You can't climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets

Hey friends!

I found this video a while back looking for motivation and I came across this video of Arnold Scvhwarzenegger giving a speech on his 6 Rules of Success and I thought it was awesome and so of course, I can't help but share :) Just remember, this is Arnold's 6 rules, these can be applied to any areas in your life that you see fit, also, if you don't like these then add to them or create your own, I just found these right on point.

Arnold's Rules of Success:

1. TRUST YOURSELF

-People get so much much advice from their parents, teachers and others.

-What's important is to dig deep down and figure out who you want to be. Not what, but who.

2. BREAK THE RULES

-Not the law but the rules.

-Think outside the box.

3. DON'T BE AFRAID TO FAIL

-You can't always win, but don't be afraid of making decisions.

-You can't be paralyzed by fear of failure or you will never push yourself.

4. DON'T LISTEN TO THE NAYSAYERS

-You can't do this and you can't do that.

-Imagine if Bill Gates had quit when people said it couldn't be done.

5. (most important) WORK YOUR BUTT OFF

-Leave no stone unturned.

-Mohammed Ali, one of my great heroes, had a great line in the '70s when he was asked, "How many sit-ups do you do?" He said, "I don't count my sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting. When I feel pain, that's when I start counting, because that's when it really counts.

-When you're out there partying, horsing around, someone out there at the same time is working hard.

Someone is getting smarter and someone is winning. Just remember that. Now, if you want to coast through life, don't pay attention to any of those rules. But if you want to win, there is absolutely no way around hard, hard work.

6. GIVE BACK

-Give back to your community, to your state, your country.

-Reach out and help someone.

Here is the link to the video, it's put together better. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyhOmBPtGNM

The Somewhat Health Blog

Hey everyone, 

So I have had my ups and downs with dieting, GYM's, counting calories, counting carbs, and all that jazz. One of the quickest things I've learned about changing what I put in my body and my health is that there are SO MANY FREAKIN WAYS TO DIET!!! 

Do this, do that, watch this, watch that, eat this, don't eat THAT, that'll give you cancer, that'll turn to fat, etc. I think you get what I'm saying. 

Overall, I do want to be healthy. I care about myself and I want to live a long healthy life. But I do not see myself as a "health nut". It's already hard enough to look at food as numbers. I think starting off in the direction of eating this carrot at dinner is better than eating that mozzarella stick instead. Looking at things in the sense of, well that salad is 300 calories, and that ranch is another 200 calories and the croutons add another 50 calories and I had a glass of milk, wait, how many couples of milk did I have?!?!? There's so much! But I think if I can at least make the turn to choose the "healthier" item over that "bad" item I think I'll be on the right track. 

Now I know there's some of you out there that have no problem doing the whole calorie counter thing, so don't be goin and wiggin on me cause more than likely you've been doing it for more than a couple days. Making a change takes time. You don't just cut out everything over night. I've learned the hard way (many times) and it's easy to fail that way. 

My purpose in this "health" blog isn't so much to really teach anyone anything, because honestly, I have soooooo much to learn about what goes in my body, what foods affect it and how to live a healthier and happier life. I want this blog to be a continuous thing for me. Hopefully by sharing my struggles and what I am going through it'll keep me more accountable and motivated to staying on track. 

ANY and ALL encouragement, notes, tips are accepted ;) 

So here's what I want to start with. This is a new running schedule I want to start doing. It's a 12 week plan and adds a little to it each day/week. My goal is to blog AT LEAST twice a week (on the rest/recovery days). For those of you who know me, you know that I DESPISE running and/or jogging so this will be a big challenge for me. Here is the plan: 

Just what I needed

Tonight I got to talk with very good friend of mine on the phone for almost 2 hours, and it was just the conversation I needed. It's been a long time since I've really opened up about my spiritual life and to tell ya the truth, it's so refreshing to get encouragement back. From the things I've gone through and the struggles of everyday life, to where I've been and where I'm going, from venting about work and just laughing about little silly things, it was just what I needed :) 

I was reminded tonight that I have a purpose in life and that I am more than just who I think I am right now. I received encouragement to get back involved in a church ministry, something I've been missing in my life for quite some time. Tonight was the encouragement I needed. 

So a big shout out goes to my good friend and my sister-from-another-mister, you rock! 

Always, 

-Mikey J- 

The Stand

Things I am praying about for the upcoming year and the future: 

Finishing up my education at Jackson State. I am 6 classes away from having my Associates in General Education. And then, I'm not getting too far ahead of myself but I am praying about continuing my education and trying to figure out where I'll be transferring to. Schools I'm praying about: 

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville - http://www.utk.edu

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga - http://www.utc.edu

Austin Peay State University - www.apsu.edu

The University of Memphis and/or UofM Lambuth - www.memphis.edu

The University of Nevada - Reno - www.unr.edu

Also, I am not 100% yet but I have a heart for something in the ministry field, I haven't figured it out yet but there is a possibility of a career change into the ministry, so I am praying about bible college/seminary. Schools on my list for that include: 

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary - http://www.nobts.edu

Calvary Chapel Bible College - http://calvarychapelbiblecollege.com/site/

Briercrest Bible College - www.briercrest.ca

Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary - http://www.mabts.edu 

There are a lot of possibilities in my future and I am excited and open for any of the opportunities that I am fortunate to have. I am an honest person and I don't say this next part with any pride, but when it comes to deciding what my education or where my future is taking me I haven't fully given my trust in God. And I am ashamed to admit that, but I think it's important that I get it out there because I am turning that around. I have began to pray that wherever God wants me in life, wether it be here in Jackson, or East Tennessee or who knows maybe even back in Kenya, that I am putting my trust in HIM and going where He wants me and can use me to my fullest showing others His love. 

