Tag: FAll

Fall Can Be The Start Of A New You

by Mershon Niesner

Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body; it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.  John F. Kennedy, U.S. President

Fall isn’t just the time for new crayons and backpacks. Fall can also be the start of a new you if you’re on the cusp of making the decision to declare exercise a priority. 

If you’re looking for motivation, The National Institute on Aging suggests the following five things to get you going:

  1. Find ways to fit exercise into your day.
  2. Do activities you enjoy to make it more fun.
  3. Make it social.
  4. If there’s a break in your routine, quickly get back on track.
  5. Record your progress and reward yourself when you reach your goals.

Here are a few ideas of my own ideas that I’d add to the NIA’s list: 

—Make exercise a priority—put exercise on your calendar

—Get some support—consider asking a friend to be an accountability partner, hire a health coach, or a personal trainer

—Anticipate how exercise will make you feel—when I REALLY don’t want to go to the gym, I strike a bargain with myself, “just 10 minutes.” Once I get going, it feels so good I stay for my full routine. 

—Just do it! There are some things in life that are so important we need to do them whether we want to or not; changing a baby’s diaper comes to mind along with taking out the garbage, or doing your taxes. For some people (myself included), exercise is like that. 

Affirmation: Exercise makes me feel good. 

Coaching question: The hard truth is, you need to find the time and motivation to exercise or you’ll likely need to find the time for illness/disability in your future. It’s your choice. When will you start and what’s your first step?

October, Baptize Me With Leaves!

by Mershon Niesner

October, baptize me with leaves! Swaddle me in corduroy and nurse me with split pea soup. October, tuck tiny candy bars in my pockets and carve my smile into a thousand pumpkins. O autumn! O teakettle! O grace! Rainbow Rowell, American author

What a lovely ode to October. I guess if your name is Rainbow, you have no choice but to become a poet. Right? 

This is the first time in several years that I’m experiencing the beauty of fall. Health concerns and a hurricane bearing down on Florida kept us in Northern Illinois this year. I’m reveling in the colorful trees, the cool days, and the general hum of fall. 

With so many tragedies happening all around us (I’m particularly thinking of the destruction caused by Hurricane Ian), we must grab the gold ring of October and, if we are safe and whole, be thankful for our blessings and do what we can for those unable to celebrate. 

Affirmation: I am grateful.

Coaching question: How are you celebrating Fall? What can you do for those less fortunate? 

October, Baptize Me With Leaves!

by Mershon Niesner

October, baptize me with leaves! Swaddle me in corduroy and nurse me with split pea soup. October, tuck tiny candy bars in my pockets and carve my smile into a thousand pumpkins. O autumn! O teakettle! O grace! Rainbow Rowell, American author

What a lovely ode to October. I guess if your first name is Rainbow, you have no choice but to become a poet. Right? I no longer experience the leaves or corduroy (does anyone wear corduroy anymore?), but  I did put out buckets of mums, pumpkins, wreaths of colored leaves on my front door, and I made some beef-vegetable soup. I’m celebrating! 

With so many tragedies happening in the world…earthquakes, tsunamis, floods…we must grab the gold ring of October and, if we are safe and whole, be thankful for our blessings and do what we can for those unable to celebrate. 

Affirmation: I am grateful.

Coaching question: How are you celebrating Fall? What can you do for those less fortunate? 

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Living In a Painting

by Mershon Niesner

Winter is a etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all. Stanley Horowitz, author

What an inspiring quote. I love thinking of the seasons in terms of art. Fall is now officially upon us and in the northern climates of the U.S. and other parts of the world, leaves are beginning to change and summer’s bloom is fading. Some days are hot, others cool…a true mosaic of other seasons. 

Here in south Florida, I’m noticing the terrific growth that occurred during the summer. Although hurricane Irma stripped and downed many trees and caused great damage, only traces remain. Life is like that. Storms sweep through, damage is done, then renewal follows in abundance. 

Affirmation: I embrace the seasons of life.

Coaching question: What does the painting of your like look like? What medium have you used? How can you renew the damage you’ve experienced? 

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