It's Shovel Time

 It's time for more snow removal in our driveway.  I believe I have enough time to get the job done before heading to my day job.  It's windy and the snow is swirling.  Time to get to work.  Have a great day.

Dear Ryan

Editor's note:  Rarely do I share family in my stories.  Today is one great exception.  Please join me in wishing our oldest son, Ryan, a happy 30th birthday.

Dear Ryan,

Congratulations!  You're on the 30-yard line of an amazing life today.  Behind you are what seems like a lifetime of memories.  Please pardon me for posting this letter publicly today.  I do believe in my heart that everything we do in life has some kind of ripple effect for others and this birthday message may help one or two readers out there.

Your entry into the world on this day, thirty years ago was a prelude to all the roller coaster adventures ahead.  36 hours of back-to-back labor is no easy task for any mother but you have an exceptional mother who will endure anything for her family.  You came out of the birth canal with both blue eyes wide open, scanning your new world like a cyborg from Battlestar Galactica.  At age 4 you could recite all the names of the San Diego Padres players.  In 6th grade, you launched your first business, supplying sodas to classmates.  I remember you telling me that you looked at the law banning the sale during school hours but found nothing in the regulations that prevented student-to-student transactions.  When new competition sprung up from other young entrepreneurs entering the market, you stepped up and started lugging around icepacks in your backpack along with candy bars to stay ahead.  Your first play as a linebacker for Ramona High School showed your fierceness.  That bone-crushing tackle stopped play and an ambulance was called.

You are a warrior, son.  You have surrounded yourself with amazing life-time friends.  When you followed us to Iowa, you brought some of them with you.  You gained all the necessary certificates to land your dream job in computer security.  You built your own mega-computer from scraps that rival new models sold in stores.  The world is at your fingertips.

The world in front of you will always be filled with surprises, like last night when I told you, "Surprise, you have Italian blood in your veins."  Your ancestors come from as far away as northern Europe and as distant as Peru, another surprise in our family genealogy.  Their spirit will always be with you as you journey through life.  Be bold.  Use all the gifts God has given you to make this world a better place.  Stay close to your siblings.  You're on the 30-yard line today.  Happy birthday.  We're thankful to have the opportunity to spend this special day with you.  Thank you for the countless blessings we received all these years as your parents.  We love you with all our hearts.  Have a great day.

Where my Love of Beaches Comes From

 Have you ever heard of the Versilia Coast?  Much to my surprise, this is the place where ancestors within the last five generations of my family roamed.  I always knew my dad's side of the family lived on the Emerald Isle... but Italy?  Until I read my ancestry report I had no clue we have Italian blood flowing in our veins.  Tuscany to be exact.  29.9%.  Mama Mia!  Even my own mother was surprised.  "Did it come from me?" she asked, wanting to know every detail.  I went through the report, line by line, starting with Tuscany, the top region on my report.  Germany came in at 25%.  No surprise there because we were always told we had some German blood.  Mexico was in third place at 14% followed by the British Isles at 13.4%.  The surprise about Mexico is how pocito it is since my mother's side of the family comes from Mexico.  Perhaps it's because they also have roots in Europe and much further to the south of Mexico, Peru to be specific.  Peru, located on the west coast of South America is 6% of who I am.  

I paid extra to go back more than five generations and discovered that my dad's side of the family is from Finland.  My ancestors, like me, woke up one day and asked, "why don't we go to the beach?"  One of the kids may have added, "I heard Ireland is a great place."  So there you have it.  My blarney comes from multiple sources, about 20% from the Americas and 80% from mostly Europe.  Japan showed up at 1% along with Puerto Rico at 1%, another great beach location.  Yes, I love beaches.  Thank you, CRI Genetics for your insightful ways.  Have a great day.

My Genetics Report Arrived

 Now I know where I come from.  There were some surprises.  One of them is how well these people can glean information from DNA.  They predicted my blue eyes were 99% possible when I have siblings with all ranges of color.  I will share more on this when I have time to dig deeper.  These folks went back in time about one thousand years.  The company I used is CRI genetics.  They don't share your DNA with others and they do a great job keeping you informed during every step of the process.  Come back tomorrow and I'll share the details.  Have a great day.

