Positive Influences

Early on a cold winter’s morning, four young teenage boys donning gray cotton sweat pants and shirts meet for another pre-dawn run. Its 1973, Years before the technical garments we know today. No lycra, dri-fit, or cool max. Wearing the black canvas, thin, gum soled running shoes that were popular for the day,they head north through a middle class neighborhood of medium sized wood frame homes northwest of downtown San Antonio. Running into a stiff wind, they wipe their runny noses on their sleeves. Their destination is Jefferson high school. The plans are to run the approximately 3 miles to the school, workout in the school gym weight room, and run back home with a stop at Woodlawn lake to watch the sail boats and skip rocks on the water.
-What drove my friends and I to do this? 13 and 14 year old kids, running at 6 AM on a cold winter morning. Not too common these days I would guess. We had all been involved in sports since about age 6. The area sports organization of the Prospect Hill area we lived in offered Baseball, Soccer, and Football to kids from age 6 to 14. This organization was staffed by a good group of local adults. Some were fathers of our friends. Others were church leaders. Men and Women who influenced us in a positive way. Memories of these people live on in my mind.
Mr. Cepeda my Little League baseball coach, who told me I could hit the ball “a country mile” and who sent me back behind the plate in a game when I thought my elbow was broken. He taught me mental toughness. Mr. Moreno and his Wife, huge financial contributors to the organization and who, even though their son played on an opposing team, always helped and encouraged me, and others to do well. With the exception of the championship Soccer team I was on at age 14, I was mostly on teams at or just above .500. We were taught to play to win, but also taught how to lose gracefully. I am forever grateful for these Men and Women. They planted a seed in us. They taught us not only to become and stay physically active but also to be good citizens. To this day, I hold them, and those individuals who positively influence children and young adults, in high regard.-
Reaching the school gym the boys met the school football coach who greeted them cheerfully. A large photo of Tommy Nobis in a Texas Longhorn uniform hung over the gym entrance. Tommy Nobis,is a Jefferson High school alumnus who after playing at TEXAS, went on to a stellar career with the Atlanta Falcons. The boys stared in awe and imagined, if just for a moment, playing pro ball. They did look forward to playing high school ball at historic Jefferson high school one day. This would not happen, as the school district lines would be redrawn sending the boys to another school. After a few sets of weight lifting, it was time to head back. The day was warmer now and the sun was shining brightly. The spring in their step was a little slower now, so the boys trotted along a winding street lined with large colonial style homes on their way to Woodlawn Lake. The lake park was teaming with activity. A doubles tennis game was going on at the lakeside tennis courts, the lake was full with sailboats, people were fishing on the banks and off the piers. Ducks waddling around the cypress trees which lined the lake were looking for anything that may be good to eat. After walking around the lake, pitching rocks and enjoying the breezy sunny day, the boys continued on home. Tomorrow would bring another adventure. Perhaps, another run or a bicycle ride! Surely they’d come up with something to challenge themselves physically. The boys remained very active physically and socially throughout their youth growing up together. Thanks to positive, influential and caring individuals.

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Having been There

Friday I went up to the Texas Hill country with some buddies to help install an entrance gate at one of our friends hunting ranch. Driving up with Ronnie, the owner of the ranch, we spoke of Life experiences, and childhood. Also the Illnesses that besiege us, and those we love. And the reality of dealing with these conditions. Ronnie's wife, Anna, was a competitive runner while in High School and college in North Western New Mexico. Enjoying a successful amateur career, She continued running and ran many marathons including New York. A few years ago Anna was suffering from a very serious illness. She under went many invasive treatments, hospital stays, and endured a period when she was on artificial life support. Anna pulled through with the help of her husband Ronnie, family, friends, and a positive attitude. The Doctors advised her to give up distance running. As we runners know, this is not what we want to hear. The desire, pleasure,and thrill of running is a sensation we don't want to let go. We dream of the next big race, the next thrill of the marathon and the next experience of the run that will take us to a place we have not been, and the next one after that. Ronnie put it in perspective when he said,
"Be thankful for having the opportunity to having been There. To running the races you did. For being able to experience what others dream of." "God allowed you to experience what you enjoyed and loved, If only for a short time, it was a great time."
If you haven't been there, its never too late. Another old friend just ran her first marathon at age 50! She did well and looked great at the finish according to her husband.
Go after it, if you haven't already. And treasure the times you've been there, because you don't know when it may end.

