Are You Ready for a Remodel?

Think of each year of your life as a brick.  If you're satisfied with the kind of home you've built for yourself out of your bricks, this story may not be of much use.  One of the key lessons I learned this past decade is that my brain sometimes goes on autopilot and my bricks tend to be placed in my home without really thinking about what I'm doing.  For some, the bricks turn into some kind of prison and every year the walls get more impossible to break free from.  If this idea is getting your attention and you want out of your prison, consider a remodel.  It won't be easy but I'll share some ideas to for reflection.

I'm pushing sixty in the new year ahead.  That's a lot of bricks.  I already know the challenges of remodeling when my subconscious mind is so comfortable with the layout of my home.  The more time I spend looking at my bricks, the more I realize a complete renovation would enhance my living conditions.  The objections are probably the same you may encounter.  In fact, your brain may be telling you to ignore this story and move on to something more suitable for your comfort zone.  Isn't it strange how your own brain can be your biggest enemy when you're considering changing your habits?

What is your 2020 brick going to look like?  Is it going to be different from all the previous bricks?  If you make a conscious effort to change this brick, you may find yourself in an uncomfortable position.  Your brain will fight you, like when the alarm goes off in the morning and your body says, "it's too early to get up, let's go back to sleep.  One snooze button won't hurt."  Well, it does.  Your 2020 brick is the choice between the snooze button and waking up to a new life, one new habit at a time.  It's time to take charge and get started on your remodel, one brick at a time until your living conditions are optimum.

If you're liking today's story but you're uncertain about how to remodel your life, please bookmark this blog and come visit as often as you like.  I'm rearranging some of the old bricks, redesigning some rooms in my house and I know how challenging it is to break bad habits.  I promise to be here every day with ideas to help you with your remodel.  Your brick matters.  It's up to you to decide what to do.  Have a great day.

A Sneak Peak at What's Coming in 2020

I'm still catching my breath from 2019 and my plan is to use the momentum from these last twelve months to push myself to new heights.  Thank you for your continued support.  I would like to pause for a moment to reflect on this year as it comes to a conclusion.  This is the year I committed to reading at least ten pages a day when I wake up in the morning.  It has been the most significant improvement in my life because the results of this minor change opened the doors to new opportunities.  Speaking of new opportunities, here's what I'm serving up in the coming months.

• Guest bloggers.  Two guest bloggers have agreed to share their ideas.  They inspire me and you will be treated to something special with their words of wisdom.
• "The Adventures of Wilson" will be released in 2020.  "Live Long and Prosper" is not ready for prime time yet and I'm going to continue with my editing efforts until I feel it's suitable.  The original plan was to lead with "Live Long and Prosper" but Wilson stepped up when I was stuck in the mud and he rescued me.  
• The Lucy Project is going to be featured on this blog as a long-term dream I'm nurturing.  I'm sharing here to hold myself accountable to my financial freedom goals and Lucy is helping me to do the hard stuff now so we can adopt her free and clear of any financial obligations that typically have a negative impact on our lives.  She is the ultimate reward for our financial discipline and I believe sharing her story may help others get motivated to get out of debt.  
• Travel.  My first trip will be in the first week of the new year to see my family and offer condolences to the family of my dad's youngest brother in Arizona.  This trip will be more of a touch-and-go since I need to return immediately to the Midwest for the start of my busiest year ever.  My day job is going big in this region next year and I will be assisting with team building in multiple states.  We are also planning a couple of vacations for our family.

Thanks again for visiting me here on this blog.  I'm doing my best to become more flexible and this is helping me to be productive without being too critical when I feel like I'm coming up short.  Life really is about the small daily choices we make.  I'm working on being more aware of the triggers in my life that sometimes cause me to get temperamental.  This is a longterm project.  My hope is that sharing my life with you helps you on your own personal journey.  Have a great day.

Ancient Words of Wisdom Proclaimed by College Quarterback

Our youngest son and I stayed up late last night for a second night in a row to watch one of the best college football games I've ever seen.  Ohio State and Clemson played in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona in a semifinal matchup of two undefeated teams.  Our son found a way to live stream the game through his laptop since we are now a cable-free household.  For me, the biggest highlight was watching the post-game interview with Clemson's quarterback.  He boldly proclaimed a verse I hadn't heard before from Ephesians 3:20, Now to him is who able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

One of the biggest reasons I cut my cable was to free myself of all that negativity that's spewing on the airwaves.  What a joy it is to have two nights in a row of great entertainment from college football.  Two nights ago it was our local team who lifted my spirits by waving to the patients at our hospital in Iowa City.  During home games, these patients gather together on the 12th floor of the hospital to cheer for our beloved Hawkeyes.  Players, fans and even opponents pause at the end of the first quarter to wave to these kids.  The kids got a special wave from afar during the Holiday Bowl played in San Diego.  Our family enjoyed many seasons of great football and baseball in that city before moving away.  Sadly, the San Diego Chargers also left when the team owner decided to relocate.  Football fans in the area suffering from withdrawals got to see something really special when two out-of-town teams injected new life into "America's finest city."

