That's right! One at a Time now has a new name!
Building a Better Us!
Yes, the name sounds weird. Shouldn't it be "building a better you"?
No. It shouldn't be "building a better you" because you aren't the only one who needs to be better. We all do. Therefore this blog is about building a better us.
I decided to change the name because I want to blog to have a newer focus. I want the blog to be an opportunity for all of us to grow together. I want to grow with you. I need to grow with you. I figured why not do this together? So we will. Each post will be about opportunities for us to grow as people. Some may be simple short explanations and others may require a lot of work, but we are going to do it....together.
As always, I appreciate your dedication.
Stay tuned for more
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The First Step
How do we become the best version of ourselves?
We all want to know the answer. The problem is that many times we tend to look outward for the answer. We look to others, we look to movies, we look to music, we look everywhere for that one true answer.
The problem is that we don't look into ourselves.
This was a powerful lesson that I've realized over the past few weeks. You see, I am not perfect. None of us are, but I am trying to become a better person each and every day. If we stop growing then we stop living. I, like most people, always looked for the answer. I always looked for someone who was going to come along and tell me "you can become a better person by doing x,y,z."
These people don't exist. The truth is we all know exactly what we need to do to become a better person. The first thing we need to do it learn that we have the power. We have the control over all of our choices in life. The sooner we discover this, the sooner we realize that we have the power to make ourselves better.
Maybe you are a smoker who is trying to quit. Maybe you are struggling to keep your diet going because that craving for sweets gets you every time. Maybe you are an athlete striving for that last chance at proving your worth. Whatever we are struggling through can be solved by learning that we have the power. We have the power to say no to the cigarette, or the candy, or the negative thoughts we may have.
We have the power to say no and we have the power to say yes. We are in complete control of our lives even at time when it seems like we aren't. The sooner we realize that, the sooner we can take the next step in our personal growth.
Realizing we have the power over ourselves is the first step.
Are you willing to take it?
We all want to know the answer. The problem is that many times we tend to look outward for the answer. We look to others, we look to movies, we look to music, we look everywhere for that one true answer.
The problem is that we don't look into ourselves.
This was a powerful lesson that I've realized over the past few weeks. You see, I am not perfect. None of us are, but I am trying to become a better person each and every day. If we stop growing then we stop living. I, like most people, always looked for the answer. I always looked for someone who was going to come along and tell me "you can become a better person by doing x,y,z."
These people don't exist. The truth is we all know exactly what we need to do to become a better person. The first thing we need to do it learn that we have the power. We have the control over all of our choices in life. The sooner we discover this, the sooner we realize that we have the power to make ourselves better.
Maybe you are a smoker who is trying to quit. Maybe you are struggling to keep your diet going because that craving for sweets gets you every time. Maybe you are an athlete striving for that last chance at proving your worth. Whatever we are struggling through can be solved by learning that we have the power. We have the power to say no to the cigarette, or the candy, or the negative thoughts we may have.
We have the power to say no and we have the power to say yes. We are in complete control of our lives even at time when it seems like we aren't. The sooner we realize that, the sooner we can take the next step in our personal growth.
Realizing we have the power over ourselves is the first step.
Are you willing to take it?
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Issue At Hand
At Marist, we have a baseball and softball team and a baseball and softball field. Basketball teams and a basketball court. Water Polo and swimming teams and a swimming pool. The Volleyball team has a volleyball court. Our football team, lacrosse team and soccer teams, all have our nice new turf field. Tennis players play on our tennis courts and crew rows on the lovely Hudson river. Even our intramural softball team and club rugby team have a field to play on. That covers every NCAA Division 1 team at Marist....
...Except for the Track and Field team.
Running can be hard to understand. In fact, runners can be hard to understand too, but that is a different topic. The main question most people ask is "can't you run anywhere?"
Yes, technically we can. Our "distance runs" can be on a turf field, the roads, trails, or a track. When we do our daily runs from campus we can and do go out on the roads. However, for a track team to not have a track is like a baseball team having a batting cage, but not field. It is like a basketball team having one hoop, a ball and a painted foul line in the parking lot. It's like hockey without a hockey rink. The fundamentals of the game can still exist, but the specifics don't. It's like eating only a piece of chicken for dinner without any sides. It is the sides that complete the meal.
