things.

Going through some goals for 2012 I was trying to come up with some new challenges, new things to keep me going.  Last year at this time I was in the process of losing 35 lbs in 10 weeks to get myself ready to start training for my first marathon.  2011 saw me "finish" my first marathon and while it was not completed (how I wanted, that is), I plan to do another one at some point.  This time doing it right.  But for next year that will have to wait.  I want to get into shape cardio wise and health wise for my ultimate goal, which will be an Ironman.  Hopefully I can work my way to that in the next year or two and get a few sprint & Olympic distance triathlons in along the way.
A friend of mine brought up a challenge called "Tough Mudder".  10-12 miles of mental and physical "fun".  Ok, it may not be complete fun, but looking through the course it does really seem interesting and also something that you can not just get up off the couch and do.  Maneuvering your way through water, walls, ropes, fire and live wire sounds like a cool way to spend a few hours.  Ok, it's freakin nuts, but what the heck, you only live once.  The "race/challenge" is coming to Columbus in the summer of 2012, but have yet to finalize a date. 
So my first step is obviously get back into game shape.  In tackling this preparation for Tough Mudder, I decided I needed to whip myself into shape.  I lost touch with workouts while being injured, which I regret now, but it is what it is.  So tomorrow I am starting something crazy.  Something quite insane.  I have committed to doing the "Insanity" program.  63 days of butt whipping, in the comfort of my own home.  Well, the goal is to do the full 63 days, but I want to make it through the first day, then take it day by day.  Definitely looks intimidating, but I just need to plan, focus and take it one day at a time....It will be February 2nd before I know it and I'll be ready for swimsuit season...heehee

Another thing that will also keep me busy next year....Phi Delta Theta is now on the campus of Otterbein University.  They were installed as a colony last week down at headquarters in Miami (OH) University.

I am honored to be able to help these guys as one of their advisors.  They are a solid group of diverse young men and look forward to helping them through the process of becoming the best that they can be and making not only themselves proud, but Phi Delt proud as well.
They will have plenty of challenges ahead of them as Otterbein is mainly a campus of local fraternities.  Phi Delt will be the 2nd national fraternity on campus and it will be their job to mesh as a Greek community.
By the time pledging starts next semester, they should have 40 guys to kickoff their inaugural class.  These guys have the opportunity to be part of something special.  I will never forget my time as a Phi Delt at Ashland.  Our chapter had our 45th anniversary last month and it was great going back and seeing all the alumni and meeting the actives.  These guys will be able to look back and be part of history as 20, 30, 40 years from now they will realize the legacy that they created.

This weekend I get an opportunity to participate in another Wings Ministry program for their Christmas event at the prison in Lancaster.  It was an amazing experience last year volunteering and while the other 2-3 programs that took place during this past year at other prisons were enlightening, nothing beats this one.  Very powerful stuff in my opinion.  Makes you think and makes you appreciate.  I just hope to be able to move as I may or may not be reallyyyyyy sore after 3 days of Insanity...LOL

So no matter what your schedule is like......This holiday season take a step back, examine what is in your life and appreciate it.  Make it a goal to not make excuses, make it a goal to stand up and be healthier and just be a better person.  You only live once and most don't get second chances.  Only you can live your life....

Until next time....