Take on Life - It's a lifestyle!

The Best Chili

2010-01-10

The best chili has lots of beef and provides a little kick. You’ll find this chili thick and hearty with lots of flavor. Nothing beats a good chili and Sunday football. Quick and easy. Don’t forget to try it with the toppings. Recipe serves 10.

Chili Ingredients

2 pounds lean ground beef
46 ounces of canned diced tomatoes
28 ounces of canned tomato sauce
15 ounces of canned light kidney beans
15 ounces of canned pinto beans
1 1/2 cups of chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 cup chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt

Chili Toppings

10 tablespoons of low-fat sour cream
8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar

Directions

Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium to high heat until evenly brown. In a large pot combine all chili ingredients and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 hours. Served with a large pinch of shredded cheese and dollop of sour cream on top.

Christmas in the Square

2009-12-22

Every year our little town throws a holiday celebration called Christmas in the Square. As a youngster, I always found the night to be fun and full of joy; also, I often found good Christmas gift ideas in the local businesses. This year was the first time we have gone to the celebration in many years. It was amazing.

The square was packed, so packed that we never made it onto Main Street. We arrived just in time to see Santa appear with fire engine sirens a blazing. I imagine others around me could not tell the difference between me and a 10-year-old boy. I was taken back to a time of innocence when Santa was both real and scary.

Scary? I was always up early on Christmas. One year my parents thought it would be a good idea to have our stockings in our bedroom in the hope that we would not wake them up so early. Later that night I got out of bed and ran to my mom and dad. “What is it?” they asked. “I don’t want that old man in my bedroom,” I told them. After all, he was a stranger as far as I knew.

We wandered around the square after getting our glimpses of Santa. One of the buildings had a projector that was showing Miracle on 34th St. It was very idyllic.

The organizers Christmas decorating ideas were creative. For instance, when the Greenbush commuter line was reinstituted it was done so with a tunnel going under Hingham Square. As a result, vents were installed in the alleys. The organizers of Christmas in the Square placed cotton balls on top of these large vents. Every time the train passed, the cotton balls would get thrown up into the air and fall back down which created the illusion of snow. Very creative indeed.

Have you ever noticed that when you compare things to your childhood memories, the childhood memories are always so much more grand? I was surprised to find that that did not hold true in this case. I’ll remember this Christmas in the Square for some time to come.

Merry Christmas!

Sailing Lessons in Life

2009-11-25

During my Paralympic sailing campaign for Beijing in 2008 I wrote articles for my local newspaper. An extract from one of those articles conveys how sailing has taught me a few things to achieve success in other areas of my life.

Sailing teaches many lessons in life. If life is like a box of chocolates, sailing is a learned skill that helps you navigate these chocolate covered wonders. I have to admit, I don’t like the movie, but I have a yearning for some Tawny Port and dark chocolate as I write.

In sailing you must always be aware of the environment and its changing conditions. You begin to learn what to look for in a wind shift or wind velocity change. Developing this skill will help you in the ever changing business world.

Sailing teaches the importance of analysis and staying up-to-date with the market and future trends. Narrow focus in business will lead to competitors getting a new product to the market first.

In addition to environment awareness, sailing can develop teamwork skills and the ability to effectively communicate with team members. You can’t win the race and beat your competitors if you’re not a team player. Micromanaging might be an interesting theory, but it doesn’t make good in practice.

Unbridled inquisitiveness makes great sailors and better leaders. Sailing develops the curiosity of what others are doing. If you not curious about what your competitors are doing or exploring new approaches to overcome the challenges faced on the race course, you need to rethink your game plan.

Academics argue that unbridled inquisitiveness is important for any businessman, especially a leader.

The lessons on life I have learned sailing have been a strong influence in defining my leadership capabilities and entrepreneurial traits. Sailing represents a strong foundation on which my leadership skills will continue to grow.

Sailing has not only given me the tools to be successful in a career, it has given me the opportunity to realize my capability and potential.

What are the life lessons your favorite sport taught you?

Study Abroad Programs

2009-11-12

Preconceived notions of college have always emphasized the campus and classroom environment. If you’re one of the lucky ones you stumble upon an opportunity to build on your knowledge and experiences beyond campus borders. I was lucky to learn about international studies and work abroad.

