Solitude Without Loneliness

Idaho - 2005

Essential Elements of Well-Being

Summary:

• One of the great challenges of life as we know it, is to succeed at experiencing a measure of tranquility that is essential to promote peace of mind, creativity, well-being and be productive.
• An important element is equanimity. It is more than tranquility, yet it depends on it. It is a quality, a personal trait that requires a state of tranquility.
• It requires your deliberate, purposeful effort to achieve and nurture it.
• The path to creating tranquility and equanimity as a way of life is to be convicted of its importance to you and being committed to achieve it.

PS: By the way, do you want to learn more from me about how to get the most out of your life now and begin to prepare for your End of Career Transition as well as the next great phase of your life? I would like to help you. I provide consulting and coaching services that are tailored to your specific needs. Click here to apply for a...

This painting by John Trumbull (1756-1843), depicts the moment when the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was presented to the Second Continental Congress on June 28, 1776.

 The Seldom Declared History of its Writing

The summer of 1776 was a time of escalating conflict with England.  It was a dangerous time for the American colonies and in particular, its leaders.  Military and political uncertainties abounded.

The conflict between the American colonists and British soldiers that began in April, 1775 had grown into the Revolutionary War during the summer of 1776.

In the meantime, there had developed a significant movement in favor of Independence from England.  Delegates to the Continental Congress were faced with the necessity to vote on this critical issue.

In order to do so, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia for the purpose of voting on the question of independence. To accomplish that, there was a parliamentary and political need to draft a resolution up...

Evergreens and Aspens, Stability Amidst Change 

Sierra Nevada - 2019

An Unspoken but Common Challenge to Your End of Career

Summary:

The anticipation and actual experience of the end of your career is a major life Transition. It will present you with unfamiliar challenges in addition to financial concerns.

Some of the concerns will be obvious to you, others are not. Yet, they are profound, common and often unspoken. These are some of the less evident, but important ones:

• Not knowing how to go about the process of Transition. 
• Not clearly distinguishing Who you are as an individual vs. What your title has been…your sense of identity and how this is relates to your Transition.
• Not knowing What you will do in the future that fulfills your purpose and desires in a balanced manner.
• Not having the confidence that after the end of your career you will continue to feel relevant.

In this audio I discuss these and, specifically, why the topic of relevance is important to you now an...

Grand Vision

Half Dome and Merced River, Yosemite National Park - 2008

How Making a Photographic Masterpiece Relates to the Creation of Your Future Lifestyle 

Grand art born of great, visionary artists often arises from a spontaneous idea, an image in the mind’s eye.  The evolution of an idea that culminates in a tangible work of art, whether a painting or a photograph of a spectacular landscape, requires a blending of grand vision and the execution of exceptional technique.

Similarly, in order to create a masterpiece that will be your new lifestyle, you must imagine a clear vision of your future before you begin to create it. The path to doing so is to prepare yourself by creating and executing a realistic Post Career Lifestyle Plan that will guide you to making your new life an exuberant reality.

I am, by nature a serious person, yet strive to not take myself too seriously.  Certainly, there are some things in life like faith, family, country, etc. that require serious respect a...

Equanimity Reflects Tranquility

Gulf of Mexico, Florida - 2008

To Experience Tranquility and Equanimity As a Way of Life...is to Live

Summary:

When it comes to time, our choices and perceptions, there are three things that differentiates us as individuals:

• How we choose to use the precious time of our lives.
• How those choices affect our value of how we choose to use our time.
• How we perceive the speed at which time passes.

You have the ability to change that perception for your personal benefit.

It is reasonable to conclude that if your perceptions are uniquely yours, then you can change that perception. 

Consider that as you can change your unique perception, you can improve the quality of your life.

It is of great value for you to exercise a personal discipline of deliberately practicing your sense of equanimity and tranquility. It is even more valuable when such deliberate practice is directed toward a particular purpose. Fundamentally, that purpose is to live peacefu...

