Month: December 2014

Week 5: Clothing

Wm. Allen2 Comments

This blog is about helping you as well as myself to become extraordinary.  I don’t think any of us should view being extraordinary as something unattainable.  If we look closely enough, we will often witness extraordinary acts or actually meet people who have performed extraordinary acts.

For instance, it was only a few weeks ago that I witnessed the bowling of a 300 game by my friend JR, whom I consider an extraordinary individual for a number of reasons in addition to bowling.  Bowling a perfect game (i.e.; a 300 game) is an extraordinary act, as any bowler can tell you.

I would appreciate you passing on to me extraordinary acts that you have recently witness or extraordinary people you have recently met.  Just email me at HarmonyBooksFilmsLLC@comcast.net

 

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL ON ALCOHOL

It seems a quarter of us routinely have one or two drinks daily, while at the other end of the spectrum about 12% of us abstain from drinking for religious or health reasons.

 

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

You hear about the guy who was disappointed in the reflective running jacket he had bought?

It just sits around reading works by Proust and Descartes.

 

WEEK 5: CLOTHING – CHOOSE APPROPRIATE CLOTHING

Clothing is a form of communication.  So is your clothing saying what you want it to say about you?

Is it saying you want to fit in with a particular social group, profession or trade?

Is it saying that you respect the social conventions surrounding the function you have chosen to attend?

Or, is it saying you don’t care what people think of you?

This posting wraps up the section of my book on the physical traits.  I do hope that all of you take these posts on the physical traits very seriously.  If you do not watch your diet, do not exercise, short change your sleep, and drink too much; your years after 50 are going to be more and more unpleasant with each passing year.

THIS WEEK’S POLL

 

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Clothing is the first step to building a character.

Source:  Sylvester Stallone

SELF-HELP BOOKS IN ADDITION TO MINE

My Final Cover

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

I have been using this blog to bring to your attention self-help books in addition to my own, that I think you will find helpful.  However, when it comes to clothing advice, I believe current magazines are more helpful than books I can think of, plus just looking around in stores and at people in general and you will likely see clothing very becoming to you.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

The Devil Wears Prada, is an entertaining movie that also says a lot about fashion.  If you never saw this film, you should and for those of us that saw it when it first came out in 2006, we may want to watch it again–I think it is that good.

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CALL FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT MONDAY’S POSTING

Next Monday’s posting will be on “Courage – Develop Both Physical and Mental Courage”.   If you have suggestions for an inspiring and entertaining joke, poll, quote, book or movie related to “Character”, please send me an email at HarmonyBooksFilmsLLC@comcast.net

 

CONCLUSION

As always, if you believe this blog has any value, please pass it on to your friends and people you care about. And if you have suggestions as to how I can make these Monday posts even more helpful to you, please let me know.

Thank you

Week 4: Alcohol

Wm. Allen1 Comment

Before I start this week’s posting, I would like to mention the passing of an extraordinary person last Monday at the age of 86.  He was Robert Dean Stanley, who among other things created the Chrysler Pentastar logo, when he was employed as a graphic designer for the firm of Lippincott & Margulies in New York City.

Robert Dean Stanley was the father of Dean Stanley, who is a regular attendee at the various happy hour parties, that many of you from the Detroit area have attended.  Our condolences go out to Dean and his wife, Mary Ellen.

 

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL ON SLEEP

A little over half of us typically get less than six hours sleep.  I suspect most of us aren’t surprised at that result.

 

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Three guys were sitting at a table in a biker bar.

A drunk came in, staggered to the table, looked the biggest one in the face and said, “I went by your grandma’s house and I saw her in the hallway, naked. Man, she is fine!”

The biker didn’t say a word. His buddies were confused, because he was a bad dude, and would fight at he drop of a hat.

The drunk said, “I got it on with your grandma and she is good!”

The biker still said nothing, but his buddies were starting to get mad.

The drunk then said, “I’ll tell you something else, your grandma liked it!”

The biker having heard enough, stood up, took the drunk by the shoulder and said,

“Grandpa, you’re drunk! Go home!”

 

WEEK 4: ALCOHOL – DRINK RESPONSIBLY, IF AT ALL

People often have strong feelings when it comes to alcohol and I suspect very few things will change their position on alcohol.  There are plenty of reasons and examples that point to how harmful alcohol can be.  There is also a lot of evidence that moderate drinking can be beneficial to your health.  The key word is “moderation” and for many people, drinking becomes a slippery slope, where moderation often leads to “excess.”

 

THIS WEEK’S POLL

 

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Here’s to alcohol: the cause of, and answer to, all of life’s problems.

Source: Matt Groening

SELF-HELP BOOKS IN ADDITION TO MINE

My Final Cover

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

 

I am using this blog to suggest other self-help books that go into more detail about a trait mentioned in my own book.  Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge, M.D. in their chapter sixteen “The Drink”; provides a very balanced view of drinking which they sum up by saying, “If you don’t drink, don’t start.  If you do drink, don’t stop–if you’re able to do it in moderation.”

