Motivational – Dave Glardon

Even a Violin Eventually Sounds Good

April 15, 2024April 15, 2024 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning! I hope your day is off to a great start.

Did you do anything fun over the weekend? I usually ask that question with no idea what response I’ll get, but some of them are well worth the effort. Which is why I don’t ask my oldest grandson, because I may get an answer I didn’t want. I have to remind him every now and then that, although we’ve always been best friends, I’m still Grandpa. We’ll just leave it at that.

My weekend revolved around a pair of high-school performances. My oldest granddaughter (16) was in a production of Beauty and the Beast. The sets, the music, the singing, and especially the acting, were all worthy of a lot more than the $10 admission price. The acting was so good, I didn’t really notice the part of Gaston was played by a young lady. I’m not sure she did, either.

Then yesterday I got to see my “bonus” granddaughter (also 16) in her school’s show choir final performance. To see so much talent on the same stage, especially at an age where a lot of kids are thinking of anything but school, was inspirational. And if I’m allowed to say it, our girl was amazing. She stopped hearts with her two solos. I know because mine was one of them.

I was telling a friend yesterday I insisted my daughters would do some kind of extracurricular in school. Band, choir, sports, chess club, it didn’t matter. And I made sure that any time one of them was onstage, we were in the audience. Sometimes, that takes a lot more love than we realize – band parents, especially. If you know, you know. Some things take a lot more practice than others.

But the day comes when they’re making actual, recognizable music, and the cat no longer hides behind the couch when they play. And that glow on their face at the end of a performance is worth all the hours spent silently nodding our approval while trying to hide the earplugs. It takes time and effort to master a skill. Thankfully, these kids have plenty of both.

I saw a poster once that showed a baby bird peeking out of the nest with a caption that read, “It flies because it thinks it can.” We’re all born with no sense of limitations. It’s how we learn to walk, and talk, and hold our own bottle. And we carry those skills all through adulthood, though I do still spill a little sometimes. I think I need more practice. Walking, that is.

Children’s minds are the epitome of imagination and possibility. Sadly, both start to fade through the teenage years. By adulthood, most of that magic is gone, which is why we have life coaches and motivational books to help rebuild what should never have been torn down in the first place. If only we could nurture more of what was already there, there’s no limit to what they could accomplish.

We’re no different. If we can remove the barriers that were put in place by people and events though our formative years, we can achieve any goal. And, as a good friend used to ask, what would your dreams be if you knew you couldn’t fail? Food for thought.

That’s all for now, friends. Have an awesome day!

Want a Little Cheese With That Whine?

January 15, 2024 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning! I hope your day is off to a nice start.

Depending on where you are in this country, the weather outside is somewhere between freezing and words you’d rather I don’t use here. Believe me, the neighbors have heard them, probably the last time I worked on my truck. Let’s just say I don’t have a lot of patience for things that don’t go according to plan. Or split knuckles. Vehicle maintenance involves both.

We all get frustrated. And when we do, it’s easy to say things we wouldn’t say in church. Oh, we may utter God’s name, but more as a hyphenated adjective. And loud. Nothing eases frustration like announcing our displeasure to the entire neighborhood all at once. Just one more reason I no longer work on my own cars. The neighbors took up a petition. I lost.

Okay, there’s another reason. I’ve found that life is a lot more pleasant when I’m floating in a swimming pool, playing with my grandkids, or simply gazing across the desert at the beauty of nature. Besides, my cardiologist suggested I find more ways to avoid stress. He didn’t exactly prescribe the bourbon, but I’ve been running my own tests. So far, the data is leaning my way.

We’ve all met people who go through life as if every waking moment is another reason to complain. It’s too hot. It’s too cold. Gas is too expensive. The boss is too cheap. And everybody and everything in this world exists for the sole purpose of ticking them off. Do yourself a favor. If you’re around these people when the news comes on, find the nearest exit and run!

I’ve always been into motivational reading and positive thinking. I can’t say it’s always shone through in my daily life, but I try. And I used to think I could spread some of that positivity to those who seem to have been cheated at birth. But the fact is, angry people aren’t born that way – they’re miserable by choice. It’s like a menu item that nobody wants, so they swallow everybody’s share.

In our discussions about living our best life, it should be obvious that this mindset doesn’t fit. You can’t enjoy life if you’re unhappy with everybody and everything life has to offer. To live that way is more crippling than a crushed spine. There is no joy, because that would only remind them of what they’ve been missing their entire life. There’s only misery. And it’s always somebody else’s fault.

