Living & Dying in Peace

Recently I went through a life experience that I have previously never had to go through. It has been a few of days now, and still it is impacting me. I have asked myself a couple times “Okay, when are you going to be over this?” like it should be something simple.

I've been around funerals before; a friend in High School, co-workers, a few distant family or friends along my life's path. This, though, is the first time in my life that I have ever had to deal with death...directly.

My Dad was 76 years old this year. And now he’s gone. Just last week, I was talking to him at his bedside, and this week I came upon the sudden and stark realization that I can never do that again. I will never be able to sit at his bedside, or across a dinner table, or lounge on the couch, and have a conversation with him. Ever. He is gone. This truth is hard to swallow, yet the odd thing is this isn’t news to me. Let’s face it! Anyone who has ever watched a movie or read an epic novel knows that death is permanent, it is real. Even in Harry Potter, Charmed, and other mystical tales, the dead don’t rise again. They may appear and chat for a while, but the finality of their death is still real, permanent.

I am a Christian, and I believe that God is good and will bring my Dad to heaven. Being a carpenter and a painter, I am sure my Dad is up there right now creating some masterpieces for me to see when it is my turn, and I meet him there! Jesus was a carpenter, so Dad should fit right in! When I talk to others about how my Dad is gone from this earth, that I will never talk to him again, they respond by reminding me that I can talk to him any time, he’s a spirit now, free from the pain of this world and moved on to the next. I can speak out loud and he will hear me, I can pray and hope that the message gets through.

As a Christian, I understand where this is coming from. It doesn’t matter, though. It isn’t the same. My real, flesh and blood Dad, that big, gruff, goof of a man, with his deep voice, and hearty laughter...is gone. It will never be the same.

I feel it is important to tell this story. To write this and hopefully pass the message on to others.

Over the last several months, I had the opportunity to talk to my Dad one-on-one. Actually, it was more to listen to him. It has been tremendously sad for me to see him withering into a weaker and more frail person all this time. It happened so fast - cancer is a horrible nightmare that I truly pray we find a cure for, so that no one else, ever, has to go through it like he did. Something I am grateful for in all this, though, was the time I did spend with him.

Dad told me countless stories, talked of things that he remembered that he had never spoken of to me before. I think maybe it was this realization that he was dying that spurred him into such conversation. That is a normal reaction, and good thing to do. I learned so much, and cherish the memory of those short times I had with him. If I think back on the last few years, I curse myself for not spending a LOT more time with him. But that is hindsight, isn’t it - “IF I had only known...” doesn’t qualify anyone for a second chance.

Here is something my Dad told me, something I want to share. There were many stories he told me on a number of different visits (I wish I had made time for more!) however there was one day in particular that stands out more than the others. My poor Dad, in pain, tired, coughing every few minutes, his voice hoarse and raspy, stayed awake and spoke to me for almost two hours straight! Seriously, I could barely get in a couple of words!

It started with me talking for about 10 minutes, and telling jokes to make him laugh. My thought process was that if this was his last time on this ball of mud, we should at least make it a happy time before he leaves. I guess it worked - his laughter and smiles seemed to give him energy. He perked up. He spoke...and kept on speaking.

I won’t tell you, dear reader, everything he said, as the purpose of this commentary is focused on one part of his message to me that day. As fate would have it, it is a message I heard repeated in several other talks and discussions and books I heard or read over the next few weeks before my Dad’s passing, and it is also the first message that popped into my mind when I looked upon his face for the last time.

I feel it important to share it with you. My Dad felt it so very important to share with me, and he said it as a life lesson, a warning, and urged me to take him seriously. Silently, days after as I was thinking on what he said, the message itself seemed to be pleading with me to make it known to the world.

It’s quite simple, and I have two separate phrases that sum it up. They each try to tell the same thing, but from a different perspective.

1) Live every day to its fullest.

2) Don’t die with the music still in you.

