Friday, March 30, 2012

Catch Them Doing Something Right!

In our world of 24 hour media coverage and the continual feed of negative news, it is important to turn down the volume or better yet turn it off as we work on achieving our dreams. The continuous stream of low energy stories from the latest crime, corruption, scandal, and economic hardship leaves us gasping for air, throwing our hands up and thinking why bother?

When we find ourselves becoming cynical, critical, and finding fault in ourselves and others it is time to make a shift. Often times it happens slowly and builds up over time, the drip drip drip of negativity in our lives winds up creating a hole that we now find ourselves.

The good news is that we can easily climb out of the hole and get back on the path of positivity, of optimism, of enjoying the good life.  Just like we wouldn't continually eat fast food everyday without suffering the health consequences, we must also do the same for our emotional and spiritual well being. We need to seek out beauty, rekindle friendships, treat ourselves our friends and family with the love, nurturing, and caring they deserve.  For when we give these things away they must be returned to us.

And so it is with our children, spouses, partners, friends, and coworkers in our society with are so quick to find fault, to criticize, to diss, and to put someone else down perhaps with the intention of building up our own shaky egos.  But resist the temptation to judge others and to tell them how wrong they are, most of us know when we make a mistake when we are in the wrong we don't need someone pointing it out. And many times it is just a matter of opinion any way.

Next time replace the criticism with a compliment, even if you have to look hard to find one.  Especially, with our children and families lavish them with praise, congratulations, and "job well dones".  Instead of always pointing out how their rooms are messy and nagging them, congratulate them on excellent grades, helping their sibling, or for simply giving their best effort.  Nothing is more dispiriting than to continually get berated and criticized despite our best efforts.

Yes, there are teaching moments and times when we can agree to disagree but it can be done in a harmonious nurturing way. We all know and remember the people in our lives that taught us valuable lessons but did so without putting us down or criticizing, instead they pointed out our shortcoming showed us a better way and patted us on the back when we did it right the next time.

Next time we find ourselves ready to pounce when someone does something we don't agree with, let it pass and wait for the opportunity to praise and congratulate.

Catch Them Doing Something Right.

With Love,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K
tkaufmanncoaching.com


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Families: A House Divided Cannot Stand

How many times do we hear of issues with work, finances, health, and family. Yes, we all experience these challenges from time to time, or even all the time it seems! But we can overcome these obstacles. Yes, but it starts with our relationship with ourself and our spouse or partner.

Parents
If you are a single parent get help from a family member, friend, school, or other resource. The resources are out there and remember millions of other single moms and dads have raised loving, productive, successful children and You Can Too! Nothing will bring a sense of satisfaction and achievement in your life than helping your children succeed.

For the married couples, partners, and other couples it is important to be of one voice when it comes to raising your children. Yes, you will have differing opinions, you may argue, and you will disagree but that should be done respectfully and with love. You must agree that you first love one another, that you are working on the same goal when raising children to nurture, care, and love them so they can become loving, caring, productive citizens.

Children and Family
 First and foremost, we must agree that our love for the children is unconditional and that we are there for them no matter what. You will catch them when they fall and pick them up if necessary. For it is at these times,  when we truly learn what it is to be a parent, or a lover of children.  We know it is easy to love the straight A student, the child that does everything right, that listens, wins awards, and makes us feel good about ourselves. But the real work and joy is in helping the child that has lost their way, that needs our guidance, that needs our help even though we may think it is not deserved.

A United Strong House
So many times we see the relationship of the parents come between the well being of the children and the family.  We can agree to be more loving and kind to one another as parents, couples, and lovers. We can agree to love, nurture, and care for the children and family unconditionally.

When we don't agree on these principles, the house is divided. And a divided house cannot will not stand.  For your well being, our well being have a heart-to-heart talk and agree on some common goals for the marriage, the children, the family.  You will not on agree on everything but we can come to a some basic understandings that we love each other, care for each other, respect/civil to each other, and care for the children, and for our families.  Now we are United, and we know that a United house is strong and can withstand the winds and rain that enters all our lives from time to time.

