It's OK to Watch the Clock, if...

Traditional schooling can sometimes be, oh, how shall we say it:

Booooo-ringgggg.

In the traditional classroom setting, two things that can bore us to tears are memorizing stuff and sitting still all day.

This is true for kids and adults (Remember the last continuing ed seminar you went to?)

But life is better when you turn it Inside-Out. So if you think about them differently, they don’t have to be boring, and can actually be beneficial.

In the last letter, we saw that memorizing can actually develop your concentration.

Well, guess what? So can sitting still. Here’s another exercise from Theron Dumont, called the ‘Second-Hand’ exercise:

“Sit in a chair and place a clock or watch with a second hand on the table (or look at the clock on the wall). Follow the second hand with your eyes as it goes around. Keep this up for five minutes, thinking of nothing else but the second hand.

“The key to success is keeping every other thought in the stream of consciousness subordinate to the second hand. Since there is nothing particularly interesting about the second hand, it’s hard to do this.

“The extra effort of Will Power required makes this exercise so valuable. Always try to keep as still as possible during these exercises. In this way you can gain control over your nerves and this quieting effect is very good for them."

I’m not saying you should be a “clock watcher” at school or work, but this simple exercise can be great when you have a few minutes to spare. You build your concentration muscles when you practice shutting out all thoughts-- except what you’re working on. Like trying to memorize the Preamble, or following the second-hand around the clock.

When you try to be still for a minute, all kind of thoughts start streaming in, distracting you from your focus. It’s hard at first, but keep with it. When you’re able to sit still and think of nothing but the second-hand for more than two minutes, you’re really starting to strengthen your Brain-Body connection.

And that’s the key to creating health, wealth and the life you want.

Life is moving, moving, moving. Exercises like these give us a chance to ‘be still’, and connect to our Center, to our deeper Self.

And that’s worth every minute.

Dr. Vince

PS Another great tool for helping you and your kids concentrate is the QLink Personal Energy Pendant. It repels the "static" of everyday life, improves your focus, and reduces your stress. Not to mention all the other health benefits. It's worth a look. Get yours at http://www.drvinceonline.com/qlink.htm

PPS If you missed the last letter about why it’s good to memorize stuff, you can read it here

Moses and Bart Simpson Share a Secret

Two things always bugged me about school. Memorizing things
and sitting still all day. I'm sure they still bug kids
today. But I found a way to use these "activities" to my
advantage, to build my power of concentration.

Being able to concentrate is primo importante for doing well
in school, on the job (even listening to your spouse). So
let's concentrate on concentration, and how memory work can
help.

My grandma used to pay me to memorize bible verses. A dime
a verse. When I was little, I thought it was an easy way to
make some money.

But as I got a little older and wiser, I realized that
Grandma was helping me develop the skill of concentration.
A skill that helped me become a Mechanical Engineer and a
Chiropractor, and still helps me as a healer today.

Memorizing something doesn't guarantee you'll really learn
it, but it DOES guarantee you'll get better at
concentrating.

Here's an exercise from The Power of Concentration, by
Theron Dumont:

"Read a short sentence and then try to write it down word
for word. When you are able to do this, try two or more
sentences. Practicing this will give you wonderful powers
of concentration.

"To remember every word in a sentence you must keep out
every thought except those you want to remember, and this
power of inhibition alone will more than compensate for the
trouble of the exercise."


Here's one to try:

"Anything is Possible. The only limitations are those I
acknowledge."

Or you can start with your favorite quote, verse or lyric.

When you get good at familiar, interesting sentences, try
some random sentences from books you read or the paper. The
less familiar it is, the more you'll have to concentrate to
remember it.

And the better you'll get at concentrating.

Using your hands to write and re-write actually uses more of
your mind, and gives the information more ways to get inside
your brain.

Like Bart Simpson's chalkboard. OK, bad example.

Better example: Moses. "Impress them on your children...
write these commandments on the doorframes of your houses
and on your gates."

Writing helps you memorize, and memorizing helps you
concentrate. And concentration is a big key to reaching
your goals, in school and in life.

So, when your kids are complaining about having to "memorize
and regurgitate", you can be the hero and teach them a new
way of thinking. How to get the good out of memorizing.

You can even make a game out of it and do it together.