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http://www.amazon.com/Younger-Next-Year-Strong-Beyond/dp/076114773X

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I couldn’t decide which of these two versions of the famous drinking movie, “Arthur” to suggest, so I decided to suggest both the 1981 version and the 2011 remake.  I think you will find either entertaining, and there is a message in this movie.  If there is no message, it is just entertainment; but, with a message it becomes Art.

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CALL FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT MONDAY’S POSTING

Next Monday’s posting will be on “Clothing – Choose Appropriate Clothing”. If you have suggestions for an inspiring and entertaining joke, poll, quote, book or movie related to “Clothing”, please send me an email at HarmonyBooksFilmsLLC@comcast.net

 

CONCLUSION

If you believe this blog has any value, I urge you to please pass it on to your friends and people you care about.  And if you have suggestions as to how I can make these Monday posts even more helpful to you, please let me know.

Thank you

Week 3: Sleep

Wm. AllenLeave a comment

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL ON EXERCISE

I was totally surprised that 40% of those who took the poll said that they do all three components of fitness:  cardio, weight bearing and flexibility exercises.  That is really impressive and encourages me to put some flexibility exercises into my own program.  Hopefully, the results of the poll will be also benefit you by either maintaining your current fitness program or adding to it.

CALL FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT MONDAY’S POSTING

Next Monday’s posting will be on “Alcohol – Drink Responsibly, If at all”. If you have suggestions for an inspiring & entertaining joke, poll, quote, book or movie related to Alcohol, please send me an email at HarmonyBooksFlimsLLC@comcast.net

JOKE OF THE WEEK

A woman woke up and told her husband, “I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for our anniversary. What do you think it means?”

He said, “You’ll know tonight.”

That evening, he came home and gave a small package to his wife.

Thrilled, she opened the package and found a book entitled “The Meaning of Dreams.”

WEEK 3 : SLEEP – START YOUR DAY AFTER A GOOD NIGHT’S REST

It is wonderful to get an early start on the day instead of rushing because you are running behind.  As important as it is to get a early start, it is also important to get an adequate amount of sleep each night.  There has been research showing that adequate sleep promotes weight loss, keeps the memory sharp, your disposition more pleasant, and you are prone to less accidents.

For the majority of people, an adequate amount of sleep is said to be between 7 and 8 hours a night,

 

THIS WEEKS POLL

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Think in the morning.

Act in the noon.

Eat in the evening.

Sleep in the night.

Source: Wiliam Blake

 

SELF-HELP BOOKS

I wrote my book out of respect for the busy person who doesn’t have a lot of time for reading and also to reach out to people who aren’t really into reading.  I wanted the book to not only be an easy read, but also entertaining so I didn’t go in-depth on the various traits.

My Final Cover

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

I want to use this blog to suggest other self-help books that do go into more detail about a particular trait that I have covered in my book.  Cameron Diaz’s The Body Book, in Chapter 22 has some excellent information on the benefits of adequate sleep and the science behind those benefits.

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Cameron Diaz shares her formula for becoming happier, healthier, and stronger in this positive, essential guide grounded in science and inspired by personal experience, now a #1 New York Times bestseller. [ Source: Amazon]

http://www.amazon.com/Body-Book-Science-Strength-Amazing/dp/0062252747  

 

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Although I suggested a more recent movie in my book, this 1993 movie, Sleepless in Seattle is a classic.  I thought it was particularly appropriate to mention it since the man’s son makes his request for a wife for his father on a Christmas Eve radio show.

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A recently widowed man’s son calls a radio talk-show in an attempt to find his father a partner. [Source: IMDB]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108160

 

CONCLUSION

I tried making this post valuable to you, if I have succeeded, please pass it on to your friends and people you care about. And if you have suggestions on how I can make these Monday posts even more helpful to you, please let me know.

Thank you

Week 2: Exercise-The Components of Fitness: Cardiovascular, Strength, and Flexibility

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RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL & FUTURE POLLS

Regarding last week’s poll, it is probably no surprise that none of us wanted to gain weight during 2015 and over half of us plan to lose weight through diet and exercise.

 

CALL FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT MONDAY’S POSTING

Next Monday’s posting will be on “Sleep – Start Your Day Early After a Good Night’s Rest”.  If you have suggestions for a related joke, poll, quote, book or movie please send me an email at HarmonyBooksFlimsLLC@comcast.net

 

JOKE OF THE WEEK

My exercise coach told me to touch my toes.

I replied, “I don’t have that kind of relationship with my feet. Can I just wave?”

 

WEEK 2: EXERCISE – THE COMPONENTS OF FITNESS: CARDIOVASCULAR, STRENGTH, AND FLEXIBILITY

You probably have heard the expression, “If you don’t have your health, nothing else matters.” And yet you also have probably heard or said it yourself, “I don’t have time to exercise.” I’m sure if you really wanted to make time for fitness, you could by cutting out some of your low value activities.

And even those of you who do exercise, have the tendency to only do one type of exercise, such as running, while doing very little weight bearing exercises for the upper body.  Others of you may lift weights; but do little or no cardio or flexibility exercises. To be fit, one needs to do all three types of exercises on a regular basis.

