Update on shooting! Move on to more Successes

So, we all know that I am the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Alternate in the W1C Archery Class (W1C means Wheelchair shooter, 1 means quadriplegic, "C" stands for compound bow.)

Now I have to be honest with you, in years past 1996 - 2004, I believe, I just might now be done licking my wounds from not making the squad.

However, I find myself being more motivated now (get over it and move on to the next) to not only stay on my game but as they say "Soldier On!"

With this beautiful weather we are having I find myself driving to my secret locations and shooting every second I get the chance. Done with work for the day, well, there is still 3 hours of light left; lets go shoot.

What all does this mean? It means just what I said after the team was named: "Champions don't always stand on the podium, they just continue on." So I practice, I keep my head in the game and I prepare for upcoming shoots; like the Endeavor Games this June 6th - 10th in Edmund Oklahoma. (Stay tuned for results on this shoot)

I am more than excited to meet up with the team again and fling some arrows on the field of battle with them. Shooting is starting to feel smooth again, controlled, and most importantly, exciting! Something I had not felt in over seven and half years.

Move on to the next shoot, Endeavor Games here I come! Move on to your next success. Look out world, here you come.


Always Sitting Always in Motion



Aaron

Work Skills Day 2012 Lindstrom, MN

Remember where you started & what got you through it!

I remember:
My dad saying to me "Skiing is going to be on hold this year Aaron",
My Uncle being there in a matter of hours,
My best friend Shawn sitting next to me saying "You just fell asleep, its' only been 5 minutes buddy",
My friend Matt Z. asking me the day after I got hurt "How are you doing?" and my response "I've had hornier days",
My waking in the hospital and my brother sleeping next to me in a very uncomfortable chair with his hand on my arm,
My mom telling St. Cloud Tech H.S. exactly how and when this was going to be done,
My friends creating a new life for me and my family,
My friends Kelly W. & Kristine H. and 5 lbs of Gummy Bears and 5 lbs of Sour Patch Kids,

My first time I was able to push my chair by myself (2 inches and I was wiped out),

My OT putting 1/4 pounds of weight on my hand and me being barely able to lift it,

My first time I dressed myself (1 hour 47 min) yes, I timed it; now 7 minutes 9.5 minutes including shoes,

My first movement of my left index finger (my picking finger — Thank God),

My first romantic kiss to a girl after I was in a chair,
My first time being able to hold a baby after I got hurt; 8 months post injury baby was 2 weeks old, I was in heaven,
My first time I wet my pants (won't be the last; watching a movie with my girlfriend at her house — I was so embarrassed we offered to clean the couch the dad said "No, but you come back anytime." Maybe he was thinking if I pissed on the whole couch they could just get a new one)
My first skydive,
My first archery shot,
My first track practice (went 100 meters in 25 seconds and I had nothing left) end of my first summer I was pushing 15 miles a day.

Many other things got me here, many other things take me places, just "Remember where you started & what got you through it!" and do it all over again. It's never easy, but it can be easier if you "Remember where you started & what got you through it!"

"You don't have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be GREAT!" — Les Brown

Always Sitting Always in Motion

Aaron

Just Act

Did I get that done yesterday, oh man, I forgot all about that, there is that to do as well, when is that money coming, how am I going to pay for this now?

Waking at night is bad enough, but having those questions run through your head like a freight train is worse.

In most cases, we fight it and try to stay in bed wishing the Sandman will come back through and knock us out cold. However, we know one undisputed fact — that is not going to happen, so, "Just Act!"

Get up, make a cup of coffee or tea — whatever— face what your brain is telling you and "Just Act!" Many of us say, tomorrow, I will get it all done tomorrow; we all know that is not going to happen, so, "Just Act!"

Your adrenaline is already pumping, use it! By staying in bed I guarantee you will be dragging the next morning, hurting by the afternoon and begging for forgiveness and the night to come by 5 p.m.; yet you are now further behind and what you were worrying about is still there — "Just Act!"

This morning it happened to me, waking at 4 a.m. laying in bed, trying 101 different positions to fall back asleep, I heard my neighbor start her treadmill; and I said to myself, "If she is up bettering herself you can too." "Just Act!"

Look, even if you don't get all that is needed done, at least you have started and you are not laying in bed stressing yourself out; which we all know causes more stress and anxiety, so  — "Just Act."

Accomplish today so you rest easy tonight!


Always Sitting Always in Motion


Aaron

Setbacks, to Tasks, to Goals!

