As I sit here on the eve of September 11th, I cannot help but to recall the tragedy and the hope that was lost that day. Now, nine years later watching the news and listening to the Politicians’ BS is enough to turn anyone’s stomach. Wouldn’t it be nice to have more positive visionaries who help light the future and encourage the best in all of us, rather then the continuing pandering, fear mongering and finger pointing
always looking for the worse? I feel September 11th should be a national holiday, perhaps even a worldwide Holiday remembering the lives lost in the tragedy, and focusing on solutions and hope for the future.

Sometimes there are days that are exceptional. Today was one of those days.  I spent the morning at the Shepherd Center, a Catastrophic Care Hospital here in Atlanta. The founder, Alana Shepherd and her husband Harold gave a wonder two-hour tour through the beautiful facility, and educated me on the amazing history.

In 1973, just after graduating from UGA, James Shepherd (son of Alana and Harold) suffered a severe spinal cord injury while body surfing in Brazil. James was paralyzed from the neck down and spent the next five weeks in a Brazilian Hospital, struggling to survive. Alana and Harold Shepherd were frustrated with the lack of rehabilitation options in the Southeast…. I’ll let you read the rest of the story.

My words cannot do justice to what the Shepherd Center has not only accomplished in the past, but it is working on now and for the future. I would like to thank Dana Shepherd for inviting me to the center and we are excited about possibly working together with the Shepherd Center in the future. This is a place where miracles happen everyday.

One of the biggest conflicts busy energetic people face is there is just not enough time to get everything done. I bring this up today to focus on small changes you can make to change this.

First,  identify how your precious time should be used each day.  Note: time is the one thing that once it is gone you cannot get it back.  I say this so you will understand the value of each minute you have on earth – most of us take it for granted, including me.

Put a list together of what is accomplished in a 24 hour period.

• sleep
• work
• family
• exercise
• you
• eating
• travel
• TV

Your list can be expanded or contracted.  You must not only consider the value of your time but also the best way to spend it.  Start with your list and begin to prioritize it.

Balance Walking – eating component – DON’T DIET!  They simply do not work or at best for most people are a short term temporary solution.  Why fight it?  EATING is one of the few pleasures we all can enjoy.

The Balance Walking approach to food is very simple, eat what you want, just smaller quantities.  Focus on fresh vegetables and fruit, using meat and fish to compliment the main dish.  Start simply by getting rid of any over sized plates you have.  Get some smaller plates; I like the Japanese style smaller attractive plates.  This allows you to put together visually attractive dishes with very reasonable serving sizes.

Most of us could probably cut our intake of food in half without have a problem.  If you do this have a small snack mid morning and afternoon to keep the fires burning and preventing you from gorging out later that day.

The purpose of my blog is to openly discuss with you how to get the most out of life.  This includes an acitve lifestyle, enjoying life to the fullest, work (doing what you love), sharing, giving back and applying simple changes to increase and improve the balance of your life.  I am a straight shooter and get right to the point.

As author of Balance Walking (a 15 minute a day simple program that can significantly change your life), I will constantly keep you posted on my own progress and offer ongoing suggestions on how to improve your program.

As an entrepreneur and successful business person, I will discuss business practices and philosophies.  As a motivational speaker, I will include simple approaches to a more positive way of life.

If I can help change just one life, I consider this blog successful.  Join me on my journey as I share with you how I live life to the fullest.