Eric Suddoth's Blog, page 35
January 25, 2020
Don’t Give Up
About 5 years ago, on December 23rd, I tore my ACL while taking a group of middle school guys to a local trampoline park. I was in my early 30s and I was trying to keep up with teenagers. Big mistake, but I’m a big kid at heart.
5 minutes before our time was up, it snapped as I was going up for a dunk. I felt the pain, but had to keep on going since I had a dozen kids to watch over. I rolled off the mat in pain, but hid it from my guys. I mean, I had an image to maintain. One of them shouted for me to get back up and try again since I missed the dunk, but I could barely stand. I rested for 5 minutes then hobbled my way to a local pizza place.
I knew I hurt my knee, but thought it wasn’t anything major.
Tax season came and went and on April 17th I went to the doctor. He quickly moved my leg around and knew it was my ACL.
Surgery was needed and then once again hobbled around on crutches for a month while going to rehab three days a week. Finally in October I was released to go back to my semi-normal routine. I was excited to start running again.
Well, years went by and my knee still didn’t feel right when I ran. I was lucky to run a mile, but there were many nights when running a hundred feet was too much. So I stopped totally and focused on strength training.
I missed running.
The adrenaline rush. The feeling of blood pumping a rhythmic beat to the music in my ears. The cool breeze in my hair. The weight of the world drifting away with each stride.
I thought my years of running was behind me.
That is until I met someone who told me about the miraculous K Tape.
I had heard of it, seen professional athletes wear it, but never thought it would work wonders for my knee.
Well, it has worked wonders. I’m able to run again and my memories of moonlit running in the summers is knocking on my hearts door.
So don’t give up. Don’t give up on anything.
1. Set a goal
2. Tune out the negative voices – other peoples and your own
3. Listen to the advice of others
4. Reevaluate – you cannot do the same thing and expect a different result
5. Take a breather
6. Try again
7. Try again
8. And again and again until you get there
So it’s taken me five years, but in the grand scheme of things, five years is just a fraction of my life. And hopefully there will be many more miles ahead of me.
So whatever your dream. Don’t quit.
If you need more inspiration, look into my free book, Dream Chasers.
https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/dream-chasers-eric-suddoth/1132807014?ean=2940163299096
January 16, 2020
It Takes a Village…So Where’s the Village at?
I’ve heard the saying many, many times. We probably have all heard this dealing with schools and kids, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
But this line isn’t just a motto for school teachers or a tag line for not for profits. It should be a mantra for each living, breathing person who has something to help someone else along on their journey.
First and foremost this is for parents. You’re village isn’t just the kiddos you brought into this world. Yes, being a parent is a hard job, but if you are only investing into your child, training your son or daughter how to be a thriving adult, you are missing the mark. That idea would be great in a kayak, but life isn’t a kayak. It’s a cruise ship with billions of other people that impact billions of other people.
If you are only helping to grow one person right, you need to expand your territory. And I’m not meaning to procreate.
So often I see parents drop off their kids at baseball practice, karate or piano lessons, or day camps. The parents leave and enjoy an hour of peace. I’m fine with getting some “me” time to fill your own cup.
But when you get filled, who are you pouring into next?
Or are you savoring all that refreshment for yourself?
If you never pour into someone else, it may be time to look beyond your self centeredness. If you can’t find someone to pour into, it’s definitely time to open your eyes and look around. Guidance is needed everywhere.
Focusing on your kids should be your primary focus, but not your only focus.
Second, people without kids of your own, this involves you too. Just because your DNA isn’t in a curly haired four year old doesn’t mean you are off the hook from being apart of the village to help that youngster live a fulfilled life.
Each person has an interesting story to share. Tales of victories and battles scars. These roads you traveled need to be shared so you can pass along your insight on some dos and don’ts. If you see someone trekking down the same path that led you to pain and heartbreak, show the person a detour for goodness sake.
Just because you went through hardship doesn’t mean someone else has to.
Mayors and presidents of villages don’t get their titles from a marital status or a tax returns dependency exemption. They get it through living a life of looking out for their village.
So, who’s in your village?
If you can’t think of a handful of people that you invest time and energy in that do not live with you, it is time to form your village.
It’s sad to say, but there are three types of people in this world. The Leeches and The Leeched and The Both.
