Lovely Leo

Lovely Leo

 

 

Leo Leo

You played guitar

And shine as brightly

As any star

 

You always played

And smiled 

And laughed

You practiced

Practiced

Honing your craft

 

You love old houses

Just like Dad

We were proud of you

You made us glad

 

Your Sisters loved you

And cared for you too

Just like an Angel

With eyes of blue

 

You danced among us

With that glint in your eye

But your time was short

You had to fly

Off to the heavens

Among the Angels

You belong

Sharing your joy

And beautiful song

Godspeed!

With Love,

Coach K

A Knowing

Knowing

A Knowing.  Interesting word.  Interesting concept.  Shakespeare wrote, "To Thine Own Self Be True." We are many things, many talents, ideas, and possibilities but at our core we are these wonderfully Divine beings.  We are powerful, gentle, souls that are gliding through this dance called life. 

How many of us are even aware of this fact.  In this Christmas season of giving, give yourself the gift of true life.  The gift of Knowing your Divine essence and your ability to create miracles in your life and others.  

Jesus said, "You can do all that I have done and more if you but believe.  And with the faith of the tiniest mustard seed, you can move mountains."

Think of the times you were inspired and you created or achieved something wonderful.  A great performance, a great game, a story, a painting, an idea, a solution, overcoming an obstacle, changing a life, saving a life.  These moments of Light are within us, surround us, and are available to us at all times. We can access our Holy Spirit when we live from our higher selves. The Self that is gentle, kind, loving, compassionate, charitable, calm, and omnipotent.  

We have this ineffable power that resides dormant because we dwell in the everyday noise of human activity.  The hustle and bustle of everyday life that often comes with negativity, violence, low energy, anger, and frustration.  Our lifestyles often sap our energy leaving us tired and listless which limits our ability to access our creative, intelligent, inspired part of ourselves.  When we spend to much of our time on our human wants and needs and not enough feeding our divine spiritual selves we risk having that wonderful part of us, our Souls, become dormant and even non existent. 

When we feed ourselves both physically and spiritually the good stuff, we can reactive our spiritual selves and live a richer more fulfilling life. Turn down the noise, turn off the negative news, movies, and entertainment.  Seek out the better, fine qualities in all parts of your life and see how it enriches you and others. When we quiet ourselves and seek solitude and peace we can access and live more purposely from our higher selves. 

We can start by  praying or simply talking to God.  We are reminded that we should "Ask and it should be given unto you.  Ask and Receive.  Give and Receive"  A simple prayer of Thanks is  incredibly powerful.  When we give thanks it focuses our awareness on gratitude on the sublime gift of Life, of each wonderful moment, of each precious breath.  

We have our divine human bodies, our holy temples that house our divine soul and spirit.  Feed your body good health food, feed your mind good knowledge and literature, and above else feed yourself the Word of God and let your Divine essence and spirit shine throughout your life and the lives of others. 

Because each of us has a Light that can truly change the world. 

Merry Christmas!

With Love,

Coach K

A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol

"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of others." 

From the wonderful movie, "The Man Who Invented Christmas" with Dan Morgan and the fantastic Christopher Plummer from Sound of Music fame. The movie recounts the story of how Charles Dickens came to write his most famous story, A Christmas Carol.  

Dickens was already established as one of the great novelists of our time with Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations among many other writings. Dickens just returned from a trip to America and was working on his next book Martin Chuzzlewit early in 1943.

A Christmas Carol was written in October 1843 and published in December that same year.  After visiting America in 1842, Dickens returned home to London and was looking for another idea for his next book after some recent efforts failed to achieve the same success as his earlier works.  His publishers Chapman & Hall were not excited by a Christmas book and since it was already October they didn't see how they would be able to publish the work in six weeks by Christmas when the book was not even written yet. 

Dickens belief in the story of Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas was so strong that decided to pay  for the illustration and publishing costs himself. He hired the best illustrator in London, John Leech, who struggled drawing a Merry Ghost. 

The book was a tremendous success and sold out 6000 copies within in a week.  The story continues to be enjoyed today with numerous popular movie versions. My favorite is the is the 1999 version with Patrick Stewart as Scrooge and Ian McNiece as Old Fezziwig.

And as Tiny Tim says, 

"God Bless Us Everyone"

Merry Christmas!

Coach K

 

Walt Whitman

 The Sunshine

Another lovely quote from the American poet Walt Whitman - 

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you"

 Born on Long Island, NY in 1892 Walt Whitman lead a hard scrabble life.  He was the second of nine children and spent his time growing up in Brooklyn, NY.  He started in the printing trade at the age of 12 and was a writer and editor of several papers, similar to Ben Franklin in 1770's Philadelphia. 

He spent his time reading books, going to the library, and seeing plays and operas. He also worked as a school teacher, printer, and journalist.  

He introduced a new form of poetry with Leaves of Grass and Song of Myself.  He visited his brother during the Civil War and was deeply impacted with the realities of war and he lived among the sick and dying which shaped his writing going forward. 

Keep looking toward the sun and cast a long shadow. 

With Love,

Coach K

Getting Dirty

 Beautiful Flowers

I came across a lovely quote the other day

"Every flower must grow through the dirt"

It got me thinking on how many of us resist getting dirty or just rolling around in the mud.  We are part of the earth and come to think of it everything that we need to survive comes from the dirt.  The plants, flowers, crops, animals are all dependent on the soil.  

And of course the struggle of the flower toiling away in the dark damp dirt yearning and striving to reach and ultimately be born in the golden sunlight, is similar to our journey from darkness to Light. 

We are born in darkness emerging from our mother's womb into our first light of day.  From there we take take our first blessed breath and begin our journey of life. Throughout our lives we will be knocked down or knocked out but we get up and keep moving forward.  We all struggle at times but with God's help we will come through the dirt and blossom into the unique beautiful flowers we were meant to be. 

