To every man there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered a choice to do a very special thing, unique to him and fitted to his talents; what a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the work which would be his finest hour
– Sir Winston Churchill
Leader wellness requires physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual fitness. As I was thumbing through an in-flight magazine today I noticed an article citing research that I’ve long suspected; moderate exercise benefits not only physical well being but also our mental. Most of us have been through intermittent periods of exercise or non-exercise with higher fatigue, irritablility, and higher stress during the periods inactivity.
I hold that regular and moderate exercise helps me contend with the physical and mental demands I face. When I get off of an exercise routine (which is often) even for a few weeks the results are never positive. Turns out I’m apparently correct. Exercise influences a multitude of pysiological and phsychological factors including circulation of mood-linked neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine as well as helping work off anxiety-producing adrenaline. According to Dr Tedd Mitchell MD of the Dallas-based Cooper clinic reducing adrenaline is like “taking a dose of a tranquilizer.”.
New studies are showing that exercise may build a protective effect. Animal studies suggest that long-term moderate exercise may cause a lessened response to stressful stimuli. Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder are finding that lab rats who exercised on a wheel every day for six weeks reacted better to sudden stress compared to the sedintary rats.
These initial findings indicate the mental benefits of exercise last after effects of serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline reduction wear off.
New research is proving that what’s good for the body is good for the mind too. – Charlotte Huff
From “Mental Fitness” in Celebrate Living magazine
I have to ask….Why?
As a father of two teenage daughters I frequently hear their friends and them state somthing akin to “I just want to do something to be famous..” I cringe every time I hear it because they envision a life of glitz, glamour, and glory….I see a life of discontent, decadence, and diversions.
Jesus was arguably the most famous person to live; almost 2000 years later his name is known throughout the world. We celebrate holidays dedicated to his life and death (and ressurection). Fame itself is not the problem, it’s how we get there lately that’s wrong.
Too many young people are striving for fame for fame’s sake alone. Fame for fame’s sake guaruntees one to never be content with enough fame. I’m convinced the famous will not be through seeking until they pass that one in front of them with more album sales, more money per movie, the most awards, wins….
Fame by the worlds standards, especially by United States standards is rooted in decadence. We have young ladies famous only for the devience they gained attention for. They’ve reached a goal, but at what cost? With the exception of very few who obtained fame through a narrow business or humanitarian niche the cost to the individual and our culture is just too high. (more…)
The self authentic
Resolutely turned inside out
Deep core manifest
Purpose-driven intent
Committed in relationship
Seeking mutual purpose
Influencing connections and direction
Action and transformation in the world
Demands personal transformation of leader
An arduous path that calls for
Life-time commitment
Sometimes agony
Sometimes exhilaration
Always risky
This personal stretching requires
Courage, commitment, sacrifice,
All in service
Transcending comfortable preferences
Balancing limits
With counterpoint skills
Interpret the situation
Influence the others
Work for the good of the whole.
“Being a professional is doing the things you love on the days you don’t feel like doing them.”
“If you don’t do what’s best for your body, you’re the one who comes up on the short end.”
“The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life – mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical.”
“To be great we need to win games we aren’t supposed to win.”
“I firmly believe that respect is a lot more important, and a lot greater, than popularity.”
“Goals determine what you’re going to be.”
“I had to spend countless hours, above and beyond the basic time, to try and perfect the fundamentals.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Erving
The American dream has been dropping on the list because young people don’t think they will ever achieve it. Wanting the good life has moved up in its place.
Source: Dr Frank Luntz, Luntz-Malansky Strategic Research 2009
There comes a point in everyone’s life when they determine the veracity of their character. Some may think they know, but not until pressed by hardship, fear or heartache will they really know. All other times are spent in preparation. When the moment of trial comes will you be irrelevant, expendable, a fighter, or a warrior?
“Out of every 100 men, ten shouldn’t even be there, Eighty are just targets, Nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.” – Hericletus, circa 500 BC
Prepare to be a fighter and the leader will become a warrior when most needed. Anything less is a wasted opportunity to matter.
A man died and met Saint Peter at the gates of heaven. Recognizing the saint’s knowledge and wisdom, he wanted to ask him a question. “Saint Peter,” he said, “ I have been interested in military history for many years. Tell me, who was the greatest general of all times?”
Peter quickly responded, “O, that is a simple question. It’s that man right over there.”
The man looked where Peter was pointing and answered, “You must be mistaken. I knew that man on earth, and he was just a common laborer.”
“That’s right,” Peter remarked, “But he would have been the greatest general of all time- if he had been a general.”
– Mark Twain