Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Assistance...

"It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can." - Sydney Smith

I asked my oldest son if he would like to go to Home Depot with me to pick up some weedkiller. His response melted my heart and made me laugh at the same time, "I would be glad to assist you at the store..."

It was sweet, but also very poigniant at the same time. I know he couldn't do much but be company on the trip but at least he was willing to do that little part. Look around you today, how can you be of help to someone? Giving up your seat on the bus or subway. Help someone load their groceries into their vehicle. A tiny act of kindness can not only help others but also makes you feel good and uplifts your spirits. What kind of assistance can you give today??


"Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something." - Author Unknown


MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Words

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." - Proverbs


I whispered into my new son's ear last night. I try to do this every night. What do I whisper? Words of encouragement, words of strength, positive words. I grew up on negative words. Words like, "stupid", or "idiot", or "worthless". Those words were planted deep into my mind and the fruit from those words was bitter and hurtful.

I told my son that he was going to grow up strong and handsome and smart. I told him that both he and his brother were going to do far greater things than myself. I tell my older son that he can do anything he puts his mind to. I am planting positive seeds in the hopes of seeing better things come to fruition in both my children's lives.

What words are you planting in your daily life? Words of hope or words of despair?



MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Inner Strength

"When the world says, "Give up,"Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."" - Author Unknown


Sitting here looking at a photo that someone had taken last October of me running my first 8k race. That was a grueling time for me, there I was 34 years old and 280lbs running up and down hills around the city of Zeeland. Many racers were "professionals" looking for a quick win and accolades from the crowd. Others were teens that ran track or cross-country. There were even moms, looking for a time to chat and get a t-shirt (one pair of moms had matching shirts that said "Incredi-Moms" a play on the Disney/Pixar movie "The Incredibles").

Looking back on that time, I never quit. I was tired and suffering from "side-stitch" (dehydration causing pain in your sides) but I never quit. I knew if I had quit, I would not start again and I would be done. Teens that passed me, soon I passed as they had stopped and began to walk. They may have caught up and passed me - but I didn't stop to walk, they did.I am gathering strength from remembering that time. I didn't quit then, and I sure as hell am not going to quit now.

"The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running." - Author Unknown


MattyV
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

An Update & Today's Thought

Just an update, took some time off after the birth of my second son. Gave me some time to think about the weekly blogging and how I want to press forward. I've decided that I am changing the weekly blogs to Tuesdays because Fridays are already hectic with trying to post an audio Podcast and a webshow on YouTube. I think I will also break that up by posting the audio Podcasts on Wednesdays and leave the YouTube show to Fridays. Trying to do too much packed into one day has worn me out a bit. So, stay tuned each Tuesday for a new thought for the day...


"An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied. " - Arnold Glasow


There is another old saying that goes, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions..." which is true for the most part. We can talk all we want about what we plan to do with our lives, but it's when we actually sit down and put things to action that causes change to happen.

What is in your craw, deep down that you wished you could change? Write it down and then execute it.

"Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned." - Peter Marshall


Matty V
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com