My Favorite Photo from the Recent Snow Event

 

The photo you see above was shot at the tail end of the snow event.  I captured the photo as the sun was coming out of the clouds for the first time.  It was still snowing even though the sun was shining.  You're looking at the adjacent property adjoining our back yard.  The rec center is located on the far side of the soccer and softball fields.  I'm grateful for the abundance of space around us.  It felt good to be standing in this place of solitude after logging more than six miles in my driveway clearing out the snow.  Now it's back to my day job and another fun night on the tennis courts with my teammates.  Have a great day.

Early Morning Workout in the Snow Today

According to my cell phone app, I logged nearly three miles since 5:30AM this morning and I never left my driveway.  Almost one foot of snow has fallen since early afternoon yesterday.  The snow is still falling.  I removed the snow in our driveway the old-fashioned way– with a shovel.  I will break out the snowblower when my body can no longer tolerate these early morning workout sessions.  So far so good.  Mother Nature is doing a good job whipping me into shape.  I will need an afternoon session to remove the next layer of snow and then it's back to my day job tomorrow.  Our family is doing well despite the blizzard conditions we are facing with this storm.  Have a great day.

The Choice

Everything is a choice.  Everything.  Even not making a choice is a choice.  Some are big.  Some are small.  I believe every choice has a consequence.  It may take time to see what that consequence is.  Choose carefully.  Today I'm choosing to make all my choices while in the best state of mind.  Choices made while in a state of anger cannot be taken back.  Why not choose to refrain from anger in the first place?  Whatever choice you make today, I hope it brings you satisfaction.  Perhaps it might be a good idea to keep a log of the top choices you make each day.  The trajectory of your life depends on your choices.  Thank you for choosing to stop by and visit today.  Have a great day. 

Final Stage with Mother Nature – Acceptance

 Those of you who read my stories regularly probably notice a recurring theme with Mother Nature.  I'm often confrontational in my approach with her.  Not anymore.  Despite a couple of inches of fresh snow on my driveway and a forecast of another 8 to 12 inches in the next 24 hours, I'm no longer fighting her.  This is the final stage – acceptance.  She is always going to be who she is.  That's her nature.  She has her four seasons and she does what she does no matter what I say or do.  I have no control over her.  What I do have control over is how I relate to her.  Well, it's time I change my tune.  Not only do I accept everything she offers, but I'm also now going to thank her for everything.  Why?  Because she is helping me to grow. I'm building muscle strength every time I shovel snow.  My body is adapting to the cold.  I'm also improving my attitude.  Thank you, Mother Nature, for all the opportunities you give me, especially in the winter months.  Time to shovel.  Have a great day.

Celebrating Date Day/Night

 I'm spending the day with my wife today.  We're starting out at the gym with our youngest son.  Then, it's movie time and dinner in Iowa City.  I'm thankful for the days when our schedules are in alignment.  The morning started out at -2º and temps will remain below freezing all day but that won't interfere with our plans to enjoy our time together.  I'm wishing you a great day today.  Thanks for visiting.

Standing Tall in Forward Progress

 Today I'm celebrating forward progress.  The 15 goals I set for 2021 are all on track.  Perhaps the most significant is date night once a month.  It's easy to slip on this when it's not on the calendar.  So, tomorrow we are making a full day of "date night."  I'm all standing tall, as in writing while standing.  I realized that sitting is not good for the body, especially long periods of sitting.  Also, I have a lot of writing to do this year.  This is the second day in a row that I blogged while standing tall.  By the end of February, this will be a permanent new habit.  This is also a bonus goal and will be added to the 15 I'm pursuing this year.

It's never too late to set goals.  It's never too late to adjust goals.  Remember to consider the "why" when you set your goals to help you stay focused.  My why for date night is to show my love how grateful I am to have her in my life.  Forward progress is much better than standing still and standing is better than sitting.  Have a great day.

