John Aaron Wellness

“We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies.”   - ‘We Shall Keep The Faith,’ by Moina Michael, November 1918 I've never fought in a war. As all humans, I have an innate fear of pain, of death. I don’t understand war, but for that matter, who does? Do soldiers? Do politicians? Self-preservation is an autonomic response; sacrifice, honor and personal conviction are not. The latter are the traits groomed into each soldier to strengthen character and resolve in the face of battle. In regard to war, I am weaker than I will ever care to admit, and for that reason I hold in high esteem those that fought in battle girding themselves in their hopes to preserve posterity. In their efforts, they wage a commodity more precious than imagination can hold. Like me, these brave, strong men and women were also afraid of pain and death, but managed to move through their terror to face an enemy th...

So, as a mom, you worry and you multi-task (whether you like it or not). You work - very hard. You are ALWAYS on call. You cook, clean, tend to the wounded… etc., and you only get one measly 24 hour day out of the whole year to get appreciated for it. Lucky for you someone thought of giving you a massage to mark the occasion and to say, “Thanks. We love you, mom!” The problem is that as a mom, you've probably forgotten all about how to “shut off” your mommy response. So I've devised a few ideas and a plan for you to get the most out of your day and your special gift. Take time to be nurtured Remember: this is YOUR time. Whether it's therapeutic massage, reflexology, hot stone massage or something else, you can expect relief from tension and pain. But even more important, your bodywork session can be a nurturing and much needed “time out” just for you. Take this opportunity (for once) to do absolutely nothing! Relish your “me” time by following these two simple steps...

We were feeling good! In fact, we were somewhat giddy. We had just returned from picking up our daughter from her week-long visit with Granny & Pawpaw in Northeast Texas. And at the same time, we were expecting the homecoming of a very dear friend that had been working in New York for the past three months. Alex asked if it wasn’t kinda silly to be so excited to have them back home. I said, “Not at all. They’re family.” That phrase stuck in my head and got me to thinking. I know – dangerous, right? Well, the funny thing is that when I look back on our life together, I would have never pictured Alex and me to be where we are now. Oh, we’ve had our shares of ups and downs. There have been times, scary times, when it felt like the only thing holding us together was a worn out piece of string. Yet here we are, together still, nineteen years and counting. How did we do it? Well, I could say it was purely devotion, discipline or true love. I could even say stupidity and I wouldn...

"Consult not your fears, but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you have tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do." - Pope John XXIII How many times has someone told you to "look on the bright side," or "think positive?" If you've been a consistent reader of my blog I know you've heard it from me at least once... Recently however, I've been on the receiving end and I'm grateful for it. Last week I did one of the most difficult things I've had to do: close Muscle Mechanics personal training studio permanently. Am I sad? Scared? Depressed? Well - yes, but this is where I put my words and philosophy to the test. I can choose to give into those negative emotions or I can "look on the bright side." Which decision do you think will change my life for the better? Pollyanna Complex aside, don't get me w...

So, we spent this past Easter at the in-laws place. They’ve got a nice chunk of land in the wooded area of northeast Texas and their home is set deep within their acreage so that, looking out, you see nothing but nature. Rabbits, and squirrels abound and it’s not surprising to find a hummingbird or two there this time of year. It’s a beautiful, peaceful place filled with family, love and special moments. I can still see Lexi among all the grandchildren racing through the field. She always has such a joyful look about her when she runs. It’s a scene that is awesome, inspiring and –to me- very precious. You don’t have to be a parent to feel this way, though. I’m sure you’ve experienced moments in your life that you wish you could capture and relive over and over again; like watching the favorite parts of a movie about your life. Unfortunately, life can’t be lived that way. It must be consumed as it is given to us, the good and the bad. This is why each moment we have must be w...

Today I want to write about dreams. Not the kind you have while sleeping, but the kind that really get you excited about life! The dreams you have for yourself, your family, the world. Personally, I live by the little dreams of love, success, hope and happiness that float around in my head. I assume that all humanity has similar “floaty” dreams and goals. Fantasies of achieving something great are part of the spirit that drives each of us forward. They start with the tiniest seed of an idea, and like children, you love them because somehow they are a part of you. You nurture and grow these ideas and as they grow so do your hopes.   But, what happens when these ideas, through no fault of your own, fall apart? Heartbreak is what. You may even become bitter about the very thing you once loved so dearly. Maybe that “perfect” job you’ve worked for all your life didn’t pan out, or perhaps you have an argument with a loved one and this makes you feel like giving up. You ...

I was watching my daughter the other day. She was supposed to be putting up the toys she left scattered in her bedroom. Instead, she was in her papa’s study eyeballing a candy jar sitting on a high shelf. Laser focused cannot begin to describe her standing catatonic. It was as though she thought if she moved, the jar would run from her. I watched. I waited. She took a deep sigh and turned to make her way into the hall where I was standing. A little surprised, she looked up at me and said, “I wasn’t going to get that candy.” I laughed. She smiled wryly and made her way to her awaiting chores. Have you ever gotten the feeling that you should be doing something other than what you are? I don't just mean in the area of good vs. evil, but in everyday life. Conscience is a funny thing, huh?. That little voice inside your head that can make you feel guilty about doing a half-hearted job, ignoring the rules, or neglecting your duty... Well, listening to her conscience was just what...

Sabotage: doesn’t it always seem to happen when you are trying to “be good” with your nutrition? “Just have one more bite,” they say. Well, when friends or family members are trying to tempt, tease or taunt you into doing things that you know are not in your best interest, awareness and assertiveness are your best coping tools. Suppose whenever you visit your mother, she continually urges you to have seconds... First, take a moment to evaluate what is going on between the two of you and how you feel about that. Next, decide for yourself whether you're actually still hungry enough to continue eating. If you're still hungry, then by all means, have more. However, if you're not hungry, you can still hold your ground in a polite and respectful way. Instead of saying “yes” just to please your mother, let her know that you thought the meal tasted great, and you're too full to eat any more – “Perhaps I can take some home, instead?” As always – Live Your ...

Let’s make one thing clear: family is first. Your family plays an important role in your lifestyle change process. Unfortunately, they may not want you to disrupt their status quo; they may prefer that their responsibilities, routines and "you" all remain the same. Or they may want to support you, but may be unsure exactly how to help. By anticipating specific comments and reactions before they happen, you can prepare your family for the changes you're making that may also affect them. Tell them what specific things they can do to show their support and use the following guidelines to create an environment that is conducive to change: Introducing low-fat foods: The internet is filled with menus and recipes that are so similar to the “regular” foods most families eat. As such, you can introduce low-fat foods that your family may never even suspect as “good for you.” However, if they insist on eating "the old way," you still have two choices: k...