What are Your Lessons Learned in 2020?

 This is the final day of a year we will all long remember.  For most, tomorrow will be filled with high expectations because it marks day one of a new chapter.  I believe these new chapters have little meaning if we don't carry over all the lessons learned in previous years.

Think for a moment about the most important lessons you learned in 2020.  Are you a better person because of those lessons learned?  Will you be able to apply those lessons in 2021?  How will the new year be different?  Today is a great day to reflect.  Have a great day.

We're Digging Ourselves Out of the Snow This Morning

 By the time you read this, we will be out of our predicament.  Mother Nature did it again yesterday.  She dumped 9 inches of snow on us in a matter of hours.  Her cacophony ended dramatically with thunder, lightning, and a layer of sleet.  Her sheet music, as long as she follows it properly, is now displaying a series of rest notes signaling our opportunity to undo what she did to our driveway.  

"Fifteen minutes," my wife cautioned when I walked outside and stepped into the fresh snow piled onto our driveway.  My boots disappeared.  I realized that jeans are not the appropriate attire when my lower nerve cells sent out an SOS message to my brain.  Our youngest son teamed up with me to remove the layer of ice on all the windows and we cleared a narrow path to the end of the driveway where our biggest challenge awaited – three feet of snow about two feet high left by the snowplow driver when he cleared our street.  An hour and fifteen minutes later we called it a night.  I have just enough time to finish the job this morning so my wife and I can head to our day jobs.  I have a cacophony of my own to complete my day – Tennis with my teammates.  Maybe we can generate our own thunder indoors.  Have a great day.

Something Borrowed

Please forgive me for my philosophical tendencies today.  Perhaps it's thoughts of this year and everything that happened that are persuading me to share.  Reality and imagination are separated by a razor-thin line. There are times when my perceptions of the world are challenging to interpret, like those days here in my home state when we are in a blizzard and I'm doing my best to find my way home in near white-out conditions.  According to today's forecast, we have a major storm front arriving by midday and we will soon be blanketed by up to a foot of snow.  Although I hate to admit it, on days like this, there is an unwanted occupant in my SUV.  No words are necessary when we're together.  I can read his mind and he can do the same, especially when the road conditions are hazardous.  His name is Fear.  

I'm sharing my most recent conversation with Snow Devil, the nickname I'm giving my hitchhiker companion because that's usually when he shows up in my life just like Frosty the Snowman, SD's much kinder and gentler cousin.  Snow Devil taught me that my last vehicle, as much as I cherished it, was something borrowed.  Even though there was no lien on the title and I supposedly owned it free in clear, I lost the vehicle in an unfortunate accident on an icy road in poor driving weather.  It was borrowed.  The truth is, everything in our lives is merely borrowed.  Snow Devil is right.  Even our own lives and our children's lives are all borrowed.  All we can do is live for the day and enjoy all the "borrowed" things in our lives.  Deep down, I really do wish Snow Devil would find a new ride-share buddy and that he could somehow be returned to wherever he comes from just like a library book that is borrowed for a finite time.  

I'm learning not to hold on too tightly to borrowed things.  Letting go is often the best option.  My focus is centered on appreciating everything in my life and utilizing borrowed things to the best of my ability.  I have a stack of borrowed books to read and two books to finish writing before my borrowed time on this planet comes to a conclusion.  Snow Devil is trying to stop me but I won't let him no matter what is going on in the world or in my imagination.  Today is a great day to celebrate we made it through one of the most challenging years we have ever seen in modern times.  Have a great day.

Anticipation Plays a Role in Your Happiness Journey

 When it comes to family gatherings, vacations, and other fun events, there's not much we can do right now other than plan for them.  Even though we are in deferral mode, there is something we can do – plan and anticipate.  There is great joy in anticipating.  The focus right now need not be on the finish line.  Planning each mile can be almost as fun as the actual miles driven on that road trip to visit relatives.  

Think back to when you were a kid getting ready for summer vacation or Christmas day.  Wasn't that a great feeling?  I recall a story of a prisoner who planned his dream home while in captivity during the war.  He built his home, brick by brick, in his mind.  When he was set free, he actually built his home just as he planned.  Many of the other prisoners died in captivity because they had nothing to look forward to.

