Chances are, none of you have any idea who Vidal Nuno is.
Tonight's post is inspired by him, particularly a quote on Chad Jennings' excellent New York Yankees blog.
Vidal Nuno is a young pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. He has yet to make it to the major leagues, but ask any serious Yankees fan and they will tell you that he's sure pitching like he belongs there very soon. In big league camp as a minor league player, the lefty has perhaps been the team's most consistent starting pitcher in camp. Of course, this is Spring Training, and a lot of your established veterans are on special schedules that they are comfortable with, but that's what leads to opportunities for minor league players like Nuno. Here's his take on his Spring Training performance so far.
“Everyone has their own path,” he said. “It’s about them taking a chance
on you. They gave me all the chances they could, and it’s about working
hard every day. Just try to keep up what I’ve been doing, and see how
it ends in the season.”
Talk about hitting the nail on the head, wow how right is he? I not only agree with him, but as someone also working down their own path and working toward opportunities, I can empathize.
Nuno is right in saying that we all have our own individual paths that we are on to get where we are going. I tell my players all the time, no two jump shots are the same. There are fundamental concepts we incorporate as shooters, but everyone has their own way. The same can be said for our paths. In Nuno's case, how many tens of thousands of guys have played major league baseball? The end result of getting there might be similar, but no two individual careers are the same.
The next part of that quote talks about chances. I'm also waiting on someone to take a chance on me, professionally. I'm not alone. There are so many of us out there, primed and ready to take off when our number is called. Or are we? See that's crucial there, and this quote serves as a reminder, that when you get a chance from someone, you better be ready. Nuno tells us the key to that, working hard every day.
And it's hard to "keep doing what [you're] doing." We are winners, and therefore we are impatient. We have success and we don't stop to celebrate, we go looking for more. But his message of patience is accurate, because you can't let your readiness or performance slip because you are frustrated, angry, or beleaguered. We are building strong mental toughness through these trials and tribulations. All you can do, is all you can do. If you can look yourself in the mirror and say you did just about everything you could, then you can trust that it just wasn't meant to be, and it wasn't up to you.
Lastly, Nuno acknowledges the fact that at some point, it ends. No matter how well he pitches, one day this struggle will be over (at the end of Spring Training in this case). There's a more definite ending though, because one day he will throw his last pitch, just as I will coach my last game, or just as we all one day will take our last breath. One day we will not be able to do the things we love anymore, so why do we waste the opportunities we have to do them now?
Whether or not Vidal Nuno pitches in a game for the Yankees this season, or ever at all for that fact, is to be determined. That decision is not up to him, he doesn't just show up to Yankee Stadium on Opening day and present himself. What is up to him is how hard he works, and how much preparation and effort he is willing to put in to make it happen. Until then, we live in our own realities, and stay focus on our own paths, the paths that God has set out for us to find and utilize.
I have to say though, it's kind of hard not to root for Vidal Nuno.
-TP
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Expect to Win
In a world where not everything is in your control, your mindset is one of the most critical aspects that you have command over. Let's face, unfortunately we run into situations where no matter what we do, or how hard we work, the outcome is just out of our hands. It's a terrible feeling, because people who are in charge of making those decisions do get them wrong. I can say that I've served as a witness to that many times.
But your mindset and approach are up to you. I'm here to tell you that it's best to attack every challenge, every opportunity with the expectation that you're going to win. You are going to win. You are not going to be beaten. You have worked harder, prepared better, and you're very good at what you do, so when the ball goes up on the first whistle, you know that when the final buzzer sounds, you're going to be the victor.
On my blog I encourage you to live in your own reality, because it's often the person with the strongest reality that succeeds. Realize that you play the game for one reason, to win. Having fun, making friends, blah blah blah, it's all secondary. Winning has to be the priority. It's why we are here, to find success.
Of course, I'm making a comparison based on athletics, so here's a few other examples. Why do you go on a job interview? To get the job. You are competing against other candidates, and you want to be the one that wins. I have enjoyed the past 8 months away from the television industry (and yes, I do appreciate everyone who misses my work, you guys are the best), but why did I go to work, why did we produce newscasts? Some people might answer that they are there to make money, there because they enjoy it, or there to provide a public service. The number one reason should be to win, to be the best news outlet in the market, the best at your particular role. You can do all of those other things through your focus on being the best.