Check out the YouTube video below for the interview with Clemson's coach and his players.  Have a great day.

Iowa Wave Goes to Holiday Bowl

The "Iowa wave" is world-famous, thanks to national coverage of last night's Holiday Bowl.  Our favorite football team, the Hawkeyes, trounced USC 49-24.  My favorite part of the game was watching fans, players and coaches pause to wave to the patients at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital at the end of the first quarter, a tradition witnessed worldwide.

We watched the first half with my wife's lifelong friends at a sports bar near our home and caught the end of the game on a Spanish live stream our son found online.  Our cable is no longer part of our household.  We waved good-bye to those unnecessary fees in an effort to accelerate our mortgage payoff.  Felicidades to the Hawkeyes.  Thank you for a great season and thanks for remembering those sick kids at the hospital.  We can't wait to cheer for you again next season.  Have a great day.

Your Gratitude Sunflower

Humor me, please.  I know this isn't the time of year we see sunflowers.  Like my daughter said in a post she placed on her social media page, "I'm a rebel."  My wife responded, "I know where she gets it."  So, today I want you to make a mental picture in your mind of a sunflower.  Every petal in your mental visualization represents something you're thankful for.  Don't stop until every petal in your mind picture has something or someone you're thankful for.  If you're having trouble completing your picture, go ahead and visualize something from your future you are thankful to be pursuing, like a vacation or a family reunion.  Fill your heart with gratitude today.  May you be abundantly blessed with a garden full of sunflowers.  Have a great day.

Plant 12 Seeds Today for 2020

It's the in-between time, that week between Christmas and the New Year and your brain is busy trying to figure out how to prepare for what lies ahead.  Too many people fail at making changes that stick and I think I know why.  It has to do with repeating the same mistakes.  Real change can't happen overnight.  It can't happen just because you think this year is going to be different.  The pressure you're feeling could be a result of the added stress you're under from knowing this happens to be a new decade.  I have a solution and it may or may not work depending on your own willingness to commit.  First of all, please don't call this a "resolution."  Instead, consider this an experiment.  If the experiment works, you can make it a permanent lifestyle and you can use it for the entire decade and beyond.  If it doesn't work, move on and try something else.  There's no pressure here.

You are now a farmer.  Your job for the remainder of this "in-between" time is to acquire 12 seeds.  These are unique experimental seeds that come from within your own mind.  They are the seeds of life – your life.  You will plant one seed each month for the next 12 months.  If you plant them all at once, similar to all those resolutions you made in previous years, the seeds will probably die.  Your new life depends on your willingness to be patient and your openness to the idea that you are now a farmer.

You may be asking, "What do my seeds look like?"  The better question to ask is "What's missing in my life?"  Think carefully.  You have six days to decide.  A wise farmer will choose his seeds carefully and prepare properly with good planning.  I'll give you an example of what I think a quality seed may look like.  It's called the forgiveness seed, also known as the "letting go" seed.  This seed has the ability to open your eyes to all the possibilities that exist in your future.  The way it works is you plant it on January 1, water it every day, keep the weeds out by forgiving everybody in your past who hurt you.  It's not necessary to contact these people.  The only requirement is that you let go of the hurt you are feeling in your heart.  Do this for thirty days.  You are not allowed to miss one day.

Here's another idea.  I call it the meditation seed.  It could be a nice choice for February.  Set aside 15 minutes a day and give yourself some space to do nothing except clear your mind.  You can use the time to evaluate how your "forgiveness seed" impacted your life.  Set a timer to make sure you go the full 15 minutes.  If you get stuck, reach out to me.  I planted this seed earlier in the year and I may be able to help you with some interesting farming techniques.

