Part I - Health
The 3 E's are Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy. That seems easy enough. Get 7 hours of sleep a night, that will help you generate energy. Be enthusiastic about what you are doing. Even though it's boring and a repeat of the day before, be excited. The day will go faster and be more enjoyable! Finally, be willing to help others and understand their feelings. One, two or all three can be difficult on a daily basis, but with practice all three are obtainable.
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. Eat more food that grows on trees and plants and less food that is manufactured in plants. Take time to pray, play games, read more books and sit in silence for 10 minutes each day. Take a 10-30 minute walk on a daily basis and as you are walking, make sure to smile!
I received the above in an email a few days ago and it seems like the start of a daily routine that will lead to good health!
Check back in a few days to see what part II is about. Until then, keep smiling!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Signs of Spring
It's easy to tell when the winter season is behind us and spring is approaching. The grocery stores, convenient stores and gas stations have bags of mulch stacked up, the green houses have been getting a fresh coat of paint, the flower shops start sprucing up their places and getting the tables set up for the new flower arrivals, you see kids riding their bicycles, new moms are getting their baby strollers out and taking a walks.
There are also other ways to notice the change of seasons and realize spring is here:
There are also other ways to notice the change of seasons and realize spring is here:
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Today Isn't What It Use To Be
Today use to be a day I looked forward to all year long…the start of the NCAA tournament. Brackets complete and turned in no later than 12 noon. I’d have my portable TV tuned into CBS, waiting for the ball to be tossed in the air.
When I worked at the US Shoe factory (several years ago) I was the one who passed out the bracket sheets for everyone to fill out. I’m not sure how many people were employed at the time, but almost everyone filled out a bracket sheet, or two or three. I'd also put all 64 teams in a can and for a buck you could draw a team from the can in hopes of winning the pot of $64 dollars. Usually, I'd have 2-3 cans going around! I always enjoyed being the score keeper and posting the names of the people who were leading early in the pool, only to be overtaken by someone who picked the upsets correctly. Some could have been skillful pickings, but for the most part it was just pure luck. I miss those times.
Today, as the tournament begins again, I haven’t passed out any brackets, I haven’t filled one out, and I don’t have my portable TV at my side. It’s just not the same for me anymore. The hype is long gone.
I did find an interesting article today as I was looking through the headlines. The title of the article is: Which NCAA teams have the best and worst graduation rates? The US Secretary of Educations says college basketball teams that don’t graduate at least 40 percent of its players should be banned from the NCAA tournament. There is an annual report of the graduation rates of the teams in the tournament and it seems the top seeds have the worst graduation rates. I guess that means the days of the student-athlete are long gone at some colleges. Not surprising, to me, the number one seed, Kentucky, graduated just 31 percent of its students, the sixth-lowest rate among the 65 teams, but far ahead of Maryland, which only saw eight percent of its basketball players graduate on time. Eight is just ONE player!
The annual report wasn’t all bad news as some top programs like BYU, Duke, Marquette, Notre Dame, Villanova and Wake Forest graduated over 90 percent of their players. The average seed for these teams is 8.8. For many of the college players the days of being a student first has stopped and academics have taken a back seat to athletics.
Earlier this week we had the opportunity to meet with this years high school baseball coaches. They went over what is expected of themselves, the team and the parents. It was not a surprise to hear them call the players student-athletes. All the coaches were concerned with the players’ grades and have set aside time to help the team with their studies, if needed. Of course, there aren’t any of the athletes looking to be playing for the New York Yankees with a 2.5 million contract in their near future.
Maybe some (most) of the men’s college basketball teams need to take a step back and look at the reason for their education and worry about the academic part of their life first!
When I worked at the US Shoe factory (several years ago) I was the one who passed out the bracket sheets for everyone to fill out. I’m not sure how many people were employed at the time, but almost everyone filled out a bracket sheet, or two or three. I'd also put all 64 teams in a can and for a buck you could draw a team from the can in hopes of winning the pot of $64 dollars. Usually, I'd have 2-3 cans going around! I always enjoyed being the score keeper and posting the names of the people who were leading early in the pool, only to be overtaken by someone who picked the upsets correctly. Some could have been skillful pickings, but for the most part it was just pure luck. I miss those times.
Today, as the tournament begins again, I haven’t passed out any brackets, I haven’t filled one out, and I don’t have my portable TV at my side. It’s just not the same for me anymore. The hype is long gone.
