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Showing posts with label time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label time. Show all posts

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Practical Application


We give a lot of theory on this blog for the most part so I thought I might throw in some application.

I’m really big on self-assessment. The practice of taking inventory of your skills, personality, choices, and appearance. It’s good to take an honest look in the mirror from time to time and attempt to give an objective opinion about one’s self. This isn’t an easy practice by any means. Sometimes we make excuses for better or worse.

So, I did a little self-assessment myself this week before I went to work. My career game is on track and I’m making the proper connections and continuously mastering my craft by learning from other’s with more experiences and keeping up with the changes within my field. Spiritually, I know the importance of having a personal relationship with my creator and I am satisfied with the progress I am making everyday. Also, I develop my mind on the daily by exposing myself to new ways of thinking by picking up literature on a variety of topics. Right now I am tackling the new biography of the life of Malcolm X by Manning Marable. Eventually I am going to do a review on that so stay tuned.

The aspect of my life I am currently lacking is the physical. Before I moved to the DMV I worked at a job that gave me some crazy hours. Basically, I was on call 24 hours a day. As crazy as that job was it allowed focus on a variety of things such as my career which allowed me to get a better job in the first place. One of the things I was able to do was lift weights.

Now as a 25 year old male I must admit I was rather weak compared to those in my age group. So I thought why not bulk up? I went to the store and bought a supply of protein shakes. After I guzzled down a shake I hit the weights hard and in three months time I doubled my work rate. I’m one of those people that if I have a goal I can become obsessive to a degree and in this case it paid off.

Fast forward, I got the call from the company out in Northern VA and took the job. It was a great choice and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. The only downside was that I didn’t have or didn’t find the time to keep up my work out regiment and my body suffered.

So last Wednesday I looked in the mirror and the scale and realized that I gained a good 20 pounds since my move. I didn’t look like I gained that much but the combination of loosing that muscle and gaining fat took effect.

Instead of sulking I laughed for a moment and asked myself what I was going to do about my problem. I knew I didn’t have time to hit the weights hard so I thought the easiest way was to start slow for the time being.


My first thought was if I can’t dedicate hours at the gym, at least I could do some workouts at home. So, I found a crazy ab workout video by Manny Pacquiao and went in! For the time being I am unable to keep up with him but I believe as I continue to develop my wind I have no doubt in my mind I can complete the exercise.








Second, I thought about how I was going to drop some of my unnecessary fat in a timely fashion. I have a track where I work and many people take off their slacks and collar shirts and throw on some shorts to have a run. At first I was apprehensive about running since I hadn't done it in awhile and I was worried that my legs were not going to be able to carry the weight.

Good News....I was wrong. I was able to run a full mile without stopping and I feel like I could have done more. It felt good that my wind was not totally shot and I’m closer to getting back my build.



I have a lot going on in my life right now but having the total package is important to me. I talk a big game about being a well developed person but I also enjoy the challenge of practicing what I preach.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Nothing Lasts Forever






By Judah


On my way back to my hometown I had a hard time finding some mood music for my drive. I pulled over to the side of the road and proceeded to open up my glove compartment and find something cruise to. I came across The Lost Tapes, an album by my favorite rapper Nas. I don’t listen to him as much as I use to but he is no less dope. Nothing Last Forever, was the fourth track on the classic disc.

Everything will eventually come to an end
So try to savor the moment, cuz time flies don't it
The beauty of life, you gotta make it last for the better
Cuz nothin' lasts forever ~ Nas



I once saw this line as Nas basically saying slow down and smell the roses. Sometimes you have to take a time out in life and enjoy what you have in front of you because it may not be here tomorrow. The 20 year old Judah and the 25 year old Judah may have less in common that I would think.

As I was driving up 95 I sat and thought about what the song means to me today. My analysis has changed a bit since I was the introspective young college kid. I believe the song is similar but has a different meaning. Since I was that kid, I am a little more worldly, read a few more books, and experience a deal of moments in life.

I believe Nas is saying one should confront his Mortality.

When you live through understanding your death two things happen.

First item that becomes clear is that you have a new found connection to all things organic. By understanding that all things God given will pass you will understand it’s connection to all life. We will all pass at different times and stages in life. This understanding will bring about a new found respect for the human experience.

Second, when you have this freedom the insignificant things become less and less important. The energy used on meaningless issues can be transferred to things that are important to you. A respect for time will also follow. Everyone likes down time, and the ability to unwind. This is completely understandable but there is a difference in taking a break and putting things off. There is nothing proper or acceptable about procrastination. When you put things off you will loose productive moments in your life that you will not be able to get back.

Saying I will live forever is an optimistic outlook on the life. It sounds nice...but it’s not realistic. Accept the ideal that one day you will pass just as all life and dive into your passions.