Super Eights Today

Super Eights Today

Motorcycle Maintenance

Motorcycle Maintenance

There is Hope

There is Hope

A Good One

One of our regulars, a charter member, operates a very successful conflict resolution center.  Over the years I came to recognize in him a rare commodity commonly known as wisdom. I say rare for two reasons, one is that in our current frenzied, superficial and short attention spanned society, anyone demonstrating a deep understanding of reality is a hero in my book, and two because most wisdom these days is dummied down to pithy memes on one of the social media sites. So it is a rare occurrence when one has the fortune to mix it up with someone in firm possession of this deep a grasp.

I get trapped in this net all the time. What I think I know, on any subject, for today let's focus on one, motivation, is constantly challenged by updated data, new research, professional testimony, or actual user experiences. I am constantly amazed at how a simple spin of accepted information, as a strategy, tactic or goal, can be so humbling and inspiring. We all know, as an example, that perfection is not the best goal to seek in training or, well, pretty much everything, not so much because it is impossible but because it can beat one to senselessness and toss them from the getaway car leaving them in the ditch bloodied and bruised. Instead we strive for the more tolerant, measurable and supportive "continual improvement' concept. Taking this ride we feel the wind in our hair and reach for the volume slider. It is more joy-ride than getaway.

What then is the secret? This point is addressed most eloquently in Greg's post. The checklist of why, how, what and when, is poignant and precise. His take on getting outside of our comfort zones hums like a well tuned 350 short block. I use this one regularly in spin class, where motivation as entertainment is important, but leave it to the acumen of the individual in the PowerBarn. If you don't get it now, continue on, one day you will. And if you get it now, work it towards improvement.

Motivation is tricky. Not enough and one quits, too much and one burns out, so we seek relentlessly any affirming or validating opinion on its use.

This was a good one, thanks Greg.

Not Bad

Not Bad

10 n Out

10 n Out

I Used to Love the Snow

I Used to Love the Snow

Talk About It

Talk About It

The secret message uncoded

The secret message uncoded

Island Life

Island Life

Most Importantly

Most Importantly

Unacceptable America

Unacceptable America

Put it ALL Together

Put it ALL Together

Born Romantics

Born Romantics

Go Get 'Em

The plethora of activities one could preform by noon today, would (should?) include the three categories considered by many to be of priority status. Assuming that the 'vital basics' of food, shelter and clothing are satisfied, where do we go from there? Community, safely, security, education, meaningful (and successful) employment, family. All noble. However, this fine winter Monday morning I would like to present three wholesome and valuable activities for your consideration. Because they fit the requirements necessary for balanced participation in our chaotic world of the current age, aka today, more specifically, now.

Right now.

Three things one can do in preparation for the larger, more demanding tests of 'later today' are these:

1) Before your feet hit the carpet, count breaths. One to ten, deeply inhaling and calmly exhaling. Our fickle, trickster minds will wander like Kwai Chang Caine through the desert, so when you find yourself in 1849 San Francisco digging for the instant gratification of striking it rich bring your thoughts back to the mother-lode of your breaths. That is where the gold is. It may take a while a first (it takes a while now) but the practice is invaluable to calming the mind and developing inner peace. How cool to make this ritual habitual grasshopper.

2) Get your blood flowing. Exercise can be intense or meditative. We, me and Spike the dog, walked this morning (after counting) well before sunrise. It was brisk and clear. As Spike searched for empty soup cans in the neighbors trash, I watched the stars sparkle. In twenty minutes Junior and I will do yoga, stretch, and lift. At 0845 I will have the pleasure of leading a spin class at our club. Dynamic blood flow, cardiovascular development and muscle enhancement. Truly critical for current health and fitness as well as future mobility, flexibility and the defense against the ravages that time extols on us all.

3) Do something creative. I write. As a discipline. I realize I make mistakes, but every time I sit and add this unassuming font to a blank screen, something larger than my ego assists. It is something I must do. Same with video, same with screen writing. If one can consider this tiny duty art, why not make everything we do in the creative imperative?

There are three. Try them and see. Count your breaths, take a walk, lift some weights, mix it up in spin class, start your bio or take some pictures. The art of your life includes balanced elements of mind, body and spirit.

Go get 'em. Share results. Be kind.

A Better Rainbow

A Better Rainbow

The Spinning Strat

The Spinning Strat

Four-for-Four

Four-for-Four

It is 0904

It is 0904

Ask Your Dad

Ask Your Dad

Black Beans

Black Beans

Go 99ers!

Go 99ers!

Engage

Engage

A Lasting and Honorable Peace

A Lasting and Honorable Peace

Showers, Breakfasts, Buses

Showers, Breakfasts, Buses

A Bigger Plate

A Bigger Plate