It was my sophomore year of college and I was moving into my new on-campus apartment for the semester. It was a two-bedroom apartment with a common area and shared kitchen. My roommate was new to the room as well but our suite mates had been friends and already living in the apartment when we moved in.

Over the semester we became friends and I would learn that my current roommate would be moving out. My suite mates told me about their friend who had been working abroad during the semester and the likelihood that he would be my next roommate.

Given how nice my suite mates were, I was excited to meet my new roommate. Little did I’d know he would end up changing my life.

The first day he moved in we spent time getting to know one another. He’d just come back from working in Scotland. He spoke about a program where he could work overseas and get college credit. I was familiar with working locally, Northeastern University had a mandatory work program, but I had no idea it could be done in other countries.

I spent the rest of the day learning more about his work abroad and who I needed to see the following day. Eventually, I would find myself in a six-month internship in Belfast, Northern Ireland working for PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Once you go international, it’s hard to go back home

If you’ve ever been to Belfast, Northern Ireland, you know it’s not a tropical paradise. Yet, my experience was very special; I don’t know if it was the fact that I was truly independent or the excitement of something new around every corner. Perhaps it was a combination of both.

After my six month adventure in Belfast I pursued a job in Australia and New Zealand. The experience of working an internship at home paled in comparison to working overseas. In fact, the excitement of travel was so lurring that I aso applied and was accepted into Semester at Sea during the fall voyage that year. Semester at Seais a study abroad program where you attend classes at sea and get to travel while in port.

During Semester at Sea I would receive an e-mail confirming my hard work during the summer. I had secured an internship with a financial company in Melbourne, Australia. Unfortunately, I was never able to fill that internship because about a month later while in the Seychelles I suffered a catastrophic injury.

My experiences abroad had and continue to have a positive impact on my life.

Why should you work/study abroad?

Kill two birds with one stone. Most colleges allow you to transfer credits earned studying abroad to your home college. It’s a rare opportunity to continue forward momentum with your studies and have amazing experiences that may be less attainable upon graduation.
Become less egocentric. People have a tendency to put their own culture as the one to compare all others. They perceive only their home ideals and experiences to be normal. Immersing yourself in another culture helps overcome this attitude. It’s an eye awakening experience and will make you a better person.
Opportunity and experience. Academia is your home and the world is your playground. Traveling can open doors and great opportunity that you never imagined. Who knows what you’ll discover!
Change the world. Shelley Seale knows how to travel with a purpose. Study abroad and working abroad can also benefit where you travel. Perhaps you might want to volunteer overseas at an orphanage?

Important Things in Life

2009-11-02

I was lying in a Johannesburg, South Africa hospital bed with my brother leaning overhead to clear the obstruction from my nose. The gastric tube in my nose made it difficult to breathe and breathing with my mouth open only made matters worse, creating a sore throat as the tube shifted from side to side. It was 48 hours since I broke my neck on the beaches of the Seychelles.

I spent the next six months in hospitals and rehabilitation before I would begin my life as a quadriplegic. I was a couple months into my rehabilitation when some friends that I had been traveling with on that fateful day came to visit. I was up in a wheelchair so we left my hospital bedroom and went to the common area to chat.

Talking to my friend, I couldn’t help but focus on my nose. It felt like there was something blocking my left nostril. My instinct was to pick it, but my arm was weak. I could hardly move my arm and couldn’t move my hands or fingers. Soon, my focus was entirely of my nose and I became determined.

By pulling my arms in and touching my hands together I was able to work them up to my face. I only had a couple muscles to work with. Next, I wiggled my limp thumb into my nose by maneuvering my arm and picked what I consider to be a great achievement. It was the first time since my accident that I was able to reach my face with my hand.

No sooner had I finished, my mother gasped in disgust. Moments later, however, she too realized my accomplishment and we all chuckled as we discussed what else I could get away with.

Just two months prior, I was in the ICU relying on my brother to pick my nose. You truly don’t know the importance of something until it’s taken away from you.

Life has a funny way of reminding you of what’s important. As you live your life, focus on the simple things that bring you joy. During life’s downs, it’s the little things that have a way of bringing joy and carrying you through to the next high.

While my mother doesn’t approve these days, I rarely miss a chance to pick my nose.

Interview with Shelley Seale: Travel with a Purpose

2009-10-22

Take on life by changing the world one passion at a time. Shelley Seale, author of The Weight of Silence and contributing author to The Voluntary Traveler, eloquently shares her passion for travel and how she’s making a difference.