Let me briefly delve into a little more detail on each point.

First, “Live every day to its fullest” is more than what you see on the surface. This is something we have all heard, probably hundreds of times in our lives, and more than likely the grand majority of us do not understand it, follow it, or even truthfully know what this means. I am not a scholar on the topic, but I do have some new insight to it. My Dad urged me “Don’t hold onto hurtful things, Andreas. Life is too short to be mad or angry all the time. Let go of all that garbage, and enjoy every day! You don’t know how many you have left. Love your kids and be with them as much as possible. Be involved!”

It is so true. When he told me this, I understood it logically...but I didn’t feel it, I didn’t understand it with my heart. It was just something that made sense, a rule of thumb to tuck away and think about another day. Truly, tomorrow never comes, I see that now.

Second, “Don’t die with the music still in you”. This hurts, so much. It hurts to write this, but it was a clear message I had been given. You see, close to the end of this conversation we shared, my Dad looked at me with sudden anger, frustration, and sorrow, holding up the feeding tube, looking at the hospital style bed he was in, and shrugging in futility before saying his next words to me.

“Look at this. What can I do? Damn it, I want to live! I have many things I still want to do! I want to paint! I need to get better so that I can properly say ‘Thank You’ to Barb for watching over me, and caring for me...I have places I want to visit again, and things I want to accomplish. But what can I do?”

My Dad was 76 years old this year. But don’t let that fool you - he still had fire in his heart, passion in his soul. He didn’t want to die, because there was still music inside him that he wanted to let out for his family to hear. He still felt young inside! He was a great painter - I have several paintings of his on my walls, and they are fabulous! Its hard to look at them now without getting tears in my eyes. And yet with all the paintings he had done, my Dad wanted to do more. He wasn’t finished yet!

You ever watched a movie, where one of the characters has lost a loved one and says something along the lines of “I wish I had more time...I never had the chance to say goodbye...”? The truth is, it never matters how much time you have...it is never going to be enough. I want so badly for my Dad to be alive, to be here just that one more time, to hold his hand, to hear his voice talking or singing, or laughing. But he is gone, and so memories will have to do.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the heart of the message my Dad was trying to tell me, and I received it too late to truly understand and share with him. And that is why I want to write it here and post it online for the world to read. Even if only one person reads this, but it gives them a chance at a better life, a better relationship, a better understanding of how precious life is and how precious little time we have in it, than it will be worth it.

Live each day of your life like you are doing it on purpose. Each decision, each task, own the choices you make, even if they are mistakes! Make sure that the decisions you make on how to spend your time are exactly that: your decision. Whether it is playing a video game, watching a movie, writing a novel, spending time with family or friends, working, composing a symphony...whatever it is, do it on purpose, and be happy with your choice.

You have dreams in you. We all do. DON’T WAIT! Start, and get the ball rolling now. Beginning something is 50% of the work! Once you’ve started and build up momentum, the rest seems to somehow carry the dream forward on its own. Go after them! It doesn’t matter how simple or complex your dreams are, just move towards them! No one on their deathbed - trust me, no one - will ever say “I wish I had done less with my life, I wish I had less time”. Time is the most precious commodity you have - be very careful what you are trading it for.

Pursue your dreams. You know something that I really wish my Dad could have told me that day? It would have given me a lot more peace of mind, a great deal of comfort, if he had instead told me “Son, I have a lived a full life, and I have accomplished most of my dreams. The dreams I didn’t finish, I pass on to you and others to complete for me. I don’t want to die, but I am ready to, because I know my life was full of everything I ever dreamed of!”

I want that for me. And for you. And everyone. I want it so that everyone, when it is their turn to pass on to Heaven, the Afterlife, the Great Beyond, or whatever their particular belief calls it, they can do so with a smile, and a peaceful heart.

Please don’t misunderstand. I believe my Dad is at peace now. I just wish that he had found that peace before he left this world.

