A Memorial Day Call to Arms!

A Memorial Day Call to Arms!

Champion, Be sure and read all the
way to the bottom for a *SPECIAL*
Message from Norman.

"For truly I tell you, if you have faith
the size of a mustard seed,.. and nothing
will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:19-20

We are on the eve of Memorial weekend -
the holiday that marks the official or
unofficial start of the summer holiday.
There will be cookouts, time with family
or friends at the beach or pool side,
or enjoying the still mild temps before
the heat of the summer sets in.

Heck, even Norman & I are taking a small break
& will be enjoying a bit of pool time with
friends on Sunday to celebrate.

Monday is the official federal holiday,
and it was declared as such to honor
and remember the men and women who have
given their lives to protect, defend,
and preserve the freedom that we have
grown accustomed to, and I, for one,
have taken for granted will always be
there, and never really put much thought
into.

But how many of us are really and
truly free?

In the past week, I have read more & more
people commenting about their falling
off the wagon, cheating on their self
development, restarting, cheating on diets,
binging, blowing it, or finding any excuse
to just not get started.

I've noticed something - there are a lot
of people who seem sincere, and probably
are, in their desire to become successful,
get healthy, look better, be more active,
etc.

Deep inside of them, in their hearts and
minds, there is a battle that is raging...

They are still a slave to their past,
their habits, their emotions. Still giving
in to the role of the victim for past hurts
from someone who may not even be part of
their life anymore, but holds more power
over them than the person standing next
to them.

We may live in a free country, but the
tyranny that goes on in our own minds
is as worse than anything that is going
on in a desert across the sea.

You see, in real war, there are rules
that must be followed or you will be
held accountable.

There are no rules for the atrocities
that play out in our minds. The belief
structure that was imposed on us - that
we are less than worthy, that we can't
accomplish anything, that we don't
deserve to be happy with ourselves -
this has shattered the foundation of
our self confidence that we have given
up hope on ever repairing. It's too broken,
it's too far gone, it's not worth even
getting started on, so why even bother.

Norman I am here to tell you
that there is nothing that there is
nothing further from the truth!

As our Coach and Mentor John Di Lemme teaches
CHAMPIONS ARE BORN - LOSERS ARE MADE!

I am here to tell you that if YOU don't
defend your right to succeed, to rebuild
that foundation, then no one will.

I know that you, Norman, are smart,
funny, intelligent, creative, talented,
and amazing. I know that you are a seed
of greatness in this world, that you have
huge dreams and goals sitting inside of you,
waiting to burst forth and wow the world.

I believe in your ability to do anything
and everything you set your mind to.

But in order for you to do that, you have
to break free from the limiting beliefs
that are keeping you chained to your past.
You have to find that one grain of courage,
of faith, that has been hiding deep within
yourself and take the first step out in faith
into your new life, to take charge of your
life and your health for once and for all.

You have to commit to yourself to take simple,
daily uncomfortable action (note, I didn't
say easy) towards the achievement of your goals.

If you can't find that belief or faith in
yourself, look to someone who sees the giant
with in you and is excited to watch it grow.
If you can't make a commitment to yourself,
find someone to hold you accountable and not
let you back down because of one small misstep.

You may think, how does one small step, or a
tiny bit of courage get me to where I want to
go?

"For truly I tell you, if you have faith
the size of a mustard seed,.. and nothing
will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:19-20

I believe in you and I give you permission
to Succeed!

Who is ready to take the first step?

Stephanie & Norman Hanley

P.S. Norman, We need your help!

https://www.uso.org/donate/

A few days from now, Memorial Day
celebrations will be held all across
America. Parades will feature bands,
kids on bikes, and veterans of many
conflicts... all marching proudly to show
their patriotism and love of country.

At the same time, half way around the
world, 170,000 brave young men and women
will demonstrate their patriotism in
another way: by putting their lives at
risk to defend everything America stands
for.

Today, as the nation's economic crisis
continues to push the ongoing violence
in Iraq and Afghanistan off the front
pages, some Americans may have forgotten
about the brave men and women who are
doing their job overseas. However, the
USO hasn't forgotten; we've already geared
up to provide extra services to our troops...
not just for Memorial Day, but throughout
the weeks and months ahead.

However, meeting these special challenges
will take a huge effort, cost a lot of
money, and stretch our resources to the
limit. The USO is not a government agency;
in fact, we rely on individual citizens who
want to support the troops, and who always
seem to stand behind us at the times we
need them most.

Now is one of those times. Please send your
tax-deductible donation today, to help us
make certain that every service member around
the world knows that the folks back home are
thinking of them, and that we honor their
dedication, their heroism, and their sacrifice.

https://www.uso.org/donate/

With Thanks and Remembrance,

LCpl. Norman F.S. Hanley
United States Marine Corps
Semper Fidelis - Always Faithful