Today I Choose to Live Like a Champion

Today is just another day. No different than most others that come and go. Some days stand out in history, others just slip by unnoticed by the masses. Every day however stands out in someones life, whether that day has brought great joy, great insight or great sadness, it stands out for someone. Where you and I are at today, no matter what it brings, is an accumulation of all the choices made in our past. Some choices were made by others, our parents, our teachers, our role models as we grew up. The choices they made helped to shape our philosophy and that in turn was the driving force behind most of the choices we made later in life. Some choices were made by our Government (usually intended for the good of the people) After all it's those we chose to represent us that formed our Government right? It may seem that some choices made by others around us like our bosses, senior personnel, Politicians, lousy neighbors, negative relatives, etc. may have an effect on our circumstances. Mostly though, it's the choices we've made on a daily basis that have formed our own life's reality. Every decision we make on a daily basis, large or small, like the Butterfly Effect, is shaping the reality of our future.

Today I choose to shape a better future. With all my daily actions, compounded over time, my future is inevitable.

Today I will show my love for my family. Assuring them that I will do everything I can -to be around in healthy form- for as long as I can. I will speak the words but more importantly I will speak with my actions. I will choose to eat healthy and nutritious food (and MAX) and drink lots of clean water. I won't count calories but I will make calories count. I will stop when I've had enough so I won't have to "work off" the extra calories. I will make my calories work for me. To every bite I take I will say, -you owe me- some energy, some strength, some vitality.

Today I choose to strengthen my body. To stretch, to exercise, to build muscle and build endurance. I will strive to keep my body in the optimum human form, to perform as it was designed to. I am an elite athlete.

Today I choose to strengthen my mind; to educate myself. Through continuous education I can expand my capabilities infinitely. I will seek out and acquire knowledge from the greatest minds in human history. I will read the best books, listen to the greatest speakers and listen to my own thoughts, always seeking the most relevant answers to life's daily questions. To make the best choices.

Today I choose to lead a clean, sober lifestyle. I will not damage my brain with mind altering substances. My mind is my greatest asset. Why would I want to diminish it's capacity?

Today I choose to be productive. I will not waste my time on mindless endeavors. I will plant the seeds for future success. Only if I plant, can I expect to harvest. Money after all is just a measure of our service to the world. If I want to help many people I must help them to be productive and produce more bounty for everyone. I will find a way to serve the many, for service to many leads to greatness.

Today I choose to show gratitude. For everything I have and for everything that is possible. Gratitude for everything God has given us. We live in a wonderful world. I know we are far from perfect but I will always be grateful and try to improve.

Today I choose to honor my Parents, my teachers, my mentors. They are the ones who have built me into what I am. I will always have gratitude for what they have taught me. I will keep all the best and improve on the rest. Today I will continue building to become what I want to be. I will honor those who failed me, those who brought great challenge to my life. They are the ones who set the bar so high on what I am able to endure. After getting past those difficult situations, everything else seems easy in comparison.

Today I choose to set aside some time for myself. I need time to rest, time to enjoy life's pleasures, time to focus, so that I can be rejuvenated to function at my top potential.

Today I will defend the innocent. I will defend the helpless and those that have not yet learned to defend themselves. I will teach people to honor and respect themselves and by doing so they will learn to honor and respect others. I will teach people to defend themselves and by doing so, empower them to lead fulfilling lives. I will never knowingly teach self defense to those with bad intentions, those who will use martial arts inappropriately.

Today I choose to give back, not to those who make poor choices but to those that do not have the same choices or opportunities as the rest of us. I will give to those in need, to those who suffer, to those whom I can lift up and motivate. I will give back to my planet, it's the only one I have right now and it needs some help. Only through giving can I learn how to live a full life. Only through giving can I learn how to be thankful for what I have. Only through giving can I learn how to receive.

Today I choose to take full responsibility for my circumstances. Only by doing so can I control my future. If I find blame in others, I lose power. By finding excuses, I always have a reason for failing. I will not blame. I will not make excuses. I will persevere until I succeed.

Today I choose to focus on what is good. Our mind always fixates on our most predominant thoughts. If we choose to focus on what is wrong, our minds and our actions will gravitate towards those thoughts. I will replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts and my actions will follow my thinking.

Today I choose to make a difference. I choose not to just sit back and see what the day brings. I choose to bring something to the day, to do one thing better. I choose to set an example for my family, friends and acquaintances. With every step I take, I will ask; Where is this leading? What will this accomplish? I will choose to respond to life's circumstances, rather than react to them, to make today the foundation for all the days that follow.

Today I choose to leave a legacy, to inspire, teach and train others to make wise choices for their future. To make wise choices for their family, friends and acquaintances. I know I will not always make the right decision and I forgive myself. I understand that I am not perfect but will try to catch myself and correct when I can. I will understand that not everyone will be ready to change but I will continue to set an example, to inspire and motivate to the best of my abilities.