In a way, we are all in some kind of captivity right now.  Don't let the current situation take away your happiness.  Plan something fun for down the road.  Pay attention to all the details, just as a bride does when she's planning her wedding.  Have a great day.

What are You Fishing For?

 You may not be aware of it, but you are fishing.  It's the same as traditional fishing.  You go somewhere, put some bait on your line, and cast away.  Your bait attracts what you're searching for.  If you're patient enough, you might catch what you're looking for.  If you're not having any luck, you may need to improve your skills, just like real fishermen.  

You are uniquely equipped to catch something.  Your haul won't resemble anything like what others are catching unless you're trying to copy them.  This is highly frustrating because you're not focusing on your own talents.  I recommend fishing alone so you can search find your own sense of purpose.  When you discover what you're fishing for, your life will dramatically improve.  Be yourself.  This is what the world needs.  Have a great day.

The First Step on Your Happiness Journey

The best way I can share how I feel about this last year is to mention how much meaning these twelve months have given me.  The calendar is getting ready to flip again soon.  If you feel your life is lacking in happiness, perhaps we can journey together in a new year filled with endless possibilities.

Fear may be our most common enemy.  It has a way of sucking all the happiness out of our lives.  There is this fear of dying the media loves to capitalize on.  They can't reach me because I tuned them out long ago and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.  What about the fear of living?  COVID-19 has a way of trapping us into thinking we can't live right now so we must put our lives on hold.  I disagree.  I simply refuse to let fear to occupy any space inside my head.  If you made it this far in today's story, perhaps you're ready to take that first step.  You can wait until the new year begins or you can take that first step today and get a head start in what could be your happiest year ever.  Ready?  Here goes:

LET GO!

Here's a partial list.  You get to add to it between today and the remainder of the year and we will work on this together for the next 12 months.  Deal?

List of things to let go of

• Gossip
• Judging
• Prejudice
• Anger
• Pride
• Jealousy
• Sense of Entitlement
• Control
• Past Hurts
• Unforgiveness
• Inferiority Complex
• Anxiety

I realize that I have a long way to go in my own personal happiness journey.  The next year will not be a repeat of last year – it will be an enhancement to every lesson I learned last year and all the years that came before all the way until my childhood.  Let's work on this together.  Have a great day.

Merry Christmas!

 When the weather outside heated up a couple of notches to 3º here in the frozen tundra of Iowa this morning, my wife looked at me and said, "At least we're not in the negative."  Before the clouds whisked away in the ferocious winds, they blessed us with a stunning picture I captured yesterday morning.  The "sundog" phenomenon occurs when the sun is near the horizon and a halo resembling a rainbow forms around it.  In Native American culture, this halo is a sign from the Creator which marks a time of great change.  

While sundogs can resemble a full rainbow around the sun, the one I saw along the interstate looked more like three separate suns than a rainbow.  It reminded me of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  I believe that the three are one, just like the three suns I saw yesterday were also from one star.  By the way, did you happen to see Saturn and Jupiter in alignment the other day?  That only happens about once every eight hundred years.  Some think maybe that's what the three wise men saw foretelling where Jesus was born.  I find these appearances and their timing rather remarkable.  

May you and your family have a Merry Christmas.  Stay in the positive, even on those days when Mother Nature may be teetering on the negative.  We are thankful for the warm fireplace we will be using as we celebrate the most important birthday in our history today.  Happy birthday, Jesus.  And my dad, too. Have a great day.

Consider Speed Bumps for Your Serenity Zone

Congratulations! You found a way to visit this blog during one of the busiest days of the year.  I'm happy you're here today and all days.  For me, this place is my own "serenity zone."  I call it this because I don't allow any negative thoughts to enter and negative people naturally avoid this place because the positive energy makes them somewhat uncomfortable so they depart quickly.  Many others only visit for a short while because they need to get back to their own reality.  That's why I'm suggesting some speed bumps for those quiet diversions you give yourself when you feel like the world is in an uproar and you need an injection of positive energy.

Wherever you find peace, stay a little longer.  It's so good for the soul.  Besides writing, I "galaxy surf."  It's rather simple.  I put on an eye mask, add a set of headphones, and float away for at least thirty minutes a day while on a guided meditation.  No speed bumps are necessary because I naturally take my time now that this is a permanent habit.  Thank you for the opportunity to share my stories with you and thanks for your support of this blog.  Have a great day.

