Sometime in 2009, a friend forwarded me her Handbook for Life. She knew I was always stressed, and she wanted to give this to me as a gift to help put things in perspective.
The guidelines are all solid and true and everlasting. It’s tough to remember to live by them 100% of the time, but if I’m feeling anxious or down or angry…I take a look at the list and try to remind myself to follow the guidelines.
I keep a printout of them on my desk at work. And now I’m sharing them here in hopes that other people find them useful.
HANDBOOK FOR LIFE
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to meditate.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did last year.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. Time heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is…it will change.
36. No matter how you feel…get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, count your blessings.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Repetition = Confidence
I was recently asked this question by a friend, and after I sent him my answer….I though it might be an interesting topic for a blog. Especially given the fact that I so rarely blog about pool. So here goes….
Q. I've seen a lot of potential in my wife's play, even with her limited playing time. But her biggest struggle seems to be mental toughness. How do you go about in your preparation and competitions? Do you have routines or books you read that give you more confidence?
Regarding mental toughness...the best advice I can give is that good preparation is the foundation for a strong mind. Doubt and fear are very powerful emotions...ones that can cripple a player's confidence. The best protection against this is to know your shots 100%...to have your cue be an extension of you...to be so confident in your knowledge and stroke that there is no room for doubt or fear. The only way I have found to achieve this is through practice.
If I shoot the same shot 100 times...and make it 100 times...then when the 101st time rolls around...there is very little chance I will miss it.
If I shoot/make it 1000 times...that chance gets much, much smaller.
If I shoot/make it 10,000 times...I would bet my entire bank account, my car, my 401K and my dog's life that I won't miss the ball.
It's like anything else in life. You have to make it as natural to shoot a 9-ball as it is to tie your shoes or start your car in the dark. Repetition is the key to making that happen. (Think of walking into your bedroom in the dark. You don’t fumble around looking for the light switch for 5 minutes. You aren’t afraid or nervous about finding that switch. Your mind and body know where the light switch is through years of repetition…so there is no room for doubt or fear.)
Now, once you get to a level where you can compete amongst the best, there are other things that can be done to help boost your confidence and keep your brain in a calm and steady state. Jennifer Barretta works out...because for her a strong body equals a strong mind. She feels more confident about herself when she is exercising regularly. I like yoga...because it helps you find your center and learn to create a calm, steady state through deep breathing. Others listen to music to clear their mind...while some write blogs or journals. Preparation techniques are as individual as the players themselves, but I promise that you that 95% of the top players stick to the same basic routine in preparation for a match. This is all part of the repetition…training your body and mind to respond the same way in every situation.
Repetition = Confidence
Believe it people.
Q. I've seen a lot of potential in my wife's play, even with her limited playing time. But her biggest struggle seems to be mental toughness. How do you go about in your preparation and competitions? Do you have routines or books you read that give you more confidence?
Regarding mental toughness...the best advice I can give is that good preparation is the foundation for a strong mind. Doubt and fear are very powerful emotions...ones that can cripple a player's confidence. The best protection against this is to know your shots 100%...to have your cue be an extension of you...to be so confident in your knowledge and stroke that there is no room for doubt or fear. The only way I have found to achieve this is through practice.
If I shoot the same shot 100 times...and make it 100 times...then when the 101st time rolls around...there is very little chance I will miss it.
If I shoot/make it 1000 times...that chance gets much, much smaller.
If I shoot/make it 10,000 times...I would bet my entire bank account, my car, my 401K and my dog's life that I won't miss the ball.
It's like anything else in life. You have to make it as natural to shoot a 9-ball as it is to tie your shoes or start your car in the dark. Repetition is the key to making that happen. (Think of walking into your bedroom in the dark. You don’t fumble around looking for the light switch for 5 minutes. You aren’t afraid or nervous about finding that switch. Your mind and body know where the light switch is through years of repetition…so there is no room for doubt or fear.)
Now, once you get to a level where you can compete amongst the best, there are other things that can be done to help boost your confidence and keep your brain in a calm and steady state. Jennifer Barretta works out...because for her a strong body equals a strong mind. She feels more confident about herself when she is exercising regularly. I like yoga...because it helps you find your center and learn to create a calm, steady state through deep breathing. Others listen to music to clear their mind...while some write blogs or journals. Preparation techniques are as individual as the players themselves, but I promise that you that 95% of the top players stick to the same basic routine in preparation for a match. This is all part of the repetition…training your body and mind to respond the same way in every situation.
Repetition = Confidence
Believe it people.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Support For Our Soldiers...
