It has been a great ride:)

Greeting folks,

I have so enjoyed this experience of blogging.  So much so that I plan on continuing to blog on a regular basis.  The title of my blog has really helped me push through some barriers through this course, so I'm keeping it.  I have set up another blog on my personal site that I can share with you later if you care to stay in touch.

I may keep this one, but plan on deleting the course assignments and keeping this more on a motivational theme moving forward;)

Speaking of the course, here is my response to the Unit 10 assignment:

When I started this course, I would have ranked my psychological score at an 8, my physical at a 4 and my spiritual a 3.  Today, my psych is about the same, but my physical has moved up a few points and my spiritual is rapidly moving up to around a 7.

One aspect of my physical life that has changed is the way I view training.  I use to think that training only took place in the gym or while racking up miles on the sidewalk.  I now realize that training is not only what I do, it also consists of what I "Don't Do".  For example, I don't eat that Toaster Strudel pastry for breakfast, instead, I have a protein shake.  Salad and chicken over pasta and chicken.  I'll drink water instead of something with a couple hundred calories.  This revelation has really helped me.  I realized that I can train will sitting in my office chair typing on the computer...just as long as I'm not grazing while I do it:)

My goals for each aspect are pretty clear.  Granted, I'm not looking forward to them, but I know they will be beneficial for me.

Psychologically, I plan on attending a support group later this week, on Thursday to be exact.  Although many years have passed since I lost my brother, I have never attempted to talk to anyone about it professionally.  Looking back, I realize that this has taken a terrible toll on me.  Now, in spite of feeling really stupid for showing up so late, I plan on facing this demon head on and really moving forward.

Physically, I plan on running a marathon on December 4th.  I'll be running in a 5K at the end of May, then I'll sign up for a 10K in July.  I want to run a half marathon in Sept, then train for the full 26.2 in December.

Spiritually, my wife and I have committed to having a morning meeting every day.  We meet for 30 to 40 minutes before our day gets started.  We talk, then pray together.  So far, we have made it 7 for 7 and we are already noticing the differences in our relationship.

Part three of this assignment asks if I have implemented these activities yet.  Rather than finding a flowery way of expressing this response, I'll simply reply with YES.

My personal life has really been positively effected by many of the exercises in this course.  The single greatest aspect of this course has been the blogging.  I'll admit that when I first saw this requirement, I thought it was ridiculous.  Now, just 10 weeks later, I plan on being a professional blogger someday:)  I've always wanted to be a motivational speaker and author.  Now I realize that I don't have to wait to start putting my thoughts out there.  Who knows, the words in my heart and head will reach a person who needs to hear them:)  My goal has never been to change the world but rather to make a difference in the life of those people who will.


I am still in the process of setting things up, but just for future reference, my new blog site will be:

committoaction.drgeorgesparks.com

I can also be found on Twitter (Dr. George Sparks)

I look forward to staying in touch with you folks.

Thanks for adding value to my life:)

Unit 9 Project

Dear Friends and Blog Followers,

I must admit, it was a late start for me this week and as I was completing my final project, I wasn't factoring it into my blog.  However, I did want to share aspects of my paper with all of you.  One thing this assignment did not ask was for us to share our favorite aspect of this class.  I must admit, I LOVE blogging.  After Unit 10, I plan on deleting most of these postings, but keeping the blog site for my personal blogging.  It really is a great forum.

With that being said, I realize my life seems to be an open book, but there are still parts of my life that I would like to work on in private.  I have kept no secret about my feelings regarding Dasher throughout this course, so I won't start now:)  I really enjoyed the final project, however, I don't feel comfortable sharing so much personal information in such a public forum.  I will share my physical goals with all of you, largely due to the accountability aspect this could create.  However, since there are still some personal issues that I am dealing with from tragedies in my past, I am asking for your understanding when I chose not to share them with you folks in such a public space.  If it was only you guys, that would be fine, however, once something hits the web, it is out there forever and for everyone.

If you continue to follow my blogs, I will be creating a new one after this course ends.  I plan on blogging my transition from overweight, lethargic stagnant guy to marathon runner:)  With that being said, here are some exerts from my final project as it pertains to my physical goals.

Physically, I plan on taking my first steps towards my marathon finish line.  To aid in this, I’m going to focus on each step, not each mile.  I have an all or nothing mentality, which limits me and my accomplishments.  If I can’t workout for an hour, I won’t workout for 30 minutes.  If I don’t have 30 minutes, I won’t workout 20.  I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity to throw some miles on my running shoes.

