One of the poems in this book is called, “Autobiography in Five Chapters”. This fantastic poem was written by Portia Nelson.
Chapter 1
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk I fall in. I am lost … I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes me forever to find a way out.
Chapter 2
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in the same place but, it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in … it’s a habit. my eyes are open I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.
Chapter 4
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
Chapter 5
I walk down another street.
Movie of the Week
I really enjoyed all the characters in this series.
It will make more sense if you see the first three seasons.
The Kindle version of this book is free, and the paperback version is $10However, I must warn you that this book will not change your life, only you can do that.This book can be ordered from Amazon
RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL ON THE DIVERSITY IN YOUR LIFE
I seems like most of us (56%) would like to increase the diversity in our lives a little, which I think is good. And 31% of you are satisfied with the diversity in your life. I’ll stay positive and assume that they are satisfied with the diversity in their lives because they have a diverse group of people in their life. I am really impressed by the 13% of you that think the diversity in your life should be increased a lot. One can’t cure anything, if one refuses to recognize the need for a cure or change.
THIS WEEK’S THEME: FRIENDS
Last Friday, I was in Grand Rapids for the Michigan APF (American Powerlifting Federation) meet and I took first place in two categories as well as set state records in those categories pending approval of my “record” request. I was the oldest lifter that day, so I was in categories by myself. Notice that I said I was the oldest lifter of the day, I was not the oldest lifter in the 2-day contest. My friend Nora, who is 72 lifted the following day.
So often when I mention exercise to people, I immediate hear about some sort of aliment that prevents them from exercising. Well, if Nora can power lift, you can exercise. And it you don’t exercise, visualize what you will be like at 72. It is never too late to start some type of exercise.
Although I was the only one in my category, that did not diminish my pride in returning to competition–it felt absolutely fantastic and I am anxious to do better next contest. Now, you may be wondering what does my powerlifting experience have to do with this week’s theme–Friends.
I would never have got into powerlifting, had I not started training with my childhood friend, Tony Mangino.
I lost one of the best friends a person could ever hope to have when Tony died.
I had another good friend who was my coach and training partner, who got me to enter my first powerlifting contest. He was Walter Crescentini, the fellow on the left as you look at the photo below.
In 2013, Walter died and I miss him. I work out alone today at the gym, but I still sense Tony and Walter’s encouragement.
I had quit competition back in 2003 due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. I never thought I would be in competition again, until Art Little, a most extraordinary trainer as well as all around great person, convinced me that I still had a little something left in me. I would never had been at that contest last week, if it were not for Art; nor would I have been permitted to lift had Art not rushed up and saved the day.
So what does powerlifting have to do with friends. Well, friends are never jealous of your success, in fact, they encourage you to be successful and occasionally insist upon it.
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
Sorry for reusing a joke from my book, but I just really like this joke and wanted to share it with all the readers of this blog.
Friendship Between Women:
A woman didn’t come home one night.
The next day she told her husband that she had slept over at a friend’s house.
The man called his wife’s 10 best friends.
None of them knew about it.
Friendship Between Men:
A man didn’t come home one night.
The next day he told his wife that he had slept over at a friend’s house.
WEEK 27: FRIENDS – BE A FRIEND AND YOU WILL HAVE FRIENDS
As I mentioned, a true friend is one who is not jealous of your success and even encourages you to be successful. They will even risk their friendship with you to try to stop you from making a big mistake.
We may have a number of acquaintances and some we may even call friends and such people can add to our lives. But, they are not the same as true friends and one should not expect much from them unless it somehow serves their purposes and not yours. That is a fine and useful arrangement, just don’t mistake them for true friends.
A true friend is an extraordinary gift that you should treasure. And it you want true friends, you have to be one.
SELF-HELP BOOKS IN ADDITION TO MY OWN
I read Choosing Civility back in 2004 and have reviewed it a number of times since then. It contains a lot of advice on connecting with people, which will help you on your quest to surround yourself with true friends.
I got a kick out of watching Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion and believe you also enjoy this very funny film.
Two dense, inseparable friends hit the road for their 10-year high school reunion and concoct an elaborate lie about their lives in order to impress their classmates. (Source: IMDB)
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK
There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.
Source: Thomas Aquinas
THIS WEEK’S POLL
CONCLUSION
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So far, I have received one review. Thank you Judith.
DONATIONS
I continue being willing to donate to anyone putting on a charitable fundraiser two copies of my book to auction off or raffle as a door prize. If you know anyone that is holding a charitable fundraiser and could use a couple copies of my book, please tell them about me. I can be reached at:
