Author: Rick Byers

 
Before I begin this week’s article, I wanted to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my fellow bloggers. I have learned a lot about maintaining a proper diet, doing regular exercises, taking on new challenges and, perhaps of greatest importance, to have no more excuses.

 
As my fellow bloggers continue to write about the above subjects so well, I have concentrated my last two blogs on the maintaining of good mental health or how: “a happy being is a healthy being.” or “a happy bean is a healthy bean.”

Have you ever been knee deep in concern about something when you have been blindsided by something else so hilarious that you are instantly transformed from being a piece of the Newfoundland iceberg that sunk the Titantic to the breathtaking Shannon waterfalls that you find outside of the beautiful mountain community of Squamish?

At first blush, you might feel guilty for breaking faith with the gods of worry. But perhaps there is a higher power attempting to keep life in perspective for you. These people are not gods though. They are our relatives, friends and even strangers from the other side of the world. No sales pitches. No contracts to sign. Simply humans wanting to share a smile with other humans. You have to like the idea.

 And this instant stress reliever is as close as your email mailbox.

By this time, my son has supercharged his Toshiba lap top for another season and is officially launched into his 4^th year of Business at SFU. From his previous 3 years, he knows that it is best to assume that the pressure to pass, let alone to do well, will be relentless and never ending until he is otherwise advised. Make no assumptions and take no prisoners.

An ideal candidate for the sending of instant stress relief!

 Of course the degree of success of the intervention depends on several factors:

1. Mood of the receiver at the time. On the verge of panic and absolute mental meltdown usually enhances the ‘surprise’ effect of the communication resulting in an 8 to 10 reaction level to a joke normally rated at a 5 to 6.
2. Low blood sugar level and degree of light-headiness could invoke an 8 to 10 reaction to the same joke.
3. The more outrageous the content, the better.  Example: Emails predicting the Toronto Argonauts to win this year’s Grey Cup.

 This crisis intervention is accessible all the time and costs the same as monthly internet fees.

Can we say that about psychotherapy?

 Next week: Chicken Catching: The Original Shoulder Muscle Building Exercise.

 Have a week of good health.

Rick

Every year I experience the same phenomenon. I remember distinctly the opening day of the PNE. Then, before I realize it, I am into late September. The soft, warm breezes of summer still linger but they are now short lived with ever decreasing daylight hours and colder, longer nights.

And I know what that means – rainy days are not far behind.

When I first moved to Vancouver over 30 years ago, I observed, what I first thought, was an odd habit of the locals. When it rained, everyone went about their business as if there was not a cloud in the sky. Not too soon afterwards, I learned why. It can rain for 4 to 5 days straight or more. You can’t stop living for that long. People had to adapt and they did. Very impressive!  I observed that no one allowed a  little monsoon to disrupt even their daily walk .

Count me in!

I was then reminded that Hollywood had already recognized this fact in one of its memorable productions: “Singing in the Rain”. Who could forget that famous scene of a young Gene Kelly, in Naval fatigues, dancing and singing in the pouring rain as if he had just won the LOTTO 6 49

I guess life is and can be how you look at it.

For many years now, the morning shower for countless people has doubled as a concert venue. We can honestly say that we are playing all week. The routine has served as a great boost to our morale and inspiring start to our day. Given how we have sung every day for many years, perhaps the transition to going public does not require as significant a leap in confidence as we may think.

Just imagine if we were to extend our venue beyond our bathroom doors; breaking into “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” (B.J. Thomas) during our walks to bus stops, offices and schools on dark, miserable downpour-filled mornings intent on breaking our normally optimistic Canadian spirits.

Think of how much more exciting our rain-soaked Christmas season could be!

Do I see a new art form in the making?

If we are not sure, we can try a few tunes first in front of our families. If we empty the room in less than 10 seconds, then we know that we should practice for a few more years before trying again.

If ever.

Next week:  You Have Got to be Kidding

Have a week of good health.

