Sergeant Tony's Blog

This week I finished watching Season One of the TV show “24.”

Yes, that’s right, season one. From 2002. I’m obviously late to the 24 party.

In addition to the action and the fast paced drama and the cliff hanger endings of 24, you learn something from this show that goes beyond those things.

If you look.

What you learn is that everyone at all times is experiencing life … all at the same time. We know this intellectually, of course, but the dramatic portrayal of that fact makes for a very strong impression. You’re reminded that one moment for one person that is full of joy, is for another, full of pain.

Life in microcosm. Simultaneously. In real time.

Watching 24 you see everyone’s reality. You understand what motivates a person at a given time. You understand that what seems like recklessness, or cruelty, or neglect in a person is in fact, none of those things. By a knowledge of their circumstances, responsibilities, and the demands and expectations placed on their lives at a given instant, we understand them and sympathize with them.

Knowledge gives you understanding. And with knowledge, things are explainable. Things are forgiven.

In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen Covey presented concepts that, at the time of their publishing in 1989, were new and interesting and compelling. They still are.

The 5th Habit, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood,” may be the lesson best illustrated in 24.

On the night that my father died, ten years ago January 22, I had lain next to him earlier that evening. For three hours I just laid next to him … telling him stories. He’d lost his ability to speak, so I told him stories, mostly about the two of us when I was a little boy. Stories that made him smile and stories that at one point caused tears to run from the corners of his eyes …

It was late when I kissed my father on his forehead and left him to go get something to eat and to get some rest. It had been a very long day. An emotionally draining day. I’m sure that you know the kind of day I’m talking about.

But fifteen minutes after I left his side, I got a call to return quickly. My father was slipping away.

I turned around and drove as fast as I could to his home … only to find my family crying … and my father already gone. He was still warm when I held him for the last time, crying on his neck. I was so overcome with grief, I immediately left his house, got into my car … and drove. I had no destination. I just drove.

At some point I found myself at a stop light and hadn’t noticed that the light had changed. I didn’t move. The person behind me impatiently started honking his horn. I was frozen. I hadn’t noticed anything. Didn’t hear anything. I had no memory of even how I’d gotten there. The driver behind me angrily and quickly pulled around me. And as he sped by, the young man in the passenger seat yelled obscenities at me. And then the two of them disappeared into the night.

I was too numb to be angry. I thought, “if they only knew … they’d have been kind and patient with me.” But they didn’t know.

What if we treated everyone with an assumed knowledge of the grief or sadness that they might be bearing? What if we took the lesson of 24 and knew that it’s likely that our fellow man, presently in our way or not moving quickly enough, or not bringing our menu fast enough, or not acting in a way that suits us or makes sense to us, is in the clutches of some unseen sadness or dilemma. Maybe their struggles are consuming their thoughts. Maybe their burdens are so heavy that they’re barely able to go through the motions of their daily responsibilities. Maybe their heart is so broken that it’s robbing them of their vitality, their glow, their joy. Maybe their troubles seem to be erasing any hope in the life they are leading. Maybe they are numb. Maybe they are trying hard just to breathe.

Would we judge them if we knew those things? Would we label them if we knew what had enslaved their minds?

What if there was a good, though unknown to us, explanation for the behavior we don’t like, understand, or approve of? Wouldn’t we be patient and kind? Aren’t we at our best when we are patient and kind to others … especially to those who seem least deserving of those things?

I think we would be long suffering and accepting. I think most of us would be tolerant and forgiving. If we knew.

Today … pretend that you know.

Seek first to understand, and then to be understood.

And I just started Season Two last night! Thanks Lexie!

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SCHEDULE CHANGE - BOGA ANNOUNCEMENT!

The 0530 class will meet every Thursday inside the gym (the one we always use). We’ll do the “Boga Workout.” If you’re new to that workout, it’s a combination of Boot Camp and Yoga! You’ll need your dumbbells and mat.

And until further notice, the Tues/Thurs evening classes are on hiatus. We’ll crank them back up soon … probably in March. Stay tuned!

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LOSE THE WEIGHT — The Body You Want in July Begins With a Strategy in January!

Take Shape For Life — weight loss program!

In a nutshell, Take Shape For Life is an awesome plan! The program calls for you to daily eat 5 Medifast replacement meals and one “lean and green” meal that you prepare or have at a restaurant. It’s simple, easy to do, scientific, takes the guess work out of the process, goof proof, affordable, and it works! And it’s delivered right to your front door! And you’d get ME as your coach!

You can go directly to the Take Shape For Life website and poke around there. Plenty of detailed information. You can also sign up there as well. Go to: www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com . If you’ve got questions, let me know.

I’m really excited about this! The success that those who have started the program has been awesome!

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YOU’RE INVITED

Tomorrow night we’re having a very casual support group meeting of those of us who are in the Take Shape For Life weight loss program. We’re meeting at 7 at Panera Bread next to Fleet Feet Sports across from the church. (In the side room) This will be a fun and encouraging meeting. If you’d like to come and get some information about the program, or if you just want to talk to me or any of the others in the program, you’re welcome to come!

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SNOW DAYS!!

In the event of snow and/or ice, we will follow Memphis City Schools. If MCS shuts down, we will stand down.

If the snow comes while MCS is on a holiday break, check the blog on the USMC Fitness Boot Camp website where I’ll post my decision at 0500 of that day.

Also, if MCS shuts down in the morning and we stand down, but the streets clear and are fine by the afternoon, I’ll post my decision regarding the evening class on the blog by 1600 (4 PM).

If MCS hasn’t made a decision by 0500, I will decide and post that decision on Facebook and on the blog page of the USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP website.

Q: “Tony, what if the Memphis City Schools have a delay in their start (like starting 2 hours late) what will we do?”
A: “We will workout!! We will be rockin’ and rollin’!”

I will also post the announcement to the USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP group on Facebook.

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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! I can communicate snow day decisions through that group too!

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. That’s an ad for prospective Boot Campers! You knuckleheads already know how awesome it is!

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BOOT CAMP SWEATSHIRTS

The black and gray zippered hoodie have arrived! Embroidered BOOT CAMP sweatshirts are the way to show your coolness! Sizes are available in S to XXL!

Get yours ASAP! $35 each or two for $65!

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FLEET FEET IS HIRING!

If you’ve thought that Fleet Feet Sports would be a great place to work, now’s your chance - great pay, excellent benefits, fun co-workers, and the best customers in the world! Drop by the store for more info.

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A JOB SEEKER!

A new friend of mine is looking for a new position after a little time off and a relocation to Memphis from Atlanta.

She has an MS in Organizational Change Management but would like to start as an Administrative Assistant to get back in the flow of office policies and procedures, strategic and performance management etc.

She says, “I’m seeking a Full-Time Administrative Assistant Position, where I can apply my customer service, administrative, multitasking, and communication knowledge, skills, and abilities. I am focusing on companies where I can advance. I am a dedicated and reliable leader with customer service experience in a highly energetic corporate environment. I am an adaptable, achievement oriented person who works terrific in teams and independently.”

Let me know if you have any leads for her!

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Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

To your continued good health and fitness!

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow

USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
Mailing address: 4888 Southern Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Cell Phone: 901-644-0145
www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com
http://www.combatchallenge.tsfl.com/esuite/home/combatchallenge/