Like bull riding?

"it's not if you get hurt, it's when." -- this is a quote that bull riders say very often.

Life has been described as a roller coaster amongst many other adventurous rides, but today as I walked back from work the only thing I can think of is "bull riding". Now, I know that like me, many of us have just seen this sport but have no idea what are the rules to the game or how can this even be a game. I did some research on this sport and from what I read the only rule to this sport is, well stay on the ride for more than 8 seconds. I am not going to focus on how the game is scored but on how it is important to stay on this bull ride for 8 seconds.

Now what do you need to to bull ride: Here are some basics, bull riding vest, bull rope, bull riding glove, rosin, boots and helmet. The vest helps protect against punctures during the pulls done in this bull ride, the glove protects your hands, the rosin is an interesting tool that is used to make the rope stickier for a better grip, (it is a rock form that is rubbed on the rope), and well the rest are all protective armors. That being said, every rough ride requires a special armor, --- Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We won't be able to stay on this bull ride if we are not properly equipped. And like every rider we need to make sure that in our path we are equipped to face whatever is thrown our way.

Sometimes we want to become champions and overcome, become the best but fail to acknowledge on how to do so. If we want to beat those 8 seconds that are required we must make sure we have the proper tools. How equipped are you for this bull ride?


What bull ride you ask? That life of ours that can sometimes be described like a bull ride. When having a strong grip on those horns is all you have left. When holding on to dear life, in hopes of not falling, is all that matters. This is a life bull life ride. A verse that comes to mind as I write this is: "We rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4 So yes, this bull ride will leave some scars, it will have some moments of pain but at the end of it all we know that it will just build a positive traits in our life. So although, this path is a great one, and everyday I face life I appreciate every moment i can of it, I can't help to feel as if sometimes I am almost bouncing all over the place with this ride. So don't think that life is supposed to be all dandy and pretty all the time, because NO we will have our rough days.

You see on this ride, the good part of it all is that even though it will toss you around we have to remember to get back on the ride even when we do fall. Psalms 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I know that we put effort into living each day and trying to stay on the ride or on track with life, we do feel weak sometimes but just keep in mind always our reward that lies ahead. "Be strong. therefore, and let not your hands be weak and slack, for your work shall be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7

So are you on a eight second ride, right now? Do you feel like you are being tossed around? What will you do? Are you ready to grab the bull by those horns, grip that rope and stay on no matter what?


http://rodeo.about.com/cs/bullriding/a/bullbasics.htm

Taking life for granted.

I woke up yesterday with all these mixed feelings about my second 5K race for the year. After being sick for this whole week I was not feeling too prepared for this one. However, I went ahead and for some reason I still managed to be nervous. Whatever could have gone wrong for the race, went wrong. My train was delayed, then there was no train service. Yup, it all seemed to be working against my favor. Not a good start to my run, but I was still determined to get this done. When I arrive, I find myself in a very disorganized race. How disappointing. I went off on my own because everyone seemed to be so scattered,honestly I wasn't surprised because I was told that some races are the same, we learn to pick the right ones.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed my run in central park. I had forgotten my IPOD and had no music, so ran all natural. Despite all these obstacles I managed to enjoy my run because every time I do run I find myself learning so much about how to discipline myself. Yesterday despite getting me buying a nice pair of Saucony sneakers, I still felt strong burning pain in my feet. :( I am now considering some biking and running. I need to mix up my cardio work out to manage to lose some more weight and make it lighter on my feet. So, at the end of my run I experience what now seems to be my the highlight of this weekend.

As I waited for my cousin to meet me, I noticed a bunch of cones on the floor and bunch of people with their running number on their chest. Funny thing was that while I was running I kept noticing signs to for another race that was also being held in central park. Curious to find out what was going on, I stood around watching as the many fellow new yorkers ran. Well, my question was answered All of a sudden I hear it, hundreds of footsteps, thump thump thump, and then I see them. There were hundreds of people running. I noticed the diversity, tall, short, men, women, black, white, and brown. So many people all just determined to make it through this race. I quickly felt my adrenaline rise, and a tinkle in my feet. I wanted to go right next to them running I held back, well for obvious reasons. jejej.

Then I cried. I stood watching every runner pass by me I saw a man that was in a wheel chair. This man despite his "impediment" was managing to accomplish his goal. He is not letting his "condition" stop him from doing what he wants to do. All these thoughts raced through my mind, and then I cried again because the greatest moment of realization hit me. I have complained for so many years about all these things that I want to do in life yet let so much get in the way and detour me. I take life for granted and never really appreciate what I have because I am too busy complaining about what I don't have and wish to have.

In life, many times, we just go on without being thankful for the things that GOD has provided us with. He has formed us so perfectly and created us with such amazing abilities. When we become used to seeing something everyday we tend to forget to thank GOD for it. Our health is one of those "miracles" of life that we fail to thank GOD for everyday. After seeing this man in this wheel chair running I realized, I have my legs, I have my health, and I am accountable before GOD in making sure that I will take care of this body.

As women we become asphyxiated we the meaning of beauty but to me one of the most important factor for us to stay beautiful is keeping up and loving your health. In order for me to reflect confidence about my exterior appearance I need to feel beautiful from the inside. I can't tell you how much I have learned since yesterday about the importance of beauty and health. I continue to thank GOD for my health and have vowed to take care of my body so that I can have the necessary energy to accomplish the many goals in life.

Remember we can't take life for granted, it's a gift so take care of it.