Our Brains Love Dopamine!

But our hearts should love life more! ❤️ 🥋 🥊

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Happy 47th Birthday, Jay! Wow…what a busy week. This past Tuesday I was awarded my 4th stripe as a white belt in Jiu Jitsu. I am proud of that! Of course, since it’s my birthday week - there was a beat-down in Krav Maga class and the “Gauntlet” in BJJ. Icy-Hot has been a great companion but truthfully - I feel great!

I was honored and thrilled to see the hard work of my wife and three of my daughters pay off as they took the stage at a dance recital yesterday! Months of showing up, practicing at home, listening to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” dozens of times and finally to see our sequin-clothed tap dancer, colorful hip-hoppers and classic ballerina dancer and click, stomp, and glide across the stage! Just amazing!

And for the older boys…like many people this weekend - they got mostly rained out on their camping trip to Hocking Hills - but those water falls were certainly moving fast!

Several weeks ago I removed Facebook and Instagram from my phone. It took several days for my brain to adjust as I had been scrolling way too much and I viscerally felt how often I was reaching that little “hit!” From what you just read about my past week, there is more than enough happenings to feel the rushes of life, gain a sense of fulfillment , and see opportunities to become a better version of myself! It makes me frustrated that social media apps have such draw that we can easily miss the little nuances of why my little girls are giggling, or that the cat is stalking birds silently in the back yard, or any number of tiny but truly amazing events in this world!

Tomorrow is Memorial Day and even if the rain doesn’t hold off…I will grill, build raised flower beds, and find some balance. Even though my brain loves dopamine - my heart loves life more!

Have a great Memorial Day weekend with friends and family! Reset your mind, breathe deeply, and enjoy the day! Thank you to all my readers for your support!

P.S. Facebook on your computer browser is effective, efficient, and less easily accessible…worth a try if you find yourself reaching too often! Love to all!