Journey

#Chasing25

by jscottdorsey

Hi there. I know its been a long time since I’ve posted anything. Today I am starting a new series of posts entitled #Chasing25. Chasing 25 is something I created a couple of months ago as a tongue in cheek tag line to describe the new fitness journey I had begun back in March of this year. As I was working out one morning I had one of those laugh at yourself kind of moments, as I looked at myself in the notorious mirror doing arm curls. As I was looking at myself I had the thought – look at you, a 52 year old chasing a 25 year old body.

In that moment I had a rush of other thoughts stream into my head. Why am I doing this? I should be happy with who I am and just enjoy life. I don’t look that bad for being 52. I’ll never stick to this, I don’t have the commitment and on and on and on it went. I literally paused mid rep and sat down on the bench. Why was I doing this? I knew in that moment I had to answer that question before I could move on. Was I really committed to this or was it just another hobby or past time I was going to do for a little while before moving on to something else.

My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014 at the age of 69. If hereditary the sobering reality is I could possibly have the disease in 17 years. And truth be told, mom probably had the beginning stages of the disease 2 years earlier. Now, I know it’s possible I will never have the disease but I am acutely aware that its probable that I will at some point, face the same diagnosis. Dad found out he had liver cancer at the age of 75 and was giving 2 years to live. Both of my parents battled health problems all through their 50’s and 60’s, everything from High Blood Pressure to Diabetes and a myriad of other ailments.

With mom passing in April of last year and dad losing his battle to cancer in July three months later (he fought and survived for 4 years!) I had already begun the process of changing my diet and trying to eat healthier but I knew that I needed to start exercising more frequently to improve my overall health. In April of this year both Lisa and I had made a commitment to really change our eating habits and really become healthy eaters. We have come a long way over the last several months but reality is this will always be a challenge for us.

These were some of the things going on in my brain as I sat on that bench. I also contemplated what my future might look like if I really committed to becoming healthier, how long could I extend my life?, maybe I can live into my 90’s. In the meantime, what if I could achieve a 25 year old body, how awesome would that be? So the fitness journey that I had somewhat embarked on became a full commitment that morning as I sat on that bench. #chasing25 will be my personal pursuit.

I hear ya, that’s great Scott but why all the instagram, facebook and now, wordpress blog posts? We really don’t need to see any more pictures of you at the gym! I totally understand the sentiment and if I have people who choose to unfollow me or unfriend me, I’m totally cool with that..But I do want to hopefully explain why all the posts. For some of you this may be twisted logic but its working for me thus far so I plan to keep posting. For me, its a way of holding myself accountable. I know if I don’t keep posting the pics then I will be failing in my commitment. Like I said, twisted I know but its working for me.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday I will continue to post pics or something when I’m at the gym. It’s amazing how this little thing of taking a pic at the gym has motivated me to get my lazy butt out of the bed and make my way to the gym. I do however, have good news for my friends on facebook, I will no longer be sharing these pics on that platform.

Going forward I will only post my #fitnessjourney and #chasing25 updates on Instagram and Twitter so if you want to follow along, please join me there:  twitter.com/JScottDorsey or instagram – www.instagram.com/jscottdorsey

I would like to thank all of you that have been supportive and encouraged me thus far on the journey. I have also enjoyed hearing stories of the journeys that you all are on and hope that continues.

Last thing. Physical health is only part of the equation. Our spiritual and mental well being is just as crucial as our physical health, especially our spiritual health. Without spiritual health, the rest of everything else really doesn’t matter. I don’t plan on preaching to anyone going forward but I will be sharing snippets into my spiritual walk as well (hopefully, this is already happening).

I would love any and all feedback as we go along and would count it as a blessing to hear about your journeys as well.

Take care and thanks for reading,

Scott

Life Lesson 1 – Share the Journey

by jscottdorsey

journey

Ed Dorsey, Richard Hilton,Truman Bryant, Bob Cannon, Mickey Redfern, Pete Carter, Tommy McMillan, Dixie Glisson, Scott Willis, Chuck Allen, Craig Schmidle, Dr. Ron Davidson and Bobby McGraw. Some of these names you may recognize but most of them you probably don’t. If you know me however, then you know each of them, if only a little bit. Each of these men, at various points in my life, helped to form the man  I am today at 47.

There are some other men who were friends of mine back in the day or are friends of mine today that I have enjoyed doing life with or am enjoying life with now.

Today I found myself reflecting back on each of these men and the parts that each of them have played in my life. I have written several posts about my dad and Coach Hilton. I have mentioned my Grandfather, Truman in passing but it’s amazing to me how all of these men have played such a critical part in my life at some of the most critical times in my journey of life.

Bob and Mickey came along side myself and several other young men shortly after Lisa and I had gotten married and started raising our family. Both men, freely gave of themselves, pouring their wisdom into us – much of which, I didn’t realize or understand at the time. They talked about their relationship with Christ, their wives, their kids – the things they did right, did wrong and always shared with a heart that let you know they genuinely cared about us.

Pete and his wife Sheila, simply adopted me as their younger brother and just loved me. I don’t know how else to describe it. They were and always have been there for me when I needed them to be. They have seen the good, the bad and the ugly; graciously loving me through all of it. I could never repay them for all that they have done for me. I don’t get the opportunity to see or to talk them as much today but I know they are one phone call away!

Tommy and his wife Bonnie have been great friends to Lisa and I for many years now. Their girls and ours have grown up together and through it all, they have always been there to support, encourage and challenge Lisa and I to be better parents. I have learned from Tommy to keep a positive attitude no matter the situation or circumstance. To be steady and consistent, knowing that if you do all that you can do, that is, all you can do.

Dixie was the first “Real” pastor I ever had!! From him I learned a multitude of biblical truths that helped me to become the husband and father I am today. He helped me to understand that the burden I carried of trying to be perfect, was simply an unattainable goal and that God was not asking me to be perfect – but to allow the “One” who was, to guide my life. He is one of the nicest, gentle men you will ever meet but also one who will lovingly challenge you to be the best you can be.

For the rest of the men I mentioned on the list, all of them have or continue to play an important role in my and my family’s life. There is really no adequate way to convey what all of these men have meant to me personally  and/or to my family. I am forever indebted to each of them. As I think about all of these men, what stands out to me most is the sincerity and honesty in which they have always conducted themselves.

So, what’s the point to all of this? All of these men were willing to share themselves with me, to do life with me, brothers trying to help me become a better man. We were never meant to do life alone and men especially, get this wrong. One of the great lies we (men) fall prey to is that we should not need help. As men, we should be able to do everything on our own. I am scared to think where I and my family would be today if I had followed the path of Lone Wolf. Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. 

My prayer and hope for all who read this is that you have people around you that you can do life with.

For those of us who have a little more life experience than others, it is our responsibility to seek those people that might benefit from our experiences in life so that we may help them avoid some of the shortfalls we encountered along the way. To encourage the next generation, challenging them in love to hold fast to the truths that will sustain them for a life-time. That’s how I feel about the gentlemen above and I hope to do the same for those that follow me.

Our lives, our journey was never meant to be a one man operation

Peace and Thanks for Reading!