IT'S NEVER CROWDED

"If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for one mile, carry it two miles."

Matthew 5:41 [NLT]

GO THE EXTRA MILE.

Most likely you've heard that expression before, which refers to acts of service that go beyond what is required or expected.

This Bible verse above was a part of Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount" where He discussed many characteristics or way of life that we should live.

Back in those days, a Roman soldier could demand that a civilian carry his (the soldier's) pack.  These packs could be as much as a hundred pounds.

But Jesus said, "don't just do what is expected or required...DO MORE!"

Sometimes the statement is paired with, "...IT'S NEVER CROWDED."

IT'S NEVER CROWDED, because people only want to do just enough, but nothing more.

Back in Biblical times (even more so today), when Jesus taught this, it was so contrary to how we as human do things.  

In our society where, at times, it is a 'dog eat dog' mentality, this concept could perceive one as weak....when in reality, it is just the opposite.

Earlier today, a Pastor friend of mine posted a quick video on Social about going the second mile.  He talked about being a second mile leader:

• In relationships
• In your job/career/business

Are you willing to go two miles in a one mile world?

Look for ways or opportunities, in your BEST YEAR YET, to get out beyond yourself and GO THE EXTRA MILE....IT'S NEVER CROWDED!

CHAPTER ONE

"Today is the first blank page of a 365 page book.  Write a good one!"

FRESH START.

DAY ONE.

NEW YEAR.

NEW GOALS.

NEW YOU.

Every day in front of you is a blank page.

Unless you choose to write a sequel, you can change the narrative of how 2018 will be for you.

Earlier today, I wished 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' to a friend on Facebook.  As I normally do, I put a tag on it that said, "2018 is going to be a GREAT year.....your BEST YEAR YET!"

They responded and we went back and forth for a few posts.  One thing I mentioned was it is so good that the walk of life that we have is by FAITH and not by what we see.

Today, if the first day of the rest of your life....the rest of my life.

What about you?  What do you want to see in your life in 2018?  What would make this your BEST YEAR YET?

I don't know what each day will hold, but I do know how I choose to respond each day is just that...MY CHOICE.

So, I think I'll go out and "write" a best seller for 2018...one day at at time.

2017 YEAR IN REVIEW

WOW!

Last day of 2017!  

Can you believe it?

At this time of the year, I love watching the YEAR IN REVIEW shows, whether it is sports, news, entertainment...whatever.

So I thought I would give you my YEAR IN REVIEW and what made it to the BEST YEAR YET blog and some that didn't.

Before I recap 2017, today is the 338th day in a row of the BEST YEAR YET blog.  As I have written before, it was on January 28, 2017 that the CHEERLEADER encouraged me to start this blog.  

At the time, I committed to myself that I would write and post a blog every day for the next 365 days.  ONE year of posts.

This was also a GREAT commitment for the CHEERLEADER.  She gave up time that we would normally be spending together, so that I could go to my home office and write.  I actually couldn't have done this without her.  She's been my biggest CHEERLEADER, proof reader, and sometimes subject encourager!  

Although 2017 is coming to a close, I'm going to keep my commitment that I made to myself and finish off the 365 days.  

After that 365th post on January 27th, we'll see what is next.

But for now, let's recap 2017.....

JANUARY - 
We said goodbye to 2016 and HELLO to 2017 as the CHEERLEADER and I enjoyed a quiet night at home watching the ball drop from Times Square.  This has become a great tradition for just the two of us.

January 1st, started training for the 2017 Lincoln Marathon.

The CHEERLEADER had her birthday.  I think she said she's "29 plus shipping and handling!"

January 28, 2017, the BEST YEAR YET blog has it's first entry!  

FEBRUARY - 
The CHEERLEADER and I took a much needed vacation to Puerto Vallarta.  We called this our "Kicking Cancer's Butt Tour."  2016 was tough with a cancer diagnosis and a couple of trips/stays at the hospital.  We had a great time relaxing, dreaming, reading and just spending time together.

Yep, kept the BEST YEAR YET blog going even while out of the country!

MARCH - 
Our son, Caleb, turned 26!  How did that happen?

APRIL - 
Had another "all clear" report from the doctor in regards to being Cancer Free.  I heard Marlo Thomas say one time, "The most exciting words on the planet, CANCER FREE!"  I would agree.

