Gears in Motion

For those of you keeping up with my blog, I set some goals for the year 2018. I picked up cycling at the beginning of the year and I’ve had my road bike for about 3 months now. Two goals I made were to ride one hundred miles every month to make 1200 miles by the end of the year, and to eventually ride the entire length of the Van Fleet Trail. Well, for my 30th birthday, I was able to complete both!

I set out late in the morning with two large bottles of water, four snack bars, and a heart full of determination. Riding the entire trail was a goal of mine from when I was younger and would go biking or skating on the trail with my mother. It was a hot day, but thankfully there were clouds to block the sun for the majority of the ride.

At about the 20 mile mark, I started to get a little anxious; I had never been out that far and I hadn’t seen anyone else for hours. At that point the trail cuts through the Withlacoochee State Forest, so I had deer, armadillos, and a horde of turtles to keep me company and keep my mind focused.

When I reached the end, I was both overjoyed with my accomplishment and overwhelmed by the thought of riding the 29 miles back to the “home side” of the trail. After a phone call to my wife and mother, I ate half of the last remaining snack bar I had and started the ride back.

It’s true what they say about leaving always seems to take longer than coming back home. The clouds that kept me shaded on the way up had abandoned me, so my second bottle of water became my cooling shower. Counting down the miles kept my morale high and I didn’t make as many stops as I had on the way out. At that point, I just wanted to see Em and Boogie as quickly as I could.

When I made it back to the trail head my body was sore but my excitement took over and quickly suppressed the fire raging in my quadriceps and hamstrings. I had done it; the goal I made so long ago had finally been accomplished.

The weather started to get bad so my wife met me a few miles down the connecting trail. My grand total for the ride was 71 miles, and I felt amazing. When I checked my overall miles from when I started biking, I had also reached 1200 miles! It had only taken me 6 months to ride what I thought would take me a year, and I had the Van Fleet Trail to thank for it.

I’m so blessed to have the love and support of my family and friends. This would not be possible without their hard work and encouragement. So now the next goal is set and sometime in the future I’ll go for my first century ride. Maybe with a few more months of riding and preparing, but I know it can be done!

Change is Good

I lacked a hobby, so I found one. I asked Santa (my wife) for a bike, and come Christmas it was under the tree! I felt like I was 5 again; a boy and his bike reunited. At first, I just wanted my legs to get stronger for Taekwondo; now it seems that I do Taekwondo to strengthen my legs for cycling! I found my hobby, and it happens to be doing much more for me than making me smile.

When I looked into biking, I had no idea how vast it was; road bike, mountain bike, hybrid bike, gravel bike, cyclocross…my head was spinning. I landed on hybrid to start, and was on my way to becoming a “cyclist”. 4 mile rides became 6; 6 became 10; 10 became 20. I was getting there, but slowly. I would notice the 55 and up crowd flying by me on their road bikes and I realized that I wanted to go faster.

In my pursuit for speed, I ran across a craigslist ad for a road bike; a carbon fiber lime green with blue accents speed machine. I ended up buying it (it was dad budget friendly, thank God) and I was ready to show the seniors on the trail that I could keep up. It took time, but eventually I was the one who would yell “On your left!” to warn fellow cyclists that Jrodz was coming through. I was going fast and grinning ear to ear.

I love being on my bike. I love spending time with my family in the morning and then going for a ride before work, or putting my daughter in her trailer and setting off on a grand adventure. This hobby has really become a lifestyle for me now, but it is also much more than that. When I started riding I was about 165-168lbs. I was happy with this because while Em was pregnant I was at 185-188lbs. A little more than 4 months later and I am at 159-160lbs, my legs are stronger than ever, and I look and feel healthier.

All in all, this hobby of mine has helped me to improve myself. I just wanted to ride my bike and feel like a kid again, but the benefits I’ve received go much further than that. I have set goals that I look forward to accomplishing and give me a sense of purpose when I hop on my bike. I get to share time with my family in a different way that keeps us active. Dare to try something new; even a hobby can become a lifestyle that opens up a world of new possibilities.

Back to Writing

Well, I put the blog on the back burner and have been really focused “on life”, as people say. Family, tournaments, biking, and a new vegan cookbook my mother bought my wife have all been my driving forces these past few weeks.

Writing is a resolution that I don’t intend to drop. I’ve already seen so many fellow bloggers who have not been as active and I hope this encourages them to jot down (a phrase lost in the 21st century) a few ideas and keep at it.

I liked my page…but I felt like I was limiting what I was writing about. “Dadvice” was a part of what I wanted to write, but I found myself in a rut and focusing solely on it. So, I guess this is a bit of a direction change.

