Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Got Love?

The kind of love I'm referring to today is love for your enemies.  This may be the most difficult kind of love there is.  It's easy to love our family and friends.  The real challenge is to love those on the "other side."  If you're holding grudges, you're not loving.  If you're not forgiving, you're not loving.  If you're only loving those you care about, you're not doing what Jesus asks.

I admitted to a friend the other day that I once had great difficulty with the Lord's prayer.  Jesus teaches us, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."  If we don't have love in our hearts for our enemies, this prayer may as well be a death sentence.  The prayer turns positive when we learn to love our enemies.  Give love a try.  Have a great day.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Drone Photography Offers New Perspectives


 I'm hooked.  Drone photography is like going from a black and white TV to color.  I have much to learn before I get proficient but I'm already able to take my photography to new heights.  The drone I'm using is a gift from our oldest son.  Here are some early morning shots today from the soccer fields adjacent to our home.  Have a great day.





Monday, September 28, 2020

Can You Minimize Your Headaches?

 Not all headaches are equal.  Some are self-inflicted.  Those are the types of headaches I'm writing about today as a person who likes to find clever ways to live a healthy lifestyle.  Once you discover how your headaches are a result of your own actions, you can minimize the pain in your head.  I'm celebrating one year of zero headaches.  This is the kind of story the makers of headache relief medicines don't want you to read because this story could hurt their business.

Proper hydration is important.  When your brain cells aren't properly hydrated, they tell you by sending pain messages.  Stress can do the same thing.  Take a look at your daily activities and make a list of all the things that cause you stress.  I have a feeling you might be missing something, like TV time.  It's so ingrained in our daily life that we don't even realize how much stress we build up from hours of watching. I believe one of the greatest reasons my headaches disappeared is because I decided to cut the cable one year ago.  I also decided to give daily guided meditation a try.  This activity is similar to hydrating my brain cells.  Lastly, I committed to a minimum of eight hours of sleep nightly.  The results speak for themselves.  Get rid of your self-inflicted headaches once and for all by changing your habits.  Have a great day.

Sunday, September 27, 2020

Remember to Give Your HSA a Checkup

 The end of 2020 is rapidly approaching.  Make sure you give your HSA a checkup now so that you avoid losing any funds that are not spent by the 12/31 deadline.  You may be allowed a rollover of some funds but anything above the rollover amount is subject to forfeiture if you fail to spend it by the deadline.

I found a nifty site this morning that offers only HSA approved items for sale on their website, HSAstore.com.  If you use this site, make sure you do a coupon code search prior to checkout to maximize your health savings account dollars.  Stay healthy.  Have a great day.

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Welcome to Our Happy Place

 The tiny sign in our basement, Welcome to our happy place, pretty much sums up what our household is all about.  The reality is the sign is not necessary.  I believe those who visit our home pick up on the vibe upon entering.  I do my best to extend that happiness into my daily writing for those who may be struggling to find joy.  Happiness, when served to others is highly contagious.

Your happiness does not need to be confined to places or situations.  Happiness is a state of mind you choose no matter what's going on in the world.  Thank you for visiting today.  I hope you find a way to share your happiness with those around you.  Have a great day.

Friday, September 25, 2020

Set Yourself Up for the Roaring 20's

If you take a look at history, everything goes in cycles.  For me, it's much easier to get through the challenging times when I take a look behind and remember the positive turns in my life.  History helps us to see events in cycles.  Nothing ever remains the same.  There is constant motion.  I do my best to learn the lessons that are available in the down cycles and apply those lessons to the good times.

Four years from today, those nasty political ads will be back.  Both sides will argue that it's the most important election cycle in history.  Eight years from today it will be repeated again.  Somewhere in between, we will have good markets and bad markets.  Either way, this decade will be roaring.  Will it be a repeat of what the world remembers after the Spanish flu pandemic ended one hundred years ago?  Is it possible to see another Great Depression in the next ten years?  I don't know.  What I do know is that living within your means, even in times of scarcity, sets your household up for the good times ahead.  Be prepared.  Take charge of your finances.  Have a great day.

