Know What Fits.

 

After six months of experimenting and trying to adapt to new routines my body has spoken and it has made it unmistakably clear; get back to what I know and leave all the play time for the children. I have been a bad boy and have not been in control of my behavior.  The results have not been pretty; I have added weight on top of previously unwanted gained weight and I am fitting comfortably into clothes that were ear marked for the rubbish bin 7 months ago. 

fit

+ 20kg/44lb

Fat up 35kg/77lb

Why do I allow myself to neglect and lose focus and negate all the physical fitness I worked so hard to attain?   The truth is I do not have a good answer, other than I am in denial and believe that I can behave and eat the same as those who have no issues with food and weight control.

I have learned is what I am able do when I go to a gym as well as what I want from a fitness center.

Want list for a health club:

basic is best for me

Sauna:  I have written before about my affection for saunas and how the heat helps me clear my head; there is simply no substitute for muscle piercing bone soothing heat.

 the hot box

Room to move:  I also like to have the space to stretch, roll and curl without worry of injuring or being harmed by others.  The worry of being stepped on or causing accidents with others is unnerving and keeps me from being able to mentally tune into my movements.

classes on the hr

Classes:   I have never been a joiner and participating in group fitness classes is an emotional and spiritual expansion away from my comfort zone that I want to explore.

Iron

Free weights:  training with free weights is the closest I have come to being one with myself. The personal power of pushing and pulling dead weight until I fail leaves me feeling drained and accelerated at the same time.

Boxing bags:  without question there is real therapy and stress release in feeling the jolt from the impact of jabs, hooks, crosses, upper cuts and elbows connecting to stuffed leather.  It never fails to amaze me at how primal I feel when I am punching bags.

 A Beach view with access:   It takes me a minimum of four hours to complete my total body routine and no matter how hard I try I cannot get consistent physical and mental results from less time.  I need a view if I am going to spend half my day in a gym.  I am inspired by the fluidity of white caps rumbling from sea to shore.

Accepting the Commitment

Being in a constant state of training is not an easy way of living yet it is what I have chosen to do for the better part of 2 decades.  The insanity of yo-yoing will stop only after I finally accept that exercising is my way of life and not something I will never get past.  I must do extensive gym time or my body reverts; the weight comes back, the pains return, the muscles get weak and I stop moving.

2013 is here and I am now a member of 3 very different training facilities and training 3 to 5 hrs a day 3 to 5 days a week.  I am feeling stronger, slimmer, mentally clearer, emotionally satisfied and over all just plain better. 

Find what fits for you and accept it as your way of life.

Go have some fun,

Geo

The Team is Better When You Carry the Ball.

Team work begins from within

Phoenix

I was trying to motivate my youngest to feel worthy of taking a lead role when he is playing basketball.  He harbors negatives feelings of inadequacies from his first days of playing soccer just a short while ago.  My challenge is in trying to explain to him that he is normal and special in the same breath.  It is true, he is normal; very few children can play any game for the first time and be as good as those who have been playing for years.  He is special because he is willing to put his best effort forward and does not quit.

The Heat

  In basketball he has assets that were not important in soccer; he is tall and has very good eye hand coordination.  I explained to him that in team sports every player counts and team mates depend on each other for support and to take the lead.  I pleaded with him to believe that the team would be better if he led and did what he knows how to do; dominate under the basket and put the ball in the hoop.

practice, practice, practice, honesty

While I was presenting all my inspirational talking points to get my child to take the lead, I realized that motivating my child is not much different than inspiring myself. 

In need of a good talking too.

Relationships whether they are personal or professional require team work, to be successful.  The whole does better when the group works towards a common goal. Every team has a Captain and every team member is able to lead. 

Dr. D. our team leader

Overcoming Fear:

Successful relationships develop a symbiotic synchronization and rhythm that is more energetic than rational.    The greater picture of possibility becomes the focal point of life’s journey.  Rationalizing the big picture of possibility is no small task; it is always questionable how unique any original thought is. Accepting and working within the boundaries of what is presented as truth and the way things must be is always easier than being a trail blazer. The road less traveled is the path forged by our unique definition of joy and happiness.  Fear of the unknown is what paralyzes and stifles personal growth and exploration.

accept myself and joy is mine

Developing the team from within:  

Being an explorer and living life to its fullest requires best health and fitness.   There is a large body of knowledge that believes developed human beings consist of 10 separate bands, which work together in synchronization and rhythm to facilitate a harmonic life.

