Archives for April 2011

Apr 30 2011

Fitness Saturdays—Can Older People Get Fit?

Do You Think Older People Can Get Fit?

I saw a “Special” on the Sunday morning news awhile back on older people getting in shape.

That’s great, I thought. I think all people should be encouraged to exercise.

But then they had a specialist “Geriatric Doctor” on. She said that while a few “exceptions” may be able to maintain high levels of fitness when they’re older, the majority of people shouldn’t hope for those results.

What?

I have issues with this kind of thinking…

As soon as you say “I can’t”, you’re right… At that point you’re done.
Why is it the exception? Perhaps our older generation wasn’t taught to stay healthy when they were younger. This might place them at a lower starting point but it hardly means they can’t get in great shape.
Any one of any age can improve their fitness levels. If you shoot for the stars and hit the sun you’ll still be in great shape. But if you listen to doctors—like the one who was on—and only shoot for the roof top, you might hit it. But it’s a long way from the sun…

What’s Wrong With Being the Exception When Health is The Issue?

Nothing!

The best way to be in great shape when you are older, is to get in great shape now and either maintain it or always strive to improve it!

But if you’re older now, you can still start. You can still improve your fitness and your quality of life. Sure, be smart about it. If you’ve never exercised, consult your physician and start slowly and cautiously. Then build over time.

But…

There’s a Difference Between Being Smart About Fitness and Having Low Expectations.

What are you going to do?

Roland Byrd

Apr 30 2011

The Secret to Life

Do You Know The Secret to Life?

The other day I jokingly asked my seven year old son if he wanted to know the secret to life.

Well…he bit.

“Dad,” he asked, “What is it?”

I wasn’t prepared for the question—which was silly since I’d asked him that. But after thinking a moment I said, “The secret to life is that you can choose happiness.”

But it’s simpler than that. The real secret is that you can choose. You—and everyone else on this planet myself included—have the power of choice.

We weren’t given the power to control everything that happens in our lives. But we were given the power to choose how we react or respond to everything that happens to us.

What an amazing gift!

That means if you want a happy life, choose it. If you want a successful life, make the choices that create it. If you want emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual health; then start making choices that bring you that direction.

Now maybe you’re thinking, “Easy for you to say…but my life really bites right now!”

Well, if that’s the case then I’m sorry that things are rough. I really am.

I can promise you this though, if you look for it, there is something in your life worth celebrating at this very moment. Perhaps it’s the sun shining on your face or the sound of a nearby bird or even the shape of that dark cloud on the horizon. Maybe it’s as simple as the fact that you have some clothes to wear or a roof over your head or even a park bench to sleep on or a car to sleep in.

I have no idea what your situation is. But I know there are miracles in your life and if you choose to look you’ll find something to choose happiness about. And then you’ll discover that the more you choose happiness, the easier it is to find reason to feel happy!

Go ahead and give it a shot! What have you got to lose?

If you’re making those choices already, then kudos to you!

You are the Master of Your Destiny!

Roland Byrd

Apr 28 2011

Sale!

This morning I made some needed formatting revisions to the interior of “Your Blueprint, Life by Design”.

The review process takes about one week. The paperback will be available for sale again in about seven days.

To make up for this inconvenience I decided to have a sale. Today is 4-28-2011. If you send me an email at Roland@rolandbyrd.com with “get my copy” in the subject line. I’ll email you a special link where you can order your copy of” Your Blueprint, Life by Design” at a huge discount!

This offer is only valid through 11:59pm MST on 5-5-2011

You are the Master of Your Destiny!

Roland Byrd

Apr 27 2011

Tear it Down!

Sometimes You Have to Tear it Down and Rebuild.

The Dojo where I train is undergoing a major renovation. Last night I helped clean rubble from the demolition phase of the project.

They’d ripped out the old interior walls and flooring. That left a pile of debris about 30 feet wide and 6 feet tall right in the middle of the floor.

