Welcome, 2013!

Welcome all to this perfect new year, with all its possibilities, opportunities, lessons and blessings. We woke up today. Our eyes opened to sight. We first witnessed the dependable roof and then we recognized our own cozy warmth. We took another breath as our heart continued its faithful beating. We stirred from the comfort of our bed and let our loyal feet hit the ground creating our daily foundation. Our ears were blessed with the sounds of loved ones, cherished pets and the birds outside. Our nose was seduced by the smell of reliably, brewing coffee. Our hands stroked the soft faces of innocent children as they slept in their safe beds and our lips gently kissed our beloved. We started our morning with nourishment and clean water, for which we did not labor. We had access to the world immediately and learned about our far away neighbors.

It is a new day, and a new year—one that stands on the shoulders of 2012. We were given the gift of 365 previous days that brought us to today. We can hold 2012 in our hearts as a gift of experience, wisdom and another path along the road of this wondrous journey we call life. Today we have life. And, as with any other day, we have the choice of how we want to live our life today. We can allow our minds to dwell in the resentments and negative ruminations or we can let it follow the shiny lure into abundant consciousness. We can allow our minds and spirits to fall with abandon into hope and love—wallow in possibility and wonder. 

Yes, it’s a new year. I can’t wait to spend it with you. Welcome!

Are you sabotaging your happiness?

Happy Tuesday H3 blog enthusiasts! Today I came across this quote and couldn’t help myself… I had to share. I believe the quote itself speaks to the majority. The profound message speaks volumes in its simplicity. Overall happiness, as you and I both know, plays a huge role in our wellness journey. Seemingly, if we are intrinsically happy, we are more likely to engage in smarter, healthier activities. The smarter the choices, the kinder, and more compassionate energy we feed our bodies and minds. So why do we, more often then not, tend to struggle with this tiny little thing called “happiness”?

I can relate the struggle to something more ordinary. Perhaps it’s the little birdie that sits on your shoulder encouraging you to sleep in a little longer, to not get up and go to the gym as planned. Or maybe the birdie that tells you it is okay to devour that enormous cupcake as you are celebrating a milestone, a birthday, anniversary, or maybe just the sun coming out on a rainy day. Hmm…sound familiar? We can always talk ourselves into excuses as to why we cannot do or stick to some sort of healthful regiment. Why not talk ourselves into being happy? Why is it so difficult to shift the focus on happiness? Is it really that challenging to eliminate expectations and find positive in the negative? Yet again, if we are happy we tend to be feeding our body and minds with happy, healthy things. So, why not make gratitude your new attitude and embrace the changes it makes on your health? This Tuesday, I challenge you to start a gratitude journal. Start simple. Write one thing you are grateful for- or one negative thought redecorated into a positive.

 If your intentions are to seek greatness, then thou shall find greatness. Follow your yearning. It is then that you may find yourself shaping a life that is in sync with your soul intentions- a life filled with much happiness and health.

Top 11 of 11’

In the spirit of season, we are taking time to give thanks for all our blessings. I'd like to take a moment to reflect on some profound moments here at H3 during 2011. Below is a list of our top 11 of 11’. Were you here with us during any of these moments? If so, repost your experience! If you were not here with us, please feel free to post in the comments section your most memorable/reflective moment at H3 during 2011!

1. Bob Wright’s 30th Anniversary Celebration Week and Roast
2. Opening of The Culinary Arts Center
3. H3 Vegetable and Herb Garden (Planted, tended and feeding lots of Guests!)
4. H3 @ Home Coaching (Jeff, Amy, and Linda)
5. New Faces- (Lizette Volz, Amy Kelderhouse and several others!)
6. “Heavy” aired on A&E
7. The start of H3 EI (Extended Intensive Program as program option)
8. New Treadmills (Woodway)
9. New Classes (Yoga Power Flow, Running Technique, The FIRM, Butts and Guts, Gliding, Low Impact Kickboxing, Yoga in the Pool, Bender Ball, H20 Boot camp, Cardio Sculpt and more!)
10. Personal Responsibility Workshop (1st year offering this and what a success!!!)
11. The completion of Calibogie lecture hall (“smart board” and all!)

[caption id="attachment_6938" align="alignleft" width="420" caption="Bob Wright 30th Anniversay RoastCAC Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Celebration"][/caption]

 

 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_6939" align="alignleft" width="420" caption="CAC Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Celebration"][/caption]

Magical Exercise

As a wellness coach, I often talk to clients about their exercise habits. But of all exercises, one stands out as a daily must. It doesn’t require any special skills or equipment. It can be done anytime, anywhere, and no one will know you are doing it unless you tell them. (No, it is not butt squeezes!) It is the most transformative of any exercise. In fact, this exercise will change your life faster than anything else you can possibly do. Are you ready?

Get out your journal, a notebook or a plain piece of paper and jot down everything you’re grateful for. Start with the basics like food, shelter, clothing and transportation. How about family, friends, a beloved pet? Dig a little deeper. Have you experienced healing from a serious illness or the restoration of an important relationship?

