Give and Take

Think about what happens to your bank account when you withdraw more than you deposit.  No bueno.  The bank hits you with penalties.  You have nothing for retirement.  Stress levels go off the charts.  All of us have our own "life" accounts.  We withdraw in the early years because we are dependent upon our parents for everything.  There comes a point where we can make our own deposits.  Regular deposits help us become fully independent. 

My own life goal is to give more than I take.  This is in every area of my life.  My own personal life account was diminishing during the weeks following my auto accident.  My wife stepped up and took care of me when I couldn't take care of myself.  Our life account is really a joint account.  We both understand the importance of giving and taking and do our best to limit the withdrawals.

Commit yourself to giving.  You will be rewarded with more than anything the banks can pay you.  The world will be a better place.  Have a great day.

Vacation Day Today

It's family day again today.  I'm off to the tennis courts to complete our Men's 55+ season and then return home for a barbecue.  The weather couldn't be any better.  I'm firing up the Weber grill for a second day in a row and we'll round out the day with some board games.  May your day be filled with abundant blessings.  Have a great day.

Never Too Late to Pay it Forward

Uncle Tom and Aunt Teresa, my heroes.

My friend, Vernon, from my day job is getting free braces.  It's part of "Pay it Forward," a world-wide campaign that is celebrated annually on the last Thursday in April.  I first heard of pay it forward when talking with my dad's older brother, Dr. Thomas Mulligan, a world famous orthodontist who wrote several books including a copy he handed me on my last visit, Common Sense Mechanics in Everyday Orthodontics II.  I was a scrawny young teenager with newly straightened teeth when I approached him many years ago.  "How can I ever pay you back for the braces, Uncle Tom?"  I asked.

"The best way you can do that is pay it forward.  Help others in need," he answered.

My life has been blessed countless times by people like my uncle Tom and his beloved wife, Teresa.  Their oldest son, John, is the creator of the caveman food experiment that forever changed the course of my life.  No longer do I need to live in fear of a heart attack, stroke, diabetes or other disease related to eating the wrong food.

It's never too late to jump on the pay it forward band wagon.  Congratulations, Vernon.  I know what it's like to receive a gift that keeps on giving.  I look forward to seeing your new smile when I see you at our day job.  Have a great day.

Complete Your Journey

It happens at the most inopportune times on the journey.  It's the stumble.  I call it a defining moment.  For many, the stumble is where their story ends.  The obstacle is too large.  Getting up seems impossible.  Ask any athlete what he or she fears most and you will hear talk about the stumble.  Bones break.  Dreams sink.  Retirement comes early.  It doesn't have to end this way.

It's too bad the stumble isn't part of the school curriculum.  I would make this a prerequisite for any student pursuing an advanced degree in the field of life.  Consider the stumble as a dance move.  Yes, it makes others gasp when they see you in action, but it's part of something defining.  It's that difficult chapter you must complete before moving on to some of the best chapters ahead.  This is where your character is shaped.  Show the world what you're made of.  Complete your journey.  Have a great day.

Don't Ever Give Up

You can be one of those people.  I decided a long time ago this is how I want to live my life.  Quitting is not an option.  Not ever.  It doesn't matter how challenging the situation may be.  It doesn't matter how long it takes to cross the finish line.  Babe Ruth got it right when he said, "it's hard to beat a person that never gives up."  Have a great day.

Challenge Your Instincts

Your behavior today is influenced by your ancestors who mostly walked, hunted and gathered.  When given the choice of stairs or escalator, most of us naturally choose the escalator.  We are hard-wired to conserve energy.  That worked great in the caveman days when saving energy meant having enough to complete the search for food.  Today, choosing the escalator means more pounds around the waist.  The same is true when choosing sweets.  Our ancestors were struck gold when they found something sweet in nature.  An average American consumes over 100 pounds a year.  This is killing us slowly.

The best way I know to challenge your instincts is to walk as much as possible.  Uber may save you time but it won't help to eliminate excess pounds.  Choose the stairs.  Take a hike.  Spend time outdoors.  Five miles a day was normal for your caveman ancestors.  It was easy for them.  It was live or die.  Escalators were never an option.  Have a great day.

Rewards of Parenting

Anyone who is a parent will tell you it's a roller coaster ride.  You experience every emotion.  Parenting changes over time.  I'm in the final transition – the period of time when the offspring go from dependence to independence.  For me, this is the time when I get the opportunity to see them spread their wings and soar to new heights.  This past month has been filled with many blessings, including two top ten moments for our adult children.  I don't share much about the family here for confidentiality reasons but I do want to acknowledge how being a parent has shaped me.  I'm thankful to be a dad.  There is no greater reward.  Have a great day.

