I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
—Michael Jackson
Even more, I love its question: “Should I be who you want me to be?”
Our answer should be a resounding “No!” We shouldn’t live our lives for other people. We should look ourselves in the mirror and figure out who we are, and who we need to be. Sure we can all learn a lot from those around us, but, ultimately, we answer to an audience of One.
More and more I’m looking into that proverbial mirror, and more and more I have to remind myself that I need to start with me. More times than I care to admit I’ve complained about how someone else has acted, or something they said, only to find myself doing the very same thing.
So, to answer your question Lebron, life’s too short to worry about the approval of others. We need to be able to look ourselves in the mirror first. Doing that will occupy more time than any of us have available.
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
—Mahatma Gandhi
I say my hell is the closet I’m stuck inside
Can’t see the light
And my heaven is a nice house in the sky
I got central heating and I’m alright
Yeah yeah yeah can’t see the light
Keep it locked up inside don’t talk about it
Talk about the weather
Yeah yeah yeah
Open up my head and let me out little baby
‘Cos here we have been standing for a long long time
Can’t see the light
Treading trodden trails for a long long time, time, time, time, time, time, time
I find sometimes it’s easy to be myself
Sometimes I find it’s better to be somebody else
I see you young and soft oh little baby
Little feet, little feet, little hands little baby
One year of crying and the words creep up inside
Creep into your mind yeah
So much to say, so much to say, so much to say, so much to say
So much to say, so much to say, so much to say, so much to say
‘Cos here we have been standing for a long long time
Can’t see the light
Treading trodden trails for a long long time
I find sometimes it’s easy to be myself
Sometimes I find it’s better to be somebody else
So much to say, so much to say, so much to say, so much to say ohh
So much to say, so much to say, so much to say, so much to say
Little baby ahh
So much to say, so much to say, so much to say, so much to say
Little feet little hands little baby
So much to say, so much to say, so much to say, so much to say
I’m a suspect, I’m a traitor,
I’m only here in body visiting.
Yellow faces in the distance screams,
“The beauty is in what isn’t said,”
I’m rising to my feet,
Because tonight, the world turned in me.
Because right now, I don’t dare to breathe.
Oh, babe, I know, it’s alive and somewhere for us to find,
Tonight, chase this light with me.
My gesso, my last call,
My life is yours in your gifted hands.
Confetti rainfall in a quiet street.
These things I’ve found are special now,
The knot is in my reach,
Because tonight, the world turned in me.
Because right now, I don’t dare to breathe.
Oh, babe, I know, it’s alive and somewhere for us to find,
Tonight, chase this light with me.
A movie, still photograph,
Through a martyr’s eyes can I see,
I’ve seen the best of love, the best of hate, the best reward is earned,
And I’ve paid for every single word I ever said.
Confetti rainfall in a quiet streets.
The beauty is in what you make it,
So get up on your feet.
Because tonight, the world turned in me,
Because right now, I don’t dare to breathe.
Oh, babe, I know, it’s alive and somewhere for us to find,
Tonight, oh chase this light with me.
Because tonight, the world turned in me.
Because right now, I don’t dare to breathe.
Oh, babe, I know, it’s alive and somewhere for us to find,
Tonight, chase this light with me.
I’ve run quite a few races in the last two years and the Grand Rapids Half Marathon was easily my favorite. It all began huddled around a bonfire in Traverse City this past May. My brother-in-law had just run his first 10K, and I my first Half Marathon, and he wanted to take it up a notch. I told him that I’d run any race he wanted to do for support, so with sore legs and huddled around his Blackberry we landed on the Grand Rapids Half in October.
Kid’s Marathon
We kicked things off on Saturday when Tanner and Jacob completed the remaining 1.2 miles of their own marathon. Since August they had been logging their miles, and Saturday they were able to finish the last of it with 700 other kids. They had their own expo, shirts and medals. It was a great morning. I’m so proud of our boys and all the hard work they put in!
