LET THE TAPER BEGIN

Well, it's that time again.

TAPER TIME!

2 weeks from tomorrow, on October 15th, I will take on my 9th Full Marathon at the NEBRASKA MARATHON, here in Omaha.

Today, I completed my last long run...16 miles...so for the next couple of weeks I will be reducing the miles, shifting my food intake, stay hydrated and WAIT!

I've talked about it here in the BEST YEAR YET blog, that many who run distances of a half marathon (13.1 miles) or longer, don't like the TAPER.

WHY?

For some, I think it's the idea of doing less for the next couple of weeks, when for the past 14-16 weeks they have been doing some BIG ramp up in miles.

Me, I LOVE when I hit the TAPER.  I guess I learned, early on, to embrace it.

I remember going into my first Half Marathon in 2013.  My training schedule had my longest run be 10 miles.  I remember that on the day I did the 10 miles, it was EVERYTHING I had to just finish it.  After I was done, I thought, "how in the world am I going to be able to go another 3.1 miles?"  I now had a week or two of shorter miles.  Was I going to be able to go the distance?

TRUST THE TRAINING!  EMBRACE THE TAPER!

I'm not a running coach, or an expert on this, but listening to others who are, this is a great time to let your body recover from all that you have put it through.

IT.IS.TIME.TO.REST!

Repeat after me:  "REST - IS - GOOD!"

It's the same way in our lives.

We get so busy doing the "marathon of life" that we forget to give ourselves a much needed rest and recovery.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 [NLT], "..Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

HIS rest is the best rest to get.

So, it's time to LET THE TAPER BEGIN!

FINAL NOTE:
I made mention last week, via different social platforms, with my running of the NEBRASKA MARATHON, I am raising money and awareness for a GREAT organization here in Omaha called THE ABIDE NETWORK.

Back in July, I transitioned away from my role as an Executive Business Coach to a new role with a ABIDE.

We are "Building Culture to transform broken and underserved communities" through Neighborhood involvement, Youth and Adult Leadership development and a thriving church (BRIDGE CHURCH) that is getting "Out of the Seats and into the Streets."

Will you be a GAME CHANGER and join with me in supporting this great organization? I know that it is coming up quick, but I'm looking to raise (at least) $1000.

To support ABIDE in this way, go to www.abideomaha.org. From either your mobile device or your computer, click on the "MAKE A DONATION" button (in RED). Once you are there, enter the amount and then in the "free form" field that says, "Add special instructions" please put "GAME CHANGER" (this will help ABIDE know how this support came in).

Thank you for all your support and being a GAME CHANGER, because we are BETTER TOGETHER!

                

REALLY?

So, today I was checking out what was trending on Twitter.

DR. SEUSS.

Maybe you have heard of this, but a librarian at an elementary school in Massachusetts rejected some books (10 in all)...Dr. Seuss books, that were being donated by Melania Trump, First Lady of the United States.

Just to be clear, this isn't a political blog.  I have my feelings about politics, but this is not the venue to discuss....at least that is what I have chosen for the BEST YEAR YET blog.

Ok...back to Dr. Seuss, FLOTUS, and the librarian.

As I read a few tweets and an article by the Washington Post, it turns out that the reason for the rejection was two-fold:

• Seuss's illustrations are "steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes," wrote the librarian to Mrs. Trump (as the Washington Post reported)
• The librarian said, "So, my school doesn't have a NEED for these books..."
• she sited that they have a school library with 9,000 volumes and a librarian with a graduate degree in library science and that Dr. Seuss was "a bit of a cliche" and a "tired and worn ambassador for children's literature."

REALLY?

Now, I don't have a graduate degree in library science, so I'm not an authority to speak on the validity of the comments.  All I know is that "CAT..HAT...in French, chat chapeau..in Spanish, el gato in a sombrero."

It's amazing what hits the "trending" realm of our society.

Maybe you differ in politics with who's currently in office.  

Maybe you agree. 

Either way, is that a reason to dig your heels in and not accept a gift that will potentially have an impact on future generations?

By the way, the librarian...the one who rejected the Seuss books and said he was "a bit cliche," blah, blah, blah....yah, there are pics of her dressed up in Cat in the Hat garb, holding the book celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday. 

REALLY?

You know what else is trending today on twitter?

It's National Coffee Day!  I think I'll go have a cup!