Take Care of Your Own
Mama K was a single mom that would repeatedly tell her four boys, "Boys you stick together and take care of your own!" And when we didn't, she just broke a broom over our heads...funny! How true it is. When the family sticks together and takes care of its own you have a solid foundation for a strong house.

With Love,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K
tkaufmanncoaching.com

Friendship for Life

I was recently visiting and talking with friends that i've known for a long time. My one buddy Keith I've known since the kindergarten, over 40 years! That's longer than I've known my wife, children, and most other family members. We talk occasionally and see each other less, but when we do get together you just get that great comfortable feeling that all is well. We share our family stories, and reminisce but mostly we just laugh, laugh, laugh.

I find it amazing that when you haven't talked it 2 years, you just pick up where you left off and the love, warmth, and friendship bond is still so strong.  I know that Keith and a few other pals would do anything for me, and I for them. And I mean anything.  How powerful is that.

He is the most honest guy I know.  He's not fancy, pretentious, or full of himself, he's real, simple, the GENUINE article. That's refreshing in today's society. Keith is the same guy that when the customer did not like the sidewalk he installed after 3 weeks work and refused to pay because of the shade of the cement.  Keith decided to spend the next 6 hours chopping up his sidewalk and loading it in the truck.

The story still amazes me.

When we have challenges in life, it is comforting knowing that we have the love, support, joy and power of friendship to share in our wonderful journey. To understand and know that we all have similar challenging times and that together we shall overcome.  And most importantly that WE are not alone.

With Love,

I will be holding a live Positive Thinking seminar on Wed Arpil 11th 7pm at the Blue Bell library, please come out and join us for a fun lively discussion. Thank you.

Tom Kaufmann
tkaufmanncoaching.com

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Simple Keys to The Good Life

Some simple observations to health in my 35 plus year of playing and coaching sports

1.  Treat your body like the beautiful temple that it is

2. Try and get some fresh air every day

3. Try and soak up some sunshine every day

4. Get in some movement or exercise every day. a walk, stretch, yoga, jog,  or run

5. Meditate, Pray, Be Still. Find some quiet time every day

6. Nutrition. Eat things that are directly connected to the earth. Veggies, fruit, nuts, etc. If you can't pronounce it stay a way from it. Ask if it can be grown or picked. Can you pick high fructose corn syrup. Think the colors of the rainbow when choosing and eating green, red, yellow, orange, blue. We all indulge from time to time but let us start with more of the good stuff before adding the treats

7. Music is food for the soul. Listen to music that inspires, relaxes, and rejuvenates

8. Love, Kindness, Friendship. We all know how great we feel after meeting and talking with a good friend. Sharing a little love and kindness with our family, friends, and people we come in contact with goes a long way to our overall health. These higher emotions promote well being

9. Service. When we take time to step outside ourselves and help someone along their journey, we take the focus off ourselves, and realize that our issues are not so big, that when we help others we are in essence helping ourselves A simple compliment, eye contact, or smile is all that is required

10. Optimism.  Studies show and we know that when we feel good life is good.  So start with smiling more, look for ways to be happy, enjoy the simple yet important things that are available to each of us.

The gift of life, a new day, a sunrise, nature, friendship, love, good health, a song, a dance, a laugh, a smile, a chance to care and a chance to share.

The good life is inexpensive, easy to do, and ultimately priceless.

With Love,

Coach K
Tom Kaufmann
tkaufmanncoaching.com

Friday, March 23, 2012

Into Each Life A Little Rain Must Fall

Going through a little family event got me to thinking about how each of us handles life's challenges and adversities. I remember reading that it's not what happens to us that is important, but how we react to what happens. What is helpful is to do all you can to make the situation better, to be proactive.

Should I sit around and feel sorry for myself, pout, exclaim poor me! Or is there a better way, a better response.  Instead of just focusing on me, myself, and I,  how about putting the focus on being of service, on others that may have a greater need than my little molehill.

