The Graduate

I'm not sure where to start or even how to begin. You're not only my child, you're my best friend.

I remember your eyes as a youngster, the way  they shown so bright, and that smile of yours could cut through the night.

Each morning I'd wake you and help you start off the day. Each night tuck you in and together we'd pray.

When you started to school, time flew by so fast. One moment your in first grade and now the graduating class.

My emotions are so conflicted, I'm happy and sad. All of me is proud of you, yet part of me feels bad. 

Did I do all I could do to prepare you for life? Will it be enough to help you make the best decisions each day and night?

It is at this point I must release my hold. I'll let the Lord take over, for really, He was always in control.

I'm not sure what your future will hold, but I'm certain of two things if I can be so bold.

The first is I'm certain that God has a plan. He will prosper you, while giving you a future that will come from His hands. 

My second certainty is that you are filled with potential to be great in this world. But it's up to you to fulfill it, of this I am sure. 

In closing let me say I am proud of you and I thank God for the person you have turned into. 

Now graduate full of pride my child, with your eyes ever so bright and your  beautiful smile that can cut through the night. 

God Bless,

Coach P

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Where I'm From

I have had the opportunity to travel around the US from North to South and East to West. There are many states I've yet to see, but I've been fortunate enough to cover a lot of ground over the years. On a few occasions I've also been able to travel outside the US borders and visit other countries.

What I have learned during these travels is that each place has is own natural beauty, in it's own unique way. I've also learned that every area I've had the opportunity to visit has some awesome people occupying the land (along with a few not so awesome people, as it is in life). 

Okay, here is a personal secret... I really love the ocean, the sun, and the beach. I'm pretty sure I could be a beach bum for while and it would suit me just fine. But where I'm from, we don't have an ocean view and the only beaches are on the shores of creeks, farm ponds, and lakes. That being said, I think those beaches are beautiful too.

Fishing at the creek with my family. 

You see, I grew up in Oklahoma and now live in Kansas, the heartland of America. The Midwest is my home and I'm proud if it. 

This thought about growing up in the Midwest landed in my brain and built a nest there after reading a great blog post written by my good friend Michelle Terry (Read her blog post "Flyover States" here). 

After reading what Michelle so deftly penned, I felt a great sense of pride in the Midwest, my hometown, home state, and all the other Flyover states she mentions. 

It is in these areas of the US that The Lord forged me into the man I am today. He has done this by virtue of working with my hands, playing sports, going to school, and attending Church, all right here in the Midwest. These are a few of the activities and values that we cherish in the heartland of America. The land where my people are from and the land I call home. 

Below is an excellent song by country music artist Jason Aldean. I admittedly don't listen to a lot of country, but I do like it. I mean, I'm from small town Oklahoma where everyone little bit country.

This song does a great job explaining how we feel about our part of the country here in the flyover states. Click on the video below to watch and listen...

Now my question for you is this...

Where are you from and what makes your part of the country (or world) awesome? 

God Bless,

Coach P

P.S. If the Lord ever calls us to live in a tropical paradise, who are we to refuse? 

Don't miss "The Moment"

As a lifelong athlete, I've trained and competed more than the average person. When you are a competitive athlete, you are always training for the moment you get to compete and see how well you perform when it's time for Live Action (Yes, I just threw a Turtle man reference in there). You train for hours and hours just waiting for the opportunity to test yourself and hopefully succeed.

Coaching is not much different, except you aren't the one actually competing. Even still, you are helping your athletes train and prepare for the moment they get to lay it on the line and shine. Hour upon hour is spent working on technique, developing skills, imparting strategy, and improving their level of conditioning.  This is all done in preparation for the moment the lights come on and the action commences.

Tyson Toelkes enjoying the Big Moment!

Beyond the ball fields, mats, and courts, we spend our lives waiting for "The Moment" in one way or another. This might be the moment you graduate, get married, have a child, or get the big promotion at work. Our lives are spent in preparation for the special moments in life. 

What I want us to consider is the possibility that we may be missing the "The Moment" waiting on "The Moment." 

Life is full of awesome moments. These often happen when we least expect them, but we many not see their brilliance unless we learn to live in the here and now. 

I often tell my athletes... "We must enjoy the journey. Yes we want to achieve our goals, but the journey is just as important." The journey is the daily grind and it encompasses all the moments, big and small. 

Tyson Toelkes enjoying The Journey!

Today I challenge you to not only wait on the big moments in life, but to also live in the moment right now. Enjoy every step of your journey and realize that you are in fact living in the moment. Don't let your life pass you by waiting on "The Moment" only to miss it many times over. 

God Bless,

Coach P

Am I Wrong

Do you think and live outside the box? 

Do you have a vision for your life?

Do you think you can be something, for real?

Here is what I think...

Live outside the box! Most of you physically live in a box (your house), travel in a box (your car), work in a box (office or cubicle),  eat out of a box (your fridge), and sleep in a box (your bed). But your thought life doesn't have to be contained in a box. 

Develop a grand Vision for your life! If your vision for life isn't so big that is scares you a little bit, then think bigger! It is important to have a vision for your life and also the courage to see it through. 
"Where there is no vision the people will perish." -Proverbs 29:18 

Believe in yourself, believe in your ability, and most important believe that God has a great plan for you. You can be something, for real!
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

I love this song! 

Listen to it, think about it, and let it encourage you today!

God Bless,

Coach P

My Mom

You were the first person I knew when God formed me in your womb. 

I could hear your soothing voice and heart at the same time. This was not a chance meeting, our connection was Divine.

When I was a small child, you were always my best friend. Each day we would play, color, read, and write. Then each night we would say our prayers as you tucked me in.

All through my schooling you always had my back. You would take me to sporting events and never let me slack.

When I went away to college, I grew into a man. But I soon realized, a man still needs to hear his mom's voice and sometimes hold her hand.

Now I am married and have children of my own. The lessons that you taught to me are being passed on in my home. 

Each day I thank the Lord for choosing you to give me life. 

Mom you are my rock, my friend, and my guiding star. I'll always know your soothing voice and love your precious heart. 

God Bless You Mom and I Love You,

Chad 

http://youtu.be/NFRW4_46dJg

http://youtu.be/EpgvwCZuV1I

Keep it Simple

Never complicate what you can effectively simplify.

Maybe it's human nature, I'm not sure, but people often over complicate what can be so simple in life(I'm guilty of this from time to time as well).

I am a coach and this is something I often see...coaches over-complicating the teaching of their sport. They often do this with good intentions, but just end up confusing their athletes.

Trust me, it does your offense no good when your running back has the ball, but his lead blocker and linemen don't understand who they should be blocking because the scheme is so complicated. Don't get me wrong, it can be complicated, but should be taught in a non-complicated manner.

Your wrestler will have trouble succeeding if you teach him a multiple part set-up, takedown, and finish, but over complicate the manner in which you teach these components.

Being a longtime coach and teacher (also the son of a longtime coach and teacher), I believe we can teach complicated information in simple terms if we understand it well. 

This same concept can be used with every job, relationship, sport etc. It's not always easy to simplify, which seems like a contradictory phrase, but it's true. Sometimes it takes a lot of work to understand something in such a way that you can simplify that which seems complicated.

In the words of a pretty smart fella...

“If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself.” -Albert Einstein

God Bless,

Coach P

P.S. I am always trying to find the most efficient/simplified methods to utilize in various areas of my life, it's how I'm wired. What areas of your life do you tend to over complicate and how can you simplify in these areas? 

No Limitation as Limitation

Since I was a child I have loved martial arts. I truly appreciate the lessons that can be learned and applied to everyday life through martial arts.

One of my favorite quotes comes from famous martial artist/actor Bruce Lee. The quote is as follows...

This quote applies to my martial art theories, but even more important, it applies to life. What I want to address in this post is the second half of the quote, "having no limitation as limitation."

In essence Bruce Lee was saying that we need to stop using our perceived limitations as excuses. How many of us, me included, use a supposed limitation as an excuse for failure or maybe to never begin something in the first place?

In sports, the limitation and excuse may sound something like this...

I'm to slow, I'm not tall enough, He is stronger than me, etc.

In everyday life, the limitation and excuse may sound like this...

I don't have enough time, I don't have enough money, I don't know the right people, etc.

Everything listed above can be looked at as a true limitation and a valid excuse. But according to the great martial artist Bruce Lee, that doesn't let you off the hook!

Bruce Lee wants you to know that what you perceive as a limitation cannot be used as a limitation. You must find a way to succeed, despite the so called limitation. You have to stop making excuses and find a way to get it done.

This brings to mind some words of wisdom from successful business man and author Ron Reynolds "People will find a way to do exactly what they need to do." You see, when you really need to get something done, you'll find a way.

Both Bruce Lee and Ron Reynolds know that people have so many self imposed limitations. They have trouble succeeding or making necessary changes in life because they use these limitations as excuses. But ultimately people can choose to overcome the limitation and find a way to succeed. 

My challenge for you is this...

Decide today to take the limitations off your mind, rid yourself of excuses and find a way. Declare that you will no longer use your "limitations" as limiting factors in your life!

God Bless,

Coach P

P.S. As far as No way as way, this applies to my grappling theories. But in my personal life... I know the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!