If you are someone that never invests in a bigger village, you are most likely a leech. You take from others to build your safe life behind your fence. If you never pour out what others have poured into you, you are the last one tasting all the refreshing water. Leech.
If you are someone always helping out their fellow man, but you never stop to care for yourself. You are the leeched. Even though this is better than being a life sucker, you will eventually pass out from not getting what you need. Leeched.
The best option to be is a little of both. Let people with wisdom guide you, so you can point others with encouragement. Let people pour out their love and mercy on your shoulders so you can take the load off your own back so you can rest and then help someone carry their load.
So, if you are not doing anything to help the next generation, it’s time to start.
Find a group at a local school to volunteer at, read to, encourage and build up.
If your church needs some volunteers on Sunday mornings (which all churches do) – Go and help! I bet there is a job ready to be filled.
If young kids are not your thing, be a mentor for middle school and high school students. Even college students need some pats on the back.
If you haven’t served or helped a child or teenage non family member in the last year at a school, church, or not for profit organization. Sorry to say, but that is a sad year. You are never too busy to help out someone who needs helping. If you think you are, well, you aren’t.
Where would you be if no one took time to lead you in your impressionable years? I don’t even want to think of that murky state.
If you keep making excuses why you can’t do something. That’s a blinking light saying – Leech.
Don’t be a leech.
Find a village you can partner with to build up a child. Sadly, many children don’t have a village to help lead them.
So the question goes out, “Where’s the village?”
Don’t look out the window.
Look in the mirror.
January 12, 2020
What Will They Say Me About After I’m Gone?
Thursday night I was talking with a group of friends and someone said, “I only want people to say good things about me at my funeral.” One of my other friends said, “I want to have my funeral before I die so I know what people will say.”
That got me thinking.
What will people say about me after I’m gone?
Today I heard in a message that effective influential people think about the end results when they start their plans and ambitions. The ultimate end result will be your funeral.
So how are you living?
A better question may be, how do you want to live?
Are you living in such a way that when you die people will remember you the way you want to be remembered?
If you want people to remember you as being a great teacher, who are you teaching? What makes you different? What makes you memorable? How is your impact different than another teachers?
If you can’t answer these questions, how can you expect someone else to answer them?
You cannot expect people to say you are a great teacher without doing anything to show you were a great teacher. You have to put some action into your goals and dreams.
If you want your legacy to be one of love, what unloveable person are you loving? Because anyone can love a loving person. That is easy. Most people show love to those that love them back. But to be different in your love, that is memorable.
So is your love any different than the other billion people in this world?
Another way to look at this is, are you fulfilling your purpose?
You most likely will not know what people will say at your funeral, unless you have a prefuneral before you die, but you will know before you die if you were following your passion, your purpose.
So if you think your purpose is to teach, teach in creative ways to spur your students on to bigger and better things. You may never see the impact of your purpose, but the world may see the ripple effect of it.
If you think your purpose is to love, love as much and as often as you can. Fulfill your purpose with each breath you take. Each breath is a breath that can either speak love or show hate.
Are you currently living a fulfilled life in pursuing your purpose? If not, today is a great day to start. There is no better time than now.
Don’t wait until tomorrow.
Don’t wait until everything is perfectly aligned.
Don’t wait a moment longer.
The people that wait will still be waiting tomorrow and then the next day and then the next.
You cannot change the world sitting on the sidelines. The only way to make your life into a living legacy is by action.
People never say at someone’s funeral, “She was great because she intended to be a great teacher,” or “the way he planned to love those children in Myanmar was amazing!”
The difference between a life and a legacy is purposeful action.
So, are you going to leave a legacy?
If not, why?
January 10, 2020
I Still Have My Tree Up
I still have my Christmas tree up, and that’s okay. There are so many people that always want to rush through life. They cannot take a moment to sit still and breathe. They are always looking forward to tomorrow.
But sadly, they miss out on today when they keep looking ahead to something better.
How many pastures have you overlooked dreaming of greener grass? But what if the plot of land of today is the greenest grass? What if you discover the chances missed a day too late?
One day too late.
My tidbit of mediocre wisdom – enjoy each day. You’re not guaranteed tomorrow and yesterday is already gone. All you have for certain is this very moment in time.
