Wednesday, May 30, 2012

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

Thursday, May 24, 2012

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"

Friday, May 18, 2012

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


Sunday, May 13, 2012

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

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Try it!

One thing that my parents have always made sure we knew, well there were several things that they ingrained into my brother's and my brain; but one thing that sticks out on a regular basis is try, do, taste and see things  that are foreign to you — in short, "Try it!"

Challenge from me to all of you, "Try it!"

Try going for a walk today,
Try Laughing with your kids,
Try sitting with your significant other outside and feel the warm sun on your skin,
Try going for a bike ride,
Try making a plan to make a change in your life and if your ready start acting on it,
Try a "Healthy eating recipe (i'll bet you will be surprised),
Try a new hobby,
Try to save money,
Try talking to a long lost friend,
Try to forgive,
Try to understand,
Try to sit down and listen to the stories of your Grand Parents,
Try to sell the items you no longer use (you can't take them with you and others may need them),

There are too many wonderful things to try in this world.

"Because life is about living, not wondering" — Aaron Cross

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


Always Sitting Always in Motion,

Aaron

Friday, May 11, 2012

Time to do, do what you teach

It has been a great week, full of great surprises, friends and opportunities. However, there has been some stresses, forgotten bills, unforeseen expenditures, getting distracted by events that may or may not happen — you know, life!

Waking this morning I felt a sense of urgency, not because my love of my life was gently waking me saying "I am waiting for you, let me start your day off right." Seriously, my coffee really says those things to me. Waking this morning, I just felt like I was loosing my path, loosing the ability to be more in control,  it made me feel I was starting to add more to my plate than I should; but wait a second, I am Aaron Cross, i've been in worse spots before I can handle this — Go get it buddy!

Yeah, well two memories popped into my head, one was a statement my dear friend Ezra said to me the other day. Ezra and I were working on a last minute project and I said I need to go to two more meetings, then to practice and finally home to do paperwork. Ezra turned to me and said "Aaron, your in a wheelchair, act like it! " I was shocked, then he clarified, he said "you do too much stuff in a day, there is no room for mistakes in your life. You need to practice what you teach."

Last night one of my private clients cancelled our meeting today which made me frustrated and then I though okay I can call three clients and get them into my schedule. Thank goodness I did not do that! Today, I am "Taking five" and following "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast." "Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop to take a look around once in a while you might miss it." —Ferris Bueller.

I posted a picture onto my Face Book; it says "At any given moment you have the power to say this is is not how the story is going to go."


"Take five" "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast" and now its' "Time to do, do what you teach"


Always Sitting Always in Motion

Aaron

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Mischievous Intentions

Photo Title "Mischievous Intentions"Photo by Ken Bieganek (Ride design Aspen Seating)

Before going on stage in Grand Rapids, MN Wheelchair Plus 2012 Health and Wellness Expo.

Slow is smooth

Yesterday I reminded people to "Take Five" and I did receive some kind notes that they, in fact took that advice. Yet, although we schedule in time to take five, do we really take the time to enjoy it?

There is a saying in shooting, "Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." So many of the people I work with say they don't get that phrase; well, that's okay, because you soon will.

In shooting just like in our everyday lives, we are always against the clock and when we focus on the clock, that is when things start to get out of hand. For example, in shooting, we drop things, forget a step to our shot process, which means we force a shot and that means a cuss word is about to come out —it happens. In everyday life, when we rush, we forget lunches, bills, paperwork that needs to be turned in, small things that just make us more stressed because it just spirals out of control.

Now, when we slow it down, see it, feel it, move with it, that is called the "Zone" which is exactly where you want to be. Do your steps!

By doing each one of your steps, just like you do in practice, just like you do every other time, there is plenty of time. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

Champions make it look easy because they do their steps, slowly and smoothly, which makes them look fast and God Like.

"Slow is smooth and smooth is  fast."

Always Sitting Always in Motion

Aaron

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Rest for five

Last week was a whirlwind week! Coming back from trials, going straight back into work, which consisted of two seminars, conference for UCP and meetings with my clients; not to mention events on the weekend.

Is that something new, no, but I didn't take five minutes for myself to fully look at my calendar or how to plan better, which left me mildly overwhemled.

We are all moving too fast, between kids, work, the "little things" the "big things" I mean — AHHHHH!

Just stop! Yes, there's time! Take five, see what needs to be done, lay it out and say okay. However, remember to look at your schedule and make sure these things are on it for this week.

         Spending time with your family (making sure hugs and kisses are there) "Yes, there's time!"
       
         Evening for you to sit and listen to nothing or something you like "Yes, there's time!"
       
         Evaluate your goals, knowing, it's okay to change them, and it's also okay to not always have anything planned for the weekend accept to do nothing. "Yes, there's time!"

Take five today everyone, "Yes, there's time!"



Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Tap-it seminar

Today is the last day to RSVP for the "TAP-it" seminar hosted by UCP of Central MN and performed by Tierny Brothers staff. Tap-it is an interactive touch screen that has been hitting the US like a wild fire.

All you need to do to be apart of this seminar is read the poster bellow and sign up; it is free to the public, and might change the life of someone you know.

Yes it says that yesterday was the last day to RSVP, I have extended that to today.

Pass this link on to your family and friends
Success at the "2012, 2nd Annual Wheelchair Plus Health and Wellness Expo" in Grand Rapids, MN. Even with the threat of bad weather, a  great turn out was had. Before I went on stage, I was working with Ride Design — Aspen Seating (specialists in the best seating system for everyday use and sports in the world) at their booth.

The presentation was fantastic, I saw tears, I heard laughter and most of all, I had a very happy client and the young lady that helped with the archery demonstration was ecstatic, to say the very least. I guarantee, that she is going to be showing off that pen today at school.

Remember friends, family and readers, "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

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Heath and Home Accessibility Expo, Grand Rapids, Mn

Aaron will be here all day speaking and enjoying the beautiful city of Grand Rapids, MN