David Rische

I read a quote a few days ago that bothered me.

However, I agree with it 100%.

The quote comes from the book Essentialism by Greg McKeown:

“One leader at Twitter once asked me:  ‘Can you remember what it was like to be
bored?  It doesn’t happen anymore. . . . .by abolishing any chance of being bored
we have also lost the time we used to have to think and process.” (pg. 68)

If we’re honest – we can see ourselves (and definitely our kids) in the above description.  We get fidgety when we have down time:  in waiting rooms, in line anywhere, traffic, kid’s practices, games, performances, at work, at home, on vacation, during meals, during television shows, and so on . . . .

It is soothing to reach for our electronic devices to address our boredom.  Forget commercials, we can bypass them with TiVo and On Demand.  We can escape pain and problems by entering into virtual video worlds.  Being online replaces face to face contact.  Multitasking is the norm.  Feelings of guilt surface when we attempt to relax and do nothing.

The quote about boredom got me reflecting on my own childhood growing up in the seventies.  What did we do when we got bored?

*Some TV, but we only had 5 channels (one being UHF), so a lot of playing outside, sandlot sports, creating imaginary worlds with friends, and riding bikes at all hours.
*Board game tournaments with my brother (which usually led to a fight).
*Hours of air guitar and air drumming in hopes of being recruited to be the fifth member of the group Kiss.
*Drawing from memory:  cartoon characters, super heroes, movie and TV stars.
*Building larger than life card castles.
*I hunted for empty soda bottles that I could redeem at the convenience store for 5 cents.
*Bought, collected, and traded sports cards and Wacky Package stickers.
*Reading for hours (okay, it was mostly comic books – but that still counts)!

The great thing about boredom is that it can lead to creativity, think time, rest, socialization, innovations, playfulness, and reflection.

Thousands of years ago, the prophet Isaiah penned this timeless message:

“In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.
But you were not willing.”         Isaiah 30: 15b

It is incredibly difficult being still.  Try sitting quietly for just 3-5 minutes and discover how uneasy you feel.  Try going somewhere without your phone and panic hits.  Try journaling your thoughts and ideas – and see how quickly you get distracted.

Next time you feel bored, welcome it as a friend.  Attempt being still and being in the moment.  Reject always having to be busy.  Take a long walk or bike ride. Try reconnecting with people socially.  Call someone on a rotary dial phone (now I’m really dating myself) 🙂

Please comment below:  What is your favorite childhood memory of what you did when you got bored?

The title seems to contradict itself – aren’t “active” and “busy” the same thing?

Unfortunately no.

Many of us are so busy doing “stuff” – that a sedentary lifestyle has slowly crept in. The online site Fast Company recently featured an article with the quote “sitting has become the new smoking.”   Think about how much time we sit every day in vehicles, at our jobs, in meetings, at our kid’s practices, working or playing on the computer, watching TV or movies, reading, studying, writing, crafting, etc.

The challenge is that the items listed above are a critical part of our day-to-day lives.

Probably like you – I want to live a healthier lifestyle. Only 3 small things are preventing me from achieving that goal:

1) No time
2) No energy
3) No gym membership

When Roger Bannister broke the world record for running the mile under 4 minutes – sports enthusiasts were shocked to discover his simple training regime – 10 sets of 1- minute sprints, split by a couple of minutes of recovery.  As a medical student back in the 1950’s, he was incredibly busy and didn’t have time to spare for extensive training sessions.  His entire workout usually took less than 35 minutes.

The book Fast Exercise by Dr. Michael Mosley talks about HIT – High Intensity Training.  His proposal is that 10-20 minutes of intense exercise three times a week is more beneficial than five or more days a week for several hours. The book explains how the HIT method basically puts our muscles and aerobic systems in a semi state of “shock” – and they are forced to adapt building strength, burning calories, and enhancing endurance.  The overall theme of the book is that something is better than nothing, and about being intentional regarding staying active.

Here is a summary of ideas from the book or other resources that I have read through the years:

1) Drink a ton of water to curb your appetite and stay hydrated.
2) Stand while talking on the phone. You’ll burn calories and sound more assertive.
3) If you work at a desk for long periods of time, consider removing your chair and standing for an hour or two. (Reposition your computer so you’re not straining your back.)
4) Go and see a colleague instead of sending an email.
5) Walk to work if feasible, if not, park at the far end of the lot or several blocks away.
6) Organise a lunchtime or after work walking/exercising group.  This will help strengthen encouragement and accountability.
7) If you’re stuck in the airport, don’t sit down.  Grab your bags and go look around the shops.
8) Take a lap around your place of work for a brain break once or twice a day.
9) Add variety to your workout.  If you walk, try a completely different route.  If you jog, try biking.  If you lift heavy weights for strength, switch to light weights for cardio, etc., etc.
10) If your building allows – use the stairs instead of elevators.  Go up and down multiple times before you go to your destination.
11) Having only healthy snacks, nuts, or fruit available at home and at work for when you get the munchies.
12) Exercise while watching TV – push ups, jog in place, stomach crunches, leg lifts, jumping jacks and planking can all be beneficial.

From pg. 154 of Fast Exercise: “Guess how many hours a day you spend sitting? Less than 8?  More than 10? Some experts claim that many of us spend up to 12 hours a day sitting on our well-padded bottoms looking at computers or watching television.  If you throw in the 8 hours we spend sleeping, then that adds up to a remarkable 20 hours a day being sedentary. Ouch.”

The time to start a lifestyle change is yesterday.  Try one technique or a variety of them from the list above.  In conclusion, pg. 165 of Fast Exercise gives us these practical and encouraging words: “Simply by standing more, pacing around a bit more, taking the stairs and walking when you can, you should burn at least an extra 350 calories a day. Over a year this adds up to the calorie equivalent of running about 1000 miles.”

