Another Day in Paradise

Another Day in Paradise

Something in me discerned this, said yes, and currently holding on for the ride. Sounds like paradise to me. 

I didn’t just come here to die, I came here to live to the fullest. Dying is part of living, but I needed to feel again. To suffer. To go through everything that it feels like to be human. 

I saw paradise, then a hurricane rushed through the scene and it was still paradise. 

I came back from vacation to corporate America, it was still paradise. 

The dawn of a new era. A chapter with a map that leads to paradise, again.

The road is wide open. The pavement is your own gym floor. Even the gym, which is known as the Iron Paradise, has become a sanctifying place. Objects seem more closer than they appear. Paradise is right here in front of us.

I will be starting swim lessons soon. Boxing too, maybe even martial arts. Why do I always feel like I’m preparing for war? Sunny from the F1 Movie said Plan C. Which means, C is for combat. Paradise and war sounds like a paradox. War is my paradise. When you’re a soldier in God’s army, your mentality always shifts to its default setting. Enduring and conquering. 

I think the Lord is up to something. He always has something up His sleeve. I’m here for it. I need more time in the adoration chapel. He won’t reveal what is ahead, but will at least give me assurance that He is already there. My guardian angel made sure the path was safe. Working overtime again. Praise the Lord!!

I love this chapter that I’m living. It’s everything I’ve been praying for and more. If you would have told me ten years ago that I was going to be doing what I’m doing now, I would have thought you were crazy, but I would have smiled because I would’ve still believed it. I am not surprised because I worship a God of surprises. Deep down I always knew the future was going to be great. The best is still yet to come though.

Paradise may seem closer than it appears. Paradise is what you currently see. I used to think it was at a far distance. It was here all along. Paradise is everywhere I go. Jesus is present in the midst. Paradise exists because Christ is present among us.  

I can hear the birds chirping; the waterfalls flowing; every day feels like Friday or Sunday morning. It feels unreal. This is my ODYSSEY filled with a myriad of adventures. If somehow our paths cross, being in the right place at the right time, every once in a while, it would make everything much better. Fun maxxing, living in paradise. It’s as good as it gets, on this side of Heaven.

Jesus, I trust in You, Great King!

Otro día en el paraíso…

The Road to a Fulfilling Life

Something big is about to happen. I don’t get this feeling too often. Maybe just at the beginning of a new chapter, when I recollect and remember, “If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things, this is the best season of your life.” Every year, it happens. The best season of my life. It never stops! Not because I ignore unnecessary things, but because I spend more time and energy on what is necessary. Something feels different this time. This is about to be the most important season of my life. 

When I say something big, I’m not referring to career or business. I’m relating to my personal life. I’ve always known that as much as we pour into our jobs, we must be more excited and work harder outside of our jobs. That’s where optimal fulfillment comes from. 1. Work more on your life outside of your job than you do at your job. 

Connection is greater than purpose. Build healthy holy human connections with people. They will inspire you to be better and push you beyond your limits just by their presence and support. Positive friendships are influential. Without the right human interaction, you are depriving yourself of love. Self solitary confinement is detrimental to your development and growth. The opposite is also true. 2. Healthy holy human connections are essential to a prosperous lifestyle. 

When you live to your potential, you begin to attract beautiful things in your life. Heavenly things. You find God in those moments, if you look closely. God reveals why you’re His favorite. God blesses you suddenly, abundantly, and right on time. Then the world starts seeing what you already knew about yourself. 3. Acquire a devotion to your faith and give God the glory for everything.

Every bit of resistance, friction, or tension becomes the blessing. That’s why you never really hear me complain about circumstances or people. Even with the trials, challenges, changes, and everything else, that is when you realize everything you prepared for, led you to this moment. This is why we play the game. When someone disrespects you and you create a boundary, it’s all part of the game. This is the most exciting part of the episode. These conflicts propel you to have the best season of your life. 4. Embrace the friction. 

The fulfillment of a job well done has a cost of admission that most people never pay long enough to collect. There’s a resiliency that needs to be applied for you to push past surrendering. Most will never want to pass that threshold and persevere because it is too much work and it is too painful. In fact, if you look around in today’s society most are being steered in the wrong direction with behavior that does not bring fulfillment in the long run. The easy road of empty promises that actually leaves people more broken than before. Actions that make you take steps backward and not forward. Discipline. Boundaries. Love. 5. There’s always a price. It’s expensive, but worth everything! 

You have to make time to sit. Just you and your thoughts. It has to be a peaceful meeting. What is being said, honestly?  That’s all you need to ignite something within you to go and achieve something worthwhile. Optimal fulfillment isn’t the achievement, the final result, it is everything before, in between, and the aftermath. God is in the middle of it all. 6. Optimal fulfillment is the whole process. The good, the bad, and the messy middle. 

