Ghost Riding

When I was around 8 or so my friends and I used to practice the art of "ghost riding". As young boys, we found lots of strange ways to entertain ourselves and this was just one. We would ride our bikes as fast as we could down a long stretch of the street and then jump off our bikes leaving our bikes to "ride themselves" 10-20 feet, or more. The momentum of the bike kept the bike upright on its two wheels, making it look like a ghost was riding it! It was fun to watch how far the bike could go before coming to an inevitable end. Sometimes our bike would race towards a curb, slamming into it and flipping completely over. A few choice times, we witnessed a bike hit a curb, flip completely over and land back on its tires and roll a foot or two and fall on its side. With no one guiding the bike, it gave the appearance that the bike was fine on its own, moving forward, but ultimately, the bike always came to a crashing end. At one point I was Ghost Riding in life. I've found, that's how many people operate in their lives too. You can find people going along in life, looking good, smelling good and they have the appearance of going in the right direction. But, without a guide, most people are in for a crash in the future. Who's helping you in life? Do you have a guide? Fortunately for me, I have spiritual guidance, and other mentors in my life now to make sure I'm not "ghost riding" through life... CAP

Operation Clean Up - My Detox Journal

So, I started a detox/cleanse on Monday, 8/17 for several reasons: 1. Lately, I’ve felt like I wasn’t living at optimal health – felt lethargic, slow to wake up in the mornings, etc. 2. I heard a testimony from a woman about the benefits of a cleanse at a meeting one time and my wife and I have desired to do one every since 3. The spiritual discipline of fasting has always been one of the best ways to put the flesh in submission to the spirit. There are lots of detox diets, so I won’t get into which one I am doing, but I’ll generally give you a snap shot of the process and diet. I plan to go for 14 days. I discovered Dr. Chet, whom I trust developed a detox recipe that I would have followed if it were just a week earlier! Follow the link below for a summary of Dr. Chet’s three choices to choose from: http://drchet.com/researchupdate.html Detox Journal: Monday, 8/17/09 Day 1: Excited to get started, but not sure if I’ll be able to make it the entire day. I normally can fast until the evening and I give up. Made it all the way! Tuesday, 8/18/09 Day 2: Started out well. Our admin. brought in a huge load of Panera bagels, cookies – stayed away from the goodies, but hit the wall around 11 AM or so, felt very tired, but was able to make it once again. I suppose it helped that I was busy in the evening meeting with a potential franchise owner in Denver metro area. Perhaps, the schedule helped me keep my mind off of food, etc. Wednesday, 8/19/09 Day 3: Woke up very energetic, felt light and ready to go! It seems I had a second wind kick in or something. I had one minor temptation; someone came over to my desk to offer me chocolate (not a big chocolate fan, so didn’t faze me much). Had adrenaline going for the evening meeting I had with my friend Mike and others, so didn’t think much about eating. Thursday, 8/20/09 Day 4: Feeling good, still feeling energetic, had a meeting to discuss internet projects I’m working on during lunch and bought someone Qdoba. Believe it or not, staring at a huge queso & steak burrito didn’t faze me – I was in the zone. Felt kind of tired around six, but fought through it. Friday, 8/21/09 Day 5: Feeling good so far. This is a big day for me! Just the fact that I made it until today is a huge accomplishment! Let's see how the evening goes... CAP Wrap up - Obviously, I'm not a Doc., by here's my wrap up of the detox experience: From what I know at this time, it is one of the best known methods for cleaning out your intestinal and colon walls. Although not intended as a weight-loss diet, it is effective at helping you balance your body and “rebooting” the metabolic process - which often results in weight loss (I lost around 10 lbs on this). A detox helps by: - Total body detoxification of years of built-up waste, which hasn't been properly removed due to todays level of pollution and the bodies inability to detoxify itself properly. - Extreme weight loss - Many have claimed that the fast allowed them to lose 20-40 lbs. in as little as a ten to twenty days, although this is not the main purpose of the diet. - Renewed energy and total body rejuvenation, freeing the individual of common aches and pains due to toxification of the body. - Highly increased immune system and an immense ability to fight of diseases which come from long-term abuse to the body from toxins and other pollutants. - Increased stamina and better sexual functionality and increased vigor. - Highly increased mental clarity and response - Although I didn't fast for spiritual reasons, I did have the benefit of knowing I can control my flesh and strengthening my spirit. I really think food is a stronghold for many people blocking their ability to have optimal health and an abundant life. - I stopped working out after an injury about a year ago and became very undisciplined. Although I'm completely healed, I simply started liking sleeping in a bit too much. This detox has given my a much needed jump-start on working out again. I plan to detox at least a few times per year, I've had a very positive experience. I'm going to workout now - gotta go!