Came across a wonderful verse by the exquisite American Maine poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow titled 

Rainy Day
Be still, sad heart, and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall
We need the rain for the crops, for nourishment, for growth. Without rain life ceases. And we know the sun does shine again it always does. Just like the April showers bring the beautiful May flowers.
Let it rain blue sky is on the horizon.
With Love
Coach K
Tom Kaufmann
tkaufmanncoaching.com










Thursday, March 22, 2012

Reasonableness

We all have our own thoughts, ideas, beliefs, attitudes, prejudices, and stereotypes that have been taught and learned as we have grown.  One of the tenets of growing into adulthood is keeping an open mind, educating yourself to the wonderful possibilities of life.

Life today has a way of dividing us, compartmentalizing us, and labeling us. Our society seems to want someone to be wrong and someone to be right, winners and losers. We often see things through our own limited perspectives and prisms, judging others to be misguided, stubborn, and just plain wrong. But is this really true and does it matter.

We all have choices to make with our time and energy. Many of us spend lifetimes arguing and fighting for a cause we believe is worthy. My thinking is to move away from judging people, my thinking and viewpoints have been shaped by my parents, education, environment, the books I've read, my friends, and experiences. Just like everyone else. When we move away from trying to judge and divide and move towards understanding, openness, and reasonableness we move forward we make progress as individuals and as a society.

This concept of reasonableness championed by the great Marcus Aurelius and many others has to do with understanding, trying to see the other person's viewpoint, and listening without judging. When common ground is elusive, we can simply part as friends. We can respect someone with another viewpoint that differs from our own. The truth has a way of coming out, of liberating, and like sunshine disinfecting.

When we give up judging ourselves and others, we open ourselves to new ideas and expansion. We become flexible and tolerant. When we become reasonable of ourselves and the actions of others we become soft, gentle, and easy. We are filled with a sense of calm, peacefulness, and grace.

And when this peace and grace wash over us life begins to open up to us like the budding flowers and trees in spring time. Time to shine

With Love,

Coach K
Tom Kaufmann
tkaufmanncoaching.com

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

You Fill My Bucket Mattison Ave Elementary

Had the pleasure of visiting the 3rd graders at Mattison Ave elementary in Ambler, Pa just last week and wow what a special place.  The purpose of the visit was to share a "You Are Special Program" that we created for children and adults alike.  I have had the pleasure of mentoring third graders at the school for the past two years, my wife Lisa attended the very same school as a kindergartner 37 years ago, and I remember my first visit where I saw Henry David Thoreau and Lou Holtz quotes on the walls, including one of school's many inspiring mottos "You Fill My Bucket".  That was the first time I heard the saying and thought it was just terrific.

I was there to tell them how special they all are, how they each have special gifts and talents, and while we are each unique individuals with fingerprints, DNA, and voices, we also have this knowing that we are connected by the human spirit. That we are this one dynamic divine organism known as human beings.  Connected like trees in the forest, water in the ocean, and air in the sky.

The Beauty of Children
The beauty of most children is that they already have a keen sense of how special they are, when I asked the class to fill in the blank You Are _______ they enthusiastically responded Terrific! Wonderful! Spectacular! I told the class that my word needed some oomph! compared to the descriptions they provided. How true children inherently know how special they truly are we just seem to forget as we get older.

I proceed to share my "special" talents of dribbling a basketball, standing on my head, playing the guitar, and singing a song inspired by Mattison Ave called "You Fill My Bucket".  When I finished sharing my particular talent, a child would come up and proudly show their stuff. When I asked the class to share we had gymnasts, athletes, artists, lego engineers, musicians, dancers, plenty of double jointed displays, even a display of shaking eye pupils...literally! When I stood on my head, the children instinctively were concerned for my well being with yelps of "he's turning red!" I shared with the class that my new found balancing skills were a recent discovery with the practice of yoga.

