Happy New Year 2015

Welcome 2015!

Happy New Year everyone!  Time flies.  It’s so hard for me to believe that the year 2015 is here already.  It seems like only very recent history when everyone was talking about Y2K and fearing that the world was coming to an end January 1, 2000.  I remember the high level of concern (perhaps hysteria) that all computers would fail as the technological year would reset to 00 and would render all financial institutions and government computers helpless to accurately account for anything.  Thankfully we survived and here we are welcoming 2015.

The advent of a new calendar year often brings a multitude of New Year’s Resolutions.  In fact, close to 90% of all adults make these promises to do such acts of self-improvement.  So far this year, I have heard the usual notions of weight loss and improved fitness (something that I can identify with well), a vow of improved manners like opening doors for others, drinking less alcohol, studying more, making better choices...the list is endless.  Unfortunately, the majority of these resolutions and good intentions fall by the wayside before the end of January.  I clearly see this every year at my local gym, Phoenix Fitness.  Phoenix becomes so crowded just after the turn of the year with those vowing to get in shape.  However, by the time February arrives, attendance normalizes, the mob of resolution-makers thins out and I can actually find a vacant treadmill so as to attempt a shedding of my unwanted girth.

A few years ago, thanks to author Jon Gordon, I was introduced to an alternative, I simply select just “one word “ and have that serve as the focus of my year.  I gave it a try and found it to be very rewarding, so I would like to share this experience with all of you for 2015.  I am in the process of instituting this with my teams, local tennis family and really anyone who is willing to listen and participate.  All are welcome to partake.   I am excited to see the results.  Feel-free to share your “one word” in the comment section of this blog posting or contact me via email, Twitter, Facebook or better still, in person. I will include your word in my planned display, anonymously of course.

In case you are interested, for 2013 I selected: “Purpose”.  For 2014, I selected “Service”.  For 2015, I have selected “Faith”.

I hope that 2015 is the best year of your life.  Don't waste even one minute of it.  Love more, serve more, and care more.

I look forward to being with you soon.  God's Blessings to all of you.

Nuff said...

Happy New Year 2014!!!

Happy New Year!  Welcome 2014!

The advent of a new year means something different to most everyone I speak with.  Some folks are so fed up with 2103 that they are thrilled to witness it's conclusion.  Others express sadness and want to delay the passing of time.  Several are optimists and look forward to great things in the upcoming year...

After some reflection, my official position has aspects of quite a few sentiments.  For me 2013 has been an interesting year.  So much good yet some not so good as well.  So many things to worry about. That being said, my belief is that my best days are ahead of me.  I feel this way not simply because of cockeyed optimism but because I am committed to doing today what will make me better tomorrow. Not always so easy however, at least not for me.  Well, actually, very easy to say but not so easy to implement. Nevertheless, my plan is essentially to care even more about the work that I do and show people even more that I care about them.  I plan to love and serve more.  Also, I intend to get more sleep.  I really need it.

One of the things that I have been thinking about lately is that of purpose.  My purpose has become much more clear to me recently and I look forward to living with this purpose in mind going forward rather than simply chasing the things that I think will make me happy.

Remember everything happens for a reason and too much time is spent worrying about things we cannot control.  I recently read that "nothing wastes more energy than worrying."  Very true indeed.

I will be celebrating NYE at The Cookery with a great meal.  I hope that I make it to 12 midnight to witness the ball drop in Times Square on television.  It seems some years I have fallen asleep on the couch before the countdown.  

I wish all of you a momentous conclusion to 2013 and best wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2014!  Make great memories and cherish them.

Nuff said...

Happy New Year 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

All the best to you folks out there in "the lines are still good" land.  It is my pleasure to welcome in 2013 with all of you.  I certainly hope that everyone had a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve and that you are now shaking off the celebration "hangover", for lack of a better term.

I had a very nice but small celebration as I once again enjoyed a fantastic meal at one of my favorite restaurants, The Cookery.  After dinner, it was off to former Clipper Sergiu Barbu's place for a little cheer.  In attendance were also former Clippers Neel Roy and Rohan Malhotra along with wives and friends.  It was nice to see Matrix, Sergiu's German Shepherd, dressed up in his tuxedo.

2012 was an interesting year.  So many good things and also some not so good.  For one, I am happy to have the election year behind us.  So much craziness.  Happily, 2012 was a healthier year for my family and I hope that 2013 is even better.  Also, many individual situations were solved that allowed for much improvement.  So thankful.  We are also pleased that Coach Neil's Achilles injury has essentially healed and that he is back to a more active state.  Also, I certainly can not forget the Kentucky Wildcat National Basketball Championship either!  Go Big Blue #BBN.

