I Can Fly
Were you ever a kid?
Loaded question, right? Of course. We all were. So what’s the point?
The point is there’s a more important question, “Are you still a kid?”
Let’s assume we all say, “Yes, I’m still a kid at heart.”
Good, because kids dream of being a super hero, or being saved by a super hero. Remember? Well guess what? If you are looking for a place to find your motivation, consider being a super hero.
Lane 8 Needs Motivation. Daily. Period.
Ya with me? DAILY.
Was reminded of that yesterday after giving a speech, a man asked me privately, “How do you motivate people”?
Without any hesitation, because it’s a common question, “If you want to motivate others, you need to be motivated yourself”.
It’s the first and only rule of motivation. Enthusiasm is the most contagious thing in the world. The second most contagious thing in the world is the opposite.
The lack of enthusiasm. Admit it or not, everyone takes their cue from you.
When you look in the mirror, are you a mountain or a molehill?
Lane 8 Digresses? Maybe. Maybe not.
You know this if you’ve been following Lane 8 for a few months, the thesis at Lane 8 is taking care of our priceless physical gift – our body.
You have also come to discover the sub-thesis here is that goals should be impossible.
So why all the Suomi (Finland) Ski Jumping stuff? Call it a mental break from the physical focus.
In fact, the day all the Lahti Ski Jumping videos were shot was a rest day at the Masters Track & Field World Championships.
Rest is critical to physical (and mental and spiritual) health. So just enjoy this diversion and expect the break to be over soon. Carpe diem, jeff noel 
America, and the rest of the World, here are a few jeff noel midlife You Tube videos from the famous Lahti, Finland Ski Jump arena:
Never in my entire life have I seen this in person:
Amazing side, close up view:
The next (2011) WMA Masters Track & Field World Championships are in Sacramento. Carpe diem, jeff noel
WMA 2009 Masters World Championship Videos. I have a bunch and finally found time yesterday to upload a fair number and will post them at Lane 8. Here are a few:
My excitement for You Tube predicts 100 You Tubes:
Lahti Travel and Do Your Best:
Blooper – 3 seconds:
Make it a GLORIOUS Sunday. It surely will be. Up to us to notice though. Carpe diem, jeff noel
Germany’s Guido Muller reveals his secret to running success, moments after smashing the M70 400 meters World Record at the WMA Masters Track & Field World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Surprised by his answer? I am and I’m not.
Surprised that it’s so blunt. Not surprised because life is like this – pretty obvious.
Carpe diem, jeff noel in Lane 8
Being motivated to workout is incredibly different, and much more difficult, without a compelling purpose.
Duh! This is what’s known as a BFO – blinding flash of the obvious.
That’s the missing link for most people. And now it’s missing for me since returning from the Masters World Championships a few weeks ago.
Have been to the gym once this month. Once in 26 days! Do you know how quickly our bodies begin lose the strength we gain?
I rationalize that, “I’m taking some time off to rest”.
What I find is the list of excuses to not go to the gym is getting longer and more comfortable to use.
This helps remind me of my purpose – to be the change I wish to see in the world.
We can’t just talk about change, we have to lead the way. Come on, let’s go. Carpe diem, jeff noel
PS. Went to gym last night, for the second time in 26 days. My guess is that most people can relate to this post but few of you will actually take action. What’s it gonna take?
Purpose is critical. This is one of my epiphanies. Purpose IS critical.
Without a purpose bigger than ourselves, when we fail, we let down only one person.
When our purpose for good health extends outside ourselves, failure has much greater ramifications.
It’s almost like telling the younger generations, “You are doomed to poor eating habits, obesity, health risks, and apathy”.
Or, we can be the change we wish to see. To be the example of how hard work and focused effort can make our world healthier and ultimately, happy.
Who doesn’t want that?
If aliens came to our planet, what “health” grade do you think the human race would get?
Look, everyone knows this is incredibly difficult to do. Most things in life are. Once we learn to accept that life is hard, life gets easier, because we can spend less time fighting it, and just get on with figuring it out.
There are no shortcuts. Accept it and move on. Carpe diem, jeff noel
Teacher. This journey to be in Lane 8 has been my teacher. A better teacher than at first glance. A faithful and even profound teacher.
Seriously?
Yes, seriously.
What began with a vision to see our son graduate from High School, and one push up per day, has evolved into a sort of lifestyle.
A lifestyle of staying motivated to be focused on Life’s Big Choices – Mind, Body, Spirit, Money.
Nationals are in Sacramento next year. Worlds the year after, in the same place.
Two more years of motivation lined up. Got motivation lined up in your life?
Carpe diem, jeff noel
Not a day goes by that the fond memories of Lahti, Finland don’t find a conscious place in my thoughts.
Without going into too much detail today, this event has changed my life.
Not in some major, 180 or 360 degree way. But in a multitude of subtle ways.
Uploading You Tube videos is more time consuming than you might think. Yet each time I do, there is a distinct memory – and key learning – with each.
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
There is something to be said for being self-taught. For starters, you have 24/7, 365 access to the instructor. How cool is that?
Carpe diem, jeff noel