If you are going through Hell, DON'T STOP!

...just when I was about to consider yet another loss, I looked up and read this sign.  All I could do is laugh.  It's really self explanatory.  As I have grown older and matured, I accept the fact that there will be challenges along my path.  Everyone has them.  One of the things that seems to separate those who succeed from those who don't is simply their ability to move forward despite what seem to be negative circumstances.  The masses seem to have created an entire movement around complaining.   I have listened to people who I am convinced to have made complaining their life's calling.  Few people want answers....why would they?  The moment they solve a problem, they must find another one to replace it.  Negativity, much like almost anything else is addictive.  We could all stand to be mindful of the people, places and things we surround ourselves with.  There are few things more ridiculous that watching someone complain about another person's complaint!  Yet, it happens everyday.  It's time to go about the business of fulfilling our roles in life so that we can leave something positive behind.  The sad part though is that traffic always slows down for the accident and seldom for the flowers planted on the side of the road.

Dreams mean work,

Lou Riley

Posted via email from thisislouriley

A Walk Through The Valley of Death's Shadow

It's been three months since the accident and this is the first time I decided to write about it.  Somedays it seems like yesterday, on others, its hard to believe anything like that ever happened to me.  One second I'm riding in the passenger seat and the next thing I know, the car hydroplanes out of control and makes a direct charge towards a mountain.  I hear people say that in the midst of near death moments, things happen quickly.  There was no time for fear, no time to scream or shout.  All I could do is sit there as I said to myself, "this car is about to hit something!"  After what reminded me of being on a rollercoaster with all the moving and shaking, I realized that the accident was over.   (Did I mention I wasn't wearing a seat belt?) I did a quick mental scan of my body and realized I was okay.  (It might also help to share with you that the entire time the car was flipping over, I felt like a small child being cradled in its parent's arms.  I felt safe and I knew that somehow I would be just fine.)  I then realized the car I was in was upside down.  My only thought was to get out.

Passenger window?  Too small.

Front windshield?  No way!

Backwindow?  Possible, but not enough room after I gave it one try to force myself out of the vehicle.  I relaxed for a minute then took a quick assessment of the situation.  In the back of my mind were images of cars going up in flames.  There was no way in hell that was going to happen to me.  There was one way out and that was the too small back window.  I got on my back and used the front seat to brace my legs and push.  Part of my body had gotten out of the car.  A couple of concerned citizens who saw the accident were trying to help pull my out, but with no success.  The headrest on the rear car seat made it difficult to push my way out of the vehicle.  So I pushed anyway.  Literally breaking my ribs in doing so.  All I knew at that point is that I was getting out of this car.  I strained and I pushed through the pain until my upper half was out and I could continue pushing my way out of the car.  I got up off of the ground to turn and look at the accident.  That picture in this post is exactly what I saw.  I walked away from the accident with some broken ribs and a few cuts on my right arm.  Most importantly though.....I walked away.

Posted via email from The Acai Soda Site

A Walk Through The Valley of Death's Shadow

It's been three months since the accident and this is the first time I decided to write about it.  Somedays it seems like yesterday, on others, its hard to believe anything like that ever happened to me.  One second I'm riding in the passenger seat and the next thing I know, the car hydroplanes out of control and makes a direct charge towards a mountain.  I hear people say that in the midst of near death moments, things happen quickly.  There was no time for fear, no time to scream or shout.  All I could do is sit there as I said to myself, "this car is about to hit something!"  After what reminded me of being on a rollercoaster with all the moving and shaking, I realized that the accident was over.   (Did I mention I wasn't wearing a seat belt?) I did a quick mental scan of my body and realized I was okay.  (It might also help to share with you that the entire time the car was flipping over, I felt like a small child being cradled in its parent's arms.  I felt safe and I knew that somehow I would be just fine.)  I then realized the car I was in was upside down.  My only thought was to get out.

Passenger window?  Too small.

Front windshield?  No way!

Backwindow?  Possible, but not enough room after I gave it one try to force myself out of the vehicle.  I relaxed for a minute then took a quick assessment of the situation.  In the back of my mind were images of cars going up in flames.  There was no way in hell that was going to happen to me.  There was one way out and that was the too small back window.  I got on my back and used the front seat to brace my legs and push.  Part of my body had gotten out of the car.  A couple of concerned citizens who saw the accident were trying to help pull my out, but with no success.  The headrest on the rear car seat made it difficult to push my way out of the vehicle.  So I pushed anyway.  Literally breaking my ribs in doing so.  All I knew at that point is that I was getting out of this car.  I strained and I pushed through the pain until my upper half was out and I could continue pushing my way out of the car.  I got up off of the ground to turn and look at the accident.  That picture in this post is exactly what I saw.  I walked away from the accident with some broken ribs and a few cuts on my right arm.  Most importantly though.....I walked away.

Posted via email from The Acai Soda Site

They Call You Young Because You're Strong...