Are Your Perceptions Half Empty or Half Full?

 I've heard it said that perception is everything.  The one thing I do know for sure is my perceptions do influence my opinions about what is going on around me.  I must be cautious about the filters I use.  For example, something in my gut tells me that the same people who have been complaining about how awful this last year has been will find a way to tell us that 2021 is just as bad or even worse.  

Was 2020 that horrible in your eyes?  Did anything good happen?  What will your new year be like?  I'm going will the glass half full approach.  Sure, there were times in this last year when I felt the emptiness.  Saying good-bye to our son's beloved pet was not easy.  There were other times when I experienced an overflowing abundance.  My family found a way to come visit me while I was on assignment in Michigan this Fall.  

If you are having trouble thinking about something to work on in the new year, consider cleaning up your view of the world around you.  It's like cleaning the windshield on your vehicle or applying lens cleaner to your eyeglasses.  Once you begin observing the glass half full, you will discover other areas of your life that are also half full.  Have a great day.

Time to Increase

Did you notice the sun rose a bit earlier this morning?  It may not seem like much of a change at first.  It's similar to the new habits you introduce in your life.  I'm following Mother Nature's actions.  It's now time to increase.  Imagine what you can do with your life if you use the next six months to focus on daily gains.  That's a lot more sunshine on your goals, attitude, physical fitness, etc.  

There's one more advantage should you begin your pursuit of new habits today.  You will have a ten-day head start on the rest of the world.  Why wait?  Pick something in your life that could use an increase, give it some attention every day and see what happens.  Have a great day.

Can You Change the Hands of Time?

 An obituary showed up on my FaceBook page today.  It's the third one this year from my high school class.  All three suffered from long-term illnesses.  Aging is inevitable.  The question for today is, "Can you change the hands of time?"  

We have evidence all around us that shows how easy it is to accelerate the aging process through improper diet, lack of exercise, and smoking.  What about slowing the clock down or even turning back the hands of time?  Does that sound like science fiction?

Some things are out of our control.  I choose not to focus on that because those things cannot be changed.  What about the things we can control?  Our diet?  Our choice to exercise?  Our daily habits that promote optimum health?

My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones.  Maybe these losses will serve as some sort of wake-up call for the rest of us.  Have a great day.

Family Day Rated a 10

My wife and I got our Christmas present early yesterday from our youngest son.  He drove us to Fireside Winery for appetizers and an opportunity to sample special Holiday wines on display for the season.  The owner, William, gave us a private tour of the expanded facilities and shared a bit of his family history.  We sat in our own room with a fireplace and a Christmas tree.  The service was fabulous.  The main course was served at our next stop in the nearby Amana Colonies.  Families walked the streets as sunset approached.  The Ox Yolk restaurant seemed to be specifically designed for the pandemic with its many rooms inside a maizelike structure.  

I got the opportunity to team up with my tennis captain in our biggest match of the season against our rivals from the Quad Cities.  The battle took place at high noon at the O.K. Corral, otherwise known as North Dodge Athletic Club, in Iowa City.  Both teams were undefeated going into league play.  Although the match ended in a 2-2 draw, based on tie-breaker rules, the other side went home with the win.  Our captain sent out a text assuring us we could win the league by beating these guys in our final match of the year at the end of January on their home turf.  I was fortunate that my captain kept me cool during our match at number 3 doubles and we pulled out a victory after winning the final six games in a row.  Knowing our opponents, they will be back even stronger for the rematch.  It's time to step up and raise our game.  I told our son this will be a day we will never forget.  Have a great day.

'Twas the Family Day Before Christmas

 'Twas the family day before Christmas

and all through the house,

all the creatures were stirring,

including the mouse.

For those of you who aren't aware, we have a mouse in the house named Hans.  He's not real but he has his own gingerbread house.  We bring him out every year when we display our Christmas decorations.  I'm super excited today.  Our youngest son is treating mom and dad to a night out at our local winery in our hometown.  I'm thankful for my boss at my day job who gave me the day off on the Saturday before Christmas.  My teammates will carry the load on one of the busiest days of the year while I'm enjoying our family day.  I will be on the courts at noon today with my tennis teammates for my first league match of the year.  COVID-19 disrupted the best-laid plans of mice of men.  I'm busy getting back in shape after many months of lockdown early in the year.