Picture this: You are a Division 1 athlete and each week in order to get the proper training for your sport you have to go a local high school, or a Division III school just to use their facilities. Not only are you wasting your time traveling back and forth, but aren't you also embarrassed? Here you are, a collegiate athlete and you have to practice at the local high school.
How would you feel? Put yourself in that situation. Would you feel appreciated? Respected?
I don't. I am not the only person who feels this way.
Please take a minute and put yourselves in our shoes.
How would you feel?
You have your main athletic resource...help us get ours.
...Except for the Track and Field team.
Running can be hard to understand. In fact, runners can be hard to understand too, but that is a different topic. The main question most people ask is "can't you run anywhere?"
Yes, technically we can. Our "distance runs" can be on a turf field, the roads, trails, or a track. When we do our daily runs from campus we can and do go out on the roads. However, for a track team to not have a track is like a baseball team having a batting cage, but not field. It is like a basketball team having one hoop, a ball and a painted foul line in the parking lot. It's like hockey without a hockey rink. The fundamentals of the game can still exist, but the specifics don't. It's like eating only a piece of chicken for dinner without any sides. It is the sides that complete the meal.
Picture this: You are a Division 1 athlete and each week in order to get the proper training for your sport you have to go a local high school, or a Division III school just to use their facilities. Not only are you wasting your time traveling back and forth, but aren't you also embarrassed? Here you are, a collegiate athlete and you have to practice at the local high school.
How would you feel? Put yourself in that situation. Would you feel appreciated? Respected?
I don't. I am not the only person who feels this way.
Please take a minute and put yourselves in our shoes.
How would you feel?
You have your main athletic resource...help us get ours.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Judgement
I'm not perfect. No one is perfect. In fact, these blog post I write about bettering ourselves are just as much, if not more, for me then they are for others. Yesterday, Saturday, was another example of a moment in my life that helped me learn how to become a better person.
You see, in the running world there are bug track meets. At these bug track meets there are the first few heats, where those runners who are the best of the best run. There are the middle heats, where I like to think I run most of the time. Then there are the last few heats which consist of runners who aren't as quick as those in the first two sets of heats. Often times you wish that the first two sets of heats are filled with people who simply work harder and more than those who are in the last few heats. As life has taught us, often times that isn't the case. Not all, but many in the last few heats work just as hard as the others.
What is my point?
When you watch a track meet you usually lose focus towards the ends of the races. After 5, or 10, or even 15 heats have gone off, you usually stop paying attention. I have seen many people in slower heats either win their heat or run a certain time and throw their arms up in the air or smile and high-five all their teammates. I have sat there numerous times and made remarks to my friends about how their time was MUCH slower than mine and I didn't react like that, or I would mention how they need to realize they won the 20th heat out of 21.
Yesterday however, I was the kid who smiled after the race. I was the kid who received all the high-fives and I was the kid who ran a very mediocre time.
Suddenly I began to realize that my teammates and my close friends and family all knew that yesterdays race was important to me. I didn't run the best time. I didn't even run my fastest time, but I ran. I finished and I couldn't have been happier.
Everyone has their own life story. These are stories that 99% of the people around us do not know about. I thought about all those kids who I judged because they were happy about a time that I believed was mediocre. Yesterday helped me understand that I should NEVER judge someone for accomplishing something they believe is important.
We are often so quick to judge, yet we almost never fully understand the situation. We need to try and remember that everyone has their accomplishments and we should be happy for them.
You see, in the running world there are bug track meets. At these bug track meets there are the first few heats, where those runners who are the best of the best run. There are the middle heats, where I like to think I run most of the time. Then there are the last few heats which consist of runners who aren't as quick as those in the first two sets of heats. Often times you wish that the first two sets of heats are filled with people who simply work harder and more than those who are in the last few heats. As life has taught us, often times that isn't the case. Not all, but many in the last few heats work just as hard as the others.
What is my point?
When you watch a track meet you usually lose focus towards the ends of the races. After 5, or 10, or even 15 heats have gone off, you usually stop paying attention. I have seen many people in slower heats either win their heat or run a certain time and throw their arms up in the air or smile and high-five all their teammates. I have sat there numerous times and made remarks to my friends about how their time was MUCH slower than mine and I didn't react like that, or I would mention how they need to realize they won the 20th heat out of 21.
Yesterday however, I was the kid who smiled after the race. I was the kid who received all the high-fives and I was the kid who ran a very mediocre time.