A must-read interview for anyone who wants to get more out of their travels. Thank you Shelley for taking the time to chat with me and share your inspiring story.

What is your mantra and how has it guided you through life?

My mantra is “travel with a purpose.” To me, that means traveling in a way that is more beneficial and meaningful to both the traveler and the people living in the places visited. Many of us, when we first start traveling, stay in tourist hotels and visit the big sites with groups or on tour buses, kind of a “behind the glass” experience of a place. I’m not knocking this – it’s what I did when I first started traveling as well. But eventually, you come to realize that by and large, you’re only getting a small glimpse of what that place, and its people and culture, are really like. Often we are given a “show” for the benefit of tourists, that has little relation to the everyday life of the place.

Traveling with a purpose seeks to go deeper than that – a true cultural immersion. It can encompass volunteer travel, sustainable travel, slow travel, green travel – any variety of alternative ways to travel that take us far beyond a package tourist deal, and into the real heart of places. It promotes a much greater cultural understanding and brings the world closer together. It also makes big strides into keeping the economic benefits of tourism with the locals. Too many times, the tourist travel packages are all done through corporations that take all the money out of the region, and travel ends up impacting the place in a negative way. Traveling with a purpose, consciously, creates a true exchange between visitor and local host, and gives to the community rather than only taking away when you leave.

In my personal life, it has guided me to being much more cognizant of what type of travel I’m doing and who I’m doing it with – is the hotel run by a local family or company? Are the tour guides locals, and giving an authentic experience that is respectful of the environment? How can I live in neighborhoods and participate in the real life of the place, rather than being sequestered away in the tourist trap? All of these things have given me some of the most beautiful experiences and friendships of my entire life.

What is your special connection with India?

I first went to India in 2005, to volunteer at an orphanage with The Miracle Foundation. When I arrived that first time, I assumed all the kids there were orphans in the true sense of the word – their parents had died. Instead I was shocked by how many of them had been “orphaned” by poverty; their parents had left them at the Miracle Foundation home because they were too poor to feed them, which in some ways seemed an even greater tragedy.

I could see that they were “invisible” children, without a real voice of their own. So I embarked on a three-year journey researching the issues, traveling throughout India and talking to many professionals and those working in the trenches to uphold these children’s rights and improve their futures. I have been back to the country many times, and have gotten to know many of these kids on a deep personal relationship level. Having this “family” in India really bonded me to the place, even though I was already in love with the country. They spared me from viewing it with the eyes of an outsider, and instead let me into the real heart of India. It was the most alive place I had ever been – it wrapped me up immediately and refused to let go. It still hasn’t.

Where do you get your strength to take on life and confront poverty in India?

It’s actually quite the reverse – it gives ME strength. It’s really hard to explain – I know that the impulse to turn away from the heartbreak, the ugliness and despair, is quite strong. I have felt it myself many times. But I guess in the end, I know that the struggles and suffering are still there whether we choose to see them or not. Just because we turn away, and say it’s too hard for us, doesn’t mean they go away. We have that choice – for the people who are dealing with this and living in desperate poverty every day in a struggle to survive, they have no choice. And I suppose that I just don’t morally understand how those of us who have the ability – in fact the privilege – of being in a place where we can make a positive impact, could turn away. We have a responsibility to do what we can to uphold the basic human rights of others. The definition of responsibility is the “ability to respond” - if we have the ability, then it is a given that we must respond.

In the end, it is a gift to us. It’s not a sacrifice – whatever sacrifice or difficulty there may be in the beginning, you soon come to realize that you are “sacrificing” something you once thought was important, to gain something that is far more important. It is truly transformational in the meaning and understanding of our life’s purpose.

How has traveling changed your perception of home?

That’s a great question. Growing up, I was pretty sheltered in a very suburban, homogeneous environment. I had no real connection with the outside world beyond the tiny little corner and way of life that I knew – it was as if I had blinders on. Sadly, many people go through their entire lives this way. Traveling in general opens us up to new worlds, new ways of thinking and living. I think that Mark Twain said it best when he said that “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”

But you are right – beyond opening us up to other ways of living in the world, travel does make us look at our own cultures and lives with fresh eyes. Particularly some of the type of travel I’ve done, into very difficult places to see. For one thing, it has made me stop taking virtually anything for granted. It is simply amazing that I can turn a faucet and have clean, fresh water streaming out of it – all that I want, and it’s even hot! That I can walk into any one of several nearby large grocery stores and buy whatever I want in there. I’m not saying that we don’t have severe problems and poverty, homelessness, child abuse etc. here at home. But I do know that by and large, I have it pretty easy and I had nothing to do with that. I didn’t earn it, I don’t merit or deserve it. It was purely luck of the draw. And so I’m indebted to use what I have been given to do what I can to empower others who weren’t so lucky.

