This past weekend we had a break in the heat and humidity of our Houston summer. With the lower temperatures and humidity we enjoyed a beautiful, sunny Saturday afternoon with my sons, Hunter, Blade and Pierce, who came over to our home to swim, hang out, and barbecue.

It’s moments like these that I live for. I’ve had a lot of success in my life, first as a professional athlete and then as a business person, but my time with my family is what is most important to me.

I have lived my life acknowledging that when the end comes, I’m not going to take anything with me other than my experiences, and the love I have created for others.

That’s why I I believe it’s important to live in the moment. It’s important to actually be there, and engaged. It’s what some people call carpe diem, or seizing the day.

All too often it’s easy to get distracted from being In the moment. We live in a world with an obscene amount of stimulation, whether it comes from the news, from our smart phones, or our TVs to name a few.

I think that distractions even leak into our gym life. While we’re working out, it’s easy to get distracted by the news on the TV in the corner of the gym, or the rant coming through our headphones.

That’s why many times, I will just try to avoid all external stimulus when I am working out, and just focus on what I’m feeling in my body.

In between exercises, I’ll speak with people who are working out also, and I will really focus on what they’re saying, to develop more meaningful relationships with these workout buddies.

When it’s time to do my next set, I will focus entirely on my body, my breathing, my pounding heart, and what my muscles are feeling. I call it getting in tune with myself.

I would encourage you to try this also. It’s very motivating and rewarding to really focus and feel the essence of being alive, no matter what you’re doing.

I really feel alive when I am working out. There’s something about working out that synchronizes my mind and body together.

This week I want to encourage you to do the same. To be in the moment, to enjoy the feeling of being alive, to enjoy the feeling of working your muscles and listening to your breathing. And…To enjoy the company of those there who are exerting themselves with you.

Seize the day.

Have a healthy week,