Thoughts to ponder

 Friends,

Why do peanuts float in a regular coke and sink in a diet coke. Go ahead and try it...

I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes. 

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered? 

Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going?   (taxes?) 

 Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity? 

 What disease did cured ham actually have? 

 How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage? 

  Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours? 

  If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing? 

  Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV? 

 Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground? 

 Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway. 

  Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural? 

  Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat? 

Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?   I've never seen a sign that says 'Two or more LIVE people needed to use the HOV lane'...

 If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat? 

 If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from? 

 If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons? 

  Why do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune? 

  Why did you just try singing the two songs above? 

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you,  but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

HOW DID THE MAN WHO MADE THE FIRST CLOCK, KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS?

Retired time to find a new balance

In her blog A Retirement Blog, Caree Risover posted a blog on "More than One Way" in which she said, When we were working, many of us fell into this trap and felt the frantic nature of life as we ran from one commitment to another. Who'd have thought how easily you can fall into the trap of doing this, even when you are retired and theoretically have time at your disposal?

I've been ruminating on my folly, and although that wonderful feeling of tranquility is clearly linked to a slower tempo, it isn't true that to appreciate the joy of life, you always have to operate at a snail's pace. Indeed, the early years of retirement are definitely an opportunity for adventure and exploration, deriving thrill from the novel and unfamiliar. There are many ways to revel in the moment. I agree that there are many ways to revel in the moment. Then, a friend of mine asked me a question. This is my response to her question and Caree's thoughtful post.

One example would be to read your latest novel while you watch the rain and wind flow around your house. Another is to sit with friends for lunch and listen as they talk about past glories and future dreams.

One of my friends imagined retirement as a time of slow mornings, leisurely walks, and peaceful afternoons filled with books and tea. After decades of juggling deadlines, meetings, and family commitments, she was ready for tranquility. Or so she thought.

Two months into retirement, she found herself busier than ever. She volunteered at the library, signed up for a watercolor class, agreed to help plan the neighborhood potluck, and even babysat her grandkids twice a week. The freedom she had longed for seemed just as frantic as her working years, just with different commitments. She had forgotten how to say no.

One day, she said to me, I don’t understand it. I thought I was done with rushing from one thing to the next. But here I am, running around again. Retirement wasn’t supposed to feel like this."

Having been retired for almost 20 years, I laughed and said, "Ah, the retirement rush. We all fall into it. The trick isn’t slowing down completely; it’s finding the rhythm that suits you. Sometimes, life is about exploration and adventure. Other times, it’s about pausing to soak in the moment. There’s no single right way to enjoy this stage."

My friend started to make small changes; she left her schedule open for an entire morning. No plans, no commitments. She sat by the window with her book and let the sound of the rain tapping on the glass set the tempo for her day. It felt wonderful.

Later that week, she told me she had experienced something new and wonderful. She joined a hiking group and was excited when they reached a breathtaking viewpoint.

You don’t have to choose between movement and stillness, between adventure and tranquility. Retirement is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Some days were for discovery, for stepping into the unfamiliar with a spark of curiosity. Other days were for stillness, for soaking in the simple pleasures of life.

Retirement is about finding a new balance, not by following one strict approach but by embracing all the ways life could be enjoyed.

How Can an Athlete Balance Recognition While Remaining Process-Oriented?

It's great to enjoy your successes, but never forget the journey that led you there. A balanced strategy means that you develop as an athlete and as an individual.

As I  wrap up this series on winning, it’s important to remember that while celebrating successes is gratifying, the true essence of growth lies in honoring the journey itself. Achieving recognition is a wonderful reward, yet it’s only one piece of the larger picture of becoming not just a better athlete but a more resilient and well-rounded individual. Each trophy, medal, or moment of acclaim represents countless hours of practice, sacrifice, and perseverance. When you stand on that podium, it’s a celebration of every early morning, every setback turned lesson, and every small win along the way. However, focusing solely on these milestones can sometimes distract you from the ongoing process that fuels continuous improvement.

Research in sports psychology shows that athletes who maintain a process-oriented mindset are more likely to sustain motivation and long-term success. Balancing recognition with a process-oriented approach means setting goals that value both the outcome and the journey. Here are some key strategies to achieve that balance:

Set Incremental Goals: Instead of only aiming for championships or record-breaking performances, break your objectives into smaller, daily goals. Each practice session and training drill becomes a stepping stone towards excellence.