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Debt-Snowball Method is on a Roll

Our debt seemed so massive eight years ago.  That's when my wife checked out a debt reduction book from the library by Dave Ramsey.  His quote struck me in the heart and reverberated all the way to my empty wallet.  "You need to live like no one else so you can live like no one else," he said.  That's when we had a serious conversation about our finances.  We chose the debt-snowball method, paying our smallest balances off first, then moving on the bigger ones.  I came up with a debt reduction game I call "Par for the Course."  The idea is to track my wins and losses each month similar to the way golfers track their scores.  The game covers the final stages of the debt snowball method we've been using ever since our relocation to the Midwest.  We are now within 90 days of reaching a milestone I once believed only existed in fairy tales for our family.  We've chipped away at all our debts, cut out senseless monthly expenditures, and soon will face one last debt, our mortgage.  It's getting exciting now.  Perseverance pays.  So does debt reduction.  Stay tuned for more progress reports.  Have a great day.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Deferred Vacation to be Enhanced

Hawaii is pretty much off-limits these days.  We decided to defer our vacation to paradise rather than deal with all the hassles that come with traveling during the pandemic.  I promised my wife that next year will be worth the wait.  We are really big on applying honors points accumulated from business travel and credit card reward money for everyday purchases toward vacations.  I found a credit card that offers a companion ticket once a year for $99 + tax.  It's a bargain when flying to Maui and makes vacations really affordable.

My vacation challenge is to find a way to pay for two weeks next year without sacrificing our plan to reach financial independence on target.  That means paying attention to the details of our spending habits.  The vacation deferral is allowing us extra time to set aside the funds we need to enjoy Hawaii.  All we need is for the authorities to show a little aloha and allow us to visit.  The clock is ticking.  Have a great day.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Everything Changes When Your Food Choices Improve

 Every cell of your body depends on the positive food choices you make.  You may be able to get away with a few mistakes now and then.  Consider a river that takes on some pollution.  It can purify itself as long as the pollution is minimal.  Your body works the same way.  It has all kinds of built-in repair mechanisms to handle your mistakes.  Too much overload and the body becomes too overwhelmed.  Disease creeps in.  Your life cycle shortens.  The quality of your life declines.

I've been doing my best to maximize my daily food choices.  Gone are sodas filled with sugar.  I said goodbye to processed foods.  Not only is my body responding favorably, but I'm also feeling an increased sense of well being.  I'm able to handle challenges like dealing with the loss of our Chihuahua that has been with us since our kids were all teenagers.  Everything changes when your food choices improve.  Even the slightest changes can help.  You deserve a healthy mind, body, and spirit.  Have a great day.

Monday, September 21, 2020

The Upward Turn

We each have our own ways of coping with loss and I'm doing my best to move forward after saying goodbye to my writing partner last Friday.  There are seven stages of the grieving process.  For me, the process started much earlier than Friday.  We began grieving months ago when we noticed Roxy was having trouble with her senses.  She no longer enjoyed family walks.  Her quality of life was diminishing.  I was in denial that all of this was really happening (first stage of grief).  I definitely felt her pain when she struggled to move around (second stage of grief).    My wife and I did bargain quite a bit about the decision to make that dreaded appointment to say goodbye (third stage of grief).  The depression (fourth stage of grief) hit me hard when Roxy left us.  The void hurts.

Today it's time for the upward turn (fourth stage of grief).  The experts say this is the stage where you begin to feel strengthened, motivated, and awakened.  It's like taking the first step upward on a mountain climb.  Today I'm taking that first step.  Happiness is a choice.  I'm choosing to be happy today.  I'm choosing to take one step in a positive direction.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this challenging time in my life with you.  There are some good steps ahead.  Have a great day.

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Dealing with Grief

 Other than the Facebook birthday wishes to friends and family, I've been rather silent on social media.  If you've never had a pet in your life, it may be difficult to comprehend the grief I'm feeling right now.  Roxy was the last of the Mohicans, a trio of rescue dogs that blessed our family with years of companionship.  I'm doing my best to concentrate on all the good Roxy brought to us but I do find my mind drifting to this void I feel from her loss.  I'm writing about grief for two reasons.  Number one, if you are going through this, I want to help you.  Number two, writing about Roxy helps me to cope.

Grief is real.  It's part of being human.  The shortest verse in the Bible refers to the sadness Jesus experienced when he heard about his friend's passing.  Jesus wept - John 11:35.  There's a lot to experience in that meaningful verse.  Right now I'm living that verse.  It's tough.  Thank you for the opportunity to share my situation with you.  Have a great day.

Saturday, September 19, 2020

Blogging Solo Now

 Roxy is gone now.  We said our final goodbyes yesterday.  It was the first time we visited the vet without all the crazy barking on the way.  She knew.  Her time had come and she was ready to go to sleep.  Roxy was surrounded by her human family, a pack that often disappears for long periods of time to venture out into the world while Roxy waits for their return.  Now it's Roxy's turn to leave us, this time a one-way journey into faraway lands where the departed from this world go to be with the one true master we all belong to.  Roxy's job is done.  The rest of us are here to complete our assignments before we join all who have gone ahead of us.