I did find an interesting article today as I was looking through the headlines. The title of the article is: Which NCAA teams have the best and worst graduation rates? The US Secretary of Educations says college basketball teams that don’t graduate at least 40 percent of its players should be banned from the NCAA tournament. There is an annual report of the graduation rates of the teams in the tournament and it seems the top seeds have the worst graduation rates. I guess that means the days of the student-athlete are long gone at some colleges. Not surprising, to me, the number one seed, Kentucky, graduated just 31 percent of its students, the sixth-lowest rate among the 65 teams, but far ahead of Maryland, which only saw eight percent of its basketball players graduate on time. Eight is just ONE player!
The annual report wasn’t all bad news as some top programs like BYU, Duke, Marquette, Notre Dame, Villanova and Wake Forest graduated over 90 percent of their players. The average seed for these teams is 8.8. For many of the college players the days of being a student first has stopped and academics have taken a back seat to athletics.
Earlier this week we had the opportunity to meet with this years high school baseball coaches. They went over what is expected of themselves, the team and the parents. It was not a surprise to hear them call the players student-athletes. All the coaches were concerned with the players’ grades and have set aside time to help the team with their studies, if needed. Of course, there aren’t any of the athletes looking to be playing for the New York Yankees with a 2.5 million contract in their near future.
Maybe some (most) of the men’s college basketball teams need to take a step back and look at the reason for their education and worry about the academic part of their life first!
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Appreciate the Little Things in Life
It is amazing how the littlest things in life can make you smile or absolutely laugh out loud. Sometimes I find something interesting on the web or receive an email from my favorite cousin in Louisville, Kentucky, and just can’t wait to share it with my closest friends.
Today was one of those days.
I called my friend Shelley during my lunch and just hearing her voice made me smile and laugh out loud. I was actually smiling as I was dialing her number, just anticipating her answering.
I had shared an email with her earlier today and I just couldn’t wait to call her and comment on her response. Shelley was also eating her lunch and laughing as she answered the phone.
Laughter is contagious too. As I was laughing out loud, my daily lunch partners, Mark and Leslie, were getting a good laugh too. All of us were feeling pretty darn good today.
As I type this post I can’t help but still have the smile on my face and occasionally let out a chuckle or two just thinking about the topics of conservation today.
As I normally say on my facebook page status, “Life is good today”, today life IS good!
Thanks friends!
Today was one of those days.
I called my friend Shelley during my lunch and just hearing her voice made me smile and laugh out loud. I was actually smiling as I was dialing her number, just anticipating her answering.
I had shared an email with her earlier today and I just couldn’t wait to call her and comment on her response. Shelley was also eating her lunch and laughing as she answered the phone.
Laughter is contagious too. As I was laughing out loud, my daily lunch partners, Mark and Leslie, were getting a good laugh too. All of us were feeling pretty darn good today.
As I type this post I can’t help but still have the smile on my face and occasionally let out a chuckle or two just thinking about the topics of conservation today.
As I normally say on my facebook page status, “Life is good today”, today life IS good!
Thanks friends!
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Difference of Opinions
It's amazing how some circumstances excite and satisfy individuals when the exact same thing does nothing for others. Just more proof some humans have higher standards and values than others.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Poor Kelly
Most know Kelly Osbourne. The whacked out drug daughter of Ossie Osbourne. Recently, she was on the TV show, Dancing With the Stars. I watched as she struggled with self confidence during her dancing routine. Her dancing wasn't bad, but she had no belief in her ability.
Now, I find the following quotes she's told some interviewer:
Osbourne, who went through rehab
for drug and alcohol addiction
three times, told US Weekly:
"I took more hell for being
fat than I did for being an
absolute raging drug addict.
I will never understand that."
The 25-year-old daughter of
Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne said
she hated herself while
battling her weight problem,
and what made it worse was
how public it became.
"Some horrible obnoxious
teenager screamed out a
car window to me,
'You're fat!'
I went to my parents
bawling, 'I would rather
be called ugly than
be called fat!'"
she said.
Someone needs to tell Ms. Osbourne ugly is forever while fat people can diet!
Now, I find the following quotes she's told some interviewer:
Osbourne, who went through rehab
for drug and alcohol addiction
three times, told US Weekly:
"I took more hell for being
fat than I did for being an
absolute raging drug addict.
I will never understand that."
The 25-year-old daughter of
Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne said
she hated herself while
battling her weight problem,
and what made it worse was
how public it became.
"Some horrible obnoxious
teenager screamed out a
car window to me,
'You're fat!'
I went to my parents
bawling, 'I would rather
be called ugly than
be called fat!'"
she said.
Someone needs to tell Ms. Osbourne ugly is forever while fat people can diet!
Monday, March 01, 2010
The Ultimate Customer Experience
How many times have you been in a situation where you are checking out, paying a bill, or just simply having to wait for someone to wait on you?