The Deeper Meaning of Your Excuses

Excuses.  We all have them.  They are convenient.  We probably don't even think much about why we use them.  The more we use them, the more we cover up our potential.  Think about all the excuses you give as you progress through this day.  Recognize them as they're coming out of your mouth.  Where are these excuses coming from?  Are they part of some program you have been following blindly all of your adult life?

I have a great solution for your excuses.  Use them as the feedback you need to improve your life.  Promise yourself you will eliminate them and replace them with something better – action.  Yes, action.  Excuses are inaction.  They are the roadblocks you believe can't be overcome.  Action is attacking those roadblocks.  Real or imagined, every roadblock can be overcome.  The first step is to find the meaning in your excuses and then allow them to drift away.  Have a great day.

How I Navigated My First 24-Hour Fast

 My smoothie tasted extra delicious this morning after completing a 24-hour fast.  I'm on day 17 of Soulcon Challenge with a group of local men in my community.  It's a 6-week special forces challenge for men designed to inspire a closer relationship to Jesus.  It's amazing how much the body is capable of when you decide in your mind to raise the bar.  

Fasting is good for the mind, body, and spirit.  The idea, according to the author, Cody Bobay, is to "put down your fork and pick up your cross."  This is not easy, especially when you commit to 24 hours without eating and your stomach is interrupting your thoughts with loud gurgling noises.  I muted those noises and kept my mind focused on positive thoughts.  I'm doing my best to eliminate all snacks between meals and limiting my food intake to once or twice a day.  This fast gave me the opportunity to explore the limits of my routine and build confidence for a better lifestyle.  Give fasting a try if you would like to discover all the benefits it has to offer.  Have a great day.

How are You Doing with Your Chaos/Order Equation?

 You are somehow in the center of chaos and order and you may not be aware of how it influences your life.  Consider how you live each day.  Is it filled with so much order that there is no room for personal growth?  Or, do you have so much chaos in your life that you don't know what to do next?  All of us have an equation.  Understanding this equation is no easy task.  

Think of all the times in your life when something happened beyond your control.  How did you handle the chaos?  If you look closely, these events offered lessons.  They offered insight.  They probably scared the Hell out of you as well.  

Think of your chaos/order equation as a pair of water skis.  If you want to navigate smoothly, find the balance between both skis.  You may be one of those rock stars who can handle life on one ski but you still need two legs.  You need some chaos and some order.  Look closely at both skis.  Seek balance.  Live your life to its fullest.  Have a great day.  

Rising Up Early Today

 It's early in and early out at my day job today.  I'm punching in at 5:00 AM.  I moved my morning routine up to the prior evening in order to get a jump on this day.  That means this message is prerecorded.  I'm excited this year is going well.  When asked about coming in early I closed my eyes and visualized what the routine would look like and decided I could handle the change.  The only agenda item when the alarm goes off at 3:30 AM is my morning meditation.  This sets the tone for a great day.

You may have set routines that work well.  Build on those routines when you are called to change it up so you don't have to start from scratch.  Have a great day.

Head Games

 Have you ever noticed what happens when you excel at the level of a game you're playing?  As soon as you become proficient, a new level appears and the difficulty increases.  That's what life is – a series of levels.  Your performance is determined by how you handle the head games.  I find myself often second-guessing my choices when I'm faced with new challenges and I feel like I'm not progressing.  

Be careful not to become your own worst enemy.  Head games are part of the process of learning.  A baby doesn't choose to go back to crawling because of a few falls.  We are wired to explore the unknown.  Fear short circuits our wiring.  You have the ability to win all the head games.  You have the ability to overcome any and all obstacles.  Go for it.  Have a great day.

The Land Mines are Gone

This is a follow-up to yesterday's brief message.  I didn't have time to elaborate on the details because the early morning plate was filled beyond capacity.  The truth is I won the battle before it started.  Yes, every fight you fight is won in the mind first.  I chose to keep my attitude positive in very challenging circumstances and it worked brilliantly.