Our Many Talents
As we all know we are blessed with inherent talents like Mozart and the Piano, but many others are there to be mined to be discovered. The simple act of balancing of my head was a skill I neither thought or cared about but after practicing by leaning against walls/doors (supposed benefits of blood circulating to head) I eventually was able to balance on my own.  How many other latent secret talents do we all have just waiting to be discovered, and that's what I shared with the children. There are countless talents, skills, abilities just waiting to be uncovered, learned, and shared.  That is the beauty, adventure, and essence of this wonderful thing called life.

A Clue
Of course, there are so many wonderful talents and paths to pursue how do we choose, how do we know which is right for us. The easy is answer is that we are not sure, but a clue is doing things we love, things we enjoy. Being open to the wonder and possibility of life, and if I try something and it's not my cup of tea, that's OK on to the next adventure.  Children intuitively understand this they are willing to try, experiment, and learn new things, and in many ways we can all benefit by being childlike in our approach to life.

I love going to talk to schools and students because of course I get more out it than the children, I leave thinking that the USA and the world are in good hands with these capable bundles of joy.

The day was a warm sunny Monday, spring was in the air, and after about 40 minutes of fun the children were getting restless so I broke out the guitar and started strumming and singing "You Fill My Bucket" they started giggling because they heard the phrase many times and when I asked the children to join in we had a chorus reverberating throughout the school and hopefully the community singing "You Fill My Bucket, You Fill My Bucket!"


Fill My Bucket.mp3



With Love,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K
tkaufmanncoaching.com

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Stay Open

We often encounter different types of people throughout life. One the the type A that plans everything, has a detailed list of goals, and a definitive timeline for making everything a reality. Then there is the Type B, that just takes life as it comes, goes with the flow, and makes few plans.

The two personality or character types, like life itself, both have positive qualities\traits. The happy medium is found by expressing ourselves in the present moment. When I write down what I'm looking to accomplish, or do, or experience, in the short, medium and long term however you want to define those timeframes helps to focus my thoughts and ideas. We then begin to better define our purpose and hone the purpose we have in mind at the present moment. Simply writing down goal\dream\purpose statements help prioritize our actions. For example,

I spend my time writing, speaking, and developing programs that benefit others
I look to share my talents with the universe everyday. For in helping one, you help many,  helping yourself
I believe the universe is a kind, friendly, place helping me in all that I need and desire
I enjoy wonderful food and drink
I speak Italian, Latin, Greek, and numerous other languages
I will visit Italy
I am abundant and the universe provides all that is needed
I am and teach love, kindness, universal effective living principles
I plan to spend extended time traveling and enjoying the world
I am kind to everyone I meet
I am open to all the experiences and people that I encounter and seek to find the good in all
I am thankful and grateful for all the that shows up in my life
I am a guitar virtuoso
I write and record songs and music
I enjoy reading good books
I enjoy experiencing lovely art
I soak up wonderful music
I am love
I am goodness
I am a lover and teacher of children
I am a writer and reader of poetry
I enjoy living fully everyday
I live and share healthy living principles
I affirm that my body is a temple and look to nourish with all that it needs to sustain me
I am a renaissance man that looks to listen, learn, and enjoy every person and experience that life brings

When we express our desires, dreams, and goals we simply say that these are the things we want to bring about in our lives right now and we REMAIN open to how they will come about. We give up worrying, stressing, and fussing over how things we come about, we let go and allow the universe to bring out wonderful vision and dreams into reality. Remember, the universe is a friendly place that will deliver all your hearts desires, and sometimes in a more imaginative and better way than you ever dreamed possible.

By staying open, and not wrestling, arguing, or getting frustrated with ourselves, others, and life. We communicate to ourselves, others, and the universe that life is good and that all my dreams and desires are right on schedule.  Of course we know that what we want today may change tomorrow and that's OK, that is why we remain flexible and OPEN to the wonderful possibilities that life affords everyday.  We are free to add change revise our list as we see fit, it is our LIFE, and as your dreams become reality and new dreams get added remember to be grateful, humble, and THANKFUL for all the wonderful joys that life delivers

Hard, inflexible, intolerant, brittle are opposite of the qualities that we need. Be soft, gentle, flexible, understanding, and OPEN to all of life's wonders.