And this goes for all aspects of my life. 

Another area of trust I've been lacking in is relationships. I've been trying to seek out relationships on my own accord, on my own terms and I don't want that. I want God to pick me out a godly woman who loves God and will put Him as # 1. I pray that God lets someone live, laugh and love with me for who I am and because she is attracted to me because I can make her laugh, make her feel special, treat her with respect, show her love and kindness always, take care of her and read the Word and pray with her always. And that she can see Jesus' love through my actions and the way I speak to her and others. 

Amen. 

-Michael J. Moorman- 

A word on drinking

Ok, so, I don't spill too much about what's on my mind or my feelings etc. I do that for a reason. But I just feel it's at the time I share this. Over the last year and a half, pretty much since last summer, I drink a lot. I wouldn't consider myself at "alcoholic" status but then again I guess it depends on who's scale we're going by here. Anyway, I began to think about why I drink. Does it taste good? Is it just something other people are doing? What's the deal?! Why do this thing that pretty much makes me a different person and why do something that I end up spending so much money on?! Come on Mike, get with the picture! lol

Anyway, I started narrowing down why I drink. Honestly I have no problem just kicking back and having a beer while fishing or hanging with my road dog and/or friends. But why the excessiveness? And here's my outcome: because I'm more socially attractive to people. 

Say what?! I know, who and why would someone say such a thing!  But it's true. When I drink I feel wanted. I feel like I'm funnier to people, I feel more attractive to girls and it just overall makes me feel like people want to be around me. And as much as that breaks my heart, I feel like it's true. 

Friendzone

This is a term I have become common with. And by no means am I ashamed of this, but please understand, in some ways it gets depressing always being overlooked and shadowed to this. I am respectful and kind to women, this automatically puts me in the "friendzone" apparently? One of the hardest things I have to hear from girls is, "I want a nice guy", "Where are all the good guys?", "All guys are assholes", "Mike, you're going to make a great boyfriend or husband to a lucky woman!" But apparently I don't qualify for you? What's up with that? This is like one of those bittersweet things. Like it's nice to be there for someone in times of need but at the same time it's like saying "Hello! I'm here too!" And yet, overlooked and pushed to the side. 

Looks

I only mention this because it is so true. I have proven my case multiple times and it hurts hearing people say no, it's about personality. I have heard that SO many times. And as much as I try and believe, it only works if you've got the looks. And I know where I'm at. I'm not the one who gets the "double look", I'm not the one with the great hair, the great body, etc. So once again, we can discuss this but I already know the outcome. 

Personality

I feel like my mission in life is the "plucky comic relief" and that's all I'm good for. That's all I can say about that. 

I hate complaining and spilling my feelings 'cause usually it doesn't get me anywhere and most people try and prove my theory wrong. But we all know it's true. So as I mentioned before, I drink because I am socially attractive. I'm funnier when I drink. I'm only attractive when I or women are drinking. Etc... 

One of my high school teachers once told my class that we all wear invisible signs that say "notice me".   And I have held that close to me for a long time, I try and notice the unnoticed with or without drinking. 

For some reason I've had that brewing up. I hope you all have a great day. 

-Mikey J-

Confessions at 4 in the morning

Hello friends! 

There is no real confessions I just though this would be a catchy title to see if anyone would visit hahaha. 

So here I am, 4:08 in the A.M. too excited to sleep. Why? Because Saturday I leave for Kenya, Africa and there are things I need to get done before then. This will be my first mission opportunity outside the U.S. and I am totally pumped for it! I will be gone August 18th - 31st. So here is part of my To-Do list to get done, just incase you're bored lol. If there's anything you can think of that I may need to get please feel free to leave a comment. 

T0-Do:

-Pray.

-Start packing.

-Get interpreter snacks.

-Hem pants. 

-Get memory chip for camera. 

-Take AND pack Malaria pills (very important). 

-Mail letters. 

-Pack shot records. 

This is about as far as I got lol. I know there's more but most of that has to do with the packing process. 

Anyway, thank you for reading and hope you all have a great day/night :o) 

P.S. If anyone likes relaxing music, check out the Mat Kearney station on Pandora. 

Much love,

-Mikey J. 

New Orleans Mission

Dear friends & family, 

Tomorrow morning a team of 15 including myself are heading down to New Orleans, LA. Students from the University of Memphis BCM and Jackson State BCM are teaming up for a mission to do light construction, back yard bible clubs and I'm sure much more. We will be gone from Saturday to Thursday. 

Please keep us in your prayers over this next week with travel, reaching out to people, positive attitudes, and energy :o) 

Stay tuned for updates throughout the week and pictures! 

Thank you. 

Mikey J