The last request I have for you is to make sure you get a 2020 calendar and write down what seeds you will plant on the first day of each month.  This will help you with your experiment because you can prepare yourself in advance for how you will watch over each special seed you plant.  Your goal is to keep all 12 seeds alive by focusing on one seed at a time.  I promise you one thing.  You will get out of this experiment what you put into it.  It's up to you to decide your top 12 seeds.  My only recommendation is that you don't plant a "go to the gym" seed on January 1.  Save it until March when all the other farmers have quit and moved on.  Your gym experience will be much more favorable.  Happy farming.  Have a great day.

Merry Christmas

It's challenging to know what to expect about the weather when you live in the Midwest.  Today may be one of the warmest days I've experienced at Christmas since my relocation nearly eight years ago. For us, 60º is a heatwave and we're all planning to bask in the sun while we celebrate the most important birthday of all times.

We opened our gifts early this year in order to accommodate busy Holiday schedules and all three of our adult children gave me what I asked for – books, the kind that inspires personal growth.  Our youngest son gave me something so enticing that I couldn't put it down and finished just in time to go to church for Christmas eve.  It was written by Victor E. Frankl, a holocaust survivor.  "Man's Search for the Meaning of Life" is an ideal book to read during the Christmas season because the author demonstrates that every life is meaningful no matter how challenging the circumstances appear to be.

For some, the Holidays may not be all that joyful.  Maybe it's because they have trouble finding something to be hopeful for.  Maybe they've lost something or someone and they struggle to get past that loss.  Frankl wrote that one of the greatest difficulties for holocaust survivors who returned to their old lives was that the very things they were hopeful for were gone.  Family.  Friends.  In some cases, the total destruction of their old ways of living.  One of Frankl's students asked him what the meaning of his life was and he asked his student to write down his thoughts before answering.  "Read your answer to the group," Frankl said.

The student stood up and shared, "The meaning of your life is to help others find theirs."  It was an exact match.  And that is what Christmas is all about.  There was this lowly birth in a remote area to parents who were forced to stay in a place reserved for animals.  No family.  No pleasantries.  In many ways, the conditions weren't much different from the concentration camps where innocent people were forced to stay because they happened to be related to the same family having a child in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago.  That child gives us hope.  The door to Heaven is now open.  Merry Christmas.  Have a great day.

Thankful for a Midwest December Barbecue Yesterday

The weather in the Midwest can change in the blink of an eye.  Yesterday was one of those days.  I seized the opportunity to fire up my Weber grille in the 54º weather as the sunset yesterday, two days before my dad's birthday.  Dad was always fine-tuning his "world-famous" burgers for our family backyard barbecues often attended by our cousins.  Dad argued that the secret to the ideal burger has to do with getting the heat right.  According to him, no one does it better than Weber.  His final act before departing this world was gifting us our own Weber.  I modified his recipe by going bunless.  In our family, we serve caveman burgers with lettuce as our buns.  They may not be world-famous like my dad's but they are especially tasty here in the Midwest at this time of year when our Weber is usually in hibernation.

May your home be filled with the spirit of Christmas.  Have a great day.

What it Means to be Human

There are certain questions I shy from because I know answering them will only lead to confrontation, chaos, anger and perhaps even the loss of a friendship.  It's so easy to get sucked into trouble.  We're all well-equipped with primitive tools to help us respond to danger.  The dinosaurs may be long gone but our fight-or-flight instincts are strong.

I'm headed to a funeral this morning for an amazing woman who was the organist at our wedding thirty years ago.  There's another funeral on the horizon for the first week of the new year and I'm hoping to be in Phoenix to support my relatives and say good-bye to my dad's youngest brother.  Funerals seem to be a time when we look within ourselves for answers to deep questions like, "What is the meaning of life?"

If you're reading this because you're curious about my answer, I prefer to defer to someone else who happens to be having a birthday in a couple of days.  My dad was born on Christmas day along with his twin brother, Mike, the one I'm named after.  Dad claimed that being born on Christmas was the biggest rip-off ever.  We heard the story many times about how there would be one gift under the tree to Pat and Mike to celebrate Christmas and their birthdays.  One year his twin brother ran away from home because he couldn't handle the unfairness.  That's no bueno when you live in the Midwest and it's cold outside.