Readers, I do apologize for not having some blogs this last week; it turns out that last Sunday, my computer felt it was time to visit that big Apple Tree in the sky.

Setbacks: It is never fun to start your day off with something as frustrating as your computer dying; and it never fails, something else seems to just plop right on top of it. As all of you know, once one thing goes more are soon to follow; yes, the world is conspiring against you and you just want to go to the store and buy all the double chocolate fudge brownie ice cream there is — because we all know that is going to fix the problem.

Tasks: As we typed in my credit card information (purchasing a new computer), adding a charge I did not want to have, a sense of worth came over me, a sense of focus and drive. My task for this week/two weeks, was now focusing on this simple question: "How am I going to get more business to pay this off and not go back into debt?"

Goals:
1) Take 5 hours this week to find solutions — keeping in mind that the charge on your card, well it's still going to be there and the credit card company is okay with that — really, they really are okay with that being on there; so if they are, so am I.

2) Stay driven, your mind took you to a place telling you find solutions, so follow these steps:

            - Come up with your goal and time line, write it on a pice of paper
                        "pay off computer within 3 months"
            
            - How am I going to do it?
                        Make a list of any and every idea, (all ideas are good!)
                                Write any pros and cons to the ideas
                                      Choose the top three ideas that work for you and get you excited

            - Write up a clear cut goal on a 5x7 card or whatever you have around you and keep it with you
                        Read it everyday, multiple times a day, until you have reached your goal; and most importantly,     

                                                        start now!


Setbacks are not always bad, take a look at them and make them into positive tasks which turn into goals.

"Setbacks to Tasks to Goals"

Change is what you make it

Wow, this is sort of surreal, in just a few short hours (1:15 p.m.), my life changed forever, along with my family's and my friends (past, present and future.)  21 years ago, my dad and I were up at Giants Ridge Ski Resort for a simple bike race. A simple out and back race that was to only take 90 minutes (give or take), it took a lot longer.

20 years have passed and my family and friends and I are starting our 21st year together. Throughout this time many things have come and gone, ups and downs and whirlwinds; but change is what you make it. Good or bad, happy or sad, it is your choice to decide how you are going to live it — "change is what you make it."

I am truly blessed to have the family and friends I had/have/will have. Friends that have gone separate ways got me through one of the toughest times I've ever been through, friends I have now keep me feeling like anything is possible and the friends of my future will have who I am and I will take their ideas and change with the day.

"Change is what you make it," make today your day to change for the better.


Always Sitting Always in Motion


Aaron

Finding Your Way

“Finding Your Way”

It’s amazing how fast things can change, “for the better, or for the worse.” I believe, I truly believe, that we focus on and remember the bad, due to the fact it is so scary and overwhelming. However, I’ve realized this weekend, we, later in life, laugh, talk and teach others from our bad times; which means, our “bad times” are also invaluable experiences. So, when we are going through a crossroads, we need to keep in mind, that it will end and we will regain control of our lives and start to feel better. Embrace not only the good times but also the bad — both show us our paths and how strong we are.

Over the last few years I have had my fair share of scares, losses and overwhelming moments where I just was not sure what was going to happen. However, I recently sat down and asked myself how did I get through those unbelievably overwhelming times and this is what I came up with.

I:

Filled my days with family and friends,

Allowed myself to be sad until I got pissed enough to say, “STOP!”,

Realized I did laugh many times during the down times,

Realized that if I am going through this, others have too, and there are a lot of people standing around me right now,

Realized that my true friends will look at me and say, “Man, you screwed up, but I’m right here brother; lets’ get through this,

Realized that I am not perfect, (there, I said it) but I have learned, and it has made me a better person; better, not perfect (oh crap I’ve said I’m not perfect twice now and now I’ve published it.)

Finding your way is not, nor will it ever be easy. More importantly, what comes next might not be even slightly close to what you wanted or thought your life was going to be.

When you are ready to take that journey, always remember these true statements:

1)    There is nothing more valuable than a friend or loved one who truly loves you, (you will know what that means and who it is when the time comes.)

2)    Each day gets easier, not easy,

3)    You learn from your mistakes, but more importantly, remember to recreate, enjoy and examine our successes, 

4)    Laughter, hugs, love, family and true friends will see you through.

Walt Whitman wrote, “Re-examine all you have been told, dismiss what insults your soul.”

Always Sitting Always in Motion

Aaron