Rick

Being of Scottish ancestry, I have experienced the social assumption that I must be a golfer of some repute. But truthfully, my initials RB actually stand for ‘RidiculouslyBad’ and best describes my level of play. However, this fact does not discourage me from playing when the opportunity presents. It is a commonly known fact amongst golfers that, unless you are on the professional tour, we all share the same capability of ‘duffing’ the odd shot.  This truth is like a secret handshake: We all know it exists but we never talk about it out of respect for each other. It goes without saying that laughing is a major NO NO.

For example, have you ever been at the driving range and had to take the last available stall next to a professional handicapper who is using a driver that costs as much as your car? Then, to your amazement, he trickles his tee shot a mere 10 feet in front of your nose, muttering a few inappropriate words under his breath and blaming his parents for not paying for lessons when he was three years old.

Remember how you felt when you saw that?   Did you laugh?

For me, I wondered if there could be a more positive approach to golf.  If I was to treat golf as a valuable mode of exercise first, then regardless of how I did, I will likely finish my eighteen holes without wanting to throw myself and my clubs into the nearest water hazard or blame my parents sitting at home watching Tiger Woods win yet another tournament, shaking their heads for not having bought me lessons when I was three years old.

Think about it.  If you scored 200 on the front nine, you will have accomplished a major workout. Because you would have had to hike 10 miles through some of the most treacherous terrain on the planet to achieve such a score, you can likely pass on the back nine and can go straight to the nineteenth hole.  

How great is that?

 On my recent foray to Whistler a few weeks ago, my dear and patient friend booked us for a round at the Chateau Whistler Golf Course. I had not been on a major golf course in six years and not even a driving range for the past two. A year ago, I had received a set of left clubs as a gift and had not even taken them out the bag. At my friend’s advice, I spent a few days before at the driving range. My son accompanied me to give me some feedback and bolster my confidence.

Still, by game day, I had been awake since 4:30 am, stewing over the fact that I must be crazy to think I am going to keep up.

 On the first tee, I watched my opening shot trickle for 10 feet in front of me. Collecting myself in the golf cart on our way up the first fairway, I turned to my friend and said that I was not going to keep score per se, just have fun. He was most supportive.

From that moment on, I had a great time. I even made a few long puts and am now encouraged to play more often.

I can see the day when I will keep score.  Maybe.

Next week: Walking and Singing in the Rain

Have a week of good health.

 Rick

 
I remember when my vacation resembled more of a re-enactment of a day in the life of a rotisserie chicken; spending the entire day horizontal on some exotic beach, smelling like a coconut and slowly turning into a first place finish in the BC Hot House Tomato look alike contest. 

 

To this day, I wonder whether it was worth all those hours of melting under a blazing sun, followed by evenings spent in an Olympic-size pool of moisturizing cream, just so I can return to the office on Monday and have someone remark:

 

“Oh I see you went somewhere on vacation!”

 

Nowadays, I look forward to a vacation for the reward of mental and physical rest through exploring. Walking is the best way to get to know a city wherever you travel. Wear comfortable shoes, grab a map and bus schedule at a local convenience store and off you go. Rather than observe the world from a window, experience it as if you lived there. Whether you travel to Whistler, Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, the Interior, the same approach can apply.

 

For me, one interesting discovery leads to another and then to another. Before I know it, I have walked a few miles and a much greater distance that my usual daily routine. The additional calorie burning factor is also important as I might indulge in a treat or two (another reward of vacation) during my travels.

 

Recently, I spent a week in Whistler. I humbly admit I am not a mountain biker, hand glider, hiker or runner. But I walked to everywhere I wanted to go to. If I forgot something at the store, I would either pass or walk back to get it. No driving under any conditions. I averaged 3 to 4 miles a day and felt great. Mentally and physically rested.

 

If you are limited by time and finances, you can walk the boardwalk at White Rock, the beaches at Spanish Banks, the perimeter of Stanley Park, Ambleside Park, Lighthouse Park, Crescent Beach Park, Boundary Bay and lots more locations – all free.

 

When you are walking in such beauty, an hour passes by like a few minutes.

 

And you won’t have to spend your evenings in an Olympic-size pool of moisturizing cream.

 

Next week: Golfing for Fun: Seriously!

 
Have a week of good health,
 
Rick