I’ve always enjoyed Christmas playlists. This year Spotify is offering Premium service for $1 (now through 12/31). Just remember to cancel after that session. It allows you to store songs and playlists on your phone/tablet plus everything is ad-free.

Here’s my lists from the last three years. Interesting story behind 2014. Jeremy Cowart asked his followers what new Christmas music was out there and Micah took it and made a Spotify Playlist.

https://twitter.com/jeremycowart/status/540534034917752832

Thanks to @jeremycowart's followers I have a massive new list of Christmas music and I didn't even lift a finger. #lazy

— Micah McNair (@micahmcnair) December 4, 2014

I give you the Lazy Christmas Playlist.

And here’s my previous years’ music.

Christmas 2012 Playlist

Christmas 2012

Christmas 2013 Playlist

Christmas 2013

It was a long road and I’m still not sure I would change a thing. But it’s been many years coming that I’ve tried to get out of tree care, an industry I worked for over a decade. Today I’ve successfully made my way into the exercise world and I’m so grateful. I work for a really good organization. I work with great people. I’m working in my sweat spot. And I get to help and challenge people to pursue their health each day.

I’m very thankful for this transition. Not everyone loves their work. In fact I know most probably struggle with this area of life; I certainly have for many years. But today I can reflect and recognize that I am thankful to be doing work I love. I’m thankful for my particular journey. I really mean that, knowing “the journey” can often be a coop out and you’re actually hhanging on for dear life.

The older I get, the faster I get, dare I say the better I get the easier it is to cruise. Life is moving and I’ve got this. For me (and I’m guessing for you) that means it’s very difficult to slow down and be thankful. “I worked so hard. I’ve overcome so much. I deserve this. This feels right.”

But it’s not right. I may feel that way, but as I read those four sentences I know in my gut that the story doesn’t begin and end with me as the star, the hero, the champion. I don’t deserve this. How do I know? Because the way I figure it, about 98% of my social and economic status is based on the fact that I was born in middle class America. I know many stories that began in a different place on this planet. When I slow down and think about what I have and compare it to the basics of life that so many others lack, I realize I don’t deserve my comforts; I will be thankful that I have comforts, I will be thankful that I even woke up this morning. Here’s what I mean.

I’m watching a short series called Ed’s Story. Let me summarize. Ed has ALS, he has been given two years to live, but there’s a problem: that was over 14 years ago. One of Ed’s final conclusions is that he’s happy God woke him up today. Ed wasn’t supposed to keep waking up with ALS for this many mornings. But God hadn’t finished telling Ed’s story.

I really don’t deserve to wake up each morning. Sorry, but neither do you. I can say that to myself without sadness and to you without guilt because I believe we are breathing air today because God allowed us to breathe air today. Tomorrow? Well, He says not to worry about tomorrow. There’s enough stuff happening today. Ok, God. Well then thank you for waking me up today.

You can watch the inspiration for this blog post today and tomorrow right here!

I’ve absolutely loved Desk, the writing app by John Saddington, where I visited on my trip to Nashville in September.

http://vimeo.com/johns/desk

I’ve absolutely loved Desk, the writing app by John Saddington. It works great, looks fantastic, and motivates me to write as much as I can. I still think in shorter posts – thanks for that, Twitter. And interestingly, I feel it’s John’s previous app, Pressgram, that is also part of why I write shorter posts. What I’m trying to say is John has strengthened my writing muscles. He provides excellent tools and inspiration to write more and write better. 

We all have a story to tell. We all won’t become famous, it’s (obviously) not the point. But I think a lot of people consider “writing” for the professionals. There is so much value gained when you’re forced to write your thoughts and publish them to the world. It’s not about how many people read your stuff, but it’s about taking a stance, telling a story, helping others and yourself grow.

John shot the video in possible the coolest coffee shop in America, Barista Parlor, where I visited on my trip to Nashville in September.

Desk – Simple Desktop Publishing from John Saddington on Vimeo.

I’m that guy. That guy that parks the furthest from the front door. I probably won’t make me healthier. I don’t do it because I’m worried about someone dinging the side of my Ford Fusion. I do it so I can whisper to myself each day, “No one will out work me.”

I believe we talk to ourselves daily. Have you ever noticed? Are there themes in your internal dialogue? Early in the morning, if I’ve had my time in the Bible I hear patterns and certain sections come to mind at certain parts of the day or in certain situations. When I sit at my desk to do exercise programming, I have other thoughts I use to get the work done. And when I pull into the work parking lot, I take my usual parking spot as a reminder that I’m willing to work harder. I’m willing to take the tough route. Not that the extra 20 parking stalls jount will make a huge difference. But the message I want in my head is that I’ll do the work, the hard work, all the work all the time.

I’m sitting in Fiddleheads in Cedarburg. Katie and I are reading and drinking good coffee. My Pocket app is fill unloaded and I’m reading about exercise science and a little bit of tech stuff to prep for a work project for Katie. As I am reading, the table next to me, three middle-aged ladies, start talking about exercise, walking, and their desk jobs. They try to move more. But sometimes they just get into a very important document that requires an bunch of attention to detail. Sometimes they could go two to three hours without standing up. They start to stand up out of their chairs, demonstratimg the pain they feel when they get up. I felt vey bad for them, I want to help. I need to learn.

Worksite wellness has been an interest of mine for years. What I know is that work places are often very unhealthy. It’s not intentional, it’s probably not even noticeable to employers or employees alike. But health professionals like me cringe. “I can stand for two to three hours without standing up.”

The answer isn’t a stand up desk. That was the first thing I thought about. I think that would certainly help. But the answer starts with education, awareness, and then a commitment to health. The culture at work needs to change. We need businesses to understand that their greatest asset is their employees. If that is the case, how do we help them succeed? How do we provide for their health? Because if we do, how far can they go? How happy will they be?