Today I choose to write down my thoughts, so I may pass them down to others and maybe one day inspire someone I have never met. Tomorrow is another day. But today, I choose to Live my Life Like a Champion.

Ermin Fergerstrom

Wake up story

Aloha Everyone This is my story published in Bouncing Back Thriving in Changing Times...... of the Wake Up, Live the Life You Love series

The Missing Number

Ermin Garret Fergerstrom

Bouncing Back

By most measures of success, one would say I've done fairly well in my life. I have much to be grateful for and many accomplishments that would likely make another's life-goals list. Like many, I've had my share of ups and downs and endured some very trying times, but always seemed to bounce back quite well. In fact, you could almost say I specialize in it. I could describe the hardship I endured to recover from my adversity, but it would pale in comparison to other people who were far greater than me. You will probably hear from some of them in this very book. not to mention giants like Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela and Lance Armstrong.

My story really begins after I'd finally made it back from suffering the greatest setback of my life and I realized that something was amiss. With a lot of hard work, determination and a string of good fortune, I hit what appeared to be my highest level of achievement. I had built my business up to a much greater level and put my family life in order. At first glance, things were looking up. I had built my assets considerably, but at the same time I was sinking even deeper in debt.I couldn't help but notice those around me who were unable to produce half the results I did but were still making more money than me. I finally had to admit I was a bad steward of money. I still remember exactly where I was standing when it happened. I resolved right then to work out my financial problems. I knew I was talented enough; anything I set my mind to, I could achieve. So why couldn't my finances equal my contributions? This was the beginning of a rocky road toward personal development where I discovered many painful truths about myself.

If God had done a progress report on me at that time, it might have went something like this: "He's a good guy; he has lots of potential; he is hard working and very sincere. He has to work on his people skills though. He doesn't work well with others and is a little arrogant, not to mention stubborn as a mule. I think he'll get it sooner or later."

Unlike Robert Kiyosaki, I was never fortunate enough to meet my "Rich Dad" as I grew up in Hawaii. My "poor" parents did a very good job overall and instilled in me many great traits. The word "impossible," for instance was not allowed in my vocabulary. I'll never forget some of the arguments my dad and my brother had on the topic. "Nothings impossible" The words still echo in my head. The only thing impossible was trying to win an argument with dad about what was or wasn't possible. My parents instilled many other important life skills in us as well, but they also made some small, yet crucial mistakes. One that sticks out in particular is, "If you want something done right, do it yourself." That was one of my mantras for years.

I realized that I needed to find a good "Rich Dad" for a mentor, but where? It was very slow going for someone who "knew everything." After a couple of years reading and research, I finally figured out where to meet not just one great mentor, but dozens of them. It was in the local bookstore that I found the answers to all my questions.

To reach my full potential, I needed to increase my productivity, to find a way to serve the many. One of the first and most difficult lessons I needed to learn was effective partnering, but where could I find a partner that would do the job as good as I? My arrogance was comical. After all of my mediocre success in business, I still though I knew it all. Of course, I eventually came to realize that more qualified people had been standing right in front of me all along.

Many more lessons were necessary to finally bring me to a point where I could address my largest hurdle. It was hard to recognize at first because the effects were so subtle. I had reached a point where most of the numbers to the success combination were in place. I knew what I had to do in terms of my goals, setting priorities, communication and all the other tracks of success, but there was always a reason I couldn't apply one thing or another at any given time.

I was reading a book by one of my favorite authors when it hit me like a ton of bricks! Throughout my childhood, my parents had inadvertently prejudiced me against wealthy people. It might have simply been a slightly different tone of voice used when referring to "rich people," or comments like, "We can't afford that; do you think we're millionaires?" But it was effective. When I looked back at all of my financial goals, the word "wealth" was never mentioned, and the "M" word (million) was conspicuously missing. I used terms like "gross X dollars per year and invest profits until I can live comfortably." Of course the problem was I had grown comfortable living in debt.

Have you ever had a lifelong stigma lifted from your shoulders? It's so liberating that I can only compare it to the sensation of flying in your dreams.

I have a clear vision now and I would like to re-introduce myself. Ermin Fergerstrom, future best selling author, renowned public speaker, generous philanthropist and multimillionaire!

My question to you is, "What number is missing from your combination?" Whether it regards your finances, relationships, health or anything else, there's a great author somewhere out there pouring his heart out for you. Find that author and read like your success depends on it, because it does and you will never look back. Remember, no single book or audio program will be the end to your training; there is more good material out there than there are days in your life. Be a life long learner. Never stop at merely bouncing back. Bounce higher, fly higher than you ever dreamed possible, because nothing is impossible.

Ermin Garret Fergerstrom