Work-Family-Balance: Blessing your Kids

Posted on August 26, 2013 by challenyee

Have you ever thought that while you’re pursuing your business goals you might be leaving your children behind somehow?

Most of us understand that money is not the most important thing in life, but “but it’s right up there with oxygen” (Jim Rohn).  We also sense that the most successful people have a synergy between their family life and their business life. That kind of success comes from a mature character.

I was inspired by a conversation on Family Life Today radio, when they were conversing about how children are most open to expressing themselves at bedtime, a time when children often feel most secure.

Bob Lepine, one of the hosts, described how his evening routine with his children was to leave them with a powerful, yet simple, blessing before before they went to sleep and that was:

“May you wake up with a smile on your face, a song on your lips and joy in your heart,” And the clincher is he would tickle them with the word “Joy.”

I thought that was so cool I think I want to adopt Bob’s tradition.

Maybe your children are not quite the right age to be tickled, but the idea is, spending a moment to speak with your children before bed and gifting them with a simple though meaningful blessing can be an important way to stay in touch with your family.

I’d love to hear your disciplines on how you are keeping your relationships strong with your kids while you are pounding out your business. Leave a comment!

CY

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TEAM BUILDING: “Keep your finger off my control panel”

Posted on August 23, 2013 by challenyee

Setting boundaries as a supervisor

Don’t you hate it when someone starts typing on your keyboard without asking, or a supervisor who needs to keep on pressing your buttons, sticking their fingers ahead of yours, when another couple of seconds would do?

Early on in my professional life, when I was a sonar supervisor onboard a nuclear attack submarine, my personal rule was: if you want to build a team of competent operators, you have to give them the room to build their skills, to build up their confidences by giving them that extra couple of seconds to think things through on their own.
Yes, even on a submarine, you can afford a couple of seconds most of the time for most operations.

Given a competent person (and most people in a sonar department are competent) some “space” will foster confidence and mutual respect, whereas interjecting your knowledge or action at an inappropriate place and time will not.

Whether it’s driving your keyboard in a cubicle or a control panel on a submarine sonar, each department or team member needs to have clear boundaries to work within so there are clear areas of autonomy and control.

Especially in a tight environment like a submarine sonar shack, there is a difference between making sure something is done and doing it for your operator. One is professional, the other is being short-sighted.

Moreover, a supervisor obsessed with someone else’s minor difficulties should watch out that he is not neglecting his own responsibilities.

Get the job done as a team and be mindful of building team spirit and individual confidences. In the end, a team effort is getting the most out of everyone at every station. Sometimes you have to put the best person on each position (i.e battle conditions), but build a team properly by fostering everyone’s potential for being a future leader while working within a system where each person is given their dedicated space to control.

CY

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How the eyes make you sweat

Posted on August 16, 2013 by challenyee

Since 1980, I’ve been involved with one occupation after another that requires intensive use of the eyes looking at data on a computer monitor. As I’ve gotten older, the use of monitor screens has only become more intensive for business and leisure, particularly since I started using an IPhone.

Okay, so now there are times when I suffer from night sweats that occur when the weather is at least mildly warm. These have occurred off and on for at least the last 10 years.

My night sweats, which only occur when asleep, can range from the skin of the whole body feeling moist to a having to change clothes 3-4 times per night because I would drench myself each time. The mattress cover would be so wet, I’d have to cover it with a towel to go back to sleep. Needless to say, it’s uncomfortable and inconvenient having your sleep disturbed this way.

Using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) philosophy, one can make a connection between the chronic overuse of the eyes to a problem with having night sweats.

I’ll try to explain this concept in extra simplistic from as possible for a person not familiar with TCM and then give the basic Chinese herbal prescription.

In a form of TCM philosophy called “Five Element Theory”, there are 5 key organs in the body and each has a sense organ most closely associated with them:

1) Heart/Tongue (taste and speech)
2) Spleen/Mouth (appetite)
3) Lung/Nose (sense of smell)
4) Kidney/Ears (hearing)
5) Liver/Eyes (sight)

Because of this linkage, I can associate the overuse of the eyes to having an effect on the Liver.

