I often use exercise as a metaphor for life because in a short span of time you experience a microcosm of many of the same struggles, triumphs, frustrations and euphoria, and at the end, you will recognize the results of your work.
I started running when I was 16. Now at the age of 52, I am very comfortable with running. Sometimes I approach training with dread, but now I know in the back of my mind with certainty, that I will feel better when I am done. After all of these years of using my muscles and strengthening myself, I feel sluggish if I go too long without exercising.
As I dress for training I still experience anxiety, because I always run rigorously. (I'd rather stay sitting on the couch). I remind myself that as soon as I walk out of the door everything will change. The first steps are always easy and rhythmical. Usually when I hit the first hill, my body locks up. It is hard to breath, and my legs don't move. I have learned to to relax here. This phase is short-lived and I will be moving effortlessly again. Every time I do get fatigued I try to think of ways to inspire myself to work through that moment... I make a short-term goal like "run to the next intersection, or around the next corner" and by the time I am there I usually feel better already.
I also know my limitations. I am not the greatest runner, and I do not want to spend my whole day exercising. But I do place regular demands on myself which I know are good for me mentally and physically.
There will always be uphill terrains in life. The key is to welcome them as positive events that challenge your spirit and your ability, teach you perseverance, and make you stronger. Remember that on the other side of every hill is a view from the top and an easy run down.
QUOTES
Dr. Peter Snell - Dir. Human Prfm. Laboratory, UTSwtrn. Med.Ctr.,Dallas,TX., and Triple Gold-Medal Olympian
"When it's pouring rain, and you're bowling along through the wet,there's satisfaction in just knowing you're out there and the others aren't."
Henry David Thoreau - Philosopher
"Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow."
Joe Catalano - Coach
"Many people shy away from hills. They make it easy on themselves, but that limits their improvement. The more you repeat something, the stronger you get."
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The Levity Effect
Authors Adrian Gostick and Scott Christopher have written a book called The Levity Effect: Why it Pays to Lighten Up, where they elaborate on how "levity" is an effective tool for helping people in the work place. It turns out an atmosphere of light-heartedness helps people pay attention better because it eases tensions and enhances feelings of connection.
"Levity" is having a sense of lightness. To quote Gretchen Rubin, the best-selling author of "The Happiness Project" This means "less about being funny, and more about being able to have fun and see the humorous side of everyday situations - especially difficult situations."
Some people instinctively have the ability to include levity in their daily lives. Those that don't, benefit from the company of those that can bring it!
"Levity" is having a sense of lightness. To quote Gretchen Rubin, the best-selling author of "The Happiness Project" This means "less about being funny, and more about being able to have fun and see the humorous side of everyday situations - especially difficult situations."
Some people instinctively have the ability to include levity in their daily lives. Those that don't, benefit from the company of those that can bring it!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Dalai Lama on being "Wise Selfish"
So, it is OK. to be selfish! It is good to be wise-selfish.
Selfish behavior can bring about forward motion and positive behavior. It is motivating. It can advance our knowlege, experience, physical prowess, or even our status. These efforts require us to focus on ourselves alone. They are only wrong when they bring others down.
So remember to be selfish every day!
Dalai Lama said, "it is important that when pursuing your own self-interest we should not be 'foolish-selfish.' Being foolish-selfish means pursuing our own interests in a narrow short-sighted way. Being wise-selfish means taking a broad view and recognizing that our own interests are ultimately linked to the welfare of everyone. Being wise-selfish means being compassionate."
Selfish behavior can bring about forward motion and positive behavior. It is motivating. It can advance our knowlege, experience, physical prowess, or even our status. These efforts require us to focus on ourselves alone. They are only wrong when they bring others down.
So remember to be selfish every day!
Dalai Lama said, "it is important that when pursuing your own self-interest we should not be 'foolish-selfish.' Being foolish-selfish means pursuing our own interests in a narrow short-sighted way. Being wise-selfish means taking a broad view and recognizing that our own interests are ultimately linked to the welfare of everyone. Being wise-selfish means being compassionate."
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Every Child Should Have A Dog and Parents Who Let Him Have One
This title says it all, though some may need further clarification. It's my belief that parents set necessary guidelines and structure for children's development, but through the ups and downs of life, a dog can be a special kind of reliable and supportive sibling!
