Under the Covers: Daring Greatly

Jun 27

Under the Covers: Daring Greatly

Welcome to Under the Covers, an on-going series of book reviews to enrich the way we think, move, eat and connect.

Daring Greatly Book Cover

In my Under the Covers book series, I will rate each book based on its “Life Wisdom” value (from 1 to 5 wise owls). I will review books that inspire, motivate and teach life lessons. Some of our greatest wisdom comes from those whose journeys may be quite different from our own.

When we escape into their world, we can learn from their trials, tactics, and courage. Through their wisdom, we add to our own.

A Must See For All College Graduates (Link to video now available)

It's time we prepare our college graduates for the REAL world.

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May 15

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The Question to Command Your Life

Can one question lead to a happy life? I think so.

shutterstock_79711258 Question Mark in Spotlight

What’s your metaphor for life? Is life a roller coaster? A series of ups and downs or an adrenaline rush thrill ride? Is life a journey, a marathon, or a dance? Is it a battle, a symphony or a three-ring circus?

Would that metaphor change if I asked you on your graduation or wedding day versus the day you lost your job?

Our outlook is constantly adjusting. Like a swivel chair, we’re busily twirling around and our emotions shift depending on what we’re facing at the moment. Then we compare what we see to what we want.

Is happiness really about meeting our own (or other’s) expectations? It’s like trying to hit a bulls eye with a moving target. There has to be a better way to “dance” through life.

The answer we want is “yes”. The question we need to keep asking is………..
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Mar 23

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Yoga & Creativity

This is a guest post by Dr. David Kulla.

shutterstock_104500502 Yoga Art

Creativity is required of all of us. We need it to do our jobs well, raise our children properly, and to create– whether writing, decorating, cooking or painting. Even if you don’t consider yourself a creative person, you still exhibit creative traits in the things you do throughout the day without even realizing it. Increasing your creativity through yoga can lead to an abundance of positive outcomes. Read more

Mar 18

The Anatomy of Discipline

This discipline dissection is designed to help you train your own Gazoo.

Anybody remember this guy?

Meet Gazoo! He’s your new best friend!

Gazoo and I became acquainted when I was a child watching the Flintstones cartoon. Gazoo is a little, flying, green martian that lands on my shoulder out of nowhere. Let’s just say I’m ying and he’s yang. He talks to me in my ear. He has a PhD in annoyance. Yet I’m so grateful for the little bugger. If it weren’t for him, well, there wouldn’t be a FITskitz- that’s for sure! Here’s a brief story to show Gazoo at work. Read more

Feb 28

Exercise Apathy

Even after years of working out, no one is immune to a break-in.

shutterstock_97144178 Mind Thief

Lately working out every morning has been a struggle. A mental battle with myself. I just don’t feel like heading to the gym, sweating, breathing hard, exerting myself. I just want to NOT DO IT! I yearn and plead with myself to do something other than work out. Read more

Feb 19

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Practice Mudita

A buddhist mind-state that is the spiritual medicine for the poisons of jealousy, envy and resentment.

If we could hear your thoughts when your friend tells you she just got a promotion at her new job when you’ve been working a dead end job for years, what would we hear?

What if you’ve been trying to have a baby and you see a pregnant woman at the store? If your roommate gets an A on her exam that she didn’t study for, and you get a C and studied your butt off?

How do you react to the success and joy of others? How does that joy impact your own life? Ponder these questions and you’ll begin to understand the meaning of mudita. Read more

Feb 4

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The 10 Greatest Profits from Living Half a Century

When I do go over the hill I'll be packin' some new knows.

shutterstock_110490854 woman hill

I’m in my last months as a “40 something”. As I approach that half century mark, I cringe just a little. I don’t feel almost 50! Well, ok, except when I go vertical in the a.m. and hobble until my body’s natural wd-40 slowly finds it way back down to my ankles and feet. But other than that, not so bad. In fact, pretty darn good!

The older you get the more you realize you don’t know. You’ve heard that before. The older you get the more you realize how stupid you used to be. Oh yeah.

I took a look back, then looked ahead, then looked back again, shook my hand in the air, and declared my next birthday a time to celebrate! Not because I’m over the hill but because I climbed it!

Even if you’re not yet my age, I’m willing to share some of my profits with you. After all, you’ve got your own bag to carry. Maybe knowing these things now will make your load up the hill a little lighter. Read more

Jan 24

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Under the Covers: Life of Pi

Welcome to Under the Covers, an on-going series of book reviews to enrich the way we think, move, eat and connect.

Life of Pi In my Under the Covers book series, I will rate each book based on its “Life Wisdom” value (from 1 to 5 wise owls). I will review books that inspire, motivate and teach life lessons. Some of our greatest wisdom comes from those whose journeys may be quite different from our own.

When we escape into their world, we can learn from their trials, tactics, and courage. Through their wisdom, we add to our own.

VIPER

I'm revealing the five key tools I've used to maintain a healthy lifestyle for 25 years.

shutterstock_35394193 Snake

In my recent post, The ABCD Method of New Beginnings, I acknowledged the power of fresh starts. Declaring change is like a drug. Blood is flowing, thoughts racing, and energy bounds.

Making a decision to change your life is the first step. The easy step. Signing up for a fitness class, a gym membership or buying your first blender so you can begin your 3 day cleanse? Terrrrrific! Acknowledge you’re in the honeymoon period of lifestyle change.

Want to be married to your change? That’s going to take commitment, willpower, discipline, and re-commitment. Here’s how. Read more

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