Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Derrick Torrens
“You can’t grow when people can’t be themselves around you and express their opinions. This is true whether you like what they have to say or not.”
The scene is set a smoky, dimly lit gym. This gym resides in a dilapidated neighborhood, downtrodden, and dangerous. Crime and refuse is more prevalent than grass and blue-skies in our community … and our gym is its social center. Inside people are gathering, sitting in their rusty folding chairs in great anticipation of another title boxing bout. Title is the operative word because down here there isn’t any real glory in winning. Just the satisfaction of knowing you put a licking on your opponent and they’ll think twice about facing you again, if at all.
Our fighters are approaching, climbing the ragged wooden step stools into the sweat and blood stained canvas of the ring. The ropes are tattered and worn. They won’t hold the weight of your towel let alone your body if you are unfortunate enough to be pinned against them, but no one cares. This fight will be toe-to-toe, no holds barred and right at center ring.
I’m ready to win. And you know what? So is she. This is just another argument in the Torrens’ residence.
Now to be truthful none of us should view our disagreements with one another in quite this fashion … Read More »
Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Derrick Torrens
Scrolling through the channels trying to find something to watch I have discovered that, among other things, I am morbidly obese and my sense of fashion is terribly outdated. Everything I watch seems to be about something I need to do differently.
But I have come to realize it is not just me. It’s a trend that the media is gearing towards us all. You got acne? Use this product. You want to wow him in the bedroom? Buy this. You want to know where the wealthy shop? Then go here and buy these items when you get there … because “you need them.”
I like to watch the show “What Not to Wear.” On the show someone close to you decides you don’t have a clue what you look like in your day-to-day life and that you need a makeover. So now your friends secretly videotape your wears and send it in to the show. Hopefully it convinces the producers to come and throw away everything in your closet. It’s supposed to be funny because evidently everyone but you hates your orange parachute pants and your rhinestone covered leather jacket.
So there you are … living your life feeling carefree in your tennis shoes … and all the while you are being examined and told how and what you need to change. Read More »
Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Stefanie Johnson
Yoga. This small word has the power to raise many thoughts, feelings, and preconceptions. Some see it as symbolic of a specific lifestyle and religion, something only the affluent can afford to do, or harped about by “health nuts.” True, in the past the media and others have painted yoga in this way. However as an exercise program yoga is for everyone.
Yoga is now widely available to all, regardless of creed, cash, fitness, or diet. Everywhere you go, there are DVDs, classes, books, articles, advice, and props.
No matter who you are, or what your fitness or financial situation is, yoga and the yoga mindset can improve the quality of your life, and you should be doing it as a part of your overall exercise program. Read More »
Article by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits
Stress is a major problem for many people — a hectic, stressful job, a chaotic home life, bills to worry about, and bad habits such as unhealthy eating, drinking and smoking can lead to a mountain of stress.
If your life is full of stress, like mine once was, there are some simple things you can do to get your life to a more manageable level.
Now, your life will probably never be stress-free — I don’t think that’s even desirable, even if it is possible, because stress is something that challenges us and helps us grow. At a reasonable level. But when stress gets too high, it causes us to be unhappy and unhealthy.
It wasn’t that long ago when I was working long hours in a very stressful job, with little time for my family, smoking and eating fatty foods and not exercising. I had a lot of debt and too many bills. I was unhappy and stressed out all the time. I was losing hair … OK, actually that was because of genetics, but still. I was pretty stressed.
So I made some drastic changes. I quit my job. I simplified my life. I quit smoking and started exercising and eating healthier. I began to eliminate my debt. And I learned some habits that, when applied on a daily basis, can really transform the way you live, in a positive way.
How did I do all of this? One thing at a time. I didn’t do a major rehaul of my life. I changed one habit a month, and gradually over the course of a year or two changed a lot of things in my life. I won’t guarantee that all of these will work for you. They worked for me, but each person is different. Pick and choose the ones that will work best for you, and give them a try. One at a time. Read More »
Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Judy Mosley
A new year is racing toward us. Already, the hopes and dreams of New Years are rising within us. Often we label these as resolutions, decisions that this year, we will accomplish the things we have wanted to do for so long. Lose weight. Quit smoking. Make the bed every day. This is the year that our lives will be better.
But there is something all of us must do before we step into a new future. We must let go of the past.
The joys, pains, heartaches, and the triumphs must all be relinquished before we can expect to enter the future with open hands and open hearts.
Many people refuse to let go of the past because they believe the good days are over. Whatever joy they had, for a certain period in their lives, is impossible to have now. And they even refuse any good that might come to them because it’s different from what they experienced in the past.
Others cannot let go because their past was so excruciating. Instead of moving through the pain and allowing healing to come into their hearts, they allow the pain they feel to make all the decisions about their life. They can’t imagine that life could be different and so they cling to the walls that they have built for themselves, even if those walls are no longer necessary.
Letting go of the past is never easy. It’s more like a journey to be taken rather than a flat-out yes or no decision. Even so, there are some beginning steps that we can take that will help to ensure our success on this journey: Read More »