It would help you to understand that the organs listed in TCM are not limited the Western physiological definition of the organs. Where Western medicine identified the Liver as a discrete organ, Eastern Medicine defines the “Liver” through thousands of years of empirical observations beginning with a human in the context of his or her environment (including things like the seasons, the stars, emotions, colors, and sounds, just to name a few).

A physiological connection can be understood through what is called the system of “meridians” or “channels” that course through the body via specific pathways, like energy highways that must be running in a well regulated manner for balanced health.

In ancient times, Chinese Taoist would meditate and observe a correlations between their knowledge of natural sciences and ultra keen observations. As a result, TCM has compile thousands of years of empirical data into a comprehensive medical system that includes herbs.

“Great,” you say, so why does one sweat due to a taxing of the liver?

This is because the liver, kidney and heart systems in chinese medicine have a substantial “yin” complexity in nature. “Yin” and “Yang” are dynamic opposites that are inherent in all entities and must be maintained in balance for good health. “Yin” is associated with moisture and calm while “Yang” is associated with movement and action (Yin and Yang are associated with a host of other things which I will not get into in this post).

Therefore, to tie up my point, the ability of the “Yin” to restrain the “yang” energy can result in the common symptom of night sweats.

In summary, taxing the eyes can put stress on the organs that are meant to produce calm at night and therefore a symptom of the imbalance occur through night sweating.

Congratulations to you if you read this far!

Speaking of herbs, here’s my self-prescription:

The way I treat this condition is to use a patent pill formula (Guang Ci Tang Brand) called Ming Mu Di Huang Wan. It is slightly different from the traditional formula but it works for me. It is a “Yin” tonifier (strengthener) with an emphasis on eye health.

FYI, for those of you interest in Chinese herbs:
Shu Di Huang
Shan Yao
Shan Zhu Yu
Fu Ling
Dang Gui
Ze Xie
Bai Shao
Mu Dan Pi
Gou Qi Zi
Ju Hua
Ji Li
Shi Jue Ming

(if you are interested in dosages of the traditional formula, refer to “Formulas & Strategies” by Bensky and Barolet or you can leave a comment and I will post it).

CY

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In Memory of the 30

Posted on August 7, 2013 by challenyee

There are times when the loss of someone causes you to live your life with an intentional vigor…

As though you’re living your life for them as though through their untimely loss, you have been handed a sacred privilege and, may I even say, duty to live your life with as much fullness as you can embrace.

Before the hour is up, this day being August 6, 2013, I wanted to pay my humble respects to the 30 men who lost their lives two years ago on this day on a battlefield in Afghanistan on a flight known as Extortion 17.

CY

San Diego, CA

6 August 2013.

23:58 PST

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$5 per gallon? My pleasure!

Posted on August 4, 2013 by challenyee

Uh-oh….should have bought gas at the last town!

That’s what i was telling myself as i was driving for the first time through a desert area i was unfamiliar with.

Come on, this is the United States, a McDonalds on every corner…  Damn, I can’t believe the fuel gauge is on “E”.

Ten miles ago, i stopped at what turned out to be a ghost wreck of a pizza restaurant (in the middle of nowhere) and there was a gruff looking mama standing guard at a cyclone gate shouted out to yet another (me) hapless traveller, “The next gas is 12 miles up the highway!”

Now it was 11 miles and…. Nothing yet.

my gas gauge is silently saying… Even when you do nothing, you’ve taken a giant risk …  Actually, that’s politically correct for “You’ve screwed up!”

By this time, my awareness is totally peaked, my eyes glued to the gas gauge, the a/c off despite being over 90 degrees outside….  i hoped that gruff looking mama was an honest gruff looking mama!

… and then just like clockwork, the oasis of a Sign that says gas ahead appears! Followed by a gas station set like a little diamond in the desert setting.