You don’t need applause or any validation. You will enter seasons where you want to be seen, but great things happen even when they are not noticed. Fulfilling work must derive in the silence, otherwise it is done vaguely. Some work you would expect to be congratulated and you won’t. <insert cricket noise> No one is going to tell you to run the extra mile, no one is going to applaud for you after completing a task, especially if this has become the norm. Envy may follow when you win all the time, win anyway. 7. Learn to build and be grateful for the opportunity without recognition. 

Next time someone says, you’re not good enough (rage bait), make sure you smile inside because you know how to operate your system. Not to prove anyone wrong, but to prove yourself right. AGAIN! The person who is the most calm is the one who is in control. You were winning from the start. You’re winning now! You will win at the end. Winning at life for standing and living what you believe in. Faith in motion is the road to poetic justice. It was never about anyone’s opinion, it was always about the mission, you, God, and the people you serve. God leads to victory not self destruction. Don’t believe the lies. 8. True victory is found in Christ. 

Summer of 2026: The Road to a Fulfilling Life. The Road to the Most Important Season of Your Life…

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!

Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph, pray for us!

Martyrdom Mentality

I came here to die.

We look at Christ as example of how to live. In ministry, charity, prayer life, and so forth. Also, we should look to Him as an example on how to die. In His own humanness, he went through anguish especially in knowing what was ahead and having to suffer gruesomely without mercy. When I made the decision to move back home to Los Angeles, California, it was with martyrdom in mind. I had to prepare for the persecution that needs to be endured. Everyone goes through some form of it, in one way or another. I had already gone through prejudice, ridicule, failure, and heartaches. I was battle tested, a veteran, a champion. I felt ready! 

“Affliction produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” 

-Fr. Mike Schmitz 

I was ready to embark into the unknown. I was ready to die, maybe that meant just die to myself. After all, when a man gets married, he is mainly portrayed in a black suit, while the bride is glorified in white resembling purity, and new beginnings. The man basically attends his own funeral by choice, signaling the end, because he chooses to willingly die to himself for the woman he loves. Nevertheless, he also like the bride begins a new chapter. It’s the end of an old life and the beginning of a new! What a wondrous vocation, if it is in God’s will. All vocations, marriage, religious life, consecrated singleness all require sacrifices and dying to yourself in different ways. I came here to die! 

I’m not scared to death of dying, I’m scared to death of dying and having God tell me, ‘(Angelica), this might have been you had you trusted more.’” 

-Mother Angelica (Catholic nun of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration)

Last week, I was going up and down the mountains of Big Bear, California, completing obstacle after obstacle, and hours later felt like I have exhausted every inch of my being. There is something you discover after enduring pain, over and over again. Even when the rankings showed improvement, recognition, and new personal records. Deep down you realize something, that you’re only getting started. There will be faster times and more awards because the more you practice something, the stronger you get. Deep down, you know you have become too tough to kill because you are doing things that most people wouldn’t even dare. This isn’t about running, or competing. This isn’t about marriage or careers. People still wouldn’t even dare. 

“It is YOU, You passed an unimaginable test that many of the toughest Marines, commanders, green berets, astronauts, and geniuses could not. You are made of heroes who ever lived, heroes born among ordinary people and shine in the dark.” 

-Christian Blanchon, French General

20 years ago, I began a teaching and coaching career. I was surrounded by so many mentors. Men with such wisdom. I wanted to be like them. Did I really? I didn’t want their life at all. I wanted their confidence. They told me the story about the young bull and the old bull. Both the young and old bull went up the hill and saw a herd of cows. The young bull, jumping up and down, overly excited, asked, “Are we gonna get one?“ The old bull, calm and collected, very well regulated, stoic, and wise, answered: “Get one? No, we’re gonna go down there, and we’re gonna get ‘em all!” I understood what they meant, and they understood and had an idea of where I was heading.  

“God wants you to be in the world, but so different from the world that you will change it. Get cracking.” 

-Mother Angelica

I was the young bull once, perhaps satisfied with one victory, one accomplishment, or one chance. I wouldn’t call myself the old bull now, but perhaps a polished one. A bull that says, with credibility, experience, confidence, FAITH, and assurance, “We’re gonna get it all!!” Everything is there for the taking with an abundance state of mind. Something small to a giant of a bull. The world is not nice to low confident loud performing bulls, but it bows at the feet of silent deadly (the irony) ones. Like a rebel, always taking the road less traveled. Always taking everything in its path. 

“When you're a little more excited than you're afraid, that's when you begin.” 

-The Better Man Project

I’m here to lead people, I’m here to serve, I’m here to die! Is this my destiny? Martyrdom is daily. Maybe not like a movie plot, but when you trust God, he leads to places for the good of His Kingdom. When you begin to walk in that valley of the shadow of death, there is nothing to fear. All of a sudden a swarm of angels and intercessors are about to rush through. If it is from God, nothing can stop it. Long live Christ the King! 

“Live so as not to fear death. For those who live well in the world, death is not frightening but sweet and precious.” 

-St. Rose of Viterbo

Jonsnow GIFfrom Jonsnow GIFs

It’s Primetime!