Bitterness is a poison. We all know how it affects us emotionally, but the physical effects are even more damaging. It causes headaches, high blood pressure, and all manner of illness. In fact, the National Institutes of Health noted that 75-90 percent of illness is caused by anger and stress. And the effects on the heart are even more devastating. Seems like a lot of misery for … well, you know.

None of us are immune to disappointment. That’s just a part of life. It’s what we do with that disappointment that counts. We can keep it in perspective and focus on things that offer a higher level of serenity. Or we can nurture it and allow it to grow into the cancer of resentment. Choose happiness. Our days on this planet are numbered, anyway. We might as well enjoy the ride.

That’s all for now. Have an awesome day and an even better week!

Sour Grapes Don’t Make Sweet Jam

January 8, 2024 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning! I hope your day is off to a great start.

So, here we are a week into the new year, and already planning next year’s resolutions. Just me? It’s not that I’m suddenly so proactive – just that I’m not ready to completely give up on the ones I’ve already blown out the window this time. That’s the way this works. If you really, really want to lose weight, you don’t just give up on the idea. You set a new date. That way, you keep the dream alive.

Okay, we all have our weaknesses. Mine, apparently, is buttered popcorn. And candy. I went six months without touching a piece of candy, and then found a recipe to make one of my favorites at home. It’s made from marshmallows, white chocolate chips, butter, and gum drops. And I only have two pieces each day. Then I have two more, just to keep it from going to waste. Can I get an amen?

We’ve been talking about things that hold us back in life, and I’ll be the first to admit my greatest limitation is between my ears. I can do anything for a week. Beyond that, all bets are off. I thought intermittent fasting was the key. And it works! But it doesn’t do much good to put off your first meal until noon if you eat a water buffalo for lunch. I’m sure I read that somewhere.

You ever feel like you just need an attitude adjustment? You ever feel like somebody else does? I know I’m failing in my goal of losing weight, but that doesn’t mean I have to be miserable about it. You see, that’s the part about goals they never tell us. It’s okay to feel discouraged, even upset, about our failings. But we don’t have to share them with the entire world.

We’ve all met people who couldn’t be happy if you handed them a bag of cash. “Thanks! Sure, it’s a lot of money, but the government is going to take it all in taxes. And, what are all these ten-dollar bills doing in here? Did the bank run out of fifties? This won’t even buy a pound of bacon! And now the whole family will want some, too. See what you started?” Sound familiar?

Nothing can get in the way of our happiness quicker than a sour attitude. We all know that. Yet, some people not only embrace negativity, they buy it in bulk. And when that runs out, they make more. Misfortune is the only thing that makes these people happy. And if you weren’t aware of just how sad their life is, pull up a chair. They’ll be happy to enlighten you.

Then there are the others – people facing insurmountable odds, yet somehow, they never got the memo. I’m often reminded of a woman in our church who faced terminal illness with such grace and positivity, cancer didn’t stand a chance. Della didn’t stop living until her eyes closed for the last time. And knowing how she lived, I’m sure she left this world with a contented smile on her face.

I’m not sure every cloud has a silver lining, but if you look high enough, they’re all puffy and white. Our choices is to sit here in the darkness or reach for something better. We can’t change the challenges we’ll face, but we can change our response to them. And if an octogenarian can face terminal cancer with such grace, I can handle pretty much anything life throws my way. So can you. That’s all for now. Put on a smile and have an awesome day!

Confidence is So Under-Rated

January 5, 2024January 5, 2024 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning, and happy Friday! I hope your day is off to a great start.

As we move into the new year and toward the goals we’ve set for ourselves, it’s important to identify what’s standing in the way. It’s not so much about avoiding obstacles, but kicking them in the shins and showing them who’s boss. Now, if you have any ideas for making winter more accommodating to an old guy who needs to get out and walk, I’m all ears.

Today is my oldest granddaughter’s 16th birthday. Yes, I’m that old. She was born when I was 12. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Like most her age, she’s struggling to plan her path in life. What I wouldn’t give to be that age and have all those choices again. Okay, I’d probably end up right where I am, but hopefully with a smaller waistline. Hey, a man can dream!

Watching her navigate this phase of life, the things that stand out most are her creativity, sense of adventure, acceptance of others, and ability to find amusement in the simplest things. All those things will carry her far in this life. She just needs to know that. Of all the assets we can impart to our kids (and one another), none is more important than self-confidence.