(Next time we'll learn how to get the good out of sitting
still. Stay tuned.)

Dr. V

P.S. TV, computers and cell phones can make you mentally
fuzzy, unfocused, and ruin your ability to concentrate.
That's why I wear my Q-Link. To quiet my mind, be my best,
to be fully present with my family and my patients. You can
get yours here http://www.drvinceonline.com/qlink.htm

The 23rd Channel

Part of the struggle of getting back to school (or
getting on with your life in general is the One-Eyed
Monster. The Bo~ob Tube. My brother calls it "the
Beast".

You may know it as the TV.

But TV is only bad if it keeps you from your Best. And it
has a way of doing that as you try to get ready for school,
finish your homework, order and plan your day. Make sure to
put yourself at the top of the To-Do list and leave TV 'til
later.

Here's a little gem I found a long time ago. I don't know
who wrote it, but they have a good sense of humor (and a
good sense of humans).


The 23rd Channel
(with apologies to King David)

The TV is my shepherd; I shall not want.
It makes me lie down on the sofa,
it leads me away from my Best,
it distracts my Soul.

It leads me in the path of Commercialism
for the Sponsor's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the shadow of my
Responsibilities, there will be no interruption,
for the TV is with me; its cable and remote control,
they comfort me.

It prepares a commercial for me in the presence
of my Worldliness.

It anoints my head with consumerism;
my desire runneth over.

Surely laziness and ignorance shall follow me
all the days of my life.

And I shall dwell in the house watching TV forever.


Dr. Vince

P.S. to protect yourself from the physical dangers of
watching TV (or any other screens) check out
http://www.drvinceonline.com/qlink.htm

Back to School

"A mind stretched by a new idea can never go back to its
original size."

Since the kids back in school, they'll need some extra help
with their stretching brains. So this week will be
devoted to brain power.

Not brain power, as in memorizing, regurgitating, and
passing standardized tests. But brain power as in Mind
power. The power to think, solve problems, create, imagine.
Even heal. If your kid has those, they'll be able to pass
the standardized test--and also succeed in the real world.

The brain can't work right if it's not fed right.
Ironically, our kids are getting formal education to live
and work in a civilized world, but their brains respond best
to "Caveman" eating.

Lean protein. Fresh fruits and vegetables. Few if any
grains.

I know it's hard. They're picky. Pre-packaged is easier.
But it's taking its toll on our kids (and us).

What would happen if you stopped making it hard?

As I understand it, there are 20 million diagnosed diabetics
in the US. And another 41 million diagnosed pre-diabetics.
90% have Type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is when your body loses its sensitivity to
insulin. It used to be called "adult-onset" diabetes, but
now they call it "Type 2" because so many kids are starting
to get it. Excess weight and lack of exercise are two of
the main risk factors. And weight cometh by eating.

So don't worry about feeding your kids perfectly. Just feed
them better.

Grapes, apples, bananas are easy, self-contained and most
kids like 'em.

Carrots. Lettuce, tomato, pickles, sprouts on a sandwich
(one piece of bread). Yogurt.

If you miss veggies at lunch, get 'em at supper.

Maybe you can think about eating right as part of their
homework. Or good food as one of their school supplies.
Whatever it takes, they're worth it.

More Omega-3s from fruits and vegetables. Fewer Omega-6s
from grains. Start designing your meals around lean
protein, fresh fruits and vegetables and you'll notice the
energy levels climb, the skin clear up and the sleep get
better.

I can't vouch for actually getting them to bed, though.

Dr. Vince

P.S. Here's a recipe for an easy breakfast shake. Protein
and fruit. The cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar so your
body needs less insulin, which helps prevent diabetes, too.

6oz milk, almond milk, soy milk or apple juice
4-6 oz water
1 scoop of whey protein
½ teaspoon of Cinnamon
half a banana, in chunks, frozen
a handful of frozen fruit (strawberries, blueberries,
cherries, etc.)

Mix together in a blender. You can experiment with the
amounts and the ingredients to get different flavors,
textures, etc. Try chocolate soy milk with cherries. Yum.

