Stand Up For the Champions

Here are the lyrics by Right Said Fred -

Right Said Fred:

Stand Up(For The Champions)
I was built to be the best
Number one and nothing less
Leave me to my destiny
I have waited patiently
I have vision' oh I believe
I know I can count on me

(chorus)
So stand up for the champions
For the champions stand up
Stand up stand up
For the champions for the champions
Stand up for the champions
For the champions stand up
Stand up stand up
For the champions for the champions
Stand up
Here we go it's getting close
Now it's just who wants it most
It's just life that's how it is
Cause we have ourstrength and weaknesses
Oh I have vision' oh can't you see
I'm on the move make way for me

(chorus)4x

And when I fall down
I have to pick myself back up
So stand up stand up
for the champions
For the champions stand up
Stand up stand up
For the champions for the champions
Stand up

4x

Stand up stand up
For the champions for the champions
Stand up

Meditation and All

I have heard a number or people talk about meditation lately with respect to their experiences and their methods and wanted to take some time to "weigh in" on it in my fashion.

I first learned about meditation about 35 years ago and it was, at that time, a very difficult exercise. Since that time I have found a number of different methods and learned a few techniques that can simplify it for many people. First thing to remember is there is no right or wrong in meditation and you cannot fail.

The basics of any meditation involve relaxing. While I do not believe in any rules, I find that starting with a basic position and routine will aid anyone in their quest for a meditative state. Start by sitting in a relatively comfortable chair (I will leave that relative thing up to you) with your feet flat on the floor and the usual position of your hands will be up to you. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath (in through your nose and out through your mouth). One breathing technique to learn is to expand your stomach instead of raising your shoulders and expanding your chest. As you pay attention to your breathing, begin to relax your body starting with the toes on one foot. Notice you you can relax your foot by focusing on the relaxation of it. Work your way up that leg and into your hip. Next go to the other foot and repeat the process until you reach the other hip. Take a minute or so for each leg. Now go up your spine and relax each part as you work your way over the top of your head and down to your pelvis. Again, take your time and make this part last at least another minute or more.

Now that you are in a relaxed state, focus on your breathing more and concentrate on expanding your stomach as you breathe. Form the picture of an object on the bridge of your nose (yes, keep your eyes closed the whole time). Your object can be as simple as a "glowing thing" at the beginning.

Now, I want to describe the two different basic concepts I have learned for meditation. One is to quiet yourself and to focus on one thing and the other is quite the opposite, open your senses up to your surroundings and listen and recognize all the sounds around you.

Go and start your meditation. If you like music in the background, then use it. If you like quiet, then have quiet. As you start the process you will find your own path.

Make Sure You Fill Your Dash

Our last event in Hawaii included a couple of very amazing speakers. Sam, as part of his presentation, relayed to us a poem he had been powerfully moved by and I include it here for everyone to be reminded.

Here it is:
======================
The Dash
By Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the begging to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke the following date with tears, But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth

For it matters not how much we own;
the cars, the house, the cash
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash

So think about this long and hard
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real
And always try to understand
the way other people feel

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's action to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

==============

Make sure that you do not miss out on anything as you go through your life and keep your eye on your "visions in motion" and be remembered.