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.

---------------------------------------------

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 :-)

2017 New Year's Resolutions - Revisited

We have come to the end of 2017. Yes!

It is time to take a look at my New Year's Resolutions and see how I did.


#1 - Family, Home, and Love -  The world has become a lot angrier over the last year through the election season; sadly, I don't think 2017 will get much better.   So, how do we navigate the world around us?  Well, the best way for me is to take care of my family, to make sure my home is a happy place, and to treat everyone around me with respect, love, and care.  I have no idea how I will assess the success of completing this resolution; however, I think, it is a goal we all need to set.

This year was a great year for family. I saw my sister and her family in January for a gymnastics meet.  Then, in June we had a wonderful family reunion on the beach in Kailua. So wonderful to have everyone together and time with family.  I will call this one accomplished!

#2 -  Publish my second book - I took on the National Novel Writing Month competition again in November of 2016 and what came out of it was my first attempt at science fiction.  I am well over the 50,000 words; however, the book needs some work. My New Year's Resolution is to finish it and get it published.  Look out sci-fi fans, I might give you something interesting to read sometime in late summer!

I did it!  Published my second book and my first science fiction novel.  Meet Cooper, a 14-year-old boy with a knack for fixing things. He is one of the freelancers still willing to go “topside” to ravaged cities in search of treasure. When an old man tells him that his purpose can be greater, Cooper must examine his family's past and consider a future in the stars.

Click here to see the ordering options - http://travispublications.com/



#3 - Learn how to do a dive - Well, this one is a carryover from 2016.  I never learned how to dive as a child, even though the rest of my family can dive just fine.  Now that I have been swimming so much, I need to try and learn to dive.

I hope you enjoy the video of me finally learning to dive after 49 years on this Earth!  I have to thank Suzy, my wife, and my sister and brother-in-law for their advice in making this happen.  I also have to thank my parents for renting a place for all of us on the beach that had a pool that was 10 feet deep, which gave me time to learn and practice

We recorded this on Facebook Live, which was fun!

#4 - Staying Healthy and Strong - Oh, man, do I miss running.  With my permanent knee injury, this isn't an option, but the swimming is going well and I want to incorporate other exercising into the mix.  My goal is working out 3-4 times per week.  Linked closely to exercise is healthy eating.  You would be amazed at how much better my stomach feels now that I have given up gluten and dairy.  Now, I need to learn how to add more variety to my diet.  Maybe I will try to make a new, healthy dish once a week and see how it goes.

Guess what? I am running again!  The healthy living, better diet, and acupuncture lead me to feel strong enough to try running again.  No more marathons in my future, but definitely some shorter runs.  I am running 2-3 times a week and the knee is feeling a lot better!

Wow!  This was a good year for my resolutions.  I completed them all!  Guess I have to challenge myself a little more in 2018!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, everyone!

-Mike :-)

2017 New Year's Resolutions

Well, it is that time of year again.  Every year, I set New Year's Resolutions to help guide me and give me something to shoot for throughout the year.  I hope you will also consider setting resolutions for your own life, sharing them helps to make them real as well as allowing others to help you in the journey.

#1 - Family, Home, and Love -  The world has become a lot angrier over the last year through the election season; sadly, I don't think 2017 will get much better.   So, how do we navigate the world around us?  Well, the best way for me is to take care of my family, to make sure my home is a happy place, and to treat everyone around me with respect, love, and care.  I have no idea how I will assess the success of completing this resolution; however, I think, it is a goal we all need to set.

#2 -  Publish my second book - I took on the National Novel Writing Month competition again in November of 2016 and what came out of it was my first attempt at science fiction.  I am well over the 50,000 words; however, the book needs some work. My New Year's Resolution is to finish it and get it published.  Look out sci-fi fans, I might give you something interesting to read sometime in late summer!

#3 - Learn how to do a dive - Well, this one is a carryover from 2016.  I never learned how to dive as a child, even though the rest of my family can dive just fine.  Now that I have been swimming so much, I need to try and learn to dive.

#4 - Staying Healthy and Strong - Oh, man, do I miss running.  With my permanent knee injury, this isn't an option, but the swimming is going well and I want to incorporate other exercising into the mix.  My goal is working out 3-4 times per week.  Linked closely to exercise is healthy eating.  You would be amazed at how much better my stomach feels now that I have given up gluten and dairy.  Now, I need to learn how to add more variety to my diet.  Maybe I will try to make a new, healthy dish once a week and see how it goes.