What advice do you have for someone who is looking to travel abroad and immerse themselves in another culture?

I think that first and foremost, being aware of the culture they are visiting and how travel impacts peoples and places is very important to travelers making their journeys in a way that will have positive impact, and not negative. There are so many ways in which travel can harm the planet as well as local people; but there are also many ways in which we, as travelers, can avoid those pitfalls and contribute to the people and places of our global village.

There are many great resources for people who wish to travel thoughtfully – and the good news is that traveling in this way ultimately creates such a richer, more meaningful experience for the traveler. In the end, you connect with nature, historical places, and local people in a much deeper way that you would by just going along the worn tourist trail without giving it much thought. You can bring home a lot more than souvenirs from traveling with a purpose. Some of these resources are:

For those thinking of taking a volunteer vacation, I have several tips. First, think clearly about where in the world you might like to go, and what sort of work you want to do and issues you’d like to be involved with. Once you’ve looked inside yourself to become familiar with what is meaningful to YOU, then you can begin researching various opportunities - and they are plentiful, all over the world. For inspiration and a taste of what such volunteer trips are like, you might like to read The Voluntary Traveler. This is an anthology with stories by numerous writers and “voluntourists” - I am a contributing author, and the other contributors also have some amazing stories to share.

Love Affair with Wine

2009-10-13

My love affair with wine began in Belfast, Northern Ireland when my new employer held a welcome dinner. I had just arrived a week earlier and hadn’t even found a place to rent. I was living out of a dorm room at Queens University.

Little did I know that I would discover my passion for wine. Seriously, who would’ve thought that I would learn about wine in Ireland? I had anticipated switching from light beer to full beer, but wine?

The first day I arrived at work my boss told me they wanted to have a welcome dinner at a local restaurant and that I should bring my own alcohol. On my way to the restaurant the following night, I stopped at a local package store. You can’t imagine how delighted I was to find that they carried Coors light (my favorite beer in college). They didn’t have any singles so I bought a six-pack.

Armed with my six-pack of Coors light in a brown paper bag, I walked into the Giraffe - a restaurant that has since gone out of business. I was right on time but I found nine of my coworkers already seated at a table and when I got closer I was shocked to find 9 bottles of wine on the table.

I felt a little awkward and kept my six-pack under the table, slowly sneaking a bottle up to drink one at a time. When one of my coworkers gave a look of curiosity, I told him that I was surprised to find everyone drinking wine. He informed me that wine is for dinner and beer, or rather Guinness, is saved for dessert across the street.

The obvious solution to my problem was to drink my beer faster so that I could begin my foray into the world of wine. And that is exactly what I did! I learned a lot about wine from my Irish coworkers over the next six months.

Set aside your preconceived notions about something new or you might just miss out on finding one of your greatest passions in life.

Opportunity Is Plentiful

2009-10-08

When I was in high school I worked down at the local marina as a launch attendant. My boss was an avid fisherman who also ran his own chartering business. While I did have some experience fishing it was mainly from summer trips to Maine. Consequently, the only fish I had ever caught at the time were freshwater. Well, it was inevitable that at some point I would pick up saltwater sport fishing.

My coworkers and I got along well. One had a sailboat, one had knowledge of saltwater fishing, and I had a powerboat at the time. It’s difficult to fish off of a sailboat so my boat was the obvious choice when we would go saltwater fishing together.

Lake fishing is a lot of wait-and-see, but saltwater fishing can be very exciting especially in the early morning hours. When my friend told me we were going to meet down on the docks the next morning at 4:30 AM, I thought he was joking. Sure enough, we were all down on the docks by 4:30 AM. The sun was just beginning to rise and the water was glass flat, not yet churned by the days building winds and boat traffic.

We would leave the docks sipping our coffee keeping an eye out for any signs of a good fishing spot. I learned that fishing was much less of a wait-and-see sport and much more of a strategy game. Don’t wait for the fish to find you, find the fish.