And just like the unsurpassed beauty of the lilies in the field, each of us has our own uniqueness, scent, and beauty to share.

God wants us to blossom and shine our beauty on the world. 

Let it be so. 

With Love,

Coach K

Truly Love

 Charlotte Bronte - Jane Eyre

"I have for the first time found what I can truly love–I have found you. You are my sympathy–my better self–my good angel–I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my centre and spring of life, wrap my existence about you–and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one.” 

"The human heart has hidden treasures, in secret kept, in silence sealed; The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, Whose charms were broken if revealed. "

With Love,

Coach K

 

Capitalism - Berkshire Hathaway

Charlie Munger

Investing legend and Vice Chairman of Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway passed away this week at the age of 99.  Charlie and Warren were the Capitalism's Investing Dynamic Duo.  Berkshire Hathaway was a tired fading textile company in New England that Buffet acquired in the early 1970's, and he would use that company as his acquisition vehicle to build one of the most successful business investment companies in American history.  Creating jobs, tax revenue, wealth, and improving standard of living for millions throughout the world. 

Charlie and Warren despite being billionaires are notoriously cheap or shall we say frugal. Forgoing glitz and glamour and life comfortably but modestly.  They are donating much of their wealth to philanthropic causes. 

A word about Capitalism which seems to get a bad rap these days. There has been no other system of industry that has lifted more people from poverty and made more advances to improve the quality of lives  in the history of the world.  From electricity, fresh water, aviation, and human rights Capitalism has bettered humankind.

 One of Charlie's favorite classic investing adages according to Warren Buffet,

It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price," he wrote. "Charlie understood this early; I was a slow learner.

God Bless and  safe travels Charlie, may we all be slow learners.  

With Love,

 Coach K

 

The Light

 The Light - A Mother's Love

Sissy was like every girl

That dreamed of her Prince Charming

But then one day he up and left

And life became alarming

 

She had four boys

From nine to three

Now what was she to do 

The life that she had planned so carefully

Must now begin anew

 

The house the car the swimming pool

Right down to every letter

But that had all just gone away

And now only God knew better

 

She was bent

She was broken

How was she to know

That through her Faith

The Spirit worked

To help those young boys grow

 

The path was hard 

And full of doubt

At times no food or heat

But Sissy was committed now

And would never taste defeat

She begged and borrowed

Scratched and clawed

Whatever was required

Her boys came first

No matter what

Even when she tired

Mom loved hard 

And we would fight

She called us Dirty Dogs

But all along she was there just

 Guiding us toward

The Light

With Love,

Coach K

 

 

 

Addition Nutrition

Energized Eating

Most thinking about nutrition and our daily eating habits focuses on what you have to give up.  The word Diet begins with the word Die, not a very inspiring way to go through life with one of our most important daily activities feeding our wonderful divine bodies. 

The modern mindset on eating focuses on what we have to give up or sacrifice.  There is a better way.  When you shift your attention on what to add to your daily eating regimen you naturally eliminate the other things that become extraneous. 

When I add my delicious and powerful blended greens of spinach, kale, beets, and other beneficial greens with my blueberries, greek yogurt, and green teas we squeeze out the processed food and sugary drinks and snacks.  

When we understand that our daily food can replace those toxic and expensive medications and our empowered eating can provide the nutrients to heal ourselves of these chronic diseases we can push the soda aside and pick up the tasty lemon water.

When we look to add superfoods to our daily eating we push out the less beneficial foods and improve our overall health and wellbeing simply by addition.  I was reading about the power of honey bees.  The Queen bee eats only Royal Jelly which helps here grow to twice the size of a worker bee. Bee Propolis, Royal Jelly, and raw local unpasturized honey can help with allergies and be a tremendous health food for our bodies.  Just watch the sugar intake but a teaspoon everday will do wonders.

I stumbled upon the benefits of coconut oil as both a moisturizer, power food, and immunity booster.  I began swabbing my dry nostrils with the oil and discovered that I stopped sneezing in the morning and ceased scratching my throat and rubbing my eyes.  My seasonal allergies disappeared and I stopped getting colds and was able to sleep better by breathing through my nose.  My rational was that most pathogens enter the body via our sinuses and the coconut oil being an anti fungal and anti bacterial block these germs from entering our systems. 

There are so many wonderful fruits, vegetables, drinks, and products that nature provides that can restore us, invigorate us, and reenergize us so that we can be vibrant, zestful, and a live a long strong happy life.We just have to use nature's power of simple arithmetic by adding these foods to our daily eating habits.

One last powerful thought.  When we understand that our daily eating provide both our fuel for the day but also have power to literally heal us of any ailment we may have it's worth making theses simple changes utilizing the simple power of Addition.

To Your Health!

With Love,

Coach K

Surrender

 The concept of Surrender can be very powerful.  Society seems to always be preaching Fight, fight, fight. But sometimes the answer may be acceptance and surrender. 

 From Lao Tzu, 

As the soft yield of water cleaves obstinate stone, 

So to yield with life solves the insoluble

It is said, "There's a way where there's a will"

But let life ripen, and then fall

Will is not the way at all

Deny the will of life and you are dead 

A beautiful expression of going with the flow. Whatever challenges we are facing at any given moment is just a stepping stone to our destination. We should not be in a constant struggle with life or ourselves.  You are just fine and getting better every moment.  Try to experience the beauty of every moment and to enjoy the journey.

We have this miracle of life.  We do our best.  We are happy warriors. 

Life is good. 

With Love,

Coach K

 

 

 

Pay Yourself First!

Building Wealth

Pay yourself first.  What does this mean.  We have children launching their adult lives and careers, and one thing we've always instilled is to always try and save a little money out of each paycheck. 

But But But I have too many bills, debts, credit cards, student loans and car payments. The question is why do you do that to yourself and now is the time to change.  From this day forward, I am starting to pay ME first whatever income I have I will save 10% or more to ME Inc. 

