Draw The Line
Doing it Wrong We all have or had a nemesis, the parent who nags you about having children, a boss who calls you on the weekend, or the friend who is always an hour late for dinner. We reach a breaking point, grit our teeth, and threaten that the relationship is over if they ever […]
You Bad, Me Good
Besides my Hypocrisy, it is True Thankfully, identifying our hypocrisy can lead to self-improvement and transforming a negative message into a helpful one. You know the lesson taught to us as children: whenever you point the finger at someone, three fingers are pointing back at you. In simple terms, you likely possess the qualities you […]
Keep Your Filthy Lucre
Really? This title is a counterintuitive one for a message on generosity. At the mere suggestion of generosity, we expect a monetary solicitation and instinctively look to ensure our purse’s clasp is firmly fastened. However, money may be the last element of generosity. First, Why… Generosity is alternatively considered a personal obligation or a byproduct […]
Attitude of…
…Gratitude This saying sounds like a trite nursery rhyme and gets on my nerves like nails scraping on a chalkboard (is that still a thing?). At the same time, grateful people are psychologically and physically healthier than the ungrateful, making gratitude worthy of exploration and pursuit. Whatever For? When asked this question, our thoughts naturally […]
Between the Sheets
Remarkably, I may have selected a subject more perilous than faith, but 52 Steps Forward would be incomplete without a message concerning one of our greatest preoccupations: sex. For those expecting tips to improve your bedroom performance, you will be as disappointed as the person who told me in Will Smith to Chris Rock terms, […]
It is a Lifestyle
They Got it Together! Researchers have discovered Blue Zones, where people enjoy long, healthy lives, and identified the factors contributing to their longevity: consumption, movement, purpose, and social connection. More important than the number of years is the quality. Blue Zoners are generally free of the commonly expressed concern, “I do not want to outlive […]
Movement
This message is not entitled “exercise” because it is only part of the movement needed for well-being and to overcome the harmful effects of our sedentary lifestyles. The Recommendation We obtain substantial health benefits by following the recommended 75-150 minutes (depending on intensity) of weekly aerobic activity and more benefits by adding twice-weekly muscle-strengthening sessions. […]
A Moment on the Lips…
Consumption Today, we address consumption – what we put into our bodies. Strict eating programs like keto, intermittent fasting, vegan, or Daniel are effective but unnecessary. The revered Mediterranean diet lacks a rigid structure or prohibition against any particular food. Even Michael Pollan’s famous declaration is imprecise – “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” […]
Let’s Get Physical…
No, I am not channeling my inner Olivia Newton-John anthem, but physical well-being is a necessary part of 52 messages on a fulfilling life. Its importance is evident but not adequately pursued given our country’s obesity epidemic and declining life span. Writing on this subject is challenging when your audience spans the entire spectrum from […]
You Can Be Both
Never Good Enough This summer, I rode a bike up Alp d’huez, the most famous mountain in road cycling’s most famous race, the Tour de France. After pedaling on the same roads as my cycling heroes, reaching the summit in a better-than-expected time, and achieving something only a fraction of cyclists can do, my thoughts […]