Introduction
What up, world? What up, world? What up, world?
Some days shine brighter on the calendar. For me, August twenty-eighth is one of those days layered with meaning, history, and love. It marks a personal transition in my life, the birthday of someone dear, and a reminder that the smallest choices—like just doing ten burpees—can build a legacy.
Today, I’m reflecting on this special day, my journey from the Navy to Florida State University, the celebration of my niece Kiara’s birthday, and how it all ties into the Just Do Ten philosophy.
From the Navy to Florida State University
On August twenty-eighth, 1993, I received my official discharge papers from active duty in the U.S. Navy. That chapter of service was closing, but it opened the door to something brand new: enrolling at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, while training with the NROTC program through Florida A&M University.
If you know Tallahassee, you know the phrase “up on the hill.” That place carried energy, pride, and a sense of belonging. My time there shaped me into the person I would become—a leader, a dreamer, and someone who understood that transitions aren’t endings; they are thresholds.
Kiara’s Birthday – Love in Motion
August twenty-eighth isn’t only my milestone—it’s also my niece Kiara Hill Price’s birthday.
In the video I recorded for today, I sang Happy Birthday to her—maybe not the most polished performance (and I admit my singing voice won’t win any awards), but it came straight from the heart. That’s the beauty of family: it doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be genuine.
The featured image for this post is an illustration that takes me back to a birthday party in Miami in the 1990s. That day was unforgettable—not just because of cake, balloons, and laughter, but because of a mime who delivered a special message to me. If you’ve heard me tell the story before, you know how much that moment stuck with me. The mime’s words were a turning point, a reminder to live with intention and to carry forward joy as a kind of duty.
Every year on Kiara’s birthday, I think back to that moment. It’s not just about nostalgia—it’s about being reminded of the role family and unexpected messengers play in shaping who we are.
The Just Do Ten Burpee Challenge
This year, I marked the day with burpees. Because no matter what the calendar says, the Just Do Ten philosophy is about showing up.
Ten burpees. Ten reps. Ten chances to prove that you don’t have to conquer everything all at once. You just need to start.
Burpees mirror life: you go down, but built into the movement is the way back up. That cycle of struggle and resilience is what keeps me grounded. On days like today—rich with memory and meaning—the burpees become more than a workout. They’re a tribute. A physical prayer. A way to embody gratitude for the past, the present, and the legacy I want to leave behind.
Closing Reflection
So today, on August twenty-eighth, I honor where I’ve been, who I love, and where I’m going.
I think of the Navy, of Florida State, of the birthday parties in Miami with mimes and balloons, and most importantly, of my niece Kiara, who reminds me that life is a gift worth celebrating.
And I remind myself—and you—that the journey forward is always built on small, intentional choices. All you have to do is Just Do Ten.
Namaste.