My financial freedom and independence is too important to waste it on a car that goes down in value, the latest Iphone that is little changed from the model three years old.  Those clothes and shoes I bought on my credit card you didn't even wear. 

One of the most important factors in building wealth is Time and the ability for your money to grow.  When you start saving, even a small amount, at a young age say 20 your money can compound over a 40 year period and grow to a large sum despite real estate and stock market fluctuations. 

Begin today to put yourself first.  Start saving your money and investing your money instead of just spending your money. When you wake up and your 40 years old, you'll ask where did all the money go and then you will smile and say....

Right in my pocket.

To your Freedom,

Coach K

The Vessel Matters - Simple Things

The Glass

If you going to take the time to drink a nice beverage, a good cup of coffee, tea, beer, spirit or wine make sure you have a proper vessel or more plainly a good glass.

The container matters!

One of my favorite birthday gifts was a case of Hoegaarden that came with two specialty glasses . The glasses are made of thick glass that can just as easily house a cold or hot beverage.  

And the HoHo tastes so much better in the glass than in a plastic solo cup or other cheap glass.  A glass of wine is enhanced with a nice wine glass. 

Another pet peeve is paper plates. We go to all this work to make a fine meal and then we serve it on paper plates with plastic utensils. Yuck.  A real plate and silverware for me thank you. 

A 12 year old scotch or other fine spirit deserves a nice glass. Why spend $60 on a bottle and drink it in a 50 cent glass. 

I enjoy a nice glass of Guinness or Murphy's every now and then, but after many years of experience have learned that a Guinness served without a Guinness glass is a violation! I have half dozen Guinness glasses at home and enjoy water, iced tea, and any other beverages in those glasses and somehow they are more delicious. The funny thing is that now the whole family wife, kids, friends all use the Guinness glasses which I must say is irksome, especially when they break them! It's all good. 

Some times is just the little things that make every day life just a little more enjoyable.

Cheers!

With Love,

Coach K

Breaking 80 - Happy Golf

 The Journey

I have been playing golf for approximately 46 years.  And while I played other sports in my younger days, golf was more of a hobby.  Not that I'm older golf has become more central as a sport and activity. 

The beauty of the game is that you can share with your friends and family, you get to be outdoors, it's a nice form of a full body exercise, and the best is that you can play for a lifetime. 

One of the best things I enjoy is playing with my children where we can be on the course together for several hours just enjoying each other's company without cell phones and other distractions. 

As my children have learned the game and it's frustrations,  I often remind them that I have been playing for a lifetime and can just as easily shoot 100 as 88.  The fun is trying to improve and get better even though at times it seems you take one step forward and two steps backwards.  Golf can be very humbling.

But just like anything else, the more you work at it the better you will become.  And just the other day on a beautiful Fall day with the soft sun shining and the temperature around 70 degrees I experienced one of those rounds that I've been waiting for a long time.  On a terrific local PA course called Jeffersonville designed by famous golf architect Donald Ross and opened in 1913, I caught fire on the back nine shooting a 38 to post a final score of 80.   

My previous best on this course was in the low 90's but on this glorious day playing with my brother and two young studs Kyle and Ken, I found inspiration and proceeded to chip and putt my way to 6 pars on the back nine. 

Anyone who has played the game knows how frustrating it can be.  You game can disappear on any given hole.  I try to emphasize to my children and anyone I play with that the game will beat you up enough without you beating yourself up.  I tell them we play Happy Golf!  Enjoy being out on the course, feeling the wind on your face and the warm sun on your back and don't get too wrapped up in shooting a score.

Enjoy the process of getting better and the many great rounds ahead with family and friends.  If you're looking to start a new hobby or activity, give golf a try it can be challenging, stimulating, and fun. 

And remember Happy Golf!

With Love,

 Coach K

Wealth Building

How do you create and build wealth?

You're poor, uneducated, come from a broken home? 

 Nobody cares. And for your information. You determine your own fate. I know it's hard to believe or even comprehend when you feel like you come from Nothing, have nothing, and everyone saying you'll amount to nothing. 

Nothing is further from the truth. If it is to be, it is up to me!!

And what you do have is is Faith, Hope, and Desire! And these are the most important traits.

Despite all the negativity America is the Land of Opportunity, that's why all the world wants to come here just for the chance to better their lives.  Yet, those of us born in the USA will complain that things aren't fair and that the little guy has no chance.

Balderdash!!!

Start filling you head with ideas and possibility. Read books like Think and Grow Rich, The Millionaire Next Door, and the Bible with help on motivation, success, and wealth building.  Take your desire and back it up with hard work and you will be unstoppable.

Start by paying yourself first! But how with all my monthly bills it's impossible to save. Well, not exactly.

 I understand and have been there but there is a better way.

As CEO of You Incorporated, you are directly responsible for your financial well being.  And the first step  is to set aside whatever percentage you can on a monthly basis going directly into your savings and investment account.  $10, $50, or a $100 per month will quickly compound and you'll see your wealth grow. Wealth provides financial freedom which allows you to make choices that are not solely based on money. 

The sooner you can have your hard earned dollars working for you instead of you just working for them the sooner you can experience a certain financial freedom and empowerment.  And it is very liberating.  You are in control not the job or the debt. 

Buy assets. Things that go up in value.  Real estate, stocks, and other investments.  Where we get in trouble is when we invest with a short time horizon and get stuck having to sell at the wrong time.  Even if you bought at the top of the housing or stock market if you had a 10 or 20 year time horizon for the most part you did pretty well. 

 Avoid expenses. A powerful wealth building move is to avoid car payments. You can buy a nice used car for half the amount that will last a long time, keep its good looks, and eliminate the perpetual car payment that seems to infect everyone.  Think of all those extra dollars going directly into you pocket and accounts. The $500/mo car payment that never ends is a quick way to the poor house. 

