Tag Archives: daylyn tepera

Inspiration

If you want it, act like it

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday August 9, 2016

Recently, my daughter Daylyn tried out and made the freshman high school volleyball team. Daylyn explained to me how there’s such a big difference in skills between the varsity players compared to the subvarsity teams.

Even though it’s early, Daylyn is already concerned about reaching those higher skill levels in order to continue playing throughout high school.

I told her to study the best players on the varsity team. Watch not only their skills, but how they approach everything else. This includes practice, mannerisms, maturity, hustle and how they respond to coaches.

Get in your mind that you’re already a varsity player and to start acting like it as a freshman. Don’t wait until you’re a senior, be that character of a player now.

This really made a lot of sense to Daylyn, and she took it to heart.

Now, let’s think about your ambitions. Do you want to move up in your company? Are you the worker you’d want to promote?

Then start acting like you have that position and be the leader within your current status. You should dress for the position, improve work ethics and treat others with respect. These qualities will get you there.

Let’s think about other categories of our lives. Are you the spouse you would want? The child to be proud of? The neighbor you want next door? The friend to count on during troubled times?

Only you can answer that honestly.

Of course, we’ve all let people down in each of those categories. But, the good news is today we get to start all over. We can make all positive changes immediately.

We all have the qualities to be amazing people. When you encourage others to step up their game, your own self-worth will soar. You’ll reach heights of success and happiness that dreams are made of.

Remember, strong people don’t put others down, they lift them up.

All you have to do is start acting like the person you want and desire to be.

Inspiration

Don’t mess with my sister

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, July 5, 2016

I have two typical teenagers who constantly pick on each other. Yes, my 17 year-old son Dylan and 15 year-old daughter Daylyn are amazing kids, but they enjoy getting under each other’s skin.

During the summer, both kids are attending the strength and conditioning camp at their high school. Each of them competes in separate groups according to their sports.

On one particular day, Daylyn was struggling during the weight room session and was feeling embarrassed. Dylan left all his buddies and came to Daylyn’s rescue to let everyone know that big brother has her back.

Hopefully, as we’ve all discovered as parents and siblings ourselves, when it comes down to it, kids truly love and care about each other, even though at home, you sometimes question it.

My only sibling growing up was my sister Karen Tepera Franklin. We are only 11 months apart, with Karen being the oldest. She actually hates being older now.

Karen and I picked on each other, too, but we were always each other’s biggest fan.

I remember as a young kid playing sandlot football, there was Karen on the sideline yelling for me like it was the Super Bowl. She continued as I competed in all my sports through school.

In high school, Karen wanted to try out for head twirler into her senior year. We would be in the yard for hours a day learning all the cool tricks and moves. Karen was self-taught and had amazing talent.

Believe it or not, I was actually a really good closet twirler. I didn’t want my buddies to know.

I was there the day Karen had tryouts to cheer her on. I remember being nervous for her, and then she won the head position. I was so proud of her.

Even to this day, in our personal and corporate worlds, Karen and I still support all of our endeavors. Yes, we still pick on each other for our faults, but no one else is allowed.

Just know, it’s normal for your kids to pick on each other, too. I sometimes look at it like two bear cubs. Fighting and arguing is part of the bonding process.

I think we can all agree, nothing is stronger than family. Take the time today and let your kids know how awesome and lucky they are to have each other — for life.

If you haven’t spoken to your own sibling in quite some time, then today is the day to give them call — just to say, “I really do miss the good old days. I’m lucky to have you. I love you.”

Inspiration

Sometimes, all you need is one more step

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, May 10, 2016

When my daughter brings her clothes to the laundry room, half the clothes make it into the basket. When she cleans her room, there’s typically some clutter in the corner. When Daylyn gets a glass out of the kitchen cabinet, she leaves the door open.

I’ve explained to Daylyn that if she would just take one more step, all tasks would be completed. I know these are small concerns, but it’s amazing how the extra step would make all the difference.

Now this could be applied to all aspects in our lives.

Think about when you’re at work: At the end of day, there might be one small task or project that needs finishing. If you would take one more step and complete it, then you’ve had a successful day. Plus, it creates more available time to finish more work the following day.

Why is this important? It will probably get the attention of your employers, which would lead to promotions and better income.