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

"Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!"

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

I WENT FOR A RUN

[SPOILER ALERT]....Today, after work, I WENT FOR A RUN!

I know, I know, that's not real surprising...especially if you know me or know about me.

It got me thinking about why I run.

Not what got me started....but what keeps me going.

So I thought I would share my story to encourage you with your story.

Here are a few reasons why I run:

It's not just the race, but the journey to get there.

• I actually like the training miles....most days!
• In every marathon training cycle I go through, it helps me to enjoy and understand this journey through life.

I like to think.

• What better way than to get out on a long run and let your mind go free.

I like to learn.

• Besides learning more about myself and my determination to get it done, I also like to listen to podcasts where I always come away with some type of learning experience.

For the challenge.

• I grew up playing competitive sports.  As I grew older, I didn't have that type of outlet.  Believe me, it can be unhealthy to always need to win at SkipBo or playing Trouble with your kids!
• My competitiveness is now against time.  Sometimes it's against myself.  

To inspire others.

• My story is not uncommon:
• I was athletic and competitive growing up.  
• Stopped being active.  
• Gained weight and got really out of shape.  
• Made a decision to reverse all of it.
• I have been inspired by others and hope that the little I do has a positive affect on someone else.

For my life.

• It's the best way that I have found to "feel alive" in a health/exercise way.
• I want to make the most of my time...so I want to keep this body healthy to do so.

I'm sure there are many other reasons...but I'll stop there.

What about you?  

Do you run?  

If so, why?

If you don't, why not?  

Maybe it's not running, but what is something you do or can do that helps you feel alive?

For me, today, I WENT FOR A RUN.

THE POTTER'S HAND

"The Potter's Hand" by Mary Bazis

"Then I went down to the potter's house and behold he was working at the wheel. And the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make it....cannot I do with you as this potter? says the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, 

so are you in My hand..." Jeremiah 18:3-4,6

THE POTTER'S HAND

by Darlene Zschech

Beautiful Lord, wonderful saviour
I know for sure, all of my days are held in Your hands
Crafted into Your perfect plan

You gently call me, into Your presence
Guiding me by, Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord
To live all of my life through Your eyes

I'm captured by, Your Holy calling
Set me apart
I know You're drawing me to Yourself
Lead me Lord I pray

Take me, Mold me
Use me, Fill me
I give my life to the Potter's hands
Hold me, Guide me
Lead me, Walk beside me

I give my life to the Potter's hand

FREEZE FRAME

Yesterday, the CHEERLEADER reminded me that Christmas was in 3 months!

This is something that she does the 25th of EVERY month...reminds me how many months until Christmas!

The CHEERLEADER loves Christmas.

She has GREAT memories of Christmas....all of them.

Each Christmas, I get more joy out of watching her watch everyone else. 

The reason?

She is taking mental "snap shots."  She is putting EVERY moment on FREEZE FRAME!

She wants to collect and remember these moments for a lifetime.  Times she can recall at anytime she wants.

FREEZE FRAME.

How often do we just overlook the moments that are happening around us?

Last year, at Christmas, she gave me a collage frame with all sorts of pictures that captured the moments of 2016.  Other than a few pair of running shoes I got over the year, I really can't remember what "things" were purchased.  But when I look at that collage, I "go back" to each of those moments during BEST YEAR YET 2.0.....even though some of those "moments" I wish I wouldn't have gone through...but I'm glad they were captured to remember.

Are you collecting things or moments in your life?

A BEST YEAR YET is more full of moments that anything.

If currently you look at your inventory and find that you have more things than moments, start today to invest more in the moments over the next 3 months.

Everytime you do, hit FREEZE FRAME on each moment...so that you can recall them anytime you want!

TODAY IS YOUR DAY

Recently, I was talking to a friend.

I asked, "what do you want to be when you grow up?"

I know some may find it silly to ask an adult this question, but I like to ask it, even of myself.

The heart of the questions is "where do you see yourself in 3-5-10 years?"

Some would confuse this question to think it is asking for a career change.  It COULD be a career change or just CHANGE or GROWTH within the current environment.