A dog can be ignored all day, and still lick your face and wag its tail, just because you walked through the door. A dog will stare straight in your eyes as if in agreement with everything you are thinking, no matter what you're thinking. And it's soft, and cuddly.
Under the ideal situation, bringing a dog into the house gives kids the opportunity to learn responsibilities and to learn what its like to care for someone that's dependent on them. People with dogs learn to look for signs: of hunger, or thirst, of the need to be let out, of illness - there are no other ways to know them. Learning to observe the needs of others can be a very powerful lesson for young children.
Having a dog for a friend growing up, is like having a stress ball to squeeze as an adult. It's an outlet for fun and entertainment, a furry blanket to snuggle with when you want, a fixed set of understanding eyes when no one else seems to understand, and, a conduit for nurturing. But more than that, it is that special gift your parents gave you even though it brought inconvenience and chaos into the house! Another valuable life lesson!
A dog can be ignored all day, and still lick your face and wag its tail, just because you walked through the door. A dog will stare straight in your eyes as if in agreement with everything you are thinking, no matter what you're thinking. And it's soft, and cuddly.
Under the ideal situation, bringing a dog into the house gives kids the opportunity to learn responsibilities and to learn what its like to care for someone that's dependent on them. People with dogs learn to look for signs: of hunger, or thirst, of the need to be let out, of illness - there are no other ways to know them. Learning to observe the needs of others can be a very powerful lesson for young children.
Having a dog for a friend growing up, is like having a stress ball to squeeze as an adult. It's an outlet for fun and entertainment, a furry blanket to snuggle with when you want, a fixed set of understanding eyes when no one else seems to understand, and, a conduit for nurturing. But more than that, it is that special gift your parents gave you even though it brought inconvenience and chaos into the house! Another valuable life lesson!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Utilize Your Endorphins
The expression "bodies in motion stay in motion" is so true!
I have spent a few days where I knew I was busy, but not efficient. Those seemed to be days when I was tying up lots of lose ends. At the end of the day I definitely accomplished good work, but not at my maximum potential.
It seems like the days that I was the clearest and worked the best were after I exercised. Those days I probably took on bigger tasks, and finished them!
That excitement I felt, and the vision I had, may have been the result of the increased hormones which were produced during strenuous exercise: endorphines, serotonin, dopamine, phenylethylamine, as well as others!
During exercise serotonin is released into the brain where it activates receptors that sense heightened emotions. After only 20 minutes of exercise my mind feels more "awake". Phenylethylamine hormones also cause heightened brain activity and elevated moods. Endorphines are pain camoflaugers. Dopamine is a neuro-transmitter that controls the brain's reward and pleasure centers and help regulate emotional responses, enabling us to see rewards, and take actions to move toward them.
No wonder some rigorous exercise helps me set my focus for a really productive day moving in the right direction! Doesn't hurt that I burned some calories while I was at it!
Tip: Keep a note-pad by your exercise bike, or make sure you write your clear-headed ideas down right after you come back from your walk or run, because they might be your best ideas!
I have spent a few days where I knew I was busy, but not efficient. Those seemed to be days when I was tying up lots of lose ends. At the end of the day I definitely accomplished good work, but not at my maximum potential.
It seems like the days that I was the clearest and worked the best were after I exercised. Those days I probably took on bigger tasks, and finished them!
That excitement I felt, and the vision I had, may have been the result of the increased hormones which were produced during strenuous exercise: endorphines, serotonin, dopamine, phenylethylamine, as well as others!
During exercise serotonin is released into the brain where it activates receptors that sense heightened emotions. After only 20 minutes of exercise my mind feels more "awake". Phenylethylamine hormones also cause heightened brain activity and elevated moods. Endorphines are pain camoflaugers. Dopamine is a neuro-transmitter that controls the brain's reward and pleasure centers and help regulate emotional responses, enabling us to see rewards, and take actions to move toward them.
No wonder some rigorous exercise helps me set my focus for a really productive day moving in the right direction! Doesn't hurt that I burned some calories while I was at it!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
If It was Easy Everyone Would Do It
There is something rewarding in knowing that you are made of tough stuff. Facing obstacles, tackling hard things, staying focused on a project until it is finished, will always make you feel good and set you apart because you did it. And while your self esteem rises you might notice what new skills you acquired!
All these challenges don't have to be a marathons, but I think everyone should wake up each day setting the bar higher than is comfortable. Make sure you take on at least one challenging experience every day. Exercise is great! Reading the news, especially stuff you don't find entertaining. Work hard at being kind and thinking positive things...
