Josh Hamilton: I am second.

Don't let anything or anybody hold you back from your dreams. This guy had everything going from him, and then in an instant--had less than nothing. 99.9% of people that have gone through what he has gone through would never persevere in the way he did.

Take a minute and watch this, and remember the power of perseverance.

THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD

This is not a blog about hating those that don't believe in the war, or disrespect the military, our duty to our nation's defense, or the Government. This isn't a blog about the protesters who day in, and day out, forget that the reason they are able to stand outside the white house, or on the side of the road of funeral processions for fallen men, is because of the soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen who day in and day out carry out their devotion to the defense of this free nation. Freedom in this world is so sadly taken for granted most by those who oppose the work required to obtain it. Every single day our freedom is on the line. Every single day, men and women stand the watches, fight the fights, and put their own bodies and lives on the line to make sure that tomorrow, you are able to wake up and have the choice to prosper, to better yourself or those around in whatever manner you choose. Not all of the men and women overseas are comfortable, or happy, or well-rested and well motivated to do what they do. But each and every member of the United States Armed Forces is committed, with both their heart and mind to do their duty for the betterment of this world.

This video and this speech does full justice to the warriors who everyday put country above self. Please take a few minutes to watch it. Every now and then even those in the military need a reminder or two. I couldn't be prouder to be a member of the armed forces, or prouder of everyone here, and in the United States Military.

Rivalries

Rivalries are formed everyday--I am pretty convinced they don't ever fully go away.

Some of the best rivalries in sports:

1.Army/Navy (people not associated with either will never fully understand)
2.Agassi/Sampras
2.Yanks/Sox
3.Ohio State/Michigan
4.Oklahoma/Texas
5.Tiger Woods/Himself and the Media
6.Oregon/Oregon State (The Civil War)
7.Auburn/Alabama (the Iron Bowl)

Lemme repeat myself:
Great Rivalries NEVER DIE.Proof Below

Top 5 Songs

Everybody has to have a top 5 list on their blog right? Here is my top 5 songs of the month of March, by play count.

1. Young London - Angels and Airwaves. One of my favorite bands of all time, Blink-182 front man Tom DeLonge's "side project", but sort of has become his main project. This song pumps me up.

2. Wheels - Foo-Fighters. No explanation necessary on one of the greatest bands of all time.

3. Miles Davis & The Cool - The Gaslight Anthem. My favorite band of 2009/2010. These boys have the best lyrics of any recent band and some of the best musical talent out there. I can't say enough about these guys. This isn't even there best song. I can't help but bob my head to most of the songs these guys play. They are the garage band who accidentally became famous through their massive amount of talent and musical ability. There sound is 100% original as well--even though some say they sound a lot like The Killers.

4. Up All Night - Unwritten Law. This has probably been on my Top 5 since like, junior year in High School.

5. Funny The Way It Is/Live in Europe 2009- Dave Matthews Band

Quote of the Week

Since baseball time is measured only in outs, all you have to do is succeed utterly; keep hitting, keep the rally alive, and you have defeated time. You remain forever young.
- Roger Angell

Equanimity.

What can we learn from Buddhism without being Buddhist? How can you apply it to everyday life...better performance throughout the day, better well-being. I thought it was interesting to read about.

A performance company, Tignum AC, which provides psychology training, team-building, and performance coaching for top athletes, elite military, corporations, and organizations around the country uses the idea of equanimity in their teachings to relay the importance of a positive mindset.

So what is equanimity? Buddhist monks believe that when something happens to you or when you encounter an event or challenge you have four options:

1. You could be unaware that anything has happened in which case you would surely not be able to do anything.
2. You could be aware of what was happening and move away from the challenge (retreat).
3. You could be aware of what was happening and move towards the challenge (attack).
4. You could be aware of what was happening and be non-reactive (equanimity—no reaction by choice).

By far, the most enlightened and powerful response is to be aware of the event or challenge and yet to not react. From this position, you are detached enough to enhance your awareness while increasing your options—because you see them all as possible. This position of chosen neutrality is extremely powerful, since you can never be a victim or a hostage. Instead, you become calm, confident, efficient, and composed. You become the master of your own destiny.

Pretty cool stuff.

--Tignum AC--

Good Old War

Check out the band Good Old War.

