Month: May 2013

What’s Stopping You From Sharing Your Story? Maybe Seth Godin Can Help.

Got a great idea that you haven’t quite been able to put into action? Oh, yes, there are plenty of reasons to wait before sharing your genius with the world:

  • You need to do more researchThis Might Work
  • You’re not an expert.
  • No one will understand your idea.

That self-doubt knows just when to show up to squelch the most beautiful ideas. What if, though, you ignore that little voice in the back of your head and realize:

  • You’ve done plenty of research?
  • That research you’ve done has made you quite knowledgeable in your field?
  • The masses get your idea and think it’s awesome?

Where can we turn when that lizard brain takes hold and threatens us with the dreaded analysis paralysis? Enter Seth Godin. Oh. My. Goodness. A friend and colleague gave me one of Seth’s big ideas – yes, that book you see pictured above. How big an idea? How about a book that measures 11 ¼” x 15” – and did I mention that it’s almost 3 inches thick and weighs 15 pounds?!?

All I can say is thank you, Seth Godin, for practicing what you preach and making us all the wiser for it. This book contains the best of Seth’s blog and online writing from 2006 – 2012. It is the epitome of what thinking big and shipping are all about:

Now

  • Done is so much better than perfect.
  • Now is better than tomorrow.
  • Dreaming bigger is important.

Instead of thinking, “What if this doesn’t work?” how about thinking, THIS MIGHT WORK.

It’s time to share your story.

What’s Stopping You From Sharing Your Story? Maybe Seth Godin Can Help. was last modified: May 31st, 2013 by Deb Nelson

Mom Was Right: Chew Your Food

Okay, so if your mother is anything like mine, maybe Mom was sort of right. My mother’s intention was for my siblings and me to chew our food long enough not to choke on it – a couple of quick chews and down the hatch. According to Jessica Porter, though, we should aim to chew each mouthful of food 50 – 100 times before sending it down that hatch.

What?!?!? No, I’m not kidding. And – you in the corner – cradling your bloated, gurgling, gaseous stomach – stop laughing and listen up. I had to suppress a couple of laughs listening to Porter; mostly, though, I just giggled along with the other 25 people soaking up her stories. I even silenced that inner critic I know so well and learned a few things.

Why in the world would we want to chew each mouthful of food 50 – 100 times?

  • Chew your food 50 – 100 times and you’ll be swallowing food in liquid form, rather than as a solid. This will save the rest of your digestive system a LOT of work.
  • Chewing releases the power of our saliva. Saliva is alkaline and contains some mighty powerful enzymes that break down our food. As it mixes with saliva, our food becomes more alkaline.
  • Drinking a smoothie – swish it around in your mouth, mixing it with saliva. You want the smoothie to experience the benefit of spending some time with powerful saliva.
  • When the rest of your body doesn’t have to work so hard to digest your food, you’ll experience some great results:
    • Say good-bye to that bloated, gurgling, gaseous stomach!
    • Reduce inflammation, which helps heal a host of chronic illnesses.
    • Say hello to increased energy and the ability to focus and think clearly.

How in the world do you chew each mouthful of food 50 – 100 times?

  • Pretend your food is mouthwash and close off your throat as you chew your food.
  • Start small – eat the first 2/3 of your meal as you normally would. Chew the last 1/3 of your meal 50 times.
  • Once you’ve mastered this, chew 100% of every meal for one day 50 times.
  • Next – try it for a week and see how you feel. Call it a chew-a-thon as Porter does; making it fun helps!!
  • Never count higher than 10 – after the first count of 10, up goes the thumb. Second count, index finger, and so on.
  • Chew as fast as you want; yes, you can dance while you chew if that helps! Want to park yourself in front of the television while you eat? Go right ahead. Just chew, and chew and chew.

Never one to shy away from the uncomfortable, Porter also let us know how to handle eating with friends who will not be engaging in your chew-a-thon: Just tell them you’re going to do this weird chewing thing. No problem!

Big thanks to Lisa Silverman and Five Seasons Cooking School for hosting this evening with Jessica Porter.

Mom Was Right: Chew Your Food was last modified: December 1st, 2016 by Deb Nelson

A Daughter’s Ironman for Mum: Raising Funds to Support Alzheimer’s Association

For Yarmouth fitness trainer Theresa Saxton, Ironman competitions are serious business. She’s participated in three Ironmen, completing her last one more than five years ago. They all pale in comparison to her upcoming

Theresa and her Mum at one of Theresa's earlier Ironman competitions.
Theresa and her Mum at one of Theresa’s earlier Ironman competitions.

solo Ironman on June 22: she’s dedicating this effort to honor her mother, who has been living in the fog of Alzheimer’s disease for more than 13 years.

Theresa has accepted the Alzheimer’s Association’s challenge and will host a Longest Day Event – a day that acknowledges that every day can seem like the longest day when someone you love is an Alzheimer’s patient. “There are more than 35,000 Alzheimer’s patients in Maine; I’m really proud to be playing a part in supporting those families while honoring my Mum,” said Theresa.

She’ll begin her day of swimming, cycling, and running at 6:30 a.m.  and expects to complete the Ironman between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. at her Yarmouth fitness studio. While swimming 2.4 miles, hopping on her bike for 112 miles, and finishing up with a 26.2 mile run is a grand achievement, Theresa has loftier goals. She’s inviting anyone who’s been affected by Alzheimer’s to join her team. She has a fundraising goal of $16,000 and is encouraging people to join her in this day of motion:

  • Make a donation to Theresa’s team; it’s easy and will support a host of people struggling with Alzheimer’s.
  • Join the “group” starts for your swim, bike or walk/run to make some new friends and have company for your time in motion.
  • Get in motion at Fitness Success (Theresa’s studio on Maine Street in Yarmouth): jumping rope, playing games, hula hooping, etc.
  • Track Theresa’s progress throughout the day – her tentative schedule is posted on her website – and jump in on one of the many loops leaving from Fitness Success.

If you’re in the Greater Portland (ME) area, carve out a couple of hours for Theresa and her Mum on June 22; you’ll be glad you did.

This post is one in a series highlighting good deeds. Please share examples of good deeds in your community by commenting below or contact Deb directly.

A Daughter’s Ironman for Mum: Raising Funds to Support Alzheimer’s Association was last modified: May 14th, 2013 by Deb Nelson