When I was 3, I grew taller.
When I was 13, I grew smarter.
When I was 23, I grew wider.
And now, at 33, I am growing upward.
Growing is important. We have to grow to reach what we want. We have to grow to achieve dreams in life. Simply put, we all grow because we do. Whether it be in age, size or intellect, we all grow. HOW we grow, though, is important. Are you growing in the right direction? Are you doing all you can to grow upward? It's a tough road, but it can be done. I'm trying my best every day to grow and I wanted to share how I've managed it with you. I don't want to grow wider anymore. I want to grow upward. And I'm not going to stop growing upward until I'm above the cloud. How I'm doing this is through a simple statement:
Growing is a matter of identifying the Big Picture and doing the right thing, at the right time, every time.
I believe that there is always a bigger picture. In comparison, it's in the movies, when you see the couple kissing at the very end. The scene moves out and you see the city, then the state, then the country and we end up looking at the galaxy. That's the Big Picture theory. While you may feel the world is either against, of for, you, there is something much larger at scale based upon each action. This is how I see it. I believe that everything I do can have an effect somewhere to change fate. Let's look more at this Big Picture.
Looking at your life in the Big Picture is a great way to measure your growth as an individual and as someone that is improving life. Note: I didn't say "your" to be exclusive. I use it to put myself back into place and realize that this journey that I'm on is more than "just me." I can't "woe is me" anymore, because there's something bigger than that. The Big Picture shows me that growing is more than just me, it's growing for my community, growing for my culture, growing for my lifestyle and growing for my cause.
It took me a while to realize that I make impact in the Big Picture. I do things and it's going to affect something, or someone else. Whether it be taking a second to open a door with someone that has their hands full, or whether it be me taking time out of my month to go to the food shelter and volunteer to help with paperwork, something I do is having an effect on someone else. I'm chose to make it positive. And with that, I'm growing upward. In the Big Picture, the person with their hands full is going to have a better day because they didn't have to put anything down to open the door. And the food shelter isn't going to have to worry about extra paperwork. They can focus on the "food" aspect of it because I'm helping. That's growth to me. That's doing a little more. I think I'm trying my best to do this every day by doing something more than I did the day before. Giving a little more. Pushing a little harder to make this day even better. And now, I'm adding wellness to it.
I'm starting to work out now an seeing how I can add this to my growth. Each time I do something to improve my health, I'm helping the Big Picture. I'm getting a chance to not only help ME, but I'm also assisting my family when they ask how I'm doing it, I'm helping my budget by not having to buy bigger clothes every other month. And I'm helping my friends who are also of size. They can see me and know that it can be done. And that it's not difficult to begin growing in the right direction. I'm even starting to combine the Big Picture with my wellness. If there is a walk/run/dash that I can do, I will do it to not only get some time in to work out, but also to support a good cause. It's the Big Picture. It's doing good for me, while doing good for you and doing good for them.
I count everything I do as an accomplishment. And it's helping me smile everyday and count everything as a blessing and as an opportunity to help others. People don't reach their goals by going backwards. People reach their goals by going forward. They approach their goals by GROWING. So count everything that you are doing to improve your life, someones life or the life of countless others. There's more than you think. You're growing more by the second. Let's all share this time to improve wellness and helping in the Big Picture. Let's all grow upward.
Your Homework: Divide a piece of paper and into 4 quadrants. Take your age and divide it roughly into 3. For 3 of the 4 quadrants, list your ages based upon the division you made. In example, if you're 39, you'll have 1-13, 14-27, 28-39. Label the last one as NOW.
In each quadrant, list accomplishments that you've done in those ages. Ways that you've grown. It could be graduation, motherhood, moved out, got married, ran a race. Lost a pound. Walked a mile. Anything you feel is an accomplishment or achievement of greatness. A growth upward.
In the NOW quadrant, write new accomplishments that you do each day. Keep this paper on your fridge, office computer or somewhere you'll see everyday. Update every time you do something helping the Big Picture. Keep track of your accomplishments. And watch them... GROW!
You'll suddenly see how through your healthy living and philanthropy, you are so much stronger and well-balanced. We'll notice that each day, you're affecting the big picture, and you're growing. You're growing upward. You're helping others and yourself more than you've ever imagined. You're going to see that in the picture, you have an impact to your own self-actualization AND your world.
How have you grown today? I'd love to hear! Feel free to e-mail me, message me or anything. You know I'm always here for you if you need an ear, shoulder or just a big ole' hug. Love you all!