I have a tendency to wake up Monday morning already wishing it was Friday. But I have to choose to embrace each day as a token. I have to wrap my arms around a sleepy Monday morning and tell myself, “It’s going to be a good day!” I have to decide to find joy in the waiting of tomorrow but I have to remember to not let my wishing of better days blind me of experiencing the present.
Don’t be blinded by the dreams yet to come. You may miss the step needed to start your ascension because you were focusing too far ahead.
Open your eyes and take in the views.
When I run, I don’t look a mile ahead of me. I look at the ground 20 feet ahead of me. Making small, easier to reach goals, gives me that pat on my back of reaching a goal. My ultimate goal may be a few miles, but setting those smaller goals is the boost of confidence I need to keep running.
But as I run, I look around and try to enjoy the stars or clouds overhead. I listen to some music to get my heart pumping in a good way. I don’t run to cross it off the days agenda. I run because I want to run. It gives me a moment for myself to reflect on the day.
If you never take stock of your day and reflect on how much of a gift that it truly was, you will never find the present as a present.
Reflect a little more.
And compare a little less.
And if you still have your Christmas tree up, leave it up for another day and enjoy the day. You can always do chores tomorrow.
No one ever said they wish they could vacuum their house one more time before they die.
Have a great weekend! Make it a good one because it is a good one.
How and when do you reflect on your day?
January 5, 2020
Traveling with a Purpose
I hear people say, “I want to find my purpose in life.” After time of inward contemplation of five seconds or five years they ask their friends, family, or social media followers, “what’s the purpose of life? And how do I find it?”
It seems like we are living in the times where people like to pose the deep philosophical questions, but asking is all that gets done. If asking questions was all there was to life, we would have already found the purpose of life.
We jump on the bandwagons of so called news worthy tweets or famous activist celebrities Instagram posts to right a moral wrong, eradicate social injustices, or clean up the planet one post at a time. We applaud the bravery in making a stand, but sometimes standing is all that gets done. Many times there are no steps to rectify the issue. But we pat ourselves on the back for retweeting or sharing an enlightening post.
Is that all there is to life?
Living a life safely in the confines of standing in a comfortable stance in hopes someone else will take the next step.
No, that’s not a life with purpose. That’s a life living a lie that purpose was found in one act. In one tweet. In one blog post.
Purpose is found in seeking out change. Purpose is found in action.
Purpose is found in taking a step sometimes blindly and nervously without knowing where the next step will lead.
But you step out anyway.
It may take many journeys to find ones purpose. But I wouldn’t consider the first hike a failure. Maybe you needed to hike those hills to gain perseverance and strength. I wouldn’t say the third mountain climb was useless because with each scaling of the peak hopefully you learned something new. I wouldn’t say the 26th mile you ran was meaningless, because it might have forced you to learn consistency and moderation.
May we strive to find our purpose.
Sometimes the only way you can find it is through trial and error. But if you never try, how will you ever find?
If life is a road map, are you continually vacationing at the same beach? It is ludicrous to expect a change in life when you don’t change your life. You will never find your purpose if you are not willing to make a change.
So take a chance.
Go somewhere new.
Speak to someone new.
Try something new.
If you don’t, how can you expect something new to happen to you?
You may not find your purpose immediately, but I can guarantee you will be a little closer to finding your purpose.
It may be a long journey, but just like all new traveling destinations – take in the sights. Breathe in the smells and stop to smell the roses. Smile to yourself for no other reason than to smile. Look people in the eyes and lock into them. We are in this journey together. Someone you meet may point you in a divine direction you never knew.
Don’t rush through life with the sole purpose of finding your purpose. You may find you missed out on living a fascinating life. So enjoy the journey!
May 2020 be a diving board to the pool of finding your purpose. But just because you dive in, then you need to swim.
And swimming is where the fun part really begins.
May we each become great swimmers in our purpose! Then, maybe then, we may actually change the world.
Peace and God bless
January 3, 2020
It’s Been a Decade
I have been seeing people post their decade in review in various forms of social media, and it got me thinking, what would mine look like?
I love to travel, so I could give details of all the places I’ve been, but as I thought, that seemed too showy. The “look at me” mentality slapped me in the face. The irony is, I’m posting a blog which is all about me, flashy or not.