Okay, my oldest grandson sometimes takes that to an extreme. It’s hard to control my facial expressions when he’s talking about buying a $150,000 sports car and can’t even afford a bicycle. But I have to remind myself, that’s his dream, not mine. Besides, there may be a reason he wants a car I couldn’t possibly fit into. I wouldn’t want to ride with me. Not with this attitude.

I try as hard as I can to be supportive, and to remind myself that they don’t have to live my life – my job is to help them live their own. Do I think my grandson will own a “Lambo” in the next twenty years? Not for a second. But I don’t have to share that sentiment. His bank will handle that all on their own. Right after they stop charging him overdraft fees.

But you know, I made some of the same mistakes when I was his age. Or five years ago, take your pick. I’m sure my dad would have advised me against spending six figures on a motorhome at this age, but I didn’t ask. We made our own decision based on our own goals in life. I’m such a rebel. Next thing you know, I’ll be tying my own shoes.

I’ve accomplished a lot in life, and I’m happy to be where I am. This is all I want for my kids and their kids. And I did it because my parents gave me the most wonderful gift of all. They believed in me and, as a consequence, I believed in myself. I never heard the words, “You can’t.” The worst Mom ever said was, “Go ahead – I dare you!” But that’s for another day.

Everybody, from the youngest child to the oldest senior, needs to believe in themselves. It’s as important as oxygen. And we are the ones who can inspire that confidence in them. If a simple smile can make a homeless person feel important, imagine what we can do with a few words of encouragement to those we love most. Friends, we could literally change the world.

That’s all for now. Have an awesome day and an even better weekend!

It’s Your Year – Make it Count!

January 1, 2024January 1, 2024 by Dave Glardon, posted in Motivational Humor

Good morning, and happy New Year! I hope wherever you are, your day is off to a blessed start.

I know, I don’t usually write posts on holidays. But, being relegated to my own little corner in my own little chair (at the kitchen table) because of Covid, I find myself with all this creative energy and the need to do something constructive with it. I just hope this continues throughout 2024. The creative energy, not the Covid. All I can say is thank God for modern medicine. I’m much better.

I used to tell everyone my only New Year’s resolution was never to make another New Year’s resolution. It seemed to be the only one I could actually keep for 12 months. Over the years, I’ve resolved to get healthy (does surviving a stroke count?), write a book (don’t rush out to the store just yet), build my business (okay, laugh), and lose weight. That last one is the biggest joke of all.

I still want to do all those things, but I’ve learned you can’t just make a wish and expect those things to happen. Believe me, I’ve rubbed the finish off enough lamps over the years to realize there’s no genie waiting inside to magically grant my wishes. The only way for any of this to happen is for me to get up a little earlier each day and make it happen. So far all I’ve done is eat an earlier breakfast.

But you know, it all starts with a mindset. We can’t simply want to succeed; we have to focus on the reasons we want to succeed. Change for the sake of change is doomed to fail. I have a few bosses who could stand to learn that one. But change, based on a clear understanding of what was wrong in the first place, at least stands a chance. I’m not buying bigger pants. How’s that for motivation?

The other thing to keep in mind is that you can’t torment yourself to the achievement of a goal. You have to lighten up. That’s why I try so hard (and not always so successfully) to inject a little humor in what would be an otherwise boring message. It’s impossible to be miserable when you laugh. Okay, abdominal stitches aside. A comedy club is not the place to be right after hernia surgery.

But as a standup comedian, I usually ended my show by reminding my audience of the importance of laughter. I once did a tour with gout in both feet so bad I was nearly crippled. But from the start of my shows until the end, there was no pain – just exhilaration. Sure, the pain came back later, usually with a vengeance. “I’ll teach you to ignore me!” Oh well. It was worth it.

The point is, no matter what your goals for the coming year, face them with a sense of humor. Get rid of that contorted face and stop telling everyone how hard you’re working and what you’re giving up. Nobody wants to hear it, and it’s not doing you any favors, either. Just focus on the reason and enjoy the journey. Who knows? You might even make a few new friends along the way.

I have some dear friends whose health challenges this past year make mine look like a walk in the park. Some of them have no idea what the future may bring, but they’re still out there making the most of each day, because they can. So can you. No matter what 2023 threw your way, you made it this far. So, put a smile on your face, a song in your heart, and get on with life. You ain’t dead yet.