I began writing because my wife introduced me to Chuck Klosterman. His writings inspired me and made me want to start a blog and develop my own writing style. Klosterman: if you stumble upon this, thanks for the spark.

Well, these are just some random thoughts to reintroduce me to writing. Excited to get back into it and possibly right the ship. Hope spring break is treating you all well and have a Happy Easter.

Dadvice: Well…more like Husvice?

So this particular subject has been on my mind for a while now, but I recently had a conversation about it. The phrase “Happy Wife, Happy Life.” I’m sure most of us have heard it and maybe even have used it. It’s often delivered with a sarcastic undertone or chuckle and viewed as a rule for survival rather than actual advice. Well, I’m here to turn this phrase on its head!

Let’s break the phrase down. The belief is that a happy wife directly results in a happy life. While making your spouse happy does improve the quality of your life, I believe we should be looking at it the other way around: “Happy Life, Happy Wife!” Stress has a way of creeping into different parts of our life. What starts as a worry from work can grow into a frustration at home. By controlling our thoughts and managing our stress, we can take charge of the the situation and have a “Happy Life”. When we are happy, we can then give our family our undivided attention and support; resulting in a “Happy Wife”!

A relationship takes teamwork. If a member of the team is down, it causes the other member to work harder to pick up the slack. By managing our thoughts and stresses we can choose to make the best of our situation and get back into the game. I personally think of it as sharing my happiness with my wife and family; rather than feeling like I have to make my wife happy on top of being stressed. So try “Happy Life, Happy Wife”, and share the love (and happiness) with your family!

Dadvice: Speak Life!

Speaking life and positive, uplifting words is important to our everyday life. These words can brighten our day, lift up others, and strengthen our relationships. By speaking positively to our little ones, they learn self worth and confidence. So let’s put our words to good use and spread the love!

Every morning my wife and I wake up our little girl with this song: 🎵Good morning, Baby Girl. You are our whole wide world. You’re blessed, and brilliant, and beautiful, too! Good morning, we love you!🎵 That song has been a daily routine since she was born and, lo and behold, she is all of those and and then some! Even when we discipline Aria, we let her know that she is blessed and awesome but that the choice she made wasn’t the best one. Use every opportunity to speak positive to your kids, and let them know how much they are loved…no matter what!

Apply this to your marriage, too! Randomly tell your spouse something sweet and uplifting. I love telling my wife she is beautiful out of the blue, and the smile that follows is exactly that: beautiful! Also, a flirty pop on the booty goes a long way (insert sexy growl)! But seriously, keep the fire fanned in your relationship by speaking positive to your spouse! Extreme was right with “More than Words”, but hearing them sure can brighten your loved one’s day.

Sometimes the kind words are difficult to find. We all have bad days and stressful times in our lives; but by finding words that bring life and happiness to others we also catch hold of that energy. Practice positive speaking through-out your day and watch as the world smiles with you!

Dadvice: Give what you Get!

For the past 26 years, Taekwondo has been my life. I’ve been blessed to have many opportunities through Taekwondo, such as traveling the US and Canada, teaching seminars and competing. So, as you can imagine, I have passed on my Taekwondo training to Aria.

I always said that as soon as Aria could walk she would begin training, and I held true to that claim. Since before her first birthday, Aria has been learning her commands, basic fundamentals, poomse, and even weapons. Being able to give my daughter the same training that shaped me to be a stronger and more confident person is so fulfilling. To her it’s just time kicking, punching, and running around; but I see her building focus, balance, and coordination. There are so many benefits that she receives from training that she may not realize until she is much older, but in the meantime it is just another fun daddy-daughter experience that strengthens our bond.

So give your little ones the talents and knowledge that you’ve received! Share your passion so your children understand and respect your gifts while also being encouraged to discover their own. I have always told my students that I don’t train them to be as good as me, but to become better than me. In Aria’s case, she’s well on her way to surpassing me, and I couldn’t be more proud.

Dadvice: Enjoy the Little Thing(s)!

Parenting is great. Sure, there’s the crying, pooping, and sleepless nights; but give it some time and you have a little person who thinks the world of you. Through the blissful and crazy times of parenting, remember to enjoy the little thing(s): your kid(s)!

I remember when Aria was basically a new pet: eat, poop, sleep, repeat. Now, she’s a fully functioning and quite independent little person; complete with her own preferences and attitude. The fact that this happened seemly over night is all the more reason for me to take in and enjoy every little moment I have with her. Walk-and-talks, couch cuddles, dance parties, and tea times are just my feeble attempt at capturing fleeting moments with my growing girl. As much as I couldn’t wait for her to be at this stage in her development, I find myself missing the days of her being a “burrito baby” swaddled in my arms. Those “little things” are the moments that I cherish, and even though I can’t slow down time I will always hold those memories close.