On a broader level you could set long-term goals for each year and try to stick to them!
Every goal can't be accomplished, but if the attitude is genuine even that is a big start.
All these challenges don't have to be a marathons, but I think everyone should wake up each day setting the bar higher than is comfortable. Make sure you take on at least one challenging experience every day. Exercise is great! Reading the news, especially stuff you don't find entertaining. Work hard at being kind and thinking positive things...
On a broader level you could set long-term goals for each year and try to stick to them!
Every goal can't be accomplished, but if the attitude is genuine even that is a big start.
Positivity
Your thoughts become reality so think positive. Action equals reaction, and the way you act causes the way everything around you will follow, so whether you know it or not, you are either inviting success and encouragement, or you are putting roadblocks in place.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Survival of the Stupidest
Today, January 8, is the one year anniversary of the shooting rampage which killed 6 people, injured 12, and left a U.S. Congresswoman struggling for her life.
Since that time, the effort to control guns in this country has, if anything, lost ground. Since that heartbreaking moment there has been no progress toward stricter gun laws in America; on the contrary, they've relaxed.
Following the shooting in which an untreated pschizophrenic man with no understandable agenda, killed a 9-yr.old girl, an Arizona Chief Judge, two of Gifford's aides, and three retired workers, and devastated the Congresswoman's life, gun sales in Arizona immediately increased 60%. People expecting stricter legislation began stockpiling their guns. But, worse, within a few months Arizona actually passed legislation loosening gun laws by passing legislation allowing guns on college campuses!?.. And the ability to obtain guns remains the same today as it was before.
In the same month as the Tuscon shooting, (Just in the month of January, 2011 alone!), there were 6 more gun rampages in the United States, which killed 10 innocent people and maimed 14! And on December 8, 2011 there was another terrifying shooting rampage at Virginia Tech University which resulted in the death of two (armed) police officers. I believe that without the force of the NRA, one of the most well-funded and powerful political forces in America, things would be different.
"Guns don't kill people, people kill people," but nothing can kill as many people in so little time. No other weapon can create such an uneven playing field. I do not believe that the way to a more level field is for more Americans to run around with weapons, rather, it is by limiting the number of weapons. A Gallup Poll in 2011 found that 1 in 5 Americans agreed that gun-control laws would prevent rogue shootings. Yet the NRA and conservative groups still argue that gun rights are the most primary symbol of individual rights and feel that gun legislation is federal intervention. I hope they do not benefit from any form of federal assistance, for I find this an unfortunately obviously necessary form of government involvement in today's private life no different than having red lights at traffic intersections!
Since that time, the effort to control guns in this country has, if anything, lost ground. Since that heartbreaking moment there has been no progress toward stricter gun laws in America; on the contrary, they've relaxed.
Following the shooting in which an untreated pschizophrenic man with no understandable agenda, killed a 9-yr.old girl, an Arizona Chief Judge, two of Gifford's aides, and three retired workers, and devastated the Congresswoman's life, gun sales in Arizona immediately increased 60%. People expecting stricter legislation began stockpiling their guns. But, worse, within a few months Arizona actually passed legislation loosening gun laws by passing legislation allowing guns on college campuses!?.. And the ability to obtain guns remains the same today as it was before.
In the same month as the Tuscon shooting, (Just in the month of January, 2011 alone!), there were 6 more gun rampages in the United States, which killed 10 innocent people and maimed 14! And on December 8, 2011 there was another terrifying shooting rampage at Virginia Tech University which resulted in the death of two (armed) police officers. I believe that without the force of the NRA, one of the most well-funded and powerful political forces in America, things would be different.
"Guns don't kill people, people kill people," but nothing can kill as many people in so little time. No other weapon can create such an uneven playing field. I do not believe that the way to a more level field is for more Americans to run around with weapons, rather, it is by limiting the number of weapons. A Gallup Poll in 2011 found that 1 in 5 Americans agreed that gun-control laws would prevent rogue shootings. Yet the NRA and conservative groups still argue that gun rights are the most primary symbol of individual rights and feel that gun legislation is federal intervention. I hope they do not benefit from any form of federal assistance, for I find this an unfortunately obviously necessary form of government involvement in today's private life no different than having red lights at traffic intersections!
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