Mark Sparks Writes: August 2012

Monday, August 27, 2012

"...and I knew that none of it would make sense until the moment where it all made perfect sense. I could only hope to ..." © Another excerpt

...and I knew that none of it would make sense until the moment where it all made perfect sense. I could only hope to hold on long enough to enjoy the epiphanous experience that so often accompanies time but I knew that in the interim I needed something to ground my faith, something to lead me back to the belief that she really did care, that she actually meant what she said and yet didn't mean what she had said. In an instant, an angel lost her wings & walked the earth as a mortal before me. In an instant, her spell over me was broken. Still, her beauty remained flawless - I guess it's a byproduct of becoming angelic, even if only for a short time. But if she could aspire to those magnificent heights once, what's to say she couldn't do it again? Or dare I think, another fly even higher?
Wait. Is that even fair? Can I expect her to live a life that calls me higher? To grow with me? To fly? Is that just selfish or is that my preconceived notion of settling trying to play a trick on me?" Then for a rare moment my mind was quiet. Long enough for me to realize I enjoyed the peace of nothingness. "No matter," I said, "this bottle of scotch will put both halves of my mind to sleep leaving only me, only inebriated, confused me. Cheers to you and all the space you could EVER hope for!" I sputtered out trying not to sound sarcastic & angry with myself. I held my glass up for a toast & downed the full cup of golden brown liquid as I fumbled for the half filled bottle sitting on the desk of my darkened office...

Coming Soon.
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Mark's Monday Morning Fitness Newsletter (Aug 27 2012) Courtesy of S.P.A.R.K.S Conditioning

Good Monday Morning!
Hope you enjoyed a spectacular weekend - I know where I was the sun was shining, the running shoes were tied up tight and there was lots of running done!
Today's topic: Running.
Running is one of the best ways to get yourself in shape. It requires very little equipment, it can be done anywhere and you can go for as long or short a period as you'd like.
Running provides an immediate benefit to us physically and mentally. Finishing a run will give you that "on top of the world feeling" when you are done because you've completed a challenge you've set for yourself to help you get to where you desire to be. Now some of you who read this aren't able to run for health reasons. Then walk!
Walking provides much benefit as well. Whichever you choose set out a course, map the distance (I like google pedometer myself) and go. Time how long it takes you to run or jog or walk or any combination of the 3 that you do to get to your finish point and then the next time you head out make sure you finish the same route in a little less time! (Remember if you can measure it you can manage it and if you can manage it you can make your goals reality).
A few tips to running:
*find your breathing rhythm. The body moves in rhythm (heart beat, lungs etc..) and the more you move on that rhythm the easier it'll become to move.
*keep your arms moving. If they move your legs move too
*a good warm up is essential to a good run - not only does it prepare your body but your mind for the joy ahead
*a good stretch and cool down post run is essential to a good run tomorrow - keeping your body flexible pays dividends in so many ways
*this isn't about speed, especially your first week back at running - it's about completing the set distance no matter what! (That perseverance will come in handy!)
So the challenge this week is to get 3 runs in. Or whatever version you get done. Don't believe you can't cause I know you can! Truth is, so do you.
Have a great time meditating, zoning out and spending time with you while you enjoy running!
Bless,
Mark Sparks
*Owner of S.P.A.R.K.S. Conditioning - Getting You The Body You Desire & Deserve!
*Fitness & Conditioning Specialist
*Former Calvin Klein Man Of Steel
*Former National Champion
*Entertainment Tonight's #4 Sexiest Bachelor

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Twitter @MarkSparksInc

Friday, August 24, 2012

"With a heart ready for prolonged battle she..." © an excerpt..