Three primary bodies of influence:

The energetic body/ magnetic personality: is a halo of energy that encompasses our physical body.  In a healthy person it is an undeniable positive energy that touches others and draws constructive forces to us.

The aura is weakened by:

·         Poor diet

·         Lack of exercise

·         Lack of fresh air

·         Lack of rest

·         Stress

·         Alcohol, drugs and tobacco

·         Negative behavior

The physical body/fit physique: This is also known as our 5^th body in Kundalini yoga and is what we see in the mirror; it feels, smells, hears and taste.  It jumps, laughs, eats and drinks and allows us to live the physical experience.   The physical body is weakened in the same manner as our Aura.

popee in development

The Memory Body/mind, body, spirit: is considered the blueprint to our existence; the energetic expression of our holistic being. This is where all physical, mental, and emotional data that comes from life experiences and genetic heritage is stored along with the subconscious mind.

Phoenix

Team Work:

No matter what the situation we are always a team within ourselves and that team is better when we are at our best.  Often times when people suffer from addictive personality traits, the root cause can be found in the blue print of our existence.  Our subconscious directs us to follow old routes that take us to where we do not want to be; if we are going to change our pattern of behavior it will require an extra effort.  We must understand that we are laying new trails without a familiar map to follow; we are creating a new positive page for our life blue print.   A healthy living pattern rewards us quickly with more strengths, potential and constructive energy.  Our energetic body radiates a healthy outlook and draws upbeat energy to us and those around us.  Life becomes fun, adventures and more meaningful.  Our relationships improve in all areas of life, when we take control of our self.  Do what’s best for the team and lead.

 

Go have some

Geo  

Care vs. Try

Caring will take you further than just trying:

Hilton Head Palmetto Dunes Marriot

I was doing 3rd grade level home work with my 8 yr old; studying rocks and minerals. 10 minutes into the lesson I noticed my sons eyes begin to glaze and I could tell, I had lost him, he was done and we had only just begun!   I have to admit this angered me and I felt myself flush with heat; I was never a good student and I don’t want to repeat the third grade but if I am going to study he damn well is too.

Beach side hammocks

Having a plan:

The next morning I wanted to coach him to understand that caring about whatever he endeavors is the most important key to his success.  Caring create positive results and simply trying to try without an emotional connection to what he wants to achieve will result in him falling short of his true potential. 

We had just returned from a weekend trek to a resort on the Isle of Palms just north of Charleston, South Carolina.   The resort was rated 4 stars and located on the Wild Dunes.  We were very excited and looking forward to a luxury get away unfortunately within minutes of our arrival we knew we had been mislead; the property was depressed, tattered and under- serviced.  The facility fell well below our expectations of 4 star luxuries and was in many ways inadequate to road side motels.  The boys were very disappointed and the weekend was a near bust.

trail mix

complimentry fruit

 

special teas

On our ride to school I used our negative experience with the failed resort as a comparison to the Plantations of Hilton Head Island.  IMO it is impossible to truly appreciate what HHI has to offer without getting inside the plantations. We have a resident membership at the Marriot health club in Palmetto Dunes.  

childrens pool area

The Marriot’s building is beginning to show its age but like a good suit quality always shows and never goes out of style. The guest amenities include an enclosed heated pool area with separate Jacuzzi, a large outdoor ocean side deck with pool bar, 2 more Jacuzzis, a smaller children pool and a 25 meter lap pool adjacent to a palm lined garden with private hammocks that leads to the beach.  In addition to a well equipped fitness room they have a sauna and steam room, a relaxation room that plays mediation music and shows mesmerizing videos.  The customer conveniences include free razors, shaving cream, hair gels and deodorants, mouth wash and munchies; fresh fruit, teas, and trail mix.  I have enjoyed memberships in many 5 star hotels and in-spite of its age the Marriot in Palmetto Dunes has by far been my  most complete and enjoyable experience.  Being able to enjoy all the luxuries and pampering from well trained staff while enjoying Hilton Heads endless beach fronts is any travelers dream come true.

Marriot Team

spa team

Friendly Professional

I asked my son what he thought was the difference between the two resorts and he said the bad one was confusing.  I was not sure what he meant and he said at Hilton Head it is easy, everyone is happy and wants to help.  At the other place they just wanted to sell us stuff.  Hmm from the mouth of babes; that was exactly correct the Dunes was more about selling golf, spa treatments and residence than being a 4 star resort that focused  on providing  luxurious accommodations.  They were trying but they did not have a clear picture of what they want to accomplish consequently they are unable to provide the care that dozens of resorts on Hilton Head specialize in.

forward thinking

If there is ever going to be hope of achieving something special it is imperative that we know what we want, set a mental picture in our minds eye of what success will look and feel like and care enough to follow through by doing the things we know we should and staying away from doing the things we shouldn’t.