That’s all for now, friends. May 2024 bring you all peace, prosperity, health, and happiness. Have an awesome day!

P.S. Those of you who have been with me over the years know how much I love hearing from you. I don’t write these posts for me – it’s all for you. Your feedback helps keep me inspired and on track. And if you know anybody who could use a little more positivity in their life, please share this link and invite them to come along. Together, we can make this thing rock!

Opportunity Knocks, But it Won’t Kick the Door Down

December 29, 2023December 29, 2023 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning, folks! I hope your day is off to a great start.

Mine could be better, but that’s how it goes. The guy who NEVER gets sick woke up yesterday with an intense upper respiratory infection and, by the end of the day, testing confirmed Covid. I’ve had it twice before, but this one is absolutely the worst. No, I didn’t get the new vaccine yet. I was planning on it, but you know what they say about good intentions.

I’m not going to dwell on this. If it’s the worst thing that happens this year (you know, over the next two days), I’ve got it made. The only reason I mention it is to remind you all that vaccines are available, and this is a WHOLE lot worse than a sore arm. Not trying to tell anyone what to do, but I hope you’ll all give it some consideration.

We’ve talked a lot these past two weeks about not crawling into a grave before it’s time. Mostly, we talked about physical limitations and how we build them up in our mind. It’s hard to enjoy an active life when you hurt, and even harder when you convince yourself it’s worse than it is. Take it from someone who avoided energetic activities twenty years before he had a heart attack.

Another limitation has nothing to do with our physical condition, or our perception of it. In my business, I ask people all the time to dream a bit – make a list of things they’d like to do if money were no object. It’s amazing how quickly we all start to pare that list back, based entirely on our current financial resources. It’s almost impossible to see past the roadblocks right in front of us.

And when you press the matter further, they can all come up with a dozen reasons they’ll never have the money to do half the things they want. Born into a poor family, dead-end job, too many bills, no money to invest – the list goes on and on. And no matter how hard you try, some people just can’t accept the fact that every one of those challenges can be overcome with one thing – more money.

Yeah, I know. If earning more money would fix their problems, wouldn’t they be doing it? You’d think. But five years later, they’re still sitting there whining about their lot in life and how opportunity never knocks. Well, get a clue, knucklehead! It does knock, probably more than we think. But opportunity is not like a bill collector. If you don’t open the door, it moves on.

Take a few moments to think of all the times in your life you had the opportunity to increase your income. That may have been as simple as learning a new skill at work, applying for a new job, moving to a city with better opportunities, whatever. Do not … and I can’t stress this enough … do not try robbing banks. On the other hand, you don’t need a lot of money in jail. I’m just saying.

The point is we’ve all been faced with opportunities that we may have quickly dismissed or didn’t recognize in the first place. Most times, it’s just a mental block. “What would my friends say?” Are they paying your bills? “I don’t know anybody.” That’s a lie. You know me. “If it was that good, everybody would be doing it.” If you believe that, read these past few paragraphs again.

The new year is upon us, and resolutions are a traditional way to take our mind off the cold weather and mounting holiday bills. If you want to lose weight, you can. If you want to exercise, do it. And if you want to be able to afford those things you couldn’t until now, fix it. Will another year of doing the same thing magically turn things in your favor? Something to think about.

That’s all for now. Remember, the simplest ideas can often be the most profitable. Sometimes, it really IS that easy. You just have to take a gamble and put yourself out there. Have a safe & happy New Year!

Act Your Own Age, Not Mine

December 26, 2023 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning! I hope you enjoyed the best of whatever you celebrate this holiday season and are eagerly anticipating the start of what could very well be your best year ever. You just have to want it.

Some of you have noticed a change in my approach to these messages. Based on comments, both online and in person, I think I may be onto something. It’s really simple. No matter what life has thrown your way, the very fact that you’re able to read this proves one thing – you ain’t dead yet.

These words aren’t only for old folks who, like me, wake up every day with body aches and a foggy brain that remind us we’re not as young as we once were. Okay, I really don’t need the daily reminders. Yes, I’m old enough for Medicare. I know that. My eyes aren’t as good as they used to be, but the bathroom mirror doesn’t lie. Neither does the scale, but that’s another story.

Living in a 55+ community, I’ve come to realize that living your best life isn’t something we trade in for a senior discount card. We still party. We still dance. And we’re known to sip an adult beverage or two. It doesn’t matter. In a park where most people travel by golf cart, nobody cares if you can balance on one foot as long as you can find your own driveway. So far, I’ve only missed once.