Fear and anxiety transformed to elation and gratitude! $5.00 per gallon? Never more glad to be able to fill up!

**

Two thoughts come to mind.

Doing nothing (not buying gas earlier) can still entail great risk!

Emotions and anxiety can quickly transform given your power to master your perspective on a problem rather than be enslaved by the circumstances. Of course, serendipitous help is always welcomed!

 

CY

Fyi, considering how painful it was typing this post on my small handheld device, i probably won’t be posting much while on the road over the next week. Make it a great week!

 

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Don’t be a Dr. Zachary Smith!

Posted on July 31, 2013 by challenyee

For those of you who do not know what Lost In Space is, it is an old weekly TV adventure that came out in the 1960’s about a futuristic first family to be sent into space to help colonize a planet in the Alpha Centauri system. The family members are Mr John and Mrs Maureen Robinson, and their three children, Judy, Penny and Will. Along for the trip is their pilot Major Don West and an unintentional stowaway named… you guest it, Dr Zachary Smith.

We don’t watch much TV in our house, but I’ve picked a couple of old popular TV shows for my son and I to watch. Last summer we went through the original Star Trek series and this summer the two of us are watching Lost in Space.

I wasn’t an avid watcher of Lost in Space reruns as a kid, so I thought it would be fun to see what I missed.

I discovered Jonathan Harris, the shakespearean actor who played Doctor Zachary Smith is such a great dramatic actor, playing his part so well, he literally drives us insane with his incessant underhandedness and scheming.

If that wasn’t enough, his character is as brilliant at speech as he is a complete coward. It’s enough to want to blow up your monitor.

After a couple of episodes, I realized that watching Lost in Space is rife with examples of behaviors and practices to avoid to either be a safer person (how many times can Penny fall into a … you name it, she’s fallen into it) or an evil conniving person like Dr. Smith.

On the other hand, there are plenty of good examples of forgiveness on a superhuman scale by the mom, Maureen, and leadership, mediation, and counsel offered by John Robinson, the father.

Then there’s Judy and Don West, the love interest, but also Don, the military guy, gives us hope that someday he could get really torqued off by Dr. Smith and maybe stick the doctor back into the deep freeze chamber.

Last but not least, and I am most glad about for my son’s sake, is Will Robinson, the dreamy-eyed, trusting, and brilliant young boy who is often the target of Dr. Smith’s deceptions and, oddly enough, friendship.

Oh, less I forget, the robot (“Danger! Danger!”) is really super cool and funny with its dry humor.

Tired of what’s out there now? Try watching Lost In Space for a breather.

As simplistic and innocent as it is, I think it is a fun and safe vehicle to exhibit salient traits to most kids and to offer points to discuss a variety of basic social and behavioral issues.

CY

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Vitamin Supplement on Steroids

Posted on July 30, 2013 by challenyee

http://www.manufacturing.net/news/2013/07/fda-warns-of-steroids-in-vitamin-b-supplement?et_cid=3393051&et_rid=54700918&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.manufacturing.net%2fnews%2f2013%2f07%2ffda-warns-of-steroids-in-vitamin-b-supplement

Here is an example of a vitamin supplement containing steroids not listed as part of the ingredients.
This is another good reason why the selection of a reputable company is important when choosing your supplements.

Remember, body care products may also contain hidden hormones and the daily use of them could be precipitating a toxic overload.

CY

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Help for Cystic Acne

Posted on July 27, 2013 by challenyee

Do you have a serious case of cystic acne that doesn’t respond to diet changes? Keep on reading, there’s alternative toxin sources that you may not have thought about.

I was concerned when hearing about of an acne case told by Dr. Ronda Nelson whose 14 year old son was suffering from a socially debilitating case of cystic acne.

The facial symptoms progressed over a six month period to the point where the cysts had gotten so severe as to disfigure the poor teen’s face.

The cysts were so swollen and grotesque, dad could not stomach being able to sit at the same table with his son to eat meals and mom… she hung in there! (hoo-yah!).

