Monday, November 28, 2005

If You Build It, They Will Come

They just had the 25th running of the Knickerbocker 60K race this last Saturday. On this special anniversary for this ultramarathon, rich in so much history, I have been recalling my two experiences with joining in this 37 mile race. The race in 1994 is a vague memory. I had the crazy idea that since I had recently spent 16 days trekking the trails of eastern Nepal, that Central Park would be a breeze. Well I got to mile 27 and they closed the course. I had exceeded the time limit! So the unfinished project brewed for about 10 years. This time I made it a group effort and invited all my buddies to run/walk the 37 miles with me. We coordinated our cell phones and all day long my loving friends came and went. With all that support I finished in dramatic fashion, with 5 minutes to spare! My point is, it can be much more than a race. It's the incredible project, the support, the dream, the motivation, all coming together in a fantastic memory that is as clear as yesterday. Great time to start dreaming for the next one.....

Sunday, November 20, 2005

The Infinite Mind Radio Show meets American Mania

Well folks, we are on the cutting edge of convergence. This morning on The Infinite Mind Radio they interviewed Peter Whybrow American Mania about hypomania. They were trying to define when hyperactivity becomes a problem and what happens when the entire culture becomes manic. How creativity is involved and even the genetic component was explored. My favorite topics.
I know it is not a pleasant thought to plan waking at 7 a.m. the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but it'll be worth it next week. They are discussing empathy. Another one of my favorite topics! Start taking those naps now!

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Authentic Happiness

I'm working on my research paper for my coaching program and have been rereading Authentic Happiness by Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman. Authentic Happiness I found this paragraph near the end of the book and I want to share it with you.
"Could it be that positive emotion, then, has evolved to motivate and guide us through win-win games? When we are in a situation in which everyone might benefit - courting, hunting together, raising children, cooperatiing, planting seeds, teaching and learning - joy, good cheer, contentment, and happiness motivate us and guide our actions. Positive emotions are part of a sensory system that alerts to us the presence of a potential win-win. They also set up an action repertoire and a mind set that broadens and builds abiding intellectual and social reasources. Positive emotion, in short, build the cathedrals of our lives."