The Measuring Stick of Success

2017 Finale

I probably start as many blogs at one time as I do books. Currently, I have 2 other blogs going as well as 2 books. I bought myself a couple of new books for Christmas, I started one of them and wanted to start the other, but I’m in the middle of an audiobook, so I thought I should finish at least one of those first. I don’t exactly know what this says for my brain, but it’s just the way it is. Anyway, I wasn’t inspired by either of my other blogs enough to post for the end of the year, so…here we are, writing a new one.

My Lasting Tradition

My all time favorite movie is, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I’ve watched it every year at Christmas time for as long as I can remember. Each time I watch it I cry when Mr. Gower hits young George so hard his ear bleeds, I smile at Clarence’s old timey underwear, and when old man Potter doesn’t tell Uncle Billy he accidentally left $8000 wrapped up in the newspaper, I get angry. It’s a pretty emotional roller coaster ride through the whole movie. I know how all of it plays out but I can’t help that it evokes all emotions inside of me. If you haven’t seen the movie, you definitely should!

The story basically allows George Bailey (who has contemplated suicide) to view life as if he had never been born. Without going into too much detail about the movie, there is one quote that gives me pause for thought every time I hear it. Clarence Oddbody (Angel 2nd Class) is sent to save George Bailey’s life and allow George to view the lives of the people he has loved, and the struggles (and even deaths) they each would have gone through, had George never been born. Clarence says, “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

How it Began

Facebook reminded me today, that 6 years ago, I was preparing to open Wolf River CrossFit. My actual open date was January 2, 2012. Last night, I saw a photo that several friends commented on. Many of these friends do not live in this area any longer, but the common denominator for all of them was my old gym. That’s where they met several years ago. That’s where they became friends, and thanks to Facebook, how they have stayed connected.

Our world seems so fast paced that most days we don’t stop long enough to see the connections that we make or how our lives are connected to each other, or where the connection even originated. We take way too much for granted. Well, I can’t speak for you, I can only speak for myself and I know I definitely take too much for granted at times.

How Will We Approach 2018?

Most of us will go into 2018 with a fresh attitude. We are ready to lose those extra pounds, get on a better sleeping schedule, practice more gratitude, workout more, etc. We will do pretty well with making small changes. (Let me caution you to not set really big goals or make big changes. It’s hard to maintain those when starting out. I’ll talk more about that in my next blog, however.) There is something I want to charge you with going into 2018, and that is to simply stay connected to one another. Slow down, reach out more. Send a text or make a call when you think of someone. It can just say, “hey, thinking about you today, have an awesome day!”  Those small things make a big difference in each of our lives. We must cherish the short period of time that we have here with one another. We all know that in the blink of an eye, we can lose someone we love and be left only with regrets.

Growth That Means Something

One of the greatest decisions I have ever made was to start Wolf River CrossFit. I look back on all of the relationships that were created there and how those relationships created relationships. I am so thankful for each and every one of them, it is how we are where we are today. Making the move to NBS, has also been one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made. I now look around at even more relationships that have been created and I find myself again in deep gratitude.

How Success is Truly Measured

We will be moving into our new building soon and I am looking forward to adding more members, and watching more relationships grow. Go with me into 2018 and lets hold on to the people we love, and let’s continue to grow in our friendships and learn to love more abundantly.

Another great quote from, It’s a Wonderful Life is at the end. Clarence leaves George Bailey with the words, “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.” Isn’t that the truth?