All too often in our lives we wait for the opportunity to come to us. Challenges come to us, but opportunities? Opportunity must be sought after and discovered. Each and every morning that we went fishing we had to find out where the fish were feeding. It wasn’t easy knowing where to look, but experience would eventually lead us to finding the fish more often than not.

In life you can’t just sit around waiting for the opportunity to find you, experience has taught me that you have to make an effort to find it. Just like the vast oceans filled with fish, there is a plethora of opportunity if you’re willing to seek it out.

What opportunities have you found recently?

Interview with Neil Wood

2009-10-04

I met Neil a little over 10 years ago when he asked me to help him discover boating. We have kept in touch ever since those days and I recently had a chance to ask him some questions about his life and how he has gotten to where he is now.

Neil is the author of The Magic of Working Smarter and has motivated thousands in the financial industry with his energetic talks and fire walks.

Thank you Neil for sharing your wisdom and knowledge on how to take on life.

How did your youth define your passion and purpose in life?

My father traveled while he was in the Navy for 20 years, so during my youth, we shared very little time together. However, the time we did share was priceless! He taught what it took to be a successful athlete and encouraged me to practice whenever I could.

I became a student of the sport and excelled at my chosen sports from age 10 to 30. I went from All Stars to the United States Olympic Trials.

The first lesson I learned was simple. If you want to be among the top 10% or 1% - you’ve got to do what most people aren’t willing to do. Have the discipline, a strong work ethic and the goal to be excellent - not mediocre!

The 2nd lesson I learned was of lifestyle. We grew up Poor and it was really embarrassing. I had a few wealthy friends and saw how they lived. When I was about 13, I vowed to work as hard as I needed to in order to become financially successful, while also being a great father and role model.

So my passion and purpose in life came easily. Whether you are playing sports or in business, do something you LOVE and decide to become the very best you can be. The lessons I learned as a young aspiring athlete, fit perfectly when I decided to become a successful father and businessman.

If you want to be among the best, you’ve got to work smart and have big, exciting goals!

What are some big exciting goals that you have achieved?

Mark, one of the most exciting goals I achieved was the realization that I became what I set out to do as a kid:a loving and supporting father, a great provider for my family, a happy marriage and financial success.

Other achievements include: Winning 2 marathons, qualifying for and competing in The US Olympic Trials in 1984, authoring and publishing a book, becoming a professional speaker and living the Dream!

What is your attitude towards your failed goals?

I’ve learned MORE from the setbacks than I have from my accomplishments. It teaches me what does not work, which inspires me to find ways that do work.

Example: my first marathon was in Athens Greece in 1980. Not knowing how to pace myself, I went flying through the first 15 miles like my pants were on fire. Then I hit the “wall” and jogged/walked the last 11 miles. Not fun, very painful and a time of 3 1/2 hours. My next marathon was Boston in 1983, where I trained correctly, then paced myself and ran 2 hours and 25 minutes. 6 months later I set the NH record of 2:17.

Some people just wilt when they don’t accomplish a goal. I just figure out what went wrong, how to correct and try it again. That same philosophy works with babies trying to learn how to walk. They just keep trying again and again.

I never consider myself a failure because of a goal not accomplished. I know I’m a winner and will succeed if I continue trying.

Earlier you had mentioned you competed in the US Olympic Trials for running. What kept you from trying out for the US Olympic Team again?

I did try to qualify again in 1988 but did not run fast enough to meet the standard. I needed a 2hr 22 minute race and ran 2hr 24 minutes. Part of the reason was that I started a new career in financial services in 1987, and most of my work days (including a commute from and to NH) were 15 hours long.

At least I gave it a shot and trained 10-20 miles daily. No regrets. My wife said it was time to grow up and get a real job. That ended that dream!

C’est la vie. I’ve made a lot of money since and I still stay very fit.

Do you think money can buy happiness?

Happiness comes from the inside. I know very wealthy people who are lonely and miserable. I know people with very little money who enjoy every day. I was a happy person when I was broke and happy when I was a millionaire.

Having said that, I’ve been “with money and without,” and it’s so much sweeter to have a lot of money. You can do so much more and I always feel more independent.

In your book, you talk about life coaches. What role have life coaches played in your success?