When I was playing, one of my favorite motivational quotes was, "You control who's the best player on the floor." Ask some of my players today, and I've told them that time and time again. I'm a believer. The first step toward being the best is wanting to be the best.
There's a certain aura about a person who walks into a situation and knows they are going to be successful. Hater call it cockiness or arrogance, but I believe it can be real, if that person is willing to put the work in to set themselves up for success. One of the huge things I preach is that you are confident because you prepared, and you worked the hardest. What good comes of showing up a defeatist? In the back of your mind, when you know you don't stand a chance, you are already dooming yourself. We've all been there, it's a helpless feeling.
I may not be in the best spot right now, and at times the stress has really gotten to me. However I am blessed, every minute of every day. I can't enjoy any environment where there's no challenge every day, where there's no competition, and no winning to be done. That's why I do what I do, because I can't see myself doing much of anything else. Certain things just aren't good for certain people. So as tough as it is, I persevere with my goals in mind.
When I wake up tomorrow morning, I'll start with a prayer as I always do. I'll thank God for another day, another chance to be great. I'll ask Him to help me take advantage of the opportunities He has provided. That's what I know I need to do, everyday, just rise, shine, and give the Lord the glory. And then I'll go tackle all that the day brings, but not once will the thought of losing or failing at a task cross my mind. I hate that feeling too much. Winning is my expectation. Make it yours.
-TP
But your mindset and approach are up to you. I'm here to tell you that it's best to attack every challenge, every opportunity with the expectation that you're going to win. You are going to win. You are not going to be beaten. You have worked harder, prepared better, and you're very good at what you do, so when the ball goes up on the first whistle, you know that when the final buzzer sounds, you're going to be the victor.
On my blog I encourage you to live in your own reality, because it's often the person with the strongest reality that succeeds. Realize that you play the game for one reason, to win. Having fun, making friends, blah blah blah, it's all secondary. Winning has to be the priority. It's why we are here, to find success.
Of course, I'm making a comparison based on athletics, so here's a few other examples. Why do you go on a job interview? To get the job. You are competing against other candidates, and you want to be the one that wins. I have enjoyed the past 8 months away from the television industry (and yes, I do appreciate everyone who misses my work, you guys are the best), but why did I go to work, why did we produce newscasts? Some people might answer that they are there to make money, there because they enjoy it, or there to provide a public service. The number one reason should be to win, to be the best news outlet in the market, the best at your particular role. You can do all of those other things through your focus on being the best.
When I was playing, one of my favorite motivational quotes was, "You control who's the best player on the floor." Ask some of my players today, and I've told them that time and time again. I'm a believer. The first step toward being the best is wanting to be the best.
There's a certain aura about a person who walks into a situation and knows they are going to be successful. Hater call it cockiness or arrogance, but I believe it can be real, if that person is willing to put the work in to set themselves up for success. One of the huge things I preach is that you are confident because you prepared, and you worked the hardest. What good comes of showing up a defeatist? In the back of your mind, when you know you don't stand a chance, you are already dooming yourself. We've all been there, it's a helpless feeling.
I may not be in the best spot right now, and at times the stress has really gotten to me. However I am blessed, every minute of every day. I can't enjoy any environment where there's no challenge every day, where there's no competition, and no winning to be done. That's why I do what I do, because I can't see myself doing much of anything else. Certain things just aren't good for certain people. So as tough as it is, I persevere with my goals in mind.
When I wake up tomorrow morning, I'll start with a prayer as I always do. I'll thank God for another day, another chance to be great. I'll ask Him to help me take advantage of the opportunities He has provided. That's what I know I need to do, everyday, just rise, shine, and give the Lord the glory. And then I'll go tackle all that the day brings, but not once will the thought of losing or failing at a task cross my mind. I hate that feeling too much. Winning is my expectation. Make it yours.
-TP
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Believe in yourself all the way
I've decided it's time to challenge myself with a new concept.