At a high level, we discussed:

• Have a plan
• Don't just "wish" the change.  Have a plan that gets you prepared.  There's a quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln that says, "Give me 6 hours to chop down a tree and I'll spend the first 4 sharpening the axe."
• Preparation time is never wasted time.
• Set Goals
• If the goals are just in your head, those are called DREAMS.  Dreams are good, but they need substance to them
• WRITE them down and keep them in front of you
• 12 Week Sprint
• I like setting goals for a short period of time:  12 Weeks....far enough away you have to stretch for them...close enough to "see" the finish line!
• Controllable Actions
• Your GOALS should contain key drivers or actions you can control.  Something measurable that let's you know if you are progressing or not.

I'm sure there are other things to do, but if you have a desire, in your BEST YEAR YET, to  grow into your current role or out of your current role, spend some time thinking about these 4 Keys.

There is a Chinese Proverb that says, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The second best time is NOW."

So when it comes to starting your journey, as our friend Dr. Seuss put it, "....TODAY is your day!"

A GOOD WEEKEND

It's Sunday night around 8:30pm, and I'm reflecting back to the past 48+ hours.

It really was A GOOD WEEKEND.

We found out around 5pm Friday night, that we had tickets available for us to go see Faith Hill and Tim McGraw on their "SOUL 2 SOUL" tour....FOR FREE!

We had to make one schedule adjustment to move an appointment to Sunday, and it all worked out!

Saturday, we were planning to head to the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game, but the CHEERLEADER had a mis-calculation on a step that morning and twisted her ankle.  Although we didn't go to the game, we were able to give the tickets to a couple who don't normally go to the games in Lincoln....THAT was the win!

The HUSKERS WON!

The HAWKEYES LOST!

Today, the GIANTS LOST!

Now, if the COWBOYS will comply and come away with a win tomorrow on MNF, that will be a nice CAP on this GOOD WEEKEND.

At our church, BRIDGE CHURCH, today, about 350 adults plus many children had an opportunity to hear a life changing message and get"unplugged" from things that are keeping them from being fully "PLUGGED IN" to God.  THAT was a WIN!

I got in 3 hours of run-walk-run on the treadmill (14.7 miles) for my training for the Nebraska Marathon in 3 weeks.  The WIN here.....I ran for 3 hours on the treadmill!  Not my favorite choice, but knowing I had to get the miles in and with adverse weather outside, I had to do what I had to do.

To cap off the night, we met with a young couple who are getting married next month.  We talked about their wedding ceremony plans as well as life as a married couple.  THIS was a WIN as we had an opportunity to impart at least a little of what the CHEERLEADER and I have accumulated through our 31 years - 2 months - and 13 days of marriage.

So when asked tomorrow, "how was your weekend?"  Think about ALL the great things that LIFE has for you!

Now, go and MAKE it a GREAT WEEK!

OLD GROWTH

So, a couple of weeks ago, the CHEERLEADER and I were in Oregon.  

Our main objective was to go to the Nebraska vs. Oregon football game.

Although the HUSKERS didn't win, we had a great time.

I mentioned in a previous post (THE TRAIL; September 12th) about hiking the McKenzie River Trail while we were in Oregon.

While on our hike, we came across this downed tree that was cut back from the trail (see pic above).  Our friend that we were with said the tree was referred to as "OLD GROWTH."  It had grown for YEARS before it either fell or was cut down (the rings on this prove it out).

We saw many OLD GROWTH trees that were still alive that day.

It started me thinking......OLD GROWTH is good, but if there is not any NEW GROWTH, what is there will eventually die out with nothing to replace it.

Which brings me back to Nebraska Football.

There are many who are always reflecting back to the "Glory Years" of the 1990's...Conference Championships...National Championships....("DOMINATE on 3....1-2-3 DOMINATE!")

OLD GROWTH.

It's good to reflect back.

It's good to remember how it was.

But it is only good for an example to us today.

In the Bible, 1 Corinthians 10:11, speaks to this idea of looking back when speaking of the Children of Israel.  It says [NLT], "These things happened to them as examples for us......"

Stories of the past are great lessons to learn from.  So much we can take and apply to the current situation.....BUT, we can't LIVE there.  WE.ARE.HERE.

So, OLD GROWTH, in any area of our lives is good, whether in rooting for our favorite sports teams; looking back at family dynamics; history; etc.....BUT, once again, we need to realize that we don't live there and the OLD GROWTH is a good example to us.

So, as we continue on our BEST YEAR YET journey, let's take from the past...the OLD GROWTH....but let us also look to where we are today and what is in front of us...NEW GROWTH!


