Be An Excellent Communicator

Communication

Communication breakdown it's always the same as the song goes from Led Zeppelin. Communication is the key to success in life, and it is astounding how smoothly 

life would progress with the simple art of effective communication. 

One of the things we should work on doing is communicating openly and frequently.  Even though we have made our statement and our intent known is important that we continue to reinforce the point.  Everyone hears, understands, and processes things differently.  Like the game of whisper down the lane, it is truly amazing how a message can be totally changed after just passing between 10 people. 

We often need to put the message down in writing whether a policy or email and continually communicate to our audience. 

Many of the challenges we face in relationships, business, politics, neighborhoods, and families center around talking honestly, openly, and compassionately with each other.  The key to effective conversation is having an investment in the other persons well being.  Even when there is disagreement on an issue when we engage in respectful discourse we can often find common ground.

Improvement in communication is an easy way to enhance personal and industrial productivity. When we seek to improve our speaking and writing, we improve our effectiveness and ability to problem solve and get things done. 

When communicating it's important to remember that we are not trying to win an argument or prove the other person wrong.  Simply state the facts and do so in a compassionate and caring manner.  

With Love,

Coach K

The Power of Hello - Our D.C. Surprise

Kindness

We took a weekend Memorial day trip to wonderful Washington, D.C. What a great town. The fantastic Smithsonian is free, the incredible Lincoln and, Jefferson memorials, White House, and Capitol building are all spectacular sights. 

We visited the hallowed Arlington Cemetery and witnessed the solemn Changing of the Guard and at the Laying of the Wreath ceremony saw Connestoga a local PA high school from our area participate in the presenting of the wreath. 

But the highlight came from a simple act of kindness.  We were debating about staying an extra night and decided to stay Sunday night into Memorial day Monday.  After finding a good deal on the Booking.com app for the Hamilton Hotel, a nice boutique hotel in downtown D.C., five minutes from the White House and National Mall, we arrived at the front desk to check-in and were greeted by Arestel, a lovely young woman.  

Arestel asked us how we were doing and we responded just fine, my wife Lisa then proceeded to ask Arestel how she was doing, Arestel responded that no one ever asks her how she is doing!  So sad!  She then proceeded to upgrade us to a terrific Executive Suite on the 12th floor with a view of the Washington Monument!  What a wonderful surprise.

We All have this tremendous Power and ability to lighten someone's load or brighten someone's day with just a smile and hello.  Just think of that power for a moment. Awesome.  And watch how Nature works to return those blessings in 

Thank you Arestel for your kindness and generosity. 

All from just a little act of kindness of reciprocating in responding to "How are you doing? With a "fine" response and "How are You doing?!

The Power of a little Love and Kindness.

With Love,

Coach K

Practical Spirituality

Book Practical Spirituality

As the Police Song goes, We are Spirits in the material, we are spirits in the material, we are spirits in the material world.  With all of our materialism and the constant advertising and marketing we have been convinced otherwise.  

We have both human and spirit, or human and divine.  Our work here on earth is to realize the full potential of our Divinity, to enrich our spiritual selves, to become enlightened. 

So while we are working on our bodies, and our minds, it is important that we remember our spirits. Part of that renewal, rehabilitation, or reconnection can be achieved with a little effort and some simple activities. 

A renewed strengthened Spirit enhances your sense of well being, strengthens your immune system, and improves your quality of life, and overall enjoyment and happiness in our daily lives. 

1. Silence
2. Stillness
3. Music 
4. Reconnect
5. Prayer
6. Mediation
7. Reading
8. Nourish
9. The Spirit

How May I Serve

Service.  The word is part of the human psyche.  It is simply part of us.

Our egos convince us that we are here for ourselves, for our fame, our fortune, our legacy but the true achievers have figured it out long ago.

We are here to serve others.

Sometimes that service is doing a simple chore and doing in with love.

Sometimes a greater good involves much personal sacrifice.

