ReadyForce News -- Mar 2008

The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, give him ample opportunity - even under the most difficult circumstances - to add a deeper meaning to his life. It may remain brave, dignified and unselfish. Or, in the bitter fight for self-preservation he may forget his human dignity and become no more than an animal. Here lies the chance for a man either to make use of or to forgo the opportunities of attaining the moral values that a difficult situation may afford him. And this decides whether he is worthy of his sufferings or not.

-- Viktor E. Frankl, Nazi concentration camp survivor, Author of "Man's Search for Meaning".

Smoker's have it right! Yes, I really said that and you can quote me, but please allow me to explain. Since smokers have a dependence to a powerful chemical, nicotine, they must hit a coffin nail about once an hour. Since most places don't allow indoor smoking our addicts must get up from their work box (cubical) and exit said building out into the fresh air. That's two very positive steps in the right stress management direction.

Smokers also, as a general rule, follow the herd instinct. Since they all Jones at the same time, they tend to gather in herds of two or more as they indulge in their ritual. Now not only are they away from their work and out in fresh air, they also are developing friendships and talking (aka venting) in a social setting. That's two more steps in the right stress management direction.

Bottom line, aside from pulling pure poison into their bodies every hour on the hour, by taking regular breaks throughout the day they are actually far more productive than their cubical hibernating coworkers.

The norm today for most people is to arrive at work, hunker down in the work bunker and not surface for air until the end of the day. They never take a break and work through lunch just to keep on top of a workload that will never, ever be done. This is far more damaging to the body and if you don't believe me just take a look at the people who are close to retirement that have 30 years of working like a slave without doing any self-care.

So, what's my advice...become a non-smoker - smoker! Grab a work buddy and get outside several times throughout the day, even if it is just for a few minutes. You will be able to focus better on your work, your body will be more energized, you social life will improve and at the end of the day you will feel more energetic, balanced and relaxed for when you return home to the people who really love you!

Is being addicted to fitness a good thing? Can you be too fit? These are interesting questions to ponder when it comes to fitness. Most people, by far the vast majority, do not get enough exercise. But there are a few folks out there that take their training to really intense levels creating what amounts to an overtraining situation.

Their bodies, not able to get enough rest, begin to break down. Sometimes the results of overtraining are subtle like getting a lot of colds, or having chronically, fatigued, sore muscles or nagging injuries that never fully heal. Sometimes they are more significant like a serious shoulder tear from years of micro trauma and abuse that builds up into a catastrophic event. Even more sobering are the preliminary studies being done at the Cooper Institute with elite athletes.

Initial studies have shown that many of the elite athletes who have been tested at the Cooper Institute have developed cancer. It seems that there is growing research to indicate that overtraining can lower the body's defense against some cancers and actually make it more prone to developing this serious condition. Wow!

So is this the couch potato's excuse to stay put and laugh the last laugh while they choke down another bag of fries, pork rinds and beer. Sorry, it's not that easy. The real key to all things is moderation. It seems that the best results lie in being reasonable. Getting out and moving, keeping your calories down and staying active with moderate exercise are the single best prescriptions for a long and healthy life. If you remember no other term from the annals of fitness, remember moderation as the underlying principle for fitness success!

Have you ever felt like all the powers of Hell are lining up to put you to the test?

My cousin, during a particularly difficult time he was going through, made the following statement; "Life is like a big ball of crap...sometimes you're on top but most of the time you are just rolling around on the bottom." Now, that's not exactly the stuff of our Inspiring Words section of this news letter, but if you are being honest, I'll bet there have been times in your life where you have felt like my cousin. Times where you felt like you just couldn't win and no matter how hard you tried you just kept getting knocked down. Why is that?

The simple answer boils down to one of focus and belief. We tend to look at things from the wrong angle when life is curb-stomping our teeth down our throat. Saturated in negativity, we see the glass as half-empty and pretty soon everything in our field of vision becomes colored with that perspective. In addition, our culture has become obsessed with negativity and it is reinforced every single day with our media. "If it bleeds it leads" is the battle cry for the evening news first story. You can't pick up the paper without reading about this tragedy or that tragedy. We instantly know when something happens, even on the other side of the world and we will be sure to see the images of suffering over and over again. Is it any wonder then when things get tough that we feel like we are on the bottom of that big ball of crap?

To escape this fatalist thinking and take a HUGE step toward creating real and lasting balance in our lives, we must begin to see things from a new perspective. W. Clement Stone used to get up each day and think to himself that the world was conspiring to bring him good things! This is the right idea, but can you hold that type of thinking when life is issuing a challenge. Indeed, if you want to bring true balance to your life then it is critical you do so at the most challenging of times.

Jack Canfield, author of "The Success Principles", looks at any challenge, obstacle, or life roadblock as a welcome component of his process. In fact, when these things do not present themselves and the path appears "too easy", he knows he has not in fact really challenged himself. Jack sees all these life challenges as opportunities to grow and experience something positive.