I could look back and write of the relationships that have come and gone. Not for any ill-will, but just the nature of the beast as people flow through life like a changing of seasons, while some pass more quickly like a lightning storm or a nice spring breeze. These dots on the timeline of wise words spoken or lessons learned are just as memorable as driving along the coastal highways of Ireland.
One thing that comes to mind in the last decade is the belief in a dream. A dream that would appear ludicrous to some, but for me, it was a calling to the heart in the darkened nights.
I love to write. Give me a moment of quiet, whether it be at home or a jog or a brief drive in the car and my mind goes off on tangents at an unbelievable rate of speed. I try to scribble my thoughts down, but too often when I reread them, they are just words on a page. It’s like the passion and adrenaline evaporated, but the blue ink remains on the napkin or old notepad. And that’s where many of my first steps in the last decade occurred. In those moments when a spark would ignite something that is beyond all reason. I had a decision with each match to fan the flame or blow it out.
2010 – I finished my first book in the prior decade and was rejected by everyone. Publishers and agents looked at me like an annoyance. I put the book in my closet. My heart sank, but another idea sprang up. I wrote Achieve Your Dreams. My dream wasn’t achieved, ironic, isn’t? Rejection after rejection once again.
2011 – I continued to send Achieve Your Dreams to agents and publishers because I felt God gave me this book to encourage others. Apparently, I was the only one who thought that. So while I was pursuing that book, I wrote another book, Intertwined. In the fall I started sending it out to agents and publishers. Zilch.
2012 – I felt defeated. 3 books written and I couldn’t see any fruit to the labor. So I started journaling with no purpose. Journaling just to write my thoughts and reflections. Journaling my prayers became an outlet.
2013 – No new books, but writing songs became my focus. I loved the idea of crafting a story in a 3 to 5 minute span. Submitted some of them to people. No response.
2014 – I didn’t send anything out to publish. I came to a spot in life where I was content writing for my own enjoyment. But I continued to pull out my old stories and reread them. I still thought they were pretty good.
2015 – Writing was my time to lean into God. I didn’t need approval of men, because my heart was open to Him. My songs became more worship filled lyrically. Behind my piano and guitar was where I felt whole because I hardly shared them with anyone. It was rare. But I was happy singing only to Him.
2016 – Took a trip to Washington DC with my parents which inspired my book Solomon’s Dreams. I was nervous since the last three books didn’t pan out the way I had hoped. However, I finished the book in late autumn and waited for a few friends and family to read it. They liked it.
2017 – Started sending it out to publishers and agents once again. “It’s an interesting premise, but since you’ve never been published, we are going to pass.” Once again my heart sunk. That’s when I started researching self publishing. I got connected with an editor who was going to look the book over.
2018 – My editor liked the book. So I spent the summer improving the book. In September I released my first book. People were surprised that I wrote and many people approached me on how I did it. Suddenly, the book I wrote back in 2010 resonated in my heart. I wanted to help others achieve their dreams. I gave the book to my editor to look over.
2019 – My editor liked the book and I renamed it Dream Chasers. As my editor was working on that book, I picked up my other book from 2011 and reread it. I still liked it. So in August of 2019 I released Dream Chasers and I gave my editor Intertwined to look over. So far, she is liking it. I also finished Solomon’s Dreams 2 in the autumn. In November I started writing a new book, a book that has been haunting me for years to write.
2020 – I do not know what the future holds, but if everything goes as planned I will have 2 books out in 2020.
I’m not writing this to boast, but to fan the flames in your life. The decade wasn’t easy, but I didn’t give up. I’m not where I want to be, but I am a whole lot closer now than I was ten years ago.
I hope you can say the same. And if not, make the next decade better than the last! Life is too good and too short to just hope on the sidelines. Get yourself out there. You may feel like a fool, but who cares, it may lead to something bigger. And if it doesn’t, you won’t live with the gnawing question of “What if?”
So if you can dream it, you can do it!
Peace and Dream Big!
January 2, 2020
Ask and Answer
This is one of my favorite images I created in 2019 from a quote from my recent book, Dream Chasers.
January 1, 2020
Free Books
Happy New Year folks! I am giving away my ebooks for FREE! One is a murder suspense thriller and the other is an inspirational devotional. Pick one or both!
iBooks
Barnes and Noble
https://m.barnesandnoble.com/s/Eric+Suddoth
Enjoy and have a blessed new year!
