Footie Pajamas

Footie Pajamas

Nice and warm

Welcome to our

New Uniform

While the rest of the world

Toils Away

We're nice and snuggly

Throughout the day

Time to get ready

All dressed

For work

Wearing my PJs

Is a really nice perk

A trip down the stairs 

To our 

Family Room

Skip all the traffic

And get ready to 

Zoom

Comfy and cozy

What should I wear

Does it really matter

Nobody cares

The Antidote

Laughter

I was working in the yard last night when I noticed laughter coming from our friend's back yard.  I smiled and thought how nice if we could just spread the infectious laughter of the girls just playing and having fun. The girls went on chuckling and chortling for thirty minutes it was tremendous. 

The laughter was beautiful music. 

During this time of non stop doom and gloom, it's time to turn off the news get outside and enjoy the sunshine.  One of the best ways we can strengthen our immune systems is to be optimistic. Our optimism is threatened by the constant stream of negativity. 

But we know better.  We have the choice to allow what we take into our minds and hearts.  And just like we can choose healthy foods, and exercise, we must choose our thoughts and attitudes. We don't want to be insensitive or callous, but we also don't want to be sick and despondent.  There is a saying that, "our feeling bad doesn't make someone else feel better". 

Let's spread some optimism, a smile, and some laughter. 

It may just be our best medicine. 

Coach K

Emotional Intelligence - EQ

Emotional Intelligence

We hear so much about IQ or Intelligence Quotient to let us know how smart or intelligent a person is, but perhaps a more important measure of effectiveness is Emotional Intelligence or EQ. 

Our intelligence supposedly stops developing around the age of  sixteen, while our EQ is always evolving. 

Emotional intelligence can be defined as how well we work with people, how we effectively deal with difficult and challenging situations, how do we handle adversity. How do we work with someone that is not like us. 

Those with high EQ's are leaders that inspire us to greater achievement.  They believe in us and our potential when we often doubt ourselves.  

What is this powerful force that drives high EQ's?

In a word, LOVE.  Do you love those you are responsible for, that you work for, that you lead, that rely on you.  Love does not mean we are not disciplined. They work in unison. 

How do we develop our EQ? 

We must start with ourselves. Do you love and honor the beautiful person that is uniquely YOU.  If not we must first start there.  We must remember we are created in the image of God.  We all have the divine spark that gives us life and is responsible for our existence.  We must honor ourselves.  The past is gone. Whatever our past deeds, they are gone, and must be left in the past.  The present moment is what matters. We must start loving ourselves today no matter what our self perceived limitations, I am here in this moment and I am alive. Today is a gift and we will go confidently, lovingly, and purposefully from here. 

 To develop our EQ we simply, we treat others as we would like to be treated.  More importantly, we honor the potential and divinity that resides in all of us. When we put those we are responsible for before our own needs we communicate that we care not only about our goals but the needs of those we are responsible to.  Most parents have high EQ's, but the challenge of raising children at times can convince us otherwise. We love our children even when discipline is called for at times. 

Our duty is to care for those that depend on us. When we put their needs first, they can produce tremendous results.  Many think these are competing goals, but in fact they are essential if we are to reach our potential as individuals, leaders, teams, and organizations. 

We were made for greatness, joy, and fulfillment.  

Let's us begin today.

With Love,

Coach K

Power Tools

Power Tools

One of my friends gave me some valuable advice a while back regarding tools -

Buy the best you can afford. 

Especially, those tools you often and want to last a long time. 

For example, I used to buy the homeowner type product sold at the big box retailers.  And then I purchase a commercial blower used by the landscapers.  A Stihl model.  The blower has served me well for many years.  The thinking goes if the professional who use them every day for several hours per day use the product it must be good for the homeowner with average use.  

A recent purchase of an Echo trimmer reaffirmed my belief.  After going through inferior less expensive models.  The higher investment in the Echo was well worth when held in your hands and used for the first time.  The higher price was a bargain. 

Come to think of it the advice to buy the best you can afford applies to any investment you are making. 

I often prefer to buy a better used model than a cheaper new model. 

Coach K

25 Years

25 Years

It's been 25 years

and I don't know why

but the time has passed

and I continue to try

to earn your love

the angel sent

 to me

from high above

I was searching for you

when I was

alone

when we met that day

and I found my

home

You were pretty

petite

A beautiful girl

full of life

love and joy

on top of the

world

We fell in love

and started to

date

I met your family

and arrived

late

At Colony Lane and

Maldon estate

we laughed and

loved

and of course

we ate

The children came

one two three

Alex  Eric

and Morgan

for Lisa Marie

Pinehurst Florida

New Hampshire

and more

wonderful times

at the Jersey shore

Now the kids are all

grown

and we're almost

alone

more time with my

girl

in our home

sweet home

All my Love Boo

Sugar Junkie

Poison

We have gone from consuming four pounds of sugar a year per person to eating 150 pounds of sugar per year!

150 pounds of sugar per year! Let that number sink in and reflect how our daily eating habits coincide with that figure.  From the sodas, fruit juices, to the high fructose laden foods we unknowingly consume we are poisoning ourselves every day. 

Our taste buds and palettes have been conditioned with the sugar response, it acts like a drug in our brains where our bodies are craving more like a Sugar Junkie. 

We must fight back. How?  

Knowledge.  Knowledge is Power.  But we must go a step further and turn that knowledge into Willpower! We know the right things to do and now we must start doing them.  Our very life, health, and happiness depend upon it. 

Do your own research on nutrition and health.  Just don't give away your health to anyone including your Dr.  You are responsible. You are in charge!

Start with replacing the poisonous soda and diet soda with water or green tea.  Move to a lower higher quality carb eating plan rich in good proteins and fats. Find one health food you enjoy and build on that whether it's spinach, broccoli, cucumbers, or kale. Start moving every day with a simple walk in the park. Get moving!

Your very life is worth the journey.  We have a responsibility to teach our children and give them the lifelong skills that will propel them to success and happiness.  They may not be listening to all of our bluster, but they are surely watching. 

And if not for yourself.  Do it for your loved ones.  They are counting on YOU!

Oh yes. Yes You Can. 

With Love,

Coach K

Hippocrates - Greek Doctor 450 BC

Food is Thy Medicine

The Greek Doctor Hippocrates said, "Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food" 450 years before Jesus walked the earth.  Another one of his great lessons is Walking is Medicine. 

Here we have the two ancient maxims for vibrant health and longevity that resonate today just as they did 2500 years ago.  Nutrition and exercise are the keys to Life. 

One of Greek doctor's advice to the medical profession and to all of us is to first and foremost, "Do Know Harm."  Yet with our sophisticated medical knowledge and apparatus, our expensive drugs and treatments, we must ask ourselves are we living our best healthy lives?

The chronic diseases of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis run rampant across our global community. And sadly we know what must be done.  

But are we willing?

Will we put down the doughnuts, bag of chips, glass of soda, or stop with the excessive alcohol. How many of us continue with the same habits despite the detriment to our well being. 

Is there anything more frustrating than a friend or loved one that won't kick the habit that has led to disease while they are completely aware of what they are doing and the impact it will have on their families. 

We must be mentally strong for the challenge is great and the outcome worth the journey.  As Dr. Hippocrates recommended many years ago we have the power to heal ourselves but we have to first get out of our own way. 

Yes, you can do it.  Visualize, affirm, and begin.  The time is now.  The hour is upon us and we will win!

Let us begin!

With Love,

Coach K