Grieving is a process (see below).  I don't really know how long each stage lasts but I do know it's important to take time and go through the steps.  For me, it's easier with family and friends.  Blogging solo is part of the next chapter of my life.  I have much to do with the remaining time I have on this planet.  For now, I will do my best to deal with the loss of our beloved Roxy.  Have a great day.

The 7 stages of grief
  • Shock and denial. This is a state of disbelief and numbed feelings.
  • Pain and guilt. ... 
  • Anger and bargaining. ... 
  • Depression. ... 
  • The upward turn. ... 
  • Reconstruction and working through. ... 
  • Acceptance and hope.

Friday, September 18, 2020

Roxy Crosses the Finish Line Today

One hundred or so dog years is a long time.  If our son's pet Chihuahua, a birthday gift he received when he turned 12,  could talk about her life, she would have much to say.  I have this feeling in my gut she would say, "Thank you."  She has seen it all... two wildfires while living with us in Southern California, a cross country trip in a moving van, and the patience of a saint while waiting for her master to come home from his overseas adventures in the army.  The master is home today to help Roxy cross the finish line this afternoon.  She will be welcomed into Heaven by our first two pets, Lady and Lucky, who have been waiting a long time to be reunited with Roxy.

My wife and I have been the temporary custodians for our son's beloved pet during the latter part of her amazing life.  This is a hard one for us.  It goes straight to our hearts.  I'm so thankful that time off has been granted for my wife and me to support our son in the final moments.  Roxy has been at my side for nearly every blog story I've written.  She was written in as a character in "The Caveman in the Mirror."  Roxy grieved with us when we said goodbye to Lady and Lucky before departing California over fifty-six dog years ago.  Thank you, Roxy, for your service to Shane and all of us in our household.  Your time with us will be remembered for the rest of our lives.  Until we meet again.  Way to live your life to the fullest.  Have a great day.

Thursday, September 17, 2020

The Master Returns

He told us we would know when the time is right.  The time has come.  Tomorrow we say good-bye to our beloved Roxy.  She has been in the family ever since our youngest son became her master fourteen years ago.  We have been the caretakers while Shane served our country overseas and during his time in college.  When we notified Roxy's master that her mind and body are failing after living approximately fifteen or sixteen wonderful years, mostly with our family, Shane immediately booked a flight to be with her when we say good-bye.  The master returns tonight.  We are thankful we can be together during Roxy's final moments with us.  Please keep our family in your prayers.  Have a great day. 

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Prayers for the Vulnerable

My heart breaks for those dealing with wildfires, hurricanes, COVID-19, and economic losses.  This has been a challenging year for many.  There are many who don't have adequate protection to get through these times.  For these people, I ask you to join me in prayer.  Sometimes all we have is prayer.  Dear Lord, please comfort them in their time of need.  Have a great day.  

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Back on the Courts

Our daughter re-introduced me to one of my greatest passions yesterday, tennis.  I've been on a brief hiatus since this pandemic struck causing our season to end early.  League tennis is starting up again and soon I'll be rejoining my teammates.  I'm excited to find my groove again.  It's also nice to get some extra sunshine while I'm tuning up my game.  This is a great time of year to enjoy the outdoors in our home state.  I'm heading to the courts for some more quality father-daughter time.  Have a great day.  

Monday, September 14, 2020

Early Signs of Autumn

 Although Autumn officially begins on September 22, we are already seeing early signs that the seasons are about to change.  The Fall colors are dramatic in our part of the world.  The leaves are beginning to show yellow and red tints.  The cornfields, many of them partially destroyed from the derecho that struck our state, are turning brown.  Farmers will do their best to salvage what they can from what is still standing as harvest time approaches.

While I'm thankful for the change each season brings, Autumn brings a special delight for my family and me.  I plan to savor every day of the next season by spending time with my family and enjoying the outdoors.  Stay tuned for some drone pictures featuring Mother Nature's brush strokes.  Have a great day.


Sunday, September 13, 2020

Drone Skills Improving



I may be a rookie drone pilot but I can say with confidence that taking pictures and shooting video clips from the sky will be a part of my future.  The photo you see above was shot from the soccer fields adjacent to our home.  Our home is on the other side of the line of trees.  This is going to be a great way to share future adventures with you.  I flew three times yesterday and loved it even more as I got acquainted with the controls.  Stay tuned.  I'll be sharing more photos and video clips in the future.  Have a great day.