Wheels in motion tend to stay in motion.  Note to self:  When old wheels stop, the effort to hit the reset button is most challenging.  I will find out today if the molecules I'm taking may offer some advantage to my strength and endurance on the tennis courts.  Longevity researchers who have been studying yeast and mice observe that when they are fed NMN and resveratrol they live longer.  The mice do well on the treadmill and consistently beat Hans without fail.  Maybe I can cut out Hans's cookies and introduce him to intermittent fasting, another idea circulating in the community of scientists who are seeking to give us some extra Christmas seasons to enjoy.  Have a great day. 

Send in the Endorphins

 If you're not happy, this could be due to a lack of endorphins.  Have you heard of the "runner's high?"  It comes from these chemicals that are emitted during exercise.  Increase your exercise and see what happens to your sense of well-being.  You may also find enhanced sleeping from these endorphins.  Another benefit is stress reduction.

Besides exercise, you can get more endorphins by eating dark chocolate.  Laughing works too.  Seek out happy people who can share a few jokes.  Put your endorphins to work today so you can enjoy increased pleasure in your life.  Have a great day.

Is it Time to Adjust Your Trajectory?

Periodic course adjustments are good for the soul.  You can take a look at your trajectory and get a feel for your odds of hitting your target.  The longer you wait to change your trajectory, the more challenging it becomes to cross the finish line. 

Review where you are today and decide how often you will fine-tune your goals in the next 12 months.  If you're already on target, you won't need to do this often.  Shoot for the moon.  Make adjustments when necessary.  Have a great day.

How Much Exercise is Enough?

 This is the time of year when many people start thinking about the improvements they want to make in their lives.  Exercise is a perennial favorite.  Those in my age group who play competitive sports have to be more cautious in order to avoid injury.  I believe I'm fairly safe because my exercise time is limited to between two and four hours a week.  I do my best to let my body recuperate after a challenging workout.

Today's question has to do with the appropriate amount of exercise necessary to be considered "enough."  I really don't know the answer.  I do find my happiness index dropping when I dip below two hours a week of working out.  Ponder this question today and decide how many hours of consistent exercise you are willing to commit to when the new year begins.  Be willing to experiment until you find the optimum levels for your age.  Have a great day.

Your Body Through the Eyes of a Mechanic

 Your body, with trillions of cells under the hood and all other parts that come with it, is perhaps the most complicated make and model in the universe.  Although very little has changed since our hunter-gatherer days, caring for your body for extended miles on the road gets tricky without an owner's manual or a wise mechanic to help you.

I'm one of the lucky ones who have a great mechanic in my hometown to care for our family vehicles.  I'm a big believer in keeping our vehicles on the road as long as possible to maximize our resources.  I use that same philosophy to keep my body going strong.  

Since my understanding of vehicle mechanics and body functions may be limited, I'm going to keep today's story rather simple.  I'm pretending my mechanic is explaining what I need to stay on the road.

• Get frequent checkups.  Only a fool would miss an oil change.
• Buy the right gas.  My body prefers mostly plants.
• Rev up your engine.  That means run until you take your breath away.
• Use the rest stops.  Take a 15-minute break every two hours and sleep 8 hours a night.
• Check your fluids.  For me, it's water and wine and not much else.
• Listen to the engine.  The older you get, the more in tune you need to be with your body.

Good luck with staying on the road.  I'm approaching 100k miles with my SUV and the odometer on my body will flip to 61 years on the 4th of July.  I'm going to keep experimenting to see how far I can go.  Have a great day.

Why I'm Thankful for 2020

It's almost over.  Many will celebrate the conclusion.  I'm still in the moment.  Yes, it's one day at a time.  Some days are better than others.  So are some years.  For me, each day matters.  Each year matters.  They are like building blocks.  The one thing that stands out most is my attitude.  It is one of gratitude.  If I were to erase this year just because it was filled with so much heartbreak I would lose the lessons, the triumphs, and building blocks necessary for the years to come.  If anything, my sense of gratitude is only greater after facing a year like 2020.

