The arrival (finally!) of nicer weather has revitalized my training — I hate to work out in the cold and rain. I've been working on joint mobility and overall body strength exercises, and really ramping up on my pushups and sit-ups, too. When my knee allows (I'm nursing a pesky bursitis flare-up), I've taken to going for short runs in the early mornings a few times each week before heading off to work. And as of late, my diet is way better than it usually is: I'm consciously drinking more water, eating more fresh, raw veggies, and snacking on at least two pieces of fruit a day. Tired from not quite enough sleep, and a little achy from training, but overall I feel great.
Feeding the mind, too. Currently reading "Compassion" by Christina Feldman.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Making a Difference and Setting an Example
Over the weekend I spent quite a bit of time outside in the park across the street from my house with my daughter, Ava. The weather was perfect, and she was excited to be trying out her new tricycle — a gift from her Grandmother, who was visiting for Mother's Day.
As we played in the park I found myself stopping every few feet to pick up trash: broken glass, bottle tops, burger wrappers, plastic bottles, cigarette butts and more. Ava noticed what I was doing, and she spontaneously started to help. So we spent a few minutes together just picking up trash and throwing it away. I had to keep her from touching the broken glass, but she caught on pretty quickly for a two and a half year old!
I thought to myself how horrible it was that my daughter was the ONLY other person in a park full of people who stopped to help me pick up garbage — lots of other people clearly saw what we were doing and simply went about their business. (Okay, there was one other kid in the park, about 4 years old, who came over and handed me a piece of newspaper instead of throwing it away himself. He gets a pass.)
But what a magnificent opportunity to set a positive example and teach Ava an important life lesson about making a difference!
As we played in the park I found myself stopping every few feet to pick up trash: broken glass, bottle tops, burger wrappers, plastic bottles, cigarette butts and more. Ava noticed what I was doing, and she spontaneously started to help. So we spent a few minutes together just picking up trash and throwing it away. I had to keep her from touching the broken glass, but she caught on pretty quickly for a two and a half year old!
I thought to myself how horrible it was that my daughter was the ONLY other person in a park full of people who stopped to help me pick up garbage — lots of other people clearly saw what we were doing and simply went about their business. (Okay, there was one other kid in the park, about 4 years old, who came over and handed me a piece of newspaper instead of throwing it away himself. He gets a pass.)
But what a magnificent opportunity to set a positive example and teach Ava an important life lesson about making a difference!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Back to the Old Grind
I just got back from a long-overdue family vacation — a week of dedicated family time: no work, no training, no phone, no email, no TV, no radio. No UBBT journaling, either, so I'm sorry that I missed a week! Just good meals and good times with the people I care about the most. (Okay, and some personal development reading, too.)
Ahh, so nice to get back to what really matters!
We had a great time, and as soon as I can figure out how to get pictures out of my new digital camera, I'll post some. We stayed at a beautiful and quiet condo resort, away from all the touristy stuff. Idyllic setting with nature all around. We couldn't have asked for a better place.
Right in the middle of my week of relaxation, however, I was suddenly alarmed and painfully aware of how much STUFF my family and I were mindlessly throwing away. We were cooking most of our own meals in the kitchenette, but nonetheless, we quickly and repeatedly filled the wastebasket with paper, plastic cups, plastic wrapping, straws… and well, it just started driving me crazy out of nowhere. The resort didn't recycle, either, so even our glass and plastic bottles went right down the garbage chute! The killer moment for me was at check out, when the woman at the front desk didn't take back my three plastic magnetic door keys to reprogram and reuse – "Oh, we don’t take those back" she said. "You can just toss them."
Instead, I brought them all the way back to Boston to put into the recycling here.
But back at home, my awareness of the waste continued: After a week away, the bills had piled up. Now, I hate paying bills as much as anyone else, but to see all the wasted paper statements, envelopes, ad marketing fluff going into the trash as I opened up and processed the "bad news" got me upset all over again. It's time to sign up for e-billing.
Today I rose early, did my push-ups while watching the latest video blast from Coach Tom, then went out for a short run and some ab exercises before heading out to work.
So it's back to the old grind.
But now, with some added awareness, different from before.
Ahh, so nice to get back to what really matters!
We had a great time, and as soon as I can figure out how to get pictures out of my new digital camera, I'll post some. We stayed at a beautiful and quiet condo resort, away from all the touristy stuff. Idyllic setting with nature all around. We couldn't have asked for a better place.
Right in the middle of my week of relaxation, however, I was suddenly alarmed and painfully aware of how much STUFF my family and I were mindlessly throwing away. We were cooking most of our own meals in the kitchenette, but nonetheless, we quickly and repeatedly filled the wastebasket with paper, plastic cups, plastic wrapping, straws… and well, it just started driving me crazy out of nowhere. The resort didn't recycle, either, so even our glass and plastic bottles went right down the garbage chute! The killer moment for me was at check out, when the woman at the front desk didn't take back my three plastic magnetic door keys to reprogram and reuse – "Oh, we don’t take those back" she said. "You can just toss them."
Instead, I brought them all the way back to Boston to put into the recycling here.
But back at home, my awareness of the waste continued: After a week away, the bills had piled up. Now, I hate paying bills as much as anyone else, but to see all the wasted paper statements, envelopes, ad marketing fluff going into the trash as I opened up and processed the "bad news" got me upset all over again. It's time to sign up for e-billing.
Today I rose early, did my push-ups while watching the latest video blast from Coach Tom, then went out for a short run and some ab exercises before heading out to work.
So it's back to the old grind.
But now, with some added awareness, different from before.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
