Don’t let life get your goat

My favorite rabbi/painter, Jonathan Blum, takes an offbeat and humorous look at life through his colorful works that feature whimsical animals – like goats, ostriches and cats dreaming of oranges.

You can find him – always cheerful – at art festivals, street fairs and his brick-and-mortar studio gallery in the very happening Park Slope section in Brooklyn, where he’s spent his last 13 years.

If you get a chance, go meet this charismatic, inspirational and fun-filled man at his upcoming street shows:

Sunday, Sept 29th, 11-6pm, Hoboken Art and Music Festival.

Saturday, Oct 5th, 10-6pm,
Art on the Avenue,
Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA. Go see the rabbi at booth W 70 between Del Ray Ave and Custis Avenues.

Downtown DC Holiday Market
Friday, Dec 13th through Monday, Dec 23rd. 12-8pm everyday.
National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian Museum of American Art on F Street between 7th and 9th Streets NW. This exceptional market features vendors changing every week and live music throughout the day.

You’ll also find Rabbi Blum’s works weekends at DC’s Eastern Market, which is still one of his favorite places in the country. It’s a food/art/craft/antique/flea market located at 7th St, SE on Capitol Hill. About 4-6 times a year, the rugged rabbi visits DC and makes cameo appearances at Eastern Market!

And, yes, he is still accepting holiday commissions!

jonathan blum portraits
285 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
By appointment and Sundays 12-6 pm
To find him: (917) 855-6564!

Goat Farm, oil on monoprint collage, 42″ x 42″ (2003).

enlightenMENt through Yoga

Men’s Yoga: body + mind + spirit. Reconnect with your physical abilities and sense of balance.

DEFINED: Blog

“Practice, and all is coming”

– Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

I have so many clients, especially male clients,  that come to in search of the best way to stay pain free and the simple response is to stretch more. The usual response that I get is “I don’t like to stretch, it’s boring” or “I don’t know how to do it right.” There is an easy solution to this, Yoga. I don’t practice nearly as much as I should, however; I am a huge advocate of utilizing the technique to optimize flexibility and health. To help explain the many benefits of Yoga and how it can positively effect an man’s health, I will put the following entry in the hands of Ken Immer. Ken is one of my clients and friends who hosts weekly yoga sessions catered to men specifically.

Men &Yoga

By: Ken Immer

 

I have been…

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Logical Affirmation

Logical affirmation.

Power of PIES

For some reason I had a mental flashback to my freshman year of college. I was brought back to a logic class that I loved and hated at the same time.

In honor of that, I will share an affirmation based on one of those logic formulas:

A. All things are possible to those who believe

B. I believe

C. Therefore, All things are possible for me

Does this sound logical to you? If so, affirm this several times through the day. You will see a noticeable increase in your faith and confidence. Try it!

Enjoy the blessings : )

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Your personal circle of perspective

Using the drawing on this page, rate yourself. Print this page.

On a scale of 0-10, (0 being completely unsatisfactory and 10 being thoroughly satisfied), decide where you perceive yourself to be in each area of your life now, today!

Place low numbers close to the center and higher numbers toward the edge of the circle.

Write that number in the appropriate area of the circle. Contact me at 888.887.4845 for the next step.

Adapted from Coaches Institute International © 2008. Used by permission. Vitruvian Man drawing created by Leonardo da Vinci, circa 1490.

Using your journal as a microscope

Use your journal as a microscope that makes the small experience large!

What happened?

Describe your experience.

What would you change about this situation?

What have you learned?

Was there a moment of failure, success, indecision, doubt, humor, frustration, happiness, sadness?

Do you feel your actions had any impact?

What more needs to be done?

Does this experience compliment or contrast with what you’re learning in other setting? How?

Has learning through experience taught you more, less, or the same as in other ways? what ways?

How to you turn stress into success?

There are simple and effective techniques to deal with stress.

First, reducing the stimulus that causes stress.

Second, proven breathing techniques through mindfulness, meditation and yoga.

Third, relaxing and calming visualizing that taps into the healing power of positive thinking.

Fourth, sensual and therapeutic massages and bodywork that use aromatherapy to soothe.

Sixth, the pure enjoyment and release of sexual energy with male orgasm
unleashes a rush of drowsy hormones—norepinephrine, serotonin, oxytocin, vasopressin, nictric oxide and prolactin.

Do you have HEART?

Do you have the heart to be a man?

+ Humble. Are you modest despite knowing you’re awesome? Are you self-aware and respectful?

+ Effective. Do you get “stuff” done, completing tasks and reaching goals? Do you measurably move the needle on the register and immeasurably add value?

+ Adaptable. Are you constantly changing? Are you a life-long learner?

+ Remarkable. Are you remarkably smart, remarkably creative, remarkably resourceful?

+ Transparent. Are you open and honest with others – and with yourself?

Inspired to change? Start now.

Create a “learning agenda” to align with what you want to do…with your vision, values and strengths. This personal development plan will also help you stay on track.

Find a professional coach who can help you become your ideal self.

Attentive listening

aPrayer lite, the free English version of my new app, aPrayer, is available at the AppStore!

You can download it now and enjoy a few minutes of attentive listening.

Photography courtesy of Paul Glaesser.

Thinking Tuesdays

Devote time in your day to think and study quietly and to ask for enlightenment.