Do we really need to buy the latest gadget that comes out every year like a $1000 phone that is virtually no different from the model three years ago. I bought a plasma 40" TV with an employee discount 20 years ago for 2200 bucks today you can a 70" TV for $500.  By the way, I still have the Panasonic plasma and it is fantastic. Which brings me to another important concept. 

Take care of your belongings.  We seem to live in a disposable world. When you spend your hard money or something whether it's a car, lawn mower, clothes, household items or tools you'll find with a little TLC that your things will last and you won't have to keep replacing. 

And as with anything you desire to achieve, never give up.  Keep pushing forward, use any setback as just a learning tool propelling you higher up the ladder of success. 

Ask God for help and fill yourself with gratitude, humility, and peace.

And when you do achieve your tremendous success don't forget to help others on their journey,

 

With Love,

Coach K

Solve the Problem

 One of the best ways to flourish in your personal and business life is to be a Problem Solver.  Everyone wants someone on their team, in their company, or part of their organization who can solve problems. Many of us create problems or are defeated by problems. 

There is a better way.   A better word for problem is Challenge.  A challenge is something we need to accept, acknowledge, and meet.  Life can be a challenge but in a positive way.  The challenge of living a good life, of maximizing your potential, of contributing to make the world a better place. 

Any challenge that you're facing does not mean you have to meet it by yourself. You have resources that are available to overcome whatever you want to accomplish. There are experts in every facet of life and numerous people that have overcome the same thing that you are facing this very minute.  

If they can do it, so can you. And the best thing is most people are happy to help you on your journey.  The irrepressible Zig Ziglar said it best when he adopted the mission statement, that the best way to get what you want is to help others get what they want.  Zig always giving. 

Start with the easy things and build your problem solving ability.  Forget the excuses and limitations.  You'll be surprised what you can accomplish and achieve when you just open your mind and heart to the possibilities and how powerful and resourceful your really are. 

And remember with God all things are possible. 

With Love,

Coach K

The Power of Love

Love Lost

Love these days seems harder and harder to find.  I just read a statistic that 25% of 40 year olds have never been married. Back in the early 80's it was 6%.  And 25% of 40 years olds never even tried marriage. Astounding!!! 

Remember, what you put into your body is just as important as what you put into your mind.  And of all the things you desire, having someone to share all your hopes and dreams is the most rewarding.  And despite all the hard work and sacrifice to have children and create a family,  having children will be the best thing you ever do in life. 

So when your feeding your body, go ahead and feed your mind and soul. 

 Here's a classic from St. Paul in a letter to the Corinthians -

 A Letter From Paul To The Corinthians (1 Corinthians 13)

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

 

With Love,

 

Coach K

 

 

An Irish Blessing

 A beautiful Irish blessing -

 May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warmly upon your face;

the rains fall softly upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

 

With Love,

Coach K

 

 

The Race

 My good friend Dave a marathon runner with the body of a linebacker would regularly run 3 hour marathons.  He was so competitive that he would expend all of his energy in an effort to win or post his best times. He inspired me to complete one myself.  Who wants to run 26.2 miles!

He was part of local running group in the Princeton, NJ area with a mix of runners with varying degrees of talent.  One of his buddies just wanted to finish his runs, especially a 26 mile marathon. Well they both were entered in the same race and Dave went out with a blast but hit the wall or ran out of gas later in the race.  His buddy was eating candy bars late in the race just trying to keep his energy up so he could finish.  Would you believe it his friend who was a an hour slower finished the race, while Dave was gassed and had to drop out. 

His friend had a lovely quote that Dave shared with me and that I remember to this day.  Just like the tortoise and the hare,

"The race does not always go to the swiftest, but those that keep on running."

How true and what a great metaphor for life also.  We get so worked up at the slightest bit of adversity that sometimes we stop running, moving, or living. Just keep going finish the race. Time passes so quickly.  And when you look back on that adversity, oftentimes that mountain is just a small hill that you easily climbed on the way to winning your race.

 To your health!

 With Love,

Coach K

Fear and Faith

 Faith

 Ah, the fear they spread is so thick you can taste it.  Fear, bad news, negativity it sells right.  We don't want to hear that it's another sunny day.  We tune it when the big storm is coming so we can prepare.  But it is in all the sunny days where we make our preparations. 

 What is the opposite of fear?  Is it hope, love, or Faith.  

We all experience setbacks and some more challenging than others but we need to know that setbacks are the exception.  We need to be hopeful, expectant, and joyful on what the wonder of a new day and moment because as we know, yet often forget, that each one is indeed a gift. 

When we expose ourselves to the constant bombardment and stream of negativity, we weaken our immune systems, our mental and emotional states, perhaps most of all our Attitudes. Why do we do this to ourselves. 

You can look throughout history and see all the wars, natural disasters, and human trauma.  Yet here we are still thriving and prospering.  The world has become a safer and more prosperous place.  More people have been lifted out of poverty and we will continue to solve and meet the challenges of tomorrow. 

We can flip the switch as easy as turning the lights on and illuminating the entire room.  So it is with our minds, hearts, souls, and lives.  Just flip the switch and let the Light inside you shine forth.  

What you focus on expands.  Let that idea sink in and marinate. Your choice. My choice. Our choice. Focus on all the good you can do with this day even as it is simple as feeling your heart beat, or taking a deep breath, going for a walk, feeling the wind on your face, or watching the rain, or feeling the warmth of the sun.  

YOU CREATE YOUR OWN REALITY.  And everything you do starts with a thought.  So, begin with better thoughts. 

For all the younger generations, our children are in their 20's now the future will be just fine.  Everything will work out for just like it worked out for your parents and grandparents.  The universe and world is an abundant place.  In just one generation we went from telephones to cell phones, 10 TV channels to 700 channels, analog to digital, Internet and Computers and the other advances are countless.  