With Love,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K
tkaufmanncoaching.com

8 Simple Steps

The 8 Virtues

We all have heard and learned of the 7 virtues. I like the number 8 but there are many more wonderful virtues that can be added to the list, respect, honesty, integrity, dignity, tolerance, and loyalty for example. Create you own virtuous list and look to incorporate these wonderful vibes into our lives


  1. Faith is belief in the Divine, in yourself and others. You deserve an excellent life
  2. Hope is having a positive view, in good outcomes. Expecting the best
  3. Love is caring for yourself and others with goodness, kindness, dignity, and respect.  In knowing the divine spirit in all of us
  4. Charity is giving of time, talents, energy, or money to help others 
  5. Fortitude is strength physically, emotionally, and morally, persistence, perseverance
  6. Justice is being fair and equitable, being reasonable
  7. Prudence is care and moderation in our thoughts and actions.  Balance in all things
  8. Temperance is moderation and abstinence from things, too much stuff, materialism. Less is more

Balance in All Things

Humility and Humbleness balance pride and too much ego
Kindness and Understanding balance envy and jealousy
Moderation and Respect balance gluttony in food and drink
Faithfulness and Gratitude balance lust and selfishness
Patience and Solitude balance anger and frustration
Abundance and Sharing balance greed and always wanting more
Passion and Joy balance sloth, laziness, and hopelessness  

Simply balancing our thoughts, words, and actions in life lead to a more peaceful, contented, joyful way of living.  Harmony and so it is.


With Love,

Coach K
Tom Kaufmann
tkaufmanncoaching.com

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

A Better Parent A Better World

My son is 16 and going for his driver's license. He has a book, has to have a certain amount of time on the road, maybe take a driving course. All for the awesome responsibility of operating a vehicle.  Got to thinking of all the permissions we need to function in today's world. You need to be 18 to vote, 21 to consume, 18 to join the military, social security number for everything, approval to get a library card, 18 for tobacco, a certain age to get married, permits for this, permits for that. Give up an arm to get a loan. How we need permission to do anything today in society.

So Easy and Yet
And then it hit me. You don't need any approval or permission to become a parent. Wow! The simple act of nature and anyone can be thrust into parenthood into that tremendous responsibility and obligation without many of us even realizing the power of such a choice.  To be responsible for someone else other than yourself and even to put their needs before your own is quite the sacrifice, we are so conditioned these days to think of me, myself, and I that when it comes to parenting we conveniently forget that there is a we, you, and us.

Becoming a Parent
How wonderful would it be to have a course, even mandatory, that all prospective parents including those that were not prospecting take a course that talks about love, nurturing, and caring for their children. That details the essentials of selflessness, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness.  Provides some clues into teamwork, working together for the common good, and a common cause. How to treat each other with respect, dignity, and kindness.  How to listen, show empathy, and teach.

We assume that we learn these qualities from our own family experience, or from our church, schools, or society as a whole but many times we come from broken homes and broken experiences that those lessons are missed, and the misguided parenting cycle has a chance to repeat.

A Better World
The best hope of creating better parents in our children is to be better parents ourselves. To be that excellent example of a loving mother, father, husband, and wife that the children can emulate when they become parents. Yes, there are times when a husband and wife go separate ways, but the role of parent is a lifetime commitment.  Mom and Dad need to stay the course and get the job done. We need to put aside our selfish ways and finish the job of raising loving, responsible, productive children that are ready to go out live their dreams and share their talents with the world. The easiest and yet hardest thing to do sometimes is just to stay and raise your child. Just be there for them.