You know what we don’t have? People sitting around, commiserating about their gout and goiters. I’ve seen people who are nearly crippled out there walking the streets with friends every morning. I’ve seen them wood carving and quilting in spite of their arthritis. And I’ve seen old men flirting with great-grandmothers. Sometimes it even works. I won’t lie – I’m taking notes.

Yet, living among all those old farts, I have to travel outside our gates into the “real” world to find people who are truly handicapped. I’m not talking about the stuff that gets you a special parking spot. Those are at least real. I’m talking about the handicaps living in a dark place in our mind that we don’t discuss with professionals who could at least slap some sense into us.

Let’s face it, some people are miserable simply because they choose to live that way. They couldn’t get invited to a funeral if they were the guest of honor. Nobody wants to be around them. Ever heard of RBF? It’s a clinical term for a face that scares the preacher, makes small children cry, and prevents unwanted sexual advances. Okay, it gets in the way of the other ones, too.

I feel bad for anybody who truly wants to enjoy a more fulfilling life and can’t. Yet, in a way, I feel even worse for those who could do better but find an excuse not to. Age has nothing to do with it. I’ve been there. It wasn’t a happy time, and I still struggle with it occasionally. We all do. The trick is to remind yourself it’s only a resting place, not a destination. Dust yourself off and move on.

That’s all for now. We’ll talk about this more in the coming weeks, but as you plan your New Year’s resolutions, here’s one we could all try – living life to its fullest. This is my wish for each of you. Have an awesome day!

If You Want a New Direction, You Have to Change Your Path

September 11, 2023September 11, 2023 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning! I hope your day is off to a nice start. Yes, it’s been a while since my last post, so I thought it was time to visit old friends.

First things first – some of you have asked about my stroke recovery, and I’m happy to say it’s going really well. The damage appears to have been minimal, affecting mainly my left-side strength, short-term memory, and my ability to regulate body temperature correctly. Otherwise, I’m the same old me.

I attribute a lot of this to the fact that I was pretty healthy before the stroke. Overweight, yes. But still healthy. I take really good plant-based vitamins every day, and I’m sure that helps. But our lifestyle when we travel is so much healthier than when we’re home. We walk, we swim, we visit friends. It all adds up.

We’ve lived in our current home for 23 years. We have some pretty awesome neighbors, but the fact remains, most of us stay hidden within our own four walls. Other than the occasional wave as we drive past somebody sitting outside and a once-a-year block picnic, we’re mostly just occupants of the same street.

And, let’s just say it – that pretty well sucks. We are all social creatures by nature (some more than others), and sitting in a closed-up house in front of the TV is not healthy, physically or emotionally. We need interaction. We need camaraderie. We need hugs. And most of all, we need adventure.

Do we live this way by choice? I guess so, since we’ve done it for so long. But if you had asked me 23 years ago if this was a choice I’d make, the answer would have been a resounding “NO!” It just sort of worked out that way. And, judging by the lack activity in the neighborhood, we’re not alone.

It’s easy to start down a path – any path. Changing that path is uncomfortable, even when we realize it leads someplace we don’t care to go. It takes effort and a fair amount of self-discipline to find a better path. And that’s true of everything, from finances and personal habits to socializing and chasing our dreams. Sometimes, the rut is just the easiest path to follow.

But, as a good friend said years ago, a rut is nothing but a grave with the ends open. It takes a conscious decision to get out of that rut. Yes, we all face challenges and obstacles to achieving the life we desire. But it can be done. We just can’t do it by following the well-worn path to the other end of the grave.

If life isn’t what you’d hoped it would be, do something about it. Set a goal and go after it. Make some new friends. Spend more time with the friends you’ve got. Learn a new skill, take a trip someplace you’ve never been, volunteer in the community. At the very least, you’ll develop new interests. And you may just find yourself on the path to where you always wanted to be.

That’s all for now, friends. Life is short, and tomorrow is never guaranteed. Get out and make the most of it. Meanwhile, have an awesome day!

Life Can Change Fast – Make the Most of It

May 31, 2023May 31, 2023 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning! I hope your day is starting off well.

It’s been a while since I last posted – just very busy between work and trying to enjoy this extended RV trip. Which, by the way, I highly recommend whatever form of rest & relaxation you’re into. It makes a world of difference. More on that later.

