Perspective by Bahram Akradi
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Be a Policymaker
Look up the word “policy” in the dictionary and you’ll find that the definition involves making plans, following guiding principles and pursuing a determined course of action – all for the sake of getting things done in an expedient, prudent manner.
Circles of Influence
Each of us is first and foremost a citizen of the earth. And so on some level, our deepest responsibility (and privilege) lies in making ourselves of service—even in some small way—within this realm.
Body of Evidence
A body that’s getting what it needs can bounce back from early damage and become even better than it was in its youth. But a body that’s not well taken care of tends to start showing and feeling its age early on.
Less Mess, More Good
There’s no doubt that each of us would do well to stop walking by the little messes we could easily clean up and start creating more beauty and sustainability where we can.
Think Big, Step Lightly
If you’ve been working tirelessly on a good plan for a long time, if you’ve been persevering and doing everything right and still not making any headway, it may be time to slow down, step back and reflect.
The Value of Balance
It rarely works to compare our lives, our bodies, our achievements with anyone else’s. One person’s imbalance is another person’s bliss.
No Doubt About It
We live in polarizing times. It’s a period characterized not just by galvanizing issues, but by a great deal of vitriolic rhetoric. Every time we turn on the radio or TV, or even turn around in our homes or offices, we’re likely to get an earful of why one person or position is right and another is totally, unredeemably wrong.
Toughing It Out
For as short as everybody likes to remind us that life is, in truth, if we’re blessed with good health and good luck, it goes on for a good long while. And all the way along, it’s filled with twists and turns, steep hills, long plateaus, and surprises of all kinds.
Teach Your Children Well
We love our children. We worry about our children. And, of course, we always want what’s best for them. But sometimes, by acting out of our instinctive desire to help our kids every step of the way, I believe we wind up doing them a disservice.
Routine Inspection
It’s interesting that in a society fixated on adventure and excitement, so many of us choose to lead lives defined by deeply entrenched routines. In fact, I suspect our vicarious fixation on others’ thrill rides is likely fueled by our real-life tendency toward mindless repetition.
When More Is Better
In a culture where most of us are overwhelmed by too much stress, too much stuff, too many unhealthy temptations and way too many daily choices, it’s important to note that there are still a few areas where, in general, more really is better. Three examples come to mind …
Unburden Yourself
In recent years, there’s been a surge of popular interest in detoxification regimens – the kind that help flush food-borne and environmental toxins out of our systems.
Good Directions
Over the past year, many individuals and businesses have gotten more interested in “going green” – increasing their energy efficiency, reducing their chemical usage, shrinking their carbon footprints, and so on. And there are certainly plenty of good reasons for this.
Worthy Pursuit
When I heard we were focusing on life balance this month, I said: Great! I can talk about that for hours!
From Inspiration to Action
Inspiration sometimes comes at times and places we least expect. Last fall, for example, I found myself inspired while watching an NFL game.
Counting Wins – and Losses
Reflecting on the year past, looking at notable accomplishments and things to celebrate, I see a great many within the Life Time Fitness organization.
Central Intelligence
Nature is a brilliant designer. Look at a tree, a flower, a landscape, and you’ll generally see a well-centered composition. Even in the case of infinitely complex fractal constructions, there’s an organic symmetry, a progressive spreading from a center point (or many center points) that can be viewed at virtually any magnification and still appear balanced, right, whole.
Goodbye, Convention. Hello, Evolution!
Among the many industries due for an evolution, I’d say the fitness industry ranks high. It seems like so much of it has remained trapped in the ’80s – the hype, the noise, the focus on the surface of things.
Fitness Hits Home
Some of the most powerful messages we see and hear about fitness today (the ones that reach us through mass media) would seem to suggest that fitness is the domain of the young, the super-buff and, above all, the single.
Put Time on Your Side
The call to start working on my letter for this “Feel Great at Any Age” issue came at the perfect moment: It just happened to be my 45th birthday. Fact is, if you had asked me when I was 20 what 45 was going to look and feel like, I’m not sure I’d have been able to tell you.