Post Post Posted

My writing has never been called "outstanding." At best, my attempts at forging compelling literature amounted to a passing grade in high school English class. It's likely that my works will never gain notoriety. I imagine the most critical scrutiny I will receive in my lifetime is a few well-meaning relatives correcting my spelling and grammar usage. For most people, knowing that their attempts at something can only hope to attain the level of "average" is enough to dissuade them from putting real effort into what they choose to do. Thankfully, I'm immune from such a common disposition. 

My experiences have left me determined to pursue greatness. I've learned early on that the only way to succeed is through ferocious intensity aimed directly at your goal. If I don't give more than 100%, then I will never be more than I am at this moment. That's the very principle behind growth, endurance, advancement, ANYTHING that yields progress. 

This is not a safe principle to live by. Don't allow your imagination to go to the place where this principle becomes an iron-clad mathematical equation for success. Giving more than 100% towards the endeavor of excellence is NEVER a sure thing. There is a very real chance that failure CAN (and does) occur. It is possible to fail even when giving 110%, but I still contend that giving more than you have is the ONLY option that has even the possibility for success. 

You cannot find that which you do not seek. You cannot do that which you do not try. 

Success in giving all is not a guarantee, but failure from giving nothing is a certainty. How do great people break from the chains of mediocrity and soar above the stars to be remembered for all time? They simply refused to give less than 100%. Many of the great people in history experienced failure. Many (most, if not all) average people in history experienced failure as well. The extraordinary fact about great people is that they did not settle for failure. The greatest wouldn't even settle for success!

It never matters what area the battle is in, the victorious warrior is the one that never settles on the previous battle's outcome - win or loss. Perpetual loss is the trophy of those who refuse to fight, refuse to sacrifice, refuse to take risk, refuse to give ALL. Someone who has never experienced loss is someone who's never experienced a challenge. 

So my writing may go through the ringer from family members (thank GOD for spell check). My blog may never make the top 100 list (or thousand, or million...). My blog may not even show up on the google search pages. I'm ok with that. The real victory doesn't come from the accolades or recognition. The REAL victory comes from the endurance and character built up with every battle, with picking myself up after every defeat. True victory occurs when, in every aspect of life, more than 100% of myself is applied. 

In school, excellent is determined by a score of 100% and above. Perfection attained. Unlike school, "average" is determined by anything less than 100% in life. Perfection may be an illusion unattainable for us in this life, but it's a worthy aim and a possibility that will never be attained if no one tries...

Improper Ventilation

Since the early days of Live Journal I have been hesitant to splatter my deepest emotions onto the blank canvas that is blogging. This is largely due to the fact that my closest friends and family would criticize the extent at which I would express my inmost thoughts or feelings. Ever heard the expression "TMI?" Well, that was me. I'm not about to make a post and give out Too Much Information, so please, don't get antsy (or excited, depending on your inclination...); I do, however, like to share from personal experience because I believe my thoughts can have a beneficial impact on other's.

This week's journey has taken its toll on my heart and mind. I'm not entirely sure what happened to drain all of my internal resources so quickly, but it has felt like all of my emotional reserves have evaporated at the flick of some diabolical switch. My brain has been failing to fire, much like an ancient transmission that refuses to turn over. No hope of sparks this week.

You would think that emotional drain would be a simple problem to fix or not even a big deal; just give it time and let the reserves fill back up, but this deficit quickly led to even more problems...

Not only have I felt a tad light in the emotion department, I've  also noticed my overall personality shifted from its once confident, collected, and bold nature to a rather weak-willed cowardice that frustrates and disgusts me. Just a single month ago I felt alive, bursting with energy, fresh thoughts, and exuding confidence only known to savvy politicians. This week, I feel as if aliens abducted me during the night, removed my courageous bone and replaced it with pure, powdered timidity.

What could I do? My brain refused to function so a clear solution couldn't be drummed up. The prospect of being ridiculed caused me to be too afraid to ask my friends for advice. Even crying and eating chocolate didn't yield any solid answers. I would say that the situation appeared bleak, but I was too scared to acknowledge that. 

I did the only thing a person can do in time of real internal crisis, I looked to Scripture. In its life-giving pages I rediscovered a passage that is forever burned onto my heart - 2Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power..."

The solution relieved my emotional lacking and broke through the hovering mental barrier like the first autumn breeze cuts through the scorching summer heat. The only way to battle inward timidity is with external adventure. Force the weakness inside to become strong through a series of events that require boldness and courage. Life is meant to be taken by the horns, the sun rises so the day can be seized once more. I need to embrace the spirit of power that Christ has gifted me with. Allowing fear and cowardice to grow and overcome my thoughts and actions will only lead to less pleasant feelings. 

What have I learned this week? If you're feeling weak, do something that requires you to be strong. If you're feeling cowardly, embark on an adventure that requires courage. When you feel as if retreat is in order so you can regroup, charge forward and attack life head on! 

I found encouragement this week. I won't stop, I won't quit, and I will continue to share, express, and (hopefully) motivate others to do the same.

Carry on!

Stuff I learn.

A treat for you readers today! I take a break from the mullings and musings that characterize my posts and share with you the fruit of some spare-time labors. I've been hard at work crafting some amazing pieces of awesomeness that I think you will enjoy. 

First up, as a HUGE halo fan, I decided to undertake the GINORMOUS project of recreating spartan armor. Being over daunted with that task, I settled to make a weaponized prop instead - my personal favorite weapon from Halo Reach; the Pistol! Below you can see the painstaking detail as the pistol takes shape from its cardstock shell into a fully colored amazing piece!

Cool beans right!? Well, not being satisfied with my mechanized amazingness, I decided to go old school and try my hand at an iconic classic - Link's Shield!

This was, comparably, an intensely easy build. In just a week's time this shield was fully formed and decorated and now adorns my wall! Enjoy the transformation pics and the final display!

This has been the constant filler of my free time (since no girl has taken it upon herself to steal my amazing talents for herself) and you get to enjoy the yielded amazing products from my hobby!

Suggestions for something you'd like to see me make? Offers of some sort of currency in trade for one of my amazing builds? Leave some comments! Love to hear what you think!