Faith, Hope, Love, and Positivity are learned skills just like anything else. Seek out great role models and teachers.  Jesus is one such example but there are many.  Ask for help, pray for help, tap into the Holy Spirit that resides in all of us.  Look for books on attitude, positivity, and hopefulness. There is a wonderful saying, that when the student is ready the teacher will appear. 

Pull up the shades, open the windows, let the sun shine in your future is brighter than you know. 

With Love,

Coach K

 

  

Parenting - Raising Wonderful Children

 Thoughts from Pop Pop

Pop always like to share his invaluable gems while enjoying a delicious homemade dinner from his lovely wife Nonna and sipping a little vino rosso.  

After raising three wonderful children, he shared some insight on how to be a good and thoughtful parent with a simple analogy - 

When planting a new tree, you have to straighten it when it is young

You must straighten the tree when it is young and flexible, once it grows to a certain age you cannot straighten a mature oak.  And so it is with our children, we have to teach them right from wrong and give them the proper discipline at a young age.  

Good parenting involves love, kindness, teaching, and of course discipline.  They need to learn at an early age proper behavior, and how to be thoughtful, considerate, young people that will grown into loving, independent, productive members of society. 

We need to be there for them and one of the best ways to help them be wonderful young children and wonderful adults is for us to be the wonderful examples that they can watch throughout their formative growing years. 

Yes, we can do it.  Our children our counting on us. 

With Love,

Coach K

John Denver - Words of Wisdom

 The great John Denver singer songwriter entertained millions with his best selling songs that focused on love, peace, and harmony.  This Welcome to My Morning song resonated with me especially the line 

"Welcome to my morning, welcome to my day. I'm the one responsible, I made it just this way"

Enjoy the song and let it inspire you to make your own beautiful days!

With Love,

Coach K

Welcome To My Morning

Welcome to my morning, welcome to my day.
Yes, I’m the one responsible, I made it just this way.
To make myself some pictures, see what they might bring.
I think I made it perfectly, I wouldn’t change a thing.
La la la, la la la la la. La la la, la la la la la.

Welcome to my happiness, you know it makes me smile.
And it pleases me to have you here for just a little while.
While we open up the spaces and try to break some chains.
And if the truth is told they will never come again.
La la la, la la la la la. La la la, la la la la la.

Welcome to my evening, the closing of the day,
you know I could try a million times and never find a better way
to tell you that I love you and all the songs I played
are to thank you for allowing me in that lovely day you made.

Welcome to my morning, welcome to my day.
Yes, I’m the one responsible, I made it just this way.
To make myself some pictures, see what they might bring.
I think I made it perfectly, I wouldn’t change a thing.
La la la, la la la la la. La la la, la la la la la.
La la la, la la la la la. La la la, la la la la la.

(written by John Denver)

 

 

Anticipation - Looking Forward

While we live in the present moment, it's also important to look to the future and plan for the days ahead. Our future plans something as simple as looking forward to a dinner, meeting a friend, or some other future activity help smooth out our days and improve our work life balance. 

When we have future plans and future goals they help with our motivation and can smooth out the grind of daily work with our anticipation of that weekend getaway, attending the big game, or planning the dream trip to Italy.  

The anticipation of tomorrow can help fuel the work of today. 

When we balance the joy of living in the moment with the anticipation of all the good things life has in store for us we can look forward to the bright horizon and the blessings of tomorrow knowing that 

The best is yet to come!

 With Love,

 Coach K

 

 

 

Golf - The Game of Kings

 The Beauty and Power of Golf

I come from a family of four boys and we were all athletes playing mostly basketball and baseball, but every sport in its season whether it was street hockey, tackle football at the park, wiffle ball, horseshoes, box hockey, tennis, and yes golf. 

We grew up "economically disadvantaged" or a funny way of saying poor.  Food stamps, welfare, the works.  A single mother with four young boys does what she has to do.  We never felt poor though growing up in the wonderful tight knit working class town with the funny Indian name of Conshohocken, Lenape for Pleasant Valley, and indeed it was a Pleasant Valley.  

 We excelled in all the traditional sports growing up, and would have some legendary games of 2-on-2 hoops with the two middle Bros versus me and the Baby.  We would get them most of the time, and those years of little brother taking a licking would pay dividends as he became the best player in the history of our local high school. 

I was introduced to many other great games as a young teenager from Chess, Foosball, Ping Pong, and the best of them Golf.  My dear friends, coaches, and mentors at the local community center Coach Frank, Jimmy, Reeno, and Dennis would be an extended family to all of us, but had a special influence on me.  

Dennis and Coach played golf, and Coach even caddied so knew the game well.  Dennis and Coach cobbled together a set of clubs when I was 13, and I learned the game on the local legendary Woody's golf 9 hole chip-n-putt  and the 18 hole par 54 courses. I was smitten and hooked immediately.  I was a baseball player so I felt an immediate connection with hitting the ball. 

As I played the game for the past 40 years, I have come to realize it's one of the few sports that you can enjoy playing throughout your entire life.  I get even more enjoyment now than I did when I was younger. And I've realized that the best part of the game is that it connects generations of family and friends.  We would take family vacations when the children were younger at golf resorts and always enjoyed the people, hospitality, and community. 

I have the pleasure and joy of playing with our 20 something's and what's nice is that we get to spend 5 quality hours together out in the fresh air and sunshine without cell phones, Tv's, social media, and computers.  I'm grateful and thankful for all the time we spend together on the course. How refreshing! 

And while golf is known as the sport of Kings and originated in it's present form from the home of golf Scotland.  Some of the game's best players started out from modest means.  The great Tom and Tommy Morris' were caddies who became legends of the games.  Tiger Woods played and learned on a Naval base community course.  

Do yourself a favor and start playing, teach your children the game, and you will find that Golf can be the start of a wonderful family experience that will last generations.

