Since arriving at our vacation home on China’s Hainan Island
a week ago – I’ve been undergoing a few changes that may be
for the better.
For example, on most evenings I am in bed by 7 or 8 PM. Now that is
very odd for this Fure-cat. Even stranger, I find myself being
awakened at 3 a.m. When I arise I look at the clock, tell myself
it is too early to be up, then grab my notepad, a book, my laptop,
and various other working tools – and I start my day.
Let me be clear – this is NEW. Typically I am late to bed and I’ll arise
when I damn well please. It may be early, it may be late – se depende.
But now, for whatever reason, I almost feel like I am being pulled into
a new state of being, involuntarily – which is also not me because I believe everything we do is by choice. And YES, I am choosing to do what I do – but
it doesn’t feel like I’m choosing it. Odd indeed.
What I can tell you thus far is this change appears to be making me more
focused and more productive. I will keep you posted.
A confession: Despite the fact that many people view me as mega productive,
as a real get-things-done type of guy – I live with a tremendous and often
times overwhelming desire to accomplish more – and there is no turning it
off. The only thing I can do is somehow try to live up to the potential I
believe I have – and honestly, thus far I don’t believe I’ve done too doggone
good a job.
Yes, I’m proud of my accomplishments. I’m proud to know that hundreds of
thousands of people from all over the world follow my fitness programs and
hang on my every word. I’m also proud to have played a positive role in
the lives of so many who are now creating splendiferous lives for themselves.
Yet, at the same time, I feel I am called to do MORE – and I must never
rest on previous laurels, become complacent, think I have everything
down – and so on.
Coming to China a couple times each year is – in and of itself, somewhat
of a transformational experience. I am surrounded by a completely
different culture, with completely different thoughts, ideas and ways
of expressing oneself. At times I am utterly frustrated – yet most of
the time I am having a wonderful time.
Today, when I was working out in the park amidst a gathering of
many other men and women who were also exercising, I fell into
a gymnastic bridge from the standing position. I then proceeded to
knock off several reverse pushups – then I stood back up without a
hitch. To see a young female gymnast do this would be one thing,
but to see this big, bulky bald-headed monster looking white boy do
this – well, that is something else.
Upon arising several people cheered, gave me the thumbs up – then
an older lady asked, ‘Ni duoshao sui?’ – How old are you.
‘Wo mei you sui.’ – I don’t have an age.
‘Ni duo da?’ someone else repeated, asking the same question a
different way.
‘Wo meiyou duo da,’ I repeated. I have no age.
Everyone was laughing. Some thought I didn’t understand the question.
Others could tell I did and were surprised at the clever answer.
Then a lady came to me to translate, to speak slower and more clearly.
I gave her the same answer, letting her know I understood their meaning
very well.
Not to be deterred another old lady asked my age. To her I said, ‘I don’t
have an age. I don’t even exist. I’m not even here right now.’
This line won the day and virtually everyone in the park was smiling and
laughing at the gui lou – foreign devil.
20 minutes later I was asked once again and I said the following which I
think most people worldwide can learn from:
‘If you think too much about your age – you limit yourself in what you
can do, be or have. Never think age. Simply think, ‘Do I want it?’ If you
think in terms of your wants and forget about your age, you can make
your life far better than it is.’
Tis true. Many “kids” in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60′ and so on are running
around today saying they’re too old. No – they’re not – but their thinking is.
Delete that crappy thinking from your mind, my friend.
Live life straight up, with gusto. Exceed yourself. Never rest on your
laurels. Most importantly, never retire from life. Get up early and DO
something with yourself. Make yourself proud. Then forget about being
satisfied and get involved to do more – and more – and more.
That’s what makes life grand. That’s what’ll make YOU great.
Kick butt – take names,
author of the Int’l best-sellers Combat Conditioning, Combat Abs
and a number of other life-transforming programs that you can
discover by going to http://www.mattfurey.com/products.html