Mahler's Monday Morning Motivator # 29 - Potpourri of Great Thoughts

[Mahler]

Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 29 – A Potpourri of Great thoughts.

I sat watching the closing ceremonies of the Athens Olympics and amazed by the story of Stlylianos Kyriakides, the Olympic champion who escaped execution by the German occupation of Greece and went on to run the Boston Marathon to feed his hungry nation. I definitely have to do some research on this remarkable man.

The Olympics proved to be one of many surprises, many disappointments and many unexpected triumphs. I am sure we are all thankful that the gathering of the world’s athletes was not marred by any terrorism. I am always lifted by seeing the athletes march in together as a world community during the closing ceremonies. If only for a few hours, we are one world nation.

The Olympics is one of achieving goals and breaking records and it was such a rush for me this past weekend when I finished my first stage of Book of Muscle Advanced and the next day stepped on the scale and took out the calipers and found that I had reached my dual goal of 175 pounds and breaking the 10% body fat barrier. I actually measured out at 8.8%. Of course, I celebrated and gained about a pound over the weekend, but am confident that I can shed that.

This is my rest week but I had to get out and run this morning and the feeling was awesome. The moon was full, high and bright, the stars were still out, the air was heavy with humidity and I was sweating like the proverbial pig. With the thoughts of the previous two weeks flashing trough my mind, I felt so alive.

Here are a few words from some greats to start off the week.

"When I played with Michael Jordan on the Olympic team, there was a huge gap between his ability and the ability of the other great players on that team. But what impressed me was that he was always the first one on the floor and the last one to leave." -- Steve Alford

"Before I'd get in the ring, I'd have already won or lost it on the road. The real part is won or lost somewhere far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights." -- Muhammad Ali

"Excellence is not an act, but a habit." – Aristotle

"Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain - and most fools do." -- Dale Carnegie

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -- Thomas Edison

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result." -- Albert Einstein

"Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently."-- Henry Ford

"The biggest mistake an athlete can make is to be afraid to make one." -- L. Ron Hubbard

"The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus." -- Bruce Lee

"Man's finest hour is the moment when he has worked his heart out in good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious." -- Vince Lombardi

"Achievement is largely the product of steadily raising one's levels of aspiration . . and expectation." -- Jack Nicklaus

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Have a great week, guys and train like the champions that you all are.

In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler

[Chris Correia]

Let me be the first to say, "Thanks for the thoughts."

[dbfrank]

Mr. Mahler, the words of the greats are indeed motivational, but YOUR achievements, are also. Thank you for sharing both.

[Ian Kay]

Rock n Roll! Always some good stuff!

[chrashley]

Great thoughts as I head out for day one of phase one of Home Grown Muscle. Wish me luck...I hear it's hell.

[jj]

Mahler, always great thoughts from you. Congrats on reaching the double goal. I will reach mine, and I'll get my gold and my wreath. LOL, have a nice!!!

JJ

[downtown10_2000]

Mahler, I look forward every monday to your motivator, always think of it when I feel I am too tired to make it to the gym, or just feeling lazy. Congratulations on reaching your goal, the motivation you provide every week helps me in reaching mine.
For that I thank you

[Adam Campbell]

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result." -- Albert Einstein

I like this one.

[Mahler]

Adam,
I thought it was appropriate for guys who do the same routine without changing up and wonder why they reach plateaus.

Mahler

[FlyinM]

I'm always kinda sad when the Olympics are over - I really enjoy some of the events as well as the emotions of the competition. What the hell was up with that freak grabbing hold of the marathon runner?

[aztecwarrior]

Mahler
Thanks for your post. I saw the same moon this morning as I was driving at 6:00 am to go to my Aikido training. It rained last night here in the Twin Cities, driving with the windows down, very cool and clean wind, beautiful moon...hey, those are the kind of blessings reserved for the ones that wake up early!

(New here, from the MH forums, as "elcampeon")

[DiBatista]

Thanks, i always save these quotes to my desktop.

[Mahler]

Originally posted by aztecwarrior:
Mahler
Thanks for your post. I saw the same moon this morning as I was driving at 6:00 am to go to my Aikido training. It rained last night here in the Twin Cities, driving with the windows down, very cool and clean wind, beautiful moon...hey, those are the kind of blessings reserved for the ones that wake up early!

(New here, from the MH forums, as "elcampeon")

They are, indeed, blessings. Nice way to put it.

In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler

[whodat]

Mahler, congrats on the achievements! Hope you continue to break records as that's the best part about kepping them to begin with.

[Iceztiq]

beautiful words.. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Buccaneer]

Great stuff mahler.

I've gotta say, these quotes get me wired!

Thanks for the motivation.

[David.W]

Perfect motivation.

Mahl, can I share these in another (nonrelated) forum?

[Mahler]

Anything I post, you are welcome to share.

Mahler