The quest to determine the source of toxicity proved to be very elusive. They determined his testosterone levels were very high which corresponded also with a muscular body development and, interestingly, an insensitivity to applied physical strength, such as when he poked his finger on people to get their attention, it caused and “OW!” pain to the pointee.

Dr. Ronda carefully eliminated possibilities in his diet and his environment and that brought no change… but..hold on…

Eventually she discovered his shampoo and body wash products contained DHEA. DHEA is a hormone that is normally constructed in the body as part of the pathway for testosterone.

It turns out, exposure on the skin on a daily basis caused a severe hormonal reaction resulting in abnormal body development and severe cystic acne.

What made solving this case so difficult is body care product manufacturers are not listing hormones as part of their ingredients! Their use is often unregulated in food, cosmetics and medical products in the United States.

European countries have much stricter controls over hormone-altering chemicals in consumer products (http://www.ewg.org/research/teen-girls-body-burden-hormone-altering-cosmetics-chemicals/cosmetics-chemicals-concern).

You can refer to the website listed below for ratings on various body products to see how toxic your favorites are and if they may be giving you some extra “benefits” you can do without.

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

About your diet

Need to detoxify? It could be that diet changes and holisitic supplementation may not be enough to harmonize a body that is suffering from serious and chronic toxic overload.
In later posts, I will further explore some alternatives to pharmaceutical treatments have resulted in positive results and healing.

Please do not give up on your effort to improve your diet! I would give up on the known toxic products first while making sure you fulfill your nutritional needs.
Your diet is a baseline, a springboard, for all other toxins and diseases to build up in your body or to get cast out from it.

Always treat the root problem when it is known, don’t go for bandages that will only add to the problem and cause you to ignore a lifestyle is harming you and your future.

Like the sages have said, “If you are not intentionally working toward a goal, you will be drifting away from it [whether you intend to or not!].”

CY

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Suffering from Unbalanced Commitment?

Posted on July 25, 2013 by challenyee

Do you ever feel like you’re working too hard on a relationship?
It could be that you are suffering from a case of unbalanced commitment.

This one took me years to learn but I finally got it.
If you desire a marriage relationship with the one you are with and he or she does not or cannot clearly express a mutual desire for the same level of commitment, that is a RED FLAG.
In other words, do not bet on the level of commitment to change within this relationship, no matter who many amazing things you think you have in common.

This may sound insensitive to someone who feels like they are really trying to work things out, but herein lies the problem: you are most likely not problem solving together, it is just you problem solving and the other person taking advantage of extra attention you are affording them. RED FLAG.
Both of you could use an adjustment and it may very well result in separate paths.
It takes courage for both of you to back out so you can find someone who can reciprocate in your desired relationship.

Four things to consider:

1) Recognize the difference of intention, sooner the better. If necessary give yourself a deadline, like two months. Either mutual chemical reaction is in play or it is not. (but don’t forget the FIVE things I wrote about earlier).

2) Do not judge the other person for your disappointment, accept that there was some common ground but not in the area of commitment.

3)Take responsibility for your own expectations.
You will ultimately understand that what you are able to learn is valuable, important, and necessary to get you to the next stage of awareness (success is built upon steps of failure, or perhaps you could just say, a string of new and serious experiences).

4) Recognize early if you are coming into a relationship needy.

Remember what Jim Rohn says about how “success is something you attract by being an attractive person [not a needy person].”

I know, sometimes this stuff hits pretty hard but you’ll be stronger, better and wiser. Keep your chin up.

CY

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Supplements for Submarine Deployments

Posted on July 24, 2013 by challenyee
Sonarmen Jeff Marcey, Keith Hetherington and "Diver Dave" Stahura. Keith just might get dumped into the water (1985).

Sonarmen Jeff Marcey, Keith Hetherington and “Diver Dave” Stahura. Keith just might get dumped into the water (1985).

The legendary Captain Douglas S. Wright awarding me my Dolphins while on deployment (1983).