It's a Beautiful Day

I'm happy to report improved weather in our home town today.  The farmers are planting, birds are nesting and the green grass is back.  It won't be long until the trees show signs of life.  I'm planning on spending most of the day outside.  It looks like the perfect day for a family barbecue.  Have a great day.

Headed to Post Season Play

Our men's 18+ tennis team clinched our playoff spot with a 5-0 win yesterday.  It was my first match of the season due to my injuries from an auto accident and I felt really confident going in to my doubles match.  There is only one game remaining in our regular season and my captain is putting me in the line-up to get my minimum required matches for the post season.  The good news is my body held up. One of our opponents yesterday was a young lefty about the age of our oldest son.  The younger the opponents get, the more inspired I become.  This is the good life.  Now it's time to prepare for what's ahead.  I'm calling it bonus time.  Have a great day.

How to Gain Self-Confidence

Experience is your best teacher.  Successful experiences may come after a string of defeats.  The key is to always get back up and get in the game.  I'm excited to be back in the Mens 18+ lineup today and we have a shot at clinching our division with a team win.  I'm fortunate that I recovered from my auto accident in time to qualify for the post season.  Two matches are required and there are only two matches remaining including today. 

The extended Winter season this year gave me an opportunity to do something I thought I wouldn't do until next Winter – drive in snow and ice.  I'm happy to report I have a record of successful driving experiences behind me.  I refuse to let anxiety or fear keep me out of the driver's seat.  Do the things you fear and your self-confidence will soar.  Have a great day.

Close to Home

One of my closest friends from across the street where I grew up posted startling news on his FB page this morning.  This one hits really close to home.  Type II Diabetes.  He's asking for prayers.  He wants to raise awareness.  I'm answering the call.  Maybe it's a little bit ironic that he's a golf pro and my last name is Mulligan.  Well, I want to give him a mulligan, a do-over on his situation.  This happens to be a topic featured prominently in my next book.  Hang in there, buddy.  I'm praying for you today, Mark S., and all the others suffering from this disease.  Please keep Mark in your prayers.  Have a great day.

Be Strong and Courageous

The best way I know to get through challenging situations is to remind myself I'm never ever really alone.  Jesus is doing everything possible to reach out to me.  Others may say, "the sky is falling," or "the world is coming to an end."  Jesus says, "no one knows these things, not even me."  What Jesus does know is we need him.  He knows we all have our fears and our worries.  Keep the verse from Deuteronomy 31:6 in a prominent place in your home and reflect on it in troubled times: 

Be strong and courageous,
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the Lord your God goes with you;
he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Have a great day.

New Day Today

Are you ready to change your life today?  Maybe you have a feeling within you that you tried doing that yesterday or the day before and it didn't work out.  Those days are behind you.  This day is brand new and it's filled with opportunity.  Take a chance.  Do something different today that may produce a more desirable outcome.  Have a great day.

What Are You In Pursuit Of?

Worthwhile goals offer a sense of direction.  You know you're going the right way when your senses come alive and your heart rate increases.  Sometimes fear may creep in to your trail and cause your knees to tremble.  The unknown is filled with much uncertainty.  That's okay.  It's part of the growth process.  In my own experience, I find much happiness pursuing what sets my soul on fire.  What are you in pursuit of?  Are you ready to take the first step today?  Have a great day.

Take Nothing for Granted

Every morning when I wake up I thank God I'm alive.  My life was spared on this day ten weeks ago in a car accident.  There were many trials in the days and weeks that followed but every day I found something to be thankful for – my wife, my children, all the caregivers and all the prayers.  I'm thankful for each breath, even though those first couple of weeks of breathing were so challenging.

If you could see what other people around the world are praying for right now, I bet you would be surprised to find you already have those things.  The food you eat, the water you drink, the bed you sleep in, these are things others lack.  Take nothing for granted.  Breathe deeply and appreciate every breath you take, even when it may be uncomfortable at times.  Have a great day.

Back in the Lineup Today

It's time to put my body to the test on the tennis courts today.  This is my first team match since the auto accident ten weeks ago.  I'm really happy to be back in the lineup.  The greatest challenge may be navigating the snow covered roads on my way to our home match in Iowa City.  Mother Nature has been relentless but I do believe she's about done with her shenanigans for the year.  I'm looking forward to a fun doubles match this morning.  Have a great day.