Saturday, September 12, 2020

Lessons from the Pandemic

Some of the best lessons are learned in our most difficult situations.  In my opinion, this pandemic we are dealing with offers some amazing opportunities to learn and adapt.  I recall family road trips when we were raising our children.  We often heard voices from the back seat inquiring, "Are we there yet?"  We may be asking ourselves the same question about when this pandemic will end.  "Are we there yet?"  

No one knows the answer.  I have a feeling this is going to be a long haul.  I'm learning new habits and new mental approaches to help me cope.  Patience is important.  I have new rituals I go through every time I come home including taking my shoes off at the front door and washing my hands before I kiss my wife.  As much as I enjoy shaking hands, I now keep my distance and present my elbow as a sort of "virtual handshake."  Eating at home is the new norm.  

My hope for our world is that we help each other cope with all the changes we need to make to survive.  Keeping in touch doesn't need to be in person.  There is much to appreciate in this world while we wait for the pandemic to come to a conclusion.  Have a great day.

Friday, September 11, 2020

600 Days to Go

The finish line is in sight.  My debt reduction game I've been playing since the beginning of last year is going really well now that I've learned from all the mistakes I made during the first year playing "Par for the Course."  The way the game works, I track how much I pay extra towards my mortgage every two weeks and give myself a score similar to playing golf.  If I hit the monthly goal, I record a par for the month.  Fall below the goal and I record a bogey.  Exceed the goal and I earn an eagle.  There haven't been any eagles yet and the bogeys were everywhere in the first year.  Now that the game is on cruise control, I can predict the month that I will cross the finish line.  It looks like the celebration will take place in April 2022.  That's about 600 days from today if I can refrain from any more bogeys.

I'm really happy I decided to turn financial freedom into a game instead of some kind of chore.  My attitude plays a big role.  For me, giving up is not an option.  Like any goal, more obstacles appear than you can predict and that's okay as long as you get creative in finding ways to keep moving forward.  Debt reduction doesn't have to be painful.  There are ways to make it fun for the family.  I'm finding great joy playing Par for the Course and plan to share more about this with anyone who wants to have more fun while pursuing worthwhile goals.  Feel free to check in from time to time to see what's happening on this incredible journey.  Have a great day.

Thursday, September 10, 2020

What are You Feeding Your Brain?

How is your brain doing these days?  Do you ever slow down long enough to check in on it?  Your brain needs something to help it run properly.  If you get this right, you will find yourself in a pretty good position to handle any negativity that comes your way.  It's more than the food you eat.  Your brain needs good thoughts.  You have the power to decide what kind of thoughts you want your brain to dwell on throughout the day.

I'm focusing my attention on anything that can cause my brain to drift away from the positive atmosphere I've created inside my head.  It's similar to spinning plates.  When they're spinning, it's easy to keep them spinning.  When they stop, it takes a great deal of effort to get them going again.  For me, there are triggers that knock me out of my serenity zone.  If I can spot them on time, I can keep the flow of positive thoughts going so my brain stays in my happy place.  Feed your brain happy thoughts for 30 days, watch the triggers that cut off the flow of happy thoughts, and see what happens to your life.  Have a great day.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Seek Quality in Your Life Extension Quest

 So, you decided you would like to take steps to live longer.  Think about the kind of body you would like to inhabit in your golden years.  In my opinion, extending your life doesn't gain you much unless you find a way to increase the quality of your senior years.  You can best do that by taking care of the body you have now.  It's like taking care of your automobile properly by performing regular maintenance at designated intervals.

Speaking of life extensions, I would like to give a shout out to my cousin, John, who is celebrating 60 years of quality living today on his birthday.  He's the one who inspired me to live better by transforming my eating habits based on his caveman food experiment.  Happy birthday, cuz!

I have a simple plan to aid you in your quality life extension quest.  Use this every time you are about to make a choice regarding your actions.  Ask yourself, "Will this food I'm about to eat increase or decrease the quality of my life?"  Ask yourself, "Will this action I'm about to take help me increase or decrease my personal fitness?"  When it comes to the people around you, ask, "Will my time with this person or these people increase or decrease my sense of well being?"  Manage the quality of your choices now and you are setting yourself up for a high-quality lifestyle in the future.  Have a great day,

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

This is What Happens When You Reduce Stress

 Are you feeling stress these days?  If you find fear creeping into your life or increased burdens are weighing you down, you may be one of the millions who are wishing this year would come to a conclusion sooner rather than later.  Stress can cause you to have a tainted vision of your future.  Left unchecked, stress can bury you before your time.