Thanks for reading! I’ll leave you with a few extras:
• A Jase Quote: “No one ever learned from not trying."
• Jase’s Song for the Day: “I am Changing" by Jennifer Hudson
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Why Do You Do What You Want To Do?
What gives you that motivation do go a step further? Is it a number? Is it an object? Is it a feeling? Or is it something bigger than that?
Motivation is a key element to reaching your goal. It’s something that everyone has to begin a journey and what most people need to complete the task. Think about to when you were in school. Motivation could’ve been from getting a weekly allowance for good grades. Motivation could’ve been envisioning yourself walking across the stage getting your diploma. Maybe, in some cases, motivation at school was a chance to see someone you had a secret crush on. These motivators allowed you to think of your goal and realize that there is nothing that is going to stop you in achieving it.
The one thing about motivation is that it stays embedded in your heart. It never leaves. At time, there may some outside influences that shelf it, or move it back, but it always stays with you. It’s part of your soul. And you have to make sure you always remember it. Why are you doing this every day? Why do you fight harder and harder every moment to reach your goals? Never lose sight of your motivation. If you do, the road to your goal becomes just a little longer. You feel in a rut and you feel that results aren’t happening as fast. You begin to feel lonely and can get distraction. That’s why you have to harness your motivation. Bring it back to the forefront. So, let’s do it. Here’s a simple question: What is your goal and what motivates you to that goal?
Let's compare notes:
My goal: Change myself by improving my wellness and being though fitness, community service, charity and advocating. Live by knowing that I have the ability to help me. See by keeping a constant vision that I have an impact on my community. Become a better me.
My motivations: This is a multi-part answer.
My family – I come from a family of survivors. My parents are both disabled and have had health problems for many years. We’ve never been the “silver spoon” family. My family has had to sacrifice so much at times to survive. And we have. My family motivates me because of their strength. To know that one day, I will be able to say I survived obesity and not have to worry about heart issues and problems gives me that strength I need to push forward. Knowing that they can be proud of me for my charitable acts because of lessons I’ve learned from them motivates me more than they know. They have raised me well. I’m glad I get to use all of those life lessons and pay it forward. Nothing gets me more pumped to reach my goal than seeing the happiness of my family when they know I did proved “I can survive.”
My friends – My friends are such a motivation to me. Through their wisdom and personal stories, they’ve made me realize I’m never alone in this. So, I’m doing this for them, just as well. Seeing them root me on in my journey, having them read me a quote or even say, “When I saw this, it reminded me of” reminds me that I do have impact on the world and that I need to make sure that it’s the best impact that I could make. To know that one day, my friends will be with me at the same spot and we’ll all be making a difference and loving each other unconditionally, is motivation to do anything in the world.
Myself – To know that when I’m done with reaching my goal, I’ll be healthier, smarter and more helpful to society motivates me more than ever. To think that I’m going to work as hard as I can today to live easier tomorrow and can dedicate my whole to helping others and teaching other that they can reach goals through their own selves is extremely powerful to me. We are all as powerful as we choose to let ourselves be. And know that I’m doing this for not only my family and friends, but also MY future, gets me going every second.
Your Homework: Take out a piece of paper and write in the upper ¾ of the page, “I DO ALL OF THIS FOR:” and then place pictures of who/what/why you do everything for under it. And place it somewhere you look at every day: a mirror, the fridge, a clothes closet or even a washing machine. That way, whenever you get up or out for the day, you’ll always see what motivates you. Keep that constant reminder when you see your children’s picture or a picture of yourself when you were thing, you are going to get there because you don’t want to let any of those motivations down.
So, what are your goals and motivation? If you want to discuss it, send me an e-mail, tweet, message or just comment below. I always have an open ear, shoulder and hug for you! 1Love4All.
Thanks for reading! I’ll leave you with a few extras:
• A Jase Quote: “You’re going to only live once. Why not spending it improving yours and others?”
• Jase’s Song for the Day: “Reach” by Gloria Estefan
Motivation is a key element to reaching your goal. It’s something that everyone has to begin a journey and what most people need to complete the task. Think about to when you were in school. Motivation could’ve been from getting a weekly allowance for good grades. Motivation could’ve been envisioning yourself walking across the stage getting your diploma. Maybe, in some cases, motivation at school was a chance to see someone you had a secret crush on. These motivators allowed you to think of your goal and realize that there is nothing that is going to stop you in achieving it.
