“TAKE 5” GAME-PLAN FOR LIFE/SPORTS—LESSON #2
‘INTEGRITY’—‘COMMITMENT’—‘HAPPINESS’

Before venturing into a new lesson, one should always review what one thinks is best for them. During my time in the Education Business, I always told my students that they would take with them what is important to them.

Remember the words of Socrates.

If this is your first time to the website, welcome. If you are returning, welcome back. A new calendar year has started. Personally, my new calendar year is celebrated on my birthday.

This flipping of the New Year only serves as a reminder of the time that has past. It tells us nothing about our future. For those of you who are interested in ‘PLAYIN YOUR DREAMS’, read on.

If you are new, I would encourage you to review the posts, found in the “TAKE 5” Game-Plan for Life/ Sports section, Titled ‘Game-Plan’ and Lesson #1, before proceeding.

For you others let us continue to explore Lesson #2. If you did not partake in the assignments for Lesson #1, I would advise you to stop. The reason being is that you are not fully ‘Committed’ to the core principles of this or any personal Wellness Program.

THE TWO PRINCIPLES ARE:

AND YOU ARE YOUR OWN:

Developing a ‘Personal Wellness Program’ will also provide the information to assist in becoming one’s own, best, Health Advocate. Anyone with the ability to read, and has access to the internet, owes it to themselves to investigate and become knowledgeable for their own ‘Personal Health’.

Caution: Only after extensive research and reaching a ‘Knowing’ should one accept their findings. Remember, what works and is “good” for someone else may not be “good” or work for you and vice versa.

When an ailment of my body is out of my jurisdiction, is when I seek professional, medical care. During our consultation is when my research is shared. Otherwise, I am not a personal fan of Wellness visits.

‘Homeostasis’ can become a way of life. If in severe pain, seek medical attention immediately. Moderate to low pain can be monitored and treated at home. If the pain does not lessen in 7-10 days, consider pain to be severe.

With ‘Homeostasis’ as a companion, a relationship has formed. What do you value or base your relationships on with others, including yourself? Personally, I am now at four:
1. Integrity, 2. Intimacy, 3. Insanity,(Eros as in the Greeks) 4. Infinite Wisdom.

I consider these four to be the pillars for all ‘healthy relationships’ including with yourself and with others. The degree or level you wish to share will be determined by the importance of the relationship.

The stability of your relationships will be determined by the strengths of these four pillars. Using yourself as an example, if you are reading this, but did not complete the assignments in Lesson #1, ask yourself why.

If you did complete the assignments in Lesson #1, ask yourself why. The answer is obvious, you sought results. You demonstrated ‘INTEGRITY’.

‘INTEGRITY’ (The following is an essay for my focus group. Images have been added.)

“Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines integrity: 1. Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values; incorruptibility. 2. An unimpaired condition; soundness. 3. The quality or state of being complete or undivided; completeness. In other words: the quality of being honest and fair; the state of being complete or whole.

Years ago, the secretary of my supervising administrator, explained to me that she was to give her very first public speech at her church. The topic was “integrity”. It was an honor being asked my opinion on the topic.

As our discussions lengthen, I begin to realize the complexities and depths of this subject. When it ended, I wished her well, and I hoped that I was of some service.

That brief encounter stimulated me into developing my current, simplistic, definition of “integrity”-SAY WHAT YOU MEAN, MEAN WHAT YOU SAY, and DISAGREE AGREEABLY.

This word ‘Integrity’ is one of the main ingredients in the foundation of all healthy relationships. Without it, your relationship is doomed to collapse. This includes relationships with both others and yourself.

As mentioned previously, you are your own best friend. Thus, you are in a relationship with yourself. With that being said, how is your personal integrity to yourself? How many times during the day do you encounter integrity? How many times do you pass the test?