Every move I make is a risk. Every shot I take is a risk. Every mile I run is a risk. Every rep is a risk, but guess what? Risk still calls my name every single day.

“It's rare, but sometimes, there's this moment…where everything goes quiet, my heartbeat slows, it's peaceful, and I can see everything, and no one, no one can touch me. And I am chasing that moment every time…I don't know when I'll find it again, but, man, I want to. I want to. 'Cause in that moment, I'm flying.”

This isn’t a rom com, it’s an actioned packed film. At the end of the day, whomever she may be, she’s a bonus not a rescue mission. Every woman I meet, is a blessing from above. God has a great sense of humor. God be like: let’s make things interesting. Plot twist! Not for distraction, if it’s from God, it’s for purpose. 

Just when I think it cannot get any better, it gets better. Goals are being met, life is being lived, and joy still calls my name every single day. What does the day look like? It’s a surprise! 

These are the prime years! The decisions and work you do today will show tomorrow. It’s Primetime! How do you know if you have hit your prime? You never know. When I say I’m in my prime, I prove myself otherwise. When I set an expectation or a goal, God surprises me otherwise. It always turns out great when you have full trust in your ability and in the Lord, better than you can ever imagine.

“MVP, MVP, Kobe Bryant, a.k.a. envy me.”

Not immune to the feeling of championships. It never gets old. It becomes the norm. That is why you never truly hit your prime, because when you’re a high valued man, you constantly evolve, so there is no prime. It is a perpetual state of becoming stronger. There’s an everlasting peak version of yourself. You set the bar high, and hit milestones as a side effect to your never ending grind.

From a media perspective primetime refers to: 

• Peak time/hours
• Golden time (Japan/industry slang)
• High-traffic period
• Broadcasting peak
• Top time
• Prime viewing hours

What if it turns out better than you can imagine? I always think this way. You will feel out of place around regular people. You’re not normal. You’re a top 1% person. Elite! The bar is so low. The audience knows this. For the twentieth year in a row, impacting kids in a way no one else can. 

“The whole world is wondering, where is Spider-Man?” 

I never left. Still running marathons, still hooping, still winning, still pissing unhappy people off, still dreaming, still in my prime, but most importantly still praising the Lord! 

 

Momma said they’ll be days like this. 

“Cuando tenía tu edad, me reía de la vida.” These are the years that we laugh, rejoice, and every once in a while reminisce at what led to this present moment. These days continue to be part of the prime years! We can’t waste this time, so sit back and enjoy the show because it’s Primetime! 

It’s 2026!

 

It’s 2026! The world is a wonderful place. There’s beautiful people everywhere. We are exactly where God wants us to be. Success is inevitable. God still heals and performs miracles. This is the best season of our life, again. We are experiencing some of the prayers that we once prayed for. Imagine waking up every day feeling lucky and grateful for the life we are currently living. May Heavenly things constantly interrupt Earthly things for us. May God guide every single step we take this year. 

You want it (championship). It (championship) needs you. If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things, this is the best season of your life. I’m back on the starting lineup, but as the superstar. Put me in Coach! Non-restrictive minutes, I’ll play the whole game, every game, including Playoffs and championship. Whatever it takes to win! Win the right way. Win with the Lord. Surprise me again, Lord. May I have the grace for the yes and the no. The ability to play offense and defense. Specially defense, to shut down the opposing team, because defense wins championships.

If you want peace, prepare for war. In Latin: “Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.” The war is over. There’s roars, but mostly cheers. Peace was restored. It’s 2026! 

What a Heaven of a year 2025 has been. 

Lessons of 2025:

Nothing beats a jet2 holiday

Small progress is better than no progress

Go for it. The new assignment, championship, relationship, etc.

Surround yourself with uplifting people

All the glory belongs to God

You’re a bad@ss! A king with unlimited aura

Holy distance from near occasions of sin 

Holy proximity from near occasions of grace

So many grateful moments to list, but here’s a few: 

Great mentor in Fr Francis

New Mustang

Chosen as School Board Rep

Graduating Class of 2025 with royalty

Cross Country Championship 

First time ever Podium in Spartan

Positivity movement destroyed pessimism and toxicity

Competed in 24 races (23 Spartans) 

Holy healthy friendships

Great conditioning as a hybrid athlete

Retreats, conferences, prayer services, liturgies…

God is on the move! 

It’s 2026! 

Remember how rich you are. People associate blessings and wealth with money. We’re blessed financially, but more grateful to be rich in health, faith, love, freedom, location, peace, etc. 

Just when you think it cannot get any better. It gets better! 

2026, the year of the horse. Howdy!

Surprises are coming. Vision board is set. 

Itz On 

Core

Prep

Zz

Tid 

Pacific

Hour

GOAT

Sum

B2B

FF

Cert 

Bic

Tri

Aroo 

NYTS

JMJ

It’s 2026! Watch how God works and be dazzled by His glory.