Let's take a closer look at what it means to be human from Jesus' perspective.  I find it interesting that Jesus chose to leave the comforts of Heaven and become human, especially because he had everything we could ever want.  He chose to be born at a time when electricity hadn't been invented.  There were no modern conveniences like automobiles or cell phones.  He chose a race of people that are hated by pretty much the entire world.  His family was forced to deliver their baby in a place reserved for animals.  If you ask me, that looks like the ultimate rip-off but that is only the first chapter of the story and it goes downhill from there.  Imagine being accused of a crime you didn't commit and being sentenced to death.  Who would be willing to do that?  It's the same guy who would drop everything to go search for my dad's twin brother and tell him he loves him.  It's the same guy who would tell you it doesn't matter about politics because the only one capable of ruling properly is Jesus himself.  He loves everybody including the sinner.  When I look in the mirror that's what I see, a sinner who struggles with the meaning of life.  There are times when I have trouble loving my neighbor.  I'm not talking about the cool neighbors who live next door to me, but the ones who have hearts filled with hatred or prejudice.  Jesus tells me to love them.  I will struggle with this all my life and I will do my best to follow the one who is having a birthday in a couple of days.  That's what it means to be human.  Have a great day.

Final Par for the Course Scorecard for the Year

It looks like I'm going to finish the year the same way I started. Yep.  There's going to be a December bogey in my game, Par for the Course.  Financial fitness is no easy task.  The goals I set at the beginning of the year were borderline impossible considering I set out to wipe out more than $100,000 of mortgage debt over 36 months playing a game I created to make debt reduction fun.  The first five months of the year netted five bogeys.  I made adjustments to my spending habits and made six pars in a row.  This month I slipped but I'm feeling good about the next 24 months.

I have a feeling the average person would look at my scorecard and tell me there's no hope of winning in the allotted time.  After all, not only do I need to average par over the next 24 months, I also need to account for those six months of bogeys.  That means I need to master this game quickly and find a way to make a whole bunch of eagles by the end of December two years from now.

For those interested in Par for the Course, it's really about developing habits that promote living a debt-free life.  I may not reach my goals on time but I'm going to get really close.  Once that last payment is made I plan to enjoy a lifetime of eagles meaning zero debt and complete financial independence.  I will share more about the game as I work on my skills.  It's all about developing winning habits.  Have a great day.

Family Day is Here

Days like these are the most precious.  Christmas music is playing and the aroma of baked goodies fills the air while I write my morning story.  Our son's pet Chihuahua is enjoying being with a complete tribe.  A full house brings me great joy.  Today may be the shortest day of the year but I'm going to stretch it out and enjoy every minute of it.  May your day be filled with abundance and may you be surrounded by loved ones.  Have a great day.

Time to Say Good-bye, Tribute to My Uncle John Mulligan

Please click here for the link to read about my uncle, John Mulligan, my dad's youngest brother, who passed away while surrounded by his loving family in Phoenix, Arizona.  My uncle joins brothers Dickie, Jim, my dad Patrick, and sisters Mary and Peggy, all residents of Heaven.  I always admired uncle John's positive attitude.  Perhaps my greatest memory was playing tennis with him while I was in high school.  He encouraged his children and grandchildren to play sports and seek an active lifestyle.  I will forever cherish his influence on my life.  The YouTube video below is in honor of his fondness for music.  He finished the race with a smile on his face and he will be missed.  I send my condolences to his wife, Dawn, his four remaining siblings, his children, grandchildren, and all the friends and family members who are mourning his loss.  Have a great day.

Challenge Yourself to Stretch Your Morning Joy

Your morning routine sets up your emotional state.  Done correctly, you're experiencing abundant joy.    Then, you leave the comforts of your home and someone cuts you off on the road.  Another driver closes in so tightly behind you that you can see his eyeballs glaring at you because you're driving too slow for his comfort zone.  Suddenly, your morning joy turns to anger and you succumb to your surroundings.  I have a new idea for you.  It's more of a challenge.  Consider all these distractions as opponents in a game you're playing.  Win this game and you get a full day of peace and happiness.  Pretend each of these negative people that encroach your space is playing the same game but their goal is to steal your joy and they don't really play by any rules.  That means you must expect the unexpected.  You must plan for all kinds of sneaky tricks.  Protect your joy at all costs.

This game is played daily.  Your goal is to see how far you can go in a day before the dark side scores.  Track how many times they found a way to steal your joy.  The longer you play this game, the better you will get.  If you manage to win and keep your morning joy until you go to bed, repeat this again the next day.  Can you go two days in a row?  How about three?  Is it possible to reach a one-week streak?  Remember, you're playing against yourself.  Every day is a new day.  Have a great day.

Should You Follow Your Inner Caveman Voice?