Peace
December 31, 2019
Resolutions – Show Yourself Some Grace
As 2019 comes to a close and a new year and decade is within hours, it’s common to reflect on the last year. Sadly, the moments usually remembered most are those of failure. The dreaded hall of Failed Resolutions of 2019 is well lit with shame and disgrace like the light of the refrigerator at midnight. Failing to lose a few pounds, failing to saving a little more, failing to cross something off their bucket list. As you consider your resolution for 2020, I have a few suggestions.
1. It’s good to have goals and ambitions, but be kind to yourself when you fail. Making a change takes time and pressuring yourself to reach some lofty dream by December 31, 2020 can be disheartening. So take a breath in 2020. We are our own worst critics. Don’t be a nag to yourself.
2. Instead of quantifying weight loss in pounds, focus more on eating healthier and exercising. If you lose 10 pounds unhealthily, why did you lose it? Just to say you lost 10 pounds? Maybe you can start drinking water instead of a soft drink, or walking for 10 minutes a day, or putting aside the potato chips for some grapes. Small improvements are still improvements. They may not bring drastic change, but it will bring change. A steady stream of water can erode the hardest rocks.
3. Saving can be hard, but if you gradually increase your saving capabilities it will be easier and less noticeable than hitting an impenetrable wall. During week one, put $1 in a savings account or some amount that you will not miss. Continue to do this, but periodically increase the amount. In February you may start saving $5 a week and continue to do this. Once you pick an amount, do not stop or decrease the amount. You will soon realize that you didn’t miss those few dollars. Pay yourself first. You are not first on someone else’s list.
4. Make periodic small goals, so if it takes a while to reach your ultimate goal, you will still find some satisfaction in your stepping stones. For example, if you have a goal to write a book, make goals to finish Chapter 1 by January 15th, or develop a character and plot by February. Writing an entire book is challenging, but if you reward yourself for little victories, you will keep that adrenaline to run that marathon.
5. Speaking of marathons, start small and then gradually increase the length. Whether running a race, accumulating wealth, pursuing additional education, or changing the world. Don’t try to reach your goal on January 1. You got a whole year to reach it. How do you eat a 10 lb chocolate bunny? One bite at a time. Enjoy the sweetness instead of squandering it.
6. Relationships matter, so if you are trying to squeeze in a workout instead of family time…pick family time. You can workout tomorrow, because you may not have your family tomorrow.
7. Spend less time comparing your achievements with those on Facebook and Instagram and more time looking in the mirror. At the end of the day your perception of yourself matters more than the number of Likes you receive. If you don’t like yourself, how can you expect others to like you?
8. Find what truly makes you happy. And then cling to it. Water and nurture that feeling of joy so it will grow deep roots into your soul. Roots that will stand through the tests of time.
9. Most importantly, dream. Dream for who you want to become in 2020. Dream for what you want to do in 2020. Dream for where you want 2020 to take you, not just in locale, but in all aspects. And when you think you reached it, dream some more.
Yes, 2019 may be soon over, but 2020 is waiting nearby with eager excitement. So show yourself what you got.
But if you mess up, as we always do, brush yourself off and start again. A year isn’t a failure if you are at least trying. It’s only a failure if you give up. So don’t give up!
Peace
December 28, 2019
Thrifty – We All Need a Vacation
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I’m thrifty. Some people may say cheap, but I prefer thrifty. I do splurge occasionally, but most of the time I try to find the best deals. And by finding good deals, that extra money allows me to travel to places I never thought I would see. But even when I mark places off my bucket list, I still travel thriftily.
But before you can take a vacation, you need some funds. Here are just a few of my ways to stretch a penny.
1. Get a credit card that gives you the best rewards. There are many out there that gives 5% cash back at various places. If your credit card isn’t giving you money back, find one that does. But make sure you pay off your credit card each month. If you’re not paying it off each month you will be paying a lot in interest and finance charges. If you need a credit card to finance your life, you may be living beyond your means and it’s time to re-evaluate where your money is going. If you are disciplined enough to use a credit card, use the credit card for every purchase you can to accumulate the most amount of points or cash back.