Reflect on the Journey: Take time to appreciate the progress you’ve made, even the struggles. Reflection helps reinforce that every moment, whether triumphant or challenging, contributes to your growth.

Embrace Continuous Learning: Cultivate a mindset that values improvement over perfection. Celebrate technical improvements, mental resilience, and the camaraderie built with teammates.

Stay Grounded in Intrinsic Motivation: Focus on what you love about your sport, be it the joy of movement, the thrill of learning something new, or the satisfaction of overcoming a challenge. This inner drive is what sustains you far beyond any external recognition.

The principles that guide athletic success extend far beyond sports. In life, too, we encounter challenges that demand both the celebration of achievements and an appreciation for the process of growth. Whether you're pursuing a career milestone, learning a new skill, or building meaningful relationships, embracing a balanced strategy helps you evolve continuously as an individual.

By balancing the joy of recognition with a steadfast focus on day-to-day improvement, you learn to value every step of your journey. This holistic approach not only leads to athletic excellence but also fosters personal development, resilience, and a deeper understanding of success as a lifelong pursuit.

In closing, while winning is undoubtedly exciting, the real triumph lies in the continuous pursuit of excellence, the lessons learned along the way, and the personal growth that transcends every score. Embrace your successes, cherish the journey, and let every day’s improvement be a victory in itself.

My own experience, racing with my brothers, playing softball with unbreakable determination, assisting in building championship teams, and later coaching teams that won some and lost some championships, has taught me that victory is achieved in a multitude of ways. It's not everything about standing atop the podium; it's about the sweat, the laughter, the moments of victory and defeat experienced together, and most importantly, the journey which transforms you along the way.

For my grandson, as you continue in your sports life, remember that every event you enter, every practice session you endure, and every failure you overcome is a part of a larger, rewarding experience. Whether you're speeding down the ski slopes or striving to be as good as you can be in any competition or in life, the real victory is in the improvement, the friendship, and the daily advancement you gain.

Therefore, if someone ever asks you, "Does winning really matter?" you can grin and say, "Yes, it does, but not so much because of the medals and the applause. It matters because of the journey, the lessons learned, and the friendships that are made along the way."

May your journey be filled with small wins, steady progress, and the sheer joy of just playing the game of life. 

How to Transition from Championships to Day-to-Day Improvement

Perfection resides in day-to-day improvement. With constant improvement, every practice session and training session becomes a stepping stone towards greatness.

Championships are the thrilling peaks of athletic performance, moments that etch themselves in our memories. However, what truly forges a champion isn’t just that one victorious moment it’s the steady, daily commitment to improvement that builds a foundation for success. As I've learned from my own journey in sports, every practice session, every training drill, and every minor adjustment to technique serves as a stepping stone toward greatness.

While the roar of the crowd at a championship event can be exhilarating, it is in the quiet moments of daily training where perfection is honed. Focusing on the process, perfecting a twist, a stride, refining a swing, or even improving your stance creates an environment where every small win matters. This daily focus on improvement, much like the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, emphasizes that even minor gains, compounded over time, lead to extraordinary results. This approach not only enhances technical skills but also builds mental resilience and a deep-rooted passion for the sport.

Research in sports psychology consistently shows that athletes who commit to daily improvements tend to outperform those fixated solely on end goals. This mindset shifts the emphasis from fleeting moments of glory to a sustainable model of success. When every practice session is viewed as an opportunity to learn and grow, the journey becomes as rewarding as the final victory. By celebrating these small victories, be it a faster lap time or a more precise movement, athletes are continually motivated to push their limits further.

The lessons learned from this approach aren’t confined to the sports arena. In life, achieving long-term success is about the cumulative effect of daily efforts. Whether you’re learning a new skill, nurturing relationships, or advancing your career, the principle remains the same: Constant, incremental improvement is key. Embracing this process-oriented approach reduces the pressure of a singular, high-stakes moment and encourages a healthier, more balanced perspective on progress and achievement.

For those interested in exploring these ideas further, you might find the Self-Determination Theory website and articles on Psychology Today insightful. They offer a deep dive into how focusing on daily progress can lead to sustained motivation and overall fulfillment, both in sports and in everyday life.

In essence, while winning a championship is memorable, the journey of daily improvement builds the true legacy of a champion. Every practice, every small gain, and every lesson learned on the way is a testament to the idea that perfection resides not in a single moment of glory but in the continuous pursuit of excellence