Is it me, or has “INTEGRITY” fallen on hard times? In his writing “Self-Reliance”, Ralph Waldo Emerson writes this beautiful phrase, “Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind”.Wayne W. Dyer expresses his view of the article, “Be yourself and run your life by what you know to be right and in harmony with your spiritual essence. That is, by the integrity of your own mind.

Refuse to do anything simply because everyone else is doing it. If it fits with your definition of ethical and right, then by all means proceed, irrespective of what those around you are saying or doing”.

Henry David Thoreau is quoted:Dyer explains, “Take risks, pursue your dreams, live life to the fullest, as long as you’re not hurting anyone else. Whatever it is that you feel compelled to be or do is the voice of your soul pleading with you to have the courage to listen and act on the melody only you hear, as long as it does not interfere with anyone else’s right to pursue his dreams”.

You have a choice, do I want to get better, or do I want to get worse. Nothing stays the same. To get better I encourage you to practice “WELLNESS” each and every day.

What is “WELLNESS”? It is a commitment to make healthy choices: TO RESPECT ONESELF. Are you the most important person in the world, and are you, your own best friend?

If you are, then treat yourself and others with the “INTEGRITY” you and others deserve. Say what you mean, mean what you say, and disagree agreeably.” (End of Essay)

Any Philosophy of Life or Personal Wellness Plan has to include “INTEGRITY”. If you cannot be honest with yourself, how far will your honesty extend to others? The Law of Attraction will either repel you from others, or attract you to others.

‘Homeostasis’ is affected by one’s choices. As mentioned previously, “I have no expectations of others, only to myself”. However, when and if, a person puts their ‘Integrity’ to the test with me, results will be forthcoming.

Upon receiving those results, a ‘Knowing’ will be produced. Then all parties can proceed accordingly. As you plan your day, be prepared for problems. ‘Homeostasis’ should be part of your plan. Over scheduling and over committing can affect your ‘Homeostasis’. Reaching a ‘Balance’ through ‘Commitment’ will affect the results that one seeks.

It was last year around this time that an idea for a ‘Commitment Party’ entered my brain. The idea was based on the premise: If a high school baseball player practiced regularly certain principles off the field, what effects, if any, could propel him and his team to win a State High School Baseball Championship.

Though results from the 2015 season were inclusive due to the lack of monitoring, plans for the upcoming 2016 High School Baseball season are being developed. Future posts will be devoted to share 2016 stories and results.

It is time to challenge you, the reader, to another test. Before I do, I will share with you the ground rules. There is no right or wrong answers, just results. These results will be your own personal results.

 

The following is an excerpt from the Commitment Party for the Foothill High School Baseball team in Henderson, NV. (Inserts have been added to personalize it).

THIS BRINGS ME TO WHY I AM HERE TODAY. I HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO REPRESENT THE PAST, THE PRESENT, AND THE FUTURE OF THE “YE OLDE” HENDERSON, NV, BASEBALL COMMUNITY. (YOUR LIFE)

I BRING THE MESSAGE OF A PERSONAL CHALLENGE TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THIS ROOM. THIS CHALLENGE IS A PLEDGE. A PLEDGE THAT YOU WILL DO YOUR VERY BEST BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD THIS BASEBALL SEASON. (THIS YEAR)

EACH OF YOU WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT IS YOUR VERY BEST. MY DEFINITION OF “DOING YOUR VERY BEST” IS THIS, SIMPLY PUT, REVIEW YOUR DAY BEFORE YOU DRIFT OFF TO SLEEP, AND ASK YOURSELF, “HOW DID I DO TODAY?” FOR IF TOMORROW COMES, I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE GIFT OF ANOTHER NEW DAY.

ANOTHER CHANCE TO MAKE A CHOICE, DO I WANT TO GET BETTER, OR DO I WANT TO GET WORSE, FOR NOTHING STAYS THE SAME. THE ONE CONSTANT THING IS “NOTHING ENDURES BUT CHANGE”.