Please comment below on how you balance exercise with your busy lifestyle.  Thanks for reading 🙂

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Warning! Spoiler alert if you have not seen “Frozen” (and still want to see it).

I have yet to meet a person that didn’t like the movie “Frozen”.  At the time of this writing, it is close to grossing over 350 million dollars.  I must admit, when I saw the trailers on TV during the busy holiday season, I was not impressed or interested.  I said to my wife, “That movie looks stupid.” However, the trailers were short and really didn’t give a glimpse into what the movie was about (plus I was grumpy from the crowded malls).

Word of mouth is the most powerful advertisement (see the restaurant Babes if you need proof).  All I kept hearing from kids AND adults was how great “Frozen” was.  So during the middle of January I was finally able to see it.  I was amazed that the theater was packed with people from all generations – toddlers, teenagers, adults, and senior citizens.  My conclusion after seeing it??? They all were right – it is a great movie!!!  But why? Here is the list I came up with:

*It has all the “ingredients” that make up a great story – a fantasy world, heroes, villains, humor, adventure, beautiful music with catchy tunes, plot twists, stunning visuals, and good triumphing over evil.

*Advertising, lengthy trailers, and story “spoilers” were kept to a minimum. Why can’t Hollywood learn this lesson?  Why must we sit through 20+ minutes of previews before every movie?  “Frozen” had an element of mystery about it. 

*It was clean. There was nothing to be embarrassed about while watching it.

*The positive lessons for young men and women: 1) Be careful that you don’t mistake love for infatuation.  2) Make sure you truly know who someone is in a relationship – their good and bad traits.  3) True love is sacrificial – Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

So that’s my two cents – how about you?  Why do you think the movie is so popular?  Please leave a comment – thanks for reading 🙂

Yes, I borrowed my title idea from the highly successful book and movie. Anyway, today I was a little grumpy paying bills. I HAVE to pay the final installment from my dog’s second surgery within the last year.

Let me rephrase that . . . . .
I GET to pay the final installment from my dog’s surgery.

Author and motivational speaker Jon Gordon talks about being grateful, staying positive, and having a new perspective on circumstances – simply by switching the phrase “have to” with “get to”:

*I get to put gas in my car (sure beats walking and riding my bike everywhere – especially grocery shopping).
*I get to pay an electric bill (sure beats not having lighting, AC, and ESPN).
*I get to go to work (definitely beats being unemployed).

I think you get the picture.

Back to my dog Brownie.  The doctor saved her from paralysis in one surgery, and used a preventive process to hopefully extend her life in the second surgery. For all the joy she brings our family, I’m privileged to get to pay for her surgery.

*She eagerly greets us every morning – and is thrilled to see us when we come home.
*Brownie is my close companion when my wife has to travel.
*She is my wife’s constant bodyguard and shadow.
*The entire family disputes over who gets to sleep with her almost every night.
*At the drop of a hat, she will play a rousing game of chase or keep away – she doesn’t quite get the concept of “fetch” and “release.”
*She’ll take on any dog, cat, or repairman to “defend” our house and neighborhood.

I think you get the picture.

We can’t put a price on how much she means to our family.  Theologically sound or not, I believe that I’ll be reunited in Heaven with all of the dogs that have been such an important part of my life.

But for now, I’m going to enjoy every minute of Brownie and Me.

What pet has impacted your life the most?  Please comment below.  And don’t forget to click the “follow” prompt 🙂  Thanks for reading.

I have no clue what my New Year’s Resolution was last year.
I’ll bet you don’t either.
I’m sure mine had something to do with eating better, increasing the amount of time I exercise, spending more quality time with the children, or living every day to the fullest.
Those are all noble pursuits – but why can’t I remember my resolution?

Anyway, I’ve come up with a Resolution Solution!
Rule #1: Don’t make any resolutions.
Rule #2: If you make a resolution, make a “bad” one. See the list below for examples.

1) To not exercise at all.
2) Spend more time interacting with Siri instead of human beings.
3) Increase my intake of fast food.
4) Work a 70-80 hour work week.

Here’s how it works:  I start fulfilling my obligation to not exercise (choice #1).  Around the end of January, I become frustrated by how I’m feeling.  I can no longer blame the dryer for shrinking my pants because they are starting to feel a little too snug.  Or, I can’t claim increased muscle mass as the reason why my shirts are tighter. I immediately reach the point where enough is enough, renounce my resolution to not exercise, and begin that day to begin a new journey of a healthier lifestyle!  Reverse Psychology 101. Go ahead, give it a try!

All joking put aside, I deeply respect those of you who make a resolution or set goals – and stick with it.  Please leave a comment below what your New Year’s Resolution is (serious or not).  One other favor, as of this writing – I’m only 998 followers short of achieving my goal! Please click on the follow tab – and this blog can conveniently come to your inbox.  May God bless you abundantly in 2014!

Starting a blog.

Why have I procrastinated it that long? I enjoy writing, encouraging, and hopefully have some interesting life experiences to share.

I have a great list of excuses – maybe you can relate to some of these:
Too busy.
Not enough time.
I can’t compete with the pros.
No one will read it.
Too tired.
I want it to be perfect.
Whut abot speling and grammer erors?
Blah, blah, blah . . . . .

I read a quote by the great Jon Maxwell that helped add light to the subject, “The reality is that you will never get much done unless you go ahead and do it before you are ready.”
So here it is . . . .for better or for worse. A special shout out to @jackson_carrie and Sharon Hill @www.oncallprayer.org for your continual encouragement in this process! Hopefully it won’t take 3 more years for my next post. But if it does . . . . see any of the above excuses for the reason why 🙂

I’m curious, what is it that you’ve been procrastinating for quite a while?