This was 8 months post surgery to have the cancer removed.  HAPPY DAY!

MAY - 
With all that went on in 2016 with my health, I also ran 4 marathons.  I told the CHEERLEADER, "if I ever say I'm going to run 4 marathons in a year, shake me!"  I set out to run 2 marathons in 2017, and May saw the first of the two with the running of the Lincoln Marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska.  This was my 8th marathon.

The day before the Lincoln Marathon, I had a chance to hear, meet and take a picture with Dave McGillivray, the race director of the Boston Marathon.  I told myself that "one day I will run Boston!"

Celebrated Mother's Day in Colorado with my Mom!

JUNE - 
Enjoyed another Father's Day with my kids and even took them all, one at a time, to a College World Series baseball game.  

June also saw a transition in my work as I resigned my position as an Executive Business Coach to go work for a local non-profit here in Omaha.

Also, our youngest son, Luke, turned 22!  How did that happen?

JULY - 
The CHEERLEADER and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary!

Every year...every month....every day, just keeps getting better and better with her.

We've been through some "stuff" in those 31 years that has made our love and resolve stronger. 

It's easy to throw in the towel when things get tough, but we are TEAM PETERSON!

AUGUST - 
THE Eclipse!  What a cool thing to witness.  People from all over the country picked up special "glasses" to wear, found what time would be best and went and positioned themselves for this historic event.  

We were blessed to be right in the path.  Some had to travel great distances to see this.  It was truly amazing!

But the MOST AMAZING news of August....ONE YEAR CANCER FREE!

SEPTEMBER - 
"It's the most wonderful time of the year..."  NOPE, not the Holidays, but the start of the Football Season!

We are HUGE Nebraska Cornhusker fans, and even though the season didn't pan out too well for us, hopefully moving forward with a new coach and coaching staff, the Huskers will get back to competing for Conference Titles.

We took a trip to Eugene, Oregon to see the Huskers play the Ducks and also stay with a good friend, who is a HUGE Oregon Duck fan.  The game didn't turn out in Nebraska's favor, but it was fun still the same.

Also, our oldest son, Josh, turned 29!  How did that happen?

OCTOBER - 
I ran marathon number 2 for the year (and number 9 overall) at the Nebraska Marathon.  

NOVEMBER - 
The CHEERLEADER and I took another trip to Mexico, this time with my oldest sister and her husband.  We rented a casita that had an ocean view in a community call San Pancho.

We had a great time while we were there.

I also found out that I will represent St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, as a St. Jude Hero for the upcoming (April of 2018) Boston Marathon!  I'm so excited to run this iconic marathon.  Truly a "Live List" event for me!

I turned 52.  How did THAT happen?

DECEMBER - 
Christmas decorations.

Purchasing gifts.

Dealing with life's interruptions.

Being grateful.

Christmas with the family.

Here we are....December 31st.  Man did the time fly by this year.

Transitions, planning, keeping warm, training.....life doesn't stop just because we come to the end of a time period.

So much to be grateful for.  Even in the midst of hurt and heartache, the decision to have a BEST YEAR YET is that....your decision....your choice.

So as we say good-bye to 2017, let us all make a decision that 2018 will be our BEST YEAR YET!

WHERE WOULD YOU GO

At dinner tonight, the CHEERLEADER and I started discussing places we would like to go in 2018.

We have been to many of the major cities in the United States, but we were talking about the "out of the way" places in each state.

It was a fun conversation that included mountains, beaches, marathons, sporting events, seeing friends, seeing family, etc.

The thing we most like to do is find those off the beaten path spots that tourist don't normally frequent.

