WHAT KEEPS YOU FROM MOVING?

Allen Paul Weaver III is an author, filmmaker, and speaker determined to create experiences that help you:

• Overcome the fears in life that keep you paralyzed.
• Discover your God-given dreams, potential and purpose.
• Turn obstacles into opportunities.
• Move from where you are to where you need and want to be.

Welcome to my personal blog! Here, I will share insights and observations on a variety of topics in an effort to help our personal development. Feel free to explore the archives while new post are created. By the end of this year we CAN be in a better, more impacting place than where we are now! We can discover and pursue our God-given dreams! Are you ready to MOVE? Let’s go!

MOVING BEYOND BULLYING: 1 of 3

Laying groundwork for discovering school bullying solutions that work for everyone

By Allen Paul Weaver III

WE HAVE A PROBLEM…

Media reports and perhaps our own experiences have made us aware of tragic school bullying stories where deaths are often the result. According to the US Department of Justice bullying report, the situation is so dire, that 160, 000 youth create excuses to skip school every day for fear of torment from bullies. Sadly, many young people are too disillusioned to expect solutions from adult leaders and adults are often too shocked to see beyond the problem.

TRYING TO GET TO WORK

So, I arrive at Grand Central Station this morning - on my way to work. Of course the place is packed due to the St. Patrick Parade. Law enforcement officers are out in force as well. As I make my way across the main floor, a guy three times my size steps into my path and body-checks me. At first I think maybe this guy is a friend I haven’t seen in a long time. So I turn to look at him and discover he’s a complete stranger.

“What’s your problem?” I ask him.

Does your teen have a blueprint for their future or are they just drifting through life? I just launched a workshop forum called “THE SUCCESS BLUEPRINT” to help teens discover and pursue their God-given purpose.  This workshop provides practical action steps while looking at 7 key questions which must be answered if one wants to achieve lasting success and significance in life. While addressing these questions, I also share from my 30+ years of life experience and expertise to help youth discover ways to turn obstacles into opportunities and to make the best out of the life they’ve been given.

A small action can go a long way…

MY RIDE TO WORK

I was on the subway this morning trying to make it into the city for work. The train was growing more crowded by the minute. A young lady (possibly in high school) was standing next to me with no where to move. At one stop a bunch of people pressed their way into the car. Among them was a man who came and stood right in front of the young lady.

Fear is a top reason why people don’t MOVE from where they are to where they need and want to be. Fear is one of the top reasons why people refuse to take risks on new opportunities which can aid in their growth and development. What fears are paralyzing you?

Here are some statistics about fear which may help to put some things in perspective for you. According to the National Institute of Mental Health:

90% of the things we fear are considered to be insignificant issues

88% of the things we fear in relation to our health will not happen

I read an amazing article by Alece Ronzino entitled, “It’s Not About Doing More: Choosing Your One Word for 2013.” The article is amazing for two main reasons.

1. Alece shares how shifting her focus from the New Years Resolutions (and other goal-action-checklist oriented drives which usually end in failure) to a single, ONE WORD perspective for the year has changed her life.

2. I had already “unofficially” began this process several weeks before reading this article.

Here is a video that I recorded which shares 5 steps to overcoming fear. What are you afraid of?

I did this video in response to a challenge presented by Brendon Burchard. The challenge was to create a short video that shared ‘5 steps to _____’ and provided content that would be valuable to the viewer. I chose to do a video about overcoming fear. This challenge really helped to push me one more step beyond my comfort zone and also helped me realize some new possibilities.

Let me know what you think. Enjoy!

-Allen Paul Weaver III

Today, I did something completely new: ran 1.5 miles. I want and need to get in shape and this was a goal that had been floating around my head for a while.

While running, I focused on my breathing and tried to get in a rhythm. Even more important was the definite “finish line”. Knowing that the “finish line” was approaching kept me going. It also allowed me to pay attention to the route and even enjoy the journey!

While running, my body and mind became more in tune with each other. I even paid attention to the rises and dips along the path - a path I had walked many times before without giving it much thought.

I LOVE MY SON

A couple of weeks ago I was watching my son, Noble - and we had a teachable moment. He decided to take two of the plastic bins from his play area and stand in them like they were shoes. I warned him not to do so - in case he lost his balance and fell. I tried to encourage him to do something else… but his mind was made up.