Pretty new band from Philly..trying to make a name for themselves and doing a pretty good job. I think they just signed a record deal. Remind me of Death Cab For Cutie.

Got Inspiration?

ATHLETE

my father was right.. I always wanted to just play baseball--don't get me wrong, I LOVE sports, and love playing every sport, and did so growing up, but I was always best at baseball. I wanted to focus on my strength. As most people do. My dad taught me to play soccer and basketball to compliment baseball, and expand my horizons..and this really helped. He was right.

Steve Nash is the definition of an Athlete. Not only is he super gifted, but he works at it. He works HARD. The guy could probably play pro soccer if we wants...But basketball is his passion. He uses soccer, skateboarding, and other things to keep perspective on HIS game, compliment his athleticism, and have some fun. That's an athlete..

You just gotta love a guy like Steve Nash.

Quote of the Week

"here's to the crazy ones. The Misfits, the Rebels, the Troublemakers. The round pegs in square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and don't recognize status quo. You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them, disbelieve them, glorify or villafy them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They invent. They imagine. They lead. They drive. They explore. They inspire. They push the human race forward. Maybe they have to be crazy. How else do you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art? Or sit in silence and hear a song? Or think outside the box--despite everyones push for normalcy and a sub-par standard operating procedure. If it's a better idea--it's a better idea. THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CRAZY ENOUGH TO THINK THEY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD ARE THE ONES THAT DO.

--Apple Commercial.

DO what the locals do.

I was in Phoenix on the 101, heading back from a night spring training game, going about 85 on the freeway like everyone else. Suddenly...a few people around me started slowing down, but I didn't see any cops whatsoever. All of a sudden...a big red flash...camera on the side of the freeway snaps a picture of my car. Point of the story: do what the locals do. they know where all the speed traps are.

The Way it's meant to be

Ever since I became serious about sports early on freshman year of high school, I began to become serious about what I ate. I eventually discovered what I ate affected my mood, my peformance, and the results I received from the hard work I put in adapting my body to become a better machine.

As of recent, I have found through reading countless articles, many books, and talking to a few extremely educated doctors, experts, nutritionists--the best way to eat is the purest. In this case--the newest isn't necessarily the best. Folks, it is pure science, pure evolution, nothing more. Our bodies are biologically adapted to progressing and growing through fuels provided by mother earth.

I have posted a video I found on YouTube that explains in a very simple matter what I am talking about...the PALEOLITHIC way of eating. It is interesting--yet in this day and age--extremely hard to imitate fully, even through its sheer simplicity. Amazing how hard it is to find a food thee days that is unrefined or unmodified.

Life IS

Life isn't about keeping score. It's not about how many people call you and it's not about who you've dated, are dating, or haven't dated at all. It isn't about who you've kissed, what sport you play, or which guy or girl likes you. It's not about your shoes or your hair or the colour of your skin or where you live or go to school. In fact, it's not about grades, money, clothes, or colleges that accept you or not. Life isn't about if you have lots of friends, or if you are alone, and it's not about how accepted or unaccepted you are. Life just isn't about that. But life is about who you love and who you hurt. It's about how you feel about yourself. It's about trust, happiness, and compassion. It's about sticking up for your friends and replacing inner hate with love. Life is about avoiding jealousy, overcoming ignorance, and building confidence. It's about what you say and what you mean. It's about seeing people for who they are and not what they have. Most of all, it is about choosing to use your life to touch someone else's in a way that could never have been achieved otherwise. These choices are what life's about.

JUST DO IT!!!

Here's the thing that makes life so interesting

the theory of evolution claims only the strong shall survive
maybe so, maybe so
but the theory of competition says
just because they are the strong doesn't mean they can't get their asses kicked.
that's right

see what every long shot come from behind underdog will tell you is this:
the other guy may in fact be the favorite
the odds may be stacked against you.....fair enough
but what the odds don't know is this isn't a math test.
this is a completely different kind of test
one where passion has a funny way of trumping logic
so before you step up to the starting line
before the whistle blows and the clock starts ticking

just remember out here
the results don't always add up
no matter what the stats may say
and the experts may think
and the commentators may have predicted
when the race is on all bets are off
don't be surprised if somebody decides to flip the script take a pass on yelling uncle
and then suddenly, as the old saying goes we got ourselves a game