Tag: Retirement

Dude, You’re in Incredible Shape!

Vince said, “Dude, you’re in incredible shape”.

Shirtless, I stopped by the front office after my training run early this morning, sweating profusely from the tropical Florida humidity.  I wanted to check on something my wife was working on for next year.

The office manager and I were talking when Vince made his comment.

Vince knows the manager.  In fact, Vince helps out  at our Sanibel Island Resort and is an absolute bright ray of friendly sunshine, enthusiasm and hospitality.

“One push up a day”, I casually commented back.

“One push up a day”?, Vince relied, surprised.

“Yep”.

Vince knows I’m heading to Helsinki, Finland in three weeks to represent the United States at the Master’s World Championships.   The manager does not, unless Vince tells him.

It’s amazing how we can look at someone and wonder what they do, or don’t do, to lead a healthy life.

Same thing with a person’s attitude, eh?

We can tell, just by a person’s demeanor, whether they have passion or not.  Of course, there are some exceptions to this, but not many.

I hope I can stay passionate about four things:  Mind, Body, Spirit, and Money.

Self-Control, Surrender, Service.  Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

Life’s A Beach?

“Life’s a beach”.

Ever heard that one?

I think it’s a spin-off of, “Life’s a bitch, and then you die”.

I look at those two phrases and am reminded that we have a choice.  We always have a choice.

Over our attitude.  Maybe nothing else, but certainly our attitude.

And no one ever said choosing was easy.  It can be extremely difficult.  But we do get to choose.

And I believe I must choose the positive attitude versus the negative attitude.

If this bores you or seems too elementary, go look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Am I a mountain of positivity or a molehill”?

What?  You do have a mirror, right?

I just looked.  Looks like I’m an antagonist this morning.

I chose it on purpose.  Carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

What Would You Choose?

What would you choose?

Jimmy Buffett or Bob Marley?

It was a pretty easy choice.  Bob Marley.

I’ve been listening to Jimmy Buffett since Sunday afternoon.

The writing has been coming pretty easy.  The hard part is, I have so many ideas.  So much inspiration.

Isn’t that one of the keys to life, or anything for that matter, inspiration?

Well, right now, I’m inspired to finish this post.

Carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

Writer’s Retreat

Writer’s Retreat.  It’s the perfect get-a-way from the daily grind – not that I’m complaining.   Please, life is hard and most people, I think, know this.

In fact, I’m actually grateful for the grind.  But that’s another story.

Back to this short story.

I’m on a week-long writer’s retreat.  Of all places, Sanibel Island.

Of the many things I’ve learned as a writer, one critical success factor is the occasional trip away from your normal, daily surroundings.  Sanibel Island is the polar opposite of my normal life.

I have learned a ton and written a ton.

The retreat leader told everyone yesterday that you should write in a style outside your comfort zone.

Of course, I asked, “Why”?

He replied, “You’re a runner right.  A sprinter, if I remember correctly”.

Yes, that’s right”, I said.

He made an excellent point, “Well, as a sprinter, do you run distances much longer than a sprint”?

I got his point.

You have to “stretch yourself outside your comfort zone” and vary your training to be a great sprinter.

Same for writing.  It’s one of the big take-aways for me, and we are only on the third day.

Make it a great day.  I have to get back to the session.  More later.

Carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

Island Time?

Island Time?

Indeed.  It’s the pace of life while on vacation on a tropical island.

This post marks the fifth one this morning.  

Why?

Because I love to write.  I am a writer.  And a professional speaker.

The more I speak and the more I write, the better I get.

It’s the same with running too.

Which reminds me, I better get going before it gets too hot.

Happy July everyone.

Carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

PS:   jungle jeff,  Lane 8,  Mid Life Celebration,  jeff noel.org