The first challenge was the snow in the driveway.  I didn't have enough time to clear the whole driveway before my wife's departure so I used my shovel to clear two lines all the way to the street.  It worked.  I guided my wife like an airline ground crew employee guiding a plane out of the gate.  This is really important to prevent the light snow from being compacted under the weight of our vehicles.  I had enough time to finish the driveway, call the plumber, and get to work on the icy roads.  My boss allowed me to come home early and rent a rug doctor to work on the carpet.  It was a triumphant day but it could have been terrible had I let my attitude slip into hopelessness. 

Guard your thoughts.  Be cautious when faced with land mines.  Have a great day.

The Early Morning Battlefield is Filled with Mines

 My time with you this morning is limited to about five minutes.  My honey-do list is crowding my writing time.  I must do what is hard and necessary to keep our household running properly.  Mother Nature did her business again meaning I must shovel the driveway promptly before I head to my day job.  Also, the sump pump took a dump, meaning I must arrange for assistance with our plumber.  See you tomorrow when the mines are cleared and we are back in business.  Have a great day.

Become a Time Creator

 This title may appear deceptive to the untrained eye.  Who really creates time?  Dig deeper.  There really is a way to make it look like you're creating the time others argue they don't have.  It's really more of a trade deal.  You simply trade wasteful activities in for productive activities.  An hour of TV traded in for an hour of reading turns you into a "time creator."  Look at you.  You're a genius.  You can have all the time you want any time you want if you're willing to barter.

There is a caveat here.  Your mind is going to rebel because it will do anything to preserve the status quo.  You don't need to bet the farm on your first trade deal to create more time.  Shoot for a 15-minute swap and see what happens.  Small wins set you up for bolder moves down the road.  A small change can lead to big change.  Do this every day until you have all the time you want to accomplish your goals.  Have a great day.

Become Your Own Body Detective

 Please don't fire or ignore your physician.  He or she plays a vital role in your health, especially when you're making changes that can affect your prescriptions.  You should consider what you can do to manage your health between annual exams.  You can become your own body detective.  Spot the crime before your body commits it by searching for important clues.  The older you are, the more important this is.

I take my temperature every morning.  This routine started when COVID-19 first showed up on the planet.  I also take my blood pressure readings regularly to make sure my body is behaving properly.  I'm at risk for inflammation which shows up as high blood pressure when I eat the wrong foods.  Another tool I use is for monitoring my oxygen levels.  Low levels reveal there is a problem and I can share it with my doctor while there is time to make adjustments.  

I recommend you keep a journal to record any changes you notice.  Your good health depends on the responsibility you take for monitoring your body.  Have a great day.

Place a Timer on Your Tasks

 Time is precious.  Some people say they don't have enough of it.  Others use their time wisely.  The truth about time is it has been allotted to us equally.  1440 minutes.  That's what you get every day.  For me, using approximately 480 minutes for sleeping is time well spent because it allows my body to recover and regenerate.  That leaves 960 minutes.  The way you use those waking minutes determines how much you can accomplish.

If you are in the majority of people who think you don't have enough time to do what you want, consider tracking everything you do for the next seven days.  Everything.  Sleeping.  Eating.  Exercising.  Chores.  Social media.  TV.  Family time.  Working.  Write down how many minutes are spent on each activity.  You will get a pretty good picture of what's important.  What you do most with your time is your top priority.  If that happens to be watching TV, maybe you should consider placing a timer on it so you can devote more time to something that should have a higher priority.  You may discover that you really do have enough time to do what you value most.  Have a great day.

The Challenge of Living in the Moment

 There are two forces that tug at your soul when you're doing your best to live in the moment – the past and the future.  I often find myself drifting between these three worlds.  Even though the past is fixed, it tugs at me like a strong undercurrent.  If I allow it to pull me under, I find myself drowning in a sea of thoughts that attempt to destroy my contentment.  The future is a separate but equal force.  The challenge of the future is the unknown.  It can be both scary and exhilarating in the same breath.  What does the present moment offer?  Everything.  The real challenge is to keep the other two competing forces from crashing in on what the present moment delivers if you allow yourself to bask in it as if you're on a beach with the midday sun warming your skin.