When you run out of the obvious, look around for the small blessings in life: that beautiful bird singing outside your window, the sunrise, the store clerk who helped you today or the person who slowed down to let you in traffic… Instead of focusing on all the bad things happening in the world, start looking for the good.

Of course, it’s easy to give thanks when everything’s coming up roses. But how can we feel grateful when confronted with life’s thorns? It comes down to practice.

Few people go to the gym simply to be able to bench press 100 pounds, run four miles on a treadmill or do three sets of squats, but rather to have energy and strength to carry a sleepy child to bed, unload the groceries, do the yard work, play sports or climb stairs… Exercise is simply the tool we use to get more of what we want out of life.

In the same way, practicing gratitude is a workout for our souls. Just as physical exercise improves strength and stamina, repeated awareness of our blessings builds our happiness muscles. Condition yourself to look at the brighter side of life and it will only get brighter.

Gratitude from H3

grat·i·tude

Noun: The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

With food to prepare, family in town, football games and preparing for Black Friday, it’s easy to blow right past Thanksgiving and its true meaning.  This is one of my favorite holidays because there is so much love and care surrounding it.  I always strive to force some time into this busy season to reflect on all my blessings.

Yesterday, as the management team of H3 gathered for our weekly meeting, I asked each one of them to share what they are most thankful for because that also allows me to learn and appreciate what they value most.  I would like to take a moment to share my own gratitude list, as well as those of my fellow team… and of course encourage you to do the same!  Here goes:

Gratitude from H3:

Robert Moore, President - I am thankful for my health, my family and for the privilege of living in a beautiful place. When I left my home of thirty years to come to H3, I joined a loving, caring and talented family—I am very grateful that I have the opportunity to know the wonderful staff and Guests of Hilton Head Health.

Adam Martin, Fitness Director - I am thankful for our guests’ commitment and trust.  They constantly give it their all and take to heart the principles we are preaching.  I am also thankful for our team of coworkers and their compassion, diligence and desire.  We have the best collection of talented health professionals in the world!

Tim Lucas, Controller – I am thankful for my children, the health of my immediate and extended family, and very fortunate to be part of a special organization on a beautiful island.

Jen Welper, H3 Executive Chef – I am thankful for strong connections with family and friends, a job that I’m truly passionate for, and the talented, inspiring people I work with on a daily basis at H3 and in the newCulinaryArts Center.

Kelly Hillyer, Marketing Manager – I am thankful for my health, friendships, my family (I am so truly blessed that my mom & sister are also my best friends), and the H3 Guests who continue to inspire me.

Ben Brown, VP of Facilities – I am thankful for my beautiful wife, my family, a strong team at H3, the opportunity to travel and for the successful completion of theCulinaryArts Center.

Allison Adams, Front Office Manager – I am grateful for my spiritual health, family and friends, and the opportunity to be a part of all that H3 stands for. 

Jessica Lynn, Director of Program Development – I am grateful for the wonderful experience of motherhood; the dedication of the staff surrounding me to deliver the most compassionate service to our Guests; and the opportunity to witness the motivation for change, hard work and dedication our Guests have to pursue their Best Selves.

Your turn!  Take a moment to share your gratitude with us – you may have just the words someone needs to hear on this Thanksgiving Day!

[caption id="attachment_6851" align="alignleft" width="420" caption="Happy Thanksgiving from Hilton Head Health!"][/caption]

A Thankful November

This time of year we take a break from our busy lives and schedules to thank our loved ones for all their support and care over the years. Instead of focusing on food, what better way to show your loved ones you care than to help them and yourself put health first. Here are a few simple ways to show your loved ones you care:
• A simple phone call can go a long way. If you’re like me, you have every intension of calling an old friend to catch up but by the time you get home and unwind, all you want to do is go to sleep. We all know time is precious so take the time to call your friends if for no other reason than to let them they were on your mind.
• Go for a walk. Pick a day to meet with a friend regularly for a 20 minute brisk walk. Just a 20 minute walk equals about one mile, during which you can catch up on what’s going on in your lives, take some time for yourself to de-stress and burn about 100 calories.
• Plan a family activity. Whether it’s the whole family, a spouse or friends, strive for participating in at least one group activity per week for the month of November. You can ride bikes, have a field day or even a game night. Just spending quality time together without phones or television interrupting brings people closer.
• It is typical in our society to show love through food so if you just feel the need to give the gift of food make it healthy. Be sure you’re not setting your friend up for failure if you know they’re trying to eat well this holiday season. Instead of bringing someone their favorite dessert that is impossible for them not to eat all in one sitting, give them a healthy dish already portioned for them. Ask for the same courtesy in return. Visit the Healthy Recipes page of H3Daily for some great hor’dourves and healthy dessert ideas like Saucy Apricot N’ Spice Meatballs or Pumpkin Spice Cake.

Family Traditions

Sunday night Juan and I prepared the table to carve a Halloween pumpkin with Hala, our 2-year-old.  We got the new kit they have now where you can choose a design and mark your pumpkin with a sticker stencil (I sure wish they had those when I was a kid!).  My favorite part growing up was actually scooping out all the seeds and the gooey insides.  Unfortunately, Jada, our youngest, was tired and a little fussy at the time so I had to tend to her. 

