With the first pick...

Greetings from a rainy day in Ithaca, NY. Considering 70's are forecasted for the weekend, I'll take my fair share of dreary Mondays. Anyways, sports references galore these days...but they make sense, so why not?

The National Football League's 2010 Draft took place over the weekend, an exhibition on rating people, the analysis for the three draft days is endless. Teams and fans of those teams are reassured by the thought of getting better in just a matter of minutes.

So, maybe it's time to think about your own life. Evaluate what parts you need to improve and what parts are doing pretty well. All the NFL teams did that same thing this weekend. Some had a weak offense, so they drafted players who would help that aspect of the team. Others may have lost their quarterback in the offseason, so if they were smart, they drafted a quarterback.

How smart are you though? Are you going to make the right move at this point? If you're struggling at respecting yourself, why not go on a diet, or go for a run. Each gives you confidence, rounding out your lifestyle. Doing something like that in lieu of a bad habit is key as well.

But a draft is really about people helping you get better...it's kind of hard to just pick up self-respect out of thin air. We all need help from others. So, think about who in your life can help you in specific areas. Maybe you can pinpoint a friend who will help keep you on that diet and exercise, who motivates you more than you yourself can. A running partner, or someone to eat with. It helps.

Why not make list of people like that just like the NFL teams...I would include mine but it's a pretty exclusive and private list. My all time #1 pick though is Jesus, He probably should be yours, considering He knows how to fix all of our shortcomings himself, and often acts through the closest people in our lives to make us better. But seriously, write it down. Like in the NFL, you only have seven rounds, so choose wisely. It's amazing how you can turn out if you surround yourself with the right people.

Don't think you're just using them either, as each person affects each other in a different way. We each have an impact on those closest to us, just like they have one on us.

We are really all in this together, and it's a lot better relating to each other, than living life as a loner. Sure, being independent has its strong points, but there is a time and place for everything. Moderation is important in life...with one exception...God.

So, pretend like you're an NFL Team, and you have to pick the seven people that you care about the most, and can help make you a complete, wholesome, and happy human being. Then make those bonds stronger.

One last note on the rain...a good quote I've heard more than once in my life..."If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain..."