This post and a few to follow are inspired by Shawn Achor and his TED presentation on the Happy secret to better work.

I am grateful for new challenges. The Crossfit gym I go to just started a Nutrition Challenge that will last 45 days. The challenge includes nutrition and performance markers. I believe that we must always challenge ourselves to be better. Complacency can really be a killer for progress. Challenges allow you to refocus on your goals and to take inventory on outside forces that are weighing you down.

I am grateful for second chances. Every morning that we wake up is a change to start over. If today you did something that was not in line with you achieving your goals don’t beat yourself up over it. Take stock in the fact that you recognized it for what it is and be determined to try better next time.

I am grateful for the cooler weather. Wow have I enjoyed the cooler weather, it has been so nice to just sit outside on the front porch and not be too cold or too hot. I worked on the yard some this weekend and it felt nice not to be sweating from the heat.

Today I did my challenge WOD. As I mentioned earlier I am doing a nutrition challenge which included performance measures. The assist in seeing progress we are doing a specific WOD at the beginning of the challenge and at the end. This challenges consisted of running 800 meters, 50 burpees, run another 800 meters, and then 50 sit-ups. All of this was timed and recorded. I did it 18 minutes and 55 seconds. The burpees were the most difficult part as I had to stop and rest a few times.

I did not blog on Sunday and Sundays are my long run days. In preparation for my marathon I ran 16 miles. That was a hard run. I had to stop to walk 4 or 5 times which isn’t too bad I guess. I tried an ice bath for the first time to help with my recovery. I think it helped.

I did not do any meditation over the weekend or last night. Shame on me, I know. I just can’t seem to find the right time to practice this. Maybe I am making it too complicated. I will try this evening.

For my random act of kindness I will seek out something I can do for someone. I am sitting here trying to figure out what can I do for someone that I can proclaim that I can do and that could be destroying the definition of random. I will report my random act of kindness in my next post.

Do you meditate? What has helped you learn to meditate more effectively?

happy experiment – 1
happy experiment – 2
happy experiment – 3
happy experiment – 4

image credit – drewgstephens