In addition, so many good things to mention about your Clippers.  Unfortunately, neither team was able to capture a National Championship as those rotten Pirates of Armstrong Atlantic swept the big trophies, but certainly tremendous success was achieved.  I, as most of you know by now, am most proud of the achievement in the classroom.  It is a tremendous accomplishment having both teams qualify as ITA All-Academic Teams and 7 All-Academic Players.  However, there was also the usual success on the court having won both CACC Championships and having players ranked highly within the region and nationally. 

It is always good to examine the past so as to prepare for an even better future and I believe that the future is bright here in Clipperland.  Time will tell us what is in store for 2013 and I hope you will follow along the magic bus ride all the way to Arizona in May.  We have some great people associated with this program and I am blessed to have the opportunity to affect so many people's lives here in Bronxville in a similar, but not nearly as monumental, way as my parents were able to do years ago.

We surpassed 14,000 worldwide readers and 250,000 page views from 116 countries this year here at "the lines are still good" and I wish each and every one of you all a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous 2013.  Go out and realize your dreams.  Make great choices.  Love as much as you can.  Hold your head high and smile as life is good.  Together, let's make 2013 a year to remember and the best year of our lives.

Much love to you.

Nuff said...

Ready For 2012...And Beyond!

Greetings and my best for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2012!!!

I am really looking forward to a great 2012 and hope the same for all of my tennis family around the world. I hope all of you are ready to meet the challenges ahead and that great joy will result from your efforts. Remember, we never stop trying and we never give up.

Much love to you and your families and cherish all of the good that is around you.

Nuff said...

Happy New Year...

Always my pleasure to take a few moments to wish my friends, family and all followers of "the lines are still good" a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2011.

Of course, the turning of the calendar year is a time for many things. Some make resolutions. Some party like rock stars. Others like to celebrate traditions with family and friends. As for me, I like to reflect. I like to think about the experiences that I have had this past year and the things that I have learned. Also, as I like to speak of goals quite often, I like to ponder the efforts I have made and the subsequent goals reached. I like to think about my personal and professional relationships and the happiness that has ensued. I like to remember the work, the joy, the many laughs and even the tears. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I like to think about the opportunity to live life and the many good things that are to come. I try to remember that life is a state of continuous improvement and to approach day-to-day living in this way.

This year I will be celebrating New Year's Eve at Peter Pratt's Inn with several friends including my life-long friend since college, former Clipper tennis team member and doubles partner, Douglas O'Connell. I look forward to some good fellowship and a lot of laughs. In addition, a special HNY shout-out to Coach Neil who is traveling with his daughter in Florida for a soccer tournament. Safe traveling and be well.

In any case, I wish you all a 2011 filled with health, happiness, joy, laughter, success, and much love. “One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things.” - John Burroughs

Happy New Year everybody!

Nuff said...

The walking man walks...

Wow, what a title. Now there’s some serious symbolism for the fast approaching transition from year end to new year beginning. So this will be the last blog post for 2009. I am sure that this will bring about a reaction similar to that of when Ed McMahon reveals to Carnac the Magnificent, played by Johnny Carson, that “I hold in my hand, the last envelope.” (click here for Carnac)

As I am sure many of you know, the spring semester at Concordia begins substantially earlier than most factions of higher education this coming Tuesday, January 5th. Tennis practice will assuredly begin shortly thereafter. If everything goes well, we will have another player joining the fold as the new year begins. Martin Miedzowicz of Uruguay has been accepted to the college and is scheduled to arrive in New York for the spring semester. Martin will bring additional depth to a lineup that already has quite a bit of talent, especially at the top. We look forward to
welcoming Martin and expect great things for the team in 2010.

Of course, the turning of the calendar year is a time for many things. Some make resolutions. Some party like rock stars. Others like to celebrate traditions with family and friends. As for me, I like to reflect. I like to think about the experiences that I have had this past year and the things that I have learned. Also, as I like to speak of goals quite often, I like to ponder the efforts I have made and the subsequent goals reached. I like to think about my personal and professional relationships with others and the happiness that has ensued. I like to remember the work, the joy, the many laughs and even the tears. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I like to think about the opportunity to live life and the many good things that are to come.

In any case, I wish you all a 2010 filled with health, happiness, joy, laughter, success, and much love. “One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things.” - John Burroughs

Be well and as always, Nuff said...