PUNCH LIFE IN THE FACE

“ If you’re going to do anything interesting in the world, criticism is an unavoidable fact.

You’ll be criticized, because you’ll make mistakes, because some will be jealous, because people have opinions about anything interesting, because people want to help you, because some want to drag down those doing anything different.

The trick to navigating the icebergs of criticism is to figure out which are helpful, and steer clear of those that aren’t.

And above all, do it with grace”.

 - Leo Babauta.

A sad human trait is jealousy. As a normal breathing human being I have been there as victim and as agressor, and throughout time I have battled to stay away from negativity. Life is better that way. Smiling people live longer…no doubt. As you go into the journey of getting in shape, encouraging others, eating healthy, competing, you will find those that cheer for you, and you will find those that don’t.

I never have lliked to use the term best friend in my life. Why ? Because all friends are different. At the end of the day some are closer than others, some are even closer than family. Some people I considered friends end up not really being friends. Some people that started not as friends, end up being great friends later on. Heck, a guy I onced punched in college while playing football in the snow is a great friend of mine now. Gloves came off, football was dropped, it was great. We talk regularly through facebook.

At the end of the day I am thankful for all of them. Why ? They make my life diverse and I learn from each of them. I learn from their encouragement, I learn from their negative comments. I listen, but I don’t always respond. The smartest answer you can give someone that turns negative against you, is silence. What a great way to answer back….silence. Best and most diplomatic punishment on earth.

Coming back to the term best friend. If I have to save the term best friend, it would be for my father. A guy that has never said NO when I needed any help.

I left home in Costa Rica at the age of 17, to move to South Dakota and go to college. Thats just 10 years more than the age of my son….wow. That day I left home for good.

While at the airport in Costa RIca on an early morning August 1992 my dad with tears on his eyes repeated my favorite quote ever: ” Keep moving forward, and don’t look to the sides…ADELANTE….siempre ADELANTE (look forward always…never to the sides)”.

My dad January 2011. Piedmont Park Atlanta, GA

I have remembered that quote all my life pretty much, and have to re use it a lot. I have shared it with my closest friends as well. I don’t always go by it, but I try.

I don’t get to see my dad very often, but I am very lucky to still have him. We talk almost daily and he will be here  January 13. So, here we go…the main course of the post.

Let me first show you a picture of my ROAD ID, which by the way I am getting rid of it. The ROAD ID is something that most people should carry in case of an emergency.

The ROAD ID gives you the option of a motivational quote on the last line as you design it.

Last year I chose the quote WHEN YOU WANT TO QUIT THINK OF YOUR HATERS (click on the picture above…you may be able to read it). Today I have come to the conclusion that it was a mistake, and it’s being replaced. That quote I chose was a modification from a great quote I got from USHER RAYMOND on the day I met him in 2009. When asked by a kid at a conference on how to deal with criticism and the haters he answered: “Let your haters be your motivators”. great quote, so I grabbed that and changed it. Although I love it, it did not apply to me anymore.

With USHER in 2009.

Why am I changing it ?  Very simple. What is my motivation ? Is it to prove people wrong that criticize instead of encourage others and myself ? Absolutely not. I will do that with results, and I will answer to their negative comments with SILENCE.

I am doing this cause I want to better myself, and defeat my liver disease. I promised my kids to be around them as long as I can, and I will. I will punch life in the face.

On one of the century  (100 miles) rides I did last year on my bike (Wilson 100) I got word that my family and my friend Shane were going to be at the finish line waiting for me. 10 miles away from the finish line thinking of seeing them there gave me a strenght that I can’t describe where it came from. Same as when I ran the Savannah Rock N Roll Half marathon. Did I ever look at my ROAD ID and thought of those that didn’t and will not encourage others ? Absolutely not…I thought of my kids.

At the finish line with my kids and wife (baby Liam not pictured)  September 2011

Senoia, GA

So. My new ROAD ID due to arrive soon will have a green color (my favorite and more visible than black) with the names of my wife and my kids engraved. That’s my motivation….my kids.

Don’t wait till tomorrow. Start today. Don’t wait to be placed on a medication. Eat healthy, exercise and go punch life in the face. Encourage others to assume the same path, encourage those that are out there pushing hard against the daily obstacles.