July 2022

YOUR HEALTH

We are in the thick of summer. Many places are experiencing higher than normal temps with humidity. I have a great weapon for you: pickle juice! Yes, you read that right. You can even buy small bottles of it online, or you can fill your own bottles up from your jar of those pickled cucumbers.

Pickle juice is marketed to help prevent muscle cramps, but it does more than that. It is high in electrolytes, specifically sodium and potassium, both of which we lose when we sweat. Pickle juice is also high in enzymes that help our gut health, and that will boost your immune system.

I started carrying pickle juice with me on the tennis courts a couple years ago, and it is great stuff. I drink it after the first set, and it gives me a boost of refreshing energy. I drank it when I had COVID, and it reduced my fever-induced cramps dramatically. I happen to love pickles, so I am good with the taste. I suppose if you hate pickles, you won’t like the drink. But if you can tolerate it, it offers great relief and support during the hot months. Let’s get pickled!

YOUR LIFE

Like a lot of people, we saw the new Maverick movie starring Tom Cruise. I didn’t like the original, but this one was entertaining. If you haven’t seen it, you should enjoy it. It has a deeper plot, more mature acting and incredible cinematography. In both movies, you will hear the song, You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling, and it got me thinking.

I’ve often said that if you really want to change your weight, quit saying you are “losing weight.” In our mind, when we lose something, we want to find it. The brain makes it a mission! Instead, say “I am releasing my weight,” never to return again! When it comes to love, I guess if we lose that loving feeling, we can find it again with a little help from our brains…and hearts.

I believe this is true in marriage, and we can easily neglect the very people who matter most to us. We stop doing those thoughtful and caring acts that show our love. It is especially true with our faith. God never goes anywhere, but we may stray from time to time. Should you start to feel down, lost and unloved, chances are you drifted away from God. Thankfully, He awaits your return! When you seek Him, you will find Him.

Any relationship requires us to be engaged and give of ourselves, and God is no different. Out of all our relationships, He deserves our very best! When things are right with Him, all other relationships go better. So, if you’ve lost that loving feeling, spend time with God!

YOUR CAREER

I recently attended an event where Amanda K spoke about the importance of communication to build relationships. I’ve been preaching this message for over 25 years and even wrote a book about it called Leveraging Your Communication Style. She shared some great reminders and tips for improving all communication Here are some effective tools that incorporate my methods as well:

• Never underestimate the power of the pause. We will never regret holding our tongue and choosing the relationship over getting the last word in.
• Ask questions to seek understanding. We all know what assuming does! Don’t guess…ask!
• Instead of telling people what to do, offer “How might we…” and seek input. Everyone performs better when they participate in the process.
• When you need help, a great way to ask would be “Would you be willing to…” There is no confusion when we are clear.
• Sharing emotions can be a dangerous place, even in the workplace. Take a deep breath and say, “A part of me is…” and state a feeling. This softens the blow because it isn’t all of you that is upset but a part. This allows for a true exchange that can be productive instead of destructive.
• If you know a person is clearly upset, ask “What do you need most from me right now?” This closes the door to just a ridiculous, unproductive rant and focuses on a solution to actually make things better.
• If you feel attacked, rather than biting back, ask “What’s the thought behind…?” This goes back to point #2 and seeking to understand rather than being right or offended.

MONTHLY FEATURE

With pent-up travel interest, many people are out traveling. Airlines and hotels are reporting record-breaking numbers. I hope you get to enjoy your summer, but it isn’t an excuse not to stay healthy. My booklet, A Traveler’s Guide to Staying FIT, gives you the map for how you can easily and quickly stay on track even while you travel (pleasure or work). Get your copy today!