Let's see if I can remember our choices:

Alabama - go to a game in Tuscaloosa (this was her choice, not mine!)
Alaska - anywhere (we actually said that at the same time!)
Arizona - we have been to AZ many times together, but mostly in the Phoenix area.  We landed on Flagstaff as our destination.
Arkansas - really anywhere where we can take in the culture away from any city
California - like AZ, we have been to many spots here, mostly in big cities.  We would like to go to Napa and see the coast/country side away from the city.
Colorado - spend some time is Estes Park!
Connecticut - Bristoll
Delaware - this was the first state that she said, "seafood" and it seemed to be a theme throughout the Northeast
Florida - Naples to see some good friends
Georgia - Augusta for the Masters
Hawaii - We have been to Maui (and a day trip to Oahu) but all the islands!  Kauai is the next one we want to go to
Idaho - Coeur d'Alene
Illinois - Explore more of the Chicago land area
Indiana - Indianapolis
Iowa - sorry Iowa....we didn't have any place that was really calling our name.  If you are reading this and are from Iowa, tell us a place to go and explore!
Kansas - Lawrence to see a game at Allen Field House
Kentucky - Louisville to see the Derby the first Saturday in May!
Louisiana - New Orleans...the food, duh!
Maine - Millinocket...there's a marathon every year in early December where the only thing they ask is that you support the local economy from housing to eating and everything in between!
Maryland - Baltimore (this was another "SEAFOOD" she shouted out!)
Massachusetts - The cape; also Boston, which we will do in April of 2018 so I can run a little race the 3rd Monday in April
Michigan - the UP and Mackinac Island
Minnesota - Leach Lake (Walker, MN area) to see family
Mississippi - go see a football game at Mississippi State and ring the cowbell
Missouri - The Ozarks!
Montana - Some out of the way place in the mountains
Nebraska - Western Nebraska (WAY beyond Lincoln Josh!) and tubing the Niobrara River
Nevada - Lake Mead and also see the "real" Vegas with friends who live there
New Hampshire - drive through the state in the fall
New Jersey - We don't know many places that aren't famous either for being across the river from NYC or because of TV shows.  So people from NJ, give us some ideas!
New Mexico - Tucumcari (because it sounds cool) or Santa Fe
New York - Upstate to see Cooperstown and the surrounding area
North Carolina - Raleigh to see friends
North Dakota - Fargo?  Need suggestions here as well
Ohio - Canton
Oklahoma - Norman when the Husker go down there to play in a few years
Oregon - Bend and other Coastal towns
Pennsylvania - see family
Rhode Island - Providence (yep, you guessed it "SEAFOOD!")
South Carolina - Charleston, Hilton Head and other historical spots
South Dakota - Mt. Rushmore as well as Crazy Horse
Tennessee - back to Nashville.  Where else should we go?
Texas - Austin to see family and enjoy some good music
Utah - Park City and Salt Lake City
Vermont - Burlington
Virginia -  Places near D.C. and other historical spots
Washington - Spokane (I've been there multiple times, but she hasn't)
West Virginia - The CHEERLEADER broke out into John Denver and said, "Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River..."
Wisconsin -  Madison for a game 
Wyoming - somewhere in the mountains

As you can see, we will need some help with some states.

Other states we know exactly where we want to go.

What about you?

WHERE WOULD YOU GO?

Don't limit yourself to the boundaries of your city or  your state.

DREAM BIG and get out.

ADVENTURE AWAITS you....if you dare to dream!

WHAT'S YOUR CHEESE

"Life is no straight and easy corridor along

which we travel free and unhampered,

but a maze of passages, 

through which we must seek our way,

lost and confused, now and again 

checked in a blind alley.

But always, if we have faith, 

a door will open for us, 

not perhaps one that we ourselves

would ever have thought of,

but one that will ultimately

prove good for us."

A. J. Cronin (1896-1981)

This year, as we exchanged Christmas gifts with the CHEERLEADERs family, we asked her parents to not buy any gifts, but to gift each of their kids and grand kids something that they already had.

I was so excited to get a classic book by Zig Ziglar, SEE YOU AT THE TOP.  I have been wanting to read this, and now it's mine!

One of my sons, received from his grandpa the book, WHO MOVED MY CHEESE, by Spencer Johnson.  

My son had never heard of this best seller.  So I told him a little bit about it and that it was a GREAT read (some think it's a bit cheesey....sorry, I couldn't resist).

As I related the essence of the story to my son, it got my mind spinning to this story and its application in my life.

WHAT'S YOUR CHEESE?

I asked myself that question.

In the book (not going to give it all away) there are 4 main characters, 2 human, 2 mice.

The 2 humans are Hem and Haw.  The 2 mice, Sniff and Scurry.

The CHEESE represents our livelihood, but also our goals, ambitions, happiness and success.

