Use the Power of Your Mind to Determine Your Own Limits

A Simple Exercise

Most folks today are followers. We're given a kind of set of 'instructions' from birth to death and we seldom, if ever, deviate from them.

Being taught, for example, to never question or 'disrespect' authority leads many of us into a life of obedience and un-necessary self-sacrifice to folks who do not even deserve such a position of power over us or anyone else.

I was once like you. I was taught through all of my youth that some people are just 'born to' do certain things. Sadly some of these 'things' included being happy, free, prosperous, and self-determining of one's future. Others, like myself I was told, had to just accept what life handed them.

Well, fortunately for me I'd ran into some problems just a few short years back that made me decide to choose whether I'd just accept what life had for me or to choose my own destiny. Without going into too much detail I faced either going to prison for a crime I never committed or to stand and fight the injustice, abuse of power, and blatant dishonesty all too common within the ranks of those who lust for power.

I chose the latter.

It was a struggle to be sure. After so many years of blind trust in religion, the police, family, and well-meaning 'friends' it was difficult to rely solely upon my own mind, reasoning ability, thought capacity, and courage. In addition, many of these 'friends' fell by the way-side when I began to question, and even disagree with, their well-intended, but all too ignorant, advice. When all was said and done all that were left were those all too precious and rare true friends.

At the end of the day though isn't that all any of us ever really want...our true friends?

But I digress...

In the midst of this particular struggle, I'd come across a book about something called NLP or Neuro-Linguistic-Programming (Neuro=Nervous system, Linguistic=Language or talk, Programming=a set of commands or instructions for pre-determined responses or actions for any computer-including the human brain). Now I'm not going to try to claim any sort of expert status here. I'm not even going to engage you in any sort of elaborate training.

I'm only here today to offer you one simple exercise that will demonstrate the effectiveness of how your brain, and what you tell yourself, can directly and measurably affect results obtained in your body and your life. From there, I'd suggest that you do a Google search for the term NLP, or maybe even, Anthony Robbins himself.

This maneuver will show you just the tiniest example of how you can take yourself beyond what you now believe to be your own limits. Here it is:

It's much easier to do and more 'fluid' if you read these instructions all the way through first and then do the exercise.

Standing with your feet together and your legs straight, bend over and come as close to touching your toes as possible. If you're able to touch your toes, fine, go as far as you can comfortably and without 'bouncing' or hurting yourself.

Make a note of how far you went. Did you reach all the way to your toes? Or, did you go all the way to the floor? Or are you like my incredibly agile children and put your palms flat on the floor (most folks never get that far the first time-believe me)? Regardless of how far you reached comfortably just make a mental note. Standing back up, close your eyes, picture in your mind how far you got. Then see yourself standing back up.

Without opening your eyes see yourself going a little farther in another imaginary attempt. I don't mean just an inch or two. If you reached, in reality the last time, to your toes then see yourself going out to the floor...maybe even resting your fist on the floor. See yourself going this far two or three times. With each mental repetition tell yourself, in a casual and relaxed fashion, 'I can do this.' Remember; you're only doing this part of the exercise in your mind.

Now, with your eyes open, actually do another stretch in reality. Again be careful not to bounce or strain; just don't limit yourself to your last result. Go for the distance that you visualized.

At this point; I bet dimes to doughnuts (because I do like my doughnuts) that you very well might have gone as far as you visualized.

Pretty amazing isn't it?

Basically what just happened is you've re-programmed your mind to let you relax enough to achieve a different result than you were used to. If you're from this planet, you're muscles are at a certain level of tension at all times, you're used to a certain level of physical activity, and you have a 'status-quo' as far as what you normally picture yourself doing, all due to what you've been taught, told or believe about yourself; and now you've given yourself a new set of instructions. As you now go and study NLP for yourself, you'll learn a wide variety of ways to apply this basic approach to all areas of your life whether it's physically, romantically, financially, or vocationally.

After you've made significant progress in your life; feel free to stop back and say hi.





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Pain management an issue?

A two-minute, 30-day workout: Is it effective? April's A to Z Blogger Challenge, April 23, 2011 “T”

Long about the time I'm turning 41, I can't help but notice a bigger quantity of “chub” and a decrease in energy. So, even if there was enough time to put the 90 minutes in each day to workout, there's not enough energy left to keep up.

This puts an old man like myself in quite a quandary. How can I age gracefully, if I'm not in shape during my younger years? Now I'll never be a senior model. Dayum. There goes the chance at commercials and TV, too.

Fortunately, not being a doctor, personal trainer, or any other kind of “expert,” I found myself talking with people other than “experts.” I only asked people who had achieved the results I wanted, themselves, and disregarded anyone who spoke based upon any other form of “authority.” Fortunately, my perseverance paid off in 24-karat gold cascades.

Two separate individuals, who will each go nameless, shared a training method which they had learned from the U.S. Marine Corps. Hey, if a body wants to learn the quick, simple, and efficient way to “bad-ass” ask a true “bad-ass.” Ask a Marine, right? They live it. Notice I said quick, simple, and efficient. Nowhere am I using the word “easy.”

Join me from day two on of my own 30-day journey with this procedure. I'm going to continue following the procedure I'm sharing in the upcoming description of an exercise which I've been told will get a body in shape within 30 days. You don't have to participate if you don't want to, but I hope you read along. This way, we'll all know if it works, or not. Fair?

Here's the procedure, as best as I can describe: From a full-up push-up position, place your upper-bodyweight upon your forearms, and keeping the length of your body as straight as you can. Keep your feet together.

Next, allowing your feet to also turn to the side of your choice (I do left side, first, myself) turn onto one arm and sideways, holding your fore-arm parallel to your body length, and holding your other arm up in an equivalent position. Hold this position for a full 30-second count. Breathing abdominally, and fully during this count aids this part of the exercise.

Then, come back down onto both forearms, all the while keeping your bodylength as straight as possible. (If you're already feeling it in you lats, you did well.). Rest on both forearms for a full 30-second count, controlling the breathing- fully and in the abdomen.

Finally, Repeat the first step of this exercise, but on the opposing forearm. Remember: Do a full 30-seconds, keep the bodylength as straight as possible, and control the breathing. Once you're done, come back onto both forearms, and pop tall! (Stand up) You're done.

The total time this takes is one-and-one-half minute. Allowing a total of 30 seconds for positioning and recovery, this exercise takes a total of about two minutes. Look, if you say you want to be at least a little more fit, and you won't put two minutes a day towards the effort, then quit bullshitting yourself about wanting to be more fit, and accept the slovenly fatbody. But not I. Two minutes a day, for 30 days, is all this method asks of you. You'll likely enjoy it so much, you'll keep going on after 30 days. It's that simple.

As mentioned previously, this is only my own second day on this regimen. It's do-able, enjoyable, and can be done almost anywhere with a floor. There is no equipment to buy, subscription to endure, or spam. All I'll ever hope from sharing this discovery with you (and my process, itself) is that you'll share me with others, too. Readers is what this effort is all about. That, and the chance to do some real good. But please, don't just copy and paste the text other places. The legal, ethical, and right way to share is to just share the link with others. If a preview is desired, use up to 1/3 of this post, and please remember the link back to here.

Before all is said and done, we'll also provide a “before and after” picture set. The “before” picture is taken, but I gotta get it uploaded with the “after.” Besides, I'm a bit bashful about my chub.

And readers should know: This particular exercise is the primary component of my fitness training. But I also go for an hour walk, three times a week. My diet is standard American fare; a couple salads a week, two or three days of fast food (Taco Bell), and otherwise – meats, taters, fish, and sweet tea. This is Louisiana, after all.

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