Tag Archives: nature

Great blue heron in flight over a calm lake with dense green foliage in the background.

Creating Our Own Reality: A Journey Toward Personal Empowerment

We often hear that the world is shaped by our perceptions and actions, and I firmly believe this to be true. As individuals, we hold the power to create our own reality through the lens through which we choose to see the world.

In a society that seems dominated by systems of debt—both material and metaphorical—it can feel like we’re born into a game that’s stacked against us. But what if we could change the rules? What if, instead of accepting the burdens placed upon us, we chose to focus on the positive, the uplifting, and the transformative?

By recognizing the good in people and the environment around us, we amplify the positive energies that can redefine our experiences. This isn’t just about ignoring the negative aspects of life; rather, it’s about choosing to shine a light on what can empower and improve our communal existence.

This philosophy of personal empowerment isn’t a denial of the real challenges we face—it’s a call to face them with a different attitude. It’s about promoting values like love, compassion, and kindness, and understanding that our individual actions contribute to a collective energy that has the power to reshape our world.

As part of this journey, I encourage you to consider three powerful actions:

  1. Stop Watching the News: Often, the news can skew toward the negative, impacting our mood and outlook. Disconnecting, even temporarily, can help shift focus to more positive interactions and personal growth.
  2. Stop Spreading Gossip: Gossip can poison our perceptions and interactions. By choosing to engage in uplifting conversations, we strengthen our relationships and build trust within our community.
  3. Perform Acts of Kindness: Do something nice for someone else without expecting anything in return. These acts of kindness can create ripples of positivity that not only brighten someone else’s day but also reinforce our own feelings of self-worth and happiness.

As we nurture these positive elements, we do more than survive; we thrive. We light up the darker corners of our society and foster a more wholesome world for ourselves and those around us.

It’s time we reclaim our power to sculpt the personal and collective reality we desire. Let’s create a world where the good shines brightest.

Air squats for cardio

My substitute for running is air squats

Air squats are my go-to for cardio since I injured my heel, I have not been able to run. We do one hundred air squats during our 2.5-mile walk. We stopped at the lake on the way back and after walking about 2 miles. After the air squats we continue our walk, which is about a half a mile.

1000 Air squats at home

The video below is me doing air squats at home. I was supposed to work out my legs with my dumbbells, but I was tired, so I decided to make it a light day and do cardio at the same time. I got this idea for doing air squats a long time ago from a UFC fighter named Ken Shamrock. He was one of my favorites back in the early days of UFC. Shamrock stated that for cardio he did 500 air squats a day. I was in shape back in those days so when I tried to do the 500 air squats, I was able to do them after one week. The video below is me doing me air squatting at home as a substitute for leg day and to get cardio in. I did 1000 air squats below in my bedroom filming it with my Samsung S21 Ultra. I apologize for the background noise and any interruptions.

1000 air squats at home
2012 I did heavy weights, but my form was wrong. My legs are not big but certain exercises I can go heavy.