Showing posts with label Rocky. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rocky. Show all posts
October 6, 2023
May 5, 2021
From Point A To Point A+
Take it stroke by stroke.
Don't worry about getting all the way from point A to Z.
Instead just focus on getting from point A to point A+.
Just take the first stroke and then another and another.
Like one foot in front of the other.
See how far you've come!
You're on the way to point Z but you don't have to drink the ocean in one gulp to get there. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 15, 2020
Holes In The Eyes
What I do know is that there are some people (not all) in this world who are very bad people that are blind to truth and good.
They see themselves not only first and foremost but only themselves--they are truly selfish pr*cks!
Next, they see their buddies from the "old boy's network" where one dirty hand washes the other even dirtier hand.
They see everyone else as pawns to get what they want--power, money, prestige--and in turn others are for their abuse and as a punching bag.
People born and bred on immediate and self-gratification at the expense of doing what's right.
Power used to intimidate, to harass, to bully, to step on, to shame, and to kick to the gutter.
To them it's just what it takes "to make it" in this world. And for them they don't consider what they are giving up in the world to come.
It's an ancient war of good over evil where bad people seem very strong indeed.
But where we can't cower from a fight for what we know in the end is right.
Where did their eyes go? ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 1, 2020
Parachute Running
Sprinting with a parachute on for added resistance.
Add in the hot, humid, summer sun burning down.
And you have yourself a decent exercise routine going on.
Hurry up and slow down.
You run yes, but the parachute says no.
Go! go!! go!!!
You're almost over the finish line. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 2, 2020
You've Got To Do It
November 28, 2019
November 22, 2019
Tuna Salad - Eating Healthy
When I broke my fast today, I had a healthy salad with tuna fish.
Dieting and eating healthy, and feeling good about it!
All the processed food is completely addictive and 100% poison!
Broke the addiction and I don't plan to go back to the corrupt food industry fools that don't care for atom about the people, but rather just the profits.
Fruit, vegetables fish, nuts, seeds, and tea.
The fleecing of America by all the processed food players--it's disgusting.
I'm detoxing and I am grateful to G-d for helping me through this and showing me the way! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 22, 2019
Rambo Is Back
July 30, 2019
Win Rocky Win
And it arrived, all wrapped up nicely, in the mail yesterday.
Rocky working out and training.
His shirt says:
Win Rocky Win
I posed him with his arms up in the air like after a fight in the ring.
Love his fighting spirit, determination, and integrity.
Overcoming against all odds.
Great inspiration.
Some say we actually look alike. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 22, 2019
I will Survive
G-d gives us strength.
To battle ignorance, apathy, and evil.
To educate, persuade, influence, and fight for what's right.
With a thick skin of battle armor.
And sword and arrows of insight, cunning, and righteousness.
To stand firm even when you feel weakened.
To find the words even when you are mocked.
To see clearly and hear distinctly even when confounded.
The soul and spirit of G-d guides you.
As you traverse a journey through life's winding tests and challenges.
Fight heroically to repair that which is broken.
Say resolutely, I will survive! ;-)
January 7, 2019
No One Cares How You Feel
But it is one full of love and helping your kids.
Sometimes, I remember listening to my kids say that they feel this or that and seeing that it was holding them back from accomplishing their goals.
Often, I would tell them that the only people that really care about how they feel is your mother and father--but generally-speaking, it a tough world out there, and:
"No one [else] cares about how you feel."
I tried to focus them--not on being cold and unfeeling--but rather on being strong inside and focusing on the tasks that need to get done.
Sure, feelings are important, but if you are getting held back from doing what you need to do--then there are times when you need to put the feelings in abeyance and go forward.
Overall, there is plenty of time to feel what you feel, but don't let anger, fear, or anxiety get in the way of you accomplishing your dreams.
In a book that I am reading by Amos Oz, "A Tale of Love and Darkness," he writes:
'I want' and 'I don't want' aren't reasons, they can only be defined as self-indulgence.
Yes, it's a little tough love, but also it is out of true love to help the kids to be willing and determined to try their best and not get held back by anything in the pursuit of the destiny they choose to follow. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 21, 2018
Be Strong!
April 17, 2018
Rocky Says
December 19, 2017
What Do You Do With Fear?
"You have two options:
Forget Everything And Run
Or
Face Everything And Rise"
It the old fight or flight!
- Running may be good when you can avoid a devastating fight and get yourself and your loved one to safety.
- But sometimes you don't have that option and you have to "fight the good fight" and overcome the devils you face.
Everyone is afraid of something(s) and/or somebodies.
If someone isn't afraid then they are brain dead!
Strengthen yourselves, ready yourselves, and pray.
What do you fear and how will you face it? ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 15, 2017
Slow Build - Rapid Demise
Or as they say:
"Rome wasn't built in a day."
But it's not always easy to have patience.
We all have to start somewhere and usually it's at the bottom.
And then we have to claw our way up (like Rocky).
Unless of course, you're one of those people born with a "silver spoon" in your mouth.
The funny thing about building and climbing is that it can all be destroyed in a split second.
One silly mistake, one stupid word, one indiscretion, one lackadaisical moment, a turn of bad luck...or a series thereof.
