I offer this week’s blog in honor of the Daytona 500 – NASCAR’s first race in the season. The men in my family have a long-standing tradition of going to this race. It gives them a time of “male bonding” and enjoying a sport they all love.
I just finished a book recommended to me, The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein, because I’m enamored with my grand dog, Penny. As faithful readers know, Penny is the cutest, smartest and most loving dog ever! I know those of you who have pets will say the same about yours, too.
The book was great and I highly recommend anyone read it!
We should all think about the mindset of racing in the rain. The dog, Enzo, loves racing because his owner, Denny, keeps the television on all day and puts racing on. Enzo becomes an expert! One of his favorite drivers is Formula One great, Ayrton Senna. Senna has an enduring quote, “With your mind power, your determination, your instinct, and the experience as well, you can fly very high.” Enzo tells us balance, anticipation and patience are all vital in racing.
Aren’t these things vital in our daily lives as well? We need to have positive thinking, determination, a little intuition and use the experiences we’ve built up in order to continue moving forward.
Our health depends on this! As we get engrossed in this new year of this new decade, start racing in the rain. “Drive by the seat of your pants” as the author says.
Put yourself in the driver’s seat and take control of your health and well-being. Pledge to do a few simple things that can be health boosting and life changing:
- Drink more water.
- Eat real food - food that is grown in the ground, not packaged and processed.
- Eat local food. Eat organic foods.
- Move your body. Every day. Take the stairs, go for a walk, take a class.
- Reduce stress. Breathe more. Take a break every day, even just 10 minutes of nothing.
- Sleep well. Go to bed a bit earlier. Read a book (like this one!) to calm yourself.
Enzo tells us racing is doing. “We are the creators of our own destiny. Be it through intention or ignorance, our successes and our failures have been brought on by none other than ourselves.” See what a smart dog Enzo is? HaHa.
Race for your health this year! Pick one thing to do and make it a success. Look toward your goal.
One last quote from the book is “your car goes where your eyes go.” It’s a terrific quip on life. It explains the driver who looks at the wall as he spins out of control will hit that wall; the driver who looks down the track as he feels his tires break free will regain control of his vehicle.
Look down your track! Take charge of your health this year and do some small things to help you get there! Harness your mind power, use your determination, learn from your experiences! Own your body and your mind with a positive outlook. Enzo tells us to believe in yourself – you are everything!
To Your Vitality!