The coaches I’ve employed have helped me succeed faster and better than most in: Business, marathon racing, golf, professional speaking/presentations, Life balance, health and wellness and even how to guide a Grady White into the dock!

Coaches simply have more experience and can help the student/client make progress quickly - as long as the student is willing to give the effort and trust the coach.

Example: I know many guys who have golfed for 30 years and are still terrible. When they proudly tell me they’ve never taken a lesson, my mind goes in two directions: 1. That’s obvious and 2. Why NOT?? You’ll spend $550 on a new driver but not 50 bucks to hit your 13 other clubs more effectively? Duh? Thanks to my coach and effort: My handicap went from a 13 to a 7 in one season. That’s phenomenal progress!

The same is true with my marathon success. My coach helped me realize that running 20 miles a day does not make a great runner. Most elite runners can do that. But add flexibility training, weight training and rest days, then see how your body responds. That was amazing!

Coaches help you get on the faster track to success and are worth the money they charge for their services.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to take on life?

My advice to someone who wants to take on LIFE is to follow your heart and do something YOU love. It is true, the money will follow - IF you provide a service or product that is valuable to others.

Also set a goal to be the very best that you can be in your chosen field. There is too much mediocrity in the workplace. Aim for excellence and you will shine like the beacon at the lighthouse. Surround yourself with other people with real positive attitudes. You will all bring each other up, when needed.

Tell yourself a positive message everyday. Few others if any will do that for you - so do it for yourself. Never give up hope - no matter how desperate things look. This is when we grow the most.

I never met the man but I like his quote.

Mark Twain once said, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by things you didn’t try than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover”

Give it your best and have fun in life as you Take on life!

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

2009-09-29

Tarragon makes this easy tuna salad recipe exceptional, pulling together all of the ingredients into a mouthwatering bite. Fresh tarragon can be substituted with half dry tarragon. Recipe serves 2.

Salad Ingredients

1 red tomato cut into wedges
2 oz.feta cheese crumbled
1/2 small red onion sliced
1/2 red pepper cut into strips
6 oz. can solid white tuna packed in water (drained)
1/4 cup kalamata olives
1/8 head of romaine lettuce (torn into bite size pieces)

Dressing Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Combine all salad ingredients into a large bowl and toss lightly. In a separable, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Add the mixed dressing to the combined salad ingredients and toss thoroughly. Divide evenly among two plates.

Take on life by trying this healthy recipe. Ingredients were slightly modified and taken from a South Beach Diet recipe.

Best Ways to Lose Weight

Laughter is the Best Medicine

2009-09-17

It’s been argued before that laughter is the best medicine. What about the other characteristics that define something as being better than all the rest? Can you simply argue based upon positive health effects alone? Probably, but that wouldn’t give me the opportunity to share my perspective on why laughter is the best medicine.

Laughter isn’t simply a great medicine because it’s healthy. Laughter is one of the best medicines because it is inexpensive, abundant, and non-intrusive.

Laughter is inexpensive

I laugh a lot every day, so when I was working on my budget this weekend for next month and comparing figures from last month, I was surprised to find out that my good laughs have cost me very little. The only monetary cost you could attribute to my good laughs is that from my monthly Netflix subscription - worth every penny!

Perhaps the reason laughter is so inexpensive is because it is abundant.

Laughter is abundant

The best source for laughter comes from people watching. Take a moment and realize what’s happening around you the next time you’re at the park or pub. It doesn’t cost a dime to watch that kid wear his ice cream. Laughing comes from within which requires you to find your sense of humor. People are everywhere, always providing laughs, you just have to slow down and take notice.

When all else fails and you can’t find humor in other people’s actions, you should practice laughing at yourself. Who hasn’t accidentally walked into the wrong bathroom or walked into a door because you thought it pushed open? We’ve all had our mishaps and if you can’t laugh at them, well that’s plain stupid. I have memories of mishaps a decade old that still crack me up!

Laughter is non-intrusive.

Granted, not everyone will agree with me that laughter is non-intrusive. I understand there are people with weak bladders who would consider some forms of laughter not only intrusive but embarrassing. Nonetheless, I have yet to experience a laugh that has drawn blood.

I currently take medication to help manage my bladder, yet it makes my mouth dry and I crave water. What kind of sick paradox is that? Perhaps I should just pee my pants and laugh it off.