Stay fit and happy to live well

“Running builds your mettle; it girds your whole being in a battlement that displays your grit. It provides protective layers of the right stuff.” Dr. Walter Bortz
"I believe we can age with grace and delay the onset of age-related disease and discomfort by developing the lifestyle practices essential to experiencing optimal health." Dr. Andrew Weil
Build your mettle, experience optimal health. Two goals we should all strive for. I have often told myself, and those who ask, I don't want to live forever but as long as I am alive I want to FEEL alive. We should not only exist but we must feel as vibrant as possible. To this end, we not only need to stay active but also shine! As in project happiness in smiles and laughter. Real, and sincere smiles and joyful exuberance. Exercise, whether it is running, walking, biking, swimming, gardening, volunteering, etc; is a means to this end. Two dear friends come to mind, One Laughs at the simplest of pleasures, uncontrollably without reservations.
"Be who you are and say what you feel,
because those who mind don't matter
and those who matter don't mind."
~Dr. Seuss
The other doesn't sweat the small stuff. "get over it, life's too short" Is her saying.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two bottles of beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions-things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else-the small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers, or coffee with a friend."
We are in this world for such a short time. Why not make the best of it?

Simple pleasures

Back on the trails today! Well, on my Mountain bike. I was so tempted to ride on the natural trails but stayed on the paved trails. Still recovering. The cool northerly breeze and the beautiful wildflowers made for a wonderful cruise through nature. Ding, Ding, Ding, the on coming bikers yelled mimicking my bell as I warned them. They smiled and waved. A young child looks up, but not back, as he asks his mother "what's that?" upon hearing my bell. "It's a biker asking for room" she says. "Sorry It's not the ice cream man." I say. I was out for just an hour, but it seemed so long and far away. And I was lost with my thoughts in the beauty of the outdoors. Smiling was easy as I was immersed in the simple pleasures of the world around us, and I thought of the good things in life, and more good things in life.

Where's the fire?

WHERE'S THE FIRE PEOPLE?!!
That's the question Frankie B. Ball, our band director, would scream at us in Junior High band class when we'd take off and speed up the tempo on a musical piece. I heard Mr. Ball's voice as I went out for a bike ride Friday evening. Yes, I told myself that I needed to take it easy due to my injury. And I did! for about the first two miles. Leon Creek was full of wild flowers and it was pretty as I cruised along. Then I start an ascend. Down shift, increase my spinning RPM, ATTACK THE HILL! OK, I make it up the hill and cruise down the other side. Then, I see a rider up ahead moving pretty good. I start gaining on him, another hill up ahead, he starts to attack the hill, I am still gaining ground, I don't know this guy but he is ahead of me and I smell blood! I overtake him and....., so what Tony! It's only supposed to be a casual ride! At the turn around I again remind myself to take it easy. But of course I attack the hills. Short and small as they are. I CAN'T HELP IT! But I will try. I've got to get better. And as I've said before, I can't do what I did as a younger person. I tell people I feel like I am 16 years old. And I do, in my MIND! But I am not, and have to realize it when I try to push the envelope. We have to control how hard we push. Especially when we are hurt.

Friends

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it to you when you have forgotten the words."
--unknown
Lately friends have been sharing their life and health concerns. Some are quite serious. We and those close to us, are confronted with many health issues daily. Some things we can can control, others not so. Issues appear and must be dealt with. No need to panic, but many times we do. We must try to eat well, stay active, relate well to others, and find peace in our being. Seeking medical advice is necessary many times. But I believe the mind is very powerful and thinking positive and having a great outlook towards life goes a long way in keeping us healthy. We all have down times, but must try to pull ourselves up. This is where friends and family come in to play. Seek out those that make you smile, laugh, listen, and can be honest with you. Also, be there for those that seek you. You may not always know what to say, but many times all you have to do is listen. Offer what you may, but try not to be judgmental. Today I offered unsolicited advice to an old friend on his weight. My friend is extremely overweight. I spoke to him and projected concern in my tone of voice. He took my advice and said he is trying very hard and has had some success. I told him to keep it up.
Tread lightly, but these things you can say to a true friend without fear.
Also, recently I saw an old friend who was there for me at a very trying time. I again told him how much the comfort he provided me was and is so greatly appreciated. And how I will always treasure it. I believe we should frequently share these feelings with those that mean so much to us.