What a mess!

It felt daunting, the idea of cleaning up that massive pile of plaster, wood, and metal. But I started anyway. One piece a time, one shovel full after another, I threw the innards of the old Dojo in the dumpster.

And something cool happened. I entered a peaceful and meditative state. Before I knew it, half the pile was gone and the vision of the new Dojo was firmly planted in my mind.

That got me thinking about life. Sometimes we have to remodel, to tear down the old and rebuild when we desire something better. This is scary for most people. After all, you spent your whole life getting where you are today.

But ask yourself these questions:

“Is where I am today working for me?”

“Is my life what I imagined it would be?”

“Is it possible to make my life better?”

Those answers tell you if you need to remodel.

Now you might need a complete demo and rebuild. The kind where you get away from the old friends and situations and habits that help you justify staying in a flawed or unhealthy lifestyle—and if you do there are many organizations that will help you through this process.

Or you might just need to tear the carpet out of a single room of your life and lay something better.

Either way there are two things to remember.

There are resources to help you.
Today is the best day to start. When you wait until tomorrow, tomorrow becomes an elusive creature that seems forever out of reach.

*If you are in need of a major overhaul, please seek assistance. This can come from a counselor, a group like AAA or Al-Anon, or other places. And if you’re not sure where to go for help then look to your local church. Many times they have information about community resources that are designed to assist you.*

The key is to take action now. Do something today that creates the change in your life. Before you know it you’ll have a firm vision of the new tomorrow in your mind. In time you’ll look back and wonder why you ever feared the change.

And remember to read “Your Blueprint, Life by Design”. It’s a great place to start on your journey to that new tomorrow.

You are the Master of Your Destiny!

Roland Byrd

Apr 25 2011

The Beauty of Now

Do You Ever Feel Like You’re Rushing Through Life?

It’s easy to get caught in the pattern that “you have to get somewhere now”, to race through life seeking destination after destination, goal after goal. But then you end up looking back and wondering where yesterday went. You might stand atop the summit of your life with little memory of the events that brought you there. Your life ends up a blur. Then what do you have to show for it?

I submit this for your consideration.

Life is the Destination.

Make sure you appreciate The Beauty of Now, the Miracles that are happening around you this very moment!

Look around. See the wonderful people in your life. See the beauty of your surroundings. Notice the colors and the patterns that enfold you.

Listen to your life. Hear the unique sounds of your life. What are the tempos? Is there laughter, rainfall, chaos? Everything you hear is unique to you because no one else hears exactly the same way you do.

Feel your life. Pay attention to your life’s sensations. What emotions do you experience? What tactile impressions happen in your day? What does it feel like to walk or run or sit or exercise or play? What does it feel like to hold the hand of someone you love?

Taste your life. You eat things all the time. What are the flavors that most appeal to you? What happens with your mouth every day? As a child you explored the world by putting things in your mouth. While I hardly recommend that approach as an adult, you can still realize the wonderful flavors of your life.

All these things work together to help you appreciate the power and beauty of now.

A destination is of little consequence when the journey is wasted. Do you really want your life to be like the commute where you get in your car and then blink because you’ve arrived?

So pay attention to your life. Pay attention to the people in it and the things that happen every day. Start seeing the beauty in every moment, every perfect moment that creates you.

Understand; goals are good. Knowing where you’re going is key to creating success. Just make sure you enjoy life while you’re seeking your dreams. You never know the magic that will happen today if you just open yourself to experiencing it.

You are the Master of Your Destiny!

Roland Byrd

Archives for April 2011

Do You Think Older People Can Get Fit?

What’s Wrong With Being the Exception When Health is The Issue?

There’s a Difference Between Being Smart About Fitness and Having Low Expectations.

Do You Know The Secret to Life?

Sometimes You Have to Tear it Down and Rebuild.

Do You Ever Feel Like You’re Rushing Through Life?

Double Your Motivation to Exercise!