On Your Mark…
As happens with runs with 4,000 participants and multiple bathroom stops, the four of us weren’t able to connect at the start, but Eric and I found each other and worked our way toward the front of the starting line. It was a little chilly, maybe low 40′s, but not too bad. With the sun coming out it was near perfect actually. This was Eric and Jason’s first Half, and Randy and I had been training together for a year, so my two goals for this race were to beat my previous time (1:56:22), and beat the other three guys. I was honestly worried about that last one. I could have easily finished last out of the four of us. Happily, however, I narrowly edged out Randy at the end and bested my previous time by over five minutes (1:50:55)!
Kyle’s Song
During mile 3, as we were running on a bridge over the Grand River, I immediately thought of these words by the late Kyle Lake. It was the sermon he was going to give the day he passed away. It’s always been inspirational to me, and this brisk, beautiful morning run was a perfect setting to remember these thoughts:
Live. And Live Well.
BREATHE. Breathe in and Breathe deeply.
Be PRESENT.
Do not be past.
Do not be future.
Be now.
On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun. If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool Autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE.
Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time.
If you bike, pedal HARD… and if you crash then crash well.
Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done—a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed.
If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old’s nose, don’t be disgusted if the Kleenex didn’t catch it all… because soon he’ll be wiping his own.
If you’ve recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And Grieve well.
At the table with friends and family, LAUGH. If you’re eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke.
And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven.
And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor.
Taste every ounce of friendship.
Taste every ounce of Life.
Because it is most definitely a Gift.
The Songs
One of my favorite things to do during a run is to load up the ipod with a lot of hand picked songs and let the shuffle pick my motivation for that particular run. For this race I had 464 songs loaded up (379 more than last time). I had really hoped for the playlist to be Paper Tongues and Angels & Airwaves heavy, but as usual I had something different in store for me. Notables include the two Robbie Seay Band songs during miles 3 and 4 (I had church right there), and I couldn’t have hand-picked the last five songs any better—including getting Rick Rolled!
Cult of Personality – Living Color Just Say Yes – Snow Patrol Bust a Move – Young MC Starting Over – Robbie Seay Band It’s My Life – Bon Jovi Chase This Light – Jimmy Eat World Eternal One – Robbie Seay Band Clockwork – MuteMath Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard Take Me Home – After Midnight Project Turn the Beat Around – Gloria Estefan Do You Remember – Jay Sean Already Gone – Kelly Clarkson Trouble Is A Friend – Lenka Down – Jay Sean Final Countdown – Europe This Is The Last Time – Keane Fancy Footwork – Chromeo Pony – Ginuwine Let It Happen – Jimmy Eat World Crazy In Love – Snow Patrol Lightening Crashes – Live Together Forever – Rick Astley Fuego – Bomba Estereo Higher Baby – DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince Walk of Life – Dire Straits Let’s Go All the Way – Sly Fox
Doin’ Church
So about that church thing. I have been working on a post for a while about my thoughts on Sunday morning church services. In October we’ve missed three out of the four services in Tecumseh, which is really unusual for us. The point of that post was to clarify my position on missing local services in lieu of other, non traditional, Sunday morning experiences. I no longer feel the need to finish that post (although I may someday) because on Sunday I had the most spiritual experience I’ve encountered in many, many years. I literally had church right there on Monroe Avenue. Just me and God, and 4,000 other runners. I was even moved to tears as the following song was playing. God released the burden of legalism from me for good during mile 4. I’ll never feel guilty about missing church again. I completely understand the importance of a local congregation, but God is everywhere, and “where two or more are gathered, He is there also!” As I ran I was praying for others I knew that were running that morning, and I know they were praying for me. God is so much bigger than four walls and certain day of the week. Let God talk to you today, wherever you are!