Saying Yes
And it all starts with us saying Yes son, daughter, I love you. I'll be here for you. And I'll be here no matter what. When life is good and when times are a challenge, when money is flowing and when it is tight, when things don't go as planned, when we agree and disagree, when I screw up, when you make a mistake. My love is unconditional. The saying goes that there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. And so it is. The greatest feeling in the world for a child and for all us is to know that we are loved. So let the time be now that we commit to our children and every child that we will be the best parents we can be and to let them know that they are loved.

With Love,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K
tkaufmanncoaching.com

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Our Acres of Diamonds Temple University

Temple University was founded by the great Russell Conwell in 1884 with the official "Temple College" charter being issued in 1888.

Russell Conwell was a lawyer, newspaper reporter, and ultimately a baptist minister.  He was a college graduate that while after giving a sermon one day was approached by the young members of his congregation and asked if he could teach them college courses.  He agreed and began teaching courses out of the church.  As more word spread and more of the youth began requesting his teaching services, he came across a story called Acres of Diamonds and after sharing with his congregation decided to go around the country giving the very same talk to thousands of others to raise money for the founding of Temple University.

Acres of Diamonds 
A South African rancher heard of the diamond boom going on in the country at the time, similar to our California gold rush, and decided that he was going to seek his fortune by selling his ranch and going off to find his share of  the diamond fortune.  After several years of futility, he gave up without ever finding his diamond jackpot.

Meanwhile, the person that bought his old South African ranch was entertaining a friend one day, and the friend commented on the beautiful stones that rested on his fireplace mantle. His friend asked him where he found the stones, and the rancher stated that the creek that ran through his property was filled with many of the very same crystals.

The friend smiled softly and explained that the stones were not crystals but in fact diamonds, and that the diamonds were some of the largest discovered. The rancher listened in disbelief and amazement that he was the owner of a rich diamond mine.

Of course, the irony is how the original rancher sold his property to look for diamonds when they were literally in his backyard the whole time.

Our Fortune
The rancher like many of us was always running and seeking fame and fortune outside when in fact it already existed within him. We just have to look for the "diamonds" that are sprinkled at our feet. The love of friends and family, our health, the tremendous abundance we enjoy in living in the world today, of the very gift of life given to us each day, and the freedom to pursue our joy, our happiness, and our inspiration.

We all have these diamonds but we must become aware of them, acknowledge them, and mine them. And when we ultimately use and share them with a humble gratitude, we tap the fortune within us that provides a joy, abundance, and contentment that remains with us always.

Thank you Russell Conwell for teaching us about "diamond mining" and giving us the wonderful Temple University.

You can check the Acres of Diamonds book out here

http://books.google.com/books/about/Acres_of_diamonds.html?id=O44DAAAAYAAJ


With Love,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K
tkaufmanncoaching.com




The Exquisite John Wooden A Masterpiece

Just read a wonderful book by the illustrious Coach John Wooden called My Personal Best.  Usually get my books from the library and when a book really catches my eye I then go buy it. Well, this little 200 page book which has some wonderful pictures is a gem that can be easily read in a day.  Five Gold Star read for everyone, adults, teens, parents, and children.

The Best
Coach Wooden is the legendary college basketball coach from UCLA that won 10 national championships, including 7 consecutive titles in 12 years, 4 perfect seasons, and the longest college winning streak at 88 games!  He is one of the best coaches in the history of SPORTS.  Coach Wooden loved to win just like everyone but the game or the work was never about winning, it was about reaching your potential about being your Best.

He of course was more interested in developing character, in developing fine young men and productive citizens. Coach was one of the first coaches to stand for equal rights, and when the NCAA invited his team to play in the tournament if he agreed not to bring his African American player, he declined.  The NCAA relented and he brought his team to Madison Square Garden. People first, team first

Team First
Coach taught the men that the team came before the individual. Great players like Walt Hazzard from Philly's Overbrook high, Lew Alcindor\Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and Bill Walton learned from the master. Kareem was incredible, he displayed remarkable poise and leadership for an 18yr old. He was Michael Jordan/Kobe combined in high school at 7' plus in NYC he was the biggest story in sports when he decided to go to CA and play for Coach and UCLA. Freshman were not allowed to play on the varsity team, and Kareem went on to win 3 NCAA championships and Laker greatness.

