Happy weekend!
One of the things I have observed in my marriage is that when both my wife and I are in a situation where our kids are driving us crazy, it creates great opportunity for bonding and growth as a couple.
Some times, I come home from work, and I can tell that she is tired of making decisions with the kids, making food for them, answer their hundreds of questions per minute. And even when I just came back from a long drive home, I choose to help her by releasing her from her present responsibilities. I can take the kids out for a walk, ask her to go upstairs for awhile, or just team up with her to help with the kids' night routine. At other times, after spending hours on a Saturday with the kids, whenever she feels that I am having a short fuse with my kids (as I am not used to spending long, consecutive hours with them on any given day as she does), she takes the kids out of my hands or makes me do something outside of the house to change the scenery.
The point is that even when both would like to just step out of our role as a parent on those stressful moments (2 wrongs), we work together by helping the other person that is feeling the heaviest burden (1 makes it right for the other).
What a great feeling to know that you can count on that friend, that lives with you and loves you, and that can rescue you when your mind is clouded with frustration, high blood pressure, anxiety or just plain exhaustion!
Men, be mindful of opportunities to serve your partner everyday. It pays off greatly!
Have a great weekend my friends!
PEACE!
AL
9.10.2011
9.07.2011
2 SEE is 2 BELIEVE
Hi:
I am back. If you are reading this, WELCOME BACK! Or you can welcome me back, for that matter!
I often need to see to believe. And I think that is how most of us lead our lives. I think that the culture we live in almost forces us to see in order to believe. This assumption is highly supported by commercials promising that the results of a product need no further selling techniques than showing before and after photos.
Ex:
You get the idea.
And then we look at ourselves in the mirror, we look at our relationships, kids, front lawn, checking account, spiritual lives... and no blinking of eyes will ever make it as simple as it looks on TV.
There is an ACTION required in order for something to happen. In order for water to turn to ice, it needs to be subjected to very low temperatures. To turn it to gas, the opposite has to happen. But the common denominator is that some REACTION has to take place, and a REACTION cannot happen without an ACTION taking place.
BELIEVE and you will SEE. ACT, and a REACTION will take place.
Many things have changed in my live (almost all aspects of it, if I can be frank with you!) But it has taken me about 4 years to be where I am now, and I am looking forward to what is next. I have had some stagnant moments, uphill battles and downhill great moments. But I am now exactly where I want to be. And so help me God, I hope I am also exactly where God wants me to be.
These are some suggetions to turn BELIEVING (action) to SEEING (reaction)
Arm yourself with good friends that will encourage you and support you. Find a person that is in good physical shape and follow him. Get yourself in a men's group at a church. Get involved with your neighbors to build community around you. Do random acts of love for your wife or partner to spark your relationship back in gear. Go pick up your kids at School and take them out for some ice-cream. Take some classes at a community college or park district near you to explore something you have never done before. Use your driving time to work and back to listen to books on tape on a topic of personal development that you want to work on. Pray, listen and act.
Trust me, most of this suggestions, I will consider myself to put in practice in the near future. Sometimes I trap myself suggesting things that I find myself not doing, and then I feel that my brain is just calling attention to it to get me to work on them.
What are some things that you guys have done recently that are causing a REACTION in your life or someone else's life?
Peace and have an awesome day!
AL
I am back. If you are reading this, WELCOME BACK! Or you can welcome me back, for that matter!
I often need to see to believe. And I think that is how most of us lead our lives. I think that the culture we live in almost forces us to see in order to believe. This assumption is highly supported by commercials promising that the results of a product need no further selling techniques than showing before and after photos.
Ex:
- This is her before (250lbs) and look at her Today! (125lbs)
- Look at this carpet full of soil and then...BAM! Clean in matters of seconds
- Look at this Chia Pet head, bold as Kojak. And before you know it....Wow!!! Green grass is all over that head!
You get the idea.
And then we look at ourselves in the mirror, we look at our relationships, kids, front lawn, checking account, spiritual lives... and no blinking of eyes will ever make it as simple as it looks on TV.