Whether you’re new to the parenting game, well into the parenting biz, or have been promoted to grandparent, I believe we can all agree that kids grow up too fast. One moment you’re giggling at a toothless little “gummy bear” and the next your dentally equipped munchkin is zipping around with the dexterity, and appetite, of a billy goat. So don’t let time get the better of you! Enjoy the little things with your little thing(s)!

Dadvice: Quality Time!

Quality time is important! Your spouse needs it; your kids need it; heck, even your pets need it! But there is something to this “Quality Time” that makes it so important: the quality!

Let’s face it; we have so many distractions nowadays. Despite that, family deserves our undivided attention. Phones and television are no substitute for a family hike or even a good book, so take a few minutes to put your full attention into quality time. The better quality, the more memorable and enjoyable the time is for all.

So make sure that quality time is just that: quality. I know this is a short tidbit, but I have to get back to eating a delicious Play-Doh spaghetti dinner and sipping tea with Princess Bunny.

Dadvice: Don’t Get Sick!

Flu season is upon us! This time of the year is when family, friends, and strangers alike become mobile sick stations. So keep your hand sanitizers and medical masks handy, and don’t get sick!

The Rodz Clan got hit by a nasty bug. We had everything from the classic case of “gunky eye” to the advanced stages of “toilet dependency”. It hit us one at a time, which worked out because we got to be each other’s support system and sick coach.

My wife was the first victim. A mass of groaning, quaking blankets was left on my wife’s usual side of the couch. Once in a while, the mass would disappear into the restroom or the bedroom where it would resume its song and dance.

When it was my turn, my wife would instruct me on the stages of illness I was in and what to expect next. While it helped, it didn’t make the experience any more enjoyable. I laid in bed wondering why we replaced our sheets and blankets with pins and needles. My stomach became my parole officer; making sure that I was never too far from our only bathroom.

Our daughter was still lively, even though her right eye was cover by a goop eyepatch. She looked and sounded like a drunken pirate, but somehow managed to make it adorable. Thankfully the bulk of her yuck was her eye and some coughing, but she handled it in stride.

Now that it has passed, we are in recovery mode. Our family can be found in the living room huddled together in front of Sesame Street like an Inuit Tribe settled in front of a fire. Though the sniffles and coughs remain, they are less frequent and don’t carry the same sense of impending doom. Bathroom breaks are not as urgent or disastrous and have resumed the secondary role of “phone booth” breaks. Like after any disaster, rebuilding brings a sense of hope that tomorrow will be a better day.

Well, hopefully you avoid all of this mess. Drink plenty of water, get your favorite Vitamin C chewable, and don’t forget to wash your hands regularly. Don’t get sick. It’s not fun, and it’s even worse when it spreads to the rest of the family. Stay healthy, my friends.

Dadvice: There’s No “I” in “Team”

As my daughter gets older I realize more and more that there really is no “I” in “Team”. When my wife and I are in sync we can pull off some game changing parenting plays, but when we are not it feels like a 3 way game of tug-o-war. These are some tips that can help with building not only your parental team, but also your relationship team.

Have an Open line of Communication! I’ll admit, I struggle with this one. As a Gemini, I have a tendency to switch gears in an instant while my Leo wife tries desperately to hold onto what little attention span I have. It takes talking it through. When we try to do our own strategy the situation becomes stressful, but when we communicate we are like Jordan and Pippen. Listen to each other. Don’t get frustrated, and when you do (it happens), don’t be too stubborn to back off a bit and try the other’s method. You definitely don’t want that frustration to go beyond the situation and linger through the day, so talk it out!

Pull the ol’ Switcheroo! If you notice your partner needs to tag out then lend a helping hand. Sometimes teamwork means working individually so the other team member can recharge. It’s not personal (past blog reference) to sit on the bench while your teammate takes your little one to get some energy out. Think about it: if you are frustrated with your child, chances are they’re frustrated with you, too! Let the situation cool down by calling in for backup. And don’t forget to show your teammate how much you appreciate them in order to strengthen your bond!

Support each other! Don’t go behind your teammates back and tell your little one they can have that last cookie when they were told they couldn’t. Respect and reinforce each other’s decisions; which is easier to do if you talked it out beforehand! Don’t get into a power struggle over what both of you want. Make a plan and support the decision made by the team. Your little one will see the respect you have for each other and it will in turn help them respect you both more.

Talk it over, share the responsibility, and support each other. These are steps that my wife and I have put into practice and It has really helped us through some stressful situations. Strengthen your relationship and parenting by working together. Make your family a super star team, and remember: nobody likes a ball hog.