The legendary Captain Douglas S. Wright awarding me my Dolphins while on deployment (1983).

We had a club called the Bremerton Wine Taster's Club of America. Our motto was, "We'll drink any wine, any time."

We had a club called the Bremerton Wine Taster’s Club of America. Our motto was, “We’ll drink any wine, any time.”

USS Bremerton off Lahaina, Maui. Sonarman Roy Sokolowski dreaming about his next fishing trip ashore.

USS Bremerton off Lahaina, Maui. Sonarman Roy Sokolowski dreaming about his next fishing trip ashore (1985).

Life onboard a Navy submarine is a unique experience and it can be a challenging environment to preserve your long term health.

Most of those serving are young studs who believe their bodies can handle a lot of abuse, which often they do in various professional, environmental, and creative ways. But take a little advice from the nutrition doc for the long haul.

It’s generally acknowledged that the meals onboard submarines are better compared to our surface ship counterparts, thanks to the attention given to preparation by our fine submariner messcooks.

I figure there were times when somehow we happen to get a few more boxes of lobster tails or steaks to supplement our load outs for deployments.

But being on a submarine, sometimes you’re out for a long time. A really long time. The longest I spent underwater in one shot was over 70 days. No daylight. No fresh air. The smell of atmosphere purifying chemicals permeating everything until you don’t notice any more.

By that time, fresh produce is ancient history and the canned meat tasted what you might imagine dog food would be like. The guys would opt for peanut butter on saltine crackers.
We’d hope that maybe the cooks were hiding some of those steaks or lobster tails for a surprise dinner.

Between the sodas (sabotaging your calcium), the coffee (stringing out your cortisol), the powdered hot chocolate (which one of my chiefs used to eat straight out of the pouch) and the “bug juice” (that funny liquid that was probably better used as a toilet deodorizer), a serious nutrition-minded submariner ought to stow a few months of supplements in their rack.
I hate to tell you guys, but now I could not recommend drinking any of that stuff to anyone in good conscience. It’s best to drink plain water.

Back in the 1980’s when I spent a lot of time underwater, the doc on the boat used to give us these little bottles of prenatal vitamins to supplement our diets. They probably did more harm than good given they were some cheap, lowest bidder formulation.

You can do a hell of a lot better if you are willing to fund your own supplementation. If you plan on living over 50 and you are going to reenlist a few times for sea duty, these supplements just might save your health by easing the abuse your body will go through.

As your retired submariner nutrition counselor, here is my recommended load out (if you can find equivalent supplements, go for it).

Must have:
Up to 3 boxes of Nutrilite Perfect Pack for an extended run. This is a complete food supplement system that includes concentrated vegetables, highly refined fish oil, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Most of these good things you will not be getting after the fresh food runs out during an extended deployment. You’ll need something substantial to balance out those peanut butter and cracker dinners.

Highly recommended:
Cal Mag D Advanced. Underwater on nuclear power there is no Sun (no moon and no stars) so you would benefit from the additional quality Vitamin D to boost your immunity, the calcium will aid in maintaining bone mass, plus the formula is balanced with other key minerals.

Natural B Complex. This will aid in keeping your liver healthy while helping in the management of mental stress. Yes, and you’ve got some stress.
By the way, take a few after you go out for a few (cases of) beers to save part of your liver for the next time.

Vitamin C Plus. This is a C complex from whole food sources plus bioflavinoids that is time released. Great for additional immunity support and additional antioxidant support after a toxic meal. If you are a nuclear engineer, consider this a must have.

*

I just want to end this article on a personal note to say, you submariners know how serious your job is and how tough it is. Thanks to all of you volunteers in the Silent Service, especially all the sonar technicians, operators, and divers I had the privilege of serving and being friends with.

Here’s to your health.

CY STS1/SS(DV)

My boat was the U.S.S Bremerton (SSN-698),  commanded by Captain Douglas S. Wright  followed by  Captain Alan R. Beam.

Bremerton is currently the oldest active duty submarine in the fleet.

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