It's been great to watch the 2012 Olympics on television. I've never quite appreciated the swimmers and gymnasts as much as I do now. Of course, I have enjoyed watching the many other sports that are part of The Games, even Ping Pong. The back stories are phenomenal and very inspiring.
I was thinking today that each one of these athletes made a decision, perhaps 6 - 8 years ago, that they would do whatever it took to end up competing on the World Stage in London in 2012.
The training regimen for many included hours at the gym or pool before they had to go to school. That means going to bed at a decent time so you can wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning and get your training in.
For some the training meant hour upon hour of repetition to get their routine down. Imagine the stretching, the weight training, the laps that had to be swam or run. Imagine doing this not only in good weather and perfect conditions, but also in the rain, snow or heat of summer.
The Olympic Champions and all those who compete are ALL IN! They knew the price before they signed up and they paid it in full to have a chance to participate in the 2012 Olympics. Win or lose ---- they are ALL IN!
The Apostle Paul used the imagery of someone running a race in his letter to the Philippian church. He wrote " Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." [3:13-14]
Can you see the runner with his chest outstretched trying to break the tape so he can win his prize? That's ALL IN!
Are you All IN? Have you started a diet? An exercise workout? A new relationship? Have you had enough of drugs and alcohol [or any other destructive habit, hangup or hurt] and decided to start your recovery? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Then get ALL IN.
Today I have gone ALL IN with Empower Network. I know I am worth it. I know my wife is worth it. I know it. Why Empower Network? David Wood and David Sharpe have inspired me, challenged me and called me out to go ALL IN! These guys have shown me that I am worth the price I have to pay to be ALL IN.
Many of the Olympians had to move to another city to be part of the training team. They had to pack up and leave their homes, their friends, and perhaps family in order to achieve their dream. That is Sacrifice. That's going ALL IN!
For me to go ALL IN today means that I had to move from my comfort zone in order to achieve my dreams for myself, my family and friends. I didn't have to move halfway across the country. So, I am committed to the Empower Network, to blogging daily, to learning and teaching and helping others go ALL IN!
- Chuck Whetstone
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