This Weekend at the Forge... Snow : )

This weekend gave us a beautiful sight out at the Forge and a very cool training environment for the AAG. Also, I got to attend the AHSAA Wrestling State Championships where the Forge's own Matt and Stephen Kwan were representing us well. Both took second in their weight classes and showed what their commitment has done for them.

Congratulations to Matt and Stephen for leading by example and showing us all what heart is and what you can do if you are persistent in your dreams and your goals. I couldn't be prouder of them or the effort they put forth.

Speaking of persistence:

I believe that we all have different gifts and are talented in different ways. While I definitely believe that these can give an individual an edge if he/she is attempting something that takes advantage of that gift but I wholeheartedly believe that just having the gift in and of itself, means nothing without deliberate practice and consistent effort. What we learn here is to never give up, to not quit. We learn persistence. We learn to give all that we have. It is this persistence that better indicates where and what we will achieve than just being talented at something. We all know someone (perhaps a few someones) who is quite gifted but isn't utilizing that gift in what they do for a living in the least.

I bring all this up because it is a combination of recognizing your gifts, using them in a deliberate manner and giving all you have consistently and persistently that results in greatness. Be content but never be complacent. Always seek to give more. Always seek to be better today than yesterday. Do this and you will achieve all you ever can.

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."

- Calvin Coolidge

Brandyn getting his dose on the GHD with the snow falling outside.

For some reason this felt like a Rocky movie with the training and the snow and all : )