Free books!

For quite sometime now I have been receiving free (and very inexpensive) e-books from BookBub

BookBub: Free and Bargain Kindle Books, Nook Books, and more

I can read them anywhere on my SmartPhone or any computer. Love it!

Two new blogs

Greetings!

I am announcing the start of two new blogs:

• Fitness is LIFE! : a blog dedicated to sharing information on getting fit and staying healthy. 
• Motivate, inspire … live! : a record of my journey as a public speaker and a tool for anybody to find ways to positively impact others with their words.

Why two more blogs? In one word: specialization. This will help keep different aspects of my rantings under different roofs.

Iin case you missed my other blogs:

• Technology Center
• Fitness story

Enjoy … and please send your thoughts, comments, requests and suggestions so that I can help as many people as I can!

Travel tips that make sense

Here is a recollection of Leo Babauta's latest vacation trip with his family.

» 16 Essential Tips for Traveling with a Family :zenhabits

He shares excellent tips on how to have fun, enrich your mind, and make the best of the places you visit.

And this is his wife's perspective on traveling light. But forget the "women" slant: her advise is great for all genders and for all parents.

» Eva’s List: Traveling Light for Women :zenhabits

I know I will be using their ideas in future trips.

And from the "my friend told me about this" file, here is a recommendation from a good friend of mine: Airbnb.

Vacation rentals, private rooms, sublets by the night - Accommodations on Airbnb

She had an excellent experience and I definitely will plan on using this website for future travel plans.

Enjoy!

The Magic 9-Letter Word

Courtesy of OmHarmonics

Studies show that this one thing can make you 25% happier.

It makes you immune to anger, disappointment and frustration.

It's even been shown to heal pain and illness in your body.

That one thing is GRATITUDE - and amazing things happen when you integrate it into your meditation practice.

Here's a fun exercise to try:

1. As you sit down to meditate, breathe in deeply and imagine your heart filling up with gratitude. Radiate that energy and light from within feeling blissful and deeply thankful.

2. Think about five specific things to be grateful for on this day. This can be something simple like "that pasta I had for lunch was delicious", up to something really important like "I'm blessed to have a loving partner and family".

3. Think about the people behind the situations you were grateful for and express thanks to each of them.

4. Remind yourself that whatever you focus on, expands. When you focus on gratitude and positivity, you will get more of that in return. Be mindful that you will attract more abundance, love and health by being grateful for your current state in these areas.

Allowing Things to Happen

» The Wisdom of Allowing Things to Happen :zenhabits

The Master allows things to happen.
She shapes events as they come.
She steps out of the way
and lets the Tao speak for itself.
~The Daodejing

What is your motivation?

Here is an excellent video from Tony Robbins that gives a very interesting explanation of what motivates people.

Tony Robbins: Why we do what we do, and how we can do it better

Gas Mileage Tips

There are many myths about what works to improve gas mileage. Even with today's gas prices, it makes sense to watch our gas consumption. There is no guarantee that gas prices will stay low, and the environmental impact of higher gas usage is significant.

Good Hands News: Perplexed-at-the-pump

Enjoy!

Daily Reflection from Napoleon Hill

A long time ago I bought the book "Positive Action Plan" by Napoleon Hill. It is a compilation of "365 meditations for making each day a success."

I thought it may be helpful to share some of these with you here.

Part of today's reflection reads: "Spend your time and energy in constant self-inspection and self-improvement, building strong character, and you will never have to worry about what others think of you."

I believe that is why I have spent so much time with Toastmasters and why I love Yoga and meditation. They are perfect vehicles for self-inspection and self-improvement.

Ultimate Guide to De-cluttering

Here is a great guide to de-cluttering and minimalism:

» Your Top 10 Clutter Questions, Answered :zenhabits

This year, I have been working steadily on de-cluttering. With the help of Freecycle, I have found a home for many things that had been around, unused, for years. It is a liberating process that I highly recommend.

A Bad Popular Exercise?

Interesting article that reveals too much running can be bad for you. Balance is the key. Benefits of HIIT are explained.

Dr. Doug McGuff on the Benefits of Exercise

Long, slow, distance-type of exercise can actually cause your intermediate and fast-twitch fibers to begin to atrophy. Aside from losing muscle mass, this also promotes onset of loss of insulin sensitivity

Benefits of a Healthy Diet

Here is an excellent article on what two scientists found about proper nutrition.

Dr. Paul Jaminet Discusses the Benefits of a Healthy Diet

"I think there are so many people who have developed health problems because of the bad advice they've gotten from government authorities and the medical establishment," Dr. Jaminet says.

"Fortunately, things are changing now. I think people are realizing that advice didn't work, and it didn't have evidence behind it really. People are learning that there are much better ways to eat out there. Hopefully, it will start turning the tide on these chronic disease epidemics that we're experiencing."

A valuable lesson for the New Year

The Ziglar Weekly Newsletter » January 3, 2012 Edition 1

Old Fred, our town’s 85-year-old bachelor, loves children.  He frequently sits on his shady lawn in a rocking chair, whittling toys for the kids when they gather around him in droves.  Most of the townspeople often wondered why Fred had never married; one day someone asked him the question.  Fred’s response gives all of us something to think about: “Well, I’ll tell you,” Fred replied, “I was like a man riding a horse through the woods looking for a switch.  Every time I saw a likely-looking one I’d pass it by, thinking I’d find a better one.  And before I knew it, I was clear through the woods.”

24 Ways to Lose Weight Without Dieting

Here is an excellent set of tips from WebMD. Of course, the "without dieting" part is a bit misleading. But the tips are still worth looking through.

24 Ways to Lose Weight Without Dieting

WebMD also has a nice Personal Diet Evaluator that you may want to look at. I still like the one provided by SparkPeople, but more knowledge is usually better, right?