I’m not a brave person. There is no way that I could have joined the military and survived anything other than a desk job in the States. So, I have tremendous respect and admiration for the men and women who do sign up for our armed forces…often at a ridiculously young age. (I don’t want to go off on a tangent…but let me just say I find it absurd that our gov’t and society will allow 18-yr olds to die in battle on our behalf…but they are prevented from doing so many other things because of their youth. For example…consume or purchase alcohol off-base. Or rent a car without paying outrageous “under 21” fees. Joe Army can drive a tank for the US gov’t…but he can’t rent a car from Budget. Seriously?)
My little brother is planning to join the Navy this year. I am terrified for him…but at the same time, I am so proud of him…and I think it is a good decision for him. My uncle, my father, and both grandfathers served in various divisions of the armed forces…as well as many of my close friends.
So…because I am not a brave person…I try to find ways to show my support for our troops. I’ve been pen-pals with soldiers (who also happen to be pool enthusiasts), I have visited military bases with the other WPBA ladies to play challenge matches and socialize with these brave young men and women…and most recently, I have taken to sending care packages to soldiers stationed overseas. I love doing this…as it gives me the warmest of fuzzies to know that these packages help to keep our deployed soldiers more comfortable and happy while they are stationed far from home, friends, and family.
If you want to support a soldier, there are many websites that can help you. You can join their services and “adopt” a soldier or troop…or you can research things such as the most requested/popular items (I was recently asked for chapstick, lotion and foot powder) or easiest/cheapest shipping methods (USPS has a flat rate box for APO/FPO addresses. The box is free, the shipping is $12.50).
http://www.anysoldier.com/
http://www.herobox.org/
http://www.opgratitude.com/
http://www.ustroopcarepackage.com/
http://www.operationshoebox.com/
As a side note…if you are interested in sending a care package…but don’t have a lot of money to spend...you can always involve your friends and family by asking them for donations. My most recent care package had all kinds of things donated by my friends…microwave popcorn, hot chocolate packages, CD’s, razors, lotions, deodorants, powdered drink mixes, etc. These were items that my friends had extras of…or were able to give away without impacting their household budget too badly.
(And if anyone wants advice or wants to contribute to one of my future care packages…you can always email me at herndonmc@gmail.com)
My little brother is planning to join the Navy this year. I am terrified for him…but at the same time, I am so proud of him…and I think it is a good decision for him. My uncle, my father, and both grandfathers served in various divisions of the armed forces…as well as many of my close friends.
So…because I am not a brave person…I try to find ways to show my support for our troops. I’ve been pen-pals with soldiers (who also happen to be pool enthusiasts), I have visited military bases with the other WPBA ladies to play challenge matches and socialize with these brave young men and women…and most recently, I have taken to sending care packages to soldiers stationed overseas. I love doing this…as it gives me the warmest of fuzzies to know that these packages help to keep our deployed soldiers more comfortable and happy while they are stationed far from home, friends, and family.
If you want to support a soldier, there are many websites that can help you. You can join their services and “adopt” a soldier or troop…or you can research things such as the most requested/popular items (I was recently asked for chapstick, lotion and foot powder) or easiest/cheapest shipping methods (USPS has a flat rate box for APO/FPO addresses. The box is free, the shipping is $12.50).
http://www.anysoldier.com/
http://www.herobox.org/
http://www.opgratitude.com/
http://www.ustroopcarepackage.com/
http://www.operationshoebox.com/
As a side note…if you are interested in sending a care package…but don’t have a lot of money to spend...you can always involve your friends and family by asking them for donations. My most recent care package had all kinds of things donated by my friends…microwave popcorn, hot chocolate packages, CD’s, razors, lotions, deodorants, powdered drink mixes, etc. These were items that my friends had extras of…or were able to give away without impacting their household budget too badly.
(And if anyone wants advice or wants to contribute to one of my future care packages…you can always email me at herndonmc@gmail.com)
Monday, January 10, 2011
The 2011 Things-To-Do List
Just as it happens at the beginning of every new year, I start 2011 with a renewed sense of purpose, determination and a good intention to get stuff done. So…while I am still in that mode…I figured I’d start by blogging about everything I plan to do this year. First off...and it's priority over the whole list so it's not even on the list...I intend to play more pool and get back my Top 16 ranking. I'm off to a rocky start with this one since I couldn't attend the WPBA Masters in Michigan...but I'm committed for any other events this year. I love the game and look forward to getting back to playing more.
Now on to the list...
#1 – I intend to blog regularly. What does regularly mean? Well…to me it means at least once a month. There is no purpose in having the darn things if I don’t use it. My role models for this are OMGWTF, PCN guy, and Gail Glazebrook. They are all busy human beings (well, since I’ve never met PCN, I have to assume he/she is human…LOL)…yet each one of them has made a commitment to their blogs…and been very impressive in keeping those commitments. Note to self: You don’t have to write novels. Short and sweet works just as well!
