All The Cool Kids Are Doing It...

     I really hope I'm not turning into that pompous asshole that believes his views and opinions of the world are so important that all must read his blog in order to be sufficiently educated in the ways of what is moral and wholesome. But, I find myself sitting here on a cool San Diego morning typing away hoping sharing my thoughts with the digital world will help ease my sleeping troubles. No ladies and gentlemen I have not been up all night, but today is the day that I have decided it would be wise to get my daily workout in early. Trying to wake up at 6am after falling asleep at 4am is not the easiest thing to do, but I guess I have the rest of the day to squeeze in a quick power nap.
     I left my TV on again. Waking up to Sportscenter isn't the worst way to start off you day I guess; keeps me focused on what my ultimate goal is as a basketball player. Seeing how these athletes look physically makes me look at my small Buddha belly and cringe. Gotta lay off the sweets there Graham, those washboard abs won't form on their own. I have cut out soda, candy, and fast food completely out of my diet. Cold turkey. Not an easy thing to do for a guy who used to eat out at least once a day in Eugene. Losing weight is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions across the world, if not the most popular. Since coming down to San Diego I started at 265lbs and have leaned down to an acceptable 240lbs. However, acceptable doesn't cut it in the world of professional sport. Hence the drastic diet change and ramped up exercise routine. I'm starting to get used to it, but when working out feels like a chore I find it hard to motivate myself to get out of the house and go to the gym. But I don't want to ramble on about basketball, seeing that my blog is called "Away From The Hardwood" you'd think I'd talk about anything BUT basketball. So, moving on...
     I had an interesting conversation with a close friend early this morning. Relationship troubles. Seeing that I am a psychology major I eat this stuff up. My father was a psychiatrist, specializing in family and marital counseling. I guess I got my good ears from him. It's so interesting to hear about people and their outlook on things, especially those closest to their hearts. You can really tell a lot about a person by listening to how they view certain situations they find themselves in. As my mother always said, "It's easier to focus on the negatives than it is the positives Graham." Isn't that the truth. We go through our lives meeting so many different people and we are complimented left and right. You are such a good listener. Why are you so kind-hearted? I wish there were more people like you. You are one of the best friends I have. And yet, at the first criticism we get we throw up our guard and pretend like the world is crashing down around us. We all dream of world peace, the end of the world hunger, and the end of war, but we don't do the small things everyday that can help change our environment around us. The power of positivity is a real thing people. When people complain about relationship issues, they tend to over exaggerate. "My boyfriend NEVER listens to me." "My girlfriend never let's me do anything anymore." Really? Never is a pretty strong word, and when you look back on it are you sure you aren't just bitter about the fact that you tried calling your boyfriend at 2am in the morning and he didn't pick up? Or the fact you had to tell the guys you couldn't watch the game tonight because you were going to dinner with your girlfriend which you had planned 2 weeks ago? I will never be convinced otherwise that human beings love to complain. If things are going well, we will always find something to complain about so that we can bitch and moan to someone and feel listened to. Which boils down to the main point of my first post of the year. Listen to people. People want to be heard, they want to be able to reach out to someone in a time of need or just at anytime during the day and they want someone to look them straight in the eyes and not say a word, just listen to what the other person has to say. There is power in listening skills. Listening is the foundation for great communication between partners. I have found myself in situations where I have had to watch parents talk to one another, boyfriends and girlfriends talk to each other, and friends talk to each other. As the 3rd wheel in that situation, I have the ability to sit and watch. So many times during arguments both parties do not listen to one another. One has it in their mind that their opinion must be heard and is the right one. The other has it in their mind that their opinion is right and there is no other alternative. Compromise? Out of the question. Bicker, bicker, bicker, bicker... and someone ends up on the couch, in the doghouse. It's silly!
     Before I start to make my delicious breakfast and head off to the gym, I want to say this. Take time out of your day to strike up a conversation with someone. Ask them how their day went. What they are looking forward to in the near future. What do they want to accomplish in the next 5 years? Just ask a question, and see where it takes you. Listen to one another, and the barrier known as "lack of communication" will come crashing down like the walls at Jericho. Just call me Joshua.
     This is G.S Moredock, signing out.