Clarity in mind, purpose and emotional attachment in seeing what we want come true is what makes the journey, fun, exciting and adventurous. 

Phoenix seemed to get the message his next exam was marked an “A” with 100% correct.

he gets it

 

Go have some fun,

Geo

Palmetto Dunes on Dwellable

Go Have Some Fun

Sunday pond fishing

My youngest child is 9 yrs old and this is his first time to play on a football/soccer team.  Before his first match a couple of weeks ago he was feeling a bit anxious.  On our way to the field he was being very quiet and looking down observing his shoe laces when looked me in the eye and asked me if I would be mad at him if he did not win.  I felt a jolt of surprise that he would even consider my reaction to be anger if he lost playing a game.  It took me a moment to compose myself and try to understand why he would think such a thing and then I remembered, our house rule; it is ok to mess up if we are trying but it is not acceptable if it happens because we are being a slacker.

After school practice

I close each blog with: “Go Have Some Fun”  I was wondering when I began using it and where it came from so I did a search of my post and found that the first time I used it was when I was writing about how to navigate a buffet and not gain weight.  Just thinking about touring the full lines of delicious delicacies puts a smile on my face so I immediately understood where the phrase came from.  The joy of living a carefree life regurgitated the phrase from my emotional being.

Donya and Phoenix on the path to the beach

Hilton Head Island is similar yet different to Koh Samui.  They are both vacation paradise destination with tourist frolicking in the sun and sea.  HHI offers a network of cycling and jogging paths that thread throughout the island.  Riding a pushbike without the worry of sharing the road with motor vehicles is a very care free experience and I find myself smiling and whistling tunes of joy as I peddle the byways of Hilton Head sharing pleasantries and greetings with all the passer bys.  Some of the people are riding sleek modern speedsters, others are peddling beach cruisers and mountain bikes many of the riders are fit and others are far from it yet the common denominator is; we are all having fun.

Popee and Phoenix at the Putt putt



ready to ride

The older we get the more our bodies break down. 
That is the fare we pay for each day on earth.  How we use our time is totally up to each individual and how we perceive the way we toil each day is also a personal choice.  I continue to preach that joy and happiness are a matter of perception and being happy is a choice as much as it is a right. The agony of defeat and the thrill of victory are the polarities that enable us to appreciate the emotions of winning and losing.

First Match and first day in Uniforms

The team Phoenix plays on is named the Dolphins; they had two practices before their first match and barley new each other’s names.  On game day the lads were dressed in their shinny new uniforms as they met the opposing squad at center field.  I stood on the side lines and looked at each boys expressions searching for a hint of fear or apprehension.  Most of my son’s mates had been in the league before and looked cool as cucumbers, the only child pale with fear was Phoenix.  After he told me he was afraid I would be angry if he lost, I managed to explain to him that winning was not the only reason he was playing.  I told him that I had no expectations regarding his skills or the game’s outcome. My only wish for him was to keep his head in the game and have fun.    At the end of two periods the Dolphins had put more balls in the goal than their foes and put a W in the win column. The boys were all smiles and it was easy to see they had gone out and had fun.

I suggest you do the same,

Go have some fun

Geo

Hilton Head on Dwellable

Zero Changes Nothing

Zero Changes Nothing

I have an 8 year old son and he has just entered the 3^rd grade. Needless to say school has changed a great deal since 1964 when I was 8 yrs old. Often times when I am helping him with his studies I am also learning along with him.

The other evening we were working with his math assignment which consisted of a graph with assigned values for upward, downward and side movements.  Moving to a space above increased the value 10, moving down decreased the value by 10, left and right added one.  He was struggling with the concept of the value of adding and subtracting 10 and kept making it more difficult than it needed to be which is when I said:” ignore the zero it has no value ”.

Later that night while I was climbing into bed I noticed my reflection in the mirror. The fat in my belly is much larger than it was 3 months ago and I am starting to lose tone in my muscles.  As I lay in bed letting my mind absorb what I had just seen; the regression of my physical being and the failing to follow my program.  I realized, Zero changes nothing for the better.

