Good Morning

It's the end of May and I haven't posted in a long while. I've been busy with work, school and family. I've been up since 5AM. I got some exercise, did some reading and then some planning of the day ahead. I've been struggling with finding focus. I've always been one for exerting a lot of effort to get things done and do what's right but I've often thought that perhaps I need a bit more planning and regiment in my life. While I'm working on my Master's degree I also want to be a better husband and father, lose weight and find ways to advance my career. I also want to eliminate all our household debt: student loans, cars, and house (we don't have any credit card debt) within 5 years. So by the time I'm 40 I want to finish my degree, be 175 lbs (currently 195), have a leadership position at work and be debt free.

Time to get to it,

Joe

How much entertainment do I actually need?

     I've spent a big chunk of my life enjoying the entertainment provided to me. I like sports, music, movies, video games, stand up comedy, and a handful of TV shows. I won't say the time was wasted. Entertainment has cheered me when I was down, allowed me to relax when I've over worked myself and when entertainment is at it's best it can be quite inspiring. While the activity of consuming the entertainment is passive, there can be times when it triggers action. When I was young I was often inspired heavily by comic books, cartoons and video games to draw my own characters. When I would watch football I would often end up at the park trying to imitate Barry Sanders, Ickey Woods or Joe Montana. A lot of my sense of humor is inspired by Monty Python, I still get incredulous looks when I try to explain why Mister Hilter was funny. In a way, the entertainment I enjoyed formed some of my development. 

    I'm sitting here pondering, have I consumed too much? Is entertainment just less inspiring now? Did I just get lazy? I like to create but it's hard. Life has become so full, right? Work, school, wife, kids, 5 hour marathon of The Office. Who has time to write, draw, inspire others, exercise or just enjoy the company of family? I have to know if Dexter gets caught, if Chris Johnson breaks the rushing record or  if I can save Princess Zelda again. 

    I've been telling myself over the last 12 months, "After I'm done taking classes I have to get back to creating". I know I'm not a great writer, a great artist and I will never be Barry Sanders but I have a feeling that I have the capacity create and inspire. I realize that I do need to take breaks and just enjoy some good entertainment but I really need a diet. I have to give it a shot, perhaps this is the first step. 

Humbly,

Joe Martin

Inner Strength and Growth

Over the last 18 months I've been in the process of completing accelerate coursework through Northeastern's Business Management Bachelor Degree program. This has been in addition to raising a family of three and working full-time. I've had precious little time for a social life or recreation. Most of my hobbies have been all but abandoned and I realize some of them will never be picked up again, of that I am okay with. Beyond what I've learned in my studies I've also learned that if I apply myself fully to a goal there is always a way to meet and exceed it. I will never accept the low bar others may set for me nor will I let even the moon impede my trajectory to the stars. I've got 9 days left of class but the journey doesn't end there. I will continue to expand my knowledge in an attempt to leave an indelible mark on the world. At the same time, I plan to spend a lot more time with my family to facilitate the growth of my wife and children because even if I don't make it to see tomorrow, they are my legacy. But for the time being: back to the books.

Carry-on!

Joe