Tag: competition

Are You a Model? 🤔🫵🏻☺️

No, I don’t mean like “The Model” Rick Martel of the WWF (E) days, which was a match between Ultimate Warrior and him shown below. I hope you don’t bring any Arrogance to spray with you either! What I mean are those comments you may have heard like modeling good behavior, a model of virtue, and such. I guess you can say it’s like being a role model, but it can apply to several areas here. Many may have questioned Warrior’s “behavior” at times but he didn’t want to always conform to the model of how to be in certain situations.

Parents want to be those models for children to follow but sometimes we try too hard and fall short. We are supposed to be strong for them but then our pillar of strength crumbles just a little. Let me take a BREATH here… We just ended our high school years of marching band. 🥹😔 You followers get a snippet as I posted more details on Facebook. My words needed time to form after much emotion. Last week, my girl was practicing her flute / piccolo after school as I was cleaning out the fridge. She knows the songs very well of course and it was one (like many) my son played too. I kept thinking how Friday’s game may possibly be it after 6 years… 6️⃣. That number sigh… I lost it as the fridge door swayed open while the computer room’s office door was shut. Good thing or she would’ve seen me. I’ve been such a good model of not breaking down in front of her but for some reason, it just snuck up on me. I sobbed while burying my hands. Had she heard me? Goodness no, but there it was. How could I keep it together for the game? I’m not always a broken mess, I promise you but I still have a hard time thinking of her as a SENIOR… How did 2 years go by this quick of when it was her brother’s turn? Maybe they will know after all Mama’s emotions means she cared and that’s the best anyone can model. In all honesty, there ARE some aspects of those games I will NOT miss but of course it’s all worth it. We almost won too… Don’t get me started… 🤬

Let’s go another way as my waterworks don’t need activation again. My husband and I just celebrated 24 years of our first date. 1999 seems eons ago ( a different breath here with OTHER references… 🫢😬) and yet I remember it all so well. We did NOT model your typical first date behavior at all. NO~~~ for all you wandering minds!!! 😲 I had already worked with his sister- in-law and told a little of that already, but he did not come and pick me up. Nope, not at all. I drove to his house to meet him and his dog. My mom STILL never lets us forget that and you know why? Because it wasn’t that societal model way of having a first date. With my guy being close to 40, he felt awkward and I gotta say I loved driving to see him. We did go to the movies, too! Our second date was him coming my way, but it all worked out after all these years. Were we different on purpose? Nah, and all those models of how it’s supposed to be never mattered to us. We model some but not all.

Enough about me. How about you? We can reverse this statement of course. We look to others lives for inspiration or what will work, and then in turn become models for another. I bet you have found yourself in many situations where you might not even realize the “modeling” going on. And no, there isn’t a runway or wrestling apron to walk and strut upon. if you are in charge of a company or business, are you the model all look to? Maybe you are and maybe you aren’t. Not all bosses are liked, but I bet you try, don’t ya? We do strive to be accepted, but it does become quite challenging. You might not even care about that at all as being comfortable in your own skin feels right without having the pressure of modeling for others. The truth is we ALL do want that acceptance, but need to know it won’t or ever be from everyone and that’s OK. That part needs to be released from our thinking.

Most will look at modeling these days in regards to social media. Yes, I take selfies, but I’m not into it with posting often like many do. Just because you post that pic of yourself on Instagram or shoot a video for TikTok, doesn’t mean you are a good role model to them. I hope you know that, but many may not. We need to approach it in a fun, light way without the attachment of outcomes. It’s frustrating for some who base much on those sites but be practical, not overly vain. Be a model because of HOW you get your message out there, and not just for the sheer attention. I’m *NOT * bashing here because I sometimes am a sucker for those cute animal videos! My daughter sends me many. (: Plus I have gotten to know many genuine nice people on social. Just don’t live for compliments or spend all day vying for views. If you like, it is your choice but I prefer modeling in other more productive ways. Again, what society throws at us doesn’t always mean we have to model or follow through to submission. Try a power move of your own and send the others flying.