There is an ACTION required in order for something to happen. In order for water to turn to ice, it needs to be subjected to very low temperatures. To turn it to gas, the opposite has to happen. But the common denominator is that some REACTION has to take place, and a REACTION cannot happen without an ACTION taking place.
BELIEVE and you will SEE. ACT, and a REACTION will take place.
Many things have changed in my live (almost all aspects of it, if I can be frank with you!) But it has taken me about 4 years to be where I am now, and I am looking forward to what is next. I have had some stagnant moments, uphill battles and downhill great moments. But I am now exactly where I want to be. And so help me God, I hope I am also exactly where God wants me to be.
These are some suggetions to turn BELIEVING (action) to SEEING (reaction)
Arm yourself with good friends that will encourage you and support you. Find a person that is in good physical shape and follow him. Get yourself in a men's group at a church. Get involved with your neighbors to build community around you. Do random acts of love for your wife or partner to spark your relationship back in gear. Go pick up your kids at School and take them out for some ice-cream. Take some classes at a community college or park district near you to explore something you have never done before. Use your driving time to work and back to listen to books on tape on a topic of personal development that you want to work on. Pray, listen and act.
Trust me, most of this suggestions, I will consider myself to put in practice in the near future. Sometimes I trap myself suggesting things that I find myself not doing, and then I feel that my brain is just calling attention to it to get me to work on them.
What are some things that you guys have done recently that are causing a REACTION in your life or someone else's life?
Peace and have an awesome day!
AL
9.01.2011
2 LEAD IS 2 LEARN
Hi folks:
Remember that rant about MEDIOCRITY from a previous blog? Let me give you a practical tool that you can use today or tomorrow to start walking away from slumber...LEARN!
I am not assuming that you are not learning, or that you are not educated, or that you are incapable of getting things done with what you already know. But I am suggesting that one of the ways to start to create an environment where you can lead, be a leader, lead your family, your friends, your co-workers, and others is to get your hand on stuff to learn. Pick up a few books, audio books, magazines on a topic or genre that you really enjoy or feel you want to improve on and read....listen... and fill your mind. Just do it!
In this stage of my life, I am starting to have the desire to find out if what I am doing for a living is what I want to spend the rest of my working life doing. So, I took Dave Ramsey's advice and started to read some books on the topic of how to maximize your full potential in your present job, or go do something that you might be better at.
If your present interest is to work on your health, get some material on it. An educated mind will act upon 'that' which the mind is being feed with. If it is to work on your finances, get cracking! There is plenty of material out there for you. If you feel like you need to tap into God's plan, don't wait to have your life all in a straight line, just dive on to the amazing sources that are available to expand your mind and see what God really has for your life. Marriage and parenting are a hassle??? Go to the library and you can swim on a sea of materials on these subjects.
Look in the mirror and ask...What is it that I could presently identify is Mediocre in my life? Pick up some learning material on the subject, get mad, get angry, and knock it out of the park!
That is an order! Do it NOW! :) xoxo
Have a great day tomorrow!
Angel
Remember that rant about MEDIOCRITY from a previous blog? Let me give you a practical tool that you can use today or tomorrow to start walking away from slumber...LEARN!
I am not assuming that you are not learning, or that you are not educated, or that you are incapable of getting things done with what you already know. But I am suggesting that one of the ways to start to create an environment where you can lead, be a leader, lead your family, your friends, your co-workers, and others is to get your hand on stuff to learn. Pick up a few books, audio books, magazines on a topic or genre that you really enjoy or feel you want to improve on and read....listen... and fill your mind. Just do it!
In this stage of my life, I am starting to have the desire to find out if what I am doing for a living is what I want to spend the rest of my working life doing. So, I took Dave Ramsey's advice and started to read some books on the topic of how to maximize your full potential in your present job, or go do something that you might be better at.
If your present interest is to work on your health, get some material on it. An educated mind will act upon 'that' which the mind is being feed with. If it is to work on your finances, get cracking! There is plenty of material out there for you. If you feel like you need to tap into God's plan, don't wait to have your life all in a straight line, just dive on to the amazing sources that are available to expand your mind and see what God really has for your life. Marriage and parenting are a hassle??? Go to the library and you can swim on a sea of materials on these subjects.
