July 15, 2007
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SUNDAY GOOD NEWS
Recently I watched the fairly humdrum video Peaceful Warrior, based on the book The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman that came out in 1980 at the height of the self-help spirituality movement. It was a book I somehow missed reading in my flower child days so rather than “reading the book of the movie” I checked out another title from Millman, Everyday Enlightenment, from my local library. Right away in the first few chapters he gets to the bottom line of self-help (also emphasized by Scott Peck in The Road Less Traveled – what a surprise in 1978) – discipline. Self-help suggestions are kind of like religious suggestions – they all pretty much turn out to be the same common wisdom no matter what the source. The trick is to pick any one of them and Just Do It. That’s where discipline comes in. And you can separate folks who are focused from folks who are not usually by the array or disarray of their lives and personal emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health. And focus takes energy. With that in mind, here’s a list just out from WebMD via Redbook magazine of “22 ways to tackle life’s biggest energy zappers.” For the longer version with details click here. Happy Sunday.
1. Have breakfast…even if you don’t feel hungry.
2. Eat every three to four hours.
3. Fill up on more fiber.
4. Fuel your brain with omega-3s.
5. Stay hydrated.
6. Watch caffeine intake after noon.
7. Splash some water on your face or take a shower when you’re feeling burned out.
8. Suit up in a “power” outfit to beat the blahs.
9. Vent your feelings.
10. Turn on some tunes.
11. Let go of grudges.
12. Take belly breaths.
13. De-clutter a corner.
14. Do some good.
15. Cut back on TV and computer time after 8 p.m.
16. Hide your alarm clock.
17. Give your pet his own separate sleeping space.
18. Lower the thermostat.
19. Skip the nightcap.
20. Get your exercise.
21. Follow the 15-minute rule.
22. Write down your worries.
Deep Thought: “Whenever I hear the sparrow chirping, watch the woodpecker chirp, catch a chirping trout, or listen to the sad howl of the chirp rat, I think: Oh boy! I’m going insane again.”
Today I am grateful for: Coming from a reading generation.
Guess the Movie: “That’s what all these cripples down at the VA talk about: Jesus this
and Jesus that. They even had a priest come and talk to me. He said God
is listening and if I found Jesus, I’d get to walk beside him in the
kingdom of Heaven. Did you hear what I said? WALK beside him in the
kingdom of Heaven! Well kiss my crippled ass. God is listening? What a
crock of shit.” Answer: Forrest Gump, 1994. Winner: soul_survivor.
West Nile Virus Spreads Quickly, Killing California Woman
(Rest of article here.)
Comments (25)
Dear Andrea,
Since I usually leave comments from those left on my site, and don’t blog nearly as much as I used to, I have sometimes “missed” some of my older subs, if they don’t post too often. I see by your entries that you don’t post that much anymore.
However I happened to be on the computer just now and saw your profile at the top of my sub list. Although I have not seen the movies mentioned nor read the books you describe, I was in my 20s in the 70s, the decade when “self help” went through the cultural roof. I have known graduates of est and Lifespring, and I’ve attended “indoctrination meetings” but never ascribed to any self help regimen, just as I swore off organized religion.
You describe why perfectly in this entry. All self help and religious suggestions all boil down to ‘common sense’.
5 stars. Bravo. Of course not too many people seem to grasp this obvious concept, and so that’s why entrepreneurs and evangelists can grow rich off their “subjects”.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
learn at least 3 new things
have a friendly argument
really look/read a piece of art new to you
sing
laugh
It has become more important to me as I have gotten older, to recognize that I cannot totally behave myself regarding greasly food and alcohol 100% of the time so I am trying to behave myself around them most of the time.
I had, not just 1 nightcap last night, I had 4 beers, starting around “happy hour”, in a bar, then I ate my dinner (fried chicken & french fries) at a local restaurant with my significant other. I called her on my cell phone, she was in a nearby Barnes & Noble.
When the food arrived, I ordered a regular margarita without salt.
That made 5 drinks. Well, it was Saturday night.
I walked the 10 or so blocks home slowly, my significant other had no alcohol and went on her merry way to Barnes & Noble without me. I think that immediately upon getting home I laid down on the bed and fell asleep, I was down for the count. I got up around 2:15AM to answer nature’s call and then again at 4AM. I drank lots of water and orange juice each time.
I drank my usual coffee this morning. I am happy to report that I am not constipated today and somehow I think that the many cashew nuts that I ate yesterday at lunchtime and the raspberries and dried papaya for breakfast yesterday, can be thanked for this joy of intestinal cleansing. I am somewhat lethargic but do not have a headache and did not take any analgesics. I will turn 49 years old this coming Friday and my S.I. and I are going on a trip. No, not an acid trip. A trip to Europe.
This is a good entry. I’ve tried eating breakfast regularly and keeping my place straightened up. It’s amazing what both of those things do to keep me energized and ready to handle what life throws at me.
sounds like solid advice…
Forrest Gump?
This is a great post. Thanks for sharing it. I have major sleep issues and there are a few things in the article that believe it or not I haven’t tried yet!
What a good list! Thanks for the link.
Decluttering is such an in thing now but it really does help. Clearing your space helps clear the mind.
Every person is so different, I can’t see living by a list. Should you listen to music if you don’t really feel like it? Eat even if you’re not hungry? I think people are better off doing what’s right for them.
I think a lot of what works in religion and self help boils down to “don’t shoot yourself in the foot.” The list is good, though I skip breakfast. Too much morning sickness for the last decade of my life means the thought of breakfast makes me queasy
Great post
Back a few comments, Forrest Gump was right on!
Great tips… if only I were more disciplined… that has been a life long battle for me.
Hugs, Tricia
“8. Suit up in a “power” outfit to beat the blahs.”
i want a cape….and magic wrist things
Tell me about the baby!
Breathe
Please read my post today.
Screw the power suit – I’m coming out of that. I want sweatpants and flip flops. YAH! I read the Way of the Peace Warrior in the mid 80s. I loved it. I have no desire to watch the film because the book is very personal for me. I don’t want anyone else’s visual interpretation of it tattooed onto my brain.
I wrote down the list….it is very encouraging! Thanks!
do we have the same birthday???? 7/16????
thanx for the compliment on “Calla in Rain”….
ryc, You could easily add that to this list – “Shift gears and get on with it”. I never really thought of it that way, which is probably why I’m so good at it.
I get a kick out of your DEEP THOUGHT! Sparrows chirping and the like. I have tinnitus, bad, and when I try to sleep it sounds like a thousand tree frogs are singing in the room. I used to shoot competition in the Army so its never quiet.
I have printed the list. I need to follow #11. That is the biggest problem I have right now.
Have a wonderful day!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Good advice.
Happy Birthday!
happy birthday to you,,, and such happiness abounds on this great day
I thank you for the text of David Shumate titled what Hemingway learned from Cezanne . yes the good writing may be seen like a mountain in construction , destruction and re- construction during millions of years . This text is very imaged and powerful .
I like your rules of life . I am not sure i am so much disciplined .
I believe it was your birthday . So happy birthday to you .
Love
michel