Warrior wanted to be the right kind of model for those interested seekers. I say the RIGHT kind because even his brand wasn’t for everyone just like yours won’t be either. We can’t save the world, but we can try our best being in that little corner of our own. Make that squared circle work for you and then the modeling feels natural without a forced ending. Sometimes it can be about going BIG or going home but for most of us, it’s more about going big in our own way without always looking to models. Warrior said this often too. Sure we want people on our side but the real ones show up when we need them. Be your OWN model every day so you can say today was better than yesterday. Don’t compete over who can model the best. Your only competition should be YOU…

P.S. Happy belated Veteran’s Day to all who have served my country of the U.S.( including my brother,) I thank you for your service~ always… ❤️🤍💙🇺🇸

P.P.S. THAT date was 11-11. Beautiful spiritual number for me as I BREATHE once again… 💙Oh, on a different note~ my husband and I are 11 years apart… 😉 

“We Will Survive…” 💪🏻🫵🏻💯

Thanks so much warriors for all the likes, follows, and interest in these writings lately. The numbers have been skyrocketing 🚀 as some posts were written YEARS ago. It truly does mean a lot to me that you the reader are interested or perhaps educated somewhat on this ultimate journey of mine. Even if you are just amused, I thank you… 🥰🫶🏻My immense gratitude goes out to any that feel pulled someway, somehow to my blog. We will survive during all of these crazy times and whatever life throws our way because we are warriors, that’s why.

I’m finally using that pic of Ultimate Warrior below after having it (among a few others) on my phone for months! The timestamp on that one was 3:33 so I love that combination. Another number along with those would literally give me a WOW moment but I’ll take the 3’s anytime . Plus, I wouldn’t see that combo on a clock. 😉🕰️ That was one of the first pics I took after getting the “Always Believe” DVD so now it’s time. It was part of a promo with Mean Gene interviewing one of the ’89 WWF(E) Survivor Series teams of U.W. as captain, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, and The Rockers. They mixed up some tag teams but then not others. The Ultimate Warriors were going up against some in the Heenan Family. So, that led me to a question regarding those S. S. Matchups. I know, right? I haven’t “locked up” in a wrestling mode for several weeks but I’m not waiting until November to talk Survivor Series!

How did Vince and CO. come up with some pairings? Yes, a few “heels” of the Heenan Family makes sense putting together but others are quite interesting to see. I bet some of you have much memorized about these teams or even a few more present ones but I don’t entirely. I do know U.W.’s 1990 team when he was heavyweight champ and ALSO know he won every S.S. he was part of. I love reading and remembering all those great teams but I always wondered about the brainstorming that went on behind the scenes. A few top guys would be captains as I get that but then it’s their team members which could make sense or perhaps can seem a bit odd. They all knew who the victors would be, but we as fans of course would not. Is it based on personalities, skill level, or kind of like a random draw? Did the captains ever pick their teams or was it all assigned? Maybe many of you WWE fans know this but I do not so it takes me to the next point. 🤷🏻‍♀️

What about sports in Phys. Ed. as a kid? I have no idea how it is done today as both mine haven’t taken “gym” since 8th grade but back in the day~ UGH big time. Do any of you remember how it was sort of the same principle of a few captains and then picking who gets on your team? Despite me not being very athletic, I despise this approach. It doesn’t even matter if you’re good at whatever sport you were going to play, someone will be chosen last. I realize we need those moments in life but it still seems so degrading. The teacher picks a few of the “best” athletes and lets them choose the teams. Talk about favoritism and being totally unfair. Not good for a kid’s self-esteem either. If I taught phys ed, I’d make the time to sort through my roster of classes and create the teams myself. I would care less what the other teachers thought. We will always have those degrading moments through life but certainly don’t need the constancy of a reminder every week with our weaknesses. We are survivors though, despite the awkward yet wrong “system.”

There will always be someone “better” at something than us who will get that top spot and sports is all about the competition for sure. Wrestling was and still is even though it’s written ahead of time. The best may or may not be your favorite, but is that why you are a fan? I hope it’s for other reasons and with that picking and choosing always going on, we will still survive, because – well, we love it. This can apply to other sports too ya know. You can cheer on your best player for years but then they either get traded, injured, or perhaps retire. Will you still root for that team or watch that sport? Will you decide to switch it up and find a new favorite or new sport? All up to you as “players” come and go. I bet you still survive though after the initial shock of whatever it is wears off.