The Road Ahead or the Road Behind

Here is a short poem written by George Moriarty. I watched a talk by John Wooden where he recited the poem from memory - very impressive for a gentleman his age. I loved it so much I found the written text for myself. I figured everyone else would love it too. Please enjoy and share it with others if you find it to be an “Idea Worth Sharing.” The Road Ahead or the Road Behind Sometimes I think the fates must grin as we denounce them and insist, The only reason we can’t win is the fates themselves have missed. Yet, there lives on the ancient claim – we win or lose within ourselves, The shining trophies on our shelves can never win tomorrow’s game. So you and I know deeper down there is a chance to win the crown, But when we fail to give our best, we simply haven’t met the test Of giving all and saving none until the game is really won. Of showing what is meant by grit, of fighting on when others quit, Of playing through not letting up, it’s bearing down that wins the cup. Of taking it and taking more until we gain the winning score, Of dreaming there’s a goal ahead, of hoping when our dreams are dead, Of praying when our hopes have fled. Yet, losing, not afraid to fall, If bravely we have given all, for who can ask more of a man than giving all within his span, it seems to me, is not so far from – Victory. And so the fates are seldom wrong, no matter how they twist and wind, It’s you and I who make our fates, we open up or close the gates, On the Road Ahead or the Road Behind. -George J. Moriarty CAP

Daydreamer

The Matrix 1: Neo "Ever have that feeling where you're not sure if you're awake or still dreaming?" Spent anytime dreaming lately? Daydreamers, those who dream with their eyes open, design their own destiny and help develop the dreams of those around them. Here are some things I've been thinking about lately - I hope my little acronym gives you some things to chew on -- it's a simple recipe to be a daydreamer. D is for Develop: Develop a dream. A is for Action: Act daily to move your dream forward. Y is for You: You are the only thing in your way. D is for Dare: Dare to dream while others don’t and you find yourself alone. R is for Relentless: Relentlessly pursue your dream, no matter what. E is for Excellence: Strive for excellence in all you do. A is for Abandon: Abandon any other alternative plans (No Plan B). M is for Measure: Constantly measure where you are on your dream journey. E is for Explore: Constantly explore you personal growth opportunities. R is for Realization: Realize small milestones along the path of achieving your dreams. CAP

Finding Your Way...

I “did” the Incline several weekends ago. The Incline, is a mile long, roughly 1,600 meters, and rises more than 2,000 feet, or 600 meters, in the thin air. The Manitou Springs Incline is a place where you see U.S. Olympic athletes train right next to bearded old men with hiking sticks. It’s a basic, yet punishing workout: Man versus Mountain. Olympic speedskater, Apolo Ohno once said, "It's the one workout where people truly have to face something that is unbeatable. It is you against yourself." After I went on Saturday, I was challenged to go again, the next Monday morning. Standing at the base of the trail at 5 a.m., surrounded by silence, I was ready to be humbled. It was interesting to see people dart up the incline, everyone at their own pace, but all seemed to have one unwritten and unspoken rule – Don’t stop (at least for not too long). An assistant Greco-Roman coach Momir Petkovic from the Olympic Training Center has said, "Forget technology. It comes down to how much you want it. If you're in the middle of nowhere, with nothing, you are going to find your way out. You will find a way to become a champion." The incline is a lot like life, love, your desires, and dreams -- Everyday you start out on the trek, there’s new elements to navigate, new challenges, new accomplishments waiting for you at the top. Don’t stop. It comes down to how much you desire it, when you’re in the middle of nowhere, with nothing, you find your way to becoming a champion. CAP Facebook.com, twitter.com/chrisaperez

A few pics from nutrilite fam. fun day

"As One"

“As One” Pace Line Riding is when two or more riders travel in a very tight group in the draft of the rider(s) in front of you. Leader of the pace line, create a draft for others. The draft envelope behind a single bicycle can be about six feet long and even more behind a tandem. The closer your front wheel is to the rear wheel of the rider ahead of you, the stronger the draft. Riding in a pace line draft can save 20 to 30% of your energy output. This energy savings is what allows the pace line group to travel at higher speeds. However, if you’re going to ride in a pace line, one of the essential rules is never suddenly slow down or attempt a quit stop! I’m sure you can guess what might happen if someone suddenly stops in a pace line. The lead cyclist expends almost twice as much energy as his teammates by cutting through the air. This effort creates a slipstream that literally drags the rest of the team along in what is known as drafting. It’s not unlike the way the lead duck flies at the apex of a flock of migrating ducks. When the lead cyclist is finally exhausted by his efforts, he falls to the back of the pace line to recover and is replaced by someone else on the team, who continues to push and drive the others with all his might. During the Tour de France, you might have noticed just how closely the members of each cycling team ride together. Each stage, depending upon the team strategy, different teammates may be called upon to get the yellow jersey, and have their time in the spotlight on stage. Together, the members of a cycling team create and sustain speeds unimaginable for an individual cyclist. In fact, a breakaway rider who is even 10 minutes or more ahead in the race can be caught easily by a strong team using this pace-line concept. Lance Armstrong is one of the greatest athletes of our era, but that does not explain how he won an unprecedented number of Tour de France championships. The secret to Lance Armstrong’s success was his ability to form, lead, and be supported by the best team. As a group, Armstrong’s team stuck to its pace line with a discipline that no other team showed, exhausted all who tried to keep up with their blistering pace, and chased down and passed any rivals who dared to launch a challenge. We're all in Pace Lines at work, in our family, and when building our businesses. I hope you can find application for the principles below, as I have, and create or cultivate an "as one" team. Pace Line Principles: 1. The Leader expends twice as much energy as his teammates to make it easier for those racing with him/or her. 2. The Leader (a.k.a., The Puller) creates a “draft envelope” or a pull for the rest of the team. 3. When any member of the pace line slows too much it could prove disastrous for the team. 4. Together, “as one” a team can create and sustain accomplishments unimaginable for an individual alone. 5. Leaders get tired too and may need a teammate to step up so they are pulled by their draft at times. 6. Every teammate is a leader of the teammate behind them. 7. Depending on the stage of the race, it may be your opportunity to stand on stage and have the spotlight. CAP Facebook.com, twitter.com/chrisaperz