Look in the mirror and ask...What is it that I could presently identify is Mediocre in my life? Pick up some learning material on the subject, get mad, get angry, and knock it out of the park!
That is an order! Do it NOW! :) xoxo
Have a great day tomorrow!
Angel
8.31.2011
DO YOUR BEST AND FORGET ABOUT THE REST
The title says it all.
Have a great day tomorrow, my friends!
Angel
Have a great day tomorrow, my friends!
Angel
8.30.2011
2 KILL A MEDIOCKINBIRD!
I have yet to read the book To Kill a Mockingbird.
sidebar =>To be honest with you, I don't even know what the book is about. It may just be a How-To kind of book that teaches the average Joe to terminate the innocent life of a bird known as mockingbird. Maybe these birds have it coming, as their name suggest that they are natural born bullies and mockers (pun intended).
But today, I just want to give you a little sample of what is on my mind... I want a How-To book that will teach me any kind of way to kill, slice, stab or dice in tiny pieces that pretty little thing called MEDIOCRITY!
For far too long (30 years to be exact) I have felt that mediocrity has been having a big role in my life and I think I am beginning to understand why that is. These past 3 years have been eye opening for me. I have been noticing that many of the ways in which I have been living my life, have been derived or been driven by mediocre decisions, actions, beliefs and thoughts. From the way I treated friends, to the way I have taken my wife for granted. From the way I limit my involvement with my kids to the way I dishonor my own parents. And at that pace, I sure will not be complaining to my kids, if in their adult life, they choose to dishonor me as well.
The topic of mediocrity is too broad to discuss in a blog, but I can assure you, it is all over and around, with more surrounding efficiency than a BOSE Sound System. Look at your kids and check to see how they behave, act, respond to commands, treat others, use their manners, behave at school, behave in public, and so on. They are a good measuring stick for us to determine which way we are heading and how mediocre our lives can be, as many times, they are a reflection of how we conduct our lives. On the other hand, they can be the ones we can look up to, to kick mediocrity right in the grapes. For example, they can go out to the street and make friends with almost any kid that passes by, while you may not know the name of the neighbor 3 doors down. Ask them, at any given point in time during the day to do 20 jumping jacks, and they take off running to do something more body intense, right after they are done with the 20 JJ's. I get tired just trying to coordinate my legs and arms to get in the right sequence: arms up, legs closed, legs open, arms... "wait, is that a doughnut hole?"
Take this, not as an insult, but something to consider. What is one thing you can do (just one thing) to kill some mediocrity's nuggets tomorrow?
start that work out you are putting off * meet a new neighbor * use kind words around the house all day * greet your wife and kids as if you have not seen them for weeks * stop randomly to tell your wife that you love her (or just text her while at work) * call your Mom and/or Dad and thank them for something they did for you lately * get to church this weekend to show your kids the value of a good wholesome spiritual life * make it a priority to eat at the dinner table as a family * have a date with your kids (individually).
What other simple suggestions do you have that you would like to share?
Killing a mockingbird can't be that hard. Killing Mediocrity, might be even easier.
Have a great one!
AL
sidebar =>To be honest with you, I don't even know what the book is about. It may just be a How-To kind of book that teaches the average Joe to terminate the innocent life of a bird known as mockingbird. Maybe these birds have it coming, as their name suggest that they are natural born bullies and mockers (pun intended).
But today, I just want to give you a little sample of what is on my mind... I want a How-To book that will teach me any kind of way to kill, slice, stab or dice in tiny pieces that pretty little thing called MEDIOCRITY!
For far too long (30 years to be exact) I have felt that mediocrity has been having a big role in my life and I think I am beginning to understand why that is. These past 3 years have been eye opening for me. I have been noticing that many of the ways in which I have been living my life, have been derived or been driven by mediocre decisions, actions, beliefs and thoughts. From the way I treated friends, to the way I have taken my wife for granted. From the way I limit my involvement with my kids to the way I dishonor my own parents. And at that pace, I sure will not be complaining to my kids, if in their adult life, they choose to dishonor me as well.
