Ebeneezer Scrooge and Happiness

The Christmas Carol written by Charles Dickens depicts Ebeneezer Scrooge as the miserly curmudgeon that cares for no one except himself and the almighty dollar.  He complains that Christmas should not be a day off and is just an excuse for picking a man's pocket while receiving wages for no work! 

Merry Christmas is greeted by Scrooge with a Humbug! 

When asked for a donation for the poor he responds, "are there no workhouses or prisons and if the people won't go there let them reduce the surplus population!" 

Scrooge is visited by the spirit of his recently departed business partner Jacob Marley, who is fettered in chains and his money chest that he must carry throughout eternity.  Scrooge says, "speak comfort to me Jacob, speak comfort to me!" Jacob warns Scrooge that helping the needy and his fellow man should be his business. 

Scrooge is then visited by the three ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future where his life flashes before his eyes. Scrooge finally sees the light changes his ways and becomes a kind and giving gentleman.  After Scrooge is visited by the last Spirit, he has a wonderful line where he sums up what he has  learned;

When Happiness shows up, give it a comfortable chair!


Enjoy each moment and remember that when happiness shows up make sure to give it a comfortable chair!  


Merry Christmas and God bless!

With Love,


Coach K

The Asthma Cure - Me and My Jump Rope

How I Beat Asthma

I remember the days of my youth wheezing and not being able to breathe.  As a kid on the playground and as an athlete playing all the sports,  I would be bent over sucking wind and gasping for air.

Is there anything more frightening as not being able to simply take a breath especially for a child. 

I spent days at the hospital in oxygen tents and Mom would drive me around the neighborhood with my head sticking out the window as the fresh air hit me in the face.  This was before inhalers were readily available to provide relief.  The doctor said, you are allergic to dust, mold, on and on the list went. 

When I was older I went to see a food allergist that said I was allergic to chicken.  He also made a point to tell me that asthma is something you have for life, it's not something you outgrow.  Your mindset is so important.  I was determined to prove that it was possible to overcome this chronic disease.  While Doctor's provide valuable advice, YOU are responsible for your health and well being.  And YOU determine the actions, outcomes, and results you achieve. 

I still remember one high school day vividly, it was during basketball practice and we were running wind sprints.  I was having trouble breathing and the coach started yelling.  I was frustrated and embarrassed yet was determined to find a way to overcome asthma.

The first thing I did was to stay away from smoking.  From there, I came across the jump rope when I was 17 and started jumping as a way to stay fit. I then started running and completed 5k's, half marathons, and thanks to the inspiration from my friend Dave, I completed a marathon.

I did get an inhaler that provided immediate relief in case I did have an attack, but I didn't want to rely on medicines.  I started jumping rope and running and noticed the change in my lung capacity and my fitness level. The rope is great for your pulmonary and cardio systems.

And your HEART is your biggest muscle that is constantly in use.

The jump rope is convenient, easy to do, easy to master, and this is important always accessible, with running or other exercise you need equipment, a gym, or fancy sneakers.  2 minutes of jump rope a day will start you on the path to ultimate fitness, and you will be an expert in a few weeks of jumping.  The rope is also low impact on your joints.

25 years later and I have not used an inhaler or any other medicine for asthma. I have been jumping for 40 years and I have not had an asthma attack all thanks to the rope.

I speak to many people that say they are too uncoordinated to jump but believe me after doing it for two weeks you will be an expert.  If you're a little hesitant of using the rope, go to Walmart/Amazon buy a $2 vinyl rope and cut in in half, you can get the benefits of jumping rope without having to actually skip over the rope, and as your confidence grows you can move to a another rope. Watch your body start to melt.  Be patient the results will come!

Another benefit of jumping rope is it's great for your calves.  The calves are known as your second heart and are essential for pumping blood from you lower legs back to your heart. 

Try it. Don't give away your inhaler or medicines just yet, but as you begin on the this new path of fitness and wellness watch as they fade away.  Be of good cheer, have courage, and just begin.

Allergies are linked to asthma and one of the most important things you can do is overcome these irritants.  One of the most important life changing things I discovered was that most allergens arrive through the sinuses.  So, if we can keep the sinuses clear it will help with our breathing.  I began to swipe coconut oil in my nostrils and it eliminated by season allergies and stuffy nose in the morning.  I was able to breathe through my nose while sleeping.  Coconut oil is an antifungal and antibacterial and an excellent natural moisturizer.  

Another word on breathing.  Proper breathing is a learned practice.  Most of us take shallow breaths.  But when we learn deep breathing techniques that help us understand and control our breath we can begin to breathe better.  Taking four deep breaths beginning with an inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth.  While you take your four breaths hold each breath for as long as comfortably possible and then exhale with your tongue pressed against the roof of your mouth. 

The body has a miraculous ability to heal itself, all you need to do is give it a little help. And remember with a little faith, we can move mountains!

Check out my ebook "The Asthma Cure" on Amazon.com.

To your health!

With Love,


Coach K

The Mud Streak

We have 3 children and when they were younger the boys would play football in the backyard with their friends.  I remember looking out one afternoon at the patch of mud running the length of the yard and getting frustrated about the destruction of our beautiful grass.

I then came across a great quote that I keep handy when dealing with our little lovebirds.  One day the wife looks out at the backyard and says to the husband, "did you see what the boys did to the grass?"

The husband smiles looks at his wife lovingly and says,  remember honey we're raising boys not grass"

Love that quote.  The boys are older, they don't play football in the back yard any more and guess what, the grass has grown back to a lush green. 

We have to remember they are only kids once, let them play, let them romp, let them have fun, let them enjoy.

Boy, I do miss that mud streak. 

With Love,

Tom Kaufmann

Coach K

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