For several months, my wife has been concerned about my health. She noticed a lot of subtle changes that escaped me, but that’s the way it usually goes. I’m not always the first to pick up on things. But over the past month, I’ve noticed an issue maintaining focus, and my memory was slipping badly. That’s hard for a guy like me to handle.

Then last Monday, my left hand went suddenly numb. I wrote it off to some long-term circulation issues and went about my day. Two days later, I couldn’t type, my feet were dragging and getting in the way of one another, and the confusion was more pronounced. If your mind went straight to “stroke,” you’re smarter than I am, because that’s what it was. My carotid artery was 85% blocked and had been releasing small pieces of plaque for three days.

First things first – if you ever have ANY symptoms of a stroke, don’t mess around with it. Get help right away. The doc told my wife if one decent sized piece of plaque had broken loose, the whole mess would have gone straight to my brain. Needless to say, God had my back on that one. This could have turned out completely different, and I’m blessed to still be upright.

A few more thoughts I’d like to share. I’ve often said we all need to have a Plan B – something to fall back on just in case life takes an unexpected turn. It doesn’t matter how secure you are, how well things are going, or how great a job you’ve got, things can change in an instant. Our best-laid plans can be overturned, leaving us to pick up the pieces with little or no notice. That’s scary.

Whether it’s a side income, a regular savings plan, family nearby, or whatever, we all need to ask ourselves from time to time, “What would I do if I lost what I have today, and had to continue without it?” I’m not saying we should dwell on it every day, but it’s a very real possibility we all need to consider.

And, once you have some thoughts in mind, don’t wait until something bad happens. Get started today. Needs don’t go away, and time isn’t always on our side. I’ve said this before, and it bears repeating – dig the well before you get thirsty. Then all you have to do is turn it on. If that day never comes, you’ll just be that much more secure.

Beyond all that, enjoy life. I’ve never once read a tombstone that brags about a person’s job or how hard they worked. All it has is a couple of dates. Our life is everything that falls in between. Enjoy it. Make the most of it. Kids will get by, and your job will be posted before the obituary. Make time to enjoy the things you’ve worked to achieve. You only get one chance.

That’s all for now. I’m so happy to have this chance to reach out again. Pay attention to your health, get to work on that Plan B, and enjoy every day on this planet. Have an awesome day!

You Can’t Get Up if You Never Fall

February 13, 2023 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning! Hope your day is going well.

If you’re in the USA and you’re not living under a rock, you’ve probably heard something about a football game yesterday. A big one. And, as usual, the jury of public opinion is still out on who really won.

Football has always been a bit of a mystery to me. I mean, I get the game and how it’s played. Twenty-two guys with the combined weight of a tugboat face off, separated by an imaginary line, waiting for the fat guy in the middle to toss the ball behind him. Never mind where the quarterback’s hands are all this time. You don’t want to try that one at work.

When the ball finally leaves the ground, these grunting beasts spring into action and try to knock somebody down. Anybody. Preferably the guy with the ball. You get extra credit for that. And then, the guy who sprinted six yards with the ball tucked under his arm goes to the sideline for oxygen. And they call these guys athletes???

The best part is, they only have to “work” for about ten seconds and then they get a break. And if that’s not enough, they can call time-out or pretend to be hurt. That doesn’t work for me. “Boss, I hurt my knee on that one!” “How? You were taking notes!”

But for these guys, the Super Bowl is the culmination of everything they’ve worked for. Every dream, every workout, every smack in the head, all aimed toward one goal – making it into the big game. At that point, the score doesn’t even matter. They’ve already won.

Football is a game of stamina, determination, and the willingness to keep getting back up, even when it hurts. Concussions are common, but in this sport, brain damage appears to be a pre-existing condition. Still, it’s a dream they’ve lived for most of their life, so who am I to poke fun? Besides, they’re a lot bigger than I am. I only look stupid.

But if you ever doubt the power of dreams, the Super Bowl is a perfect example of what we can accomplish. Every one of those guys on the field was once a young boy, barely able to walk. They didn’t start as athletes, and most were probably advised to “go to school and get a real job.” But the dream was too big to be held down.

How about you? Is your dream important enough to do something about it? Is it important enough to get knocked down and stand back up? Football isn’t a game of intellect. It’s about grit and determination and the will to succeed. Get some of that, and there’s not much that can stand in your way.

That’s all for now. Have an awesome day!