I am a strong believer in the power of language. Language isn't just about "words" - it's also about the personal meanings that we derive from those words. As we all realize, saying what you mean may not be the same as meaning what you say. Add to this the idea that "the meaning of words" and "what it translates to in pop culture" are oftentimes two totally different entities.

I bring this up today because of a great example of this phenomenon - the word "wellness". If we look at the literal meaning of "wellness", here is what we'd find (italic emphasis is mine):

Read more...

Creativity.

Inspiration.

Two things that you need to latch on to when they appear at your doorstep. Trust me on this one.

They can pass you by quickly, on stealth mode in your daily grind. It's easy to lose sight of them, or to barely recognize that they are in your presence. But if you stay open to the world around you, stay quiet deep within, you will hear them - and when you do, you must seize them, seize the moment, free your mind, know the flow, sense it, revel in it, submit to it ... and hope that life hasn't passed you by in the meantime.

Sure, easy for you to say.

Read more...

Surprise ... it's quiz time ...

Consider this scenario: you've been running for a few weeks now, and you've noted a little discomfort in your thigh whenever you run. It's starting to limit your running, and you really don't want to stop training if at all possible. Off the top of your head, who's the first healthcare provider you'd go to see (if insurance and other issues weren't limiters) to resolve this problem?

Wait ... don't tell me the answer just yet. This will all make more sense in a moment. Read on, please.

Read more...

The basis for today's post comes from a discussion earlier this week regarding basic training principles. If you pick up any triathlon, cycling, or running magazine, you will invariably note some mention of "base training" or "aerobic base training" or some other form of doing long, slow work to "build a base" early in the season. During this time period, intensity (in the form of intervals, tempo work, etc) is considered "taboo". The prevailing thought is that you need to build an aerobic base upon which to then superimpose a few weeks/months of interval-based work prior to racing.

Of course, the premise sounded good - back when we all believed that the aerobic system was the primary limiter to performance.

Read more...

Consider me one pissed-off Canuck today.

Here's the deal. A sacrilegious event occurred yesterday. Lord Stanley's Cup - the highest award in all of hockey - the gleaming 36" cup that every male Canadian kid dreams of raising when he's growing up - has gone south on us. Again. Literally.

You see, last night, the Anaheim Might Ducks (now that's a lame Disney-fied name if ever I've seen one), beat the Ottawa Senators to take home the Stanley Cup.

What? What has this world evolved into now?

We've got a war in Iraq. Kobe can't decide if he likes Los Angeles or not. Jordan's retired for good. The health care system is in the toilet.

And now - this.

Read more...

The blues have always been something important to me and my spirit. I knew it was so when I first heard Cream on the radio playing "Crossroads" when I was in high school. I was on a trip with my parents, we'd just arrived home in our Toyota Celica, and I stayed in the car until the song was over. I knew that something special was contained in the chord structures and verse of the blues. Eric Clapton's spirited solo in "Crossroads" gave me a desire to search deep within the meaning of the blues ... and within it, I found Robert Johnson.

Very little is known of Robert's life. Robert had done his recordings in November 23, 26 and 27, 1936 in San Antonio and June 19 and 20, 1937 in Dallas. That's all of his recorded history. For many years, I was unable to find much more about him other than his legend. Then, I heard "Crossroads" ... "went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees" ... and something struck a chord deep within me.

Read more...

Seven down, and six to go. No further waiting ... let's get on with number 8 ...

8. Principles And Practices - Stephen Covey, in his "Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People", discusses the concept of "principles" versus "practices". Principles are the "why" we do something, whereas practices are the "what" we do. Much of our time is spent thinking in terms of practices - or as many educators and clinicians will say, "having more tools for the toolbox". I think this is misguided at times. A screwdriver can't be used for everything, nor can a hammer. It is the decision making skill of when to use what tool that is ultimately key - and of course this comes down to learning how to think and process clinical information.

Read more...