P.S.2. Omega 3 is the key. That's why fish oil is so
important. It helps the brain work better, but also fights
diabetes by keeping your body more sensitive to insulin, so
it doesn't have to produce as much. And you can squirt it
right into the breakfast shake and never know it's there.
No, you won't have a "fish shake", because it's
molecularly-distilled, so there's no taste or odor--just a
hint of orange. Yum. Get started at
http://www.drvinceonline.com/fishoil.htm

The Worst Habit of All

Excellence is a habit. Good habits are worth the effort. Our championships and our successes are born from our habits.

Your brain loves novelty. It seeks out new things. New experiences and learning help it create new connections. Which make it stronger and more powerful.

Routines help you learn and help you grow. Repetition builds habits. But your body and mind rebel when things become too “routine”. Boring is bad.

For instance: Eating right is a good habit. Lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables is an even better habit. But if you eat the same protein, same fruit and same veggies every day, you’ll probably develop a sensitivity or an outright allergy to those foods. Your body needs variety. You can design your meals around a common theme, but don’t get stuck in a rut.

Or take exercise. Exercise is a good habit. Bodyweight exercise is a great habit. But if you do the exact same exercises every day, in the same way, in the same order, your body will adapt and you’ll lose the training effect. It will make you weaker and imbalanced. The body needs cross-training. You can exercise the same muscles, just in different ways.

Getting sick on good food. Getting weak from exercising. These are examples of the life-damaging effects of “routine routine”.

I was given the book The Solitaire Mystery for my birthday. It’s a story about destiny, sacred symmetry and the creative imagination. There is an exchange between the narrator Hans Thomas and his father that warns against letting our lives becoming too routine:

“Do you know why most people just shuffle around the world without marveling at everything they see?”

I shook my head.

“It’s because the world has become a habit,” he said, sprinkling salt on his egg.

“Nobody would believe in the world if they hadn’t spent years getting used to it. We can study this in children. They are so impressed by everything they see around them that they can’t believe their eyes. That’s why they point here and there and ask about everything they lay their eyes on. It’s different with us adults. We have seen everything so many times before that we take reality for granted.”

The world has become a habit. Maybe we’ve seen the forest so many times, we’re starting to miss the trees. Information overload is dulling our senses

Part of Living Enthused is appreciating the beauty, excitement, the Life of every day life. Even in the ‘terrible daily-ness’. Recapturing some of the wonder and amazement you had when you were young.

This weekend, unplug from your normal routine. Turn off the phone, the TV and the computer. Go out in the yard and blow bubbles.

Or hang out for a few hours with your kids (or “borrow” a neice, nephew or neighbor) and actually look where they’re pointing. And listen to what they’re asking.

Experiencing your life is an excellent habit.

Dr. Vince

P.S. When you plug back in, you may want to check out the secret to relaxing, clearing your mind, avoiding the information overload at http://www.drvinceonline.com/qlink.htm But only after you blow your bubbles.

A Champion's Routine

A friend of mine sent me this quote. Since we've been
talking about habits and excellence, I thought I'd share it
with you. It's about basketball, but you can apply it to
the marching field, playing field, rink, ring, home or
office...


Champions do not become champions on the court.
They are merely recognized on the court.
They become champions in their daily routine.

Players do not really decide their future.
But they decide their habits, and
their habits decide their future.


Reconnect with your Inner Champion this week...

Dr. Vince


P.S. there are some great habits waiting for you at
http://www.drvinceonline.com

P.S.S. if basketball is your thing, you can learn plenty
from my friend Dean, the Dean of Shooting Hoops at
http://www.deandelker.com

The Perfect Diet

As you may have already suspected, there is no perfect diet.
A diet is something you "go on". And something you'll
eventually come 'off'.

It's a lot easier to be healthier and to express your ideal
body by learning healthy "eating habits", rather
than 'going on a diet'. Because habits become a part of
your life. Habits change your life.

Ironically, a phrase we all know and love can actually
sabotage your best efforts to make new healthy eating
habits, or make any changes in our life:

"Practice makes perfect."

So, if we can change this phrase, we can change our
thinking, change our habits and change our life.

Here goes:

Practicing, rehearsing and doing something over and over
again train your mind and body to repeat what you've taught
it.

Practice makes permanent

But your results are only as good as your practice.

Perfect practice makes perfect

Nobody's perfect. We're humans, on Earth and subject to
the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics-"everything is tending toward
disorder". (My desk is a great example of this law.)