I plan on starting my marathon training today.  I plan on taking steps everyday towards this goal, both literally and metaphorically.  It has been a while since I ran a 5K so I will look for one that takes place in about 4 weeks.  I then plan on running in an organized run every 6 weeks.  I plan on running a 10K next, then a 13.1 half marathon.  Hopefully by the end of the year I’ll be up to marathon shape.

Physically I plan on measuring both my intake and my output.  I am going to track my food intake using a daily food log.  This will take discipline, but it has really helped me in the past.  In addition, I’m going to keep a mental and emotional log as well.  This will tie into my psychological goals to be mentioned later, but I am looking for correlations between diet, exercise and mental clarity and emotional well-being.  Secondly, I plan on signing up for a 5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathon within the year.  I will find a 5K today.  I’m not sure why I feel compelled to start all new activities on a Monday, but that is just one of the ways I am wired.  Fortunately, today is Monday :) .

Again, I truly appreciate your understanding this final blog.  I look forward to following your future work and staying in touch with you.

George 

 

So What Works and What Doesn't????

So we have been tasked with choosing two of the four practice sessions that were most beneficial to us and discuss them.  Well, let's see, the whole loving kindness mantra's didn't really float my boat.  Let me show you why.

Ok, I'm thinking something right now....and it is about you!  What is it?  Did you enjoy that?  Did it make you feel special?  Seriously...I was thinking about you and I even repeated a really cool sentence about you.  Please feel free to comment on how it has changed your life, especially when compared to my next statement...

Now I'm going to tell you something and this is directed straight at YOU.  I want to Thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting up with me these past 8 weeks.  I have learned so much more from each of you than I ever could reading the stuff from Dasher.  I truly wish all of you continued success and am thrilled just knowing there are people like you out there in the world who genuinely care about others and show it...as opposed to just thinking about it.  I'm a better man for knowing you.

Now, which of the two above helped you the most?  Oh, my thoughts for the first "loving kindness" chant was simple...please enjoy a peanut butter and honey sandwich.  

Perhaps I should focus.  The two that meant the most to me were the visualization and meditation exercises.  Of course I had to modify them.  My visualization is tied to being a visionary leader; see it then believe it type thing.  I don't meditate, I pray.  I must admit, this portion of the class has taught me more about prayer and its importance than attending church this past year:)  It has helped my relationship with the Creator.

Of the four practices, I plan on using the Visualization and Prayer on a regular basis moving forward.  I can already see me sitting in a Barnes & Noble with two huge shelves behind me full of my best seller.  After my brief presentation, I'm sitting at a table with a stack of books and my Sharpie.  "Who should I make this out to?" I ask.  Before they give me their names, they tear up and tell me how my words changed their life's.  As a result of reading my book, they were inspired and motivated to take action that moved them closer to success and a higher quality of life.  My butt is numb, my hand is sore and my shoulders are crying...but I'm the most fulfilled I have ever been.  After signing my 378th book, my limo takes me back to the airport where I board my Gulfstream 550 and head home.  How's that for visualization:)

I truly hope to see some of you at my first book signing:)

God's speed to all of you.

The Power of Empathy

To respond to the first question regarding "Meeting Asciepius", it was interesting how they worded the question: "How can you continue to apply these practices in your life to foster greater health and wellness?"  The answer is simple...I won't.  I have made no attempt to hide the fact that I don't benefit from these exercises nor do I plan on using them in the future...enough said on that.

The next topic was very interesting to me.  "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself'.  There is an author of a concept called Love Leadership who states that one cannot be a successful leader unless they have suffered a significant lose.  I totally disagree with both of these statements.  In order to lead, one needs to be able to empathize.  It is possible to draw correlations between experiences to find a common ground.  My theory is simple...a 10 is a 10.  On a scale from 1 to 10 what is your greatest pain?  My 10 is my 10 and your 10 is yours.  The two situations can be totally different, but they are both a 10, and that can be our common ground.  I may have lost a loved one and someone else may have lost a limb.  Both are different, but both can be crippling....as an example.

Remember, a 10 is a 10, let's find the common ground, then begin..(Sparks, 2010)

Thanks for stopping by.

George

I want to win a million dollars...I want to win a million dollars...I want to...

To all my loving and kind classmates, I bid you good day:)

Again, I apologize for the last minute post, but some new responsibilities have popped up for me which I can explain later, but first, I would like to comment on this weeks assignment.

The chanting of the universal loving kindness exercise on p. 93.  I did it, but couldn't make it the full 10 minutes.  My mind started to wander, then wonder... "what if this really works?".  I then started chanting "I want a million dollars".  That I did do for 5 minutes, then I realized that if I quit chanting and started working my chances of earning $1 million  dollars would be much more likely than having it magically appear in my lap after chanting for 5 min. I will refer back to the name of my blog, commit to action! It is action, not words, that will show loving kindness. If words are to be effective, they need to be expressed to others, not repeated to oneself in a quiet place for 10 min.

