Your breath is the easiest way to communicate with your subconscious. Normally, your subconscious controls your breathing; you don’t have to consciously think about it. But any time you want, you can consciously take control, holding your breath, breathing faster or slower, deeper or shallower. Breathing deeper and slower brings you to a calmer place, with your heart rate and blood pressure decreasing. It turns out that the exhalation is most important to bringing you to that calm place. … [Read more...] about Using Your Breath to Feel the Way You Want
Are You Healthy Enough?
We’ve all seen those commercials with the disclaimer telling you to check with your doctor to make sure your heart is healthy enough for physical activity. My advice this month is to check with your tax preparer to make sure your tax planning is healthy enough for any life moves you might make. Most life moves will have a tax impact – some good, some detrimental. This is why you should stay in contact with your tax and financial professionals throughout the year. Think of it as similar to going … [Read more...] about Are You Healthy Enough?
Understanding the Power of Laws that Regulate Cities
Hello Flagstaff! As I write this, we’re getting close to the end of the state legislature session. The big story right now is education funding (which I support 100 percent; my mom was a school teacher and I taught GED/ABE/ESOL through the FUSD for five years), but I want to take a moment to talk about something that I think doesn’t get enough attention and has serious repercussions at the local level. The issue is preemption. In my years of public service, I have noticed a dramatic … [Read more...] about Understanding the Power of Laws that Regulate Cities
Spending Grows an Economy
What grows an economy? Consumer spending. That’s why consumer spending is 70 percent of the Gross Domestic Product – the indicator for national economic growth. When there is plenty of spending, the economy grows, providing more people with more money to spend on the efforts of more people. This is how the economy, in reality, trickles up. A recent paper from the Economic Policy Institute, “Inequality is Slowing US Economic Growth,” explains what many economists are describing as an age of … [Read more...] about Spending Grows an Economy
Heal the Heel: Options for Treating Plantar Fasciitis
Nearly eight out of 10 Americans have experienced significant foot pain at some point; one out of five report suffering from foot pain daily; half of all adults say foot pain has restricted their activities such as walking, exercising or even just standing; and those who suffer from chronic foot pain are significantly more likely to have pain in other parts of their body, i.e. back, knee, joint and nerve pain. The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. Usually this is an easy … [Read more...] about Heal the Heel: Options for Treating Plantar Fasciitis
Army Veteran Sharing His Love of Doughnuts with Flagstaff
Some things in life are irresistible. Take the doughnut, for example. A visit to Fractured Prune Doughnuts on East Piccadilly Road in Flagstaff’s Aspen Place will confirm this friendly addiction. Inside the kitchen area, colorful rows of toppings and glazes are at the ready to adorn hot, fresh cake doughnuts. Tempting and quirky combinations of glazes and toppings have catchy names, such as French Toast (maple glaze plus cinnamon sugar), Margarita (key lime glaze plus sea salt), … [Read more...] about Army Veteran Sharing His Love of Doughnuts with Flagstaff
Examining the Big Trend in Small Homes
Some believe bigger is better. You must have more: a bigger house, newer car, more stuff. Can’t afford it? Just put it on your credit card. This has become a societal mantra. However, there seems to be a shift in the wind. Millennials are entering the workforce with high levels of student debt, forced to share homes with roommates or even live at home. Older people are finding their retirement won’t sustain their home whether owned or rented. Young families are wanting to own but finding it … [Read more...] about Examining the Big Trend in Small Homes
Learning about Leadership from Stoics and Animals
Craig Van Slyke, Ph.D., has high standards. He strives for excellence in leadership and life. And wants to help others get there, too. “You can’t be a truly excellent, ethical leader without being an excellent, ethical person,” he says. “Work on making yourself an excellent person first.” His new book, “On Leadership and Life,” is an easy read – short chapters with memorable relatable stories – and covers potentially challenging concepts like the power of persuasion, conflict management and … [Read more...] about Learning about Leadership from Stoics and Animals
Social Media Experts Promote Video Marketing
One, one thousand… two, one thousand… three, one thousand: Time’s up. If you have not bonded with your audience in the first three seconds of social media viewing, you regrettably may have surrendered your immediate advantage to sway consumers’ hearts and minds. Local marketing experts recommend integrating video as your best play for attaining optimal impact on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and other web platforms. “Video is the easiest and most consumable type of content on … [Read more...] about Social Media Experts Promote Video Marketing
Creating the Environment to Deliver Healthcare Excellence
Florence Spyrow’s career has taken her from intensive care to extensive management. As the new interim president and CEO of Northern Arizona Healthcare, Spyrow is the first woman to head up NAH, one of Northern Arizona’s anchor organizations and top employers. NAH is the administrative and governing arm of health care facilities: Flagstaff Medical Center, Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare and Verde Valley Medical Center. Spyrow’s background in executive management and her … [Read more...] about Creating the Environment to Deliver Healthcare Excellence