I believe in myself, I'm confident in my work ethic and my ability to make good things happen, exceed expectations, and make the most out of situations. This is the way we all should be. If you work hard, put up hundreds of shots, and put the time into your game, you should be confident in your ability to hit shots in the game. It's a simple concept, I preach it, I believe in it.
But, we all come up a little short, because sometimes a little sliver of doubt is still there, in the back of our minds. You know, that little bit of nervousness, that, "what if I don't win" that creeps in at the last second.
For me, I've gone into situations with that disease, and now it's time to change. I've learned that one sign of maybe, one sign of what if, is noticeable in my performance with the task at hand. Total self confidence has to be the goal. 99% doesn't get the job done in a close game. I can name occasions where I've been 99%, and that 1% of questioning myself made the difference. The best have to be able to admit their mistakes, it's part of the process.
Being able to admit that you've made a mistake though is the first step in fixing the problem. You have to live for the big games, the huge moments, and sometimes those moments can bring with them that anxiety, that uncertainty. So now that you know there's an issue, you have to work to fix it.
Trust your preparation, in anything you do in life. If you aren't prepared, you invite windows for error. That's about as simple as it gets. You have to prepare as best you can, and in some situations, preparing is not easy. Still, I say approach every challenge, every interview, every game, with the attitude that I am going to succeed because I am best suited for success. That doesn't mean you're the most experienced or anything, but you have to know you will get the job done, you were born for this and now is your time.
Life's full of challenges and obstacles, and a lot of those come from outside sources. We need not create any for ourselves. Take the challenge on yourself to bring light to that dark corner of doubt in the back of your head. In this journey toward success, we must commit to ourselves fully, prepare for the best and worst of what that journey offers, bounce back, and overcome adversity. Don't be the source of your own downfalls. Promise yourself that you will buy into all that you have to offer, 100%. Work harder, fight on, and live in your own reality, because more often than not, those who have the strongest reality often win the day.
#Eyesforward
- TP
@travisponton on twitter----follow
I believe in myself, I'm confident in my work ethic and my ability to make good things happen, exceed expectations, and make the most out of situations. This is the way we all should be. If you work hard, put up hundreds of shots, and put the time into your game, you should be confident in your ability to hit shots in the game. It's a simple concept, I preach it, I believe in it.
But, we all come up a little short, because sometimes a little sliver of doubt is still there, in the back of our minds. You know, that little bit of nervousness, that, "what if I don't win" that creeps in at the last second.
For me, I've gone into situations with that disease, and now it's time to change. I've learned that one sign of maybe, one sign of what if, is noticeable in my performance with the task at hand. Total self confidence has to be the goal. 99% doesn't get the job done in a close game. I can name occasions where I've been 99%, and that 1% of questioning myself made the difference. The best have to be able to admit their mistakes, it's part of the process.
Being able to admit that you've made a mistake though is the first step in fixing the problem. You have to live for the big games, the huge moments, and sometimes those moments can bring with them that anxiety, that uncertainty. So now that you know there's an issue, you have to work to fix it.
Trust your preparation, in anything you do in life. If you aren't prepared, you invite windows for error. That's about as simple as it gets. You have to prepare as best you can, and in some situations, preparing is not easy. Still, I say approach every challenge, every interview, every game, with the attitude that I am going to succeed because I am best suited for success. That doesn't mean you're the most experienced or anything, but you have to know you will get the job done, you were born for this and now is your time.
Life's full of challenges and obstacles, and a lot of those come from outside sources. We need not create any for ourselves. Take the challenge on yourself to bring light to that dark corner of doubt in the back of your head. In this journey toward success, we must commit to ourselves fully, prepare for the best and worst of what that journey offers, bounce back, and overcome adversity. Don't be the source of your own downfalls. Promise yourself that you will buy into all that you have to offer, 100%. Work harder, fight on, and live in your own reality, because more often than not, those who have the strongest reality often win the day.
#Eyesforward
- TP
@travisponton on twitter----follow
Thursday, January 10, 2013
The struggle
This is my outlet. I don't get on here and write fiction. The things you see on here are more often than not based on what I'm dealing with. Writing about it is not just a way to motivate others, but it's kind of my way to talk myself through it as well.