It takes so much time and effort to build as we lay one brick of success upon another.
And it takes just a split second to destroy it all.
So watch-watch-watch your steps, because they can so easily turn into a rapid, spiraling, and even most deadly a fall. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 13, 2017
Inspiring Greatness
Muhammad Ali believing that he's the greatest boxer.
And the child sitting in front with these huge red boxing gloves on--presumably dreaming about becoming the next Muhammad Ali!
The butterfly sitting on the boxing gloves in front of the child adds an interesting dimension, where the child dreams of developing into the "next great one," just like a butterfly morphs from a caterpillar into a beautiful flying creatures with colorful and expansive wings.
This child wants to fly and soar to greatness like Muhammad Ali did.
We all need an inspiration that has overcome adversity to make it against all odds.
For me, this inspiration was Rocky who rose from the streets to become a fighter and winner not only in the ring, but in life as a person of integrity and a mensch.
If we dream it, it can be--with G-d's blessing and plenty of hard work. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 2, 2017
If I Could Be Anyone(s)
"If you had $20 million dollars and could do whatever you want (be whoever you want), what would that be?"
I was on the spot a little and didn't have time to introspect the way I like to do, and I gave an answer that I really wasn't happy with...and it's been bothering me since.
So sitting down now and really thinking about who I want to be--this is my real answer:
As a composite person, I want to have the:
- Lovingkindness of Mother Teresa
- Serenity of the Dalai Lama
- Spirituality of Moses
- Determination of Rocky
- Leadership of Rick Grimes
- Strength of Samson
- Agility of Bruce Lee
- Intellect of Sigmund Freud
- Understanding of Albert Einstein
- Ingenuity of Steve Jobs
- Inquisitiveness of Capt. James T. Kirk
- Bravery of those martyred in the Holocaust
- Heroism of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu
- Beauty of my wife and daughters
- The integrity of my dear father, Fred Blumenthal
What would I want to do--just simple things like:
- Cure Cancer, Parkinsons, ALS, etc.
- Eliminate poverty
- Herald in world peace
- Help/comfort those that are hurt and suffering
- Make people smile/happy
- Be a good person with integrity in all situations
I could probably go on and on, but generally this is what life means to me.
Maybe today, I ain't the smartest or fastest or strongest, but I have dreams, hopes, and aspirations.
If that isn't good enough, well at least I have a heart and a soul. ;-)
(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
October 18, 2017
Character Building Day
A friend told me that when they have a really tough day, they call it:
"A Character Building Day!"
I thought that was pretty astute.
When people are up against the wall...
And they feel like they practically have their hands and legs tied...
And the world is spinning around them out of control...
And others are throwing tomatoes, darts, arrows, and all types of other sh*t their way...
- We can either just close our eyes, feel powerless, get upset and depressed, and basically give up
OR
- We can see the tough times as challenges--however great--to build our character.
Every situation is a learning and growth opportunity.
Don't give in--Get up and fight.
What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!
Yes, many days are character building days--it doesn't always feel good--often it feels horrible--but we can approach it with the right attitude and help shape our character and soul for the better. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 13, 2017
Live 4 Something
On the TV was Sylvester Stallone in the movie, Rambo.
Ah, some nice welcome action to take my mind off the exercise.
Some doctors and missionaries are trying to make their way to to Burma to help the helpless victims being slaughtered by the military warlord and his henchmen.
Stallone knows the danger in going there, and at first, he ties to discourage them from going.
The beautiful and sincere women in the group convinces him to take them there...to try to make a difference in these people's lives who are suffering.
Stallone takes to the lesson and incorporates it into his inner persona.
And later he says:
"Live for something
Or
Die for nothing!"
I thought this was a really good philosophy.
THINK ABOUT IT:
- We can choose to make our lives meaningful and impactful or to hide in the closet or under the bed and really accomplish nothing.
Our lives are a gift, given to us to do something good with--it's a sin to waste that gift and not do everything we can to be a good influence, help others, and make this a better world.
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
June 29, 2017
It's Not (Always) Easy
But there is definitely another reality out there, and that is that everyone has problems:
- Family
- Health
- Finances
- Work
- School
- Conflict
- Spiritual
Like Helen Keller said:
"I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet."
I remember as a child, if I felt sad about something, my dad at times would remind me about the children in the hospital, and to think about how we can help others less fortunate--and he was right!
What I see in life is a lot of people trying, but also so many challenges, failures, and suffering along the way...unfortunately, it's part of the learning and growth equation, and in why we're here.
In college, I always remember one (English) professor who taught me from Henry David Thoreau:
"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation."
Sometimes, in our solitude or when we speak quietly from our heart with our closest loved ones, we feel and express some of those deep feelings of hurt, pain, and suffering from our lives.
Those experiences, memories, and feelings are not all that there is of us, but it is certainly a part of all of us--although maybe only the brave will admit theirs.
It's not shameful to feel, to cry, and to be human.
It's certainly not what Facebook and Twitter are all about.
But it's a genuine and critical part of us which recognizes as my dad also taught me that--life is not easy--and that we have to fight every day to do our best and to help others to do theirs. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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