Go and Stop
As to MovementLast year’s message about movement emphasized exercise, so this year’s will summarize those points and highlight other crucial aspects of physical (in)activity. Exercise. Only 25% of us receive the substantial health benefits that come from following the recommended 75-150 minutes of weekly aerobic activity and twice-weekly muscle-strengthening sessions. This standard does not require […]
Gatekeeping
ConsumptionToday, we address consumption—what we load into our bodies. More than forty percent of us are obese and suffer a multitude of severe health problems as a result. We consume more than the amount needed to maintain our weight, and nearly 25% more calories than we did fifty years ago. Moreover, we now eat less […]
Your Temple
No, I am not talking about a place for religious services, but your physical vessel. Its importance is undeniable, but there is a disconnect between our awareness and our actions, given our country’s obesity epidemic and sedentary lifestyles. I am here to encourage wellness, not to fat-shame the wide-bodied or exalt chiseled fitness influencers. In […]
My 2¢
Like last week, I am almost hesitant to write this week’s post, but the statistics clearly indicate that something needs to be said and done. The FoundationWhile 52 Steps Forward is not a how-to manual, here are some straightforward sound practices: Track your spending and net worth. These no-cost habits enhance your financial decision-making and […]
$Literacy?
Given our unavoidable daily financial transactions, one would expect us to acquire financial literacy naturally. Regretfully, we do not. The result is that too many people, including 40% of those earning $300K-$500K, are living paycheck-to-paycheck (surprisingly, those in lower earnings brackets report fairing slightly better). During the government shutdown, people in good-paying positions declared they […]
The Wandering Worshipper
The Wandering Worshipper is the story of a journey where I knew where I was going, but not what I would find. I discovered that there is a place for everyone, and everyone needs a place. It began with an entirely irregular and wholly uninspired churchgoer who thought regular church attendance could be beneficial and […]
Dealing With Loss
What about our grief over the loss of a loved one? Today, we explore different perspectives while acknowledging that a solitary blog post is particularly insufficient for those who have suffered the loss of a spouse or a descendant. Cathy and I witnessed our parents grieve their oldest child’s death and dear friends unexpectedly losing […]
Mirror Mirror on the Wall…
Mind v. Sight The image in the mirror is accurate, but the meaning we assign it can be as distorted as the reflection in a fun-house mirror. Depending on our position, we see tall or short, thin or wide. I recently renewed my driver’s license, and the application asked for my hair color. I was […]
Shoes, Potty, Door
These three words are my trumpet call, the signal that it is time to leave, and the action necessary to ensure an on-time departure. I used them with my children. Many years later, the mother of my granddaughters uses the exact words. When I used them on my writing colleagues at a retreat, they declared […]
A “Few” Final Words
Obviously, mentorship is a subject near and dear to me. I have benefited so much that I cannot help but share my experiences. Last week, I forgot to mention one important reason not to provide an answer, no matter how good it may be. Consider a mentee’s higher confidence in and commitment to decisions they […]