Lots of our 'dieting' frustration comes from our inability
to be perfect. So don't worry about perfection. Settle for
excellence, practicing your new habit _most_ of
the time.

Excellent practice makes excellent

The blessing of a habit is that once you get it, you don't
have to think about it much anymore. It becomes automatic.

But that's also the curse of a habit. Because when you get
a bad one, you'll keep on doing it without thinking. And it
will keep you from your Best. And the bad ones are usually
a lot harder to stop than the good ones (2nd Law again).

So, to get better habits, we have to think better.
Consciously decide what we want. Learn how to get what we
want. Pay attention to what we're doing, thinking, saying,
eating, etc. To what works and what doesn't.

We've got to pay attention to what we're doing right now.
Be aware of our present-time thoughts and actions, not
getting on auto-pilot too soon, making sure our new habits
lead us in the right direction.

Which leaves us with:

"Present practice makes excellent."

(OK, it's not as catchy as the original, but it'll help you
get started sooner, and keep you from giving up too
quickly.)

Aristotle had a little something to say about habits:

"We are what we continually do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

Be excellent to yourself by eating more lean protein, fruit
and vegetables.

This approach helps you reach your ideal weight automatically. It controls inflammation and insulin. It prevents chronic degenerative diseases.

(You can read more about this eating style in The Paleo Diet or Neander-Thin)

Living Enthused,

Dr. Vince

P.S. The key to controlling inflammation and insulin, and
crafting your ideal body, is to balance your fats. More
Omega-3s and fewer Omega-6s. The prime source of Omega-6s
is grain, so eat fewer grains. Omega-3s are found in fruit,
vegetables, grass-fed meat and wild fish. So start eating
more of these. The best source I know is Concentrated
Omega-3 Pharmaceutical-grade Fish Oil. It's concentrated,
so you don't have to eat a pound of fish each day. And it's
purified so you don't have to worry about mercury, other
fish hazards or the smell. Learn more here.

The Hardest Thing I've Ever Done

It's 1:15 AM here on the East Coast. I'm so excited I can't
go to sleep.

I just got back from the Discover Mills 18 Cinema, which is
an hour and a half from home. Why would I drive that far
and that late to watch a movie, you might be asking.

Because I wasn't watching a movie. I was watching the Live
broadcast of the Drum Corps International Quarter-finals
from Madison, WI.

I marched in Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps two
summers when I was in high school. So now, every summer
when I cut the grass, I have flashbacks of hot nights in
the stadium and even hotter days marching on the parking
lot. Cold showers. Sleeping on the gym floor. Sleeping on
the bus. Loving every minute of it.

I got my drum corps fix at the regional championship a few
weeks ago in the Georgia Dome (can you believe we had a rain
delay?) and again on the big-screen in surround sound
tonight. It was extra sweet this year, because it looks
like Spirit is going to be in the Top 12 again.

After the last corps performed, they showed some short video
clips and sound bites of interviews with some of the corps
members:

"We keep practicing the same thing, over and over until it's
perfect."

(Excellence doesn't just fall in your lap.)

"This is the hardest thing I've ever done. If I can do
this, I can do anything."

(I have a panoramic picture of our horn arc on my screen
saver to remind me of just that.)

"Everyone breathing together. Everyone moving together.
It's awesome."

That one got me. That's what makes drum corps, band or any
other group performance so special. Why there's always a
Band table at the class reunion, and why you can still
consider someone a dear friend even after 25 years of no
contact.

Because everyone is breathing and moving and working
together. Creating something that has never existed before.
The vibration, resonance and harmony connect you profoundly.

It is awesome.

That's why they call it a 'corps'. A body. 128 people
moving as One.

Your body has a lot more than 128 parts. But they're all
united by your own unique vibration, your own Life Force.
Expressing itself through breath and motion.

Breathing and moving are the keys to staying young, active
and healthy. To staying connected. Enthused.

So, get up and go for a walk. Move your body. Breathe
deeply.

It's awesome.

Dr. Vince


P.S. The DCI championships will be re-broadcast on
September 5 on ESPN 2. Check it out. You'll be amazed.

P.S.S. Moving and breathing are lots easier if you feed
your body right. Lean protein. Vegetables. Fruit. You
know the drill. And the nutrients in the Core Four are
combined to help give you a stronger heart, stronger lungs
and rebuild your muscles more "youthfully". You may not be
able to keep up with the kids on the field, but it will make
your life a whole lot better. Amaze yourself. Check out
the "Corps" Four here.

