Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Miami Heat? The Dream Season Even Still?
LeBron James shocked the nation when he made the decision to sign with the Miami Heat before the start of the 2010-11 NBA season. He left his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, to join a superpower team with fellow superstars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Early on, some experts picked the Heat to win the NBA championship without any major trouble. However, the regular season clearly indicated that the Heat were not in a class of their own. In the playoffs though, the Heat look like the superstar team all the experts imagined them to be in the first place. They are in the second round of the tournament in the playoffs. They are currently up two games to nothing on the Boston Celtics, another dubbed contender for the championship by the experts. Surprisingly, James, despite only a moderately impressive regular season, could really make his decision seem like the right one if he manages to win the NBA championship with the Miami Heat.
Track Season..... Disappointing, but Plenty of Hope is still on the Horizon
My 2011 Homestead track season ended officially today after our meet against New Haven and Norwell. I unfortunately am not on varsity for throwing so I will not be competing at sectionals in the postseason. Looking back on my season, I feel that I left much to be accomplished. I only set one personal record in discus, and zero new distances in shot put. In a perfect world, a track athlete would hope to only show improvements as the year goes on. However, due to some other factors such as soreness from workouts, I showed plenty of inconsistency throughout the season. However, I still know there is a positive outlook on the season. I may not have had outstanding performances in meets, but I still feel like I improved in certain areas of throwing. I also know now what I need to improve for next season. I know I can get better. Overall, I may not have seen the results I dreamed of this season, but I look forward to being able to have more chances to work on track for next year.
Quality Time Redefined
After reading the New York Times article, "Quality Time Redefined," I feel that the family described in the article closely resembles myself. I often feel consumed with the technology around me. I tend to concentrate on music and screens rather than the people physically around me. However, my parents do not seem consumed with technology. I believe the generation gap has kept them less interested with the truly advanced technology of today's world. My brothers, on the other hand, may be more consumed with technology than myself. They seem to be more into computers and new I-pods or I-phones than I am. I think that technology can definitely be an issue. However I work to prevent technology from taking priority over face to face communication. I enjoyed the article, and I ultimately feel the growing technology in modern society must be regulated to promote a healthy home life.
Poetry Tournament
I was very pleased to win the poetry tournament for our etymology class. I felt everyone did a great job in presenting their poems. I feel fortunate to be the winner of the tournament. In addition, I found that I actually enjoy reciting poetry. I enjoy putting some emotion into the reading because I can leave a positive impression on other people. I enjoy stating my emotions through speaking because I feel that I can release emotions that I may not be able to release otherwise. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the poetry competition experience and I truly felt that everyone in the class did an excellent job.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Reading: More Than Just The Catch, by David Tyree (pgs. 195-228)
In the last section of More Than Just The Catch, by David Tyree, I learned more factual information rather than philosophical insight. In chapter sixteen, Tyree describes a workout routine both spiritually and physically. He includes the times to do each workout and number of repetition of each exercise. Interestingly, Tyree makes references to faith in God in all of his exercise routines. He includes areas of focus for each workout spiritually. He also includes a diet to help achieve better physical fitness.
In chapter seventeen, Tyree details several significant dreams he has had in his life. He describes several different dreams and how they tied back to God and to reality. Many of the dreams he describes happened in reality closely to how they happened in the dream. He shares insight on how the dreams were messages from God informing him on the events to come in his life.
In chapter eighteen, Tyree gives a full reflection on his life and ties it directly to God. He states that his life is a testimony to God's love and power. He was an underdog, but God helped to elevate him to highest level of sports. He was given all of his opportunity through God. Tyree tells the reader to have an open mind when approaching God. God will present his opportunities, and it is a person's job to be ready for these opportunities.
In the conclusion, Tyree leaves the reader with a prayer for their destiny. He details his own life while asking God to bless all of the readers of his book. Tyree gives blessing to all his readers through his book.
After reading the last section of Tyree's book, I feel more power to live out my faith. Tyree provides many examples of opportunities to focus on God throughout your daily routine. I now know that I can focus on God and serve him even in the smallest things in life. I do not have to limit myself to Sunday worship, I can focus on God in all aspects and times of my life. I realize that a full relationship with God throughout my entire life is the true fulfillment of my faith. I truly enjoyed reading Tyree's book, and I look forward to reading more books in the future.
In chapter seventeen, Tyree details several significant dreams he has had in his life. He describes several different dreams and how they tied back to God and to reality. Many of the dreams he describes happened in reality closely to how they happened in the dream. He shares insight on how the dreams were messages from God informing him on the events to come in his life.
In chapter eighteen, Tyree gives a full reflection on his life and ties it directly to God. He states that his life is a testimony to God's love and power. He was an underdog, but God helped to elevate him to highest level of sports. He was given all of his opportunity through God. Tyree tells the reader to have an open mind when approaching God. God will present his opportunities, and it is a person's job to be ready for these opportunities.
In the conclusion, Tyree leaves the reader with a prayer for their destiny. He details his own life while asking God to bless all of the readers of his book. Tyree gives blessing to all his readers through his book.