The topic of mediocrity is too broad to discuss in a blog, but I can assure you, it is all over and around, with more surrounding efficiency than a BOSE Sound System. Look at your kids and check to see how they behave, act, respond to commands, treat others, use their manners, behave at school, behave in public, and so on. They are a good measuring stick for us to determine which way we are heading and how mediocre our lives can be, as many times, they are a reflection of how we conduct our lives. On the other hand, they can be the ones we can look up to, to kick mediocrity right in the grapes. For example, they can go out to the street and make friends with almost any kid that passes by, while you may not know the name of the neighbor 3 doors down. Ask them, at any given point in time during the day to do 20 jumping jacks, and they take off running to do something more body intense, right after they are done with the 20 JJ's. I get tired just trying to coordinate my legs and arms to get in the right sequence: arms up, legs closed, legs open, arms... "wait, is that a doughnut hole?"
Take this, not as an insult, but something to consider. What is one thing you can do (just one thing) to kill some mediocrity's nuggets tomorrow?
start that work out you are putting off * meet a new neighbor * use kind words around the house all day * greet your wife and kids as if you have not seen them for weeks * stop randomly to tell your wife that you love her (or just text her while at work) * call your Mom and/or Dad and thank them for something they did for you lately * get to church this weekend to show your kids the value of a good wholesome spiritual life * make it a priority to eat at the dinner table as a family * have a date with your kids (individually).
What other simple suggestions do you have that you would like to share?
Killing a mockingbird can't be that hard. Killing Mediocrity, might be even easier.
Have a great one!
AL
8.29.2011
PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER....FOR "THE LOVE DARE"
Hello Fellas:
I spent my day walking on clouds today, specially at work, as I got dressed in a nice High Class office outfit (black pants, blue button down long sleeve shirt, nice new black Kenneth Cole belt, and shiny black shoes) with the intention of starting a new Monday in a good mood, and ready to rule the world. Usually, I come to work on a striped polo shirt, short cargo pants and snickers. But something about this week, and a new feeling that I have to come to work with a winning attitude, forced me to dress to impress.
Things went well. My boss accepted a new idea I proposed, to make an aspect of our daily routines more productive and effective (it never happens as he is set in his ways to manage the office and loves to see people fail so he can scream on their faces) and my clients were happy with today's fires that I managed to help them put out.
I even shared half of my lunch with a fellow co-worker, as he looked like he needed some Wheaties for lunch.
And to top it all, I was eager to get home to spend some quality time with the family so I can eventually make it to this ipc (information power center) or blog.
Ten minutes into our dinner table discussion, the love of my life and I got into a verbal dispute over who is going to skip work tomorrow to take care of our sick 2 year old boy.
Can you start to hear the violins right about now?
My cloud turned into a pirate's ship plank! And I was just one step from falling into the icy water of Bummer Sea. I was ready to share with you all about my picture perfect day!
But then, a weight got lifted off my shoulder when I remember a little trick I learned when I did the Love Dare about 2 years ago. I stopped, and gave it some thought. Think, think, think...Angel think!
Ahaaaa! I texted my boss to tell him about the chance of me taking a day off tomorrow, and went over to my love, and asked for forgiveness. She clearly was more upset that I was and more was playing out in her mind than mine. Taking off a day of work would be a lot simpler that her. I just wanted to have a good attendance record at work this week. She was very upset because of all that entails getting a sub to teach for her, getting the kids to go to school in the morning, dealing with a baby sitter that might not want to be around sick kids, the nurturing aspect of having either mom or dad there for her sick son, and more!
Give it up for THE LOVE DARE! Sorry, but I did not pay a whole $10 at Amazon to get that book for nothing. I need all the help I can get.
Have a good night, good friends!
AL
I spent my day walking on clouds today, specially at work, as I got dressed in a nice High Class office outfit (black pants, blue button down long sleeve shirt, nice new black Kenneth Cole belt, and shiny black shoes) with the intention of starting a new Monday in a good mood, and ready to rule the world. Usually, I come to work on a striped polo shirt, short cargo pants and snickers. But something about this week, and a new feeling that I have to come to work with a winning attitude, forced me to dress to impress.
Things went well. My boss accepted a new idea I proposed, to make an aspect of our daily routines more productive and effective (it never happens as he is set in his ways to manage the office and loves to see people fail so he can scream on their faces) and my clients were happy with today's fires that I managed to help them put out.