To get a better visual of how big the OLD GROWTH tree is....here's a pic of me standing next to it.

I QUIT

The CHEERLEADER and I were talking earlier about LOVE.

She mentioned that on our wedding day, she couldn't have imagined the depth that our LOVE would be for each other  31 years - 2 months - and 11 days later.

I said all we've been through has only strengthened it.  

But, there are some people, at the sight of trouble, throw up there hands and say, "I QUIT!"

So I was thinking about those 2 words, "I QUIT," and although I'm not going to quit on my marriage, on my life, etc., there are some things I will look at and say, "I QUIT!"

I QUIT on:

• Always having to be right
• The CHEERLEADER will tell you that there was just a disturbance in the Force
• I have a tendency....a competitiveness to want to always be right.  I'm usually pretty smug about it too....especially to the one I love the most.  
• Just going through the motions
• I like goals and going after them, but sometimes I get into these season of just "existing" instead of THRIVING.
• THRIVING takes effort.  It takes a decision.
• Not dreaming big
• I think this falls into the same "lane" as my previous "QUIT" category.  The Cheerleader asked me how many marathons I wanted to run next year.  I didn't have an answer.  I believe to continue to have your BEST YEAR YET, you have to KEEP DREAMING BIG!
• Always saying "how" instead of saying "WOW!"
• How we going to that?
• How are you going to do that?
• How can that work?
• and so on....

I once heard, "A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor."  So don't QUIT on what's important in life.  WORK at it....HOLD ON to it!

BUT, I'm sure there are many things, in your life, like me, you can look at and say to them, 

"I QUIT!"

START TODAY!

MOTIVATION

"Be miserable, or motivate yourself.  Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice." (author unknown)

I have recently been looking at life happening around me...mostly just observing things/people/etc.  

I'm a "question guy."  I like to ask myself questions and then seek the possible answers...if there are any.  

Thinking back over the past 8 years and the journey I have been on to better myself, in all areas of my life, I remember what motivated me to change.  

It's actually a two parter....one part was "THE PICTURE!"  I have described and shown this, in the past, but it was taken in May of 2009 at my son Caleb's awards recognition night the week of his High School Graduation.  

That picture, when put on a monitor for all to see was a HUGE wake up call for me.  I guess I got to the point where I really needed to make a decision to change. 

Part 2 of 2 was after looking at "THE PICTURE," I saw someone at work who had obviously lost a bunch of weight and I thought to myself, "If he can lose all that weight, I can lose what I need to, to feel both fit and healthy.  

As the quote above says, "Be miserable OR motivate yourself....." man was I miserable....and boy did I get motivated.  I have described the journey in previous posts, so I won't talk about it again.  

Today I want to draw your attention to the last part of the saying above, "...whatever has to be done, it's always your choice."  You can choose to be miserable or you can choose to be motivated....which one will you choose? 

In your BEST YEAR YET, what is that thing that motivates you?

• Upcoming High School Reunion
• Trip to a beach
• Unfavorable report from your doctor
• Clothes "shrinking"
• Your reflection in a mirror
• Wanting to walk your daughter down the isle

Whatever it is for you, use it to KEEP FOCUSED to your goal.

To continue to have our BEST YEAR YET, at times we just need to tell ourselves that YOU CAN DO IT!  And they JUST DO IT!

Also, keep reading the BEST YEAR YET blog....I guarantee that you will get some motivation out of it!

CELEBRATE

cel·e·brate

ˈseləˌbrāt/

1. 
   
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. 
   
5. acknowledge (a significant or happy day or event) with a social gathering or enjoyable activity.

Depending how old you are, if you are like me, this word, CELEBRATE, makes me think of Kool & The Gang!

"CELEBRATE good times....COME ON!"

There was a surprise birthday party for a friend of ours tonight.

He LOVES celebrating.

He LOVES celebrating with others.

He LOVES celebrating his birthday with others.

From what I understand, he wants a surprise party every year.  Which means his wife has to get creative...every year.  Guess what?  SHE DOES!

"EVERYONE around the world.....COME ON!"

Driving home from this surprise party, I started thinking about what we typically CELEBRATE:

ACHIEVEMENT

WINS

GOOD GRADES

BIRTHDAYS

ANNIVERSARIES

WHEN THE GIANTS LOSE (ok...that's just me...and every Cowboy fan!)

