The Essential Life of Ingo 2011

This year has been been filled with challenges, opportunities, and so much more as I’m sure it has for you?

But beyond the ups and downs , it was an amazing year for me, personally and professionally.

I’ve had to become a bit of a “renaissance man” as you will see.

• I wrote, and then published, my new e-book The Gratitude Cleanse 
• I also re-started a mobile detailing business after 15 years off called Dr Detail
• I started taking online voice lessons from Eric Arcenauex with his patented A Approach  (he changed the way I sing and was  so affordable) &  singing again motivated me to  picked up my guitar again after 7 years of it catching dust.
• I built a Music by Ingo website for small events, private parties and more
• I became fitter than ever in my life after recently reading  “The 4 Hour Body” 
• I got hired to sing at for my first event on Labor Day by Tom the Owner of Super Slow in Carlsbad, Thank you Tom
• I became closer friends to Chef Lance Roll “The Organic Flavor Chef” who has an organic meal delivery and catering service here in N. SD County, and who recommended me to Tom!
• I helped a new friend bring his Eco Kindness  products (the first organic essential oil cleaners in the world) to the California market place

21 Tips for Eating Right During The Holidays!

  

Once again, the holiday season is upon us, and we all know what that means: a few extra goodies on the dinner plate, a few extra pounds, and yes, maybe even a bit of added stress for some of us. With that said I thought I would get this out a little early. Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks for the families we have, the jobs we have, the “things” we have and, most of all, for the plentiful supply of food we have. But, just because we have an abundant amount of food in our country, that certainly does not mean we have to eat it all in one sitting!

Of course, reuniting with friends and family that we may only see once or twice a year can be quite draining for many of us, regardless of whether or not we struggle with our weight. Anybody feel this way? I will be hanging around the  Las Vegas area this year to experience a little RR with some old friends from college,  so I will be on my toes and will take my own tips to heart as well.

The “C” Word…It’s all an Illusion

 

“Trying to make someone fall in love with you is about as pointless as trying to control who you fall in love with.” 

“To get up each morning with the resolve to be happy… is to set our own conditions to the events of each day. To do this is to condition circumstances instead of being conditioned by them”

When you think you control something, you’re wrong.

It’s amazing how often we think we’re in control of something when really we aren’t. Control is an illusion. We constantly make plans that never actually turn out the way we envisioned. ‘If you want to make God laugh, make a plan,’ an old saying goes.

What If Today Was Your Last Day?

Yesterday I read a mans last post. It was truly his last post. He passed away on May 3,     2011.  What I got from his message can be summed up in a few sentences. Life has         unexpected twists and turns. Enjoy your life and be open to possibilities. Be there   for the people you love the most.

This brief blog  is by no means a philosophical discussion about life and death. It’s not intended to bring up any morbid thoughts. It’s a gentle reminder about life now in this  moment.

After reading Derek’s post, I asked myself: What would I do differently if this were my  last day on earth?

Of coarse part of the beauty of our journey is we don’t know for certain when this day  will be. And because of this any day could be our last day.

How does this make a difference in how we live now?

Forgive me if what I say may sound too cliché, but it’s my truth as it stands today—now  in this moment.

If this were my last day I would:

The importance of enjoying YOUR 2011 habits

 

Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables.’ ~ Spanish Proverb

 

 

it’s in the title, after all — and after all these years, and after all the questions that people have asked about forming habits, there’s one thing that seems more important than anything else.

It’s simply this: enjoy the habit.

That might seem obvious to some of you, but you’d be surprised how many people try to force themselves to do things they don’t enjoy. They try to instill “discipline” because they think it’ll make them a better person or give them a better life, but what kind of life is it if you force yourself to do things you hate all the time?

Top 25 Life-Improving Zen Holiday Gifts for Under ($10 Bucks!)

If you’re like me, you’re always looking for ways to give inexpensive but meaningful gifts. Yes, I’m a inexpensive-skate, but I’m a happy one.

I’ve always been into improving my life, and if I can help the loved ones in my life do the same, without spending a lot, I’m very happy.

So lets take a look!

8 Unconventional Ways to Bust-Stress, Release Tension & be Healthy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we move through our daily routines we are often faced with obstacles and challenges which can lead to some degree of stress and anxiety. So to become more relaxed and free of tensions it is important to break away from your ordinary routine and find ways to de-stress. This process can be very simple or more in depth, but why not try something new and different? Here are 8, not your everyday ordinary, ways to de-stress and release tensions.

1. Massage your ears. The ear massage is a fantastic way to release endorphins in your brain and make you feel good. The beauty is that it only takes a few minutes. Start by gently rubbing your earlobes with your thumb and index finger. Then squeeze the outer edges of your ears all the way to the top. These parts of your ears have tiny reflex points that can relax specific areas of your body. Finish by using your index fingers and middle fingers to massage behind the ears on the bony part of your skull.

Discipline is an illusion; Motivate yourself instead

 

 

Let me start with the conclusion first: if you think you don’t have discipline, you don’t need it. What you need is to commit to your goal or  habit and fully motivate yourself. 

I think that most of us believe that discipline is something you either have or don’t have — some believe you are born with it, and some, like myself, believe it is something you can develop as a habit. But what exactly is it we’re talking about when we say the word “discipline”?

If I wake up early every morning to run, do I have discipline? Most people would say that I do. But, as someone who regularly wakes up early, and who runs frequently (not every day), I can testify that I for one do not have discipline. I am anything but disciplined, and never have been.

How to Summit Life’s Everyday Mountains

Don’t give up on your dreams.

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ~Confucius

How can a mountain better prepare us for life? At over 14,000 feet, there’s more to learn than I would have thought.

A few years ago I sat on top of Mt. Whitney, a 1400 + foot mountain off of the 395 just outside of Lone Pine, California. ( it is actually the highest mountain in the continental U.S.)  It was my first real summit and I was proud. Getting there took me through two days of snow, ice and below-freezing camping conditions, using crampons, an ice axe, and more layers than I thought I owned.

As I climbed, and especially on my way down, I began to realize the lessons required to reach the top and make it back down safely. As it turns out, the most important rules are just as relevant in the snow as they are in conquering our everyday challenges.

When was the last time you reached a mountain summit, whether outdoors or in life?

We face our own mountains everyday. Some small. Some big. There’s always a summit we want to reach. Maybe it’s running those few miles before work, making that intimidating sales call, or running your business. Goals, no matter the size, require a strategy for success.

A cold tall mountain reinforced an approach that can convert life’s everyday challenges into gratifying accomplishments.

A Guide to Reaching Life’s Summits:

Pack light. I wish I took this more seriously. Every unnecessary piece of gear complicates things and detracts from the experience. Aside from the bare necessities, things do not make life better. They often cause more stress and keep you from what’s most important. The lighter your pack the better. Life is too short to be burdened with excessive possessions, emotional baggage or regrets. Positive thoughts, relationships and experiences weigh nothing at all. Pile them on and leave the rest behind. They’ll lift you to the top.

Happy Meal? Is Not So Happy…Look What’s Really Inside!

Ever wonder what’s really in your fast food meal? Here’s the ingredients list for a Happy Meal that contains nuggets, fries and a Hi-C beverage: