Full Circle

The other day I heard the phrase, "Be who you were meant to be ... not the person you've allowed yourself to become."  I really like it.  It applies to so many different areas of our lives.

I know many things seem to come full circle.  And that's becoming more and more true about my life physically over the last few years.  When I was younger, I felt like athletically I could do anything!  Need evidence?  Well I made the freaking El Dorado Springs, MO Little League All-Star team in 1976!

8 year old me ... contemplating my first big league contract
(front row second from the left)

We were awesome!  Sucka's tried to step on the diamond with us and got a beat down ... faster than you can say "pitcher's hand".

All jokes aside, ('cause I'm always totally serious about little league) I was a decent athlete when I was a kid.  I lettered in three sports in high school and played baseball in college.  I was even voted "Most Athletic" in my senior class - never mind that there were only like 7 people who graduated with me.

But when the little'uns got here, all I wanted to do was be a great father.  I focused all my time and energy on doing that to the best of my ability.  I stopped working out and doing anything ... and I mean anything, athletically at all.  I didn't the concept of mixing parenthood with staying physically fit.

For about a 10 year period I became a permanent fixture next to the throw pillows on the couch.  I'm 6'2", and got up to about 230.  That doesn't sound HUGE or anything - but I have a VERY small frame.  Like a chick.  Small wrists & arms that are often mistaken for lose threads hanging off of my shirts.  Bony talons for feet that rattle around in any pair of shoes I buy.  My PowerBand bracelet is a FREAKING SMALL.  Get it?  230 was way too big!

But when I was 30ish, I started slowly running, gradually increasing the increments.  I started working out more and eating better and losing weight.  Today I am still 6'2", but 180 ... and I've never felt better.  And even though I was very active when I was a kid, I feel like it's nothing compared to what I'm able to do now.

I think when I was younger I just took good health for granted.  I thought I was bullet proof and nothing could stop me.  It took getting really out of shape to appreciate being physically fit. It has been a long road, and I'm still not where I want to be, but it's better than a few years ago.

I was clearly "meant to be" one of the worlds greatest baseball players.  I just got a little side-tracked.  Who were you meant to be?  Who have you allowed yourself to become?  It's never too late.  I'm 42 ... but I promise you ... I WILL run 50 marathons in 50 states!
... be great today!