Walt Hazzard had the flair of a philly guard dribbling between his legs and behind his back, Coach thought this was showboating and asked Walt to tone it down by sitting him on the bench. Coach had the foresight to discuss with Rev Walt Hazzard Sr. to let him know the plan, and when Walt Jr. called home to say he wanted to come home because Coach was crimping his style, Rev Hazzard responded that the doors will be locked! Walt went on to greatness, win 2 national championships and play in the NBA.

Bill Walton was a rebel. A great talent and man but outspoken. He believed in standing up for things he believed in and when he came to Coach with his long hair and beard during the 60's Peace movement, Coach kindly suggested that to play on the team he would be required to clean up. Bill protested that he has rights and is entitled to individual freedom.  Yes Coach agreed and said that he was correct but not as a member of the UCLA basketball team. Bill shaved and lead the team to 2 championships and an 88 game win streak, and became a NBA great.

Team First

Preparing To Be A Champion
Coach Wooden said the championships were won in the gym. Hard work, dedication, teamwork, and countless hours of practice lead to victory. The preparation. Coach emphasized the importance of all the men working together and putting the team goals before individual achievement.  A selflessness. Yes there were many star players at UCLA but the team came first always.

Coach Wooden is famous for his Pyramid of Success philosophy that he applied to basketball as well as life. The pyramid has 26 words that Coach emphasizes that lead to significant achievement. Wonderful words such as loyalty, cooperation, enthusiasm, friendship, industriousness, poise, faith, integrity,  confidence, and patience. Notice the language. All 26 words have a very positive vibration is there any surprise that his teams were successful

Patience
Coach Wooden built UCLA's program for 15 years before he won his first NCAA championship. He won many PAC 8\10 titles but the big breakthrough came in 1962 his first final four and then the first of many titles in 1964.  I wonder if Coach would have lasted 15 years in today's immediate gratification culture? If he coached today would we have had the patience to see his greatness blossom. Patience in all things.

The final page of the book Coach Wooden talks how the most important word in language is Love. That all accomplishment without the love of family and friends is meaningless. Being the best you can be and always striving for your personal best is success. And a final quote from Coach,


"Each Day of the Journey is Precious, We Must Strive to Make it a Masterpiece"


Thank you Coach for all your wisdom.

With Love,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K





Friday, March 9, 2012

The Greatest Wealth is Health - Become Radiant

The Road To Wellness
Yes my friends to borrow a quote from the wonderful Roman poet Virgil, "The greatest wealth is health"

We know that our health comes first but it seems we only appreciate being healthy when we become ill.  We run around, working hard to earn a nice living to buy all of our trinkets often at the expense of our health and well being.  Our lifestyles today can be filled with stress and extreme time management!

I often think of extremely wealth people that lack balance in their lives and wonder if they are aware of their debilitating lifestyle. Steve Jobs was 53 and worth $6 billion when he passed. Would he have written a check for $6 billion and became penniless for one more sunrise?  And the answer is Yes.

Of course we want money and the nice things that money can buy. And many noble things can be done with money such as education, charity, research, idea advancement, and philanthropy but lacking balance the price is perhaps too steep?

Health Impacts All of Us
Many illnesses and diseases are based on increased inflammation and mutation of cells in our bodies which originates but from poor nutrition, lack of exercise and sleep, smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, and increases in stress.  We also know how emotions impact our health. Loneliness, sadness, despair, and depression can certainly take their toll on our well being.  And this impacts all of us poor health many times is simply based on the choices we make

We have and know the right health responses. And it's not hard or rocket science.  We need to eat better, get more nutrition into our calories. We are obese with twice as many obese than starving among us, so there is plenty of food to go around.  The challenge is that the food we eat is garbage laced with chemicals, preservatives, fillers, additives, dyes, pesticides, and chemically modified food forms given new names such as high fructose corn syrup.  We know sugar cane can be grown from the earth but show me a high fructose corn syrup plant.