Nourishment and Renewal, Sun and Surf

Flagler Beach, Palm Coast, Florida - 2014

Common Misconceptions About Vitamin D and its Sources.

There is considerable misinformation that is provided to the public about the true source of Vitamin D. There are often statements in the media that imply that exposure to sunlight is all that you need to get the necessary amount of vitamin D.

The mistaken implication is that sunlight is your only source of vitamin D.

With this misinformation, you may conclude that with sufficient sunlight exposure, it is not necessary to be concerned with how much vitamin D you ingest with food or supplementation.

Presently there is increasing, legitimate concerns about viral infections and the importance of optimizing your immune system. Because vitamin D plays an important role in supporting your immune system, it is critical that you have a good understanding of this topic.

The Origins of the Misconception

The misconception is understandable. It is true that...

The Moment - In Rhythm With River and Rainbow Trout

Madison River, Montana - 2007 

Summary:

• It is commonly familiar that it is in those quiet moments when our mind is free to wander, that we are the most creative. This simple discipline can be beneficial as you plan your End of Career. 
• It is then that you will have a window of opportunity prior to embarking on the next great phase of your life. This is the time for you to create plenty of time and space to comfortably design your roadmap. The map that will take you in the direction that you want your life to go…with confidence.
• When the time comes, you will initially find that the time you have at your disposal is seemingly unlimited compared to your previous lifestyle. That can be a fallacy. Like other vacuums, there's a natural tendency for it to be filled. 
• Will you create the a la cart menu of your life? Or will life present you with items that are not so palatable to you?
• To help answer that for yourself, it is useful en
...

Flowing Naturally

Madison River, Montana - 2004

Summary: 

• This is the familiar story of Alex, a fictional character like many accomplished individuals from all walks of life. Alex is at that time of his (or her) career when he can see his end of career on the horizon.
• He has had a successful career. The discipline of creating visions, actionable plans executing them is familiar to him. He has done it repeatedly during his career. But a powerful insight in a moment of clarity revealed to him the source of his angst. It is that he is about to enter an unknown phase of his life…that this is all new and he is not prepared. So how do you go about creating your Post Career Lifestyle Plan _TM?
• First, it will serve you well too pause and reflect. Clearly describe your character and your life’s purpose. State the endeavors, activities that fulfilled your purpose. Think about the things that are fun and you enjoy doing. Then consider that a fulfilling lifestyle is characterized by pro
...

South Fork, Madison River, Montana - 2004

The Reciprocity of Service and Satisfaction

Summary:

• Our expressions of heartfelt gratitude creates joy for those who have given of themselves for our benefit. It also provides satisfaction to ourselves.
• As we plan our End of Career Transition _TM , there is yet another great opportunity to experience personal fulfillment from actively expressing gratitude in the service of others.
• It is common for individuals to seek an answer to the question: "What am I going to do after I “retire.” 
• A common approach is to think primarily about those long deferred activities that fulfill their desire to have fun. But by focusing narrowly on them the result is often feeling a lack of fulfillment. There is a reason for it
• There is often insufficient attention given to fulfilling their purpose in life. This is a need, a necessity that is deeply ingrained within us. 
• Your career has ended, but it does that mean that your purpose in life has ended as w
...

Proud Peony, Nevada - 2020

Honor Mom…from me to mine, from you to yours.

Summary:

• I am confident that each of us has reasons to be grateful. Beyond life itself, there is our world of people that each of us can think of that warm our hearts and cause us to smile.
• Sometimes, we want to thank them personally, in the manner that we were taught when we were growing up. To express our heartfelt gratitude. To do so brings joy to those who have given of themselves for our benefit, as well as satisfaction to ourselves.
• Our expressions of heartfelt gratitude graces those who have given of themselves that we may live a fuller life. It is in saying thank you, without reservation, that we help reaffirm their belief in us.
• To gracefully express genuine gratitude it's one of the core gestures of a wholesome life.
• We benefit others and ourselves by reorienting ourselves from passive awareness to affirmative, grateful expression.
• Be confident that as you express yourself, and experience the
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