I HAVE ALSO COME HERE TO SHARE WITH YOU THE PRINCIPLES AND TOOLS NECESSARY TO ASSIST YOU IN DOING YOUR VERY BEST. YOUR PERSONAL LEVEL OF COMMITMENT, PARTICIPATION, AND INVOLVEMENT WILL AFFECT YOUR OUTCOME.

THESE PRINCIPLES AND TOOLS ARE BASED ON TWO THEORIES. ONE, HUMANS DO NOT FAIL. ALL WE GET ARE RESULTS. TWO, ALL WE CONTROL IS WHAT GOES ON INSIDE OF OUR HEADS. WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER OUTSIDE FORCES, BUT ONLY HOW WE REACT TO THEM.

BEFORE I ASK YOU TO SIGN THIS PLEDGE, LET ME FIRST DEFINE THE WORD “COMMITMENT”. COMMITMENT IS A PROMISE TO DO OR GIVE SOMETHING, A PROMISE TO BE LOYAL TO SOMEONE OR SOMETHING.

WHEN COMMITMENT IS COMBINED WITH INTEGRITY, A POWERFUL FORCE IS CREATED.THIS FORCE FUELS ONE INTO DOING THEIR “VERY BEST”.

 

HANDOUT BROCHURE

*READ THE ‘WINNING EDGE” IN LIFE AND SPORTS”
DISCUSS CRITERIA FOR THE NICK FEHER MEMORIAL $500 SCHOLARSHIP.

HANDOUT 6 HEALTHY BEHAVIOR CHECKLIST

HANDOUT WATER IS COOL

HANDOUT TIME MANAGEMENT SHEETS
*QUESTION-WHERE DO GIRLFRIENDS FIT IN?

AM I ACHIEVING MY POTENTIAL AS A STUDENT?

WHAT TO DO WITH ASSIGNMENTS?

JUDGMENT TIME HAS NOW ARRIVED.

I HAVE SHARED WITH YOU THE PRINCIPLES AND TOOLS NECESSARY TO ASSIST YOU IN “DOING YOUR VERY BEST”. IN NORMAL SITUATIONS, ONE SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE THE NEEDED TIME BEFORE MAKING A PLEDGE.

I TRUST HOWEVER, YOUR TIME HAS COME. THE TIME TO MAKE A COMMITMENT AND BLEND IT WITH INTEGRITY TO PRODUCE THAT FORCE THAT FUELS YOU INTO “DOING YOUR VERY BEST”.

AS THE FIRST VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM (INDIVIDUAL) TO SIGN THIS PLEDGE, YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SET A NEW STANDARD FOR ALL FUTURE TEAMS (SELVES) TO FOLLOW OR SURPASS.

THIS IS A ONCE IN LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE TORCH BEARER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. ONCE THIS PLEDGE IS COMPLETE, AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE “YE OLDE” HENDERSON, NV, BASEBALL COMMUNITY, (YOUR LIFE) I WILL CERTIFY IT AS TRUE.

IT WILL THEN BE FRAMED AND RETURNED TO YOUR TEAM (YOU) TO DISPLAY IT AT ALL TIMES TO REMIND YOU OF THE PLEDGE, THE PLEDGE THAT YOU MADE TO YOURSELF, YOUR TEAMMATES, THE BASEBALL TEAM, AND THE “YE OLDE” HENDERSON BASEBALL COMMUNITY.

BEFORE YOU SIGN THIS DOCUMENT, REMEMBER, “HUMANS DO NOT FAIL, WE ONLY GET RESULTS”. ACCORDING TO THE GREAT ROMAN EMPEROR MARCUS AURELIUS, THE ONLY THING WE CAN CONTROL IS WHAT GOES ON INSIDE OF OUR HEADS. THAT BEING TRUE, WE HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR NOT DOING OUR VERY BEST.

Ground rules have been explained. For those of you wanting to take the test, all you have to do is print off the amended pledge, and follow the directions.