We all have bad days. Every once in a while we go through our own struggles. Sometimes your shot just isn't falling. Albert Pujols goes 100 at bats without a home run, and it makes headlines. Think about that, a great hitter goes a few weeks without one homer and it's all over ESPN. Wow, my problems aren't half that bad. At least this slump of mine isn't on the world stage, right?
I've used this baseball analogy before, and like Pujols, I step back up to the plate and keep swinging. Pujols must trust his skill, the talent he's developed after putting in the work, and he knows he'll hit another home run. This time next week, it'll be old news. Your struggles are the same in that regard. You'll have better days ahead, shots will start falling, all will be well.
Remember, not everything that happens is in your control. Sometimes you work and work, and you are deserving, and someone else, in charge of making a decision, doesn't choose you. We've all been overlooked, we've all been judged and found to be a runner up. Other times, someone else decides they want to let you down.
Reminder to myself, only you can control what kind of day you have. Only you can let someone else affect your mood and your view on your own life. Outside perspectives are important, but consider the source. There are haters everywhere who have no clue about you, what you've been through, or what success is. But only when you know success yourself will you find that these people really bug you if you let them.
How you react to struggle says a lot about your character. It's ok to take offense, taking offense shows you care. Don't take crap from anybody, ANYBODY. I'm a firm believer that only God can judge me, or any of us for that matter. Keep in mind that it's not crap automatically. Some people, including myself, sometimes struggle in filtering the constructive messages from the garbage. Like I said, consider the source. The best feedback, good or bad, comes from individuals who care about you and have earned your respect. Strangers, outsiders, etc. don't fall into that category. There's a difference in those who want you to get better and those who think they can judge.
We learn from our struggles, because we know that one day this same obstacle might present itself again. Tomorrow, you wake up, work harder, and focus on your goals. You can't let a struggle linger and keep you down. If all you can think about is the last shot you missed, you won't make the next one. Be angry at the struggle, be focused on overcoming it, and be ready for what happens next.
Trust yourself that you'll make the right decisions, with doing the right thing in the forefront of your mind first, and working toward accomplishing your goals right behind. Stay confident, because you've faced much greater challenges than this, and you're better now because of it. Live in your own reality, because in your reality, no struggle lasts forever. Bring it on, I'm tougher than that.
twitter: @travisponton
-TP
We all have bad days. Every once in a while we go through our own struggles. Sometimes your shot just isn't falling. Albert Pujols goes 100 at bats without a home run, and it makes headlines. Think about that, a great hitter goes a few weeks without one homer and it's all over ESPN. Wow, my problems aren't half that bad. At least this slump of mine isn't on the world stage, right?
I've used this baseball analogy before, and like Pujols, I step back up to the plate and keep swinging. Pujols must trust his skill, the talent he's developed after putting in the work, and he knows he'll hit another home run. This time next week, it'll be old news. Your struggles are the same in that regard. You'll have better days ahead, shots will start falling, all will be well.
Remember, not everything that happens is in your control. Sometimes you work and work, and you are deserving, and someone else, in charge of making a decision, doesn't choose you. We've all been overlooked, we've all been judged and found to be a runner up. Other times, someone else decides they want to let you down.
Reminder to myself, only you can control what kind of day you have. Only you can let someone else affect your mood and your view on your own life. Outside perspectives are important, but consider the source. There are haters everywhere who have no clue about you, what you've been through, or what success is. But only when you know success yourself will you find that these people really bug you if you let them.
How you react to struggle says a lot about your character. It's ok to take offense, taking offense shows you care. Don't take crap from anybody, ANYBODY. I'm a firm believer that only God can judge me, or any of us for that matter. Keep in mind that it's not crap automatically. Some people, including myself, sometimes struggle in filtering the constructive messages from the garbage. Like I said, consider the source. The best feedback, good or bad, comes from individuals who care about you and have earned your respect. Strangers, outsiders, etc. don't fall into that category. There's a difference in those who want you to get better and those who think they can judge.