Caution.  Today's story may lead to transformation.  If you're not into change, this story may bring you some conflict.  I'm referring to those voices in your head most of us try to squash so we can better fit into the demands of our modern-day society.  The more I reflect on our caveman ancestors, the more I see the benefits of a somewhat nomadic lifestyle.  If you're having trouble following, think about all the traps we have today, like 30-year mortgages, car loans, and annual property taxes. I call them traps since we end up in these ruts and we must stay there for a lifetime to get out of debt and live free.  Our own possessions turn us into slaves.

Remember when you were a kid and you woke up every morning with a clean slate?  In my neighborhood, we built forts, explored mountains and lived every day to its fullest.  Then, we got jobs so we could pay for our homes.  Over time, these homes got bigger and bigger.  So did our obligations.  Our ancestors could build a hut in a couple of days.  Wow.  No mortgage.  Life was so simple.  Hunting and gathering produced healthy muscles and well-toned bodies.  Our inner caveman calls out because our bodies have become slabs of blubber from sitting and staring at the TV for hours at a time.

I'm not waiting until my retirement years to listen to my inner caveman voice.  I'm making a serious effort to become a part-time nomad and behave more like my caveman ancestors.  What is your inner caveman voice saying to you?  Are you ready to listen?  Have a great day.

Decision Time

It's decision time.  A new decade is almost here.  Are you ready to make it the best decade of your life?  I am.  I'm diving in.  There are some things I really liked about these last ten years, like setting goals and building on them year after year.  I decided to cut out bad habits and replace them with new daily rituals designed to maximize my life.  It all starts with becoming the person you decide to be.  Use this time to ponder what worked for you in the past and what didn't work.  Decide to make new plans.  Do it for the long haul.  Think in terms of ten-year increments.  Have a great day.

Give Me Liberty, Please

Liberty may strike different chords depending upon where you live and how much or how little you have.  For me, liberty is the freedom to live without interference from those who may have power over our lives.  Some of us give up our liberties because of the poor choices we make.  Living in debt is like giving up your liberty because you are beholdent to the people who own your debt.

When I say, "Give me liberty,"  I'm talking to myself.  Sometimes, a good conversation with your yourself can lead to necessary changes you need to make to acqiure something better, like liberty.  I'm willing to pay the price I need to pay today to enjoy liberty in my future.  How about you?  Would you like more liberty in your life?  Try some self-talk.  Have a great day.

Got Curiosity?

If you're having trouble coming up with new ideas for your life, maybe you need some curiosity.  I've heard the saying, curiosity killed the cat.  Well, you're not a cat.  You're a human being loaded with about a billion cells in your brain and they're waiting to be tapped into by your own curiosity.

This last year of my life has been one of the most exciting ever.  I decided it was time to bust through some self-imposed barriers in my mind that prevented me from reaching my potential.  Perhaps the single greatest barrier was this crazy idea I had that I couldn't see the world until I reached financial independence.  That's hogwash.  Maybe my own curiosity is leading me to the best ways to seek adventure without breaking the bank.  It's like having my cake and eating it too, although the cake is pretty much off my approved food list.  If I'm going to see the world, I want to live in a body that's fit and ready to withstand any condition.  You can read my post about the "Lucy Project" to see how my wife and I plan to explore our surroundings once we say good-bye for good to our mortgage.  Meanwhile, I'm using my hotel points to pay for a series of mini stays in the coming year.

I recommend that you place curiosity on your gift list for Christmas.  Make a note to yourself and open it on Christmas Day.  Open it and use it daily.  Use it the same way Albert Einstein did...with passion.  I already promised my wife that I will pursue every project we undertake with passion.  Have a great day.

All in the Family

If you're looking for pictures or stories about my family, you won't find them here.  We have our clever ways of sharing without violating family wishes to be hidden away from social media.  I write fiction.  Other family members share pictures of their beloved inanimate pets.  I have Wilson, the CASTAWAY volleyball who helps me share about my travels.  My sister has a collection of mice with cool names, like Maude and Greta.