The next exercise we had to conduct was actually beneficial to me. I suppose I wouldn't be being true to myself if I didn't stray a little, but the end results proved beneficial. In business there is a principle which is the foundation for many of our practices; you cannot  manage that which you do not measure. I have been experimenting with different techniques to find out which helps me be more productive throughout the day. For a week I started exercising first thing in the morning before I did anything else, then I tracked how much I got accomplish that day. Then for a week I woke up early immediately started working, to see if I could get everything accomplished. Although these two approaches started the day with very important aspects of my life it wasn't until I started each day with prayer and devotional study that I started to become more productive. It goes against my grain to sit and be quiet and to believe that that will help me be more productive. But when I start each day off with reflective prayer and seeking guidance and wisdom, the rest of the day just falls in line.

 Now that I have discovered what works for me, I'll consider this a best practice and move forward. I'll be clearly defining my goals, both professional and personal, and I feel much more confident that I will be able to accomplish them.

Subtle Mind...Loving Kindness...blah blah blah

For the record, I do actually strive to be a more kind and loving person.  I try to be kind to all, but tend to focus my "loving" on those closest to me, primarily my wife and children.  It takes a conscious effort on my part to be kind.  I have an instinctual response to help others in need and the ability to identify needs before they are articulated.  Some people see this as me being kind, I just see it as my duty to help those who need help.

I understand and appreciate where these techniques are coming from and further understand that they may be beneficial to others...just not me.  Many of these concepts are addressed through m spiritual faith.  I recieve both education and edification from my church and through fellowship with those within my faith.  I don't hold this particular author in very high regards so it is difficult for me to buy into everything he has to say.  Being a professional researcher, I do admit that there may be some validity in his approach, but there are many assumptions he has made to date that are conjecture rather than supported data. 

I respect this process (within the class) however, I do not agree with the author.  I am thankful that these exercises allow us the opportunity and freedom to disagree without having a negative effect on our grade:)  However, I am actually more concerned about learning than I am making an A...in case you can't tell:)

Thanks for stopping by.

George

Love through Actions...not thoughts

Let me begin by saying we all respond differently to different situations and approaches.  There may be some in the class that really benefited from this particular exercise...the thinking loving and kind thoughts, breathing in suffering and having it dissolve in there hearts.  I personally did not gain much from this exercise.

When I was told to picture someone I loved, I immediately thought of my wife.  She was in the process of getting ready to go to church and I was in here working and doing school work.  As the exercise continued, I realized that these last 10 minutes could have been spent holding her, touching her, looking at her, sharing with her and creating memories that once she is gone, I could not have.  Instead, I sat and thought "loving and kind thoughts".  Since she is not a mind reader, those thoughts really did not benefit her much this morning.

Over the past few years, those who know me have commented on how much kinder I have become.  The conflict I feel in this aspect of my life stems from the difference between my actions and my attitudes.  I am very quick to help those who need assistance.  My wife comments on how I have a special radar that picks up on a specific need of an individual that is not really obvious  to others, then I'll act on it immediately, forsaking all other plans at the time.  Yet, I feel that I am impatient with the ignorant and those who chose not to better their current conditions through persistent work, higher education or any form of physical movement that would help them and their quality of life.  So my actions say "kind", but my thoughts make me feel "less than kind".  I am painfully aware of the importance of kindness and I am working on it daily.  I am not sitting on a cushion "thinking" about it, but rather am seeking the guidance and intervention from my Lord and Savior....(and the advice of my wife) :)

My mental workout training came from my beloved Uncle Samuel (my 'kind' way of saying Uncle Sam, United State Marine Corps).  During those memorable months over 20 years ago in San Diego, the Corps systematically redeveloped and conditioned our hearts, mind, body and souls.  Point of Aim, Point of Impact... where you focus your attention is where your attention will be.  If it is important, focus on it, if it isn't, redirect your focus.  If pain is preventing you from accomplishing something, either eliminate the pain, or don't focus on it.  I realize that makes us sound like robots, but it does show that the mind is stronger than the body and the body will listen to the mind.

So to respond to the questions, I did not agree with the exercises.  I prefer to show my loving kindness through actions rather than thoughts.  I prefer to develop my mental fortitude, stamina and strength through exercise and putting my body in situations where only my mind can help it push through.

Again, this is my personal opinion based on my knowledge of me, my faith, my strengths and weaknesses.  The approach mentioned in this weeks reading would not work for me.

Thanks for reading this far:)

George