We learn from our struggles, because we know that one day this same obstacle might present itself again. Tomorrow, you wake up, work harder, and focus on your goals. You can't let a struggle linger and keep you down. If all you can think about is the last shot you missed, you won't make the next one. Be angry at the struggle, be focused on overcoming it, and be ready for what happens next.
Trust yourself that you'll make the right decisions, with doing the right thing in the forefront of your mind first, and working toward accomplishing your goals right behind. Stay confident, because you've faced much greater challenges than this, and you're better now because of it. Live in your own reality, because in your reality, no struggle lasts forever. Bring it on, I'm tougher than that.
twitter: @travisponton
-TP
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
2013, the action movie that will be your life
New Years may be my favorite holiday.
I avoid the cliches as much as possible, but the whole concept that we have a chance to make resolutions, start fresh, renew, refresh, and refocus is a great thing. I'm a believer. It's a magical thing.
My 2012 was probably like yours in the sense that it had its ups and downs. I made decisions, learned, won, lost, enjoyed life, fought through adversity, and worked hard. I started some great new relationships with all sorts of people, while always remembering the people I'll never see again. I won an Emmy Award, and for my troubles I was set free and future endeavored instead of getting the opportunity and promotion I deserved.
But you know what, I'm in a better place than I was in a year ago, and I'm very blessed. 2012: Mission Accomplished.
You don't read this to hear my life's history, so let's just get down to my broad, bold resolution for 2013, one that holds true for anyone to take and apply to their own struggles and daily grind.
It's simple, in 2013, stop talking about it and go get it. Be greater everyday, and be prepared for the opportunities that hard work will get you.
So many of us deserve better. Better _________, you fill that in yourself, based on where you are in your life right now. In 2013, realize that you deserve more. Stop wasting time and effort, when you know there's nothing ahead but a dead end.
It's scary, if you think about it, how much you wasted in 2012. How much money did you spend that you could've saved? How much time did you waste when you could have been productive? How much effort did you waste trying to keep a sinking ship afloat?
We live and learn, and we're better for it. In 2013, waste less, and invest more into yourself. Wake up every morning with a plan to be great, a plan to be the best at whatever it is you do. Opportunities lie ahead, if you seek them. Not everything is in your realm of control, but your effort and preparation is.
Celebrating New Year's Eve last night in DC with so many great friends and brothers really put a lot into perspective. Carrying this momentum forward is the key. New Year's is perhaps the most wonderful time of the year. The process is the same in 2013. You succeed because you're great, you're great because you work the hardest. Focus your energy, waste less, and take what you want. Take action. Live in your own reality. You deserve more in this year.
In the words of a great spokesman, "Stay thirsty my friends." Cheers to 2013.
TP
I avoid the cliches as much as possible, but the whole concept that we have a chance to make resolutions, start fresh, renew, refresh, and refocus is a great thing. I'm a believer. It's a magical thing.
My 2012 was probably like yours in the sense that it had its ups and downs. I made decisions, learned, won, lost, enjoyed life, fought through adversity, and worked hard. I started some great new relationships with all sorts of people, while always remembering the people I'll never see again. I won an Emmy Award, and for my troubles I was set free and future endeavored instead of getting the opportunity and promotion I deserved.
But you know what, I'm in a better place than I was in a year ago, and I'm very blessed. 2012: Mission Accomplished.
You don't read this to hear my life's history, so let's just get down to my broad, bold resolution for 2013, one that holds true for anyone to take and apply to their own struggles and daily grind.
It's simple, in 2013, stop talking about it and go get it. Be greater everyday, and be prepared for the opportunities that hard work will get you.
So many of us deserve better. Better _________, you fill that in yourself, based on where you are in your life right now. In 2013, realize that you deserve more. Stop wasting time and effort, when you know there's nothing ahead but a dead end.
It's scary, if you think about it, how much you wasted in 2012. How much money did you spend that you could've saved? How much time did you waste when you could have been productive? How much effort did you waste trying to keep a sinking ship afloat?
We live and learn, and we're better for it. In 2013, waste less, and invest more into yourself. Wake up every morning with a plan to be great, a plan to be the best at whatever it is you do. Opportunities lie ahead, if you seek them. Not everything is in your realm of control, but your effort and preparation is.