Chase your dreams, be truthful in your pursuit of happiness, and attain them!

God bless.

Written by Andreas Zimmermann

- In fond memory of Klaus Zimmermann, 1937 - 2013, Calgary, AB, Canada

Daily Habits To Increase Mind Power

I saw this post in my Google+ feed today, and had to share it!

There are so many sayings out there describing how mankind has no idea how much potential there truly is within our brains, our bodies, and our souls. I agree.

"If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would truly astonish ourselves." - Thomas Edison

This list is a small habit we can all do on a daily basis to tap into the unlimited power inside your soul. Thanks to +Facts 'n' Myths for posting this list!

Enjoy - I hope you get something enlightening from you new Daily Habits.

Andreas Z.


DAILY HABITS THAT WILL INCREASE YOUR MIND POWER

1. Go for a walk with a friend.

That means walking with a friend so that you talk as you walk. Social connection, physical exercise and mental stimulation are the brain strengtheners.

2. Solve Puzzles, Play Games

Playing a game of Sudoku or attempting to solve a difficult crossword sets your brain cells in action. Doctors often advise people who report focus problems to play a video game for few minutes everyday to boost brain’s ability to focus on one thing at a time.

3. Meditate

Meditation is easier said than done. But if you could include it in your everyday routine and practice it diligently, it would go a long way in giving you a better memory help to make a better brain.

4. Eat healthy

Our diets have a HUGE impact on brain functioning. Our brains consume over 20% of all nutrients & oxygen that we consume so remember to feed your brain with the good and healthy Stuff.

5. Think positive

Stress and anxiety kills existing brain neurons and also stop new neurons from being created. Research has shown that positive thinking, especially in the future tense, speeds up the creation of cells and dramatically reduces stress & anxiety. Try and get a handle on negative thoughts and makes an effort to leave them and change it to positive ones.

6. Laugh It Up

Laughter causes a natural release of the brain’s endorphin's chemicals that drown out pain and increase overall well being. Laughter is a well known, natural stress reducer. Watch a comedy, crack a joke, and increase those endorphin levels.

7. Listen To Music

Studies have proven that listening to music strengthens the right-hemisphere of the brain and literally changes the structure. Those same studies have found that people who listen to the music are generally much smarter and have more emotional intelligence than those who don’t.

8. Do Self-Hypnosis

The power of hypnotic suggestion is definitely real. You can change aspects of your thought process and learn to shift your focus by taking the time to do some self-hypnosis. Hypnosis research shows that by practicing hypnosis, an individual experiences lowered stress, increased pain tolerance, and clear thinking.

9. Set Goals

Setting goals activates areas of the brain associated with positive thinking and action. Setting goals is great for achieving success and prosperity in life and boosting your brain.

10. Follow a Sleep and Wake up Routine

One day you are night owl and other day, you wake up at 5. This randomness of your sleep pattern is neither good for your body nor for your brain. Better Sleep makes your mind healthy . Sleep sound, wake up fresh and try to stick to a routine.

The Courage Medal

I borrowed this from my mentor, Brian Herosian. He has a fantastic point here, and I absolutely had to share it. You can read more of him and his tips on Health and Wellness at his own Blog page here: http://profitnesstraining.blogspot.ca/

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As the Summer Olympics concluded in an amazing closing ceremony in London on Sunday evening, it was obvious that this was a very well-organized and a highly-successful Olympiad.

Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals were awarded to outstanding athletes from around the world. I think there should have been a fourth medal category - The Courage Medal.

If I were voting, here would be three athletes to whom I would have awarded The Courage Medal:

U.S. sprinter Manteo Mitchell was the leadoff man in the first round of the 4x400 relay. People wondered why he seemed to slow down. As he ran the first 200 meters, his left leg didn't feel quite right. Then he heard a snap and felt severe pain. He did not stop running. He was part of a team and he didn't want to let his teammates down. X-Rays later proved that he ran the second 200 meters on a broken fibula. A broken leg didn't keep him from running his portion of the relay.