It take drive to change

 

Positive Change requires Addition

All the best intention in the world has no positive affect unless it is accompanied by action. I find myself in a position that I am not unfamiliar with; off track and on a downward trend.  I am at a familiar cross road of choice; either I accept my situation and hope that I will get back on track and begin following my program or stop waiting and start following my program today and do all the things I know I should and stop doing the things I shouldn’t.  The course to change really is that simple.

time to get off the back side

 

My immediate course of Action

·         Move my big muscles: it is as simple as taking a walk, one foot in front of the other until an hour or more has passed

·         Remove beer and whiskey from my diet: I don’t know why I allow these substances to keep returning to my lifestyle, sooner or later I will be done with them once and for all.

·         Stock the cabinets and refrigerator with low fat, low sugar, high protein food stores: whole grains, nuts and fibers

·         Break away from eating empty carbohydrates: Ice cream, white bread, potato chips

·         Eat more fruits and vegetables: Make sure that fresh raw vegetables are a part of every meal and use fruit as a snack

·         Track my daily activity and get myself back up to a minimum of 120 minutes per day 4 to 5 x per week: Be aware of what I have done and adjust my routines accordingly to keep my body guessing; walk, lift, swim, aerobic, yoga, palate, cycle, box  

·         Drink lots of water: keep a bottle of water at my side at all times.

·         Kick the smokes: they are nothing but a time killer and costly, easier to use the 5 minutes writing or cleaning house.

·         Be patient: Be confident in knowing that I know how to get the weight off, tone my muscles and drop size.  Accept that it takes time and embrace the journey and take joy in the pleasure of being healthy and fit.

·         Follow through: Take the 1^st steps today and again tomorrow, keep the activity report as a guide to the next step and push through all the reasons why I can’t until I do.

The Value of a list

we can dig ourselves out of the hole we put ourself in

 

The greatest value of a list is it works like a personal contract; I make a list and promise to check each item off as I accomplish each chore or deed.  Accomplishments no matter how small or big all add up and at the end of the day adding makes the big difference where zero changes nothing.

Go have some fun,

Geo

การกระทำเป็นสิ่งที่สร้างผล

 

 

 

A course in Miracles

Donya with Garuda in Bali

 

In Feb of 1991, I was introduced to a book written by Helen Schucman a clinical psychologist and professor of medical psychology at Columbia University.  The book is in fact, a life course called “A Course in Miracles”. The objective of the study is to examine our view of the world we live in and in turn explore how our conditioned perceptions affect our attitudes and behaviors. 

What is Real?

An offering to the after life

“Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God” Schucman

 Life’s transition has my family adjusting to daily living in the USA. We are in a new environment but not completely unfamiliar to me.  Things have changed in the USA since 1996 such as car styles, hand phones and internet.  For my wife and children America is in a New World, with wall to wall carpet, drive through; banking, pharmacies, coffee shops and food stores.  

There is more than one way to look at things

Watching my family discover many of the things I take for granted such as drive through shopping, vacuum cleaners and recreation centers reminds me of when I first arrived in Bali.

I was fresh off the plane and had no idea what lay ahead in South East Asia.  The first night I stayed in a small room in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia.  The room was clean with white tile floors, a double bed with a thin mattress and clean sheets.  There was no air conditioning but it did offer an attached rest room with a western style Stanley toilet and a separate shower with a tub between the two.   

The weather was a bit humid and in the morning my skin felt clammy so I decided to take a bath in the tub of water next to the shower.  I climbed in; a chore that was not easy due to its tall, narrow construction.  I became a bit frustrated because I craved a full body dunking but the tub was too small to handle my 187cm/6’2”, 130kg/286lb girth and frame.  After several attempts of trying to fold my body into the tub I surrendered and satisfied my need with a shower.  After I was done bathing, I remember making a mental note that the Balinese must be a very small people to fit in such a tiny tub.

I moved to the cooler weather in the mountains a few days later and was enjoying a cocktail with an Englishman that had befriended me soon after I arrived in Ubud.  He was an artist and an expat that had been painting and sculpting most of his adult life.  One night while we were out,  I asked him where I could find a bath tub that was big enough for me?  He looked bewildered as if he had not heard my question.  He said every spa on the island has a tub that would hold me.   I thanked him and told him of my experience in Denpasar.   He began laughing so hard that I thought he was going to pee himself. Once he was finished with his heart felt laugh he said: “You Bloody tourist! That is the water to wash your arse with!”  I had no idea what he was saying so he explained more clearly.  The tub of water wasn’t a bath tub it was a trough of water to replace toilet paper; I was meant to wash my bum with it not bathe in it! 