I'm gradually learning to do what men are best at – single-tasking.  Multi-tasking is like living in the past, present, and future all at once.  The only one I know who can do that is Jesus.  Even Jesus relished quiet moments of solitude to gather his thoughts.  I'm also learning to build on the routines that work best for me.  Outside observers may wonder how I'm able to do the things I do.  What it comes down to is placing the highest priority on the present moment and savoring it as if it is more valuable than gold.

Before writing today's story, I chatted with my wife while she prepared for her day job.  I kissed her good-bye and went galaxy surfing for my typical 38-minute meditation session.  This is where I allow my thoughts to visit with me unabated by the challenges of the outside world.  Upon returning home I read excerpts from three books in my current rotation, one at a time, fixating on the moment I was inside each author's thoughts.

It's breakfast time as soon as I close out this story.  My meal prep is another revered ritual.  My body eagerly anticipates the banana, orange, pineapple, avocado, spinach, flaxseed, and chia seed, all blended at high speeds in my Vitamix, accompanied by a couple of eggs with assorted nuts on the side.  My dessert is five ounces of yogurt with one gram each of NMN and Transresveratrol, a couple of molecules that offer the possibility of an extended lifespan should they aid my cells the way they are performing in experiments with mice.  This will be my only meal until dinner when my wife returns from her workday.  The rest of the day will be dedicated to writing.  The only break will be a visit to the gym for a workout on the indoor racquetball court with our youngest son who is completing his final semester of college from home virtually.  The entire day is a series of moments meant to be experienced, one at a time.  Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share a moment with you today.  If you're feeling overwhelmed, commit to living in the moment.  It's a life-long practice worth pursuing.  Have a great day.

Think Less, Feel More

Brain and heart coherence is vital if you're seeking peace in your life.  The more you think, the more you worry, especially when you're dwelling on things you can't control.  The more you feel, the more your heart actions come into play.  The formula for increased happiness in your life is simple – think less and feel more.  Concentrate on those deep feelings in your heart.  Set them free.  Be happy.  Have a great day.

Do You Have a Personal Mission Statement?

 It's Day 9 of the New Year.  Maybe you made some resolutions.  Maybe you didn't.  You're trying to make sense of the world and everything that's going on.  Perhaps your stress levels are increasing because you sense so much uncertainty around you.  Take a moment today and ponder your own customized mission statement.  Get to the root of who you are and why you're here.  Scrap the resolutions if they're not serving you and go deeper.  I believe with all my heart that you're here for a reason.  It might be parenting.  It could be the work you were born to do.  Whatever it is, you are the only one uniquely qualified to serve out your personal mission statement.

I find myself in deep gratitude today for all the people in my life who have helped me find my purpose.  I know exactly what it is... helping others to maximize their lives.  This may seem vague when you consider everything life entails, but that's my purpose.  I do this best in teams.  That's why I prefer doubles to singles in tennis.  That's why I emphasis teamwork every day at my day job.  This works for me.  I do believe it can work for you as well.  My hope for you is that you put serious effort into your personal mission statement today.  Bookmark this blog if you believe there are messages here that can help you with your personal growth.  Share this story with a friend.  I will do my best to live out my mission statement in every area of my life.  Have a great day.

Squeezing the Good in Your Life

 I'm swiping at you today from my phone in the brief ten minutes I have before my morning commute.  My laptop decided to freeze and I don't have enough time for a restart, so I'm swiping.   It's a form of typing but funkier.

The message for today is to squeeze in the good wherever you can and whenever you can.  Let your loved ones know how much you love them.  Squeeze. There's always time to do the things you love.  Have a great day. 

Health and Wellness Update

 A family member has been exposed to COVID-19 and is now sick.  This occurred out of state so we have not been exposed.  The rest of the family continues strict social distancing and we are healthy.

As a family, we are doing our best to eat healthy and exercise regularly.  We joined the gym this week.  Please keep our family member in your prayers for a speedy and full recovery.  Thank you.  Have a great day.

