My 2019 New Year's Resolutions

Welcome to 2019!  What will this year hold?  How will life change?  We can only predict the future, but not guarantee it.  

One way to help you predict your future is 

to make New Year's Resolutions and stick to them!

Here are my 2019 Resolutions:

#1 - Combat the Effects of Stress - I have learned a lot about stress over the past few years from my acupuncturist. Stress has a direct effect on your body's natural ability to fight illness, disease, and overall well being.  I know going into 2019 that it will be a stressful year. I need to prepare to combat the effects of stress so I don't internalize the feelings and make myself sick, or take out the stress on my loved ones.  For this resolution, these are the steps I will be taking to combat it:

1. Run at least two times per week (try for 3 days, if possible)
2. Do yoga once a week either in a studio or on my own
3. Take time for myself to write at least once a week (writing for pleasure has been a big stress relief and it helped me to produce and publish three books so far, check them out at http://travispublications.com/
4. Enjoy the beach!  We are only three miles from one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, I need to take advantage of this and sit at least once a week and watch the waves roll in.
5. Deep breathing exercises - there is a lot to be said about just taking a minute and taking some deep cleansing breaths.  Just a few of them can clear your head and prepare you for the next task.
6. Finally, when I am feeling stressed, do one of the five steps above!  It is important to recognize when stress begins to take over and take steps to alleviate it.

#2 - Publish the final book in my Cooper's Destiny Trilogy

For this year, I have chosen only two resolutions.  The reason is that the first one is something that will be challenging on a daily basis. If I can learn to combat the effects of stress, I will live longer and love my life more, which is more important than any other resolution I could make!

Happy 2019 to everyone!

2018 New Year's Resolutions - Revisited

Every year I go back and look at my resolutions to see how I did.  This year is no different.

#1 - Successfully move back to the windward side of the island

Success!  We found a wonderful fixer-upper in Kaneohe and we are very happy we are back on the Windward side enjoying the beach.

#2 - Publish the second book in my Cooper's Destiny series  

Success!  Book was published in August, a few weeks late, but I did it!  I actually have the first draft complete for the third and final book in my series.

There are now six books at the Travis Publications line - three are mine and three are my mom's, please check them out at: http://travispublications.com/.

#3 - Habituate Good Behaviors  ---  Success! 

While I didn't do everything on this list below, I have been running at least three times a week and trying to do other exercises when I can.  Most of the other exercise is working on the house, but it counts!

The body habituates to good and bad behaviors; a body at rest will stay at rest. While not as quantifiable, I want to focus on habituating good behaviors, examples of this are:

• Running at least two times per week
• Doing other exercise at least three times per week, whether it be lifting, yoga, swimming, etc.
• Eating healthier - ensuring that I have vegetables at lunch and dinner, avoiding the high sugar desserts, and most of all, focusing on avoiding dairy and gluten products
• Taking time to relax and enjoy the place I live at least once a week - even it if is only for half an hour, just taking time away from technology to enjoy this beautiful island

#4 - Setting Fun, Healthy Exercise Goals that others can Join in on every 1-2 Months

Success, sort of ...  I started out the year with a goal for everyone, but not many people participated.  So, I kind of left this one behind.  I have set personal goals and met them.

A thought from a friend encouraged me to create the 1st Annual Veterans Day Virtual 5k/10k Run on Facebook (link here). People from around the country joined me in the adventure. Then, at the end of November, I asked people to join me in "1000 push-ups before the end of 2017." These challenges were doable and fun.  I want to continue creating these social media exercise goals as a way to bring others together for healthy living.

Geez, I think, this might be my best year on resolutions yet!  Remember, setting resolutions helps you to think about the upcoming year and decide on your short and long-term goals.  Go for it!

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

-Mike :-)

2018 New Year Resolutions

Welcome to 2018!

The first time I posted New Year Resolutions on this blog was in for 2012.  It is now six years later.  A lot has changed in my life since then, but I am a firm believer in setting goals to help guide my future.  I hope all of you will consider resolutions (goals) as well.

Now, let's get to those resolutions!

#1 - Successfully move back to the windward side of the island - In 2005, our family had a decision to make; we were living in the smallest house in Kailua (3 bed, 1 bath, 700 sq. ft.).  It was in a wonderful location, only 3 blocks from the beach, but it was just too small for a family of four. We decided to move to Mililani. It was an excellent decision and I won't forget the 12 years we lived in our townhome. However, with our oldest daughter graduating this year from Mililani High School, we are ready to move back to the Windward side and to the beautiful beaches. The plan is to move in June.  Here we come Waimanalo, Kailua, Kaneohe, or Kaaawa!

#2 - Publish the second book in my Cooper's Destiny series  
It is hard to believe that I have written three books in three years. I think I have the writer's bug, if there is one. I am struggling a little more with this story and finishing it up, but I should be able to publish before the end of the summer, I hope.  In case you are interested, here is draft of the synopsis for the new book:  In 2201, most humans live in underground cities; however, space travel is expanding. In Book One: Topside, we met Cooper, a 14-year-old boy with a knack for fixing things. He made his living as a freelancer going “topside” to the ravaged cities in search of treasure. When an old man tells him that his purpose can be greater, Cooper ventured to the stars and began his training to become an Astro-Mechanical Engineer to one day make an interstellar trip to a new planet. However, a terrorist organization known as Earth Only Agents (the EOA), has different plans for the future of mankind and for Cooper.

There are now four books at the Travis Publications line - two are mine and two are my mom's, please check them out at:  http://travispublications.com/.


#3 - Habituate Good Behaviors
The body habituates to good and bad behaviors; a body at rest will stay at rest. While not as quantifiable, I want to focus on habituating good behaviors, examples of this are:

• Running at least two times per week
• Doing other exercise at least three times per week, whether it be lifting, yoga, swimming, etc.
• Eating healthier - ensuring that I have vegetables at lunch and dinner, avoiding the high sugar desserts, and most of all, focusing on avoiding dairy and gluten products
• Taking time to relax and enjoy the place I live at least once a week - even it if is only for half an hour, just taking time away from technology to enjoy this beautiful island

#4 - Setting Fun, Healthy Exercise Goals that others can Join in on every 1-2 Months
A thought from a friend encouraged me to create the 1st Annual Veterans Day Virtual 5k/10k Run on Facebook (link here). People from around the country joined me in the adventure. Then, at the end of November, I asked people to join me in "1000 push-ups before the end of 2017." These challenges were doable and fun.  I want to continue creating these social media exercise goals as a way to bring others together for healthy living.

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These four resolutions will certainly keep me busy this year!

I hope you take the time to choose at least one New Year Resolution and try to complete it. Setting goals is good, it is how we can reach beyond ourselves to grow and change.

Have a wonderful 2018 and please stay in touch!

-Mike :-)