Brad Rhame

Motivational Thoughts on Success, Leadership and Martial Arts

Archive for the tag “Family”

30 Jan 2015

Family – by Brad Rhame

When you hear the word “Family” what images or thoughts are brought to mind?

 

Everyone has experienced “Family” in different ways.  Some of us have come from big traditional families and others of us have come from small non-traditional families.  We may be related by blood, contract or love.  Each of us have a different idea of what a family is.  Even brothers and sisters, who have grown up in the same family, can have differing opinions of what a family constitutes.

 

No matter what someone else thinks a family is, you know what it is to you.  The point I want to drive home is that when you make up your mind of what a family looks like, then spend the rest of your life designing your family to the best of your abilities.   Put everything you have into it.

 

Will there be times when that perfect picture cracks, splits, or even brakes?  Yes.  That does not mean it is over.  Anything in life that could be beautiful is worth going after.  Worth building…Worth rebuilding.  I would really like to tell you to just put more love into it, but we all know what that means….   Absolutely different things to everyone.   Love…more than a feeling…is really an action.

 

I can attest to that and I am sure many of you can too.  There are times, days, weeks and even months where we do not “feel” love.  Love is an action and every time we decide to do something for someone, because it is the right thing, then we are putting love into action.  By showing or doing love, we are that much closer do designing the family we want.

 

You can’t lose weight by sitting in a chair and eating your favorite foods in large consumptions.  You can’t have your dream job, if you don’t put in an application and develop the skills needed.  You can’t write your first book, by watching videos, reading how-to-books, and buying blank journals, only to watch the blank journals pile up, beside the books and videos.  Wishing and dreaming are fun, but they don’t get anything accomplished without action.

 

Family falls into that same thought process.  We have to continually work…and I mean WORK…at what we want to come from our family.  Life will throw you lemons, curve balls, and straight crap, but we have to know it is coming and react to it with a prepared mind.  Easier said than done?  Absolutely!  Life is not about “Easy”.  Life is about “Learning”.  Learn from your mistakes.  Learn from others’ mistakes.  Learn from your successes, as well as, others’ too.  Then, pass those same thoughts, morals, and traditions onto those you love…your family.  And watch how they respond and possibly even change it as they grow.

 

Whatever you do, just don’t forget to be there for your family.  When everyone else is gone and the toys have lost their appeal, just remember that your family is there waiting for you.

 

Love to Live and Learn to Laugh….and in the middle you have Live and Learn

 

Brad Rhame

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18 Dec 2014

The Same But Different – by Brad Rhame

We are all the same, but different.

The beginning of this year I decided to be different from everyone else and not make any yearly goals. The problem with that is I was really being like all those that decided to do the same thing.

So…I wasn’t being different, but the same.

So…I decided that this new year I would be different from last year, but the same as so many others. I am going to make some solid goals…just like so many others.

After changing careers at the beginning of this year I made a decision to relax more with my family, while at the same time spend more on eating out. I have had a great time with my loved ones, but also miss what I am very passionate about. Without sacrificing my family time, like I have done in the past, I am going to make time for getting in shape…again!

Anyone who truly knows me, knows that I am a martial artist. Everything I do in life has martial arts incorporated into it. Does this make me different? Yes and no. Many people do martial arts and many don’t. So, I am different, but also the same.

We all have dreams, but they are not the same.
We all eat food, but not the same kinds.
We all live in a country, but not the same one.
We all breathe air, but not at the same time.
We are all the same, but different.

I challenge you to be different, while realizing you are the same

Brad Rhame

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04 Dec 2014
3 Comments

I Am Retiring… – by Brad Rhame

Kind of.

I am retiring from most of my social media sites. I just erased my Linkedin, Twitter, and Google+ accounts. I also unsubscribed from every Youtube channel I followed.

WHY??

I am an all or nothing person. And right now I am not living up to my profiles. So, I have decided to give them up.

I have also allowed social media to consume my life. That is a major reason why I never started a Facebook page. My family has had to sit the bench while social media and I played.

It is time to return to My world and stop wondering about the rest of the world. If you can juggle both equally, then have at it. For me, that just does not work.