The one thing about motivation is that it stays embedded in your heart. It never leaves. At time, there may some outside influences that shelf it, or move it back, but it always stays with you. It’s part of your soul. And you have to make sure you always remember it. Why are you doing this every day? Why do you fight harder and harder every moment to reach your goals? Never lose sight of your motivation. If you do, the road to your goal becomes just a little longer. You feel in a rut and you feel that results aren’t happening as fast. You begin to feel lonely and can get distraction. That’s why you have to harness your motivation. Bring it back to the forefront. So, let’s do it. Here’s a simple question: What is your goal and what motivates you to that goal?
Let's compare notes:
My goal: Change myself by improving my wellness and being though fitness, community service, charity and advocating. Live by knowing that I have the ability to help me. See by keeping a constant vision that I have an impact on my community. Become a better me.
My motivations: This is a multi-part answer.
My family – I come from a family of survivors. My parents are both disabled and have had health problems for many years. We’ve never been the “silver spoon” family. My family has had to sacrifice so much at times to survive. And we have. My family motivates me because of their strength. To know that one day, I will be able to say I survived obesity and not have to worry about heart issues and problems gives me that strength I need to push forward. Knowing that they can be proud of me for my charitable acts because of lessons I’ve learned from them motivates me more than they know. They have raised me well. I’m glad I get to use all of those life lessons and pay it forward. Nothing gets me more pumped to reach my goal than seeing the happiness of my family when they know I did proved “I can survive.”
My friends – My friends are such a motivation to me. Through their wisdom and personal stories, they’ve made me realize I’m never alone in this. So, I’m doing this for them, just as well. Seeing them root me on in my journey, having them read me a quote or even say, “When I saw this, it reminded me of” reminds me that I do have impact on the world and that I need to make sure that it’s the best impact that I could make. To know that one day, my friends will be with me at the same spot and we’ll all be making a difference and loving each other unconditionally, is motivation to do anything in the world.
Myself – To know that when I’m done with reaching my goal, I’ll be healthier, smarter and more helpful to society motivates me more than ever. To think that I’m going to work as hard as I can today to live easier tomorrow and can dedicate my whole to helping others and teaching other that they can reach goals through their own selves is extremely powerful to me. We are all as powerful as we choose to let ourselves be. And know that I’m doing this for not only my family and friends, but also MY future, gets me going every second.
Your Homework: Take out a piece of paper and write in the upper ¾ of the page, “I DO ALL OF THIS FOR:” and then place pictures of who/what/why you do everything for under it. And place it somewhere you look at every day: a mirror, the fridge, a clothes closet or even a washing machine. That way, whenever you get up or out for the day, you’ll always see what motivates you. Keep that constant reminder when you see your children’s picture or a picture of yourself when you were thing, you are going to get there because you don’t want to let any of those motivations down.
So, what are your goals and motivation? If you want to discuss it, send me an e-mail, tweet, message or just comment below. I always have an open ear, shoulder and hug for you! 1Love4All.
Thanks for reading! I’ll leave you with a few extras:
• A Jase Quote: “You’re going to only live once. Why not spending it improving yours and others?”
• Jase’s Song for the Day: “Reach” by Gloria Estefan
Monday, May 23, 2011
Welcome to The Jase Race!
Howdy, name's Jase. I’m going to change myself and the world for the better.
Welcome to The Jase Race!
It's going to be a fun run and I hope that you enjoy this time we spend together. I also hope that you'll send this blog with your followers as well. At the end of the day, it's all about love. So, share the wealth! :)
I'm going to use this blog to showcase a more in-depth look at what I believe in, how I believe in and my trials and tribulations while I become a better me. Over the blogs, you're going to get a chance to see how I tick and what things in my life shape me to who I am today, mentally and physically, and what I'm doing to fine-tune those.
This is me, by the way:
Welcome to The Jase Race!
It's going to be a fun run and I hope that you enjoy this time we spend together. I also hope that you'll send this blog with your followers as well. At the end of the day, it's all about love. So, share the wealth! :)
I'm going to use this blog to showcase a more in-depth look at what I believe in, how I believe in and my trials and tribulations while I become a better me. Over the blogs, you're going to get a chance to see how I tick and what things in my life shape me to who I am today, mentally and physically, and what I'm doing to fine-tune those.
This is me, by the way:
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