Month: September 2024

“Mindfulness is key to Stoicism, for to recognize what is in our control and what is not requires clear awareness. It is through mindful observation that we detach from external events and focus on the present, cultivating inner peace.” — Anonymous

In the ever-accelerating pace of the modern world, Most of us are stress beyond comfort. As such, many of us are seeking ways to reduce stress, increase focus, and cultivate inner peace. I call this pursuit “well-centered fitness.

One powerful approach is blending the ancient philosophy of Stoicism with modern mindfulness practices. Both Stoicism and mindfulness encourage us to center our attention on the present moment and recognize what we can—and cannot—control… carpe momento.

Stoicism teaches us that external events are beyond our control, but how we react to them is entirely within our power. By practicing mindful awareness, we can observe our thoughts and emotions without being swept away by them. This detachment of the stress from the response permits us to respond to challenges with calmness and clarity, much like the Stoic ideal of apatheia—a state of serene equanimity. I connect this with a practice I refer to as “hevel.”

The Hebrew word “hevel” appears frequently in the Book of Ecclesiastes and is often translated as “vanity,” “meaninglessness,” or “futility.” However, its literal meaning is closer to “breath” or “vapor,” conveying something fleeting, transient, or insubstantial. Reminding myself the stressor of the moment is fleeting by spraying mist of water from a bottle I keep in the car or simply whispering the word “hevel” helps me to calm my emotional response. (Still a practice. I have much room for improvement.)

Mindfulness, meanwhile, asks us to be fully present in the here and now, without judgment. When combined with Stoic principles, this helps us cultivate an attitude of acceptance. Instead of resisting difficulties or becoming consumed by worry, we learn to focus on what truly matters: our thoughts, actions, and attitude toward the world around us.

By embracing both Stoicism and mindfulness, we take control of our inner state, regardless of external circumstances. This powerful combination allows us to seize each moment with a sense of purpose and peace, a true embodiment of carpe momento.

In practicing these philosophies, we create space for reflection, growth, and resilience—qualities that are essential for thriving in the modern world. Remember, are moving toward a state of well-centeredness (Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social well-being).

Be your best today; be better tomorrow.

Carpe momento!!

A good night’s sleep is essential to our well-centered fitness. It restores us Spiritually, Physically, Intellectually, Emotionally, and Socially. However, many of us struggle with poor sleep due to our daily habits. Sleep hygiene is the practice of creating an environment and routine that promotes consistent, quality sleep—deep, restorative sleep.

Small, consistent changes that can lead to better sleep over time. Some tips for improving sleep hygiene suggest having a bedtime routine and a consistent sleep-wake cycle, eating a healthy diet, and optimizing the sleep environment.

Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day helps regulate your body’s internal clock. Try to maintain this schedule even on weekends. Early to bed and early to rise on the weekdays helps to regularize the circadian rhythms, but, if you are up late and sleeping in on the weekends, your body might be in a different time-zone come Monday. Be consistent!

Engage in calming activities before bed, such as reading, taking a warm bath, or practicing mindfulness. This signals to your body that it’s time to wind down. Begin to dim the lighting as bedtime approaches.

Ensure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool. Comfortable bedding and a supportive mattress can make a big difference.

Turn off your screens! The blue light emitted by phones, tablets, and computers can interfere with your sleep. Try to avoid screens for at least an hour before bed. This includes television—especially programming that will excite and stimulate the brain.

Eat an overall healthy diet and try to eat earlier rather than later. This means vvoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol particularly close to bedtime. Alcohol may appear to aid with sleep, but it can be disruptive to deep and REM sleep. Regular physical activity can promote better sleep, but try to avoid vigorous exercise late in the evening.

Some of us are nappers—especially on the weekends. While naps can be refreshing, long or irregular napping during the day can negatively affect your nighttime sleep. Nap wisely and don’t nap too close to your scheduled bedtime.

Good sleep hygiene is about building a foundation for better sleep. Consistent, restful sleep boosts your mood, sharpens your focus, and supports your overall health. By making small adjustments to your daily routine, you can improve your sleep and wake up feeling more refreshed and energized.

Be your best today; be better tomorrow!

Carpe momento!!

Remember when appliances seemed to last forever? That trusty refrigerator from your grandparents’ house or the washing machine that lasted decades without a hitch? Those days seem to be long gone.

In the past, appliances were built to last. Manufacturers used high-quality materials and robust engineering to ensure that products could withstand years of use. Companies seemed to take pride in quality and the products they made. When product did break, they could be fixed, and you were willing to fix them because there was less worry about “what’ll break next?”

It is no secret that modern appliances are now designed with a much shorter lifespan in mind. It is known as planned obsolescence. Appliances fail so quickly and so often because of cheaper materials and components, smart features and digital controls that introduce new points of failure, difficult  and costly repairs, and the fast fashion mentality. That last one is kinda on us as consumers.

Yesterday, I got one of those “memories” reminders on Facebook with a picture of our new appliances in our newly remodeled kitchen. At the same time, my wife was out comparison shopping to replace that very refrigerator. Eight years was all we got out of this model. It would have cost over $1300 to repair the condenser. This repair has not been the only problem we have had. Cheap plastics on the door shelves have been repaired (Super Glue works for only so long), and we finally gave up in the ice machine after multiple repair visits. The same brand made our cooktop. We keep a stock of dials on hand because they break on a regular basis (and we must like the gas with a Bic lighter, because, of course, the ignition doesn’t work).

When did this all happen? Did it come on us suddenly or did the manufacturers start shaving years off years gradually starting in the ‘70s and ‘80s? (I had a friend comment that her grandparents have a ‘70s freezer that is still running strong.) The sad thing is that the brand that has been so frustrating has one of the highest reliability ratings in Consumer Reports. It is hard to pay $1300 for a repair when a new model costs only a few hundred dollars more. If a repair would keep it alive for 8 more years (without all the other incidental repairs and plastic replacements) then investing in the labor and parts makes some sense—that’s what kept old appliances and cars running in our not-so-distant past.

This shift toward disposable goods isn’t just hard on consumers’ wallets—it also takes a toll on the environment. The short lifespan of modern appliances leads to more waste in landfills and higher demand for raw materials to produce new products. Energy is consumed in both the manufacturing and disposal processes, contributing to environmental degradation. And all those plastic parts we must keep replacing…. We want to cut down on the use of petroleum? Do we forget where plastics come from?

What can we do? It is easy to allow ourselves to take the blame and say, “do your research” and “attend to regular maintenance,” but we also must stand up against the wave of unnecessary technology and cheap components. I mean, really. Do we need ice on-demand? Do we have to get our filtered water from the door of the refrigerator? What ever happened to ice trays (and remembering to fill them (I’m talking to my kids, here)? What is wrong with drinking tap water (except in places where municipal tap water is unsafe) or water from a pitcher with a filter or a filtered tap? Stand against the throw away culture!

Manufacturers, shame on you! Build something you can stand proudly behind. Imagine if our appliance and automobiles and electronics could all last for decades with regular maintenance and occasional electronic and/or software updates (instead of new models being marketed to us with increasing frequency and models becoming “no longer supported” long before their functional expiration). What if manufacturers could say about their products….

Be your best today; be better tomorrow.

Carpe momento!!