"I wonder of God today is the same God as he was yesterday?" -Joseph Nedd Sr.

I can remember visiting my grandfather many years ago in Sumter, SC and overhearing a conversation he was having with a neighbor. They were both in their senior years and contemplating the rate of change that was taking place in the world.

Drugs and guns had made their way into the hands of the young and restless population. Crime was rising to an all-time high. Unemployment was going up and folks had real concerns about how they were going to make it on a day to day basis. As I look back at that conversation he was having probably over 20 years ago, it makes me think about how even then, people knew that something just wasn't right.

As of this writing, I am traveling to Sumter SC one last time to see my grandad. I say one last time because he passed away almost a week ago. He lived to be 94 years old. It's hard to argue with God, (and I won't on this occasion), when a loved one is taken away who has been blessed to spend that amount of time on earth. 94 years of anything is a long long time! At age 38, it gives me hope that if I take care of myself, I've got a pretty good chance of being around for a while.

I'm thinking about my grandfather for obvious reasons. However, the real reason I decided to share my thoughts with you in writing is to share a hope that I have for everyone. I can remember being in my late teens and early 20's. I grew up in Charleston, SC. My dad had been taking me to Sumter for a number of years to visit my grandad, who by the way, probably had one of the most fruitful pear trees I have ever witnessed! As he grew older and less able to do things around the house and yard for himself, my dad would have me drive to Sumter and cut grass, do laundry and clean up around the house to help my grandad out.

My grandfather would talk to me and my young ears didn't want to hear much of what he had to say. In my young man, he was old and really didn't know much of what he was talking about. In my young mind, I just wanted to get in, do what my dad asked me to take care of and get back to Charleston so I could go on with whatever I was choosing to do at the time.

I have to warn you that there are parts of my younger self that almost make me ashamed as I have grown older. I wonder now, how I could have been so selfish? I am thankful though, that my grandfather lived long enough for me to mature and be able to slow my mind down and actually listen to his conversation. It surprised me that the old guy knew exactly what was going on with things. He was up to date with current events because he watched the news and read the paper a lot. However, he had spent his share of time being around people and he had become a master of human nature.

I won't go into specifics of our conversations, but I could imagine how he felt to be able to pass along knowledge to a younger person...especially when its a grandchild. From this it became obvious to me that you don't grow old being stupid. My grandfather at that time in his life had seen his share of the world and the people in it to have a great opinion on how things were. Now that I am a little older and I have some grey in my beard, I can only chuckle and shake my head when it comes to young people and their inability to take advice from an older person.

My grandmother, God rest her soul, used to have a saying: "they call you young because you're strong and they call you old because you know the way." I get chills now just writing this. I am beginning to better understand the circle of life and how I fit into it. Moreover, I realize that when it comes to the younger generation, I see them as being in the rush I was in to get all they think is owed to them in life. One day, I hope they understand that life is about the journey and not the destination. I often wish I could simply give away the things I have been exposed to, but I realize that there are some gifts that will never be accepted by the masses. I'm okay with that. I really am. However, I continue to live and prepare myself for the day when some young person, who is ready to learn takes the time to listen. That's how I plan to celebrate every loved one who has ever thought enough of me to share their knowledge and experience.

"Dreams mean work!"

Lou Riley is a Personal Development Guru and Social Media Marketing Consultant in Nashville, TN.

You can learn more about Lou Riley by visiting his blog: http://www.lourileylive.com

Posted via email from The Acai Soda Site

Success Can't Find You If You're Not There!

Happy New Year from Lou Riley Live!  May 2010 be the year we finally follow through with living the life we should be.  Time is definitely the enemy.  You only get to keep what you are willing to fight for.  Why not fight to live a healthier, happier life?

Please, take some time to learn my story.  Visit my main blog site at : www.lourileylive.com I promise to not disappoint.  This site is filled with all the motivation and inspiration anyone could need to make a change in their lives. 

 

Success Can't Find You If You're Not There!

A great friend of mine once shared a story about a famous boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier called the "Thrilla in Manila."  This was the third and final match-up between two of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.  This 15-round fight would challenge every fiber of each contestant's being.  

It is said that after the 14th round, Frazier's corner had seen enough.  He had been virtually unable to see after a severe beating by Ali.  Joe Frazier's trainer told him that it was over as his health and safety were his utmost concerns.  Ali would later admit that he was in no condition to return to the middle of the ring to fight a 15th round.  He said that it was the closest he had ever come to dying in the boxing ring.  He would later shower Joe Frazier with praise.

What also stand out about this story is that prior to the bell ringing to start round 15, Ali knew that he could not last another round with Frazier.  He had no knowledge of what was being discussed in his opponent's corner.  When the bell rang to start what was supposed to be the final round of this match, Ali got off of his stool and made his way to the center of the ring to fight.  Joe Frazier did not answer the bell, therefore Ali won by way of TKO (technical knockout).  
The lesson I teach as a result of this story is the same as what my college football coach, Willie Jefferies, used to say: "95% of being successful is being where you are supposed to be."  When the bell rang to start a new round, only one of the fighters made their way to where they should have been.  As a result, history will forever remember Ali as the winner of this fight.  