"with a heart ready for prolonged battle she raised her head & lowered her guard. She knew that in him she had met her match. She knew that within his heart dwelled the real estate in which she yearned to live forever.
The moment his eyes met hers it lit something within his soul. Something primal, something extraordinary, something new. She was beautiful he thought but he'd tasted all sorts of beauty before. This was past carnal, something greater. A seed planted in the earth of the garden of his very being. He walked over to her with a single intention - to unite himself with her.
"Hello." He said with a simplicity that shocked him.
Before she responded she closed her eyes & took a deep breath, allowing his scent to gently stroke her insides. She imagined his hands, his lips tracing every goose bump on her body connecting them one by one with an invisible cord likened to the one drawing them together. She opened her eyes a moment later, which to her was an eternity, wet her lips and smiled a warmth in his direction that could not be mistaken, "Hello."...
©

Coming Soon.
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Monday, August 20, 2012

Monday Morning Fitness Newsletter. S.P.A.R.K.S Conditioning

Good Monday morning to you!
Hope the weekend was an incredible one for you.
I had the privilege of taking part in the "Tough Mudder" this past weekend & in the two hours and twenty five minutes it took for me to complete the 17km military grade obstacle course I encountered many different people of all shapes, colors & sizes with a single goal - to finish this grueling challenge.
It reminded me of a few key factors that we all need in reaching our fitness goals, heck our life goals. One is that "this is not a race!" Getting your body to where you deserve & desire it to be takes time & consistent effort. You can't always sprint but you CAN always be moving forward! The other is the importance of surrounding yourself with the right folks who'll provide support when things are tought & cheer loud for you. Face it, en route to the physique you desire you will hit speed bumps & even road blocks. The way you'll get through them is with perseverance, passion and the love & support of a team of individuals around you who truly want to see you succeed!
Today's fitness newsletter doesn't have any exercises because getting the body you desire & deserve, reaching your goal is about much more than just physical work. This weekend was a great reminder of that to me.
Have a great start to a productive week.
Bless,
Mark Sparks
*Owner of S.P.A.R.K.S. Conditioning
*Fitness & Conditioning Specialist
*Former Calvin Klein Man Of Steel
*Former National Champion
*Entertainment Tonight's #4 Sexiest Bachelor

www.MarkSparks.com
www.MarkSparksWrites.com
Twitter @MarkSparksInc

Thursday, August 16, 2012

You Can't Hurry Love... Or A little of the little I've learned 'bout Love. ©

At the end of any relationship we're left with two questions, though we get so stuck on one that we often forget the other.
1. Why did it not work?
2. What did I learn (about myself, my needs, my boundaries etc...)?

Once upon a time I fell in love with a woman. So much so that I asked her to marry me. Despite things my friends, family & sober self would call "red flags" I pursued her & her heart anyways. Love is blind.
Through good times & bad I was faithful, open & vulnerable. At least to the fullest extent in which I was capable at the time.
Fast forward to now. Happy, healthy, loving my life, pursuing my dreams and single.
So what did I learn?
I learned about what I'm willing to accept and what I'm never willing to tolerate.
I learned that I'm pretty complex in a simple way and that sometimes my simple ways aren't so to those outside my Elk.
I learned what is important to me in showing me 'Love' and one of those things is my partners ability to articulate the same. I learned that I enjoy eating grilled cheese sandwiches in little chairs that are waaaay to small for me. I've also learned that sometimes walking away is the only option we have - even when we do still care.
And most I've learned that Phil Collins/The Supreme's were right and that "You Can't Hurry Love."
Honestly, you can't. "No, You just have to wait," I mean "Love don't come easy, it's a game of give and take."
Movies fool us. Love is not like the movies. Thankfully cause most don't last past 2 hours.
I also learned falling in love is the easiest part cause new love is exciting and fresh and takes little work ('cept when we wooorking, youknowwhatI'msayin'?!) but love, Real Love (sing it Mary) takes time. Even though I really Love her, Real love you just can't hurry.
With wide open eyes and a wide open heart that's what I've been blessed to learn.
We'll see how long that lasts...
Bless,
Mark

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