Sergeant Tony's Blog

This is an a-political newsletter. And USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP is non-sectarian.

You need not worry that I’m ever going to bore you, annoy you, or agree with you by expressing my political views and agendas here, much less in person. Nor will I try to proselytize you and attempt to cajole you into adopting my religio-spiritual-philosophical beliefs.

Everyone is welcome on the Quarterdeck of USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP: Jews, Gentiles, and agnostics … even atheists! (And by looking at your form when you’re doing push ups, I’d say that we have a growing number of Muslims within our ranks.) Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Libertarians, and even people who listen to Rush Limbaugh!

I gave up a long time ago on trying to get everyone to be just like me.

Many of you know that I write a regular column in a children’s magazine, published by our very own Theresa Andreuccetti and her partners, called “Jabberblabber.” The column I write is a Q&A piece called “Ask Sergeant Tony.”

The following is what I wrote this past month:

—–
“Hi Everyone!

If you’ve been reading “Jabberblabber” for a while, then you know that I usually answer questions from y’all. But today, I’m going to ask YOU some questions.

No, this isn’t a test. And the questions aren’t hard. It’s more like a list of stuff to think about.

There’s no right or wrong answer. You’ll see.

So get out a piece of paper and a pen and let’s get started.

Ready? Here goes.

1. What is your favorite smell?

2. Do you like the heat of the summer or the cold of winter best?

3. If you were going on a trip to Jupiter in a spaceship and you could only take one other person with you, who would it be?

4. Which animal would you rather be, a lion, an eagle, a dolphin, or a monkey?

5. If you could have any super power, which one would it be?

6. What is your favorite kind of pet? A dog? A cat? A fish? A hamster? A rabbit?

7. Which one do you like better, being with a group of people or spending time alone?

8. Would you rather spend an hour drawing or reading?

9. Do you like to tell stories to your friends or listen to someone else tell stories?

10. Do you like to do puzzles and brain teasers or would you prefer to make something with your hands?

OK, that’s it!

Now that you’ve answered these 10 questions, go back over each one and answer “why” you chose the answer that you chose.

For example, if you said that you like cats better than dogs, then write down why you think cats are better than dogs.

So you see, there’s no right or wrong answer. There’s just your opinion and your feelings. It’s just your thoughts and what you like. And those are good things!

If your friend answers the same questions, but his answers are different from yours, is he wrong? Are his answers wrong because they’re different from yours? Of course not. They’re just different. And being different isn’t wrong … it’s just … different.

See how silly it would be to mistreat someone because they have a different feeling, idea, or opinion from yours? And wouldn’t it be a dull world if everyone were exactly the same?

So be thankful for your friends who are different. Be thankful for the people in your world who are different. When we mix our differences together, we have a wonderful and interesting world!”
—–

The goal of the column was to get children to see the need, the necessity, of diversity and, if you will, coexisting with one another and maybe even celebrating our differences.

Yes, I know that people can hold views and beliefs very very strongly. I for one have some pretty strong views on some things myself. (I mean, how many times have you had to repeat “MARINE CORPS!!!” because I didn’t like your weak and meager tone?)

But USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP and this newsletter are not forums for anything but celebration and inspiration to strive and pursue the best in us individually, to the profit of us collectively!

——————————————————–

USMC FITNESS BOOT CAMP CLASSES

At Christ Methodist
0530 Monday through Friday
0645 M-W-F
0830 M-W-F
5:45 PM: M-Tu-W-Th, (5:30 PM on Friday). M-W-F are weight days, Tu/Thu are cardio days. THE TUESDAY EVENING CLASS MEETS AT ST. MARY’S TRACK.

At Evergreen Presbyterian
0530 Monday through Friday

—————————————————–

ST. JUDE HALF MARATHON TRAINING ON SATURDAY!

1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles) Training for the December 6, 2008 St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon continues this Saturday at 0800 at Shelby Farms! Meet in front of the Visitor’s Center!

Sergeant Tony’s Half Marathon Training is open to ALL, Boot Campers and “friends” of Boot Camp, alike. The fee is only $75 for active duty Boot Campers, and $100 for friends of Boot Camp.

————————————————

FACEBOOK

Find me on Facebook and make me your friend! (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=629618416)

I’ll make you mine! Then join the USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP Group!

While you’re on Facebook, you might see an ad for USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP pop up. Do NOT click on it! Facebook charges me for every time someone clicks on it. The ad is NOT for you knuckleheads! So don’t click me into the po’ house!

————————————————

“When you stop moving, it’s over.”
~ Don Wildman, 75 year old athlete and adventurer

To your continued good health and fitness!

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow
USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
5358 Denwood
Memphis, TN 38120
901-644-0145

www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com

www.shaklee.net/tonyludlow/main