We live in a connected world. But do you ever wonder just who you’re really connected to? A torrent of information at your finger tips. In a fraction of a second you have access to nearly anything you could imagine ever wanting to know. Who wrote the screenplay to Gone with the Wind? Shazamm, you’ve…
Vegan Nutty-Whole Grain Pancakes [Recipe]
As some of you know, our son, Nathaniel has severe food-allergies. Hence the reason why Angie and I have been making vegan pancakes and waffles for Sunday brunch over the years. It helps that Angie used to be vegan. The following recipe developed and perfected by Angie, is the current standard and truly a rich,…
When a Pterodactyl Flys in Your House
Problems. We all get ‘em. But sometimes they seem to come in flocks. Problem with problems is they tend to build. We see one, we get hooked–emotionally triggered–then our radar (also known as the Reticular Activating System RAS) gets turned on. Now, you guessed it, we start spotting problems like a major league players spots…
Your Vivid Future Vision is a Game Changer
“If only I were… …slimmer, fitter, richer, kinder, funner, freer, more alive!” Do you really want a different you? What is this new you like? Can you describe you to-be in crisp and vivid detail—without having to pause and think about it? (In other words, without making it up.) Most people can’t. They…
Why Am I Not Hungry [12 Day ReBOOT Q&A]
I’ll be hosting a LIVE Q&A Session for those on the 12-Day ReBOOT tomorrow, July 7 at 12:00 noon EST. We’re now on the 2nd completely full 12-Day ReBOOT group. That’s now over 221 men and women kicking their summer fitness into high-gear. There’s two ways to share your questions (beginning immediately): 1. Visit the…
The Risk of Growth in Your Life
I woke up one day and invited growth into my life.
Growth in every possible way.
I felt brave, courageous. I knew growth was to be “good for me.”
The Words from Introduction of Strength for LIFE
This is a super-fantastic-cool tool I just found called “Wordle.” It transforms the words you feed it, from various feeds, into a graphic display. For fun, I entered the entire Introduction from Strength for LIFE into it. This is what if fed back… Now, to put each chapter in, one at a time. Ha… I…
Recipe: Healthy Greek Pizza
This is a delicious, healthy Greek inspired pizza we made for a weekend dinner as a family. The kids enjoyed helping out too. Gets them invested too. Oh yes, while I lead the healthy pizza charge a few weeks back, this even healthier, more creative version was Angie’s truly. I helped a little but really…
The Perfect 8
As usual, I was pressed for time when I walked into the gym. Work is a load, sleep a precious gem and there’s the kids. Need I say more? Yes, time… And I’ve got to get a workout in. Good news is the gym is just downstairs. Phew… In between my cycling events it was…
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Chasing the Dream vs. Living a Nightmare
“Livin’ The Dream, baby!”
Yep, living the dream. Seems it once was not just a popular phrase but a more common approach to life.
This came up for me in a coaching session today. I was dealing out my list of crap that’s not working in my life, the nice version of complaining, when my coach told me a story–as he’s prone to do.
He spoke of his own recent dance with the ridiculous, an exploration into things and aspirational goals that turn his crank, so to speak. In this case, it was building out a new Porsche, with all the fixings, in the Porsche web site.
Now, mind you, he’s not even a car guy. It’s not about the car–it’s about the idea of aiming high, of generating some enthusiasm. To call it a “goal” would be to miss the point. It’s not a goal, it’s an ideal.
He and I talked about how as men in the prime of life (meaning less young than we used to be) we have tended, like many men, to put away “childish things” and take on the weight and responsibility of the world. How easy, even natural, it is at this time in our lives to let go of dreams, to stop “playing” with the aspirational things.
As a result, we’ve become burdened, weighted, heavy–not light and fun. We’re simple living to “get ‘er done” and “wisely” not aspiring or striving. It’s like we try to hard to be “grown ups” and we put away the fast cars and fun…
And while this life is not a “nightmare” in the sense of a scary dark dream, it’s got a theme which could make it much more frightening long term.
For it’s a mode that is not fun and thus, not fun to be around and devastatingly draining of life force and joy.
And while this is not true for everyone, I do a much better when I’m aiming for crazy, fun, silly, big things, even if I don’t take them all too serious, than when I’m trying to hold the ground down.
Hence, when you lack the “dreams” (said will great caution and care) we end up dealing with an uninspired struggle… because we’re aiming for “health” as in Survival rather than thriving.
One very effective, self-prescribed, path to a solution is to engage yourself in Chapter 6 of Strength for LIFE: Your Blueprint for Brilliance.
This often overlooked chapter in Strength for LIFE is one of the hidden gems. It’s an heart opening, mind expanding Vision and Goal setting process that can carve some clarity like few processes I’ve ever seen. (and believe me, I’ve done more than a few.)