Our bodies our tremendous works of art, the finest, most beautiful, creation known to man.  Ferdinando my father-in-law, a very wise man,  said we drive around in our lovely cars and fill them with the finest gasoline. Fill 'er up with premium, the good stuff.  Then we drive our Ferrari over to the McDonald's to eat a burger, fries, and shake. And our bodies begin to choke on the low grade fuel we constantly feed ourselves.

Detoxify
We know what ails us and we can cure it, fix it, heal it.  Start we cleaning out our bodies. Look at detoxifying and eliminating all the toxin, debris, and junk we've stored up over the years. Start with fresh water, fresh air, and some simple exercise such as walking, standing, or whatever movement you can handle. Look to eliminate smoking, alcohol, and any other toxins that you ingest. A cigarette has over a 4000 chemicals present when it is burned.  Overdoing the alcohol becomes akin to drinking gasoline or lighter fluid.  Adding green tea, a little fresh squeezed lemon juice and water, will rev up the kidneys and begin to eliminate the body pollution we have stored up over the years

Nourish
Begin adding more vegetables and fruits to our daily eating, especially green vegetables. Think green is good! We don't have to become Vegans overnight but a slight shift will make a world of difference. Simply eating an apple a couple of times a week will provide wonderful benefits. Begin with small steps and pay attention to the results. When you notice how much better you feel, your increased energy and vitality, you'll continue to look for new ways to fuel your body with the colored rainbow of green, yellow, red, and orange good foods

Fresh Air, Sunshine, Movement
The power of getting outdoors breathing in the fresh air is mostly forgotten. We are so tethered to our phones, computers, tvs, and other electronic devices we barely see the light of day when it's sunny and 70 degrees outside.  Unplug and get outside in the fresh air and sunshine.  Talk a walk, a stroll, a jog even it's just down the driveway to start. If that's too much, then simply stand up. Studies show that standing is better than sitting for long periods.  One step at a time and we begin to slowly build our fitness, our breathing improves, our endurance improves and we begin to feel more alive

The New You Energetic and Vibrant 
The simple of combinations of better nutrition, fresh air, sunshine, and a little more movement will work wonders in increasing your overall health and well being, your energy levels will zoom, you'll feel more alive and vibrant, you'll sleep better, your mood will improve.

You will in essence have created the new and improved you all without shopping for the latest whiz bang gadget, vitamin, lotion. You will become Radiant.

And You Deserve It!

With Love,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K
tkaufmanncoahing.com

a great eating and nutritional resource drhyman.com


Thursday, March 1, 2012

There's More Than Enough - Life Is A Song Enjoy the Music

I talk to so many friends and family members and we see it all over the news about the challenging economic times, about how life is a struggle for so many, and that we need to compete to win, that resources and money is scarce, and how we need to win and compete to get our share. Too many of us are frantically rowing our boat.

Whoa, slow down. Let's give it a thought. There really is enough.  A good rower powers through the water and life using smooth rhythmic strokes.

We who live who live in the USA have been blessed with more material abundance than any other time in the world's history. We have all these wonderful technologies available to us, more food, and comforts than the great John Rockefeller or Andrew Carnegie enjoyed. Of course, these two men were the richest in the world as little as 75 years ago, it's astounding that the average person enjoys  lives and comforts that these folks imagined only in their dreams

Perspective and awareness also help. My daughter's recent report on Ethiopia highlighted the average salary of $350/yr, 30 year working life equates to $10k for lifetime! We are blessed with tremendous wealth and abundance in the USA. Let us be thankful, grateful, and share it with others, for when we do we open up space for even more abundance and goodness to flow into our lives.

Put aside competiton, winning, racing. Instead choose to participate in this dance called life, enjoy the music, and let all the wonder in life flow to you and through you.

There is a better way

Much Love,

Coach K
Tom Kaufmann
tkaufmanncoaching.com