 

Conditioned Perception

That was my first real lesson in the course of miracles; not everything is as it seems simply because I was taught to interpret what I see in a certain way. Every world is different and at the same time the same hence the saying; same, same but different. 

The key to emotional, spiritual, physical, financial and mental happiness is to accept that everyone is different and that there is no one single right way to live life, follow a diet or eat right.

same, same but different

Human beings around the world are the same but different and it is in these differences that great treasures can be discovered. 

 

Japanese dish

Where food is concerned, all Homo sapiens have the same essential food requirements; minerals, proteins and carbohydrates. There is no need to only eat what we were conditioned to as children. Explore a neighborhood ethnic food store and discover new amazing flavors, nutrition and color.  Visit an Ethiopian or Nepalese eatery and enjoy a great meal.  Open your mind to new ways of seeing the world around you.

Go have some fun.

Always ready for a good time

                                 

Geo                                    

Where ever you go there you are

 

Feeding the Beast

In order to work on commission it requires an optimistic mind set; focus on the possibilities rather than the present.  The circumstances of being an independent, self generating income producer are often times feast or famine.  The early years of my sales career were simple to define; success meant I ate and failure meant I starved.  During the learning period, the journey was full of emotional peaks and valleys. It was during the low times that I learned the most about myself.

Me with Super Star Mr. C. Powell

I was young when it was not too late to turn back and get a wage paying job that offered the security commission sales lacked.  I wouldn’t be telling the truth if I said that there were not many times I contemplated this choice.   A straight job meant I could live the American dream I was raised to believe in; house, kids, pets and two weeks at the lake.  My idea of living in a big house, with fancy cars and traveling around the world was beyond any guaranteed income I qualified for.  I was at a cross road in life; give up on my dreams for the sake of security or pursue my ambitions and face the possibility of failure.   I spent quite a bit of time broke and scratching to put two quarters together for a cup of coffee.  The hook for me in sales has always been the law of averages; eventually someone will say yes. 

McD. the definition of consistency

Success is in becoming a consistent producer, when the skill to produce regularly is present; predictability and stability are added to life’s equation.  Missed opportunities that would allow a stable home life is what breaks most sales peoples will to stay in the business.   I wanted the strength of reliability and realized that every lost opportunity was keeping me from triumph.

Fear of this being my best kept me hungry

Circumstance and environment are what brought my inner beast to life.  I had a burning desire to succeed and a terrifying fear of failing.  I wanted to eat and that meant that I had to hunt. I became a predator; if I was talking I was stalking.  An Opportunist is in many ways similar to a psychopath; no one is safe or out of bounds.  My beast transformed my persona and I became one dimensional; chase dollars and pursue pleasure. 

Fear is a powerful motivator

I was primal; feeding for no reasons other than a burning desire to consume.  I began eating myself to death and destroying all emotional bonds with the weak, my only comfort zone was alone or with other dysfunctional predators.  I reached the point that no matter how much I obsessed; food, wine or women I could not find satisfaction.   I was lost in addiction, I was imploding, self destructing and in dire need of change.  Eventually money, bangles and toys all failed to provide me what I sought after most; peace.  My soul remorse with sin and my heart ached to be free of guilt.    

whiskey fuel for the beast

Exorcism came when I began exploring my inner thoughts, beliefs and childhood programs and in the process discovered what I believed to be my true self and feelings. The Opportunist I had become was the result of a negative self image and a lack of self-worth.  My journey to Asia was a continuation of the exorcism; strange lands, unfamiliar surroundings and no money led to the ultimate discovery of my true value.

Nature calms my soul

I have a beast within; he is strong, cunning, ruthless and unforgiving.  I cannot hate him fore he is me.  I keep him pacified with love; for myself, family and friends and with music, white sand beaches, sunny days and warm sea breezes. 

The purity of innocence pacifies me

The last two months of living on the road, watching late night TV and listening to shock jocks in the USA has also made me aware that my beast still lives. The unremitting commercial assault to my nerves has stimulated an unhealthy impulse to consume.  The clamor has stimulated destructive behavior similar to my past that I in no way want a part of my future.

 It is far better to give than to receive and the road to peace and happiness is found within, tune out commotion and tune in harmony.

Go have some fun,

Heaven sets the limits

Geo

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