Chapter 2
Back to The Future.
“I’m back.” These were the famous words I used when I made my return to fitness on March 3rd of last year. Life was so different. I had a bright look on things. This is an updated picture from the original post from social media. I didn’t like it so much because I thought it made me look too ominous, but for some reason it got a lot of likes on Instagram. It was the first day of my new gym membership! I was so excited. I had just made plans to donate my workout equipment in my garage to charity, not even realizing what would unfold in the next ten days… The Pandemic.
As you read from Chapter 1 of my Blog, “The Pandemic” occurred, and we now focus on Chapter 2 – “Back to The Future”, which brings the story full circle and allows us to look back and realize that we can’t predict the future. I feel like we have been locked up for so long here in Southern California and that life has just ceased to exist on a public scale. So many of my friends have lost loved ones to COVID-19. Not only that, many have experienced joblessness and entertained fear we never expected to see in our lifetime.
My point is that, every moment we have is a blessing, whether we realize it or not. We seem to always push for more. It tends to be the greedy side we endure as humans. We lose focus in enjoying the “now” – we either reminisce about the good ole’ days or look to the future for promise.
What I propose here is to be thankful for the “now”… that is why they call it “the present”. It’s a gift to be shared with those around us because we aren’t guaranteed the next. Try to make your moment the best it possibly can be and show gratitude for what we have and not what we don’t. While I wish things were different, I am beyond grateful I am here with my kids and family to share what time I do have left on this earth.
Understanding that each moment turns into the next and that time is the most valuable asset in our life, I am constantly trying to find ways to improve in each moment. I encourage you to do the same.
Don’t like your life? Then change it. Don’t know how to? Then ask someone who has! Have never started? Then begin today! Nervous! Don’t be! You have nothing to lose especially if you haven’t gained anything yet! Each new step brings you closer to your destination! Remember to encourage and believe in yourself… this is just the beginning. You will have obstacles, you will have failures. You will stumble and fall, but pick yourself up and continue to move forward. I know it sounds cliche, but today I heard three different leaders say the same thing in different settings – The only way to fail is to either not begin or to stop! You can do this! Don’t stop… keep going. Begin and don’t look back! You have your marching orders now. You will thank yourself in time that you decided to start achieving towards what you want out of life. With each and every movement, no matter good or bad, you will positively commit yourself to continue and appreciate the journey.
I have faith that great things are possible. While I could never predict the things that occurred in my life over the last year, I wanted to give you a little perspective to way things can work out. In the last year, I lost my substitute job to COVID, I lost my coaching job to COVID, I lost my workout equipment, lost my ability to workout at the gym, and lost the ability to freely move about in society due to mandated regulations. Many would say this is horrible. It pretty much is a disaster.
Let’s flip the script and look at what I gained due to this disaster. I found more time to study for my CSETS, which is a standardized exam that a teacher needs to pass in the State of California to become credentialed as a teacher. Not only did I study, but I passed all three required. This led to a new opportunity for me to get accepted into my choice Grad School at Cal Baptist University. I needed to have money to pay for this, so I found a company that was hiring during The Pandemic and came aboard at Chick-fil-A which is my all-time favorite food to eat. This lead to me becoming employed and able to earn money for school. Not only is Chick-fil-A responsible for helping me pay for school, but they value family and I have been able to attend school virtually and work close to full time while still having time to spend with the family which creates a beautiful work-life balance I had been missing over the last few years while coaching. Being at home trying to work out with a few left over dumbbells, I was able to post about certain obstacles and experiences that I had on my social media, and companies like Splenda, SKILZ, and Training Mask stepped up and sponsored me with donations to my cause. Who would ever thought these amazing things would come out of something so horrible?
I believe that good comes to those that seek it. I have a firm belief that positive energy resonates with those that attach themselves to it. I could have sat and wallowed with self pity, but I kept moving forward. Never in my mind did I think the Pandemic would occur, but never did I think that all these amazing blessings would follow.
Today is your day. Go get what you deserve. Have patience and perseverance and great things will find you. It’s just a matter of time.
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Written By Chris Hulme (aka – Coach Hulme) #CoachHulme #ChrisHulme
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