With Love,

Coach K

Wolgang Amadeus Mozart - Let The Music Play

There is a wonderful saying, "Don't live without sharing the music inside you." The incredible Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart born in 1756 composed some of the most beautiful, exquisite, classical music ever heard. Mozart was blessed with a devoted father Leopold that instructed and encouraged him at a very young age.  Leopold was an accomplished violinist and better known for being an extraordinary teacher of the violin. The violin was his preferred instrument and he would encourage Wolfgang to play the violin despite his reluctance.

Mozart spent his childhood immersed in music which launched his virtuoso talent at the age of three. He and and his sister Nannerl would play and perform to kings and courts across Europe. He not only was a virtuoso harpsichord or piano player, where he was pretty much self taught but he also was a virtuoso violinist.  He actually wrote five violin concertos in his teens and never composed another piece for the violin.

Mozart maintained a bit of child like wonder throughout his 35 years of life.  He composed and produced a tremendous amount of beautiful music in a very short period of time and that music has resonated down through the ages. Despite only living 35 years, he made sure that he shared his incredible talent and music with the world, and we are all better for knowing his divine creations. 

For those of you that have not experienced Classical music whether it's Mozart, Bach, or Beethoven take the time to give it a try and a listen.  After being exposed to pop and rock music for most of my life, I listened to Mozart for the first time when I was 30 years old and was stunned and astounded by the melodic sound. I remember quietly saying wow! This is the most beautiful music I've ever heard.  That's why it's lasted 270 years!

If you want to know a little more about Mozart, there is an excellent movie called Amadeus that perhaps takes some poetic license but still is an enjoyable story. 

We are all given inherent gifts from God and it's up to us to use them. 

Let's make sure we share our Music with the world and remember to 

Let the Music play!

With Love,

Coach K

Be A Pro - Larry Fitzgerald

 How to Be A Professional

We can be a Pro in our own everyday lives.  The great Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals is a tremendous example for all us.  What did Larry do that we all can emulate?  He showed up every day ready to work, to improve, to better himself, and to honor and hone his craft of professional football. 

Larry spent his entire career playing for a mediocre Cardinals team, appeared in few if any playoff games, and never went to a Superbowl throughout his long career.  But what he did do is respect and honor the gifts and talents he was blessed with and continually strived to be the best player he could be both on an off the field.  He was the consummate teammate, leader, an outstanding member of the community and contributed to the team both on and off the field. 

Simply stated he was a Pro. He was passionate.

He put on his uniform every day just like many of us do and went to work. He didn't half-step, call out, or mail it in.  He showed up and showed out. And played like a champion even when the team did not. 

He didn't win Superbowls or Championships but he became a Hall-of-Famer playing on average and underperforming teams.  He excelled even when the team did not.  He was a beacon of greatness in a sea of mediocrity.  He put in the work, was dedicated, and cared about his performance and his legacy.

We can do the same.  Whatever our daily work or profession we can be professionals.  We can work hard, improve ourselves, be passionate, and strive to do and be our best regardless of the challenging circumstances we face.

We can be Hall-of-Famers in our right and leave a legacy of accomplishment, achievement, and greatness. 

Larry Fitzgerald had a long and distinguished playing career and by most accounts he is even a better human being. He earned his success and the rewards followed.  The lesson applies to us as well.  When we work hard, are good teammates, and do the right thing, the rewards will surely follow.

Be a Pro.

With Love,

Coach K

Healing Your Nervous System - Anxiety and Panic

 Anxiety and Panic have become part of our daily existing and it is wreaking havoc in our lives.  Particularly, for those under 30 years old.  Looking back what were we worried about in our teenage and young adult lives.  We had our challenges but today it seems as everything is coming at us in waves. 

The nervous system is just like any other body part.  When it is overtaxed and constantly stressed it begins to wear out just like the heart, knee, liver, and kidneys that get overworked from food, drink, or other toxins. 

When we continually feed our brains and nervous system with a stream of violence, negativity, pictures, movies, video games, social media and daily news.  Everyday we get hit with the Tragedy-of-The Day. Shootings, natural disasters, pandemics, accidents, the stream is endless. We are immersed in the negativity.

But we have a Choice.  And we MUST EXERCISE THAT CHOICE to turn off the stream of negativity. For those that say it's reality, I agree it is a part of reality but not the only part.  And we need to know that WE control OUR reality.  If you continually plug into the stream of violence, it will make you sick, anxious, depressed, and unhealthy both mentally, emotionally, and physically. 

We need to turn it off and unplug. Remove ourselves from.  The other reality is beauty, peace, love, compassion, nature, goodness, and kindness.  For every negative event there are millions good things happening in our world and the world around us.  A birthday, anniversary, marriage, newborn, a championship, a sunrise, sunset, even just waking up this morning and being thankful for the gift of life, for each moment.  We can now see when we remove ourselves from the negative stream, we can have a whole new experience one that is empowering and uplifting.  

Just like you are what you eat.  Junk food versus good food.  Your brain, nervous system, mind, body and soul are the same way.  Junk versus good.  Same result.

Choose the good stuff! To your health. 

With Love,

Coach K

 

 

 https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Help-Your-Nerves-Anxiety/dp/0593201906/ref=sr_1_1?crid=92NWWH0XXL70&keywords=hope+and+help+for+your+nerves+by+claire+weekes&qid=1676389549&sprefix=hope+for+your+nerv%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-1

 

 

 

Put Down That Fork!

 Optimal Health

The best and fastest way to Optimal Health is to stop eating! Ah yes, I am genius.  We all know how hard it is to change our eating habits but our health, vitality, and quality of life are worth the changes. 

I know Fasting is the new diet buzzword. But when you really think about our eating habits and the American diet, you realize we are eating constantly. Three meals a day and constant snacking in between.  The body and the digestion system is always working to process those calories, most of which are empty and unnecessary.  

There is a better way that will change your life, health, and outlook.  We simply put down the fork and stop eating.  Or said another way, we learn to eat in a better way and more optimal way that enhances our health naturally and also provides all the nutrition we need. Fasting enables the body to heal itself by turning off the overheated digestion process and allowing our organs and biological systems to recover, and begin working normally again.