I can hear the naysayers complaining about this year.  They don't represent the people I encountered who faced enough trouble to make a grown man cry.  I'm referring to those who lost everything in the derecho, a land hurricane that wiped out crops, buildings, and dreams.  In spite of these losses, these people told me how thankful they are for what they have and for their loved ones.  Others told me about losing loved ones to COVID-19.  That's about as difficult as it gets.  These people talked about love, not a loss.  They talked about gratitude for all the great years.  These people inspire me.  I will do my best to live my life to the fullest, one day at a time.  How about you?  Have a great day.

My DNA Test Kit Arrived Yesterday

 DNA testing may be the best way to discover where you come from.  I've always been curious.  When I visited my wife's family, her dad took me to nearby cemeteries in search of relatives from Ireland.  The gravestones showed towns in Ireland where her relatives were born before migrating to the United States.  It's challenging to go back more than several generations without the aid of DNA testing.

I can't wait to get my results.  The DNA test kit was really easy to administer.  It involved a couple of swabs inside my cheeks, one swab for each side.  I inserted my swabs into a couple of tubes and placed them inside a prepaid return package.  Results will be available on a home page I set up online.  The company guarantees results will be available in eight weeks or your money is returned.  This is a great time of year to discover where you came from because most companies are offering discounts.  I will share more about my results when they are available.  Have a great day.

The Infinite Space Inside You

 How do you fill an infinite void?  Take a good look around at the people in your life.  Watch their actions. Those who are suffering from anxiety, depression, anger, hurt, etc, etc, are doing their best to fill that empty space.  They have their remedies.  The professionals have a label for these remedies.  They call them addictions.  The problem is that no matter how hard the addict tries to fill the space, there is still room left over.  

Infinite spaces require infinite solutions.  I'm only aware of one infinite solution and I discovered it at a time in my life when I was trying to fill my own personal void.  The solution I found contains three parts.  Good luck trying to figure out how they fit together.  Imagine three match sticks on fire.  There is no way to figure out what part of the flame belongs to each match stick when they are on fire and burning as one flame.  They call themselves the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  They are the real deal.  They are an infinite solution to everything you need.  These three parts can fill that infinite space inside you.  They complete you.  Some day we will see the infinite solution with our own eyes.  This is a time of year when believers prepare for that day.  It all started with a simple birth about 2,000 years ago.  The solution is for anyone who asks.  No one is ever excluded.  Today is a good day to seek the solution for that infinite space inside you.  Have a great day.

Is it Better to Work on a Strength or a Weakness?

 Your time is limited.  There is only so much you can accomplish in a day.  That's why your priorities are so important.  This is the time of year when many people start thinking about how they can improve their lives when the new year begins.  Some will work on their weaknesses.  Others may refine their strengths.  I'm in the category of strengths.

Think about the effort you will need to improve a weakness.  The possibility exists that no matter how hard you work on a weakness, you may not see any improvement at all.  You could devote an entire year to one weakness and end up where you started.  The other option is to pick something you're really good at and make it even better.  Think about that for a moment.  Where could you be one year from today if you forget about all your weaknesses and instead enhance what could be the reason why you're on this planet?  In my opinion, that is energy well invested.  2021 could be your breakout year.  Bet on your strengths.  You will increase your odds for a successful outcome.  Decide today to work on your top strength.  Start now.  You can have a three-week head start.  Have a great day.

Synergy is Unfolding

 Synergy means the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.  In my life, the individual steps I'm taking to maximize my life by themselves may not seem like much. That is until you look at what happens when everything is added up and you have a total that doesn't make sense mathematically.  

I really can't explain what is happening to my mind, body, and spirit.  All I know is something is happening.  I know what all the individual factors are.  There are experiments.  There is daily meditation.  There are new molecules I'm taking to ramp up missing substances in my brain related to aging.  There are new daily routines.  Some may argue this synergy idea may only be a placebo and I am one of those people who is suspicious about what is happening.  Am I a step faster on the tennis courts because of a placebo effect?  Does my brain seem to be processing incoming data more efficiently because I simply believe it is?  I don't know.  The math doesn't add up.  I will need to verify this synergy idea by visiting my doctor and getting a physical along with a comprehensive blood test.  Have a great day.