Paint Your Dreams in Color

If your dreams aren't coming true, they may be missing vivid colors.  Be bold.  Your dreams represent all the possibilities in your life.  They're like a road map.  Do they inspire you to get out of bed and run?  I believe every detail is important.  It's up to you to splash so much color in your dreams that they come to life right before your eyes.  I admit it's a challenge sometimes to see the color when everything around is black and white and your reality appears dull and grim.  These are the days when color is magical.  Get busy.  Start painting today.  Please share your dreams with others.  The world needs more color.  Have a great day.

Just Breathe

The next time you find yourself in a stressful situation, just breathe.  Deep breathing can help you keep your calm.  Try five to ten minutes of this every morning when you wake up.  It works best with your eyes closed.  The breathing exercises are also good in times of conflict.  Focus on your breathing while the other person spews fire out of his or her lungs.  Your calmness may infuriate them even more, but remember you're the one with the lower blood pressure readings and you're the one who can get through anything if you don't blow a gasket.  This also works in traffic jams, long lines or any situation where your patience may be tested.  Have a great day.

Bouncing Back

For those of you concerned about my recovery efforts, here's a quick update.  I had a great day at my day job returning to my favorite activity – outside marketing.  I felt good behind the wheel.  The evening turned out to be extremely competitive on the tennis courts in preparation for my first league match Sunday morning.  My anxiety is in check and my body is feeling great.

I can't thank you enough for all the support during this time of healing.  Have a great day.

The Road of Life

The pages on my map are torn and tattered.  My own stubbornness slowed my progress.  I cursed all the dead ends.  The road of life is not what I expected.  But there is one thing I found that I wasn't even looking for – acceptance.  I know I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.  The cul-de-sacs were part of the Creator's design.  Patience is a lesson I learned on the slowest parts of the journey.  All I can say is to trust the unexpected turns and savor every mile on your road of life.  It's all about the journey.  Look out the window and admire the beauty around you.  Have a great day.

Spring is in the Air

We may have our first 50º day today, a sign Spring is in the air (finally).  This is really good news, especially since we had five inches of snow a couple of days ago.  I'm busy with Spring cleaning activities around the house.  Even though we've been living here in the Midwest for six years, I feel like I'm just now getting settled in.

The next big project is converting two bedrooms in our empty nest into guest bedrooms.  A little birdie told me friends and relatives are interested in visiting our place once the weather warms up.  My wife and I will be ready.  Have a great day.

Dealing with Anxiety

"Do not be afraid" is mentioned 70 times in the NIV Bible for a reason.  Jesus knows we need help.  Anxiety is real.  My greatest challenge right now is driving on icy roads, something one wouldn't normally deal with in April when the Spring weather appears.  I was hoping the weatherman would be wrong when he predicted snow for yesterday.  I had nearly a week to think about.  There was no way to avoid it as I was scheduled to work at my day job.

"It's gonna me okay," I told myself when I started my SUV, a replacement vehicle for the Honda I totaled in the car accident during a major snow storm.  The 37º reading on my temperature gauge was reassuring because that meant the roads were probably free of ice.  Ten minutes later I felt my nerves acting up when the temp dropped to 28º and the slick roads became icy on my drive home.  Flashing lights on the interstate signaled more danger.  I felt my fists clenching my steering wheel as I spotted the EMT's on the side of the road on their way down the slope to help a driver who slid off the steep slope.  Another driver ahead of me slid into the center median a couple miles from my exit.

The scariest part for me was confronting my original accident scene in the same conditions I faced when I got t-boned.  I was wiggling my fingers and breathing deeply while the truck behind me was tailgating me on the icy road.  My christian radio was playing.  I made it!  I faced my worst fear yesterday.  This is a big step for me and I'm happy to report a successful outcome.  I have a long way to go but this is a major accomplishment.  Have a great day.

Gratitude is Magical

The shards of glass surrounding me and my seven broken ribs were only part of the story the day I crossed the center line on February 5 and got t-boned by an oncoming vehicle.  They were merely an introduction to a brand new life.  I started small with tiny pants resembling our pet chihuahua after a long walk on a steamy day.  The paramedics showed up as fast as a Jimmy Johns driver and carted me off to University of Iowa Hospital where I met one of the best trauma teams in the country.  The pain was excruciating but the pain told me something really important – I was alive.  Broken but alive.

Our youngest son called from overseas the morning after the accident.  The concern in his voice deepened when I could barely speak.  I promised him I would be back on the tennis courts by the time he came home.  Eight weeks later, I delivered on my promise and returned to my favorite pastime before heading home to greet our son.