Celebrating New Year's Eve last night in DC with so many great friends and brothers really put a lot into perspective. Carrying this momentum forward is the key. New Year's is perhaps the most wonderful time of the year. The process is the same in 2013. You succeed because you're great, you're great because you work the hardest. Focus your energy, waste less, and take what you want. Take action. Live in your own reality. You deserve more in this year.
In the words of a great spokesman, "Stay thirsty my friends." Cheers to 2013.
TP
Monday, December 24, 2012
Remember where you were last year?
It's Christmas Eve again, in case you didn't already know.
First and foremost, I personally believe I'm very blessed to be able to celebrate another year of the anniversary of the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This blog isn't about my personal beliefs, but I'd feel remiss if I failed to mention that.
A second thing I can't overlook is the loss of a grandmother on Christmas Day 3 years ago. It's a special day for that reason as well, to be able to remember someone who loved the holiday season as much as Margaret Comstock. I was proud to be able to have her at some of my home games my freshman year of college, even as she was living in a center and fighting Alzheimer's in North Carolina. To be honest, going to school in NC as a freshman was to be closer to her and my aunt. There are a lot of memories for me there.
But this post is about more than that. It's hard to believe it's been a year since Christmas Eve, 2011. It was a weekend, and I was at work at CBS 6 News for another holiday, as was the custom. I don't ever complain though, it's part of being young and growing into your roll over the years. A year ago though, I ended up breaking one of the bigger stories of the year in the Richmond market and the Mid-Atlantic Region, a story that led a newscast that went on to win an Emmy Award. Lots of people had more than one hand on covering that huge, breaking story that night, but for me, it's an honor to have won that award, a true testament to teamwork, quality, and hard work paying off. You never know when opportunities are going to come, and you have to be ready for them when they pop up. No one expects something like that (double homicide followed by a kidnapping and Amber Alert in the heart of Richmond) to happen, especially not on a slow news holiday. But it did. And I had to react.
I can't even remember how many hours I worked that day, but I'd go back and do it again. That's what being a member of a team is all about. When your number is called, you have to be ready to step up, and deliver. Yeah, this is me once again creating a real life analogy with basketball, but it's once again true. Lessons you learn on the basketball court will serve you for the rest of your life. I'm thankful for that, and for those coaches and teammates who taught them to me.
So that's where I was last Christmas Eve. Eventually I got to spend the rest of the night the way I had originally planned, before returning to work at 6am on Christmas Day (a Sunday last year). Trust me after a long 12 hour shift, I was more than excited to get home and share presents and time with my parents and brother. But I wouldn't trade that experience, and the success that followed, so I will always remember Christmas Eve 2011.
Christmas Eve 2012 was far less eventful. I went to the gym for a couple hours, worked on scouting reports for the teams in the Clover Hill High School Holiday Tournament our team is playing in starting on Wednesday, and now I'm enjoying one of my favorite holiday traditions, Bad Santa on Comedy Central (gotta love Billy Bob Thornton). My work today won't lead to an Emmy Award, but hopefully it adds up to a win or two this week for our ladies.
Think back to where you were this time last year. Are you in a better place now? I hope so. I know I am. Or are you doing the exact same thing? Maybe that's a good thing, or maybe it's a wake up call. Holidays can be a benchmark for comparison in our lives. They give us a time to reflect on where we've been, and where we're going. We all have our memories associated with different holidays, and some are good, others are bad. But man am I thankful to have every single one of them!
The best gift you can give yourself this Christmas is confidence that when next Christmas comes around, if you are still here on this Earth, you can control where you end up, and that future is bright if you make it so. Never take for granted a holiday, or any day for that matter.
Move forward with one mindset, that 2013 is going to be your best year yet! As 2012 winds down,. reflect on the good and the bad, the ups and downs, and celebrate all that's yet to come. Live in your own reality, and stay ready for your opportunities when you make them, or even when they pop up out of nowhere.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
TP
First and foremost, I personally believe I'm very blessed to be able to celebrate another year of the anniversary of the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This blog isn't about my personal beliefs, but I'd feel remiss if I failed to mention that.
