Author: Luis Velasquez

A Resolution That Will Stick

The new year is upon us, and if you're like many other people in this world, you have some changes in mind—"resolutions" you would like to tackle in 2014. Some of the most common New Year's resolutions include losing weight, eating healthier, exercising more, getting a new job, or leaving an old job. The list goes on and often includes goals we failed to achieve the year before. The idea of tackling our resolutions starts with good intentions, but all too often we come to realize that we might be missing a few key elements of success: strong commitment,...

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Leap of Faith

I recently sat down to watch the movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade". Remember that movie? Remember the scene when Indiana Jones passes beneath a sculpture of a Lion's head and stands, perspiring, on the precipice of a large void that plunges hundreds of feed into darkness? In order to save his father, who has been shot by the "bad guys", he has to cross the void and get the Holy Grail. There is just one problem: there is no visible way to cross. As Indiana is considering his options, he reads from his father's journal: "Only in the...

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On Being Thankful

With Thanksgiving just barely behind us, and leftover turkey still in the fridge, I got to thinking about what it means to be thankful. Looking at my life, I realize that I have many things I am thankful for, including my health, an amazing wife, and a baby on the way. I am living a somewhat austere lifestyle compared to other times in my life, but it works for me and I am happy I can do this. On Thanksgiving, we are all reminded to be thankful, but I wish we didn't have to wait all year to reflect...

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Help Somebody, Help Yourself

"One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy. One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself." It's the Second Splendid Truth in Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project, which she describes in detail in her book, The Happiness Project. When Gretchen arrives at the realization of her Second Splendid Truth, she sees the circle of help, and the circle of happiness. Help others, and others will help you. Make someone else happy, and you will be happy. Many of us have found ourselves in need of help....

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The Difference Between Losing and Learning

"You got to keep going; you made it to this point, and all you need to do is toughen up. The bad times will pass and you will finish." Those were the words of my friend, Janet, as I stopped after three 15.4 mile laps in the Javalina Jundred 100 mile race, which was being held outside Fountain Valley, Arizona. I had three and a half more laps to go to finish the race, but I was defeated. I was OK physically; it was my mind that had already made the decision to stop, and there was no turning...

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