Yesterday I shared about my Lucy Project.  My kid sister has code-named her vintage trailer dream to compliment Lucy with "The Linus Project."  I have a feeling she will use her creativity to make a custom quilt and awesome curtains.  She may even have a special place to house her collection of pet mice.  Before she gets too busy with all her grandkids, I'm hoping to enlist her help to make a quilt for the Lucy Project that will remind me of her every time we go on a family outing.  I'm visualizing something that will reflect Lucy's passion for dreaming big similar to when the Beatles came up with the song, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."  I find it amazing that John Lennon's hit song was inspired by his three-year-old son, Julian, who came home from pre-school with an awesome out-of-this-world art piece.  Yes, it's all in the family.  That's how we roll, sans the photos.  Thank God for Wilson, Greta, Maude, and our own pet, Hans, a tiny mouse who enjoys cross-country skiing and instigating family reunions.  I don't want to leave my mother's sister, Marcie, out of this story.  After all, she is one of the few in the family willing to share without the need to sign any type of photo-release documents.  I've shared as much as I can share without exceeding any boundaries.  Have a great day.

Lucy Project Declassified

Breaking news.  One of my top-secret personal goals, code-named "The Lucy Project," is now declassified.  When details were leaked to one of my siblings by a mouse in the house named Hans, I decided to share with my readers even though the odds of a successful outcome in the near future are low.  The Lucy Project cannot be initiated until our mortgage is paid in full and both writing projects are published.  Warning!  Projects like this may pop into your head once you release yourself from a daily routine consisting of mindless TV and other timewasting activities.

There was a time in my life when I resisted change.  I was slow to remove my landline and hesitated to cut my cable TV.  I thought ideas like Airbnb and Uber were for the younger generation.  Some argue that "blogging" is an outdated form of communication.  For me, it's my main connection to the outside world.  Maybe all these books I'm reading about self-improvement are influencing me to make changes in the way I view the world.  As each day passes, I find myself embracing bigger dreams without any constraints.  In that spirit, I'm sharing "The Lucy Project."

Lucy is the name of our future van.  She will be fitted with a kitchen, shower, primitive toilet, and a bed.  The roof will be high enough to allow us to stand and the bed will be raised so we can store our belongings below.  Lucy will be equipped with a couple of solar panels to keep us going in remote areas.  There won't be any tv's inside although I plan to have a small cabinet to house my reading material.   I will use this blog to share our adventures.  When Lucy is not in use by our family, she may be available to rent in an Airbnb-type of format.  Who knows?  Future travelers may use Uber or Lyft to come to our location and pick Lucy up for their family vacation.  All I can say is change is in the air.  Have a great day.  Thanks, Hans, for spilling the beans.

How Cutting the Cable Changed My Life

It's amazing how your life can change for the better when you make minor adjustments.  Letting go of one thing allows you to grab onto to something new.  For me, reading books replaced TV watching.  I'm reading books that are inspiring me to manage my time better, eat healthier, and live more productively.  I'm on pace to finish my tenth book by the end of this year, a new record.  I find myself in a better mood these days, probably because I'm not exposing my brain to all that negativity that comes from all the talking heads making noises all night long.  I'm going to bed earlier and waking up refreshed.  I'm also guilt-free because I no longer beat myself up for wasting so much time in front of the TV.  My wife and I still watch old episodes of Frazier on Netflix that are commercial-free.  An episode usually goes for about 20 minutes which is a fraction of what my old life looked like.

If you could choose one habit you would like to modify, what would it be?  I believe the best way to change behavior is to concentrate fully on the new habit that will replace the old one so that the transformation process sticks.  Have a great day.

When the Wheel Falls Off

I peered outside my window this morning and discovered a fresh layer of snow.  This means I need to leave early and proceed with caution as I head to my day job.  It's not as bad as a wheel falling off although some of the people in the 50 car pileup a couple of days ago on I-80 may disagree.  Accidents happen.  They are beyond our control.

My number one method for solutions when I'm facing a crisis is prayer.  Sometimes the answers are stuck in a pileup, like the time Daniel prayed and fasted for 21 days.  The angel, Gabriel, was sent to help but he told Daniel the 21-day delay had to do with demons blocking traffic.  Michael was called upon to open up a free lane so Gabriel could speak to Daniel.  Gabriel told Daniel God heard his prayers and immediately dispatched him but the dark side got in the way.

I will never forget the encounter I had with a traveler named Gabriel while I was vacationing in Big Sky, Montana earlier this year.  We both pulled over the side of the road at the same time to capture the beauty of a waterfall.  Gabriel asked me what I thought the odds were of Michael and Gabriel's meeting.  Then he asked me if I knew the meaning of his name.  He smiled and told me, "It means I'm the messenger of Elohim." He sped away on his motorcycle before I could ask any more questions.  I went back to our hotel room and told my family what happened.  They seemed in disbelief until I showed them pictures from our encounter.  Yep, I've been hearing a lot of Twilight Zone music in my head, maybe the result of my own accident nearly two years ago.  Both vehicles were totaled when I was t-boned.  My bones are healed and I'm ready to venture out in less than ideal conditions this morning knowing God is hearing all my prayers.  My chance meeting with Gabriel inspired me to keep going no matter what the road conditions or obstacles may be.  May you find a way to accomplish all your goals.  Have a great day.