SALVATIONS

WEDDINGS

MARRIAGES RESTORED

PRODIGALS COMING HOME

NEW JOBS

NEW HOUSE

NEW CHURCH BUILDING

PROMOTIONS

and on...and on...and on it goes.

All of these are good, but what about:

The greeting of your dog after you've been away? (I witnessed this tonight when the CHEERLEADER got home from a business trip)

Losing that first tooth?

Watching their first step?

Relationships?

A warm bed on a cold night?

and on...and on...and on it goes.

"We gonna CELEBRATE and have a good time!"

So, in your BEST YEAR YET journey, look to CELEBRATE not only the big days....but also look to CELEBRATE every day....because every day is worth CELEBRATING!

KEEP RUNNING

Do you run?

WHY?

You don't run?

WHY?

I have shared, right here in the BEST YEAR YET blog, about my running.  How I got started. What I've been through.  Why I continue to push myself.

Now, I want you to tell me WHY you run.  Or, if you don't run, WHY?  How about you share WHY you do your hobby or exercise activity OR anything else that brings you joy.  

Let's see what the readers are doing.  

I'd love to hear your stories.  

Remember, back in April (April 3rd) I wrote about, "WHAT'S YOUR STORY?"  Everyone of us has one.  What's yours?

The pic above is a great word/phrase to remember, whether you run or just go through life.  When it (running; work; school; kids; LIFE; etc) gets tough, remind yourself, "KEEP RUNNING!"

I was on a 12 miler the other day.  Let me tell you, the STRUGGLE got REAL real at mile 4....M-I-L-E 4!

I told myself (while I was walking), "If you run, you'll be done quicker!"

Now, in life, we don't want you to check out sooner than you should, but the idea is to not stop...not quit on life....KEEP RUNNING!

We all have a "RACE" we are running in life.....so KEEP RUNNING this race of life and cross that finish line with joy!

FINAL NOTE:
I'm serious.  I want to hear from you on your running, hobbies, other fun activities or your struggles, pains, heartbreaks.  Let's do this LIFE together.

KEEP RUNNING!

CHANGE IT

Have you ever been a part of a meeting or even just a group of people where all that is coming out of it is problems?

The room is too hot.

The room is too cold.

We don't have the right widget to sell.

Why did management do that?

PROBLEMS WITHOUT SOLUTIONS.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

LET IT START WITH YOU.

LET IT START WITH ME.

This was me back in 2009.  I didn't like the way my clothes were fitting.  I didn't like how I was feeling.  I had to decide to be the change and CHANGE IT.

If it is your work culture or your home life or with you friends, if you want to see change for the better, you be the change.  

CHANGE IT.

Years ago, when talking to a group of people I told them, "Let's say you come upon a disgruntled group of people, and in one of your hands is a bucket of gas and in the other a bucket of water.  At this point you have a choice on how this will end."

Don't just be a thermometer which tells the temperature of the room.  Be a thermostat that CHANGES and SETS the temperature of the room!

You have it within you...if you want it for your BEST YEAR YET.

CHANGE IT.

THEY SAID

They said I shouldn't run anymore.

They said my knee couldn't take the pounding.

They said it would physically hurt.

They said it was almost impossible to get in to the marathon by the lottery...on your first chance.

THEY SAID....THEY SAID....THEY SAID.

In my running, as well as in other things in my life, "THEY SAID" many things that I couldn't or shouldn't do that I have or am doing!

The late Jim Rohn once said, "If you really want something you'll find a way.  If you don't, you'll find an excuse."

You might not be fast.  

You might not be the smartest.

You might not write the best.

You might not be.....You might not be...TODAY.   

BUT....

IF you REALLY want it....GO.FOR.IT!

Find a way to learn.

Find a way to get better.

Find a way to make it happen.

Don't leave this life with saying, "I wish I would have."  Instead go out saying, "I'm glad I did!"

Listen to your heart and MAKE this your BEST YEAR YET.

Oh, and that running thing.....I'm glad I didn't list to what "THEY SAID!"

Running medal to date.  More on the way!

TOMORROW

The song starts out, "The sun will come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun."

Today, the Nebraska Cornhusker Football Team took one on the chin.  

Over the past 17 or so seasons, the loses have been more common than the previous 17 seasons, but today was different.  The loss seemed different.

