We have another case of our sports hero’s arrogance and sense of entitlement that I am explaining to my boys. The New Orleans Saints and their head coach Sean Payton engaged in activities that are not just expressly prohibited by the NFL, they’re harmful to other human beings on the football field.  And—Mr. Payton lied to investigators and the commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell. Just what kind of behavior grabbed off-season football headlines in March, when the NCAA basketball tournament and Major League baseball’s spring training should be the top stories?  Well, the Saints and their coaching staff offered a bounty [cash] to players if they intentionally injured an opposing player, and upped the reward if that player is 1. carried from the field and 2. unable to return and play the following week!  This is ridiculous! Coach Payton and coach Greg Williams [ a defensive coordinator] were the ring-leaders and then denied to the league that it happened!!

Two wrongs!  First, they created a secret environment encouraging players to disable & injure opposing players, and then they lied about doing it!!  Hmmm, great example for our children!

I don’t know if greed, sefishness, arrogance or stupidity is what drove Mr. Payton and Mr. Williams—I am guessing it is all four.

Values have gone out the window in this society of liars, cheaters and two faced leaders that our children look up to.

I salute commissioner Goodell for putting his foot down and making an example of these two by suspending Mr. Williams indefinitely, and Mr. Payton for one year.  I have read that some feel the penalty is too harsh.  I disagree. Integrity is what matters and these two gentlemen do not have it. 

Authentic. Being authentic.  That is a term that’s bandied about quite freely on social media platforms these days. I have said, and written that I aspire to being authentic more than once.  This morning I got to thinking, am I REALLY being authentic?

au·then·tic

   [aw-then-tik] 

1. not false or copied; genuine; real: an authentic antique.

Having the origin supported by unquestionable evidence; authenticated,verified. 

An authentic document of the MiddleAges; an authentic work of the old master.

“Not false…” that says it for me. I make the best effort to say what I mean, mean what I say and then go forward being “real”.  But do I? I went through 16 years of marriage [19 years with the same person] and it ended in divorce. We have two beautiful boys to show for it—having them later gave us time to figure things out “before kids”.  But did we?  Did I?  Was I authentic then?  Have I ever been?

I wanted to address my doubts and write about being authentic as questions about my “authenticity” swirled through my mind.  I know that we never stop learning. I know I have made a myriad of mistakes in the past and have attempted to atone for my mis-steps.  I can only do my best to set the finest example for my children and be true to myself.  Being authentic is a huge piece of that puzzle.  I have lived a large part of my life attempting to please others and sacrificing my time to try make others like me. I have come to realize we can’t please everyone!  I am not alone in the world of people facing life changing events, suffering, and finding their way to a better life on the other side of the drama. Many of us have had to reinvent ourselves, and many of us continue to do so.  I will work to remain true, not false and be the best father, friend and coach to others that I can be.  Reminding myself to be authentic will help me stay the course.

Life is not merely being alive, but being well. ~Marc Valerius Marialis 40 AD

I begin my day by reading and/or posting an uplifting quote. At times spiritual, at times motivating and often pertaining to health & wellness.  I am fascinated by great thinkers from two thousand plus years ago who postulated that exercise, diet and positive thinking were the ingredients to a happy, healthy life. From Buddha, nearly 2600 years ago, “What you think, you become” to Wallace Wattles in 1907 “The grateful mind is constantly fixed upon the best. Therefore it tends to become the best. It takes the form or character of the best, and will receive the best”.  These great minds stepped up and spoke out on the virtues of being grateful, eating right, exercising the body as well as the brain in a positive way.

Napoleon Hill interviewed the great minds of the industrial age to formulate his book “Think & Grow Rich”. These leaders ALL stated that positive thinking and healthy living contribute to success.  I can now see how living this kind of life, being true to yourself as well as others; and not dwelling on negativity and past failures makes a day and a lifetime easier to deal with and a makes a person successful! 

We have all been leveled at some point in our past. No one is immune to setback and heartbreak.  It is how you deal with it [thanks Carl Daikeler]. How you take what you have learned, how you feed your mind with positive thought and your body with healthy food. Make time to exercise daily and live your life with gratitude.  If you can pull all this together, surround yourself with good people and take a look at what some great thinkers said; like Persius in 58 AD “You pray for good health and a body that will be strong in old age. Good — but your rich foods block the Gods’ answer and tie Jupiter’s hands”.  Know that you can live a healthy, fulfilling life.

I am 35 days into a 90 day, change my look, get lean and cut workout program. I kow exercise will boost my metabolism and offset the decline that is prevalent with aging. I know because with my day one and day thirty accountability/transformation photos I can see and FEEL the difference!

Studies show that most of us gradually reduce our level of physical activity as we get older. This further reduces the number of calories we must take in to maintain a ur optimal weight. Less activity means less use of the boydy's muscles, which poits to the decline in muscle mass and the changes in our body compostion.

Being an older dad of two young boys 8 & 10 years old, I need to work harder to accomplish what a 34 year old father could easily succeed at.  I encourage you to research a workout regime, a meal plan and try it for 90 days.  If you need help, I can assist. If not, get in the gym [it's february and swim suit season will be here before you know it] and get started.

Message or email me at tom@californiafitonline.com or twitter @tvmikkelsen if you would like guidance.  It feels good to feel good!

Listen to Your Customer and Your Songwriter. Just Listen.