Suddenly I began to realize that my teammates and my close friends and family all knew that yesterdays race was important to me. I didn't run the best time. I didn't even run my fastest time, but I ran. I finished and I couldn't have been happier.
Everyone has their own life story. These are stories that 99% of the people around us do not know about. I thought about all those kids who I judged because they were happy about a time that I believed was mediocre. Yesterday helped me understand that I should NEVER judge someone for accomplishing something they believe is important.
We are often so quick to judge, yet we almost never fully understand the situation. We need to try and remember that everyone has their accomplishments and we should be happy for them.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
NY Giants
Wait! Don't exit out of the blog post before reading it because you hate the NY Giants. I promise you this post isn't about them. Well, it is, but I promise it has more meaning then you would expect. You see, I am a HUGE giants fan. If I were to pick a sports team I follow most it would undoubtedly be the Giants.I have been a Giants fan for as long as I can remember. This means I've been there when they were the best and I've been there when they were the worst. Four years ago I even had the lucky opportunity to experience one of my favorite teams win the Super Bowl.
This year I am lucky enough to have that opportunity again.
Now I am not saying the Giants will win the Super Bowl. In fact, I've always been worried about rematches. I feel the team that lost the first time around always has more to fight for and better odds at winning. As much as I hope they win, I understand there is another alternative.
But this blog is not about the giants winning the Super Bowl. This post is about the 9-7 Giants being the third team in NFL history to make it to the Super Bowl. This game is about the 6-6 giants going into Dallas with their backs against the wall. Then about the 7-7 Giants looking at their last two games and knowing they would not make the playoffs without a win. You see, the Giants haven't played three playoff games. The NY Giants have played 5 playoff games. They couldn't lost against the Jets and they couldn't lose against the Cowboys.
What's the point?
The point is whether you like this team or not, they show us what believing is truly about. They even did the same thing in 2007. The Giansts were the team that couldn't. The Giants were the team that shouldn't....
Yet, they were the team that did.
How many times have we been in that position? Back against the wall. No one believes we can do it, but we fight for it anyway because we believe.
No matter how many people doubt us, we hold the true belief. If we believe then anything is possible.
This year I am lucky enough to have that opportunity again.
Now I am not saying the Giants will win the Super Bowl. In fact, I've always been worried about rematches. I feel the team that lost the first time around always has more to fight for and better odds at winning. As much as I hope they win, I understand there is another alternative.
But this blog is not about the giants winning the Super Bowl. This post is about the 9-7 Giants being the third team in NFL history to make it to the Super Bowl. This game is about the 6-6 giants going into Dallas with their backs against the wall. Then about the 7-7 Giants looking at their last two games and knowing they would not make the playoffs without a win. You see, the Giants haven't played three playoff games. The NY Giants have played 5 playoff games. They couldn't lost against the Jets and they couldn't lose against the Cowboys.
What's the point?
The point is whether you like this team or not, they show us what believing is truly about. They even did the same thing in 2007. The Giansts were the team that couldn't. The Giants were the team that shouldn't....
Yet, they were the team that did.
How many times have we been in that position? Back against the wall. No one believes we can do it, but we fight for it anyway because we believe.
No matter how many people doubt us, we hold the true belief. If we believe then anything is possible.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Resolutions
So...this is it. The big December 31st. Midnight tonight will be it is officially the start of a whole new year. If any of you, like myself, saw the New Years Eve movie then you are probably going out tonight with extremely high expectations. But hey, anything can happen right?
All athletes know that come tomorrow, their lives will be made that much more difficult. Starting tomorrow, all new years resolutionists will crowd the gyms taking all of the machines and making a normal 30 minute session turn into a 2 hour session. Do not get me wrong, I admire and respect everyone who tries to better themselves by getting their body into shape. I have raved about the benefits of exercise and believe everyone should try it.
What confuses me, however, is why tomorrow is of such significance. Yes, it is a new year, but in reality isn't it also just the start of another day? What does tomorrow's significance have to do with us attempting to do things differently? Tomorrow, like yesterday and Wednesday, is just another day in our lives. I guess the point I'm trying to make is why wait for the new year to become a better person?
