Love - John Wooden

LOVE

Love the quote from the great basketball coach John Wooden.

"The best thing a father can do for their kids is to Love their Mother"

How simple.  How powerful.  How true. 

And at times, how hard.  Couples have so many responsibilities but the most important is to simply love each other.  

When we take the time for that everything else seems to fall into place. 

With Love,

Tom Kaufmann

Coach K

The Simple Key To Fitness - Movement and the Jump Rope

Health and Fitness: The Jump Rope

The key to health and well being is movement.   Movement of any kind will do the trick. Walking, jogging, dancing, biking, hiking, whatever you enjoy. 

The important thing is to move.  When we don't move, we rust.  And rust leads to breakage.  Most of our ailments can be cured with movement.  Movement reduces stress, anxiety, and improves your mood. Exercise is the fountain of youth

One of my favorites that I've been doing for 30 plus years is jumping rope.  What I like about the jump rope is the convenience.  You can do it anywhere, it's a simple piece of equipment, and it's relatively easy to master.  The jump rope is low impact. You don't pound your joints or body.  The knees, feet, and joints aren't stressed as in other activities.

Jumping rope is great for our cardiovascular and pulmonary systems.  I was able to overcome a severe case of childhood asthma that included inhalers, pills, wheezing episodes, and oxygen tents with the help of the jump rope.  Jumping rope will strengthen the heart, lungs, and blood flow. 

You can jump rope on your patio, your driveway, your basement, garage, park, or wherever.  The combination of being outside soaking in the fresh air with exercise is a potent combination.

Many people are concerned about lacking coordination to jump rope.  No sweat.  Just begin.  Think back to the school days of simply jumping rope.  In no time you will become an expert.  One month after jumping, you will marvel at how proficient you have become. 

You can start with two minutes and work your way up.  You can jump at different intervals throughout the day. Jumping rope requires minimal commitment, no going to the gym, no driving, no special gear, or footwear, no memberships. Just a simple rope and YOU.

Jumping rope will change your life and help you become healthy, fit, and more alive. 

To your health.

With Love,

Coach K

Hafiz: The Generous Sun - A Love Story

Loving Generosity

The 14th century Persian poet Hafiz wrote that the sun provides its life sustaining rays, radiating warm light that provides life to everything.  Hafiz summed up love with the lyrical words -


Even after all this time
The Sun never says to the Earth

"You owe me"

Look what happens with a love like that
it lights up the whole sky



So let it be with us,  give for givings sake.  Be generous with our love, time, money, and energy.  Give without the need for getting.  A simple smile and compliment can change the world.

Bring this sentiment, this powerful idea, this knowing into our families, our communities, our workplaces, our hearts.

With a love like that, we can light up the whole world.

With Love,

Coach K

Hafiz on Happiness

Happiness

Came across a beautiful quote from the 14th century Persian poet Hafiz,

"Ever since happiness heard your name, it's been running 
around the streets trying to find you"

What is Hafiz telling us. We were born to be happy, born to be joyful, filled with hopes and dreams.  We were born in the image of God. When we choose happiness and joy we live from our higher divine selves.

Happiness has nothing to do with material goods or money. When we acknowledge and live from the higher energy of the Holy Spirit we realize that today and each moment is a gift to be celebrated.  

Be thankful and filled with gratitude for the miracle that is you. 

With Love,


Coach K

You Are Not Your Circumstances

Remember that life can change in an instant.  If things are not the way you prefer and you would like to improve your surroundings, start with believing and imagining a better future.  We need to start seeing a better life, a better future for ourselves.

Life at times can be challenging, can beat us down.  But we have the power to keep the faith, to renew our spirit, and look for better times all while enjoy and celebrating the present moment.

We know that life changes every day, every moment is in flux.  We need to realize that if our present circumstances are not to our liking and we would like improvements that they are indeed possible.  We must start with suspending our reality, knowing that we have to power to transform our lives and that it can begin now and happen very quickly.

Begin now to think of the things you want, the life you desire. Think on it, believe it, and expect it no matter what your current situation is.

We all have challenges and many of us think they are insurmountable, but when we step outside ourselves and realize we have this day this moment, we really have everything we need.  Life is so precious and we get every day reminders in the headline news.

So despite our challenges, look for a better tomorrow, and give thanks for today.


There is a better tomorrow starting today.

With Love,

Coach K
Tom Kaufmann

Ya Gotta Move!

The key to health and well being?  MOVEMENT.  The human body was meant to move, it is essential for our health and well being.  A simple exercise regimen of walking, jogging, jumping jacks, jump rope whatever will help restore your health, mood, and wellness.

Don't over think it.  Just begin. Like anything else in nature if it doesn't get used it rusts away, it decays, movement provides oxygen to our cells, restores our bodies, brains, emotions.  We all know the physical benefits of movement are increased muscle tone, heart function, and circulation, but many of us overlook the mental benefits of exercise.  We can replace the pills used to treat anxiety, depression, and other disorders with a movement or exercise program.  The side affects of these pills can wreak havoc on the body.

Look to increase your physical activity any way that you can.  Track your progress, track your physical improvement and emotional well being.  Keep a simple journal listing your activities, and the progress you've made.

Don't get discouraged.  This is not a race. There are no winners and losers.

This is a lifestyle change.  I am committed to movement and exercise because it is essential to living like food, water, and air we must move.

Spring is in the air.  A time of new growth, blooming, a time for a new you.  Yes, of course you can do it!

Now let's get moving.

With Love,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K
coachkaufmann.com

Juan

The United States is a country of immigrants, from the original pilgrims to the europeans that left looking for a better life.  Juan is the new generation of immigrants looking for a better life.

While many Americans fret over the future and what our lives and the lives of our children will be like, Juan came here with the simple goal of improving himself and the fortunes of his family.  All he wanted was an opportunity.  He's worked hard built his business one customer at a time.   He is responsive, attentive, professional, and humble.  His goal is to please his customers, who in turn give him more business.  He is a self made man.

Juan's simple value of service of giving more than receiving has enabled him to grow his business from one employee and an old pickup truck to a thriving business with 50 employees and 10 trucks.

Juan is American ingenuity.  Juan does not speak English very well, he does not have a college education but what he does have is DESIRE, and desire can overcome many obstacles.

Juan is hungry and motivated, but he is also caring and gracious.

Juan is an American success story.


With Love,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K