Have you ever been waiting in a line only to make it to the front then the person asks why you are there and you are rudely told you'll have to wait?
As you are waiting to be waited upon, the receptionist is filing a chipped nail, talking on the phone to a family member as they are trying to figure out what they are going to cook for supper, or they are just ignoring you all together.
One of the hardest jobs I believe there is, is working for the public. Having to remember the 'public' is always correct. Well, there are instances when I can prove they are wrong. Rather than draw it to their attention, sometimes it's just best to say, "Thank you and have a nice day."
Have you ever been waiting in a line only to make it to the front then the person asks why you are there and you are rudely told you'll have to wait?
As you are waiting to be waited upon, the receptionist is filing a chipped nail, talking on the phone to a family member as they are trying to figure out what they are going to cook for supper, or they are just ignoring you all together.
One of the hardest jobs I believe there is, is working for the public. Having to remember the 'public' is always correct. Well, there are instances when I can prove they are wrong. Rather than draw it to their attention, sometimes it's just best to say, "Thank you and have a nice day."
Friday, February 19, 2010
The Best Man
Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14 and is a day set aside for people to show their love and affection to one another. My opinion, it should be showed everyday to the ones you love, but for some the 14th is the day companions get engaged, or as in my brother's case, the day he was married!
Patrick was the Best Man for my brother and did an outstanding job!
This is only his second wedding to be part of. Around 1997, he was a ring barrier in a good friends wedding. Sunday, he was all grown up and standing proudly beside the groom.
Just married and introduced for the first time as
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Riley.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
Patrick was the Best Man for my brother and did an outstanding job!
This is only his second wedding to be part of. Around 1997, he was a ring barrier in a good friends wedding. Sunday, he was all grown up and standing proudly beside the groom.
Just married and introduced for the first time as
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Riley.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
More Snow Photos!
School was closed today because of the weather. Going outside this morning on my way to work, it was amazingly quiet. Now the wind is blowing, the snow is drifting, and it's getting colder.
The boys got out their toys that's been in storage for the past couple years.
The beauty of the snow if evident all around us.
The evening forecast is calling for an inch or two more, blowing and drifting snow as the winds gust to 30 mph. I'm putting another log on the fire, cutting up a good salad, and reading a book till I fall asleep.
The boys got out their toys that's been in storage for the past couple years.
The beauty of the snow if evident all around us.
The evening forecast is calling for an inch or two more, blowing and drifting snow as the winds gust to 30 mph. I'm putting another log on the fire, cutting up a good salad, and reading a book till I fall asleep.
Are YOU Listening to the Answer?
When you meet someone, either for the first time, or just in everyday passing, and you ask 'how are you doing?' Do you really listen for the answer? Are you too busy to ask a second question before the person finishes the first question you asked?
Bob: "How are you doing today?"
Joe: "I'm doing..."
Bob: "What time do you get off work?"
Joe: "Usually it's around...
Bob: "What's going on?"
Joe: "Well, today we...
Then how many times have you had people blurt out a question and you have no idea what they are talking about?
"Do you think he's home?"
"What time is it over?"
Then there are those that will ask a question, then answer it after you have gave them the answer.
Dick: "What time does the store open?"
Jane: "8:00"
Dick: "Oh! I thought it was 9:00."
Well if you knew that it was 9, then why are you asking the question?
Dick: "How much is a pound of bacon?"
Jane: "It's normally around $2.89 a pound."
Dick: "I thought I seen if for $1.99 at the store yesterday.
Hmmm, not sure why you'd be asking, since you already have the answer!
So make sure before you ask a question, you don't already have the answer, or if you really need the answer to a question you've asked, take time to listen to the answer!
Bob: "How are you doing today?"
Joe: "I'm doing..."
Bob: "What time do you get off work?"
Joe: "Usually it's around...
Bob: "What's going on?"
Joe: "Well, today we...
Then how many times have you had people blurt out a question and you have no idea what they are talking about?
"Do you think he's home?"
"What time is it over?"
Then there are those that will ask a question, then answer it after you have gave them the answer.
Dick: "What time does the store open?"
Jane: "8:00"
Dick: "Oh! I thought it was 9:00."
Well if you knew that it was 9, then why are you asking the question?
Dick: "How much is a pound of bacon?"
Jane: "It's normally around $2.89 a pound."
Dick: "I thought I seen if for $1.99 at the store yesterday.
Hmmm, not sure why you'd be asking, since you already have the answer!
So make sure before you ask a question, you don't already have the answer, or if you really need the answer to a question you've asked, take time to listen to the answer!
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