Decision Fatigue & Mindful / Mind Less Breaks

Psychologists tell us a major challenge for the 21^st century lifestyle is decision fatigue.  Our fast pace lives full of too many choices and decisions are like exhausting gym workouts where by the end of the day our ability to make good decisions has begun to fade.  What’s the answer?  Recognize we can’t be our best with back-to-back meetings, eating at all-you-can-eat buffets, and when we are tired or hungry.  We need to take micro-breaks every 60-90 minutes of our wake time and get out of our heads and into our hearts.  Stretch breaks, walk breaks, friend breaks, time spent being mindful of just being, not doing or thinking about doing.  Try a few mindful / mind less breaks today.      

Wisdom Donors - Jim Whitehead, Executive Vice President/CEO ACSM

Tuesday, I left for Chicago and a strategic planning meeting for the International Association of Worksite Health Promotion (IAWHP), an affiliate Society of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).  Jim Whitehead, Executive Vice President/CEO of ACSM, would be attending, like he has many times before, and for me this added an excitement that’s hard to describe.  Ever notice throughout our lives we have individuals that seem to magically appear sharing little pieces of their wisdom at the right time, that move us forward?  Jim has been a wisdom donor for me several times and yesterday as we said our goodbyes, I once again was in awe of the wisdom gifts I had received from Jim.  Thanks Jim!  Be open to wisdom donors in your life. 

Kayaking or Dreaming

I’m always tired after the leukapheresis procedure, so after supper we drove to the lake house for a lazy weekend.  Late, Saturday afternoon I kayaked while MaryBeth slept.  It was like another world watching the kayak cut through clouds painted on the water, where at times fish seem to swim around the clouds.  At some point I watched a fish dart around the moon that was rising above the trees and I felt her shy smile and tender touch.  Sunday, MaryBeth and I kayaked after lunch, and as we watched storm clouds approach I was wrapped in a memory of long ago.  It’s the soft tender moments of life with those we love that turn the ordinary into memory moments that last a lifetime.  Cherish a memory moment today.    

Last Moments – Final Provenge Treatment

My last parachute jump, last ride in my 1948 Willis jeep, last day of high school in the library I loved so much, putting on my Army uniform for the last time, saying goodbye to the medical team at Tenneco, Chandra’s graduation from nursing school, Kaleb’s last football game, the last hug from my dad before he died, and so many more last moments that bubbled up this morning as I thought about today being my last Provenge cancer infusion treatment.  With age has come the realization that last moments aren’t an end, but new beginnings of possibilities and opportunities.  Last moments get us closer to who we are to be.  Savor last moments today.   

First Steps

Yesterday, my son sent a picture of his youngest going to his 1st day of school.  He’s standing backed up against a wall with a scrunched up face, with a look that says, “You’re kidding right?”  Last night I slept in the past with memories of a miserable 3^rd grade.  As an undiagnosed dyslectic school was tough, and as my parents lost patience my confidence and self-esteem dropped.  After graduation my mom and I met with my teacher and they both agreed I needed to repeat the 3^rd grade, and as I cried, I thought, “You’re kidding right?”  How many times in life do we find ourselves backed up against the wall taking a first step to rejoin life?  I’ve grown to treasure first steps, how about you?

Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Click to hear song I started my blog as an internal Yammer, but at some point began posting it to six external blog sites and emailing it to ~1,000 friends, fellow cancer survivors and acquaintances. Almost every day I get emails from individuals that have connected with my words and share their stories. Yesterday, as I exercise walked Pandora played Eric Clapton’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” and I had to stop for the tears were coming too fast. She’d written me before about her cancer journey, but todays email was trying to say goodbye. The words drove my tears, as I thought about her courage, her love of family, friends, and life. Today we honor her life with our tears.

Time For Love

Friday, I lead a work-life balance / effectiveness session for the Houston First Corporate team.  They operate more than 10 city-owned convention, arts and entertainment venues in Houston.  We talked about how work-life changes as our life and career cycles change, but how prioritization remains the challenge. After the session I rode through the rain puddles and began thinking about the three-day weekend.  Our flower garden needed a good cleanup, plenty of clothes to wash from our trip, and the cat litter boxes were overdue their vinegar wash.  Lots of things to do, but I smiled as I pictured my real priority, my love MaryBeth.  Give those you love time in your life.