I hope these resolutions inspire you to make your own. Setting goals helps us stay on track for the future.  You can do it!

Sending love and happiness for the whole year to everyone who reads this!

-Mike :-)

2016 New Year's Resolutions - Success!

It is always great at the end of the year to check in on my resolutions to see how I did.  So many people give up on their resolutions early; however, if you plan them correctly they can help you to guide your whole year.

Here we go:

#1 - Present Successfully - I have three presentations lined up for the year, one at the HCTM Conference and two at the ISTE Conference.  I want to plan ahead and do the best job I can for the participants attending.

Well, I didn't have a chance to present at ISTE because of lack of funds, but my HCTM presentation went very well!  So, I will call this one a success!

#2 - Get My First Book Published - In November of 2015, I participated in the National Novel Writing Month - http://nanowrimo.org/.  In this personal contest, you attempt to write a 50,000 word novel in one month.  I was successful and finished the word count three days early; however, now the real work begins.  I need to finish the book, get it edited, and try to get it published.  That is my goal for 2016.

I did it!  The book is published!  And, I learned a lot along the way.  If you are interested, you can buy the book here on Amazon.com - https://www.amazon.com/Faded-Jeans-Army-Greens-Desert/dp/1533631271

#3 - "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." - Gandhi

I am hoping this is the year that I find balance between work, family, and my personal health.  Without the ability to run or play tennis anymore due to my permanent knee injury, I must continue to try and re-invent who I am physically and mentally.

This one is tough to define success; however, I would say that I am getting closer to the harmony I am looking for.  I have changed my diet and gone six months on it.  The changes are real, my knee is stronger, and swimming as my new activity is going well. I have also learned to better balance my life, spending more time with family and learning how powerful stress can be as a factor in living life.

#4 - Okay, this is a weird one.  I want to either learn to do a cartwheel or be able to dive into a pool.  I don't know how to do either of these and 2016 is when I figure one of them out!

Well, this was didn't go so well.  I tried a few times during the year at the beach at the pool to achieve one or the other, but to no avail.  I guess maybe what they say about "old dogs can't learn new tricks" might be true for me.  Anyway, I want to push this one to 2017, but if you want a good laugh, click on the video below to see my final attempt at a dive before the year ends.

2016 New Year's Resolutions

A new year is upon us and it is time, once again, for me to choose my resolutions for the new year.  While I have struggled the past few years with trying to accomplish all of my resolutions, I will again set manageable goals and work to achieve them.

#1 - Present Successfully - I have three presentations lined up for the year, one at the HCTM Conference and two at the ISTE Conference.  I want to plan ahead and do the best job I can for the participants attending.

#2 - Get My First Book Published - In November of 2015, I participated in the National Novel Writing Month - http://nanowrimo.org/.  In this personal contest, you attempt to write a 50,000 word novel in one month.  I was successful and finished the word count three days early; however, now the real work begins.  I need to finish the book, get it edited, and try to get it published.  That is my goal for 2016.

#3 - "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." - Gandhi

I am hoping this is the year that I find balance between work, family, and my personal health.  Without the ability to run or play tennis anymore due to my permanent knee injury, I must continue to try and re-invent who I am physically and mentally.

#4 - Okay, this is a weird one.  I want to either learn to do a cartwheel or be able to dive into a pool.  I don't know how to do either of these and 2016 is when I figure one of them out!

I hope you enjoyed reading my New Year's resolutions and you will make your own goals and share them.  

I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with love, joy, happiness, and a little relaxation.

-Mike :-)

2015 Resolution Review

Well, this year wasn't so good when it comes to my resolutions.  Let's make this quick:

#1 - Try to Keep Anxiety and Stress in Check --- Not so good on this one.  It was a rough and busy year for me and I didn't get so much time to relax, but my stress levels are improving.  The only good news is that some of my harder responsibilities are going away in 2016, so there is a better chance for change.

#2 -Compete in one bike race event in 2015 --- I tried to make this happen, but I couldn't really find a good race to compete in that I felt safe on the road.  Oh, well, another one down.

#3 - Beach time - Some months were better than others, but I did spend more time at the beach than I was hoping for.

I think this is the first year in a long time that I didn't do very well with my resolutions.  Even when I checked them, I didn't see how to effectively reach them.  I guess I have to make a resolution to try to meet my resolutions in 2016.

Time to say goodbye to 2015.

-Mike :-)