Live and Learn - Learn to Live

"Now, I'm the only reaper of the seeds that I sow and when I walk the field of my stubborn will, It's a hard row to hoe. There's a price for getting smarter so I pay what I owe. While bridges burn let the  shadow fall behind me, I am wiser I know. We live and learn, always living and learning." - from Michael W. Smith's song Live and Learn

Life is a roller coaster of peaks and valleys. To appreciate the straightaways and the downhill thrills of this roller coaster, we have to endure the uphills that come our way. For most, these uphills in life create a challenge of hopelessness and despair. Some even try to avoid the uphills, just staying on flatland. We don't grow stronger through this because those uphills build our strength. We stick in the rutt until we die, never growing, never maximizing our potential, never taking any risks, never reaching out to others; just playing the waiting game until we die.
We all do this. This is now the culture. In 2012, this is looked upon as normal and acceptable. In 2012, we are born to get an education, to get a job to retire; and we retire to die. In 2012, we play for safety. We play for stability. We don't maximize our potential because the uphills are simply uncomfortable. Since our culture avoids and looks down upon these uphills, they are a rocky road; dark and lonely. I'm so guilty of this. I consciously and unconsciously avoid situations in which i'm taking the road less traveled upon. I dodge situations that are unfamilar, for the shear fact that i'm afraid of failure and making a complete fool of myself. I'm afraid of being alone and missing out too, even when I know I could be doing something better. This is a constant struggle that I compete with daily.
The thing is though, I know i'm not alone.
These uphills create foundations and the battle scars. They have the power to improve our quality of life and create a legacy that improves the quality of life around us too. They make our minds stronger, our hearts mightier, and our faith deeper. Through these uphills, we learn quite a bit about ourselves. Because when you put your heart on the table, you can see what your made of. We become wiser and through our wisdom, we have the ability to help others through their journey and let them know what it takes, so that our culture can escape the rutt.
Spring Semester 2012, I created some battle scars. I am wiser and ready to put my new found knowledge into practice. The journey is nowhere near over, but I think i'm at a new level in my growth as a man. God is standing there at the finish line, and i'm ready to put my all into this race in his glory and finish in his arms.
So, this summer, take a risk. Take a chance. Run so hard you puke, then come back for more. Reflect. Love. Communicate about everything. Believe in yourself and others because you believe and trust in God. Aim for success. Learn from failure. Embrace the pain of the uphill. Live and learn to learn to live.

An engaging temptation had me doing time. 'Cause when it starts a fire under strong desire
we are partners in crime. But hindsight is clearer. I can see where I've gone and never return.
It's a new man in the mirror.  It's a new freedom song to live and learn.

PA Announcement

This is a PA announcement of the Raleigh Relays 1500 featuring SRU's own Dylan Klein. This is for my Sport Communication class.

Arrigoni on the Air Podcast

This is my Arrigoni on the Air Podcast for my Sport Comm class. Talking about some track and field news....