Mostly the greater good involves being at peace.

But mostly the most powerful service is going through our lives and daily interactions with a respect for ourselves and each individual.  For while we may think we are the most important person in the universe, and you are, so is the other person.

Life is not a zero sum game where someone wins and someone loses although that may be the conventional wisdom in some circles. There is enough sunshine, air, and life for all of us.

When we go through life like the wonderful adventure it is we have this sense of wonder and gratitude for each moment and day that unfolds. That indomitable spirit is a higher form of service.

We need to treat ourselves and others with love, respect, and dignity.

When they asked the great Mother Theresa how they could help with her work with the children of Calcutta she replied simply this is my chosen avocation, you can go back to your families and communities and carry that sense of love and effort into your chosen work.

She was highlighting that the most important thing is not the work but the SPIRIT in which the work is done.

Let us be filled with the Spirit in all that we do.

With Love,

Coach K

Gentleness

The American can do spirit is wonderful.  And while the focus on competition and on winning is good. There is something more important and powerful at work.

When we play with joy, enthusiasm, and respect for our fellow competitor we participate at a higher level and achieve even greater outcomes.

For success comes with passion, joy, and love. Now these are power words.

Sportsmanship, kindness, and gentleness.

Yes, of course play gets rough at time just like life but that's just part of the game.

We pick ourselves up and keep moving forward.

With a helping hand hand to those that have fallen and are struggling to get back up.

Now that is Winning!

With Love,

Coach K

Success - Ralph Waldon Emerson

What is Success? 

Ralph Waldo Emerson gives us an excellent definition of success. 

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!

To win the affection of children, to find the best in others, to know even one life has breathed easier because You have lived this is success.

Thank you RWE,

With Love,

Coach K

Nourishment the Power to Heal

We are what we EAT.

Food has the power to heal us to cure us.  Food is medicine without the side affects!  Let that concept sink in for a moment, let it get down into your Soul.  Why would we rather take five different pills for various ailments with there debilitating side affects when we could just eat more nutritious health foods. 

Yes, so simple, so important, so true.

Yet, why do we find it a challenge to eat food that nourishes us.

Well maybe our palettes have been conditioned over the years with fat, sugar, and salt which of course is delicious but perhaps there is a healthier alternative.

When we think of our daily eating habits it is important to focus on ADDING delicious nutritious food to your meals.

Throw out the concept of taking away or removing foods.

As you add more wonderful healthy vibrant foods the old products will fall by the wayside.

Start with one healthy food you enjoy and build from there.  For me it is spinach.  I knew I need to eat more green vegetables and remembering how Popeye would eat spinach to make him strong and a little research of course I decided that to eat more spinach.  At first, I simply put some in a blender and tried of glass of plain spinach juice. I was surprised at how mild and fresh the taste was like the smell of freshly cut grass!  So for the past several years, I have tried to consume several pounds of spinach per week just by simple juicing it in a blender.  And from there you can add to your daily eating other fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and nutrients that you enjoy and that are wonderful for your health and vibrancy.

Spinach is my go to food.  What's yours?

Add delicious green vegetables and fruits, products that are sourced directly from the ground and earth without processing.

When we begin eating in a more mindful manner our taste buds change and we focus of food as nourishment, energy, a power medicine that can cure you and heal you.

When we nourish our bodies and  with wonderful food, music, art, and words we connect with our higher divine selves and  provide the energy to live our best lives.

To Our Health!

With Love,

Coach K

Beauty

Beauty is a universal truth.

We all know it when we see it and we know it comes in so many magical delightful forms.

The saying goes that Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder.

And as I walk the yard on an early Saturday morning, I am breathless at the beauty that unfolds before me.

We see and experience it in nature with the blossoming of a flower, or the bursting of a sunrise, the wind in a storm, or the silent snowfall that washes over the land.

We see in the human essence of our sisters and brothers in all of it's wonderful guises.

