It's Not Always Just Hockey

Just some random things that I came across and felt like sharing. No specific reason. Just like them both. 
Where else can you get a hockey blog that references a native american warlord and Springsteen in the same post??? :)  
Hope it gets you thinking and you enjoy!

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.

Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and

demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life,

beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a

friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all

people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy

of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only

in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones

to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are

filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep

and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.

Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.
Tecumseh

Tecumseh was the courageous, legendary leader of the Shawnee tribe who inspired one of the largest Native American armies in the Great Lakes region and was killed in battle on October 5th, 1813. This is the poem that was featured in the motion picture Act of Valor.

And remember, we are in it together!!! Always moving ahead.....and never looking back.

http://youtu.be/Y_-LnaN7_BQ

5 Random Goals- Go To The Net

Guys,
Picked five random goals again from the NHL highlights. Focus on where the goals come from. You have to be willing to go to the net........that is where the goals are.

Set A Summer Goal

Your dream determines your goals.
Your goals map out your actions.
Your actions create results.
And the results bring you success.

Most hockey seasons have finished or are close to coming to an end. This is the time of year when everyone is making plans for spring and summer showcases, tournaments, training and things to do hockey related over the summer.
Here is a small piece of advice that I know can help you and will cost you nothing but some thought. 
Set a goal. 
Simple as that. 
With all the planning, exploring and running around chasing ideas and theories on what players 'have' to do over the summer, sometimes something as simple as setting a simple improvement goal gets lost. 
Players talk about working hard over the summer and doing this camp or that showcase, but how many actually take some time and identify what they really want to accomplish or should develop over the course of the summer? 
Here is what I suggest. Take an honest look at yourself as a player and identify something specific that you have to improve on over the summer.
Maybe you need to improve your shot. Improve your passing. Become a stronger skater. Get stronger. Get bigger. Improve footspeed. Develop better mental toughness....... The list is endless. 
But you won't improve on anything if you do not consciously focus on it and have an end goal. 
Whatever the goal is, write it down. 
The process of writing your goal down helps you to clarify what you intend to do, understand the importance of your goal, and commit yourself to making it happen. Writing it down makes you more accountable.

"No one ever accomplishes anything of consequence without a goal......Goal setting is the strongest human force for self motivation."

The SMART system is a good tool to apply to whatever it is you are going to strive for this summer. Take a look at your goal. Is it specific? Can you measure your progress from the start to where you want to be? Is it attainable and realistic? (You want to push yourself but need to know you can do it.) And is it time based? (achieved by the end of August)

"The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going" Ralph Waldo Emerson

Goals help you determine your priorities and your priorities determine whether you'll reach your goals. The goal has to be your goal though. Not your parents goal. Not your coaches goal. Your goal.

The key to reaching your potential lies in your ability to continually improve. Activity is not enough, but if you set the right, specific goals and work to reach them, improvement is not only obtainable- it's inevitable.

The great thing is that once you simply identify and commit to a goal, you get moving towards it. It becomes hard to stop. Much like a train, getting it moving is the hardest part. A train standing still can be prevented from moving forward with one inch blocks of wood under each of it's drive wheels. Once the train is moving though, a concrete wall can't stop it.

Get your train moving. 

Set a summer improvement goal.