GENERAL
– Contact me if you get an A in either Family Direction: (SMARTgoal and Draft Family Mission Statement) or Political Fitness (have written a letter to a political official). Also contact me if you are interested in getting an A, but having some challenges completing the task. You can either leave me a comment card, email me at jblessman@me.com, or leave a comment here at www.BetterME.us website.
– The Raffle of the Nutribullet will happen next week, if you have not placed in an entry feel free to do so. We are looking for comments about foods or dishes that either make you feel good or bad. When we say good, this mainly refers to mental alertness or physically good. Not so much emotionally good which seems to be a little different. We are not trying to understand comfort food (unless it does make your mentally alert or physically empowered.

PRIOR TARGETS
Family Direction
-In terms of accomplishing goals, one of the characteristics that is needed is self-efficacy. Those that change the most, are those that believe that they can. This happens when you experience real accomplishments that have meaning. Key to this is measuring an archiving. This again points to the value of setting goal (which produces energy especially when those goals align with your purpos), identifying habits that support those goals and monitoring.

-Scripture to note: He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless people and pursuits will have poverty enough. (Proverbs 28:19 AMP). This suggests that we should be clear about our purpose and stay focused, not to be distracted by the agendas of others (thought it is smart to work synergistically with others).

Mental Fitness
-A conversation came up this week about a health matter that might have been resolved with getting regular rest. I encourage you to make sure that you fight for 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. It will really do you alot of good.

Nutritional Fitness
-There are more insights gained from the results of some of the raffle entries, where many reported the increase in fruits and vegetables in increasing energy. Some suggestions included smoothies, and veggie pizzas.

CURRENT TARGETS
Physical Fitness
-The goal is to list the principles, practices, and products that help you improve your physical fitness. Some guiding principles can be found in steps 7,8,9 of SMARTsteps at the website www.BetterME.us. In general the goals are in three categories

1) endurance (this may also help get rid of waste when this type of exercise is performed. The importance of waste management is borne out by the observation of the value of inversion and massage, which may aid in the clearing of the lymphatics).
2) strengthening
3) stretching, which helps to make sure that we remain symmetric, and certain parts of our bodies are not overworked.

Personal Development
-The goal is to have some dialog about the skills that are most helpful. Some suggestions to get you started include; financial management, time management, learning, and communication. It can also be suggested that you develop a creative hobby which is a right brain activity. The value of this can be appreciated by watching the TED talk Stroke of Insight, by Jill Bolte Taylor. http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight?language=en It is also brain stretching and respectful, to try and learn another language. This may become more important as the world becomes flatter.

FINAL THOUGHTS
– Hope that you find the information helpful.
– I know that everyone does not like or have access to the internet. We would like to have a gathering to discuss lessons learned, barriers, and future directions likely in January.
– As we carry on our discussion we are trying to the advice suggested here: the basis for this effort, what we are facilitating: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.