When working properly the body naturally produces Testosterone, Human Growth Hormone, and IGF (Insulin Growth Factor) at any age and provides all we need for lean muscle mass, strong bones, and good health.  

Fasting is a simple way to change our eating habits will improving our health  Fasting is not starving yourself.  You simply eat in a continuous 8 hour window, say from noon to 8pm.  You can choose the 8 hour window but the other 16 hours, 8 for sleeping and 8 for living are don't without eating anything significant.  So, some coffee, water, green tea are good to consume in the 16 hour non-eating window. 

This simply eating shift can/will change your life if you're struggling with your weight, energy levels, mental and emotion outlooks, or just want to improve you overall health and quality of life. 

Try to eat healthy in that 8 hour window but you can still treat yourself.  Start small if need be, you can eat in a 10 or 12 hour window as you work your way to 8.  Give it a try and see how it works for you.

The other benefit of Fasting is it eliminates for the need dubious testosterone, estrogen, and HGH supplements. By giving our bodies a break with all the eating/digestion we allow our body, organs - liver, kidneys, and pancreas to heal and begin operating normally.

Fasting is an effective and cost free way to achieve optimal weight and health.  Fasting may even help with reversing and curing some of the chronic diseases.

To Your Health,

Coach K

Feel Good

 To Feel Good Is To Feel God

When we are bombarded with negativity and the latest greatest calamity in the world it impacts our psyche, our spirit, our outlook.  We begin to think the world is a dangerous place, that things are bad all over, and what's the point of trying to live a good life, or make a contribution to society. 

We need to know, especially the younger generations that the negativity is a mirage and that how we experience the world is our choice.  While there may be a storm in a part of the world there is also beautiful weather in another part.  With a planet of 8 billion people there is always happiness and sadness going on at all times.  As in our own lives most of the experiences are good.  When we do experience setbacks, we learn, grow and become better.  We don't just dwell and immerse ourselves in the negativity. 

But we have to make that Conscious choice.  Many of our negative experiences are of our own choosing not a reality that we actually experience in our lives.  While the devastating storm in another part of the world is sad, we help how we can, say a prayer and move forward.  We also have to be careful and mindful to not just focus or dwell on these "negative" events for if we do it will be hard to get out of bed in the morning. Because there's always another negative shoe to drop right behind the next one. We are constantly bombarded with the negative stream.  There is another and better way. 

We have a choice. 

Turn it down. Turn it off. Our daily lives can be challenging enough at times without adding the weight of the latest tragedy to our daily agenda.  There are so many incredible daily miracles happening in our own lives and right around us that we sight of them when we soak in the negativity.  When our focus shifts to the positive, uplifting, and overwhelming goodness in our lives the world changes and we go from darkness to light.  

Most areas experience more sunshine than rain but many of us live our lives as if it is only raining every day. We willingly and sometimes unknowingly ingest this constant stream of violence and negativity in our entertainment, language, music, and relationships which damages our physical, mental, and emotional heath unnecessarily and leads to unhappiness.  We can just as easily watch uplifting entertainment, or exercise, read a good book, play the guitar, sing, paint, or any other positive activity.   Or even better read the Bible and the words of Jesus that will cure what ails you! The Choice is ours and we need to be proactive, aware, and conscious of the choices we are making.

Just eliminating the daily news in our lives can have a profound impact on our health and well being.  We deserve to feel good to feel God.  A lovely expression is to feel good is to feel God.  When the sunshine washes over your face, the wind freshens your walk, or the rain feeds your garden, you are feeling and experiencing God.  This goodness permeates our lives and daily existence if we choose it, focus on it, and allow God's grace to wash over us.  We don't ignore reality but we also don't soak in negativity either.  We have wonderful lives to live and great big life to experience all the gifts of Life.

And we need to remember that Life itself is a gift and indeed each moment and day is a miracle and gift from God.  When we live from this higher part of our selves we are humbled and awed by the mystery and wonder of life.

We need to be grateful and thankful for all that shows up in our lives.  I try to say Thank You throughout the day for beauty of each moment and start each day we one my favorite quotes,

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be Glad! And with God all things are possible!

When we feel good, we feel God.

With Love,

Coach K

Peace

Let There Be Peace

 Let there be Peace on earth and let it begin with me.  We have learned that the three most important virtues our Faith, Hope, and Love, and that the greatest of these is Love. And who can argue against the power of Love.  

But just as important is Peace.  Peace is one of the highest emotions, feelings, virtues we can experience. In the terrific book, Power Vs Force Dr. David M. Hawkins explains how everything has an inherent energy that can make us stronger or weaker.  Loud rock music can make the arm go weak while classical music makes the arm strong.  Violent images emit weakness while scenes of nature produce strength. 

There are a range of human emotions from boredom, apathy, anger, happiness, joy, compassion, to love. And those that have lived on earth and reached the highest level of Conscious have radiated Peace.  

Peace in our lives is so important and is just essential for our health and well being as good nutrition and exercise. Without peace we become anxious, fearful, and even depressed. We can achieve Peace by simply turning down the noise, and eliminating the constant stream of violence we ingest. Our entertainment is littered with violence. UFC fighting,horror movies, tv shows, video games, music, commercials, sports. My friend was watching a John Wick movie and it was sickening. Why is this trash produced and why do we consume this garbage. The violence poisons our mind and Spirit, permeates our culture and society leading to even more violence in our everyday lives. And the concern is that we have become immune to it and think it is normal, and even worse we can exposing our children to this violence at younger and younger ages. We must do better.

The rise of anxiety, depression, panic attacks, sleeplessness, and mental illness can be directly linked to the rise of violence in our everyday lives.  But we can choose to disengage from the negativity and bathe ourselves in Peace and Light.  We can use our spiritual resources and free will to choose a better way to live.  Turn down the noise and violence and focus on the beauty, the wonder, the goodness, and the miracle of each moment and each day.  Choose better forms of entertainment and watch how your health improves, your fear and anxiety subside, you sleep better, your mood and outlook brighten, and you have better outlook.