Embark on a Journey of Self-Discovery

Forget about all those failed New Year resolutions you made last week.  Try a new approach.  We are all in unprecedented modern times and it's time to change it up.  Wait too long and you may end up writing this year off just like last year when the world jumped on the "this year sucks" bandwagon.  There is a place you can go free of the complainers.  Caution:  if you happen to be a complainer, there will be one enemy you will have to contend with – yourself.  The good news is this journey of self-discovery doesn't' require a passport or a plane ticket.  There are no quarantine rules to deal with.  This voyage is a round trip ticket to uncharted territory that can last as long as a lifetime.  

Why are searching for answers in a broken world?  Turn within and find peace inside your own mind.  This is the only resolution you need for tranquility in your life.  All that is required is silence.  Silence the inner critic who keeps telling you how inadequate you are.  Face the fears lurking inside your head.  Allow quiet time to sort out all those thoughts running circles inside you.  Stop trying to change the world and change yourself instead.  Bon-voyage.  Have a great day.

The Fog Lifted

 Clear skies are upon us for the first time in the new year.  The fog lifted this morning after sunrise.  There is a quiet stillness in the air.  Frigid temperatures guarantee that the twelve-inch blanket of snow on the ground will be with us for a while.  I'm happy to see the sun again.  We may be banned from gathering in large groups these days but there are many other things we can do this time of year.  I'm using this time to experiment with new recipes and strengthen my body.  We joined the gym yesterday and committed to one year.  I kicked in an extra fifty bucks for a special key giving us after-hours access.  My wife and I want to prepare our bodies for our vacation in Hawaii this summer.  

Speaking of fog lifting, I wanted to offer an update on how my mind is functioning at the age of 60.5 years.  I've been experimenting with molecules based on the book, "Lifespan," by David A. Sinclair.  There is something happening in my brain.  It may or may not be a placebo effect and I really don't care either way because I'm noticing that my brain is functioning more efficiently.  It's like driving your car after it's been tuned up.  It's the same vehicle but it runs better.  I have the same brain but I feel like it's no longer in the fog.  All I can say right now is I'm happy the fog lifted.  The molecules are only one small part of my plan to be healthy.  Daily meditations, a plant-based diet, exercise, and time with nature are also necessary.  Have a great day.

Weighing the Positive and the Negative

 Your car battery won't function without both a positive and a negative.  Some say the presence of evil in the world allows us to understand the good.  Your muscles in your body can't grow unless they are allowed to go through some stress, like weight training.  Today's topic is about weighing the positive and the negative and determining the correct balance for optimum life.

Have you considered how much a negative thought weighs?  The best way to "measure" your thoughts is by the impact each thought makes.  In my opinion, one negative thought may need as many as ten positive thoughts to bring your mind back into balance.  One negative situation, like a careless driver cutting you off in traffic, may need ten or more positive situations to bring you back into harmony.

Take a look at all the positive situations in your life and all the negative situations in your life and determine if you are in balance or out of balance.  Have a great day.

How to Beat the Flow of Traffic

 Do you ever find yourself stuck in a traffic jam?  Some days are impossible to avoid.  You're on a work schedule.  You have an important appointment.  What about the other days?  I'm referring to days, months, and even years when you can beat the flow of traffic by doing the opposite of what the rest of the world is doing.  Some have discovered telecommuting.  They are completely off the grid.  Others do most of their shopping online.  That's a good one.  I'm digging a little bit deeper for some golden nuggets.

There is a certain flow of traffic not necessarily related to driving.  It has more to do with how people seem to do things at the same time that wreak havoc.  I'm doing my best to beat the flow of traffic by changing up my patterns.  For example, I purchase items out of season to get the best prices.  I schedule appointments during nonpeak times.  My days off from my day job are usually on days when everyone else is working, making it ideal to get things done without any crowds.

If you're feeling frustrated because the world is moving at a frantic pace and you find yourself overcrowded, consider what changes you can make to beat the flow of traffic in all areas of your life.  Have a great day.