After reading the last section of Tyree's book, I feel more power to live out my faith. Tyree provides many examples of opportunities to focus on God throughout your daily routine. I now know that I can focus on God and serve him even in the smallest things in life. I do not have to limit myself to Sunday worship, I can focus on God in all aspects and times of my life. I realize that a full relationship with God throughout my entire life is the true fulfillment of my faith. I truly enjoyed reading Tyree's book, and I look forward to reading more books in the future.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Reading: More Than Just The Catch, by David Tyree (pgs. 157-195)
In the next section of More Than Just The Catch, by David Tyree, Tyree describes how to put faith into action. In chapter thirteen, Tyree informs the reader about a cycle of success. Tyree details how people must put all of their goals into perspective. He tells the reader not to have goals simply for their own gain. Instead, have goals to serve God. Tyree details how a person will be defined successful by God. Tyree basically states that if a person puts God first and keeps everything in correct, humble perspective, the person will be happy and also please God.
In chapter fourteen, Tyree describes the ingredients of greatness. He describes all of the different definitions for greatness. Tyree then describes the meaning of of being great in God's eyes. Tyree gives all of his perspective on being great in serving God. He provides the reader with guidelines on life to keep God in the correct perspective. At the end of the chapter, Tyree describes his own hall of greatness. He describes several people whom he is very close to that positively impacted his life as greatness in action.
In chapter fifteen, Tyree describes physical and spiritual discipline. Tyree clearly notes the difference between physical discipline, and spiritual discipline. He provides the reader with examples of spiritual discipline. Habits such as prayer are detailed by Tyree. Tyree tells the reader to keep disciplined with their faith. This message means that people must not only have good habits, but continue to improve those habits as their faith deepens.
After reading this section of Tyree's book, I feel that I have gained a greater insight on my own personal faith. Tyree describes the true steps to putting Christianity in action. God does not want us to be passive about our faith. God wants us to share our faith with others while having a passion to continue to grow in our faith. However, our actions are our biggest tool to sharing the gospel. Acting as God wants us to act spreads God's love better than simply telling someone about your beliefs. Although telling a person about your specific faith may be appropriate for a situation, actions still speak louder than words in most situations. I have learned that I must ask God to help me be the best disciple possible. I cannot do it alone, and I need to ask for God's help. I have enjoyed Tyree's book thus far and look forward to learning more about him in the rest of his book.
In chapter fourteen, Tyree describes the ingredients of greatness. He describes all of the different definitions for greatness. Tyree then describes the meaning of of being great in God's eyes. Tyree gives all of his perspective on being great in serving God. He provides the reader with guidelines on life to keep God in the correct perspective. At the end of the chapter, Tyree describes his own hall of greatness. He describes several people whom he is very close to that positively impacted his life as greatness in action.
In chapter fifteen, Tyree describes physical and spiritual discipline. Tyree clearly notes the difference between physical discipline, and spiritual discipline. He provides the reader with examples of spiritual discipline. Habits such as prayer are detailed by Tyree. Tyree tells the reader to keep disciplined with their faith. This message means that people must not only have good habits, but continue to improve those habits as their faith deepens.
After reading this section of Tyree's book, I feel that I have gained a greater insight on my own personal faith. Tyree describes the true steps to putting Christianity in action. God does not want us to be passive about our faith. God wants us to share our faith with others while having a passion to continue to grow in our faith. However, our actions are our biggest tool to sharing the gospel. Acting as God wants us to act spreads God's love better than simply telling someone about your beliefs. Although telling a person about your specific faith may be appropriate for a situation, actions still speak louder than words in most situations. I have learned that I must ask God to help me be the best disciple possible. I cannot do it alone, and I need to ask for God's help. I have enjoyed Tyree's book thus far and look forward to learning more about him in the rest of his book.
Reading: More Than Just The Catch, by David Tyree (pgs. 125-156)
In the next section of More Than Just The Catch, by David Tyree, Tyree reveals more stories of courage and high morals. In chapter twelve, Tyree details many players and associates with ties to the NFL. He tells the story of each of them. Specifically he details their courage of sharing their faith and putting their faith into action in the NFL and other areas of the world. Many of them donate regularly. However, the people Tyree describes also provide a strong Christian influence on the rest of the world. They live their lives closely to how God would want them to live. They make their faith very apparent in all aspects of their lives. Tyree includes many of their philosophies and quotes when he describes each man. He tells their stories. Some of them had many struggles as Tyree did, but others are simply great Christians influencing the NFL. Tyree details how important it is to have fellow Christians supporting other Christians and working towards a common goal in adding to the body of Christ.
After reading this section of Tyree's book, I strengthened my belief that fellow people of the same beliefs makes a person stronger. Tyree describes many Christians associated to the NFL that deserve credit for their influence on the league. He also describes them to stress the importance of having fellow Christians in your walk in life. All the people Tyree described had different backgrounds and different means of sharing their faith. However, each person had a common goal: to share the love of Christ. I realize that there are many different ways I can share my personal faith. However, when I keep my focus on the important values in my life, I realize the actually means to show my faith are details. When I live my life being who I am and taking all the opportunities in life that are possible and meaningful, I tend to better achieve my goals of being a Christian influence. I look forward to reading more interesting views of Tyree in the rest of his book.
After reading this section of Tyree's book, I strengthened my belief that fellow people of the same beliefs makes a person stronger. Tyree describes many Christians associated to the NFL that deserve credit for their influence on the league. He also describes them to stress the importance of having fellow Christians in your walk in life. All the people Tyree described had different backgrounds and different means of sharing their faith. However, each person had a common goal: to share the love of Christ. I realize that there are many different ways I can share my personal faith. However, when I keep my focus on the important values in my life, I realize the actually means to show my faith are details. When I live my life being who I am and taking all the opportunities in life that are possible and meaningful, I tend to better achieve my goals of being a Christian influence. I look forward to reading more interesting views of Tyree in the rest of his book.
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