#2 – Engage in creative activity. There are several items on my bucket list that I could address to fill this creative void in my life. I could learn quilting or knitting, candlemaking, jewelry making…whatever! I just need to try a bunch of new things, find something I really like, and then dive into really getting juicy with it. I admire creative people…so I intend to nurture that inner child who never stopped wanting her finger paints.
#3 – Go to X-Games and Comic-Con and the Rose Parade. I live in So Cal…and yet I have never taken advantage of my close proximity to these fantastic events. I’m not a big comic book or skateboarding fan…but I believe that events like Comic-Con transcend your normal fandom and create an experience that just about anyone will enjoy. I’ve already got my hook-ups for Comic-Con and the Rose Parade…now I just need to find one for the X-Games!!!
#4 – Do something extreme. River rafting, skydiving…something along those lines. Ziplining might not count as extreme…but I want to try that, too.
#5 – Help organize a charity event. I love event planning…and I want to volunteer…so this might be the perfect outlet for me!
#6 – Travel more. I might not be able to take a week long tropical vacation…but weekend road trips aren’t out of the question. I used to take them all the time when I was younger…and I miss those days. I’m definitely hitting Nor Cal, SD and AZ sometime this year. And, of course, there’s always Vegas.
#7 – Watch less TV. This one is going to be hard…because I love TV. But I need to spend more time out and about in the world…doing things instead of watching others do things. But I really do love TV.
#8 – Learn how to bat to right field. Yes…I need to learn how to be able to hit to right field at will. I play co-ed softball with friends…and I would like to be able to drop a little curving blooper in over the 1st baseman’s head. Your opponent’s never expect it…and many times it will get you an extra base.
#9 – Go see the Ellen DeGeneres show. I just think she’s the bee’s knees…a terrific human being. And I think that being in her presence would just be plain fun.
#10 – Drink more water. Yep…that’s #10. It’s harder than it sounds because I pretty much hate plain water. But it’s so darn good for you…and when I do drink plenty of water, I just feel better. So…that’s the plan…to get into a habit of drinking plain, old, boring water.
Well…those are my top 10 things-to-do in 2011. But there are other things that didn’t make the list….and if you have any cool suggestions…please go ahead and leave me a comment!!
Now on to the list...
#1 – I intend to blog regularly. What does regularly mean? Well…to me it means at least once a month. There is no purpose in having the darn things if I don’t use it. My role models for this are OMGWTF, PCN guy, and Gail Glazebrook. They are all busy human beings (well, since I’ve never met PCN, I have to assume he/she is human…LOL)…yet each one of them has made a commitment to their blogs…and been very impressive in keeping those commitments. Note to self: You don’t have to write novels. Short and sweet works just as well!
#2 – Engage in creative activity. There are several items on my bucket list that I could address to fill this creative void in my life. I could learn quilting or knitting, candlemaking, jewelry making…whatever! I just need to try a bunch of new things, find something I really like, and then dive into really getting juicy with it. I admire creative people…so I intend to nurture that inner child who never stopped wanting her finger paints.
#3 – Go to X-Games and Comic-Con and the Rose Parade. I live in So Cal…and yet I have never taken advantage of my close proximity to these fantastic events. I’m not a big comic book or skateboarding fan…but I believe that events like Comic-Con transcend your normal fandom and create an experience that just about anyone will enjoy. I’ve already got my hook-ups for Comic-Con and the Rose Parade…now I just need to find one for the X-Games!!!
#4 – Do something extreme. River rafting, skydiving…something along those lines. Ziplining might not count as extreme…but I want to try that, too.
#5 – Help organize a charity event. I love event planning…and I want to volunteer…so this might be the perfect outlet for me!
#6 – Travel more. I might not be able to take a week long tropical vacation…but weekend road trips aren’t out of the question. I used to take them all the time when I was younger…and I miss those days. I’m definitely hitting Nor Cal, SD and AZ sometime this year. And, of course, there’s always Vegas.
#7 – Watch less TV. This one is going to be hard…because I love TV. But I need to spend more time out and about in the world…doing things instead of watching others do things. But I really do love TV.
#8 – Learn how to bat to right field. Yes…I need to learn how to be able to hit to right field at will. I play co-ed softball with friends…and I would like to be able to drop a little curving blooper in over the 1st baseman’s head. Your opponent’s never expect it…and many times it will get you an extra base.
#9 – Go see the Ellen DeGeneres show. I just think she’s the bee’s knees…a terrific human being. And I think that being in her presence would just be plain fun.
#10 – Drink more water. Yep…that’s #10. It’s harder than it sounds because I pretty much hate plain water. But it’s so darn good for you…and when I do drink plenty of water, I just feel better. So…that’s the plan…to get into a habit of drinking plain, old, boring water.
Well…those are my top 10 things-to-do in 2011. But there are other things that didn’t make the list….and if you have any cool suggestions…please go ahead and leave me a comment!!
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