Final Year of Regulation Play in Debt Reduction Game

 This is my final year of regulation play in my debt reduction game.  I call it a game because debt reduction is all about attitude.  Many don't try because they would rather ignore it or avoid it because it's too much like a chore.  Chores are necessary, like shoveling snow when you live in a climate like I do.  By the way, we had another storm on New Year's Eve and I did the same thing with the snow removal as I'm doing with debt removal – I'm playing games in the snow.  Snow shoveling is an opportunity to build my muscle tone.  It's also an opportunity to allow my body some time in the cold which is good for my overall health.  

Your attitude will determine how far you can go in the new year and beyond.  You can play games and have fun or you can complain about all your chores.  I'm playing "Par for the Course" for the third year in a row.  There won't be much snow in my driveway to remove when this year is over.  I've come a long way since the first year playing the game when all my attempts flayed month after month while attempting to get a grip on my debt.  The seven bogeys in a row were awful but I kept playing.  Year two was on par for eleven of twelve months.  This final year looks promising.  If I come up short, I will play some extra rounds to complete the job.  As Dave Ramsey says, "you have to live like no one else so you can live like no one else."  My idiosyncrasies probably place me in that category.  All I know is I'm going to keep living my life playing games.  Have a great day.

Micro Loving

You did it.  You made it to the end of one of the most challenging years we have witnessed in modern times.  Perhaps you made it all the way to midnight (I didn't), you sang "Auld Lang Syne" even though you really don't understand the full meaning of the lyrics.  You went to bed thinking, this new year is going to be different.  I would like to share something with you today to help you.

In the spirit of "Auld Lang Syne," I'm recalling old friends and past memories this morning.  The back story may help you understand why I do the things I do, like writing every morning.  I'm sitting in the back of the room in my Macro Economics class at Glendale Community College.  It's the last week of classes during my freshman year.  I'm on the tennis team and I'm juggling three jobs.  I know in my heart I'm going to be successful because I'm pushing so hard and nothing is going to stop me, even if I only have time to sleep four hours a night.  My economics professor passes out index cards and asks us to reflect on the course and offer an opinion of what grade we think we earned.  I think about my other classes first.  Philosophy, an easy A, inspired by my mother because she had the same instructor and told me she got an A in his class.  The competitive side of me kicked in throughout the semester and I always made that class a top priority.  Accounting was another easy A because earning 100% on an exam meant you could skip class while the other students reviewed their mistakes.  That meant bonus tennis time for me.  Psychology came easy for me because I loved the material.  I'm staring at this blank index card pondering what to write knowing that my Economics grade was no better than a B.  My heart tells me I learned enough to be an A student.  I write down my reasoning for an A and share it with my buddy sitting next to me.  He laughs so hard that everyone turns around to see what's up.  Mr. Smart agrees with my assessment and I get the A.  I end up with a whole slew of A's on my first report card.  The following semester I return to Mr. Smart's class to learn about Micro Economics.  Now, back to Micro Loving...

What's on your blank index card today, the first day of what can be the best year of your life?  Before you answer, consider everything you did last year, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  What grade do you give yourself for the prior year?  If you're stuck, I have an idea for you.  This is about as micro as it gets.  It's cellular level stuff – your cells, all trillion or so.  They're so micro that you probably never think of them, let alone love them.  If you truly want to get an A on your report card at the end of the year, you may want to love those cells inside your body.  You may be asking, "Michael, how do I do that?"  Here goes...

I want you to think about all the things you do on a daily basis that hurt those cells inside your body.  Sleep deprivation is a big one.  Smoking is another one.  Not living the words from "Auld Lang Syne" also causes your cells to deteriorate.  Get the picture?

Today is a great day to begin the practice of micro loving.  Set aside some quiet time every morning to think about the cells inside your body and promise yourself to love these cells.  Feed them nutritional food.  Exercise daily so your cells can thrive.  Connect with old friends.  Make new friends.  Set goals that will help your cells be the healthiest they can be.   Love others but make sure you love yourself first.  Love God.  He created those cells inside your body and he loves all trillion of them.  He knows every single hair on your head.  He will give you a clean slate any time you ask for one.  Happy New Year!  Have a great day.