A second thing I can't overlook is the loss of a grandmother on Christmas Day 3 years ago. It's a special day for that reason as well, to be able to remember someone who loved the holiday season as much as Margaret Comstock. I was proud to be able to have her at some of my home games my freshman year of college, even as she was living in a center and fighting Alzheimer's in North Carolina. To be honest, going to school in NC as a freshman was to be closer to her and my aunt. There are a lot of memories for me there.
But this post is about more than that. It's hard to believe it's been a year since Christmas Eve, 2011. It was a weekend, and I was at work at CBS 6 News for another holiday, as was the custom. I don't ever complain though, it's part of being young and growing into your roll over the years. A year ago though, I ended up breaking one of the bigger stories of the year in the Richmond market and the Mid-Atlantic Region, a story that led a newscast that went on to win an Emmy Award. Lots of people had more than one hand on covering that huge, breaking story that night, but for me, it's an honor to have won that award, a true testament to teamwork, quality, and hard work paying off. You never know when opportunities are going to come, and you have to be ready for them when they pop up. No one expects something like that (double homicide followed by a kidnapping and Amber Alert in the heart of Richmond) to happen, especially not on a slow news holiday. But it did. And I had to react.
I can't even remember how many hours I worked that day, but I'd go back and do it again. That's what being a member of a team is all about. When your number is called, you have to be ready to step up, and deliver. Yeah, this is me once again creating a real life analogy with basketball, but it's once again true. Lessons you learn on the basketball court will serve you for the rest of your life. I'm thankful for that, and for those coaches and teammates who taught them to me.
So that's where I was last Christmas Eve. Eventually I got to spend the rest of the night the way I had originally planned, before returning to work at 6am on Christmas Day (a Sunday last year). Trust me after a long 12 hour shift, I was more than excited to get home and share presents and time with my parents and brother. But I wouldn't trade that experience, and the success that followed, so I will always remember Christmas Eve 2011.
Christmas Eve 2012 was far less eventful. I went to the gym for a couple hours, worked on scouting reports for the teams in the Clover Hill High School Holiday Tournament our team is playing in starting on Wednesday, and now I'm enjoying one of my favorite holiday traditions, Bad Santa on Comedy Central (gotta love Billy Bob Thornton). My work today won't lead to an Emmy Award, but hopefully it adds up to a win or two this week for our ladies.
Think back to where you were this time last year. Are you in a better place now? I hope so. I know I am. Or are you doing the exact same thing? Maybe that's a good thing, or maybe it's a wake up call. Holidays can be a benchmark for comparison in our lives. They give us a time to reflect on where we've been, and where we're going. We all have our memories associated with different holidays, and some are good, others are bad. But man am I thankful to have every single one of them!
The best gift you can give yourself this Christmas is confidence that when next Christmas comes around, if you are still here on this Earth, you can control where you end up, and that future is bright if you make it so. Never take for granted a holiday, or any day for that matter.
Move forward with one mindset, that 2013 is going to be your best year yet! As 2012 winds down,. reflect on the good and the bad, the ups and downs, and celebrate all that's yet to come. Live in your own reality, and stay ready for your opportunities when you make them, or even when they pop up out of nowhere.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
TP
Monday, December 17, 2012
These are my people
I'm about 24 hours late on this post, but bare with me, I have a million things going on. Such is life on the grind.
I can't even begin to describe how important my friends and brothers are to me. This past weekend I was in Northern Virginia for a bit, and I got to see so many people that I haven't seen in months and even years, and every time I get the privilege to do something like this, it puts a lot into perspective for me. This post is inspired by those people, because they continue to inspire me.
Life is about making memories. Life is about setting goals and working hard. Life is about the relationships we build. Life is about wins and losses.
One thing I'll always be proud to say is that I am a brother of The Delta Chi fraternity. Becoming a member of such an elite group of scholars, athletes, and gentlemen is second to none for me. I credit so many wonderful memories and successes to my decision to accept the challenge to join that brotherhood, so getting to catch up with brothers I haven't seen in months or even years is a good thing. Sure, it reminds you of the good times, but also of the standards you pledged to uphold when you joined. We all set high standards for ourselves, and the higher you set them, the harder it is to uphold them. It takes these important people in our lives to get us up for the challenge.