 

THIS WEEKS POLL

On a regular basis

 

QUOTES

The medical literature tells us that the most effective ways to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and many more problems are through healthy diet and exercise. Our bodies have evolved to move; yet we now use the energy in oil instead of muscles to do our work.

Source: David Suzuki

 

SELF-HELP BOOKS

As much as I would like everyone to read my self-help book,

My Final Cover

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

Here is one below that contains not just a lot of information on exercise, but diet and health in general. I don’t people to agree with everything in any self-help book, but this book does contain a lot of things to consider if you want to be healthy. This particular book is oriented towards males, but I think much of the info is useful to either gender. If you want a female specific book, I would suggest,The Body Book by Cameron Diaz.  And this book too, contains a lot of information that would be useful to either gender.


The Life Plan

Back in 1998, Dr. Life was sixty years old and a stereotype of the aging man: he was overweight with a noticeable gut and little muscle tone. His low libido was ruining his self-esteem. He felt tired all the time, yet no amount of sleep made him feel well rested. It wasn’t until a cardiologist read him the riot act that he began to make the critical diet and lifestyle adjustments that led him to look and feel younger than ever. More important, he’s been able to maintain his physique and his health more than fourteen years later.

The Life Plan offers:

  • A multidisciplinary exercise plan designed to improve heart health and increase muscle mass.
  • [ ] Rules for dining out [ ].
  • A complete guide to nutrient supplements [ ].
  • Advice for getting the best possible care from your doctor

Source: http://www.amazon.com/Life-Plan-Achieve-Lasting-Stronger/dp/1439194599

 

MOVIE SUGGESTION

I try to find other entertaining and thought provoking movies that are not in my book, but when it comes to movies related to exercise, I think this is the one (at least for me), but I think we would all like to hear your suggestions for other exercise movies, so please comment.

Run Fatboy Run

 

Five years after jilting his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day, out-of-shape Dennis decides to run a marathon to win her back.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425413

 

CONCLUSION

I tried making this post valuable to you, if I have succeeded, please pass it on to your friends and people you care about. And if you have suggestions on how I can make these Monday posts even more helpful to you, please let me know.

Thank you

Week 1: Diet – Eat Healthy

Wm. AllenLeave a comment

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL & FUTURE POLLS

Regarding last week’s poll, approximately 25% of the 19 of you that answered have wishes, but no specific goals and another 15% do not even bother with setting goals. However, the remainder of you (60%) set specific goals that are objectively measureable.  In addition some of you in that 60% category also develop action plans to accomplish those specific goals and others even go so far as to monitor progress.

Next Monday’s posting will be on Exercise, so if you have ideas for a poll related to exercise, just leave a comment or send me an email at HarmonyBooksFlimsLLC@comcast.net

 

JOKE OF THE WEEK

A guy walks into a restaurant and asks, “How do you prepare your chickens?”

The cook says, “Nothing special. We just tell ’em they’re gonna die.”

 

WEEK 1: DIET – EAT HEALTHY

Most people put on extra weight starting from Thanksgiving through New Year’s and so one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions is I’m going to lose some weight this year. It is also one of the most commonly unfulfilled resolutions.

Please don’t be one of those people who keep eating the same way each year and yet hopes for a different result.  Another common mistake is to go on a crash diet.  Oh sure, you may initially lose some weight, but more than likely you will gain it back, plus a few addition pounds.  I would be skeptical of any diet that promises a loss of more than 1 or 2 pounds per week.

Remember, you are what you eat.  I recall saying that to a friend of mine and she replied, “In that case I am coffee and wine.”

THIS WEEKS POLL

QUOTES

“Associated with this weight gain are increased risks in adulthood for joint problems, angina, high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, type 2 diabetes and, ultimately, premature death.”

Source: Jeff Schweitzer
SELF-HELP BOOKS

As much as I would like everyone to read my self-help book,

My Final Cover

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

Below is one that I am particularly fond of when it comes to food.

Coffee is good for you

Though food is supposed to be one of life’s simple pleasures, few things cause more angst and confusion. Every day we are bombarded with come-ons for the latest diet, promises for “clinically proven” miracle ingredients, and warnings about contaminants in our favorite foods. It’s enough to give anybody indigestion.

Packed with useful-and surprising-information, Coffee Is Good for You cuts through the clutter to reveal what’s believable and what’s not in a fun and easily digestible way.

Source: http://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Good-You-Low-Carb-Nutrition/dp/0399537252

If any of you have a favorite self-help book on Exercise, please let me know about it via a comment to this post or email me.

MOVIE SUGGESTION

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A shallow man falls in love with a 300 pound woman because of her “inner beauty”.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0256380/

If you have a favorite movie related to exercise, please let us all know about it via a comment to this post or email me.

CONCLUSION

I tried making this post valuable to you and hopefully if I have succeeded, you will pass it on to your friends and people you care about. And if you have suggestions on how I can make these Monday posts even more helpful to you, please let me know.

Thank you