"When I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely, I just stick up my chin and grin and say, oh...."

TOMORROW!

In my life, I have been around for 18,940 days.  

Guess what?  No matter what has happened in my life, 18,940 times, IN A ROW, the sun came up.  So I think the odds are great that the sun will come up for the 18,941st time, in my lifetime, tomorrow.

It's tough when the team you root for loses and especially against a team that they shouldn't have lost to. 

Why not employ the 12 Hour Rule:  For the next 12 hours, you can sulk, be upset, talk about it (be really careful before you hit send/enter!), etc.  But after that, move on....IT'S A NEW DAY!

As we conclude this day, let's keep into perspective what is truly important (not that rooting for your favorite team isn't):

• Family
• Health
• Friends
• Life

Football (or whatever sport or hobby you like) is fun....but it isn't most of our lives.  

Continue with a BEST YEAR YET perspective, because, 

THE SUN WILL COME OUT....TOMORROW!

VISIONARY

I mentioned a couple of days ago that this month, September, is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

I want to spend today's BEST YEAR YET blog talking about VISION and specifically one VISIONARY, Danny Thomas.

Danny Thomas is the founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN (to see a short video about the history of St. Judes, click HERE).

As the story goes, Danny was a struggling entertainer.  He prayed to St. Jude Thaddeus, Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes, and said, "Help me find my way in life and I will build you a shrine"

After Danny became a success, he kept his promise.  He didn't want to just erect a statue, but to do something that would have lasting impact.  Thus, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was born.

His VISION was that any child, from around the world, regardless of race, creed or economic status, would be able to receive the necessary medical help for life threatening diseases.  The kicker.....NO family would ever pay.

VISIONARY.

I'm sure many, when hearing of the VISION he had, came back with, "HOW are you going to do this?"  Probably fewer said, "WOW!"

But the WOW he started has continued for over 55 years.

When they first opened the doors of St. Jude in 1962, less that 1 in 5 survived childhood cancer.  Today, the survival rate has risen to 4 in 5 (80%)...but that's not good enough. They won't stop until NO child dies from cancer.

VISIONARY.

Personally, I haven't had a family member go through treatment at St. Jude's, but I have close friends who have.  They have told me of how thankful they are for St. Jude's and the care that their child received....all because of one VISIONARY!


FINAL NOTE:

This month (and any other for that matter), please consider partnering with St. Jude and donating what you can.  

Many of you know that since 2014, I have ran different marathons as a St. Jude Hero, raising money and awareness for this great cause (this year I'm taking a break from running the big marathons).  

You have been so gracious in your support of St. Jude's and my efforts as a St. Jude Hero, and even though I'm not running as a Hero this year, your support would still be greatly appreciated.

There are many ways to give, go to www.stjude.org, and on the right side of the home page there is a link, "Ways to Give."  As Danny Thomas once said, "No child should die in the dawn of life."

YOU GOT THIS

Recently, I was out on a run.  I know, shocker, right?

I was listening to a podcast and the host asked as question to the guest, "what is that word, phrase or mantra that you use to get you through a difficult stretch?"

There were answers like, "suck it up" or as simple as "GO" and many others.

I started thinking about myself, and this one phrase is what I normally say at the beginning, in the middle,  or even the end of a race.  I even say it when things look good or when things feel bad:

"YOU.GOT.THIS!"

Three simple words, for me, have a big impact.

So many times we use words that are opposite of "encouraging words" when we are going through life.

Whether it is in a relationship, our job, how we look, how we think, how we run, how we play a game, how we sing....virtually everything we do....we'll switch "YOU.GOT.THIS" for "you can't do this...why even try."

Have you been there?

I want to ENCOURAGE you today.

YOU.GOT.THIS!

I love what Winston Churchill once said, "If you are going through hell, keep going!"

Just because you are "in it" today, doesn't mean you have to stay there!

In Psalms 42:5 [NLT] the writer asks this question, "Why am I discouraged?  Why is my heart so sad?"  Their "self-talk" stirred them up!  It goes on to say, "I will put my hope in God!  I will praise Him again - my Savior and my God!"

It was if he said to himself, "YOU.GOT.THIS!"

So whatever it is or isn't that you are going through....whatever it might look like....in your BEST YEAR YET journey, YOU.GOT.THIS!