Play for The Moment and Dream Big

2009-09-07

I remember back in elementary school I had to pick an instrument to learn and play in music class. The choice was very difficult but I ultimately chose the clarinet. You can stop laughing now, the clarinet is a very respectable instrument - just not when it’s played by me!

My inability to master the clarinet, and later the guitar, makes for a well deserved appreciation for musicians. I recently went to watch a friend of mine and his new band, Inside the Avalanche. I spent most of the time watching their fingers work magic and thinking about where they’ll end up as a band.

This wasn’t the first time I’ve seen Nick play in a new band. The experience of watching Nick play over the years got me thinking; what motivates you to get started?

Nick doesn’t play to find a record deal or become #1 on the charts (although he wouldn’t pass it up!). He plays for the moment. He plays for his love of music, for reactions he gets from fans, and for the feeling of making awesome music.

Dreams are important but it’s important to get a return on your investment immediately. Take on Life by doing something you love so that you stay motivated and dream big!

Quotes that I Love

2009-08-29

Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.

Bill Bradley

Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.

Mark Twain

Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.

Confucius

A ship is safe in harbor, but that`s not what ships are for.

William Shedd

You can’t always control the wind, but you can control your sails.

Anthony Robbins

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Mark Twain

Open Market Experience in Mashpee

2009-08-04

I haven’t driven down to the Cape in years even though I only live an hour north. Last Friday, Liz and I drove down to the Mashpee Commons to sell Take on Life T-shirts at the open market. It was a good time and I learned a lot about selling at these types of markets. We even managed to stay dry, although the wind was our greatest enemy (npvemwtufs).

Liz did an awesome job setting up the Take on Life tent and taking it down at the end of the day. A customer offered some advice on where to eat that night and after hearing her description we couldn’t resist. Next time you’re in Mashpee make an effort to eat lunch or dinner at Wicked which offers amazing fire kissed pizza. The entire menu is mouthwatering and the food was very tasty.

Since this was my first time selling at a venue like this I learned a lot. One of the neighboring vendors was Matt and Pat from Precious Hands - Priceless Memories. Thanks for your help with the tent and advice. They have one cool product! I also want to thank Jonathan and Olivia from Zamforia. They sell the It Says Love t-shirts and if you haven’t heard of these guys before, make sure you check them out!

At the end of the day, I have mixed feelings towards this avenue for selling Take on Life on a regular basis. While the experience was fun and rewarding, I will always need someone with me to do the heavy lifting. I don’t want Liz entering any muscle madness championships anytime soon, so don’t expect us at the Mashpee Commons on a regular basis.

What does taking on life mean to you?

2009-07-27

First, I’d like to thank everyone for their support. To show my appreciation and have a little fun I have decided to launch a little contest.

For me, the meaning of Take on Life is personal and the belief that no matter what lemons life deals us there is always opportunity. We all have challenges in life, whether they are challenges to living or hurdles keeping us from reaching our dreams.

I’m taking on life by starting this business, sailing, and living every day to its fullest with friends and family.

What does taking on life mean to you? Join the Facebook fan page and join the discussion about what it means to you and be entered into a random drawing to win a free Take on Life Sailboat T-shirt. The contest ends Monday, August 10 and a winner will be announced shortly thereafter.

Happy Independence Day

2009-07-02

How are you celebrating Independence Day? For the past six years I have ventured into the Esplanade in Boston to watch the fireworks spectacular. It’s a great time filled with food, music, and lots of friendly people. My fiancée and I have gone together for the past three years and I hope the tradition continues well into the future. I have many great memories of past Fourth of July celebrations.

During my teenage years, friends and I would gather together in our boats and motor or sail to the surrounding towns on the night of their fireworks. It was always fun comparing and deciding which town had that year’s best display. One year where we anchored ended up downwind of the fireworks and we spent the night dodging little ambers; fun times!

Decorations are part of every holiday and celebration, but my mom takes it to a whole new level when it comes to celebrating the 4th. Our enclosed porch best illustrates the absurdity of red, white, and blue decorations, with a total of 52 (yes, I just counted them all). I won’t count the decorations in the other rooms of the house.

Take on Life wishes all Americans a happy Fourth of July. We’ll be enjoying cookouts, good company, and as many fireworks displays as possible.

How are you celebrating this weekend?

Getting the Unexpected

2009-05-22

Since launching the Take on Life website I have learned many new things. I would like to share with you an interesting tidbit that I realized the other day. It’s important to know that I had spent months trying to come up with the right name for my business; there were many names that preceded Take on Life.