To understand you have to make a simple shift in your thinking. Look back in your past to an event that was very difficult. Perhaps it was a serious illness, the death of a loved one or a divorce. With the passage of time and some reflection, I'm willing to bet that you could find a positive life lesson in those events. The type of lesson that enriched your life despite the unpleasant nature of the experience. Jack understands that life is never going to be perfect, that there will always be challenging times and to make the most of them he always asks "what is the opportunity here?"

Want to get out from under that big ball of crap? Then look for the opportunity, the silver lining, in all experiences and you will shift your attitude toward any life challenge!

Proline-rich Polypeptide Complex - A Smarter Way to Age Your Brain! By Lynn Ravazzini - Owner, Nutrition Within. (707) 292-1284

We used to think that forgetfulness and memory loss were inevitable with age. Indeed, more than 24 million people worldwide have age-related cognitive impairment, and the number is rising. But clinical research has revealed new ways to liberate the body's natural pharmacy to promote healthy brain aging and help maintain mental capacity.

This new research suggests that in fact, the brain changes and responds to stimulation throughout life. This stimulation is a kind of "genetic self-talk" that can express itself either positively or negatively in brain cells, depending on environmental cues such as diet and lifestyle. Negative stimulation contributes to brain cell impairment, which is a key factor in memory loss and cognitive impairment.

But memory loss and cognitive impairment aren't inevitable. Each of us can select health-promoting, positive messages that offset negative stimulation. In addition to regular exercise and a healthy diet-both of which send positive messages to your brain-you can support healthy brain aging with a proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) complex that provides all-natural protection for the brain.

Fighting Neuron Loss and Oxidative Stress. The loss of neurons-or brain cells-and oxidative stress (which results in cellular degeneration) increase with age. Both are key factors contributing to memory loss and cognitive impairment. But PRP complex promotes healthy brain aging by preserving neuron health and reducing oxidative stress, thereby helping to preserve memory and cognition. Furthermore, in laboratory tests, PRP complex was shown to help maintain the stability of beta-amyloid, a substance whose breakdown appears to be associated with certain aspects of normal brain aging. These benefits of PRP complex have been confirmed in numerous clinical trials.

All-Natural Protection. PRP complex, an all-natural dietary supplement ingredient derived from colostrum (the first milk after birth) of cows, supports healthy brain aging through unique mechanisms targeting brain cell longevity. Specifically, research suggests that PRP may:

Works Better Than Plain Colostrum. While there are several products containing colostrum on the market, PRP complex is unique due to the way it's processed and its bioactivity level. PRP in colostrum is present in only minute amounts, so PRP complex has to be ultra-purified to achieve its full effects. Unfortunately, conventional processing typically results in bioactivity loss.

PRP complex is processed using a patented processing technology that frees it of proteins associated with food allergies, as well as lipids, minerals, and most carbohydrates. This technology allows the full biological activity of PRP, maximizing the potency of its biological effects. In fact, in scientific studies, PRP demonstrated greater bioactivity than plain colostrum.

A Smarter Lifestyle Early on Can Make a Big Difference Later in Life. Taking PRP is part of a healthy lifestyle than can help protect mental capacity as you age. Factors that may affect healthy brain aging include:

If you're interested in natural approaches to maintaining mental capacity as you and your loved ones age, please schedule an appointment at my office. We can offer a comprehensive plan that includes dietary and lifestyle counseling as well as targeted supplements such as PRP complex from the highest quality sources.

This month's mantra for your affirming pleasure: "My life is filled with goodness, truth and beauty."

If we are to help shift any underlying negative attitudes, we must infuse our consciousness with mantras that are positive and supportive of enriching our lives, especially during times of challenge. This month's mantra, if done with true conviction, will help you develop that right attitude no matter what obstacles you may face. If you do this mantra while visualizing you life exactly as you wish it to be, then you will be well on your way to creating lasting, positive change.

Now, sit or lie back comfortably. Take three deep breaths, pausing after you inhale and then exhale fully and completely. After you have taken your first three breaths, just breathe normally. Close your eyes and let any tension you may be holding in your muscles just begin to melt away. After you feel centered and your breath begins to quite down, repeat the mantra; "My life is filed with goodness, truth and beauty." Say this mantra with conviction and visualize yourself completing your resolutions with utter perfection!

As many times as you can throughout your day, stop what you are doing, take one deep breath and repeat this mantra. You can do this when the phone rings, or when you look at your watch, or anytime you feel the need to just slow down for a brief moment and focus. The power of setting a positive intention throughout your day should not be underestimated. It can literally change your life. Make this short time commitment everyday and begin on the path of empowerment.

For those of you who live locally in the Sonoma County area I thought I would feature one new business each newsletter where I know the person involved and have done business with them in the past. The people featured in this section are so exceptional; they come with my highest recommendation. A different service will be featured each month for your review.

Lil's Pest Control. Are you sharing your home with ants, spiders and other things that go bump in the night? With spring right around the corner a whole cornucopia of things that crawl will be coming to life and want to share in our bounty! The owner of Lil's Pest Control, Lily Hughes, is one of those special people who really cares about the quality of her work. Lily is the sole owner and operator of her business and she knows exactly how to get the job done in a way that is safe for your family and pets. If you find yourself hammered with a invasion you can reach Lily as follows: