Happy October to you all! It’s a nice time of year, hear in NYC. The temps are cool but not cold and the leaves are changing in Central Park.

And now on to the musings and random thoughts…..

1. I have a cold. I do everything I can to be healthy. I rarely get sick or even have a cold. I let my sleep slip a bit last week. Wife was out of town and I had the duty. Got about 1.5 hours less sleep a night for three nights. I really think that was my downfall. My message to you—sleep is critical to remaining healthy. Get 7.5+ hours a night.  
2. Put your Blackberry/hand-held tech device down when you are around your kids or friends or spouse/partner. Be present for them.  
3. Good cold weather breakfast - Steel Cut Oatmeal with some raisins or cranberries. Good for you on many levels. Just keep the portions under control. 
   
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If you are like me, I am sure you are wondering where the summer went! 

A few random thoughts:

• I recently read a book that challenged readers to do one thing during the day—‘focus on the present’ for an entire day--Meaning, don’t think about the past or the future.  Try to live a day where you just focus on exactly what you are doing, at that time. Try it. It is VERY hard to do…but if you practice you will really see a change in how you do/view things. I have been working on it and find it really helps me focus on the people I am with, at that time (like my wife and kids). Pick it up if you get chance - The Saint, The Surfer and the CEO by Rob Sharma.
• Check out WithoutBorders.com. Very, very interesting. I know the guy, Fitzroy McLean.  
• I took three months off from the gym.  Did all my summer workouts outdoors, focusing mostly on cycling and calisthenics.  It was a nice break.  I went to the gym today for the first time.   It felt good to get back to some using weights and to change things up a bit.  
• Don’t be afraid to change things up.  

Today is September 11th - a difficult day for any American. On September 8th, 2001 I moved to NYC. I had just finished four years of military college, 12 years of service as a Marine Officer, and a stint with the CIA. On September 11th, I was packing a bag to go to the airport to fly to Chicago for my first fitness/trainer certification seminar. Imagine how it felt to watch all the tragedy unfolding just 30 blocks south of where I was.  

We all went through something during that period. I went through some serious soul-searching of my own. I remember breaking down, sobbing, on a spin bike as I watched the news on Sept 13th. I felt helpless. I had to really fight the urge to go back to my old life. I had fought in the first Gulf War and in Somalia. I did not want to “chase wars” for the rest of my life but following things from the comfort of my apartment was very hard. It made me feel weak and worthless. 

• I have tried and tried but I cannot get excited about baseball.  It just does not jive with my personality.  I can’t sit still for too long and baseball is a slow sport.  Will stop now before I incur the wrath of baseball fans worldwide.
• Football will be starting soon.  I do like to watch football but with two little kids and a busy executive wife, spending three hours plopped in front of a game/tv just isn’t in the cards.  Not that it bothers me.  The kids and family are MOST important to me, so I don’t feel at all bummed when I can’t watch a game.  (Plus there is always Tivo!)
• I am now a proud owner of a ‘Xootr’ Scooter.  My son is really into his new Razor scooter.  My daughter just got a little three-wheel scooter for her third birthday.  I wanted to be able to tag along so I tried out one of those adult scooters.  I have to say it is pretty sweet—comfy, super sturdy, and it makes me feel like a kid.  I have also found it is great exercise for the glutes, quads, calves, cardio system.