One Inch a Day

Life is a series of marathons strung together from birth to death.  It's an all-weather sport played in various seasons and conditions.  There are days when I wake up and I have no idea what obstacles will come my way.  My hope is that I will find a way to advance by the end of the day, even if forward progress may be limited to one inch.  "What good is an inch?"   Consider the difference between life and death.  Yes, that's how important growth is.  Because if you're not moving, you're dying.

I'm a big believer in momentum.  Your daily efforts, even though they may not seem like much, will multiply as your skills improve.  Keep in mind that you may need to change gears if you can't find an inch of improvement in the area of your life your working on today.  Pick a new area and find your inch there.  One inch of improvement in any area of your life will help all the other areas you're seeking to improve.  Use your momentum to go back to the areas where you're struggling and find new solutions.   Have a great day.

Travel Afterburner is Activated

Afterburner definition:  an auxiliary burner fitted to the exhaust system of a turbojet engine to increase thrust.

I flipped a switch in my mind and fired up an afterburner to help me with my creativity for travel ideas.  Do not try this at home unless you're willing to deal with all the challenges that come from moving at supersonic speeds.  It's exhilarating.

Two ideas are gaining traction.  The first has to do with a group vacation in Montana.  I will share more with my family as I gather information.  The second idea is a long-term vision for road trips.  I'm calling this the "Lucy Project."  Lucy is the name of our future adventure van.  The first criterion for this idea is that we cannot adopt Lucy until we are 100% financially independent.  The second criterion is that we must pay as we go with the modifications in order to remain debt-free.  The time frame for our adoption looks like 2022.  Of course, final approval for these ideas is necessary from my co-pilot.  All I can say is the way things are going in our lives, Lucy will be a part of the family in no time.

Do you have an area of your life where turning on the afterburners may be helpful?  If you're unsure about flipping the switch, ask yourself if you will be happy if you find yourself in the same situation three to five years from now as you are today.  Be bold.  Seek adventure.  Have a great day.

Remember Why You Started

The longer it takes to reach the finish line, the easier it is to get distracted and give up.  Temptations come up.  Others may not understand why you do what you do.  Remember why you started.  This is the best way to stay in the game.  If your why is the only thing you have, it may be the only thing you need to keep going.  Have a great day.

I'm Working on Some Surprises

Maybe it's the Spirit of Christmas.  It could be answers to prayers.  Whatever is going on, I'm feeling a surge of energy and it's just in time because life is super busy right now.  I barely have time to get this story released before heading to my day job today.  I'll share details later.  Have a great day.

Let Passion Be Your Guide

The starting point doesn't really matter.  Neither does the date.  If you're feeling behind because you put your dreams on the back burner, don't worry.  What matters is that you're willing to begin an amazing journey that will unfold over a lifetime.  Let passion be your guide.  You will climb mountains.  You will experience new places and cultures.  Passion knows where you belong.

Today is a new day.  It's the perfect starting point.  Let go of every anchor holding you back or slowing you down and burst out of the starting gate.  Don't look back.  Enjoy your journey.  Have a great day.

Deposits and Withdrawals

Every action in your life is either a deposit or a withdrawal.  What you give is a deposit and what you take is a withdrawal.  The same is true in your relationships.  Making phone calls, sending notes or text messages and spending time with others goes in the "deposit" column.  Failing to respond or connect results in a "withdrawal."  How are you doing with your deposits and withdrawals?  Are you seeing red?  It's not too late to turn things around.

My goal for today is to take a look at my spending habits when it comes to my actions with others.  There is only so much gas in the tank.  If I take too much, I'm out of gas and I'm stranded.  The relationships with others fail.  I need to give in order to keep my relationships going.  My wife is at the top of my list.  Our 30-year anniversary celebration is coming to a conclusion at the end of this month.  We both got a lot of mileage by celebrating our marriage milestone for a full twelve months.  Our gas tank is full going into 2020 and beyond.  My advice for my friends and family is to make sure your deposits always exceed your withdrawals.  Have a great day.