What we focus on expands and we can choose Peace, love, and joy.  The choice is our.

With Love,

Coach K

Your Body - Your Temple

The Divine You

Think of your body for a moment.  We take it all for granted.  This magnificent gift from God. Our bodies. Thousand of chemical reaction happen without our knowing, breathing, heart pumping, electrical and electromagnetic pulses fire off instantaneously ensuring we perform at optimal levels. 

Our bodies are special in many ways but most importantly because our Soul or Divine Holy Spirit resides within each one of us.  Our bodies are simply a Temple hosting our Divine Spirits. 

When you look at yourself and your body as a holy person and place, you find yourself wanting to nourish and care for it not abuse or fill it with junk food and toxins. 

 Your health and well being is the optimal performance of the Mind, Body, and Spirit working in harmony to create the best you.  It is very difficult to create Peace, Health, and Harmony in your life when one is out of balance.  Faith, Hope, and Love are the greatest of virtues but the most important may be Peace.  You need to bring Peace into your life to have good health.  All the good nutrition and exercise will not bring you health if you are not at Peace with your Mind or Spirit.

When we eat well, drink well, get proper exercise and sleep we can begin to renew our health.  But we also need to care for our minds and souls.  Violent movies, shows, and entertainment damage our spirit and mind.  When we ingest low energy content or engage in self-harming activities we suppress and weaken our bodies and immune systems.

We all have our self indulgences and that's normal.  We just need to be mindful to not let those indulgences become the norm. Be proactive in bringing more peace and harmony into your daily life. We are so plugged in and interconnected in essence 24 hours a day.  You walk into a room and three friends are on their phones and not conversing with one another.  Try unplugging, disconnecting, and expanding the quiet, the silence, and the solitude in your lives.  Let it wash over you and soothe your busy brain, overtaxed nervous system.  A little yoga, meditation, and prayer can help balance the mind, body, Spirit connection and have a feeling good as new. 

Tranquility and peace are stronger than any dumbbell and more uplifting than any spin class. When we acknowledge our Divine essence and nourish our Spirit we gain an inner strength and fortitude that in transcendent.

When we have harmony between the Mind, Body, and Soul we can live from our optimal selves and experience our Divine Essence in harmony with God.

With Love,

Coach K

The God Force You

 Think of the times that you have been awed by a sunrise, sunset, the birth of child, a book, painting, a piece of music.  Nature has the power to transform us just as sporting event or a jog in the park.  We all live these moments and they can remind us of the divine energy that pulses in all of us.  When we smile at a stranger, or provide a simple act of kindness, or extend a courtesy, we realize that we are all connected in this cosmic dance of life, and as we progress on our individual we have an obligation to help others along the way. 

We see the struggles of modern day life when we are too absorbed in the world. When we live in the daily news cycle we become blinded to the miracles of Living.  We need to remember that we have a choice to live from our higher divine selves while living our everyday lives.  We have the choice to choose love, kindness, generosity, and peace.  The world can go on raging but we can rest in the peace and joy of our divine connect to God and the Holy Spirit because that same spirit pules within each of us. 

The world is what you make it and what you choose to create, experience, and most of all focus on.  If you focus on the negativity that will be your experience.  If you focus on the gift of each moment, each day, the humbling joy of the gift of Life you will experience a newfound reverence and peace.  The gift of being a parent, raising a child, helping a friend, reaching out to someone in need creates a totally different experience and way of living that is detached from material world and transformed into the spiritual realm. 

The choice is ours. We are empowered to live life our way not the way everyone else chooses. We can make the conscious choice o live in peace, love, and joy. We are reminded every day by the Power of God in the beauty of nature, the functioning of our bodies, and the continued creation of the universe. Every day millions of new lives are created in which we all play our part.

Choose to live a life of love, kindness, charity, peace, and joy. Choose a life of Light and laughter.  Be good to yourself, and treat your divine self with care. Give Thanks to the Lord for he is good and let us rejoice and be glad for this is the day the moment the Lord has made.We are his happy warriors.

With Love,

Coach K

Fatherless Nation

 Fathers and Families

There is an epidemic in the country and that is the dissolution of the Family.  As our families breakdown over divorce, separation, and the secularization of society, our children bear the brunt of our selfishness. 

We have become more selfish as a nation and a society.  This shift has been happening over the past few decades as divorce rates have skyrocketed.  Men are inherently more selfish as the woman is naturally more nurturing, but the selfishness is impacting everyone.  As our society has become more secular and God is playing a more diminished role, we have turned to consumerism, hedonism, and self interest as our primary motives and objectives in life.  My pleasure, my happiness, me, me, me.  This focus inward and on ourselves has resulted in broken families, broken children, and a broken society. 

We as Fathers and parents have a duty to raise loving, kind, productive, and self-sufficient children. One of the best ways to produce wonderful children is to stay married.  Marriage is not always easy and like anything worthwhile comes with challenges and hardships but the rewards are priceless. 

Marriage and raising children is one of those endeavors that while we're in it can seem daunting and unmanageable at times. But one thing we know for sure, time is passing quickly and the kids won't always be in diapers or need a bottle every few hours.  The challenges of today will seem like mere stepping-stones tomorrow. And as your marriage and children grow, your experience and hard earned wisdom will help you guide the family 

And as your children blossom into adulthood, you will look back and long for the days when you could hold them in your arms, hug them, protect them, and gladly do it all over again. When you gather around the table and take a moment to give thanks for the blessings in your life, you will be awestruck by what you helped create.  For you will realize that nothing in your life will ever exceed the astounding miraculous achievement of a wonderful family and that being a Father is the greatest blessing and honor you will ever have. God Bless the family.

With Love,

Coach K