I share this to ask you, are you where you are supposed to be?  I had an experience only a few days ago.  You will have to understand that I have been on a journey to lose weight and improve my overall health.  I have have very good success, but I still have a long road ahead of me.  I sat in my car, at a local park only a few blocks away from the gym and I realized how much I did not want to go and exercise.  I called up a good friend who is often a sounding board for me.  I spoke about some of the ups and downs on my road to fitness.  I also talked about how once you put out a thought, feeling or belief into the universe-you are now responsible for what things may come.  Sometimes the road to success isn't always a clear path.  There are things that we have been attracting to ourselves and our situation that we cannot see. However, I am certain that if you choose to not be where you are supposed to be, then the things that are waiting for you will never have a chance to enter your life.   

After listening to me talk, I quickly decided to go to the gym and get in a good workout.  Who knows what things I was supposed to hear, see, touch, taste or think about as a result of exercising.  One thing was certain, whatever there was for me to experience would have never come into my life had I not been where I was supposed to be.  

In fact, I can tell you without a doubt that there were some things I set in motion earlier that day as I took a leap of faith in yet another area of my life.  Exercise is another form of prayer and meditation for me.  It's an opportunity for me to put out positive vibrations into the universe.  Later that evening, I received a quick response to the very process I initiated.  Is that to say that the time spent in mediation at the gym had an affect on the outcome?  For me it's proof enough to let me know that the lesson I am sharing here with you held true for Muhammad Ali... it held true for my college football coach...it hold true for me....and if you take this pearl of wisdom and apply it to your life, it will hold true for you! 

Success in large part is being where you are supposed to be and if you are not there it cannot find you!

Lou Riley is a Personal Development Guru and Social Media Marketing Consultant in Nashville, TN. 

You can learn more about Lou Riley by visiting his blog: http://www.lourileylive.com

Posted via email from The Acai Soda Site

The Motivation Station with Lou Riley | Episode 1

Happy New Year from Lou Riley Live!  May 2010 be the year we finally follow through with living the life we should be.  Time is definitely the enemy.  You only get to keep what you are willing to fight for.  Why not fight to live a healthier, happier life?

Please, take some time to learn my story.  Visit my main blog site at : www.lourileylive.com I promise to not disappoint.  This site is filled with all the motivation and inspiration anyone could need to make a change in their lives. 

 

You CAN Change Your Mind!

Quote of the day: "It has been scientifically proven that you CAN change your mind."

Actor, Will Smith, spoke on the subject during an interview with Tavis Smiley.  His remedy for changing your mind was simple "just decide!" All you have to to do is decide.  It's just that simple. 

So often many of us look to those who have what we consider great success for inspiration.  There are times though when we think to ourselves that these people have it easy.  Every time we see them in the public eye, it looks as though they have it all together.  We then take a look at the mess we have made of ourselves and figure we don't have what it takes.  That could not be further from the truth!

Here is the thing.  The change you ultimately want doesn't look like the first step you take.  The change that you really want looks nothing like the first day you make a decision to do better.  However, I promise that if you take your goal and break it down into smaller pieces, it will become much easier to appreciate your efforts. 

For example.  I have decided to train for the Country Music Half Marathon on April 24, 2010.  I recently downloaded a training schedule.  A half marathon is 13.1 miles.  Day 1 of the training does not say run 13.1 miles.  In fact, the schedule advises that an individual should have been running consistently for 4-6 weeks and can run for 30 mins. without stopping.  Imagine what the training would be like if on day one I was asked to run the 1/2 marathon.  That would be ridiculous.  Instead, the goal is broken down not only into smaller objective, but even smaller pieces by making a note that I should be running steadily weeks before I start training for the event.

Many of the things we want in life are just like the training schedule for this 1/2 marathon I plan to run.  We see what we want, then we think about what we have to do to get it.  What we don't plan on are the things we may need to bring to the table in order to make what we want to happen.  Then we start taking a look at the time commitment involved and we realize the hill we just created for ourselves.  As a runner, trust when I tell you that hill can intimidate many beginners. 

Instead of becoming discouraged, why not become encouraged by having a challenge to wake up to.  These are the opportunities that life presents us to show the universe that we are serious about what we say we want.  We are willing to give time and sacrifice in order to achieve our goals and we look forward to the process of seeing things through. 

Lou Riley is a Personal Development Guru and Social Media Marketing Consultant in Nashville, TN. 

You can learn more about Lou Riley by visiting his blog: http://www.lourileylive.com

 

Posted via email from The Acai Soda Site

C'Mon Son! Time To Lose That Weight!

http://www.thefutureofweightloss.com | C'mon Son! You've been carrying that weight around too long. It's not healthy.