Gratitude is magical.  I'm thankful to be alive.  I'm grateful our youngest son came home safe after 3 and 1/2 years of service to our country.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to pin the wings on our daughter at her graduation ceremony last week.  I'm appreciative our oldest son is finding a career that matches his talents and interest.  Last but not least, my heart is filled with joy to be married to the love of my life.  I'm so thankful for all the care she gave me during my recovery.  A magical life is one filled up with gratitude.  Have a great day.

The World of Uber

I did it.  Here's one for the older generation.  I tried Uber and loved the experience.  Both my drivers were courteous, fun and on time.  The first driver arrived three minutes after I hit the submit button on my phone and the second driver showed up in four minutes.  I saved big bucks by skipping the car rental and had an awesome experience.

I couldn't wait to share my story with our daughter, showing her I could keep up with her generation.  She smiled and asked, "Have you ever heard of Lyft?"  The world is changing fast.  Give these enhancements a try.  Have a great day.

Home Again

Sorry for the late post today.  I was out of town for a family event and didn't return until late in the day.  The family is getting settled in and we're planning on more fun this weekend.  The house is full and life is good.  Regularly scheduled posts return at 8:08 AM Pacific Time tomorrow.  Have a great day.

Spiritual Tips for Goal Setting

Having trouble achieving your goals?  If so, ask yourself, "How do my goals line up with God's plan for my life?"  If they happen to be out of alignment, you found the stumbling block.  The closer you get to God's will for your life, the easier it will be to get things done.

You may have the right goal, but your timing may be off.  Don't fret.  God's timing requires patience.  You may need certain people to come into your life.  You may be missing tools required to accomplish your goals.  I've found that the best prayers in these situations are requests for the right people and things you need to reach your goals. 

If all else fails, try this prayer request, "Dear Lord, please reveal to me what you want me to do with my life?"  You will find something inside you stirring when you get your answer.  That something may feel like butterflies in your stomach.  You may feel a sense of excitement you never felt before.  Remember you were created for something special.  There is nothing more rewarding in life than finding your purpose and setting goals in alignment with that purpose.  Have a great day.

First Day Back on the Courts

The staff at the trauma unit thought it was an odd question when I asked how long before I could play tennis again, especially since my body was pretty beat up from an auto accident.  They told me it would be a minimum of six weeks before my seven broken ribs and damaged spleen would heal.  The doctors convinced me to be patient and hold off for at least eight weeks.  Today marks eight weeks and two days and I'm ready to see my tennis buddies again this evening after my shift at my day job.

If you ever find yourself in a predicament like the one I experienced when I lost control of my vehicle on the icy road and slid into an oncoming vehicle, look for the positive in the experience.  My pain was excruciating but I chose to focus on the exercises I was still capable of doing.  Bending was impossible.  Stretching was out of the question.  The only exercise I could do during the first two weeks was walking and leg raises.  I forced myself to do 100 leg raises a day.  Eventually I pretended to do tennis swings while walking ten minutes every hour.  Visualizing myself back on the tennis courts aided my recovery.  I felt like I had a sense of purpose.  Now it's time to test out my body.  I hope to see you on the courts soon.  Have a great day.

Fresh Start Today

I'm excited to join my peers today at my day job after a long absence.  The first six weeks off were due to a serious auto accident which I extended an additional two weeks for Winter leave to see my family.  The doctors are happy with my progress and I'm ready to return to full duty.

There are still small amounts of fluid in my chest cavity, enough to alert airport security during a body scan at the check point yesterday.  My hope is that my body will naturally absorb the fluid as time passes.  Otherwise, I'm ready for a fresh start today.  Thank you for accompanying me during my recovery efforts.  Have a great day.

Always Be Thankful

My gratitude tour comes to a conclusion today.  It's time to go home and return to my day job tomorrow.  The good news is I will never run out of reasons to be thankful.  My vitamin D levels are replenished, my bones are healed and I'm feeling better than ever.

I promise to find a way to spend more time with friends and family.  Thank you for helping me to make a full recovery.  Have a great day.

The Tomb is Empty

Perhaps the Romans thought someone was playing an April Fools joke on them when they heard the tomb was empty twenty centuries ago.  The first followers of Jesus knew exactly what it meant.  Nothing is better than seeing that empty tomb on Easter morning, not even a Sedona sunrise like the one I woke up to this morning.

It's time to celebrate the most significant event in human history, the Resurrection.  He is Risen.  Enjoy every sunrise, every sunset and everything in between.  Happy Easter.  Have a great day.