living – J.P. Pressley

I’m Choosing To Step Away From Basketball

September 22, 2018 No Comments

True story.

This year, for the first time since I was eligible back in elementary school, I won’t be playing organized basketball. And this isn’t because of some eligibility requirement or a gruesome injury.

Academically, I’m cruising. Physically, even with my asthma, I’m in one of the best conditions I’ve ever been in. Mentally, I’m tight. Shoot, I’m even growing spiritually.

I’m not ending my basketball career a month before the start of my final collegiate season because of a shortcoming in any of these areas. There’s no reason I can’t continue my college basketball career. But I’m choosing not to.

The opportunity cost is simply too high.

The Serious

The Purpose of Life

January 2, 2018 No Comments

It’s a new year – 2018. And with a new year comes new year resolutions. For the next few weeks our gyms will be crowded, our libraries bustling, and our alarm clocks adhered to. Then February will hit, and the majority of people who made new year resolutions will soon fall off if they haven’t already. If you made any new year resolutions, I wish you the best in becoming one of the few to actually achieve your goal(s). Personally, however, I didn’t make a new years resolution. I didn’t need to. Day in and day out, my resolution has been the same for a couple of years now, and will continue to be the same in all the days and years to come. For my resolution is my ultimate life goal: to

The Serious

Don’t Be Dead Before You Die

December 5, 2017 No Comments

Okay, I’m still trying to shake a mild concussion I got this past weekend so this post is going to be short (even more so than usual). I just want to remind you about one thing: don’t be dead before you die.

Confused? Don’t be. All I mean is that

The Serious

Do Today For Tomorrow

November 21, 2017 No Comments

We all have dreams. Short-term or long-term, big or small, it doesn’t matter; we all have something that we either want to achieve or attain in our lifetimes. But it’s also common knowledge that many people never realize these dreams, and that’s because they don’t do today for tomorrow.

What do I mean? Simple. I mean that too many people don’t

The New Adult

Week 10 – It’s Okay To Say No

October 28, 2017 3 Comments

I hate having to decline something. Whether it’s an invitation to a party, a workout, a study session, or anything else, I just don’t like having to pass up on anything. But amidst all the many activities, opportunities, and challenges that accompany life, I’ve come to understand that it’s okay to say “no” to something. Sometimes it may even be necessary.

The New Adult

Week 9 – The Learning Curve (It’s Not Academic)

October 21, 2017 No Comments

Over two months into my college education here in NYC, I’m finally getting into the swing of things. I feel like I’ve almost passed the learning curve. But when I say that I’m not talking about pure academics. Honestly, my college learning curve has been with everything outside of the classroom.

The Serious

What Do You Want To Achieve?

September 19, 2017 2 Comments

You are going to die. At some point, you are going to leave the land of the living and join the buried at the graveyard. Death is an inevitable part of the human life, and sooner or later we will all experience it. The precious time we have to live a meaningful life is fleeting away second by second, and the best thing we can do with our time here is to achieve that which we can, while we can. And to do that, you need to determine what exactly it is that you want to achieve while you’re still breathing. After all, it’s hard to reach a destination you can’t name.

The New Adult

Week 4 – Focus

September 16, 2017 1 Comment

This post will be short and to the point because I’m going to need to focus my attention elsewhere pretty soon. I’ve actually been looking at and trying to hone my focus the past few weeks, and I recommend that you (regardless of whether you’re a student or not) do the same.

The Serious

Everybody Wants The Title (But Few Want The Responsibility)

September 12, 2017 No Comments

Entrepreneur, student, professional athlete, lawyer, doctor, district manager; in today’s society, there are plenty of titles people have and others seek to attain, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. In fact, wanting to be an entrepreneur, a lawyer, etc., is a very commendable thing that most everyone can appreciate. But, as is often the case in our American society, there’s a problem. That problem is when people simply want the title but none of the responsibility that comes along with it.

The Serious

How Will You Be Remembered?

September 5, 2017 No Comments

How will you be remembered? When it’s all said and done, what are the things people will remember about you? What will your legacy be? What do you want your legacy to be?