Category: Sports

Basketball Renaissance

Ugly. That’s how I’d describe my first time picking up and shooting a basketball in three years. Don’t get me wrong. It was lovely Summer day with a nice dose of heat and enough wind to keep it bearable.


My shot? Not so much. Back in Framingham, we had a Lifetime gym membership for about 18 months from 2016-2017. April would do her classes. I’d lift a little and then shoot baskets.


This went on for about three months. I’d gotten back into decent basketball shape for 50+ and my shot was better than ever. One night the 20 and 30-somethings playing full court in the other half of the gym needed a 10th.
I played Ok and started getting asked to play more often. Then we decided to cancel the gym membership and I hadn’t picked up basketball in over three years except to move it from one house to another.


So, I’ll be kind to myself. It was pretty windy today and by the end, there were a couple shots that felt good. So, even though ugly was the overriding word of the day, promising was the final word.


Basketball was once a very important part of my life. It was my favorite sport to play growing up and I hope I’ll be able to share the game with my grandkids. Just need to get that shot back first.

Hope you’re having an amazing Sunday. I know our lives aren’t what any of us want right now, but there’s joy, opportunity, and peace to be found even in these moments.

Just in case no one else has reminded you today, you’re awesome!

Ray

Football Affirmations – Great Quarterback Affirmation Video

The quarterback is the most important player on the football field. From junior football to the NFL, the quarterback can make all the difference between a great team and all the rest. You are a great quarterback and this affirmation inspires you to be that quarterback each time you take the field.

The Affirmation

  1. First person – The universe reminds me that I am a great quarterback, I am a great quarterback, I am a great quarterback, and I get better and better each and every day.
  2. Second person – You are reminding yourself that you are a great quarterback, you are a great quarterback, you are a great quarterback and you get better and better each and every day.

https://youtu.be/66iw-PacqzQ

Ray

Download your personal copy of this affirmation.

I’m Inspired Today By…The Kansas City Chiefs

Even though I live in Boston now, I lived the first 50 years of my life in Kansas City. I’ve been one of those long-suffering Kansas City Chiefs fans. I was five years old the last time they went to and won the Super Bowl (Super Bowl IV in January 11, 1970).

Three years ago the Kansas City Royals broke a 30-year World Series drought. I’m hoping the Chiefs can repeat the feat. It only took me moving to Boston for them to achieve it.

Today they take on the team from our adopted hometown – The New England Patriots. While the Chiefs haven’t been to the Super Bowl in almost five decades, the Patriots have been in nine in the last 20 years. It’s a a true David vs. Goliath match-up.

The Patriots have Hall-of-Fame bound Tom Brady hoping lead his team to sixth Super Bowl victory versus Patrick Mahomes the young upstart and probable NFL MVP. I was at the first meeting this year in Foxboro. If today’s game is ANYTHING like that, we are all in for a treat!

Hopefully, by day’s end, The Chiefs will be in their first Super Bowl in the memory of yours truly. Patrick Mahomes feels like the real deal and the perfect changing of the guard for Tom Brady.

My prediction: Chiefs 31 Patriots 27.

Enjoy NFL Championship Sunday!

Ray

 

 

The Kansas City Royals are Winners Again

On the 27th of October in ’85
Hardly a fan is now alive
Who remembers that famous date and year

royalsWell, that’s not quite true, but you do have to be about 40 to remember the Kansas City Royals playing a significant baseball game in September. With their 3-0 shutout of the Minnesota Twins tonight at Kauffman Stadium, the revamped 2013 Royals pushed their record to 6-3.

It’s early in the season, to be sure. Yet, there is something more than an early season hot streak happening here. There is a young, talented team with veteran leadership and a new demeanor taking the field each day. There is a team showing signs of persuading a doubting fan base and touching some the glory this franchise once new – not in two years, not next year, but right now.

With a roster filled with minor league all-stars and a young bullpen that was one of baseball’s biggest surprises last year, the Royals’ leadership finally bit the bullet and went out and obtained some legitimate major league starters in the off-season. The early polls are in and this writer is projecting victory.

Because I am old enough to remember, I recall the 1984 Royals that sneaked into an unexpected division title with a veteran line up and some young gun arms. A year later that team would go all the way, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in a thrilling seven-game series and topping off a decade-long run of excellence. Times have been lean since. This year’s team has veteran arms and a young offense ready to emerge into its prime. I’m not sure if this team will be 1984 or 1985, but it is going to be good.

It’s early, but I am ready to make my Royals prediction for this year. Barring significant injuries, this team will go 90-72 and be in the hunt for at least a wildcard. Have faith Royals fans. There are meaningful games coming this September.

Stay inspired!

Ray

MP3 Baseball Affirmations

Nastia Liukin Wins Gold – The Affirmation Spot for Friday August 15, 2008

Today’s Affirmation:

“I know what achieving my goal feels like. I know what it smells like and tastes like. I know what achieving my goal looks like and sounds like. I envision my life with my goal attained.” (hear it)

 The last few days the world has seemed more like the 1980s than 2008. The United States and Russia are at odds and irresponsible threats are flying left and right. Hardline leaders in both countries seem to have forgotten the common interest they have – all of humanity has – in their getting along.

Against this backdrop, how much more symbolic of the change we need in our world could Nastia Liukin be? America’s newest female gymnastics gold medalist was born in Moscow and now resides in Parker, Texas. She is a daughter of the Russian motherland and a now proudly represents Team USA.

Her father was an Olympic men’s all-around silver medalist for the former Soviet Union at the Seoul Games in 1988. The Liukin family moved to The United States when Nastia was just two years old.

Liukin joins Mary Lou Retton (1984) and Carly Patterson (2004) as America’s only female all-around gymnastics champions. Battling fellow-American Shawn Johnson and Yang Yilin of China all night, Liukin was the most consistent in the end.

She solidified her top spot with an amazing routine on balance beam and then closed the deal with a pressure-packed and nearly flawless performance on floor exercise.

Nastia Liukin took gold in an event that everyone will remember forever. She was poised and dignified in victory. More than that she represents the hopes and dreams of two great nations. These nations should take her lead and pursue their greatness in healthy competiton rather than blustery conflict.

Stay inspired!

Ray

www.theaffirmationspot.com offers downloadable mp3 affirmations for nearly every area of life – sports, sales, wealth and prosperity, health and fitness – to name just a few. Our library is growing all the time. Remember your fifth affirmation on each order is always free.