Your perception of reality changes for the better when you reduce stress.  Think of stress reduction as going through a car wash.  When you come out on the other side, you're still driving the same vehicle but it looks so much shinier.  When you look out the windows, everything you see is so much more beautiful than before the car wash.  Instead of wishing away the days, you find great joy in the present moment.  Have a great day.

Monday, September 7, 2020

A Telomere Tip for You

 If you're curious about healthy living, I have a telomere tip for you that may help you.  Please keep in mind that I'm not a doctor and it's always best practice to consult with your physician before making any changes having to do with your medications or treatment plans.  Today's message is inspired by my own journey to better health which was monitored by my cousin, a doctor who has a passion for learning why we get sick.  Dr. John Mulligan watched over me in his pilot study of one sick human who was willing to try his food experiment before being doomed to a life of high blood pressure pills.  He asked me to visit my primary care physician first and request a full lipid panel/cholesterol test so he could properly evaluate what would happen with my food changes.

My cousin's food experiment was for 45 days.  The idea was to live more like our caveman ancestors.  I consumed fruits, veggies, nuts, beans, and seeds.  My liquids were water and wine.  My primary care physician ordered a second lipid panel test at the end of 45 days.  The results were astonishing.  The sick human became healthy.  My cousin suspected that my ailments, high blood pressure readings, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides, may be food-related and he was right.  The blood pressure readings dropped almost immediately at the beginning of the experiment.  The good cholesterol doubled and the bad cholesterol reduced by 50%.  My high triglycerides also dropped to the normal range.  These results inspired me to dig deep and learn as much as I can about healthy living and share my lessons with others.  By the way, the food restrictions were only temporary.  The second part of the experiment was to slowly introduce other foods, one at a time while monitoring my blood pressure to see what foods were culprits.  As I understand it, my body was responding with inflammation from food choices that weren't good for me.  I now eat small amounts of red meat, and fish and keep my consumption of processed foods to a minimum.  My primary care physician says I'm a poster boy for good health.  Now it's time to share a telomere tip I've been reading about that may help you understand how your body functions.

Telomeres are the endcaps of your chromosomes.  Their job is to protect the chromosomes every time the cells divide.  Over time, the telomeres shorten.  When the telomeres no longer are around to protect the chromosomes, they start to get damaged.  Maybe you're asking, "what can I do to protect these telomeres?" There have been some studies done where certain groups have actually lengthened their telomeres by changing their diet.  Those consuming mostly fruits and veggies while reducing red meat consumption actually lengthened their own telomeres while the control groups ended up with shorter telomeres just like the rest of the general population.  

There are studies showing that people who exercise regularly have longer telomeres.  Other studies are about people who meditate and they also show these people have longer telomeres than the pilot groups.  If you are interested in this topic, talk with your doctor about what you can do to possibly increase the length of your telomeres through better food choices, increased exercise, and daily meditation.  Have a great day.

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Second Drone Flight is a Home Run

Last evening at sunset I experienced my second drone flight.  Our oldest son surprised me when he revealed his own drone, an exact copy of mine.  We took turns manning our drones and managed to keep control during our flights, unlike my maiden voyage last week when my new drone descended into a nearby cemetery after the battery died.  I'm excited to report a successful father-son adventure.  Drone photography is in our future and I plan to share fun moments in the future.

If you're thinking about a drone purchase, you can find excellent entry-level drones for under a hundred bucks that come with cameras.  Be cautious of your battery levels so you can avoid the rookie mistake I made the first time I manned the drone controls.  Take your time and you will have hours of fun.  Keep in mind that your flight time is limited to about twenty minutes.  Multiple batteries will extend your flying time.  Have a great day.

Saturday, September 5, 2020

A Lesson from a Triple Whammy Survivor

 She doesn't know I'm writing this story about her.  Her name will remain anonymous.  We met yesterday during a visit to my day job.  There was this point in our conversation when she turned her head away from me and said, "I'm not going to cry."  She got to my heart.  I'm sharing this story because the lesson here is no matter what you're going through, you can get through it.  Jane is not her real name.  Just picture your grandmother when you read about her...

"What kind of business do you have, Jane?"  I asked.

"I'm a farmer."