Here’s a positive example. When younger, we had a ball field next to our neighbor’s house. Guess nobody had ever built there but us kids on the street used it for softball. ⚾️ I know there is a house sitting on that field now but back then, we loved it as our own. I can’t remember who started it all as plenty of us were around the same age. OK, we did have to split up between batting and fielding, but it worked out. I couldn’t hit very well but I was a pretty good outfielder. Ah~~~ such memories. My best friend had a friend several streets away and they played too. We would go back-and-forth and play against each other. Just a friendly neighborhood competition. It was so fun and yes, disappointment was obvious when a team lost. Us kids and my team though~ we bonded, and became survivors without all the drama. There was never any picking of teams, or seeing who would be in charge, just fun, I know even with little ones, there has to be some direction of course. My husband coached both our kids in summer T-ball when younger.

I’ve never been on a team as an adult where you pick and choose and honestly, don’t want to be. Others can have that sport of choice. Sure, we might play a little basketball or croquet with teams at home but not like it was in school. Nope, never again. So, Survivor Series answers anyone? Let me know if you know more. I will always love that excitement of teams in the WWE but just don’t take me back to those younger days in gym class. I will survive though, always… Yes, LOTS of songs with that word too! Had to sneak that in. 🤭🎼

P.S. Warrior’s 15th anniversary of his last match ever in Spain 🇪🇸 of 2008 was on 6/25. I knew it was late June so glad I found that out.. a little more on that next time but here’s MY connector with that date: My maternal grandparents had that as their wedding date as did my one aunt and uncle ( their oldest daughter) AND a cousin with her husband. They just celebrated 29 years and I was in that wedding! We are the same age…3 anniversaries with the 25th on my Mom’s side… A 3 count!!! 💍💍💍

Winning Isn’t Everything… ( or is it?)

“It isn’t whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” Am sure all you warriors are familiar with that saying mostly told to young athletes when starting out. It’s a wonderful philosophy to have and yet sometimes winning becomes more. Winning gets equaled with competitive sports or winning acting awards but really it is about much more than that.

Yes, WWE performers and even the Ultimate Warrior make or made winning a goal as it should be but what about afterwards? I’ve mentioned attaining more but it all depends on your definition of winning. Sure, it can be a belt, title, trophy, ring, or anything similar but let’s look at winning REAL stuff. How about a great family, good friends, financial security, a comfortable home, health and happiness. Don’t those account for winning as well?

I remember watching WWF (my days then) and after someone had attained a certain status, winning became well– different. What I mean is the ol’ regular pin was discarded completely. There would be a disqualification because of interference, a count out or even double- count out but not a clean win. This was because of your level at some point and getting pinned was kinda a demotion or degrading in a way. You’d still get the win but only with a twist. Being competitive means winning but it does take on new meaning when you don’t.

In the “sport” of life, we should call them lessons and not losses or failures. Everything teaches us something but we just need to find out what that truly is. Little ones need those losses over wins at times in order to better prepare themselves as adults. Our whole lives get too caught up in always winning that we forget to live fully. Yes, wins build confidence but losses build strength. We need both equally.

Our lives are defined by many things but is always winning at the top of yours? It should be but not constantly revolving around status. Play the game but win with humility. We need to remember this in every place or even arena we find ourselves in. As parents, teachers, or coaches to young kids the concept is to show them how to have fun, right? It needs to be that over the regimented winning attitude. Kids may cry if they lose and that happens. It means they care but then the lesson comes in. Adults can get angry since our emotions change with age but what is that teaching a youngster? Am sure you all know and a warrior will strive on.

A Warrior never quits and yet some losses are harder to take than others. Yes, wrestling is scripted with its wins and losses but our admiration will always remain in the win column. These are challenging issues to face and we will all have our own points of view on them. To be part of a championship is ultimate but handling a possible loss shows true character.

All of us will face many wins and losses in our lives and we need to make sure we prepare for its entirety. Winning at life is so much more important than any material gain you will ever possess. Warrior said being a father was his greatest achievement which in turn is his greatest victory or win. Yes, losses are hard to swallow as the Warrior family has endured many. Just don’t make it a bitter pill. Be proud of them and own them as a true warrior does. Maybe the huge ones will never be your best moments, months, or years but surround yourself with the wins that matter most.

Maybe your wins will not be in the same category as others but they will be yours. So, warriors- is winning everything or not? It all depends on your life and what wins are at the top for you. My wish is that your wins will outnumber and slam the opponent of losses to the mat! Look to your losses for improvement so the wins will be more special than you ever dreamed. Winning IS everything if you live your life with humbleness in the most ultimate way.