Eternal One – Robbie Seay Band
Praise the eternal One, Father, Spirit, Son
Our hands raised, we will praise the eternal One
Praise to You our King, from our souls we sing
Our hands raised, we will praise the eternal One
Let the whole world sing Hallelujah
Let the whole world sing Hallelujah
You have saved us
You have changed us
You have set us free
Liberating King
Praise the God of hope, Spirit draw us close
Our hands raised, forever praise the God of hope
Praise the eternal One, Father, Spirit, Son
Our hands raised, we will praise the eternal One
Let the whole world sing Hallelujah
Let the whole world sing Hallelujah
You have saved us
You have changed us
You have set us free
Liberating King
Raise your voice now, louder still
Let the people sing
Raise your voice, louder still
Let the nations scream
Raise your voice, louder still
Let it go, let it build
Raise your voice, louder still
I’ll sing, sing
In Conclusion
Don Kern and the staff put on a first class show. From the daily inspirational emails, to the medal’s and shirts, to the expo and race gifts, to the pre and post race refreshments, down to Don himself greeting each and every runner as they cross the finish line. I’ve never been more impressed with a race. Well done Grand Rapids!
Full Marathon training begins in January! Who’s In?
You’re a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up
And dust yourself off
Get back in the saddle
You’re on the front line
Everyone’s watching
You know it’s serious
We’re getting closer
This isn’t over
The pressure’s on; you feel it
But you got it all; believe it
When you fall, get up, oh oh
And if you fall, get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Cause this is Africa
Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Listen to your god; this is our motto
Your time to shine
Don’t wait in line
Y vamos por todo
People are raising their expectations
Go on and feel it
This is your moment
No hesitation
Today’s your day
I feel it
You paved the way,
Believe it
If you get down
Get up oh, oh
When you get down,
Get up eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa
Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
One of these days you’ll be under the covers
You’ll be under the table and you’ll realize
That all of your days are numbered, all of them one to one hundred
All of them millions, all of them trillions
So what are you gonna do with them all?
You can not trade them in for more, no, no
Take every moment, you know that you own them
It’s all you can do, use what’s been given to you
Gimme a reason to fight the feeling
That there’s nothing here for me
‘Cause none of it’s easy, I know it wasn’t meant to be
I know it’s all up to me, it’s all up to me
So what am I gonna do with my time?
I’ll take every moment, I know that I own them
It’s all up to you to do whatever you choose
Live like you’re dying and never stop trying
It’s all you can do, use what’s been given to you
All of the moments you didn’t notice gone in the blink of an eye
And all of the feelings you can’t help feeling no matter how you try
Take every moment, you know that you own them
It’s all up to you to do whatever you choose
Live like you’re dying and never stop trying
It’s all you can do, use what’s been given to you
Live like you’re dying and never stop trying
It’s all up to you, use what’s been given to you
This past year my loving family has followed me around as I checked items off my bucket list (see here and here). Next year promises more of the same (see here and here). For their sacrifice I told them to choose whatever they wanted to do for our 2012 vacation and I would follow, no questions asked. I already know that the early favorite is going to be Disney World, but I’m going to do my best to help broaden the pool of options. Here are some of the places I’ve requested information from.
Any recommendations, suggestions or comments?
SeaWorld
SeaWorld has always sounded like a blast to me, and would no doubt be only one stop in a larger vacation.
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens sounds like a trip to the zoo on steroids, with amusement park rides to boot!
Discovery Cove
A friend just recommended this place which happens to be a sister park to SeaWorld. Who doesn’t like swimming with the dolphins? I even love the band!
Universal Studios
I have always preferred the notion of visiting Universal Studios rather than Disney World. Honestly I think it has something to do with a friend in elementary school telling me how awesome it was. Maybe it’s because I love movies so much. Regardless, I’m going to be pushing the Harry Potter angle with Tanner on this one!
Kennedy Space Center
I love the idea of incorporating education into a vacation. I can only imagine the ideas and dreams that a visit to the Kennedy Space Center might plant in Tanner’s head.
Detroit Tigers Spring Training
We all love the Tigers, and up until this year our family has visited a different major league ballpark each year. I’ve been to Spring Training games in Arizona as well as Florida, and the access to the players is great. Doing a vacation so early in the year kinda sucks, but it’s probably the optimal time to beat the heat anyway.
Panama City
I spent many years in Panama City and any trip to Florida will probably have to include a stop in the panhandle to rekindle some old memories.
Walt Disney World
Last, and certainly least, there is Walt Disney World. I guess it’s not all that bad, I just hate that it’s so clichè. We could certainly do much worse for a family vacation. Hey, maybe I can run into Zack and Cody!
