Are you finished yet?

I was talking to my homeboy Chauncey the other day and somehow we got on the subject of "finishing". Actually, it came up when he started telling me the story of how he was playing a game of 21 with his buddy and the score was 20-15. He had the 20 and was at the free throw line with the opportunity to score the winning basket. "Ant?" "Yeah?", I replied. "Do you know that I lost that game?" He went on to say that it didn't matter how well he played up to the 20 points, he didn't go all the way.

I began to ponder the times in my life when I wanted to quit something. There have been times when I wanted to quit and I did, and other times when I wanted to but didn't...thankfully the latter is more often the case in my life. I gotta tell you, the pain of finishing is nothing in comparison to the pain of NOT finishing. Why run 26 miles and not finish out the 0.2 Crazy, right?

Here's some tips on helping you finish:

1. Proverbs 16:3, Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (Self explanatory)
2. Surround yourself with people that have either done it or are working towards a common goal. I love positive peer pressure.
3. One bite at a time. (i.e. Don't think about the 4 years to complete the college degree, focus on one semester at a time...)

"No Outside Food or Drinks!" Consumers Unite Rule #4

"Dad! It says no outside food or drinks!" I crack up laughing to this day when I think about one time when I took my daughter to the movies and I thought I'd be slick and smuggle in a few "homemade" hotdogs into the movies for us. She outed me as soon as we walked up to the movie ticket counter and she saw that "NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINKS." sign. Wow, one of the few times when I felt like laughing, a little angry, proud, and embarrased all at the same time. You gotta love being corrected by a 7-yr old.

Hey, can you blame me? I didn't feel like paying $20 for 2 hotdogs...... Before you call me Mr. Cheepo, check out this CNN article, http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/108729/americas-biggest-ripoffs

Oh, and yes she and I grubbed out on our "homemade" hotdogs. What's my rule? I guess I'd have to say every once and a while we all have to step back and assess the value in what we are buying. Am I willing to pay a 900% markup on popcorn? Maybe, maybe not. Its different for all of us, but know your limits. I don't suggest breaking the law to get there, but I do suggest being creative when the opportunity lends itself....

Tip: When wrapping up your hotdog in foil only use the really thin foil, you know the kind the lady at your church used to serve the hotdogs in during lunch at Vacation Bible School back in the day. Some of yall' know what I talkin' about. It still keeps it warm and isn't as noisy..... Grabbing condiments at the movies is real suspect, I suggest doing that at home.