I even shared half of my lunch with a fellow co-worker, as he looked like he needed some Wheaties for lunch.
And to top it all, I was eager to get home to spend some quality time with the family so I can eventually make it to this ipc (information power center) or blog.
Ten minutes into our dinner table discussion, the love of my life and I got into a verbal dispute over who is going to skip work tomorrow to take care of our sick 2 year old boy.
Can you start to hear the violins right about now?
My cloud turned into a pirate's ship plank! And I was just one step from falling into the icy water of Bummer Sea. I was ready to share with you all about my picture perfect day!
But then, a weight got lifted off my shoulder when I remember a little trick I learned when I did the Love Dare about 2 years ago. I stopped, and gave it some thought. Think, think, think...Angel think!
Ahaaaa! I texted my boss to tell him about the chance of me taking a day off tomorrow, and went over to my love, and asked for forgiveness. She clearly was more upset that I was and more was playing out in her mind than mine. Taking off a day of work would be a lot simpler that her. I just wanted to have a good attendance record at work this week. She was very upset because of all that entails getting a sub to teach for her, getting the kids to go to school in the morning, dealing with a baby sitter that might not want to be around sick kids, the nurturing aspect of having either mom or dad there for her sick son, and more!
Give it up for THE LOVE DARE! Sorry, but I did not pay a whole $10 at Amazon to get that book for nothing. I need all the help I can get.
Have a good night, good friends!
AL
8.28.2011
2 BE LEAD or 2 LEAD
Hi everyone:
My name is Angel Rios. My name on this information power center (ipc) I have created is AL Rios. Al has been my nickname at my house since I was a kid, and only people that know me well use this name. I am using it in a grammatically incorrect format (both letter A and L in Caps), as I don't want people to confuse it with the steak sauce A-1. I think I want to revive the feeling that the name AL produced to my childhood days, and at the same time, use it as a metaphor for what's ahead in my life: the transition from child to man. I am 33 years old, and I am just getting to feel like a grown man, and not a child.
My hopes for this information power center (ipc) will be to share with you what I mean by transitioning from Child to Man, with the hopes that others like me will also share some of their own successes in the arena of fatherhood and husbandhood (I think I just made that word up).
This ipc is for men only, but if your wife, girlfriend or future lady catches you reading or commenting on this ipc (noticing that you are doing this to develop as a future good husband and father) it will be no different that getting caught working out at the GYM, or doing P90X in your basement! More power to you, Sir! Keep impressing the woman/women!
I leave you with this thought:
"I hope you come back to dig deep and reach out, in order to move just one step closer to become the Man you ought to be, and not the Man that our culture tells us we ought to settle for."
So let's get ready 2 LEAD, and 2 not BE LEAD!
Good night and God Bless!
Respectfully,
A.1. Steak Sauce
My name is Angel Rios. My name on this information power center (ipc) I have created is AL Rios. Al has been my nickname at my house since I was a kid, and only people that know me well use this name. I am using it in a grammatically incorrect format (both letter A and L in Caps), as I don't want people to confuse it with the steak sauce A-1. I think I want to revive the feeling that the name AL produced to my childhood days, and at the same time, use it as a metaphor for what's ahead in my life: the transition from child to man. I am 33 years old, and I am just getting to feel like a grown man, and not a child.
My hopes for this information power center (ipc) will be to share with you what I mean by transitioning from Child to Man, with the hopes that others like me will also share some of their own successes in the arena of fatherhood and husbandhood (I think I just made that word up).
This ipc is for men only, but if your wife, girlfriend or future lady catches you reading or commenting on this ipc (noticing that you are doing this to develop as a future good husband and father) it will be no different that getting caught working out at the GYM, or doing P90X in your basement! More power to you, Sir! Keep impressing the woman/women!
I leave you with this thought:
"I hope you come back to dig deep and reach out, in order to move just one step closer to become the Man you ought to be, and not the Man that our culture tells us we ought to settle for."
So let's get ready 2 LEAD, and 2 not BE LEAD!
Good night and God Bless!
Respectfully,
A.1. Steak Sauce
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