Will I keep my Kindle? Yes, but mostly for reading and checking email.

Life, on Earth, is short and I want my family to know I was there for them. I want to be in the action more than watching the action (Youtube).

So, for those that know me, I will be around. Hopefully more physically, than socially (media).

And don’t forget…”Love to Live and Learn to Laugh”

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05 Jan 2014

What Makes Great Actors Great? – by Brad Rhame

How many actors/actresses would you consider great?  What is it that they do that makes them amazing?  There is a saying that goes, “Proper Preparation Produces Perfect Performance.”  I couldn’t agree more. BUT… What is  it that makes them exceptional?  Could it be that every time they do a scene they can go back behind the camera and watch how they did?  If you saw yourself everyday on video, would you change the way you walk, talk, stand, smile or even sit?  What about how you dress, approach someone or shake hands?  If you could see yourself as they see you, would you change yourself to be better?

What the camera, director and other co-stars do for those in acting; our friends, family, bosses, coworkers and yes even the camera can tell us how we are doing.  THE word I am thinking of is Accountability.  Whenever we are held accountable for our actions, we strive to meet and achieve those standards.  That is what makes writing down our goals so important and so hard. People don’t like to fail and we know that by not telling others about our goals, it leaves us a way out to quit, slack off or cheat.

If you want to have your best life going forward, then you need to realize that things need to change.  There needs to be accountability in your life.  The goal in accountability is to find those that will push you and not make fun of you.  Too many others, who are permanent failures, want company and will gladly pull you down to their level. Accountability is not about guilt, but rather motivation!  Seek out those leaders, friends and family members who are going to motivate and inspire you to achieve greatness.  Everyone has greatness inside of them, we just have to find a way of pulling, pushing and catapulting it out of us.

So, the next time you see a great movie think about all the accountability it took to make those actors/actresses that way.  And now you know what makes great actors great.  Go and do the same!

Brad Rhame

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14 Dec 2013
8 Comments

To a wonderful woman, my Mamaw – by Brad Rhame

Today I received the call from my father that my grandmother (Mamaw) had passed away.  Dad let me know that they would be in touch and keep me posted as to what was going to happen next.  We said our good byes and the call was over in just over a minute.  It took a minute to sink in, but after reaching the top of the stairs I crawled into bed and cried.

I realized that part of my past was forever gone, on this Earth.  I remembered the times of going over to my grandparents’ home and running down stairs to play pool, ping pong, or find some floor game to pull out.  Some of the best memories are of the holidays.  The Christmas tree would be in the living room, with candy canes hanging all over it.  There would be a football game on in the family room and everyone would be busy talking and laughing.  At the dinner table I would end up by my Mamaw most of the time and we would tease each other through the whole meal.  I miss those laughs.

My Mamaw was always one to sit down at the breakfast table and find out what was going on in your life.  There were always snacks, sandwiches, or a not so secret drawer with cookies in it.  My two brothers and I loved running to that drawer to find out what kind of cookies were in there this time.

Mamaw had her own little spot in the basement where she could work on her genealogy.  It was there that I found out that I was related to George Washington.  And like every grandparents’ home, it had an unforgettable smell that instantly reminded you of memories past.  Many times my grandparents would come back from a vacation overseas and bring a gift for everyone in the family.  Looking back, it was the idea that the gift came from outside the country that made it so cool.

As I got older I came to understand responsibility when sometimes I would go over to their house to help rake the yard or clean leaves out of the gutter.  My grandfather helped me buy my first car (a blue ’87 Ford Mustang).  I also got to witness love at it’s best when my Papaw was there at every turn of Alzheimer’s my Mamaw experienced.  There were days that I could see the old Mamaw come to life, but as time went on she would slowly fade from reality into a state of confusion and eventually silence.  Today, she escaped that silence and is living in the most vibrant and beautiful place ever.  She is waiting for all of her family to meet her there and pick up where we left off.  I am looking forward to that reunion, and hoping to have those same memories with my wife and children.

To my Mamaw, a most wonderful woman!

Brad Rhame

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