I found myself getting upset that I wasn’t able to participate in my favorite part – that Daddy was getting to have all the fun and it wasn’t even his idea!  In the midst of those thoughts, somewhere a fresh new outlook fought its way through.  I realized that I didn’t need to have the same experience as I did in my childhood… I now had a new appreciation for the fact that I can experience this Halloween tradition as a Mom.  I was filled with so much emotion – warmth, contentment, happiness – as I watched Hala discover, help and ask questions about everything that was going on. 

It brought me joy to watch Juan as he gave instructions to Hala, his helper, and enjoyed teaching her and participating in the activity with her.  When it was all finished, we lit it with a candle, turned off the lights and took a picture of all their hard work.  It was in this moment that Juan said, “Well, that’s the first pumpkin I’ve ever carved.”  I was astonished.  For me, it was something that was a given – just part of the Halloween holiday.  I couldn’t believe he’d never done it before! 

Hala wanted to go for a walk afterward, and while she was tricking around and I walked along side her, I took that time to savor the gratitude I was feeling for the opportunity to remember my childhood traditions and create new ones with our growing family. 

Traditions are nice, but sometimes we can get caught up in how things are supposed to be.  What’s more important is being in the moment and enjoying the experience with an open heart and mind.  As we move into this holiday season my hope, for you and I alike, is to find that place where we can truly be in the moment and enjoy all that is around us. I hope we appreciate each moment for the experience it brings us this year, no matter how similar or different it is from past traditions.  Happy Holidays!



 

The Health Benefits of Gratitude

“Gratitude is the hinge upon which a healthy life swings.”

Anonymous

Gratitude is a skill, that when mastered fully, makes us more spiritually aware. It provides us interconnectedness with all aspects of life, as well as our wellbeing, on physical, emotional, spiritual, or relational levels. Part of the virtue of cultivating gratitude is its health benefits, including:

• Self-care: Grateful people tend to take better care of themselves and engage in more protective health behaviors.


• Less Stress: Research shows that feelings of gratitude have a tremendous positive value in helping people cope with daily stressors.


• Immunity Enhancer: Grateful people tend to be more optimistic, a characteristic that researchers say boosts the immune system.

So how can you adopt an attitude of gratitude? Here are a few suggestions:

Keep a Gratitude Journal. Write down 3-5 things each day that you are grateful for. Try to list different things from day to day. You don’t have to get all introspective. Being grateful for a great parking space counts!



Say Grace: Instead of rushing though your prayer, “Good food, good meat, good God let’s eat,” really become mindful of your meal and experience gratitude for all the abundance in your life and for the opportunity to nourish your body. Use your senses as you do this.

Set a Gratitude Reminder: You can go the old-school route by wearing a string around your wrist and when you become aware of it throughout the day, noticesomething about the present that you are grateful for. Or, you can use a smart phone with a pre-programmed “thank you” chime.

The Thank You Note: No, it doesn’t have to be on fancy, engraved, personalized note cards. Just get in the habit of sending quick thank-you notes via email, text, sticky notes, etc. Try random, anonymous thank-you notes to local shop owners, waiters, or federal/state employees who have given you good service

The Gratitude Scroll: This is a great project for you and your children to do together. Tape several pieces of paper together and roll them up. Each day both you and your children write several new things you are grateful for. As the list lengthens, add more paper to the scroll so that it’s a continuous work in process.

Since it remains important to practice what you preach, I think it only fitting that I end this blog by expressing my gratitude for H3. It is an amazing work environment filled with passionate employees and committed guests. I love my job.

Gratitude

As I was driving home last night I found myself frustrated.  I wasn’t mad at anyone in particular, just frustrated.  Since we’ve started our family in the last 3 years my world has done a 180 turn.  I used to have more control over my time.  Aside from my work schedule and church service, I could pretty much decide when I wanted to fit in everything else – cooking, cleaning, exercising, time with friends/family, etc. 

Now, with my 2 year-old and 3 month-old, their schedules completely dictate mine.  If I want (or need) to do anything without them, it requires a lot of effort.  Errands I used to take for granted, I now have a baby strapped to my chest and a toddler singing her ABCs all through the store.  On an evening walk, I used to be able to reflect on the day, or look ahead in what’s to come and sort out ideas, feelings, etc.  Now, my focus is on my toddler who wants to ride her bike for the first 3 minutes, then walk, then push her sister’s stroller, then have me carry her, then it starts all over again.  In these summer months I get a little taste of single motherhood because it’s the busy season for my fiancé’s businesses. 

Well last night when I felt the frustration in lack of control rising, I remembered an activity that Johanna Smith Ellis encourages in the Personal Responsibility workshop that she’s holding next week – a Gratitude list.  Whenever I start to get that feeling that “life’s unfair”, I try to remember how important it is to be grateful for all the wonderful gifts we do have.  This exercise suggests that we right down 5 things we are grateful for each day.  They don’t have to be big things, it could even be your morning cup of coffee, but reflecting on 5 things you are especially grateful for today.