THE SCENE: Blue skies, temp in low 80s.
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:
Motivators, starting with seven. 10 twisties. 10 Cherry Pickers. 10 Windmills. Michael Phelps and a Little of This and That.
THA-THANG:
Mosey to the southeastern corner of the Admin Bldg. We will stop to do 20 Dead Bugs (4 count) and 20 Flutter Kicks (4 count).
Mosey to the parking lot that is east of the Utility Bldg. We will do Doras. While one partner runs to the other end of the parking lot and does 10 Merkins, the other partner works on the exercises. Partners then switch. Here are the exercise the partners do as a team:
- 100 Iron Mikes (both legs = 1)
- 100 Box Cutters
- 100 Big Boy Sit-ups
- 100 Bicycle Kicks (four count)
Mosey to the perimeter trail by the gate at Northshore and head north on the trail to the shady area past the Utility Bldg. We will stop to do 20 Jump Squats and 40 Baby Crunches.
Next we will run north and then west on the perimeter trail. We will run for 4 lights and lunge for one light, continuing that process until we reach the area where the trail splits. We will stop there to do 20 Hello Dollies.
Next, we will run up Roadshow Run. Men should do 10 calve raises at each set of steps and do 5 Burpees after each set of steps. Those getting to the Bat Cave first should do Baby Crunches until the six arrives.
Slow Mosey and then Bernie to big tree that is northwest of Admin Bldg. Then, sprint to parking lot. Then slow mosey back to AO.
MARY:
10 Squats, 20 Leg Raises.
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
15 men with an FNG whom we dubbed “Woodstop.” His hospital name is Mac Whipple and he is the son of Rooney.
CIRCLE OF TRUTH:
RESPOND
In F3 we talk about having each other’s back. We talk about connecting with our brothers in time of need. To me, that is one of the beautiful things about F3. I consider you guys my brothers and I know that if I am down, I could call on you and you would respond. I hope each of you know that you can call on us if you are in trouble and we will try to figure out a way to help. I want to say something about this, however, as I don’t want anyone to have false expectations about what your brothers can give.
As a therapist, I have seen clients of mine make the mistake of making faulty presumptions about what good people can give them. I have seen patients get injured, lose jobs that they were at for years, have life changes that put them in a bad place. Certainly, after life altering injuries, these folks can use friends. Some of these patients get mighty depressed . . . in their depression they may get hopeless . . . and, in their hopelessness they may get cynical. I hear some of them say that they thought they had friends, but after their lives took a spiral downward, they found they had no friends. They complain of no longer getting phone calls or visits from others. They start thinking of people as selfish and cold.
While I believe that there are some self-interested and cold people out there, I also believe that those who say they have no friends, those who say people are disinterested, are themselves a major part of the problem. They themselves are not responding to the people reaching out to them. I have seen this difficulty occur not only with some patients in my practice but amongst a few brothers in F3. When I reach out to brothers in a time of crisis or pain, how AM I RESPONDING to them? That becomes critical if my brothers are going to help me.
First, when in need we should realize that our friends have lives of their own. They are managing their jobs, their families, and lives that may be just as difficult as our own. They cannot be there for us 24/7. Respect that. Set up a time to meet with your friend. Respect that he or she may be busy and may only have an hour or two for you. Don’t always expect them to call on you. They have other people to think about. Call on them. I remember living in Dallas and calling on my pastor at a time of great difficulty. He was a very fine man, someone I truly admired. But, I also realized his time was limited. We set up some time on a Tuesday night to speak to each other at a place of his convenience. That hour I spent with him has stuck to my ribs to this very day. I am so thankful for it.
Second, we need to realize how we are coming across to the people we call on. Are we listening to what they have to say to us or are we just moving on with our own agenda? Those we call on need to know that they are being responded to. Why should they give their time to someone who shuns their advice, their coming to see us, their friendship? If you’re depressed, you don’t need to be jumping for joy when they speak to you. But, thank them for their time with us. And, if you want them to continue to be there for you, listen to what they say.
Finally, show an interest in them. I ask some of those complaining patients how their “friends” are doing. They often don’t know. When in need, it is natural to focus on ourselves, but don’t exclude others by taking no interest in them. No matter how wounded we are, we can still care for others. Heck, our pets DEMAND that we show interest in them. I remember times when I was so sad or mad that I didn’t want to be bothered by anyone or anything. Along would come Ol Jasper Dog, placing his paw on my knee and demanding to be petted. I would think, you should be rubbing my head fella. But, scratching his head or belly for a few minutes, I was usually feeling better. The act of reaching out itself helps to cure us.
Finally, remember that while your friends have their own lives and cannot be in two places at once, God can be everywhere at once. Call on your friends but also call on God. He is Ever Present in our time of need.
MOLESKIN:
Prayers for Pop A Top’s friend whose wife recently passed away; for the future mother-in-law of Steam whose cancer is now in remission but who is having a difficult time with radiation; for Pusher in his travels to the Philippines where he will visit for his father’s 85th birthday; and prayers of praise that Mr. Jinxy’s automobile accident related lawsuit settled.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Convergence on July 2 at JUCO.