We see it in our fellow companions the animals of the land.

Beauty in the human divine form, and in the wonderful works of man and Spirit.

The music of Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and other inspired artists.

The art of Picasso, Matisse, Monet, DaVinci, Michelangelo.

Great works of literature from Shakespeare, to Twain, to Dickens.

We are surrounded by this remarkable beauty.

All we need to do is immerse ourselves in it and soak it in and be grateful for it is all a gift from the Divine.

With Love,

Coach K

Logos

The Greek word for talking, thinking, and reasoning is Logos.

The Book of John states in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John uses Logos as a word for Jesus. Jesus is Logos.  Jesus is the Light

Logos the rational principle that governs the universe.

We are OUR words.  Our language is essential to fulfillment, happiness, and joy.

Our words are POWER. 

Use them Lovingly, with care, with gentleness, with tenderness. 

When speaking of others and more importantly when speaking or thinking of Yourself.

Be loving and kind to yourself. 

There is only one of you. 

And you are an imprint of Divinity. 

You are the light

And if at any moment you find yourself hard to love that's OK, you are surrounded by Love.  Just step outside and let the sunshine wash over you, or the warm breeze ease you. 

Nature is one of the many reminders that we are loved. 

Our pets are also a wonderful example of unconditional love.  How often does our dog greet us with a wagging tail or a whirling dervish no mater what.

With Love,

Coach K

Radiant Health

Your health is your Life. 

And with a little attention we can restore it to new.  Yes, it is easy but first you must put down your baggage.  The past is gone LET IT GO!

You have now. The Present. This Moment.

Let's Begin

• Words have POWER. Use them wisely.  How we think and talk about ourselves has tremendous power on our health and wellness. From this day speak of yourself in loving, kind, and healthy terms
• Affirm.  Write it down.  I am strong, I am healthy, I am alive, I am joyful, I am at peace, I am on the road to health. Proclaim it!
• Movement.   You are made to move.  Motion is life.  So begin to move today whatever movement your prefer.  Begin today.  The fancy word for movement is exercise but some people associate work with exercise.  So use a word that empowers you. Motion, movement, dance, walk, run, jog, row, jump rope whatever begin to move. Begin with one step and build from there.  We can all do one step right. The journey of a 1000 miles begins with one step.
• Food.  Food is life.  

Breathe

Our breath is our connection to Life, but most of the time we pay little attention to this life giving force.  Our breath connects the physical to the spiritual.  We need to treat it better, to give it more love and attention.

One excellent breathing exercises to help keep us connected and grounded is an ancient practice and one espoused by Dr. Andrew Weil.

Mindful Breathing:

1. First, a cleansing breath. A soft exhale through the mouth. 
2. Next, we take a breath through our nose, hold it for as long as we comfortably can.
3. Then exhale gently through our mouths with the tip our tongue raised softly to the roof our mouths behind the top front teeth. 
4. Repeat 4 times. 

The breathing exercise can be done as often as you like.  

See how it relaxes, restores, and renews.

With Love,

Coach K

Becoming

It's not what you do it's what you have become.  We are often busy working, planning, studying, and just living.

While we are busy with life, we can also tend to our spiritual needs.

The more love, joy, compassion, and peace we have in our lives the closer we come to realizing our true divine essence or becoming Enlightened. We have the power to change and influence the world with our loving thoughts and energy.  This is how the world improves.

We can then help our fellow brothers and sisters along the path.

As Human Beings we coexist in both realms, the human and divine and we must tend to both.

We know that we often get too absorbed in our human lives of course that's where the heart lives, but we can easily bridge the two worlds by practicing and living love and kindness, and Unconditional Love in our daily lives.

We need to make time to nurture our spiritual side just as we nourish our bodies.  Silence, meditation, quiet time, prayer all of this gives us the space to just mentally exhale and reconnect with our higher selves, and our God. And to simply renew our Spirit. 

On the road to Becoming.

With Love,

Coach K