Many of us will try to be nicer to others, exercise more, do better in school, forgive someone, apologize to someone, give someone a second chance, etc. Tomorrow we will start attempting to accomplish the goals we make for ourselves for the upcoming year. However, instead of viewing each year as a chance to better ourselves, we should focus on each day. Each day presents us with another opportunity to better ourselves. Instead of deciding that next year will be the year you finally begin talking to your mother, or next year will be the year you begin your diet, start today. Start now. Do not wait for each year to pass. Yes, make new years resolutions, but when they are done, make more resolutions.
Each day is an opportunity for us to begin anew. Each day holds the same significance that new years holds.
Make your new years resolutions, complete them, and make more resolutions. Better yourself each and every day.
All athletes know that come tomorrow, their lives will be made that much more difficult. Starting tomorrow, all new years resolutionists will crowd the gyms taking all of the machines and making a normal 30 minute session turn into a 2 hour session. Do not get me wrong, I admire and respect everyone who tries to better themselves by getting their body into shape. I have raved about the benefits of exercise and believe everyone should try it.
What confuses me, however, is why tomorrow is of such significance. Yes, it is a new year, but in reality isn't it also just the start of another day? What does tomorrow's significance have to do with us attempting to do things differently? Tomorrow, like yesterday and Wednesday, is just another day in our lives. I guess the point I'm trying to make is why wait for the new year to become a better person?
Many of us will try to be nicer to others, exercise more, do better in school, forgive someone, apologize to someone, give someone a second chance, etc. Tomorrow we will start attempting to accomplish the goals we make for ourselves for the upcoming year. However, instead of viewing each year as a chance to better ourselves, we should focus on each day. Each day presents us with another opportunity to better ourselves. Instead of deciding that next year will be the year you finally begin talking to your mother, or next year will be the year you begin your diet, start today. Start now. Do not wait for each year to pass. Yes, make new years resolutions, but when they are done, make more resolutions.
Each day is an opportunity for us to begin anew. Each day holds the same significance that new years holds.
Make your new years resolutions, complete them, and make more resolutions. Better yourself each and every day.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Fighting
What do we do when we feel as if we are constantly being knocked down? How can we respond positively when each attempt we create only leads to more failure? Where is the end of the road of struggle?
Running has the ability to bring a "feel-good" attitude into peoples lives. Whether we are competing or not, running is scientifically proven to release hormones that make you happier. Add to that the success that all runners face at some point and the sport clearly has a strong impact on the positive mindset of a person. However, few people outside of the sport and, in fact, few inside the sport, can understand the negative mindset running can instill on its participants.
Running is said to be a sport where the more you put in, the more you get out. There comes a point when this statement becomes obsolete. There comes a point when you are constantly knocked down. There comes a point when each attempt at success leads to failure. There comes a point when you wonder whether or not it is worth it all.
Why is this important?
It is another valuable lesson we have the opportunity to learn.
We will face situations in our lives when we wonder whether the fight is even worth it. Maybe it is a student who struggles to get through school. Maybe it is a woman fighting cancer who struggles to get through the day. Maybe it is a drug addict who struggles to stay clean. We all struggle with things throughout our lives and whether or not these things are small or large they are always worth the fight.
We need to continue to fight. Fighting is the reason we live. We live to battle our weaknesses and prove to ourselves that we can come out on top.
Fighting gives us hope. Hope to persevere. Hope to push forward. Hope for the future.
Running has the ability to bring a "feel-good" attitude into peoples lives. Whether we are competing or not, running is scientifically proven to release hormones that make you happier. Add to that the success that all runners face at some point and the sport clearly has a strong impact on the positive mindset of a person. However, few people outside of the sport and, in fact, few inside the sport, can understand the negative mindset running can instill on its participants.
Running is said to be a sport where the more you put in, the more you get out. There comes a point when this statement becomes obsolete. There comes a point when you are constantly knocked down. There comes a point when each attempt at success leads to failure. There comes a point when you wonder whether or not it is worth it all.
Why is this important?
It is another valuable lesson we have the opportunity to learn.
We will face situations in our lives when we wonder whether the fight is even worth it. Maybe it is a student who struggles to get through school. Maybe it is a woman fighting cancer who struggles to get through the day. Maybe it is a drug addict who struggles to stay clean. We all struggle with things throughout our lives and whether or not these things are small or large they are always worth the fight.
We need to continue to fight. Fighting is the reason we live. We live to battle our weaknesses and prove to ourselves that we can come out on top.
Fighting gives us hope. Hope to persevere. Hope to push forward. Hope for the future.
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