We all want to lose more weight and get in better shape. How about at the end of training you take one more step and perform an extra set of weights. Or, when going through a cardio workout, you push your body to an extra 10 to 30 minutes. This would at least burn up to several hundred more calories.

Just know, Daylyn did recognize the benefits of one more step and has applied it to her homework and studies.

Now, if we could all take on the “one more step” mentality, how much better and quality of life would we create?

Inspiration

In what chapter of life are you?

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, March 22, 2016

We all go through different phases and chapters throughout our journey of life. What chapter are you experiencing today compared to yesteryears?

I’m in my mid-50s, and today’s chapter is completely different from my 40s and beyond.

One common denominator is that I’ve always maintained a decent diet and exercised frequently. As I progressed through my 30s and to date, my knowledge and experience in these categories excelled. That’s because I understand keeping a healthy body is important for a better quality of life.

Hopefully, as you get older, you are recognizing this as well.

But really, most important is our character development. Over the past 10 years, I started a personal campaign to become a loving, caring and compassionate person to all mankind. This has drastically changed my life.

I learned to forgive those who wrong me by understanding their reasons and through time, was able to erase it from my daily consciousness. This mental action relieved me from tremendous unnecessary stress. Plus, it opened the door for peace and relaxation.

We get caught up stressing over negative situations that should be in our pasts.

Once, my daughter Daylyn had another student say some very hurtful words to her. I found Daylyn crying in her room and asked about the situation.

After a brief loving father-daughter talk, I asked when this had happened. To my surprise, it occurred more than a month ago.

I told Daylyn, “Don’t you realize, only in your mind this person is still being mean to you because you’re letting it? I guarantee the other student has moved on with their life and doesn’t give you one thought. Forgive their immature idiotic behavior and be the amazing happy little girl everyone loves.”

Can’t we all relate to Daylyn’s situation?

Just know, if someone is being ugly to you, it’s because there is something about you that makes them jealous and envious. If they are comfortable with themselves, they wouldn’t care.

Come on, let’s all write the same new chapter in life for character development to become compassionate toward others. We are in this journey together, and hopefully one day, we will cross paths.

Inspiration

Don’t look defeated, show determination

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Recently I attended my daughter’s volleyball tournament, and a few of the teams were more highly skilled than others.

During the tournament, Daylyn’s team played one of the higher-skilled teams. And quickly, the other team was dominating on the scoreboard.

Most of the girls, including Daylyn, were hanging their heads and had the look of defeat even though the game was only half way over. And yes, of course, they got slaughtered.

After the game, Daylyn told me she was embarrassed and disappointed with her and the team’s performance.

I told her, you will always face stronger opponents in everything you compete in, but don’t let them see you’re mentally defeated. Instead, show your opponents and teammates the look of determination.

Show everyone that you might be getting beat on the scoreboard, but you’re still going to out-hustle everyone on the court and give your very best.

Now, think about it. We all face challenging situations in our everyday lives. Sometimes, we feel like we’re getting beat up and want to drop our heads and give up. This will only make us feel more disappointed in ourselves.

Don’t let your opponents or situations know they are defeating you. Learn to create a game face with grit, determination and fight your way back into the game of life.

Just know, Daylyn was in that game situation again, but she had the look of a warrior and battled to the end.

If a 15-year-old athlete can learn life lessons, so can you.

Now, go look in the mirror, make the scariest game face imaginable, and tell yourself that no one will defeat you again. Take a mental picture and next time you’re feeling defeated, pull out that game face and win the day.

From this day forward, defeated is no longer a part of me. This world will only see determination.

Diets, Fitness, Inspiration

Swing for the fences and have a great life

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 

Have you not reached your diet and fitness goals? Are you still not making enough money?

What’s the problem and why are you still giving excuses?

Just know people around you know the truth. You can fool people and yourself for a while, but after time, your current occupational and health status is obvious.

Be honest, the only thing holding you back — is you. The best investment you can ever make is in yourself.

When it’s for better health, get a gym membership, hire a trainer or take cooking and nutrition classes.

If it’s time to increase income, then maybe you should take night classes, become an apprentice or research the path for the occupation you most desire.

What skill or skills are you good at? It could be sports, music, puzzles or a particular hobby. You should apply that same intense excitement to improve other areas of life.

Write down your income and health goals because they are important to reach quality and longevity. Be clear and realistic in order to be obtainable from your current position.