I would also have given The Courage Medal to Oscar Pistorius of South Africa. When he was a child, both of his legs were amputated below his knees. That didn't stop him. Now he's known as the "Blade Runner" and "the fastest man on no legs". He runs with the aid of Cheetah Flex-Foot carbon fibre artificial limbs by a company called Ossur. He is the world record holder, racing other amputees, in the 100, 200 and 400 meter events. It was amazing to watch Pistorius run in the London Olympics.

If you watched the closing ceremonies of the Olympics on Sunday evening, you might have seen Bryshon Nellum carrying the American flag as the U.S. team came into the stadium. It was four years ago that this U.S. sprinter was shot three times in his leg. The 23-year-old was a sophomore at USC in 2008 when gang members pelted him with a shotgun. Through several surgeries, he was determined to run again. At times, during his recovery, it was so painful for him on the track that he would sometimes crumble in agony. His appearance at the London Olympics was an amazing testimony of Bryshon's courage.

So, there you have it. My nominations for The Courage Medal at the London Olympics.
Surely you and I could do something this week that would show a special measure of courage.

You are special. You are unique. You are destined for greatness! Have a powerful day!

A Courage Affirmation
I have the courage to do amazing things.

Deeper Thoughts

"A ship in the harbour is safe...but that is not what ships are built for."
- John A Shedd

"An eagle in the nest is safe...but that is not what eagles were born for."
- Andreas Zimmermann

"A human being home watching TV is safe...but that is not what Humans were meant for."
- Andreas Zimmermann

Thinking to keep you Healthy

Things that impact your body are:

1. The outside environment
2. What you take inside your body
3. Exercise (or lack thereof)
4. The thoughts you have

These all impact your body in a positive (healthy) way or negative (unhealthy) way, depending on what the stimulus is.

The first two are obvious: live in a toxic area, and eat garbage foods all the time, it effects your body in a negative way. We can eliminate these to some degree by keeping a clean place to live in, and taking good foods and supplements. Getting Water Filters and Air Filters for your home can help take care of #1, while #2 can be looked after by using great Multivitamin/Mulitmineral Supplements.

People may want to argue that eating well, with the right foods, right amounts each day, or even organic foods, is all you need to keep healthy. I am not going to debate that here, but I will say that if you believe 3 square meals a day of organic foods is enough for you, you have not done enough research into how the body works, and what the term "organic" really means to a supermarket.

Exercise should be obvious to everyone: workout a muscle, it gets stronger, ignore a muscle, it gets weaker. 'Nuff said.

Now, what about #4? How do thoughts keep you healthy?

There are so many books on this subject, I hardly know where to start. I'll try to sum it up this way: thoughts are things.

Yep, they are real, tangible things. Too many people (myself included for a number of years) don't care what their thoughts are, because they're just thoughts right? But believe me - think that you are an overweight, unhealthy person just waiting for disease to overtake you, worrying that your family history of some ailment or another is eventually going to get you, and amazingly - it will happen.

On the other hand, think that you are healthy, strong, capable and full of energy and life, and that will happen too.

There are an incredible number of examples of this in every day living, all around us. Do some research into what many call miracles, but to the successful person who is the centre of the story they simply call "thinking right".

Warning: Thinking the positive is harder, more challenging and a constantly difficult road, because the negative is easier to believe, and requires no effort at all. Your mind is like a garden - if you don't tend it, weeds grow automatically and choke the life out of your garden. It takes constant care, discipline and effort to keep that garden clear of weeds and pests, so that the good plants can grow fully, eventually becoming what they are meant to be.