Enjoy!

For those with a New Year's Resolution

New Year is the day we typically set resolutions. One of them, for many people, is to lose weight and get in shape. If possible, I suggest that you consider running. Here is a nice article on training for a 5K race: Sofa to 5K: Training Program for a 5K Run

Here is an even easier system: Couch to 5k - C25K Running Program

And you may want some music to go along with that: Podrunner: Intervals - Free Workout Music from dj steve boyett

Or try this 5 K Training system by Hal Higdon.

Do you need help? Find a running club in your area. Start at your local running shop; they can guide you. If you are new to running, have your self fitted for proper running shoes. If your local shop is very expensive, find the brand and model of shoes they recommend, then head to the Running Warehouse website and find the same shoes at 40-60% off, with free shipping and free returns.

Find a running partner! I think it is one of the best motivational techniques. When you are accountable to someone else you tend to push a little harder.

Join a community, like SparkPeople. They are awesome! The site is free and the tools are fantastic!

When you do not feel like running, simply walk at a fast pace. You will still get a good workout without the impact on joints.

Listen to your body, but don't let your mind play tricks on you. :-)

Remember to stretch, stretch, stretch, but do it mostly after you warm up and after you finish running. Try some Yoga to improve your flexibility. The more flexible you are, the better you will run and the more you will enjoy running.

Most of all, have fun! When it stops being fun, then it may be time to try something else for a little while. Again, be careful of tricks your mind may play.

Happy New Year to you!

What Happened to Customer Service?

Today, as a start of a school science experiment for my son, I went to three fast-food restaurants to purchase a small order of French fries. What I found was despicable customer service and an obvious need for these restaurants to remove the "fast" from their branding.

First, it was Burger King. I entered the restaurant because the drive-thru line was rather long. I was third in line. It took almost five minutes to get to me. The cashier almost did not look up from the register to address me; there was no greeting or smile. The best I got was "What can I get you?" I placed my order and then waited over five minutes for a small set of fries; the staff had none out. At almost dinner time, it seems like a bad idea not to have French fries ready. I was given my order and did not receive a "thank you" or a "Happy New Year" or even a "go away and leave me the hell alone." Blank face, complete silence. WOW! It is a very different feeling being a customer of this store. Needless to say, I am not coming back.

Next it was Wendy's. There was a short line at the drive-thru, so I opted for that. The cashier asked me to hold and then disappeared for two minutes; again, no greeting. When he came back, he gave me the customary "Can I take your order?" I drove to the second window and the guy took my money. Five minutes later I still did not have the fries. They must not have fries ready at this restaurant either. I finally see a guy approaching the window with my food; he shoves it out the window without saying a word. I say "thank you" and he closes the window without a word. I was now fuming. I yelled at him and told him he was rude. He cracked open the window and asked me to repeat myself; I told him he was rude, that I deserve at least a "you are welcome" since I had addressed him politely. He said "well, you are welcome." Two for two; that Wendy's will never see me again.

Lastly, a McDonald's. The drive-thru was packed, so I went in. This was perhaps the worst. Two cash registers. I stand on the first one. Of course, that was a bad move. After taking the order ahead of me, the cashier disappears into the back to do something. And now the other line has gone from one customer to six customers. The supervisor starts yelling instructions and tells the cashier to get back to the front. She comes back and starts to argue with the supervisor; back and forth they went. By now, it has been at least five minutes and they have not even taken my order. I finally speak up and ask if they can possibly take my order. A different cashier, younger and very unhappy, comes over and takes my order. I see a bunch of French fry envelopes under the heating lamps, yet it still takes another three minutes for the lady to come back with a bag. She extends her arm at me and, without a word, gives me my food.

I know it is New Year's Eve. I know food service is a tough job. But it never hurts to have some basic customer service skills. Does it hurt to smile and say "Hello!"? Does it take such a great effort to say "Thank you for your order? Come back and see us!"

I think these food service employees need to remember that they are fortunate to have a job. I remember working through Christmas, New Year's, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, etc. It was not fun; but I was grateful for the job and the money. And I was always polite to my customers.

I will voice my comments to all three chains. None of those restaurants should call themselves "fast food" and all of them need some serious refresher on how to be polite to their customers. And all of them have lost my business.

No Black Friday for us

Our family will not partake in Black Friday. The weather here is cool, so we will find something to do indoors for the morning, and then head out to a trail in the afternoon. What a great gift that will be!

The end of capitalism?

The Occupy movement has caused fear amongst many in society. They fear that capitalism will come to an end. It reminds me of the concept of impermanence. Nothings lasts forever, everything changes constantly. During the last few decades, capitalism has changed to mostly benefit an elite few. It appears it now will be transformed into a system that will benefit the majority.

Will it be the same as it was before? Probably not.

Will the change be pain-free? Probably not.

Will the change require sacrifice? Probably so.

Will this generation see the benefits of this shift? Probably not completely. Our children and grandchildren will be the greatest benefactors.

Call me a Twitter

I am more involved in Twitter thanks to the Occupy movement. I am still learning. The 140 characters forces clarity and brevity. Love it!

We need a diet revolution!

Japanese Diet vs USA Diet, Nutrition by Natalie - PsycheTruth

These are bare facts as to why our diet needs to be revolutionized.

The power of No

» The Four Things I Wish I Could Say No To :zenhabits

In that statement is the fundamental choice at the heart of Great Work: focus on the No to become clear on the Yes; define the Yes by clarifying the No.

Personally, not being disciplined in saying "No" has caused me greatly over the years. Not saying Yes to the more important aspects of life has been very significant. So I enjoyed reading this blog and its lessons on Good Work v.s. Great Work. Which one are we focusing on most of our time?