They all live in a maze, which is representative or one's environment.

The CHEESE is always there, until one day it isn't.

The question is, now that the CHEESE is gone, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

So many times, in life, we are faced with this question.

Do we sit and take the safe route?

Don't move, because the CHEESE is always there, so it will be back, right?

Do we blame others because our CHEESE is gone?  Do we blame ourselves?  

OR.....

Do we venture out of our comfort zone to find the "CHEESE?"

As you are planning out the next round of dreams, goals, resolutions, in your life, 

• First, identify what your CHEESE is.  What is it that when you accomplish it you will throw your fist in the air and say, "YES!"?
• After you identify your CHEESE, make a plan to go after it.  Don't let anything or anyone stop you from getting it.  Don't even let time or the calendar tell you that you failed.  You will only fail if YOU stop.

So much possibility in front of you.

Keep your eyes fixed forward as you go after your CHEESE in 2018!

If you are looking for me over the next couple of days, you'll most likely find me behind the cover of this great book!

THE END IS NEAR

This pic made me chuckle.

In today's BEST YEAR YET entry, the title is not referring to the end of the world (although, that might be near too!).

Nope, I'm talking about the end of 2017.

Just a few more days remain.

How are you finishing out the year?

Are you "mailing it in?"

Do you have a "FINISH STRONG" mentality?

Or is it a combo of them both?

Regardless of how you are taking out 2017, how are you entering 2018?

More than just "resolutions," what is your plan?  

Do you have a plan?

I know for some, 2017 was not a nice year.  Many hurts, heartaches and disappointments.

But for others, there was GREAT impact, success and advancement.

For both, I'll ask again, for 2018, WHAT.IS.YOUR.PLAN?

I have a friend who he and his wife go away for a couple of days at the end of the year...just the two of them...to plan out different aspects of the the upcoming year.  How they want to parent.  What needs do each of their children need to grow, not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally as well?  What will they do for their own health and nutrition?  What will their growth plan look like?

For some of you, you are just wanting the next few days to be over so you can start anew.

Don't just sleep through these next days.  

Be purposeful.

Remember, there are no throw a-way days. 

Make an impact on a life or lives....even your own.

THE END IS NEAR....just like today's post!

WHAT IS POSSIBLE

"God can do anything, you know; far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!"  Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)

Earlier this year, while the CHEERLEADER and I were in Mexico, I read this great book, THE POWER OF NOT YET...Living a Life of Endless Possibilities by Donna Pisani.

The whole book is great, but one chapter really spoke to me.

In it, she talks about exposing the fears in your life.  She illustrated this in an earlier chapter, when relating this to her young daughter, who was afraid of the dark.  She told her daughter to "flip the light switch" on in her room to show the light exposes anything that is in the dark.

Much like our lives, we need to get into the LIGHT and it will expose anything that is in the dark.  

She encourages us, we too can "reach the light switch" in our lives.

FEAR, in the form of negative thoughts and words, has the power to lead us down the wrong path.

FEAR in your life is solely dependent on YOU for survival!

If you choose, rather, to not give in to that FEAR, to listen to what God says about you, it will take the label of your life from victim to victor!

We each have so much untapped potential that is looking to be released.  So much possibility that God has placed in us.

Pisani relates a story from a book she read about an individual who was a surgeon.

As the surgeon was growing up, an older person asked, "what is the hardest thing you can possibly do?"  "Why must I do what's hardest" they asked.  "Because, you are an instrument of God.  Don't leave the instrument sitting in its case.  PLAY!  (I like this next statement) Leave no part of your instrument unexplored.  Why settle for 'Three Blind Mice' when you can play 'Gloria?'

"Not Bach's 'Gloria'!  YOURS!  Your 'Gloria' lives within you.  The greatest sin is not finding it, ignoring what God made possible in you."

LEAVE NO PART OF YOUR INSTRUMENT UNEXPLORED!

Ask yourself, "am I satisfied with the Three Blind Mice mentality, settling for less than what God designed me for?"

Until we realize what has been entrusted to us, we will always live feeling like we are entitled to more, while the little rat song continues to run our lives.

As we continue in our BEST YEAR YET, let's "flip the light switch" and go plan our own "GLORIA!"