Two years ago, I had locked in some serious fitness goals. My girlfriend was a bartender, which meant our holiday season was a marathon of parties. The air was thick with the smell of spirits, music was blasting, and the shots were lined up on the bar. Every time a tray came around, I had a choice. People offered me drink after drink. I had actually already hit my physical goal, so the excuse of "I'm training" was wearing thin. They cracked jokes. They told me to loosen up. They told me "just one" wouldn't hurt. It would have been so easy to lift a glass just to stop the ridicule. But I had made a promise to myself to stay dry until my birthday. So, amidst the noise and the pressure, I looked them in the eye and said, "No." Over and over again. It wasn't about the calories anymore. It was about the contract I signed with myself. When I walked out of those parties sober, I felt something shift. I realized that their pressure couldn't touch me. I learned that a boundary isn't a wall you build against others; it's a foundation you build for yourself. Staying true to my word gave me a depth of self-respect that a night of drinking never could. That’s the work we do here. We prove that we are the masters of our own actions. 1. Where are you saying "yes" just to avoid an awkward conversation or a joke at your expense? 2. What is one commitment you need to protect this holiday season, no matter what they say? Your action today: Identify one situation this weekend where you know you'll be pressured. Decide your exact "no" right now, before you step into the room. Stick to it.

read before bed or in the early morning. my take away tonight. Don't you know that you yourselves are Gods temple and God dwells in your midst. 1 Corinthians 3:16

I knew he was only three, but looking at that empty tree, I still felt like I had failed him. A couple of years back, I didn't have my stuff together. I was distracted by school and work, telling myself I’d get to the holidays "later." Suddenly, it was Christmas Eve, and I was in a panic. I remember obsessively refreshing my Amazon app every five minutes, praying the status would change from "Delayed" to "Delivered." My chest was tight, and I was snapping at everyone because I was so stressed. The package didn't show. My son woke up to only a couple of presents under the tree. He was too young to really know the difference, but I knew. I had let my lack of planning steal the joy from the morning. I made a promise to myself right then: Never again. I learned that being a provider isn't just about the paycheck. It's about the planning. When we don't look ahead, we force our families to live in our chaos. Real leadership is anticipating the needs of your tribe before they even know they have them. It’s doing the work now so they can have the peace later. That is the standard we hold for each other in this brotherhood. We don't just hope for the best; we prepare for it. 1. What are you putting off right now that is going to turn into a crisis by December 24th? 2. What is one specific thing you can buy or schedule today to secure peace for your family later? Your action today: Open your calendar. Map out the travel, the parties, and the gift deadlines. Buy the "big" gift today so you aren't refreshing a tracking app on Christmas Eve.

My brother and I aren't very close. For a long time, I let that eat at me. I told myself, "If he wanted to talk to me, he’d pick up the phone." I was keeping a scorecard. And because the score wasn't even, I let the silence win. But I realized that if I wanted a relationship, I had to be the one to build it. So, I stopped waiting. I started calling. And here is the truth: When I call, we have great talks. We laugh. We catch up. The connection is actually there, it just needs a spark. I used to be mad that I had to be the spark. Now, I’m just grateful that I have a brother who answers. I learned that the blessing isn't about who dials the number. The blessing is that I have a brother to call. This Thanksgiving, I’m not looking at what’s "fair." I’m looking at the opportunity I have to connect. The phone works both ways, but my heart only needs to work one way: towards him. I’m grateful for the chance to be the one who reaches out. 1. Who are you keeping score with instead of connecting with? 2. Can you be grateful just for the fact that they are still there to answer the phone? Your action today: Don't wait for them. Be the one who initiates. Call that person—your brother, your dad, your friend—and just be thankful you can hear their voice.

i broke into the 240's today after wieghing 267 just 6 weeks ago. i feel strong, agile, and focused right now.