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 

Summer 2011

So I realize this is over half a year late but better late than never right? 

Summer 2011 I went back home to the Pacific Northwest where I was born and raised and where all my family and a good portion of my childhood and H.S. friends still are. 

While I was home for 2 weeks I got the opportunity to go camping at one of my favorite places to go, Lake Quinault. The pictures following this will be of ones I snapped around our campsite. 

Lake Quinault is an amazing place for camping, hiking, swimming, a day drive, breakfast and lunch or to simply just sit back and relax.

So let me begin my picture tour, descriptions will be below the pic: 

To start us off, this is the sign leading into our camp area. There is a stream and a bridge right behind this sign and then so was our camp spot. 

This is the Lake Quinault Lodge. They have really good food and there's usually always travelers from all over the world staying here. It has an amazing view of the lake which I'm getting to shortly. I have never actually stayed at the lodge but have been there a handful of times. If you ever get the chance to stay here, do it. 

Here is that view I was just talking about. What a view! As you can see just in this picture there's opportunity to sit in the sun and relax, grab a kayak or a canoe and paddle around the lake, swim, and much more. Love it. 

Here is a spot we chose to go swimming. The water is cold but you get used to it, the wind is what makes it worse lol. It's not always windy but on this day there was a breeze, still felt great though. 

This is Christi. She is one of my best friends and I have known her for a long time. She goes to Western Washington University and is on her way to being an English teacher, hence the Discovering Grammar book lol. Oh and that's her dog Phantom in the background playing with a stick. 

What a sunset. I love the little things in life. 

An opening spot on the trail between our campsite and the lodge at sunset. 

And last but not least my self portrait haha. 

If you made it to the end I hope you enjoyed the pictures. Like most things in life it's hard to explains sometimes how amazing something is until you see it for your self. I hope if you are ever in the Pacific Northwest you get the chance to venture up to Lake Quinault. 

Have a great day my friends. 

-Mikey J-

Poem

Once more into the fray.

Into the last good fight I'll ever know.

Live and die on this day...

Live and die on this day...

God Believes in You

So here's something that has been on my mind. 

There's people in the world who either "choose" to follow Jesus, don't know of Jesus, or "choose" to not follow Jesus. I understand this, we are all in one of those options at some point in our life.  

If you choose NOT to follow Jesus because you don't believe in him or the Bible, that is your choice, I will never force anything I believe down your throat. On the other hand, I am always open to share what I know and what I believe. But this still really isn't what's been on my mind. 

What I'm really questioning is for the people who choose not to follow Jesus. If Jesus, God, the Bible, if you don't believe in any of this, then WHY do you spend SO MUCH TIME and EFFORT trying to prove something wrong that you don't believe in?? If you don't believe in it then just leave it alone. 

My Facebook news-feed is constantly being filled up with people's conversations about "God is fake" God doesn't exist" "here's some links to prove Christians wrong"... Seems to me, you have something personal going on. And if you have this personal mission going on with something you don't believe in, take a minute and have a conversation with this "fake" God. What do you have to lose?  

For those of you that don't believe in God just remember this, He believes in you... 

Be well my friends, 

Michael J. Moorman 

2012 Resolution List

So I have started my 2012 list. 

I plan on adding more as something comes along. 

Or erasing. 

Either way it's a start :) 

So here is my 2012 list: 

-Graduate with my A.S. 

-Transfer to a university. 

-Get an internship. 

-Go on a mission. 

-Feed the hungry. 

-Help someone in need. 

-Grow my friendships. 

-Go Kayaking. 

-Get involved with the community/city. 

-Teach someone something new. 

-Go hiking. 

-Make a difference. 

-Start a relationship. 

-Cook more and eat out less. 

-Take advantage of open opportunities. 

-Get on a workout schedule. 

-Racquetball Tournaments

-Kill as many spiders as possible. 

-Check out the local sites. 

-Blog more about experiences/life. 

So as you can see there are a number of things on my list. 

Some kind of go together and are broad so that if for example I hike to see somewhere new, that's 2 in 1 ;) 

I'm excited for the new year. 2011 hasn't been too bad but a fresh start will be nice. 

So lets kick things off the right way and make the best of 2012 :) 

Michael J. Moorman 

Life: One Still at a Time

I've been back on the Harbor since the 15th now and I've taken a bunch of pictures with my phone and want to share some of them with y'all. So lets jump in and check em out: 

This is a picture I took out at the beach in Ocean Shores. The sky was on fire from the setting sun and with the waves rolling in it made for a sweet moment. 

This is me, taken on the same beach, about 20-30 minutes before the first picture. Don't mind the beard, I normally let it grow out when I'm in Washington. Totally the Mountain Man in me. 

Speaking of beards, this is exactly what I would look like if I grew my beard out to this length. I have no more words for this... lol

I love the way this picture turned out. I took this on my walk the other day while out on the Sand Piper Trail. The original picture has color to it but I was playing with an app on my phone and this is how it turned out. I love the way the sun ray comes over the T. And for those that don't know the T is for the University of Tennessee. Since being in Washington, some have confused it with other T's like Texas. Go Vols! 

I will make sure to keep putting more pictures and post's up here. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and you're looking forward to the new year! 

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, 

Michael J. Moorman 

Prayer of the Children

Can you hear the prayer of the children?

On bended knee, in the shadow of an unknown room.

Empty eyes with no more tears to cry, turning heavenward toward the light. 


Crying, "Jesus, help me, to see the morning light of one more day, 


But if I should die before I wake, I pray my soul to take.”

Can you feel the hearts of the children, aching for home,

For something of their very own.