I highly recommend everyone reads more about how your thoughts affect you and your life. I suggest these books to start with:

• Hung by the Tongue, by Francis P Martin
• The Magic of Thinking Big, by David J Schwartz
• Get Off Your Attitude, by Ryan C Lowe
• Book of James, chapter 3

11 Months Old

Consider this:

Scientists have discovered that the human body regenerates itself on a continual basis, so that after approximately 11 months, all the cells in the body have been replaced. Some cells are replaced more rapidly than others, but the point is this: at most your body is only 11 months old!

That's right! People may argue it, but the scientific fact is that your body is only 11 months old, at the oldest! The cells that are regenerating right now in your body are brand new, fresh cells. The old ones are discarded as waste, the new ones continually make up the new you!

I know this is a very high level approach to viewing the human body, but the science is sound.

So the next time someone asks how old you are, you can reply "At most, 11 months!"

Isn't eternal youth grand? =-)


For more on this topic, look here.

Being yourself...is that enough?

It is certainly true that at best you can only ever be a 2nd rate someone else; only you can be the #1 You! No one else can claim that position, just you.

That is encouraging, and yet I caught myself thinking today....is that enough? Is that really the whole story?

"Know Thyself, And To Thine Own Self Be True." Absolutely, definitely, this is truth. You have to know who you are at your core, and be true to yourself as already stated above.

I'd like to submit that being yourself is only 50% of the equation.

The challenge I have when thinking of this, is that it basically leaves a person in a stalemate. Being yourself means you first find out who you are, and then be it. That doesn't offer any direction though, does it? It just means you've discovered things about yourself, and you have accepted them. Don't get me wrong, that is a fantastic place to get to - I just think there is a whole new part of the journey that opens up at this point!

Once you know who you are, you also need to start figuring out the truth to the next question: "Who do I want to become?"

The way everything works in life is either growth or decay, life or death. Nothing in our entire world just sits in neutral. A standing pool of water if left alone will slowly begin to become overgrown, or brackish, and eventually turn into a muck pond, swamp or other pool of water that is unsuitable for drinking.

On the other hand, fast flowing water doesn't have time to grow moss - it's in constant movement. This is one of the reasons why commercials for drinking water always show a flowing stream of crystal-clear water...water in motion is clean, usable.

Who you are, the real you and where you are going, is the same way. If you make the effort of self-discovery, then you need to take the next leg in the adventure...look down the road 2, 3 or 5 years, and ask yourself:

What picture of 'me' do I want to see?
Is there anything about me that I would like to clean up, improve or strengthen in the future?
What images of myself did I have when I was growing up that I haven't accomplished yet, or have accomplished but could be better?
Am I standing still (stagnating), or am I progressing forward to something new?
How can I change course to get back on track for things I have always wanted myself to become?
Which friend or friends can I include on this course of self-aware improvement, that can help uplift me, be honest with me, and keep me on track?
What opportunities are available for me right now to help with this process?

Many other aspects of your life can fall into place while pursuing your goal of You. For example, you may see yourself now as not being energetic enough, and you are sad that you tend to decline offers to go out because you are always tired. You've made this discovery of yourself and want to do something about it, so you make a plan to start going jogging three times a week. The first week is hard, the second week a little easier, and by the third week you've added an extra day in because you are enjoying the extra energy you are feeling throughout the day. You start eating healthier, because your body is demanding more of the right foods to fuel the running you are doing.

A Thursday night comes by, and some co-workers ask if you want to go out with them for some appetizers after work. You say yes, head out, and while enjoying their company you suddenly realize that you would never had said yes to an invitation like this a month ago! You would have been too tired!

The choice to do something about yourself, (I'm not happy with my lack of energy, so I am going to change it) has given you advantages you didn't see before! You concentrate better at tasks, have more energy at work so you are accomplishing more during the day, you're more capable in your social life because you aren't tired after work any more, and your self-esteem is going up as a result!

If you don't know who you are - and I mean the real honest personality inside - take the time of self-discovery to learn about yourself. When you do, take the next step, which is really the most exciting, and find out just what is really possible with that great amazing person, called You!