The Excitement Builds

My DNA test kit shipped yesterday.  I'm eagerly awaiting the opportunity to delve into my past.  The staff has already reached out to me twice by email to let me know what to expect.  It's rare these days to see great customer service and I'm hopeful this is a positive sign I will get my results in a timely manner.  The company website touts a comprehensive report that covers one thousand years.  I kicked in some extra bucks to dig even deeper by analyzing my father's side and mother's side of the family in individual reports.

Every family has their own unique family history.  While it's fairly easy these days to search the last few generations, it's almost impossible to understand where we came from without the aid of companies who specialize in DNA analytics.  All I can say right now is I'm super excited to submit my DNA and see what it reveals.  Stay tuned.  Have a great day.

My Past is Getting Ready to Talk

 I did it.  I ordered my first DNA test yesterday, an early Christmas present.  I went with a smaller company that hooked me with a 50% discount for first-time users.  If they deliver as promised and send me the results in a timely manner, I will share the name of the company in an upcoming story.  

My past is getting ready to talk and I'm all ears.  Soon I will be able to tell you the origin of my ears and all other body parts.  I have my suspicions.  Now it's time to submit my DNA and let my past blab away.  I do find it very interesting how we are all connected.  I'm eagerly awaiting the next step of my DNA discoveries.  Have a great day.

The Safest Way to Travel During a Pandemic

 There are many risks associated with travel during a pandemic.  Out of concern for my family, friends, and co-workers, I'm only traveling when absolutely necessary for my day job.  There is one travel alternative I'm using daily and my frequent flyer miles are wracking up big time.  I call it "galaxy surfing."  It's a thirty-plus minute guided meditation that involves sitting or laying down with a mask over my eyes while my mind wanders off to faraway places.  I use headphones to avoid disturbing my wife who is often next to me.

Galaxy surfing is soothing for the mind, body, and spirit.  Researchers who study the brain argue that regular meditators show longer telomeres than those who choose not to galaxy surf.  Telomeres are like the end caps on your chromosomes and they serve as protectors.  The longer they are, the better.  You can lengthen them by exercising regularly, eating well, avoiding obesity, and keeping your stress to a minimum.  This is what galaxy surfing daily does for me.  It calms my nerves, especially when coping with the stress associated with a pandemic.  I may not be able to see my family in person but I can ride the big kahuna with them in my mind and this brings me great joy.  Try it.  Have a great day.

Do This When You Want to Improve

Let's say you looked back at all you achieved in this last year and you discovered some areas of your life where you want to improve.  If this hasn't happened already, please don't wait until the new year begins to do this.  The problem with waiting is that you lose the opportunity to properly plan for the next twelve months.  A five-minute review is sufficient.  Once your review is done, the important next step is a commitment to measuring, measuring, and more measuring.  Decide now that you are going to measure every worthwhile goal you are pursuing and don't stop measuring, even when you're blowing it and you're so far away from where you want to be that you consider giving up.  It's the measuring that keeps you in the game.

I believe in daily measuring.  I do this at my day job, at home, and in my free time when I'm doing leisurely activities.  Measuring helps you understand where you are in relation to where you want to go.  A funny thing happened to me when I started measuring my financial goal of total independence from debt.  I made it fun so I would keep trying even though I pretty much floundered on what I created as a golf course complete with monthly scorecards.  The game, "Par for the Course," is measured the same way golfers measure their performance.  The first year was full of mostly bogeys.  This second year is almost entirely pars.  Next year is the final year with the exception of about three or four extra months I need to erase the ugliness from the beginning of the game.  The bottom line is I'm going to be debt-free soon because I'm measuring and holding myself accountable.  This can be applied to multiple areas of your life.  

Make your own scorecards.  Use blank pages to keep track of your daily results.  Post results on a calendar. Pick up a goals journal.  The way you measure is not important.  What's important is that you keep track of your performance.  The steps you take in the next three weeks will go a long way.  Start your preparations now.  Have a great day.

Selecting the Ideal Food Program

 Like it or not, you have a food program you are following.  Others can see the success or failure of your food program simply by looking at you.  The same is true with your physical fitness program but that's another story for another day.  Today I'm focusing on your food program and the reality of the results or lack of results.  If you're satisfied with your food choices, congratulations.  You're one of the lucky ones.  I see too many people in my daily encounters that aren't so lucky.

The jury is still out on my new food choices because these choices are new and out of my comfort zone.  The only reason I'm experimenting (again) is because I have a gut feeling that someone else may have a better idea and the only way to know for sure is to experiment.