Reaching hands with nothing to hold onto, but hope for a better day, a better day. 


Crying, "Jesus, help me, to feel the love again in my own land, 


But if unknown roads lead away from home, give me loving arms, away from harm.

Can you hear the voice of the children, softly pleading for silence in their shattered world? 


Angry guns preach a gospel full of hate, blood of the innocent on their hands. 


Crying, "Jesus, help me, to feel the sun again upon my face? 


For when darkness clears, I know you're near, bringing peace again.

Can you hear the prayer of the children?

By: Kurt Bestor 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RGf0pzLneA&feature=related

It's Christmas Time!

Hey everyone! 

Just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! 

Here is a fun Christmas video by Straight No Chaser and their mix of the 12 Day of Christmas. 

Enjoy :) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kYEK-pxs_A

-Michael J. Moorman- 

A Sand Piper Journey

Today I took some time to go for a walk to one of my favorite places. Out near the Hoquiam airport there is a walking trail called Sand Piper Trail. It's not an overly long walk in but does go out to the bay. It is so nice and peaceful out there, and along the way you'll see some dedicated bird watchers from all over the world. 

Today's weather was just right for a walk. It wasn't hot but not really too cold either. Nice enough so that as you walked you stayed cool enough and wouldn't be sweating like crazy. 

I went by myself, which wasn't bad, but is always nice to have someone to go with and share the journey. 

Here is a picture I took from the walkway on the way out. 

Growing up on the west coast I have overlooked so many of God's creations. Just five minutes away from the house I grew up in I have witnessed some of the most beautiful sunsets along the bay. I can't even describe a sunset from the North Jetty out in Ocean Shores, sitting on the huge rocks as waves crash along them. Everyone always wants to get out of Grays Harbor because they say it's depressing and all kinds of other excuses, but if they were to just open their eyes and look at the beauty that is all around, even in just this little part of the world there is a lot to offer. Find the good in things. 

-Michael J. Moorman- 

Don't wait!

So with Christmas here in just a couple of days and the new 2012 year shortly after that, I'm beginning to think of my 2012 New Years Resolution list. OK, we don't have to give it that big long fancy name but we can simply call it my list of goals for 2012 lol. I have done this for a few year and for the most part has seemed effective. I don't put things on my list that are so hard to achieve but I do put things that I have always wanted to do and are challenging in some way or another. 

I thought about sharing my lists from the past couple years but I can't find my 2011 list so here is my list from 2010: 

-Live healthier. 

-Be successful with college. 

-Make a difference in someones life. 

-Be better/smarter with money. 

-Go on hikes. 

-Begin a relationship. 

-Get involved in some sort of government committee. 

-Enjoy the little things in life. 

The cool thing about this list is I can check most of these off :o) Some of these I need to re-add to my 2012 list lol. I don't have my 2012 list made yet but once I get it together I am going to post it on here and every time I am able to check one off I want to blog about that experience, that's actually something that is on my list, to blog more ;) 

There was something I wanted to share before I come to an end on this post. As most of us think about our new years list we think about things we can change or things we've always wanted to do etc. I want to encourage you that if there's something you're passionate about, don't wait for the new year, begin now! I'm posting a link to a video below this, it's 4 minutes long and very encouraging, please watch it and remember what Mark Bezos says, don't wait until you make your first million to make a difference. Do it now, save the shoes ;) 

Copy and paste this link to your URL: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/mark_bezos_a_life_lesson_from_a_volunteer_firefighter.html 

I hope you all are having a safe Christmas Break and look forward to a Merry Christmas! 

-Michael J. Moorman 

Finding the time...

Find the time to read,

to smell the flowers,

to paint your dreams,

to have coffee with a friend,

to learn a new craft,

to a write a letter,

to bake a surprise cake,

to go somewhere special,

to REALLY be with the person you love,

or even to do nothing for a while...

Kaleidoscope

Hello there! 

I am currently writing this at 1:54am.  

Some nights I just can't get to sleep because I've got lots of things running through my mind. Mostly good things. Usually contemplating what my future is going to look like. I don't normally like to think too far ahead because I'm all about living for the moment but It's also nice to have a small hint of where I'm going. 

In all realness though, I'm not too worried about it. I feel like I have big things ahead of me. I don't know what they are but I feel like I have big opportunities to look forward to. God is good. And I put my trust in His plans for me. 

I just remembered something, have you ever seen the movie Big Fish? Such a good movie. Random I know but I like random and I just wanted to share another thing that was on my mind ;) 

Anyway, I am going to give this sleep thing a try. 

Hope you are all doing well. 

-Mikey J- 

Going Deeper. Galations 5:22

Galations 5:22 The Fruit of the Spirit

1) LOVE: a personal choice to put your needs last. 


2) JOY: a feeling of happiness that is based on spiritual realities. 


3) PEACE: the exhilaration of heart that comes from being right with God. 

"There are three dimensions to the peace that God offers to us though Christ: peace with God, peace with one another, and peace within ourselves. Many people care little about their relationships with God and other people, but they still want peace within themselves... it is impossible to know genuine internal peace unless you pursue peace with God and with others." 

-Ken Sande, The Peace Maker 

4) PATIENCE: the calm willingness to accept situations that are irritating or painful. 

5) KINDNESS: a tender concern for others. 

6) GOODNESS: moral and spiritual excellence known by its sweetness and active kindness. 

7) FAITHFULNESS: the quality which renders a person trustworthy or reliable. 

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 

-Lamentations 3:22 

8) GENTLENESS: characterized by a submissive spirit. 

Be completely humble and gentle... 

-Ephesians 4:2

9) SELF-CONTROL: refers to restraining passions or appetites.