Sergeant Tony's Blog

* * * THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2007 * * *

“What kind of complainer are you?”

Ever heard a sermon started like that?

Craig Strickland, pastor at Hope Presbyterian, went on to describe four types of complainers.

1. The Whiner — “It’s not fair.”
2. The Martyr — “No one appreciates me.”
3. The Cynic — “Nothing will ever change.”
4. The Perfectionist — “Is that the best you can do?”

See yourself on that list?

Whiner, martyr, cynic, perfectionist?

You probably think I’m the fourth one, the perfectionist.
(”ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? YOU CALL THAT A PUSH UP? IS THAT THE BEST YOU GOT?”)

Naw, that’s not me!

Thing is, none of those complainers are very attractive.

Whining and complaining are never winsome.

Wanna kill the buzz and end the good times? Start complaining. Most people will head for the exits.

How about patience? Would you call yourself a patient person?

Ever pray for patience?

That’s a dangerous prayer to pray isn’t it? The answer to that one usually goes something like this: God puts you in a place where your patience is tested … repeatedly.

I used to be pretty impatient, much worse than I am now. Even though I didn’t pray for patience, God sent me to Japan for a decade to learn, among other things, to be patient. (btw, I wasn’t in Japan as an active duty Marine. I was a civilian, there of my own choosing.)

Old countries move slow. And Japan is an ancient culture mired in molasses. Our Western reputation of complaining and insisting on doing things quickly strikes the Japanese as immaturity. Nothing happens quickly there and no one complains about it.

I’ve been in business meetings with Japanese executives in downtown Tokyo where the meeting began with no one saying anything … for a long time. Everyone just sitting in a sort of businesslike trance, part contemplation, part reflection, part meditation, part incubation, part hibernation. (All of those “shun” sounding words was pretty clever, eh?) When at last, the person leading the meeting would stand up and say, “Sore dewa …” (”So then …”) give a slight bow, and then sit back down … and then that would be followed by … another 10 minutes or so of people sitting as before.

WHAT?!?!

When I started my life in Japan I almost lost my mind! I wanted things done yesterday! I wanted to yell, “LET’S GET ON WITH IT ALREADY!!”

At the time I didn’t understand that the Japanese value “process” as much as the result or bottom line. In fact, process is usually more important.

Years later, after I’d “gone native”, I sat in a meeting and realized that I was unaware of how much time we’d been sitting and saying nothing. When the man in charge of the meeting stood up and said, “Sore dewa …” I wondered why he was in such a big hurry!

And traffic in Japan is so bad that I once sat in a traffic jam and celebrated two birthdays!

None of the four complainers that Craig mentioned are people who draw others to themselves. Complainers don’t attract, they repel … although they do seem to attract … other complainers. And where two or more complainers are gathered together in the name of complaining, run away!

Don’t get me wrong. In everyone’s life there are hard times and setbacks, difficulties and sad days. Everybody hurts. That’s different. Those are temporary times.

But here’s the real question, “what’s the general tone of your daily conversation?” How would others describe your personality, your conversation and your behavior?

If you’ve got a problem with complaining, admit it (you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge), take responsibility for your own issues, change your attitude, adjust your behavior.

The things in life that you can’t change, relax about it.

Remember the prayer of Reinhold Niebuhr, (or Saint Francis of Assisi if you prefer)
“God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.”

Listen to the things you say. Pay attention to the tone you use. Watch for the reaction that you get. Are people drawn to you?

And while we’re at it, quit complaining about doing push ups!! You don’t REALLY think your whining is going to change my mind, do you?

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HEADS UP FOR FRIDAY NIGHT

No evening class tomorrow. Instead let’s do:

THE INAUGURAL TRUE BLUE 5K AT THE U of M

The first annual True Blue 5K will be at the U of M campus on Friday November 16 at 7 PM. This is a 5K for U of M alumni, students, friends, and all runners! The course will be through the campus with a post-race celebration for all!

If you’d like to come and run with me, I’ll be running at a comfortable 10 minute pace.

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WELCOME WELCOME AND CONGRATULATIONS!

Gary and Mandy Shanks welcomed Parker Wilson Shanks to their family last Wednesday, November 7. Both Gary and Mandy are Boot Campers! (Mandy is the “WHAT-R-YOU-DOIN MANDY??” Mandy!)

God bless you guys!

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HALF MARATHON TRAINING THIS SATURDAY! (Anyone can come and get your one hour of cardio!)

Well, this is it boys and girls!
Our last long run before the ST. Jude Half Marathon on December 1!
This Saturday we’ll be going 2 hours and 30 minutes at Shelby Farms at 8 AM.
Be sure to bring any “fuel” items that you think that you might want to use on race day. Bring your gels, goos, jelly beans, jolly ranchers, beef jerky, slim jims, whatever. (OK the beef jerky and slim jims was a joke. Don’t bring any beef jerky or slim jims.) You don’t want to try something new on race day. So bring any experimental fuels with you on Saturday.

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THANKSGIVING WEEK SCHEDULE

Wednesday, November 21 will be our last workout for Thanksgiving week. Let me invite you to run the Turkey Trot 4 Miler on Thanksgiving morning at 9 AM http://www.s2fevents.com/ This is a great race that benefits the March of Dimes and is the perfect way to start your day of unadulterated Thanksgiving Day gluttony!

No workouts on Friday, November 23.

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CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR THE TROOPS

Joanne Clark informs me that if you’re planning to send packages to the troops, they need to be postmarked by December 4 to ensure delivery by Christmas.

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HOLIDAY CHALLENGE 2007

Welcome to (purely voluntary) HOLLIDAY CHALLENGE 2007!

The average American gains 7 to 10 pounds during the holidays, Thanksgiving to New Year’s! ugh! So I started the Holiday Challenge a number of years ago in an effort to keep that from happening to you guys. (Plus, I needed some cash to buy Christmas presents!)

Here are the details of the challenge:
For $50, you get to step onto my magic scales on Wednesday the 21st. I’ll record your weight. Then I’ll weigh you once a week, and/or check up on you and/or badger you throughout the holidays. On Thursday January 3, 2008, our first day back after our Christmas/New Year’s break, I’ll weigh you again.

If you’ve maintained your weight or lost weight, you’ll get Boot Camp for FREE in March, or a FREE MONTH on your next reenlistment after February. (I starved last February!)

If you lose more than 5 pounds during the holidays, you’ll get March AND April for FREE!!

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AND NOW … TODAY’S REDNECK HAIKU

HAIKU: a form of Japanese verse that consists of three lines. The first line has five syllables, the next line has seven, and the third line has five.

REDNECK: most of our relatives! Identified when they say “Haiku ain’t no poem, it don’t even rhyme.”

“Big Apple hotel
Bell captain sneers at luggage
plastic Wal-Mart bags.”

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I often dismiss the 0530 class on Fridays with this benediction: “Moderation in all things this weekend, except your love for your neighbor.”

Have an awesome day everyone!

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow
USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
4888 Southern Cove
Memphis, TN 38117
901-644-0145

www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com

www.shaklee.net/tonyludlow/main