Whatever they choose I’m already geeked and we still have at least 17 months to go!
I grew up in a Christian household and attended a very conservative church most of my life. Not drinking was one of many amendments to the Ten Commandments that I was taught. Couple that with my tendency to be risk adverse and you have a kid that grew up without having drank his first alcoholic beverage until he was married and 24.
I’m not saying that’s been all bad. I’ve been told I have an inclination to be addicted to things, so I’m sure it’s been for the best. However, ever since allowing myself the freedom to try out the fermented beverages I’ve really screwed up. It wasn’t until recently that I was finally able to enjoy myself.
My First Drink(s)
My first dive into the taboo experience of drinking alcohol was pretty innocent. Tonia and I were on our honeymoon, on a cruise heading out to the Caribbean, and we both grabbed a shot of rum as we walked through a casino on the first day. It was literally a shot glass and I could have drank mouthwash for all I knew, it was that little.
Later that night we popped open the champaign I had ordered for our cabin. After one sip we emptied the bottle down the toilet. It just wasn’t our cup of tea.
A couple days later we decided to use our free drink coupons while we were out at the pool. I ordered a daiquiri and Tonia ordred a piña-colada. Again, two sips and we were both done. We went back and got the virgin equivalents and were in heaven.
That was it for me for a couple years. Then Brandon came along…
The Camping Story
This is where it all fell apart.
Fresh off my final collegiate Spring Break in which I landed the job I would be starting after college, I wanted to celebrate by intentionally getting drunk (which was easier than you might expect considering I attended a private christian university in a dry county). So my pal Brandon set things in motion and took care of all the details. We were going camping and he was bringing his friend Jack, and a bottle of Dr. Pepper.
I’m pretty sure Brandon wasn’t a chemistry or math major. His ratio’s were a little off. Probably a lot. It also could have also been the fact that I hadn’t eaten all day, smoked two large cigars, and had about three large cups of the mixture. Any way you measure it, I didn’t appreciate the repercussions of that experience. At. All.
Post Camping Drinking
I’ve never been drunk again in my life.
To be honest, the smell of alcohol sort of turns my stomach a bit. I have still dabbled in the occasional pale ale however, which leads me to the point of this entire post. Brandon and I were chatting the other day about his love of kicking back on his porch with a cold brew after mowing his lawn. It sounded sweet, even picturesque, but everyone says beer is an acquired taste and I definitely haven’t acquired one yet. And I’m not necessarily looking to acquire a taste for all beer, but I am interested in finding something that I might appreciate on my porch after mowing the lawn.
Recommendations?
I think the only beer I’ve ever had more than one of in a single sitting is Rolling Rock. Commercial advertising has done its job however, and I’ve been curious about many others. So here’s your chance. What’s your beer recommendation? I’m going to start the long and tedious process of tasting different beers, and will post my review of each here on this blog.
One of the few people I try to emulate in my life is my uncle Mark. He’s extremely dedicated and talented at what he does, but even more he’s relentlessly humble, and giving, and family oriented. You couldn’t ask for a better uncle. Congratulations Mark on all your continued success!
Blazing Their Own Trails Alix Stuart – CFO Magazine, September 1, 2010
Autodesk CFO Mark Hawkins counts himself very fortunate to have worked for two companies with robust and carefully structured training and development programs. Hewlett-Packard, for example, sent him twice to graduate school and rotated him through various roles, some of which were overseas. Later in his career, at Dell Inc., he continued with job rotations and further honed his leadership skills by participating in a highly selective program that brought in CEOs of other companies and top strategists like Ram Charan to deliver guest lectures.
Those experiences have inspired Hawkins, who joined Autodesk in the beginning of 2009, to press toward a lofty goal in his current position: “To give team members the best development experience they’ve ever had in their entire career.”
The Original Mud Puppy is a 36 year old Christ follower. Father of an amazing son. Husband of a woman that makes me a better person every single day. Book, music, and movie junkie. Avid runner. Part-time cook.
Two creeds that I try to live by are: Stop Existing and Start Living & Love Wins. (more...)
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