2. Find a high interest checking or savings account. You can find banks and credit unions giving 3% or more as their APY. If your local bank doesn’t, look online. Many online banks are safe and offer great rates. If your bank account is offering 0.05% interest, you need to change. You may think, “my checking and savings account balance aren’t that large,” but every penny counts. By using your credit card, your bank account balance will technically be larger through the month, earning you more interest.
3. Next time you want to go to the grocery, look in your cabinet first and cook what you have. It may not be what you want, but you bought that can of beans for a purpose. It’s time to use it. There is nothing wrong with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches either (my favorite cheap supper).
4. If you still want to go to the grocery, use coupons or money saving apps. Coupons come in the mail, so look through them before you throw them away. Another great resource is apps. There are many apps who will give you money for purchasing products. All you do is find the items you purchased on their list and upload your receipt. I use Ibotta most of the time. With Ibotta you can get $.10 for uploading a receipt. You may think that is nothing, but over the course of a year that will add up. And that’s just for the receipt, not the gallon of milk or shampoo which can give you another $.25 just for uploading your receipt.
5. Also with Ibotta, if you pay through their app with some of the retailers, they will give money back on your total purchase.
6. Compare generic brands with name brands. There are some things that name brands are just better, but then there are other items that who cares if the can of peaches is name brand or generic. Don’t turn your nose until you’ve tried them.
7. If you are going shopping, look online for the discount gift cards websites. You may think, I’m not buying a gift. But if you can buy a $100 gift card for $70, that’s $30 you are saving just because you took a few minutes to buy a gift card. Many gift cards are electronic and will be delivered to your email in a few minutes. Raise.com or Giftcardgranny are a couple of good sites and apps to use.
8. If you feel like going to a restaurant (with a gift card you purchased before hand) learn to drink water instead of paying $2.50 for a drink. If you eat out once a week, that is over $100 a year in savings for switching from a tea to a water. You can make a pot of tea at home for much cheaper.
9. There are many websites and apps that will give you discounts, RetailMeNot is a good one that offers deals for shopping at the places you were already going to go.
10. If you shop online, check out Ibotta or Rakuten (formerly Ebates). These websites and apps will give you cash back just for going to their app or website first before heading to your online vendor such as Amazon or practically anywhere. I saved 10% on a cruise because I went through Rakuten.
11. If you have cable, do you need it? I hear people complain all the time about how much they are paying for cable. Drop it. I don’t feel like I’m missing out. It also gives me opportunities to do other things than staying at home behind a television. Go to your local library and check out their free DVDs and books. Many libraries have ebooks and audio books you can download as well. If there’s a certain show or game you want to watch, I bet you have a friend or family member who would let you watch it with them. You may be thinking it’s cheap, but your relationships may improve as well. Also, if you join Redbox text alerts or emails, they will send you freebies every so often. Or dust off an old classic you have on your shelf and watch it again.
12. Utilities are expensive. In the winter months, lower your temperature in your home 1 or 2 degrees. I bet you will adapt and over the course of the winter, your pocket book will increase. The same for summer months, except increase the home temperature 1 or 2 degrees.
13. Find free entertainment. Explore local parks. Go for a evening walk. Have a picnic by a lake. Visit friends and family that you may have taken for granted. Volunteer for a local organization. The free activities are limitless.
14. When you set out on your vacation, use these tips. These tips can be used while you are exploring. Use gift cards when purchasing the flights and hotels, use the apps and discount websites, and use your credit cards to buy the gift cards.
You can find good deals. It may take a little sacrifice, but it will be worth it.
A great discount website for cheap international flights is Scott’s Cheap Flights. You can enroll to get free alerts for cheap flights over seas or you can pay for an annual subscription to get every cheap deal they find. This service has saved me $1,000s.
Dream vacations do not have to be over seas. It may be a camping trip an hour away. Whatever your trip, you can do it. With cutting back in a few simple ways, you can do whatever. I overheard two women talking on the last cruise I was on, “I told my sister that, ‘you have no excuse, if you want to cruise, you can afford it.’ I told her, ‘Don’t tell me that it’s too expensive. Anyone can do it if they really want to.'”
I nodded my head in agreement. You can do whatever you set your mind to.
Anything.
If anyone has a good idea to stretch a dollar, share it with us.