I’ve been following the baseball playoffs watching players make millions of dollars by only hitting the ball 20 to 30 percent of the time. How much more could they make by increasing batting averages?

Maybe your low wages and bad health is because you only give 30 percent effort. How would your life change if you increased focus and effort by an additional 50 percent? Only you can answer that question honestly.

We are all born with the capability to become successful. Embrace life and take full control of your destiny. Laugh at the challenges and turn them into opportunities.

Now, let’s all swing for the fences and have the life we truly deserve

Fitness, Inspiration

Go for it and enjoy all of life’s experiences

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, September 9, 2015

My daughter just completed a series of volleyball tryouts for her school in which she made the team. Daylyn told me about her friend Jennifer who tried out knowing that she really didn’t have a chance.

You see, Jennifer is not very athletic and has tried out in the past only to be one of the first girls cut from the team. But what struck me was that Jennifer didn’t care. She decided to go for it anyway because it was still a lot of fun. Wow, now think about that. None of us like to expose our weaknesses or enjoy the embarrassment of failure. We get too caught up worrying what others will think and possibly say.

Jennifer didn’t care about anyone’s thoughts but only about the great experience she was having along with her friends.

It’s obvious Jennifer will have a great time experiencing life. She will glide through adulthood never saying “I should’ve, would’ve or could’ve.” 

This is a great lesson as parents. How many times do we allow our children to quit or not even try? We teach our children to accept standing on the sidelines or to sit in the stands and watch instead of participating. 

Be the example in your family and try something that is out of your comfort zone. Even if it didn’t turn out as you hoped, the journey and the experience will far outweigh the results. Plus it builds confidence to try again or at least attempt another spectacular feat. 

So go tell your kids to go for it, and they will build confidence and have fun like a supposedly nonathletic girl named Jennifer.

Fitness, Inspiration

Losing is part of life’s journey

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2015

If you’ve ever played sports or competed in something, besides winning, you’ve  experienced the feeling of losing. None of us like losing, but it’s part of life’s lessons that’s important to learn, especially for children.

As parents, it’s difficult watching our kids lose competition that’s clearly important to them at that time. 

My daughter Daylyn just went through a tearful loss of trying to win a position for a club volleyball team. There were hundreds of skilled players competing for only a few positions. She and many other girls were devastated after being cut from the team.

This was a moment in which parenting played an important role. We discussed every detail of where she gave full effort, and her possible weaknesses.

After going through a brief crying session and realizing there is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about, we put to together a new plan to tryout for one last team.

First, I worked on her confidence, good sportsmanship and understanding to turn this into a positive learning experience. Then, we targeted weak skills to rebuild courage and determination.

On the day of tryouts, Daylyn walked in ready to own and conquer the practice. During the car ride, she visualized already winning a position. My little girl took no prisoners, and played at a whole new level.

So you know, she did make the team, but the lessons learned in losing out-weighed any victory she’s ever had.

To be a champion, you must learn from losing.

Inspiration

Lessons in sports help children in many ways

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Two years ago, when my daughter Daylyn was 12 years old, she fell in love with the game of volleyball.

In previous years, she played in many recreation leagues. We decided to step up her game, and try to join one of the club leagues. This would give her the opportunity to improve her skills and knowledge of the game.

Daylyn had missed the first set of tryouts, but one particular team allowed her to join a practice. The coach wanted to determine if she was good enough to make the team.

Oh my goodness, all these girls were very skilled with a fast-paced practice. Everyone knew what they were doing except for Daylyn. She was spinning in circles trying to keep up. It was obvious, she was a sheep thrown to the wolves.

Daylyn would glance at me every once in a while with tear-swollen eyes, biting her lip to keep from showing her emotions. But, my little girl never gave up, producing her best and battling through each drill. All I could do was to keep giving a thumbs-up signal for encouragement.

I’m glad she couldn’t see my face, for I had a steady stream of tears flowing down the crevices of my cheeks.

The real message here is for all you parents who put your kids in competitive youth sports. Just know, through all the bumps, bruises, scratches and falling down to get back up in the game, that your child will grow up with an edge in the competitive game of life.

We understand, it can be a cruel and challenging world, but with a sports background, you learn the drive to win and be your best.

Just so you know, Daylyn did make the team. She was chosen for possessing strong will and perseverance.

Through the season, Daylyn went from the only girl who struggled with overhand serves, to one of the team’s power servers