I PLEDGE TO DO “MY VERY BEST” DURING THE 2016 FOOTHILL BASEBALL VARSITY SEASON.     DATED-_______

PRINT YOUR NAME                                                                     SIGN YOU NAME                                                                          _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I, Fox-Feather, give you the power invested in me, to authenticate it on my behalf.

Then get yourself a frame. Place your ‘PLEDGE’ in it. Display ‘IT’ in a prominent place to remind yourself and others of the pledge you made to yourself.

During the past few weeks, how many times during this Holiday Season did you hear, say, or read:
According to vocabulary.com: “Happy hails from the Middle English word hap, meaning “good luck.” Many of the early European words for happy actually referred to good luck, rather than a feeling of joy. On its own, happy means an enjoyable or satisfied state of being.

When hyphenated, it can refer to an overwhelming inclination to do something. Someone who is trigger-happy, for example, has an overwhelming urge to shoot things, while a clothes-happy person is obsessed with taking trips to the mall.”

Most studies indicate that achieving ‘happiness’ is the #1 goal in the lives of most people. When asked to describe ‘happiness’ each person usually exhibited their own personal beliefs.

 

The following is my essay (enhanced with imagery) that was shared with my focus group.

What is Happiness?

According to old sages, this adage, “There is no greater sorrow, than the sorrow, of the death of your child”, tops the list of sorrows. After that one, each is on their own to complete their list, as we add, and/or subtract as we journey forward.

Each and everyone one of us has experienced sorrow. Sorrow does not make us failures, it provides as Marcus Aurelius puts it, an obstacle that provides a challenge for us to overcome.

 

Always remember his single precept;

As he plainly says, your own happiness is up to you.

So what is this happiness that we all seek? Each and every one of us, have our own personal ideas and concepts on how we define our happiness. I used to believe that success was related to my happiness.

But, then what is success? A paradox always hung over my head as a cloud. I once made up a poster and hung it up for years in my classroom; “Success can only be measured by our own true happiness”.

My journey was almost four years, until I encountered a “KNOWING” concerning my greatest sorrow. I want you right now to think and or write down your five greatest sorrows. Please spend one minute or less on each one reminiscing and reliving in your mind, the pain and sorrow you endured.

Reflect on the unhappiness, that you experienced. Now lock it away in a private vault deep in your mind, where only you can access it. For sorrow may raise its ugly head again, affecting your rankings.

My “KNOWING” is this; “Happiness can be defined as the state of not being unhappy.” If you are not being unhappy, then you must be happy. If you are not experiencing the pain and sorrow of your top five sorrows, then you must be happy.

If you are currently experiencing, a top five sorrow, that too in time can be dealt with. Time is a fascinating word. There are over 20 definitions according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. It is an interesting read, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/time

In our lifetime, we will spend the majority of our time, alone, in the thoughts of our own mind. So, doesn’t it stand to reason that we should fill our thoughts with the most pleasant thoughts possible. Marcus Aurelius says; “we need to find peace from within”. This peace starts within the brain.

 

I developed the following acronym, FUDGE, to help me find my peace.
F=FEELINGS
U=UPSET
D=DEPRESSION
G=GUILTY
E=ENVY
*Remember no one person, moment, situation, event, and/or thing can affect your FUDGE unless you give it permission. Whatever your choice, and if you do decide to open up your vault, only you can decide the depths, you wish to explore.

Each day, life gives us a choice; 1. Do I want to get better? 2. Do I want to get worse? Nothing stays the same. And, how do we measure that? Only you will decide.

That concludes Lesson #3. Remember to bookmark us and direct others to share our INSANITY of the Friday-Fixins with Fox-Feather. The next topic will be: Pro Football Players or PPA’S–Part 2, the Playoffs.

Thoughts are left for you. Until our paths cross again, keep PLAYIN YOUR DREAMS.