One of my short-term goals is to get listed on the first page of results for “take on life” without the quotes, by improving SEO. I was conducting some research the other day to measure that goal’s progress and learned something very interesting.

The first page of results for “take on life” lists several references to suicide and depression. I imagine Google is giving less weight to “on” and interprets my search as “take life”, even though the results are slightly different. This was unexpected and not anticipated when I chose the name.

I feel awkward admitting this, but it makes me happy to think that someone searching for information on suicide and depression would accidentally land on my website. I hope that person embraces the spirit of Take on Life and conquers their challenge head-on.

Don't Give to The Beggers

2009-04-30

During my Semester at Sea adventures I was exposed to many new experiences that went beyond the boundaries of my comfort zone. It is for this reason that those experiences are some of the best in my life. One was the frequent and unsettling experience of seeing young children as beggers.

We weren’t just tourists, we were students who craved experiences to explain our newfound world. I encountered my first entourage of beggars in Vietnam. We were told not to give to the beggars, but why?

Let me share with you a quick story that drives the point home.

Exploitation of Children

While in Vietnam we met a wonderful woman who helped troubled children and took action against their exploitation. This woman introduced us to a young girl who was recently taken from her mother. Why, you might ask? Her mother splashed battery acid on her face because a young girl with scars on her face brings in more money from the tourists.

Reinforce a Vicious Cycle

You might think giving to a beggar earns you karma, but you’re actually causing more harm than good. Giving to beggars reinforces a vicious cycle. When you give money, you are adding to the beggars’ sense that begging works. If they could not earn their keep in this way they would be forced to learn the hard truth that they must find or create a job.

Give a man a fish; you have fed him for a day. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime.

Give, You Must

Don’t give selfishly. I realize these scenarios can be one-on-one and personal but giving to make yourself feel better or get out of an awkward moment will lead to the above scenario. If you want to give, which you should do, give to recognized charities that monitor outcomes. Below are some popular charities in the US.

What charities do you recommend?

Leverage Your Personal Brand

2009-04-28

Last weekend my fiancée and I attended the Boston International Film Festival to promote and support the Cove. It was a great weekend, filled with meeting new people. One thing that stood out at the opening social event was the lack of personal branding.

It’s a film festival. I get it. Filmmakers are there to promote their masterpieces. Friday night was opening night. The film session that night was followed by a party at Vinalia. I struck up conversations with many people and everyone talked about why they were at the event. Some were filmmakers, producers, and actors, while others were there to support their chosen film.

We enjoyed the event, but I walked away without remembering much. Each person promoted his or her film but without establishing any connection or authority with me. No one was unique.

Get Attention

The main goal that night was to promote the viewing session for the Cove’s music video “Wish I Was Dead.” I asked those I met about their relationship to the film festival. This gave them a chance to speak about their project. However, even knowing that I was interested in what they had to say, their side of the conversation would die off soon after they delivered their prepared speech about their film that was to be reviewed later in the film festival. So, I began to talk about myself. My story is unique and my ambitions were also unique to the film festival.

The party gave me the opportunity to talk about my Take on Life business and my disabled sailing team, Team Eagle. It created a unique conversation different from all the others that night. I grabbed their attention, which provided the momentum for the most important piece of information I wanted them to hear — had they heard of the Cove’s music video?.

How have you leveraged your personal brand? What has been your experience?

I'm Not an Expert

2009-04-17

My brother Mike and I have always been opposites. My mother always got after me for pushing his buttons. I never tried to aggravate him, I was just being me. For instance, I am easy going and he is impatient. So when I seek feedback from Mike on something I have done, I typically get input based on an entirely different perspective than my own. This is a good thing.

Last night I asked my brother to review something I had written. One thing led to another and he thoroughly read this blog. Part of his advice this time around was for me to refocus the purpose of my blog because he feels I am not an expert on the topics that I cover.

What is an expert? In the context of blogging, I have always considered an expert to be someone with a high degree of knowledge in a particular subject.

I use this blog to talk about things that help, motivate, and inspire people to do more with their lives. I talk about life. My intent is to draw lessons from my life’s experiences, which others can, perhaps, use to make their lives’ journey a bit easier. I’m not an expert on life but I am an expert on my life.

In the classrooms of life there are no experts, just students.

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