When I say life is about losses, that's another truth. I've always owned my losses, and have suffered my own share of losses, something I've always been open about. Like most people, I've lose family, but it's the losses of friends, former teammates, and brothers that really motivate me to be better than my best everyday.
With this tragic shooting in Connecticut, something we talked about as a team in practice is that 20 young children were lost before they had the chance to reach their academic and athletic potential. 20 elementary schoolers will never have the chance to play basketball ever again, or any sport ever again. They'll never have a chance to accomplish their full potential. So how can we fall short with the opportunities we are blessed with today? I know it's been said a million times, but for some of us, we have to learn how to put a positive spin on all of life's dark days and share that light with others.
Realizing that you, or the ones you love, will some day leave this Earth should make you value your own time and the time you share with others. On my trip this weekend, I got to see over a dozen brothers and friends that I don't get to see enough, and may not ever see again, at least not soon. It's true. And so I'm thankful for the opportunity. I'm thankful for all of those amazing people in my life, and I'm thankful that if I wake up tomorrow with the chance to be great, I will work hard for it .
Enjoy the time you spend with your friends and family today, not just because it's the holiday season, and not just because of the tragedy in Connecticut. Enjoy it because you should always enjoy it. Change is on the way, that is a certainty. Never miss the chance to let someone know you appreciate them, that they are important to you, and that hearing from them means a lot to you. It's a simple rule we should all follow.
Thanks for the good times, and the bad times. Thanks for the memories. Thanks for the opportunity. Thanks for being my people, and letting me be one of yours.
Live in your own reality, today is your time to shine.
@travisponton
I can't even begin to describe how important my friends and brothers are to me. This past weekend I was in Northern Virginia for a bit, and I got to see so many people that I haven't seen in months and even years, and every time I get the privilege to do something like this, it puts a lot into perspective for me. This post is inspired by those people, because they continue to inspire me.
Life is about making memories. Life is about setting goals and working hard. Life is about the relationships we build. Life is about wins and losses.
One thing I'll always be proud to say is that I am a brother of The Delta Chi fraternity. Becoming a member of such an elite group of scholars, athletes, and gentlemen is second to none for me. I credit so many wonderful memories and successes to my decision to accept the challenge to join that brotherhood, so getting to catch up with brothers I haven't seen in months or even years is a good thing. Sure, it reminds you of the good times, but also of the standards you pledged to uphold when you joined. We all set high standards for ourselves, and the higher you set them, the harder it is to uphold them. It takes these important people in our lives to get us up for the challenge.
When I say life is about losses, that's another truth. I've always owned my losses, and have suffered my own share of losses, something I've always been open about. Like most people, I've lose family, but it's the losses of friends, former teammates, and brothers that really motivate me to be better than my best everyday.
With this tragic shooting in Connecticut, something we talked about as a team in practice is that 20 young children were lost before they had the chance to reach their academic and athletic potential. 20 elementary schoolers will never have the chance to play basketball ever again, or any sport ever again. They'll never have a chance to accomplish their full potential. So how can we fall short with the opportunities we are blessed with today? I know it's been said a million times, but for some of us, we have to learn how to put a positive spin on all of life's dark days and share that light with others.
Realizing that you, or the ones you love, will some day leave this Earth should make you value your own time and the time you share with others. On my trip this weekend, I got to see over a dozen brothers and friends that I don't get to see enough, and may not ever see again, at least not soon. It's true. And so I'm thankful for the opportunity. I'm thankful for all of those amazing people in my life, and I'm thankful that if I wake up tomorrow with the chance to be great, I will work hard for it .
Enjoy the time you spend with your friends and family today, not just because it's the holiday season, and not just because of the tragedy in Connecticut. Enjoy it because you should always enjoy it. Change is on the way, that is a certainty. Never miss the chance to let someone know you appreciate them, that they are important to you, and that hearing from them means a lot to you. It's a simple rule we should all follow.
Thanks for the good times, and the bad times. Thanks for the memories. Thanks for the opportunity. Thanks for being my people, and letting me be one of yours.
Live in your own reality, today is your time to shine.
@travisponton
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