"Were you affected by the Derecho (this is a class II land hurricane that swept through our state recently)?"

"My farm suffered a $400,000 loss.  My crops are completely destroyed.  My husband passed away recently.  The good news is my animals and my family are okay.  Michael, I was talking with one of my neighbors and he said to me, 'We have survived the triple whammy.'  He was referring to the flood we had, the pandemic we're going through and now, the Derecho.  Each one of these is supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime event.  We are farmers and we are survivors."

Jane will always be a part of me from now on.  I'm so thankful to be able to serve people like her.  They are the backbone of our country.  Please keep Jane and her neighbors in your prayers today.  Be thankful for all that you have.  Jane helped me to put everything in perspective.  It really is important to be grateful for the blessings in your life.  Have a great day.


Friday, September 4, 2020

Get to the End of the Rope as Fast as You Can

 If you have a bit of stubbornness inside you, like me, letting go is not something you're fond of.  Maybe you're the last one holding on to the rope, as painful as it may be.  I know this feeling very well.  Something surprised me about myself when I got to the end of my rope and discovered I could no longer hang on.  I let go.  The world didn't end.  In fact, my view of everything around me got better.  I gained this new sense of gratitude for my life.  New opportunities popped up.  I regained my sense of balance.  Life is good.

If you find yourself slipping, get to the end of your rope as fast as you can.  Let go.  Everything will be okay.  A new life awaits.  Have a great day.

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Do This When You Your Vacation Plans are on Hold

 It's really easy to feel trapped when your vacation plans are on hold due to the pandemic the world is struggling with.  I'm doing something that is helping me to cope and it's a really simple technique.  Every morning when I wake up I visualize myself already at my dream destination.  I'm on a beach listening to the sound of ocean waves crashing onto the shoreline.  My wife is next to me.  I can feel the sun warming my skin.  A cool tropical breeze is keeping me comfortable.  This virtual visit is so real that I can almost smell the ocean air even though I'm thousands of miles away from the nearest beach.  I can't believe how refreshed I feel when I open my eyes and get back to reality.

Give your mind something positive to dwell on and do this daily.  Virtual vacations are free and the benefits are real.  Have a great day.

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Celebrating One Year with No Headaches

 It's been a full year since I last had a headache.  Today's story is not going to be popular with the people who make the pills we turn to when our heads begin to throb.  I can't tell you exactly why this happened to me because I made several lifestyle changes at the same time and don't know if one or all of these modifications helped me to end my reliance on pills.  It's always a great idea to consult your doctor any time you get ready to experiment.  These are the changes I made that helped me get rid of all my headaches:

1.  No more TV.  I cut the cable and stopped all the negativity.  

2.  Daily meditation.  I haven't missed a session in the last year since I began last September.  My minimum allotted time is thirty minutes every morning.

3.  No more processed foods.  If my food is God made, I consume it.  If fake ingredients disguised as food are added, I do my best to avoid it or keep it to a bare minimum.  Eating at home helps because I know exactly what I'm eating.

4.  Pay attention to the triggers.  This one is big.  If you can see a trigger coming at you that is going to cause anxiety, cut it off before it damages your state of being.  Learn to spot a trigger while it's still far off so it can't hurt you.

5.  Be thankful.  It's really hard to get a headache when you're busy appreciating all the blessings in your life.  

I'm wishing you an anxiety-free and pain-free life.  Try these ideas and see what happens.  It's about time for my annual physical.  I can't wait to share this with my doctor.  Have a great day.

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Happy September

 It's a new fiscal year at my day job.  My teammates and I have been adjusting to all the necessary changes we've been undergoing to adapt during a pandemic.  These last six months have been extraordinary.  On the household front, the year is now 2/3 complete.  My wife and I are planning ahead for the eventual adoption of Lucy, our travel home on wheels.  The adoption won't be complete until early 2022 when we reach the finish line of our most daunting goal since we got married thirty-one years ago, financial freedom.  This is a happy September for us because we can finally see a clear path to financial independence.  The last obstacle is our mortgage and we're doing our best to stay on par every month until we officially say goodbye to our bank.

My wife read something this morning about how this is the best time of year to start working on your goals as opposed to waiting until the traditional start of the new year on January 1.  I'm going to challenge myself to build a mobile home on wheels that is fully self-contained.  There is so much to explore in the area we live and I'm getting really excited to turn this dream into a reality.  There will be plenty of updates along the way and I promise to share more here on this blog.  Have a great day and a happy September.