Lately, life seems to be playing out at a "fast forward" speed. When I stop to think about the last time that I have reported back to this page, I am amazed at how fast time flies by. Especially, when a person is so busy that stopping to smell the roses seems almost difficult. Realizing this is a great step toward living a healthier life. How? Below are some thoughts on this realization.
First, as the summer flew by, I have been over involved in a bunch of different activities. As a result, I managed to get sick as did others around me. Exposing yourself to a variety of people will inevitably result in exposing yourself to a wide variety of potential forms of a local or global form of a virus or cold. With that being said, there is little excuse for me not to be able to check into this blog to report on my health during the "good times" of which I have had many over the summer. I have been drawn completely to the world of "blogging" as a form of health.
Blogging To The World!
The process of blogging has been extremely therapeutic for me over the last few years. Although, over the last year, I have developed my own blog -- Mike Thinks -- which I have explored various articles in the popular news and scientific community. This presents a challenge to me to push myself toward learning more about a given subject along with translating that work into digestible pieces for the public at large to learn from. Have my blogs been helpful to the public at large? Yes, but mainly the audience for me is myself. Why? Because the process of starting a blog and writing about a given topic and then sending a piece of work off is difficult for me. Ending a piece and not spending endless time editing is difficult. Preciseness is important to most scientists. Although, the process of relaxing and just trying to show that mistakes are made and releasing your work into the universe has its equal merits.
The major point of that line of thinking is that preciseness is a moving target along a scale. Is communication and motivation important? Yes, then getting the work out there and reducing mistakes are important. But so is showing the "human side" of yourself. This might be construed as a random line of thinking but that is not the intention.
In addition to blogging for my personal blog on ideas presented in the news, I have been developing a series on the blog of the Kaiserwellnesscenter.blogpost.com. This has been the most challenging since I am untangling the science or myths surrounding the commonly sold anti-aging skin care products in a series called "Anti-Aging Skin Series.". I have enjoyed so far the exploration of the various chemicals in a given cosmetic skin care product. The series was motivated by the original article that I wrote titled "Can Science Really Reverse Anti-Aging Skin?" in which I wrote a lengthy piece on a couple of proposed "anti-aging" methods to reverse the aging of skin which were more of a myth rather than true science. Moreover, the methods proposed in some cases (fake skin) are actually quite dangerous. After writing that long blog, my wife suggested that I break down the blog into digestible pieces for the community.
As a result, the "Anti-Aging Skin Series" has resulted which is proposed to be at the current moment of 20 pieces. I have written 3 completed pieces so far which are short and on the structure and function of skin. The readers might be rather bored by the these introductory pieces, but I have had a wonderful time writing them and thinking about the true nature of skin care products given the dynamic nature of the system (organ) of the human skin. I am amazed at the dynamic nature of turning over skin over the course of a few weeks. Each part has a specific function and there is a complexity that serves a multipurpose functionality. From absorbing the shock of being struck by an object without our skin tearing or shearing to the temperature control aspect is absolutely mind blowing. Further, the addition of a skin care product can either enhance this dynamic system or work to degrade the operation of the system (adverse reactions). I look forward to exploring different anti-aging products in the near future in the series.
Bikecar101
In addition to exploring myself through blogging to the world, Kayla and I have been pushing forward the mission of our nonprofit organization -- Bikecar101. Over the summer, the opportunity arose to partner with a great organization called Los Angeles Rooted. The organization is focused on training Youth Leaders to pass on learned education that is centered around making the world a better place by respecting yourself along with your presence in the world. That was rather word intensive. Check out their website to see their mission for yourself. Anyways, we have aligned values with respect to living in a better world. Furthermore, respecting the world starts by respecting yourself. Therefore, balance and harmony within the world is critical toward success.
One of the many activities that the organization executed successfully was to take the youth group on a bicycle camping trip. I wrote a blog about that is accessible here. I had a wonderful time riding the train with the group of youth who were meticulously organized and ready to have an adventure with a bicycle and a train. We had the wonderful opportunity to spread the word of our work (mission) to the group. Hopefully, the education spurs the group to consider in the future an alternative way of transportation into their mindset rather than assuming the usual car-centric decision normally taken by Southern California residents. Needless to say, the partnership was great and we look forward to working with the group on the future.
Throughout the summer and early fall, there were open street events known as "CicLAvia" in which the streets are shut down and open for the public to explore the landscape car-free. We partnered with Walk Bike Glendale to participate in a "feeder ride" which consists of having a group ride to the event. Those videos are available on the Bikecar101 YouTube Channel. Check them out.
Conclusion
For now, I can end here. There is more to report but little time to do so. I will have to check in more frequently to this page. In the meantime, please feel free to visit either blog site and leave your thoughts in the comment section of either. I hope that each of you continue on your journey toward peace and mindfulness through exploration of your inner self. Remember, each of us deserves to be happy and live a less stressful lifestyle. What steps are you taking toward achieving this elevated lifestyle? Have a great day!