Posts

Showing posts from July, 2017

The Honeymoon Phase

...the time where everything seems perfect. No arguments, no disputes, no issues. This phase is most commonly used when discussing relationships, but can be used when referring to a new job, new team, or any other setting where people from differing backgrounds come together as one. Typically, the honeymoon phase is viewed as an unavoidable step, with the power to make or break any relationship. Since we hear so much about this phase, it can become a daunting task to enjoy the simple joys of life as we are shadowed by the constant question of "well...what if this is just the honeymoon phase?" If you think hard enough about this phase, it may come true, which probably was not your original intentions at all. Your thoughts become actions. What happens when rather than overthinking and worrying, we remain encouraged by the new opportunity and look forward to ways we can harvest a longer lasting phase?  How can we avoid this seemingly unavoidable period of time? If

Battle at the Playground

I couldn't have been any older than 7 or 8 years old during this story... I also couldn't tell you what made me so upset on this particular day of my childhood... A group of friends and I were enjoying a regular day of elementary school, when out of nowhere we were engaged in a full out verbal altercation.  Once again, I have no idea what the argument was about and am certain that it was not as hostile as I am detailing, but I was angry nonetheless. Just like all grade-school battles, this was going to be settled on the blacktop. Whether it was a foot race, swinging contest, or football games...whenever an issue reared its ugly head, playground was the answer. We reached the playground and our battle of choice was basketball.  Surprise, surprise... I figured that I had an advantage in basketball for some odd reason, but let me detail the disadvantages I had so you can truly understand this poor decision... For starters...I did not hit a true growth spurt until r

First Date Blues

So, guy meets girl... Or girl meets guy... Or person meets person... Whichever way you spin it, you are approaching the first date. You've just met each other, so naturally nerves and anxiety are sharing a prolonged high five at your expense. You've already told your respective group of friends that this "is not a big deal", consequently wasting your Phone-a-Friend option if it suddenly becomes one...so you are on this island alone. You prepare yourself by completing your necessary hygienic routine and then by putting on one of your finest outfits...one that was most likely laid out on the bed before placed over your freshly cleansed skin. This is serious work. Anticipation calls for action when you sit down across from that special someone as you prepare to embark on the beginning of a truly amazing journey... Or the beginning of a slow and embarrassing hour that your group of friends will make fun of you about for years to come. You are both seat

100 Years Prior

A century ago, someone living today was born... And they obviously existed in a completely different world then they are experiencing today. I was at dinner a few weeks ago, and my brother, father and I were discussing the advancements of technology over the course of our lifetimes.  The new age ease of communication was one of the most heavily discussed topics that night, and how it appears to be moving faster than any of us can handle. It dawned on me that one day I may be looking around like a lost child in a world that I've lived  much longer on than any of the youngers who are trying to bring me up to speed... That has to be a terribly strange feeling. It's wild to think, but it is likely a reality considering that at times today I already feel like I have fallen behind. The pace can sometimes be a little too fast for my older fashioned ways. Now I do have my favorites, such as Facetime which I have been on record adoring, but am still marveled at its exis

Tree Bark

When climbing a tree, I think we can all agree that the worst thing that can happen is starting over. Usually there is a branch that you are trying to reach and when you lose focus, you may miss a step, take a tumble and be forced to begin again. The idea is to stay concentrated on the particular goal and trust the training you have done. Oh...you don't climb trees anymore? Neither do I...just bare with me for this analogy. As you make your way up the tree, there's obviously going to be different forms of nature that get in your way. You'll have branches, leaves, and maybe even animals, but what should always remain constant is the goal... That is if you still climb trees of course. The higher the branch, the harder the journey. With that said, the accomplishment will feel much greater once the stars align properly. No one climbs up small trees because there is not much of a reason to.  Relatively speaking of course, everyone can reach the branches of sm