P.S. I mentioned last week that Dana and Steve have discontinued the ultimate warrior website. I had referenced it many times before so wanted to let you fans know. Yes, it does make me sad but WE need to keep his legacy alive in the way that works and I intend to continue doing just that. I respect their decision and privacy as I hope you do too….

www.spiritandbelief.com

~~~ Find me here for book info, a more spiritual blog, a Work With Me page, and more! Find me also on twitter, youtube, and Pinterest (:

A Competitive Spirit 🏋🏻‍♂️🤼‍♂️

I’m not very competitive but are you warriors? I guess I’m referencing sports or games here but really, we all are. We are always competing in one way or another in this game of life. We compete as parents, drivers, having better vacations, and even what we post on social media. It can be anything. The question is: Do you compete to impress others or to best yourself? Hmmm. That could go both ways. Do you even have to like what you’re doing to be competitive at it?

For me, I’d always take that reverse psychology idea of being really negative like I won’t win at a game or be good enough. Sometimes, that mentality would win surprising everyone. Remember in gym class how you had to run around the school track a few times a year? My kids still do this. You aren’t competing on a team but setting a time and then trying to beat it later on. It’s for you, not them. I bet you’d be competitive when faced with certain situations but for this, you’re competing with yourself.

That takes us to the competitive spirit of Warrior. Yes, the sports he chose required much competition that fueled his mentality. He wanted to push his body excelling beyond physical limits and not necessarily being better, bigger, or stronger than another. YES, the business of pro- wrestling is extremely competitive and YES, he was bigger than most. Some of his mindset will always be a mystery but I believe the main reason was his competing with himself. He succeeded in the way that worked because of his competitive spirit with himself. His alter ego was “Mr. Resistance” whom he battled everyday. Of course Warrior wanted to be the best by beating Hulk Hogan as a goal but after that, then what?

Once you have fans cheering and clapping for you, it does make your competitive nature increase naturally. It would for any of us. Fans will bring that out every single time. The video above has Warrior saying: “… for the opportunity to prove I was the best, that my warriors believed in me because I was the best.” (That’s not why I believed in him but let’s move on…) These are just his words for the promo and what the Ultimate Warrior was referencing regarding Randy Savage and their feud leading up to Summerslam in 1992. Professions are different than personal lives but do you feel the need to prove you’re the best?

When things are going your way, do you push harder or keep it the same? It all depends on your own competitive spirit. Your choice warriors. Either way you’ll get results of your choosing. Sometimes, we can surrender to competition but then that spirit drives us to want more. Being in a sport can start at a very young age and if it continues, that competitive nature will go on and on as the mindset changes. How many awards, trophies, or titles do you need before stepping aside just a little?

There are those forces in life that need us to compete but it shouldn’t have to be everything. Getting caught up in being the best is great motivation but when is it too much? Lots of questions here but worth examining… Your best may not equate with someone else’s best. It’s all in our own views of what we consider with that competitive spirit. I know now that most of my competing was and is always with myself. It used to be more centered around others but not so much anymore. Always the mind warriors, it truly is. Now, I realize that my spirit doesn’t need to be the best constantly as it becomes exhausting.

Meditation has brought me awareness of being enough. What and how I do activities today will be enough. I’ve accepted that and don’t beat myself up mentally anymore because of competition. I don’t physically either with my workout. No, I’ve never been in a professional sport so that becomes another competitive challenge. Who knows exactly how I’d handle all that and naysayers drive you to compete more.

So, warriors– do you feel the need to fuel that competitive spirit or do you push it aside? We need both ideas but it’s up to you deciding what and how much. We constantly evolve with certain goals to achieve in our lives. Warrior kept his competitive spirit always as was his destiny to do so. Competing with others or yourself is a life-long journey and one we may never fully abandon because we’re human.

Just know there are ways to balance out all this and make that competitive spirit worth it. You feed your success. Only you can decide how much and make it work in your life. YOUR best is good enough…

P.S. The photo above was another YouTube video from RocketFuel so check it out! (4:07)

www.spiritandbelief.com

~~ Stay healthy and safe warriors! 🧼🧴👏🏻#alonetogether

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