My wife reminded me this morning that my past food choices have been a good fit and I mostly agree.  What's new for me is the timing of my meals and the addition of molecules I wasn't even aware of until rather recently.  These are molecules normally produced in the body that serve as protection against disease.  Unfortunately, our bodies gradually curtail these molecules as we age.  The loss of these molecules leads to age-related challenges.  The only way I will know for sure if the addition of these molecules in my food program is good for me is to get my blood analyzed.  There is a way to measure the biological age of your body.  It's the inside measurement nobody else sees that inspires me to keep experimenting until I get it right.  For me, the ideal food program is the one that maximizes both the quantity and quality of my life.  I promise to share my blood results in future stories.  Thanks for visiting.  Have a great day.

The Year in the Rearview Mirror

 This is a great time of the year to peek in your rearview mirror and evaluate what's working and what needs improvement.  It's better to do it during the remaining four weeks in order to hit the ground running in the new year ahead.

I know many people who have already written off this year due to the pandemic but I don't see it that way. Yes, adjustments are necessary in times like these but I don't believe in erasing an entire year because the wheels happen to be falling off.  This is the time to fix things, improve performance, and prepare for another twelve months of steady daily work.

Take a few minutes today and write down your top five accomplishments.  Focus on your strengths.  Ask yourself how you can make subtle changes to raise the bar.  Can you do better?  Use the lessons learned from your past so you can avoid repeating the same mistakes next year.  Have a great day.

A Physical Fitness Update

 I found my second wind on the tennis courts last night with my teammates.  We played high-level doubles for two hours and I did not get fatigued.  This is one of my first physical fitness tests since making changes to my daily habits.  I'm working on two new habits at the same time, intermittent fasting (limiting my food intake to one or two meals a day) and adding a couple of molecules to my morning yogurt normally produced in young humans but decline with the aging process.  According to David A. Sinclair, a scientist who has been studying the aging process for the last twenty years, the lack of these molecules may accelerate the aging process.

I'm thrilled to be testing the limits of my 60-year-old body and look forward to bringing you more updates as I get settled into my new habits.  There is a possibility that all these results may only be a placebo.  I won't have any proof to offer until I do some blood work, specifically to measure my biological age.  These updates will be posted when the tests are complete and the results are in.  Remember to check in with your doctor before you make any changes to your routine.  Have a great day.

Seek Cruise Control

 There are times in your life when cruise control is not an option.  That's okay.  In fact, using cruise control in high traffic situations, construction zones, or in bad weather may get you in trouble.  Keep in mind these are temporary conditions.   What about those times when you're on the open road?  Are you missing out on the cruise control option? 

Your daily habits are your cruise control option.  When you develop the right daily routines, turn on cruise control.  My hope for the upcoming year ahead is to keep the cruise control on in seven areas of my life – daily blogging/writing, weekly physical fitness, sleeping eight hours a night, food intake of no more than two meals a day, daily meditation of at least thirty minutes, bi-monthly contributions to accelerated mortgage payoff, and daily reading to continue the learning process.  These are my non-negotiable habits. I know there will be detours in the upcoming year and there will be times I will navigate in suboptimal conditions but I also know that if I'm consistent, I can make a great deal of progress in the next twelve months.  Cruise control is my favorite place to be.  How about you?  Remember one thing about habits, it only takes 30 days to go from manual driving to cruise control.  Pick one area of your life and seek cruise control.  Repeat every month and soon you will be driving in comfort while automatically reaching your most important life goals.  Have a great day.

Seek Positive Outcomes

 Something special happens when you get all the ingredients for success right.  You already know what to expect when your Holiday meal is prepared properly.  Isn't it a joy to be seated at the table with loved ones enjoying a feast together?  If you can apply the same ideas you use to make the perfect meal for your family to all other areas of your life, you will find yourself in winning scenarios much more often.

I believe the first step in any worthwhile pursuit is to paint a picture of the positive outcome you're seeking.  Picture every detail in your mind.  Something else is also necessary – practice.  Refuse to give up if the outcome you're seeking doesn't turn out favorably.  Try again.  Put all your emphasis on the positive.  Expect it.  There will come a point in time when the positive outcomes you seek actually come true.  Have a great day.