Why You Should Maintain a Scorecard

Scorecards are meant to help you track your performance in any area of your life you would like to adjust.  It's hard to see where you are if you're not keeping some sort of record.  There's one thing I really care about when I look at my scorecards – improvement.  No matter how dire my situation may appear, I look for the slightest hint of improvement on a month-to-month basis.

If you're not maintaining a scorecard, be honest with yourself.  Is it because you feel embarrassed about your lack of progress?   Ask yourself what's causing you to slip.  Maybe your overall goal is so overwhelming that you feel it's impossible to reach.  Try breaking your goal down into bite-sized goals you can fit on a scorecard.  Here's an example:

You want to lose 12 pounds.  Instead of tracking the pounds, measure the ounces and put them on a daily scorecard.  Reduce the 12-pound goal to 12 monthly goals of 16 ounces released per month.  That means you are maintaining a daily scorecard that shows the total number of ounces gained or loss each week.  Put a note at the bottom of each day that also tracks the key choices you make that impact your performance.  I have a feeling you will see improvement if you remain committed to your scorecard.  Do this for 12 months and your scorecard will show you released 192 ounces!  Frame that scorecard and try it again on any other area of your life you would like to adjust.  Have a great day.

Bone Study Followup Today

I'm headed to the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa today as a participant in MOST (Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study).  They are primarily interested in my knees for this study.  I personally believe many health issues can be traced to the foods we eat.   Ever since I eliminated certain foods, like dairy and processed foods, my body has gone through a sort of transformation process.  My excess fat around my belly disappeared.  My double chin turned into a regular chin.  My lipid panels looked like the kind of report card you can't wait to share with your parents.  Most importantly, my energy levels soared.

Today's followup is very different from my own caveman food experiment set up by my cousin, Dr. John Mulligan.  These folks have thousands of participants.  They are using high tech equipment.  The time period covers years.  My experiment had consisted of one lab rat – me.  The time period was 45 days.  The results didn't need scientific evaluation, although the lipid panel results made the experiment more objective than my own subjective opinion about how I felt.

If you're curious about doing your own experiments to see if changes in your daily habits can produce successful outcomes, stay tuned.  I would like to give special thanks to my cousin for offering me an alternative to a life of prescription medicine pills which only serve as permission slips to eat the wrong foods our bodies cannot tolerate.  Have a great day.

Is Your Body Coachable?

I don't know many people who believe their bodies are "coachable."  The successful ones are those who understand mind games.  I say mind games because I believe most things in life are really games we play and there happens to be winners and losers.  Observers can discern your success or failure by watching your daily actions.  No words are necessary.  Another key question you may ask has to do with your mind.  Is your mind coachable?

You are probably inundated with advertising from others who want to coach your body.  They are already premeditating how they're going to bombard you with ads when the new year begins next month.  You may spend large sums of money to get others to coach your body.  I have a different idea and it's all about you becoming your own coach.  You already have what it takes inside your own mind.  You have the ability to coach your body and get awesome results as long as you never acquiesce to the body's demands to be in charge.

If you're telling me your body is not coachable, I beg to differ.  Maybe it's your own mind that refuses to be a leader in the battle of mind vs. body.  If you are successful as a parent, you have what it takes to do what's necessary when your body starts whining about junk food.  Just say no.  Repeat this every time.  Don't give up when you make a coaching mistake.  This mind game you're playing has life or death consequences.  The same is true with cigarettes, exercise choices, finances, etc.

I'm only certain about one thing in today's story.  Regardless of how you answered the question, you're right.  And if you happen to be one of the few who believes you can be your own coach, stay with me for tips.  I've made a lot of mistakes along the way but I'm finally starting to make big progress and I seriously believe it's because I'm trusting my brain to make the necessary decisions so my body can be fine-tuned for optimum performance.  Have a great day.

Burn the Ships

I'm on my way to my house of worship this morning with my wife.  In our faith, this is already a new year.  The four Sundays leading up to Christmas are a time of expectation.  In my opinion, a great way to prepare is to burn the ships on any old habits that aren't giving you joy or happiness.  Burning the ships means completely letting go without any possibility of returning.

There's a big advantage in letting go.  Your mind is open to creative thinking.  Your heart is open to new friends and relationships.   Your fears are nowhere to be seen.  Well, maybe they may be lingering if you don't light the match and burn the ships.  The idea here is to convince yourself you are okay with moving forward into the uncertainty of a new year.  Why not make a list of some new habits you would like to form and get started today?  Here's a YouTube video by King and Country to help you.  Have a great day.