I was thinking about a friend of mine from high school as I was sorting through my pictures. I wanted to find interesting photos that might show that you can actually enjoy exercise.

JoAnn and I reconnected after many years. She was living in Florida and I was in Arizona. She exercises regularly like me but her sport is biking. I love to hike and walk.

We decided to spend some time at our cabin in Flagstaff. It was much cooler there at the higher altitude than it was in Phoenix. And we wanted to spend time outdoors.

When I pulled out Greg and my electric bikes, JoAnn laughed. We had regular bikes but there are times when I was tired of being left in the dust so...once in a while I used the motor. Here's JoAnn pumping up those tires. I'm no dummy...compete with a world class biker? No way!

However, we did get to go hiking too. And I'm much more comfortable with that. We even went to the awesome Grand Canyon and hiked halfway down. The views are so spectacular. It's something everyone must experience for themselves.

There's something so cool about reconnecting with an old friend who knows exactly where you've come from. We both shared our childhood years growing up in Lindenhurst, NY (Long Island). And at the same time, we were able to get exercise and feel good about the huge meal we'd be eating that evening. Maybe?

Here are a few of our pictures:

This one was overlooking Oak Creek Canyon just north of Sedona.

Now tell me that this view of the Grand Canyon isn't spectacular?

What are some fun activities that you enjoy doing with friends and at the same time give you exercise?

• Financial crisis
• Depressed home values
• Uncertain retirement savings
• Presidential election
• Wall Street "rescue"
• Accidents
• Breast cancer
• Heart disease
• Child abuse
• Collapse of the family

These are very real issues and I'm not suggesting we live with our heads in the sand and have a Pollyanna attitude. But if we choose to focus only on the uncertainty and seeming impossibilities, we often miss out on the lessons we may need to learn. We can become depressed and miss out on the opportunities we are given each day to grow.

• to offer words of encouragement
• a needed hug
• a beautiful sunset
• a rainbow in the sky

I want to make the choice to look for the blessings and also to learn the lessons through the challenges in my life... and to choose to be thankful not only on Thurday, but everyday.

How about you?

Today is World Heart Day. It's a day to raise awareness about risk factors for heart disease and hypertension (high blood pressure). Both of these chronic conditions are largely preventable. The World Heart Federation has a mission to help "people achieve a longer and better life through prevention and control of heart disease and stroke, with a focus on low and middle income countries". I am a member of Iowa Avenue, a social network that promotes a healthy lifestyle.

I promote a lifestyle of proper exercise and healthy eating, but I believe there's even more to heart health. You can be disciplined on the outside and look great but inside harbor anger, bitterness and resentment. And over time, that can impact your heart health. If you have a hard time receiving love, you'll have a hard time loving others.

• Body: We need to be stewards of how we care for our bodies. Proper nutrition and adequate exercise are necessary to promote good heart health.


• Soul: This involves your mind, will and emotions. What you choose to focus on and fill your mind with impacts how you live out your life.


• Spirit: This involves our relationship to God. We were each born with a moral compass or conscience but we choose whether we listen or not.

Would you take a moment to consider where you stand? Are you neglecting one of these areas? What are you doing to take care of your heart health?