determination, dedication, devotion

determination: the act of settling a purpose
dedication: a state of mind when one is set apart and consecrates to a deity or a sacred purpose
devotion: a strong attachment to a cause marked by dedicated loyalty


very few people exhibit these traits on a regular basis - some hardly at all. apparently to me, hardly anyone - compared to 60 years ago - has the same work ethic and values it takes to run their lives independently.


it seems to me that now a days a lot of middle aged people, young adults, teens and in some cases young kids have their priorties completely backwards. i'm not saying i know it all, because i certainly do not, but i at least know that someone who cannot recall who won the civil war - or even knows there was one, but has the newest "flyest" clothing but has trouble providing for their family is a backwards - and sad situation. people need to start relying on themselves, owning up to their issues, taking responsibility for their actions and listening to their elders. that is why there are parents - my following reasoning is based on good parents though: the older the person, the more experiences they have under their belt - so the more they understand about life. why wouldn't anyone take advantage of that and actually begin to learn something and develop themselves? such a simple process - its a no brainer. if the kids aren't being raised correctly then they really ought to seek other sources of motivation - simply change the crowd of people who they are around - regardless if the crowd is the parents. easier said than done - i'm sure.


this blog is called format: experiences because experiences are what mold a person and define how people look at them. not clothes, not cars, not houses, not money. the molded person is what everyone else sees - regardless of what that person wants everyone to see. if a kid would go out of his or her way to develop a better life for themselves and then the people around them then that would be a reason for respect. taking control of your life is how you fix it. quit relying on other people and make it happen - no excuses. 


i have been fortunate to have great parents and an awesome family - everyone has their head on straight and has their priorities lined up. and now since i am going through a large transition on my life from a guy to a man - i needed more motivational sources. for me, i chose to hit the gym harder than ever before and really begin to take things i do to heart. i graduated, commissioned as a second lieutenant, got a full time job as a project engineer and now i'm beginning to really feel passionate about everything i do and surround myself with people who support me and are my real friends. if you don't like me for who i am then i don't need you in my life. why would i waste my time and energy dealing with someone who doesn't care themselves? 


the gym for me has become sort of my stomping grounds - for lack of a better phrase. i am definitely not the biggest guy there or the loudest or the most ripped - but i can guarantee you i have the best attitude and most will power out of anyone there. you will never see me messing around - when i'm there i get it done and focus. i take every rep and exercise to heart - just like i am beginning to do in my life. for me, working out is a great way to put things in perspective and look at the problems in my life with a better attitude.


animalpak.com is my largest influence - and is the reason i started to work out more regiment-like over the past year or so. these guys on here live determination, dedication and devotion every second, minute, hour, day, week, month of every year. for them its a way of life and a mindset - so true. i now see why they do the things they do - they take their life and put it on their own level rather than trying to match everyone else's. who needs new years resolutions every damn year when you have complete control of your life everyday? its just how much closer you are to your next goal - not a resolution.


slowly but surely i will be at my own level surrounded by only the people who i care about and live with the three d's. i will be where the animals are - at least mentally. i will provide for my family and do what needs to be done in order to teach them the same. listen, learn and take pride in the things you do. easier said than done, it takes a certain kind of mental state to do it. it starts with determination, continues with dedication and ends with devotion.