How Many Fingers in your Push Up?

The concert pianist is lying face down on the floor.

About a hundred of us are gathered around in a hotel conference room, watching. His arms are stretched out in front of him, with only his thumbs and index fingers touching the ground.

Then what does he do? He does a push up. That’s right. Arms extended, two-finger push up. But he doesn’t do just one. He cracks out about four or five.

“Let’s get a picture!” Ok, so he does four or five more. “We need a better angle!” So, he holds himself in the ‘up’ position for 10 or 15 seconds while they frame the shot. It was amazing.

But, then again, everyone else in the room was pretty amazing too.

They were from all over the country, even Hawaii, and a few blokes from the UK. They were all different, but what impressed me was their positive energy and enthusiasm. They were smiling, energetic, positive, encouraging, and wanting to learn, do and be more…moving with a purpose.

This was a breath of fresh air compared to what I noticed in the airport on the way there. People were limping, shuffling on their way. No spark in their eye. No pep in their step. Staying a step behind. Tired. Dragging. No energy. No life.

I saw the same thing on the way home, too. Slumping, slouching, scowling. It was more than a little discouraging. It really made me appreciate my journey, friends, family—my Life.

You get out of life what you put into it. If you’re satisfied trudging through life to a dull finish, fine. It’s your choice.

But my sense is that you want more. To be more.

So keep doing the things that enhance your life. Read. Study. Drink water. Try something new. Try something scary. Smile. Breathe. Set a goal—then get started making it happen.

Who knows? The two-finger pushup may not be far behind.

Dr. Vince

P.S. Traffic, crowds, schedules and stress can make traveling a real bummer (if you let it). That’s why I love my Q-Link pendant. The Q-Link helps prevent jet lag and travel stress, but also keeps you relaxed and calm through the traffic, crowds, schedules and stress in your everyday life (work, errands, etc.) Not to mention making your exercise time more energizing and productive. Gather around and see what the Q-Link personal energy pendant can do--with no fingers!

The Truth about Pirates

Last Saturday, we had a ‘mini-reunion’ for our High School Band. The Stone Mountain High Marching Mighty Pirates.

We talked about the old days at the Rock. The “Roll Patrol”. Skipping class after Jazz Band concerts. Impromptu gymnastics on the MARTA train. How Mr. Hodges would let us go off campus to eat as long as we brought him something back. And how he would probably be arrested today for some of the discipline methods he used on us back then. (Don’t ask about the flying tuba mouthpiece.)

Many of the folks still play their instruments, professionally, at church, clubs or just for fun. Several are in business for themselves. My friend Bubba is about to retire from the Army.

Even though we were a little nostalgic, the cool thing was that everybody seemed more interested in what’s happening now, what’s new and where we’re all headed.

At one point, Michelle, who instigated the gathering, started rattling off everyone’s nicknames. None of which were very flattering, most of which I can’t list here because they wouldn’t make it through your spaaaam filter. And I was responsible for several of them.

And that’s when I realized how much I’ve really changed—and how thankful I am that my friends have big hearts (or short memories).

I did things in High School that I’m not proud of. Heck, I’ve done things lately that I’m not proud of (but at least they’re getting fewer and further in between).

But I wouldn’t change anything.

Sure, there are events, performances, relationships, deeds and misdeeds in my past that I wish I could’ve done better or avoided completely. But if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Because everything I’ve done or not done or been involved with or succeeded at or screwed up, every opportunity I’ve capitalized on, missed or blown…has moved me one step closer to where I am right now.

And that’s right where I want to be.

You, too. Your life is a reflection of your choices, good, bad or otherwise.

The choices we made in high school shaped our lives today. The choices you’re making today are shaping your life for the months and years to come.

So, if you don’t like where you are, start moving in a different direction. If you like where you’re heading, stay on that path. The key is to keep moving. Keep growing and improving.

And if you’re going to think about the past (High School or last year, or last week for that matter), only focus on your successes, the good stuff. Forget about the bad stuff. Or if you really screwed up, forgive yourself, learn the lesson and move on.

Like George Eliot says, “It’s never too late to be who you might have been.”


Dr. Vince