Perspective by Bahram Akradi

Home is not just where the heart is, but where our whole selves are both nurtured and called upon to be their very best.

The reality of exercise is that its biggest fun potential often stays just out of reach until we’ve gotten invested enough to begin overcoming the stereotypes, fears and limitations that have previously kept us at bay.

There’s something so satisfying about building up strength and endurance during those indoor classes all winter long and then taking our hard-earned fitness outside for a test spin in the real world.

In nature, some animals migrate with the seasons; others happily hibernate or embrace other adaptive measures. But by exploring our full range of alternatives, we stand to benefit rather than suffer from the constant flow of changes and challenges in our lives.

While we’re asking questions about how we can make our economy more stable, it’s important that we also ask equally challenging questions about how we can make better, more responsible use of the natural resources and systems on which our entire economy relies.

It’s often tempting to assume that if a little of something is good, then a lot will be better. And nowhere does this assumption tend to work against us more reliably than in the areas of work and money.

Even during the best of times, the turn of a year is a natural time to reflect on what we’d like to see changed, and what we’d like to do differently. I think this particular New Year presents especially rich opportunities in that department.

If we’re willing to lift our heads enough to see beyond the daily global-recession headlines, then I would argue that the future is bright indeed.

Once you understand the stages of power, it becomes quite easy to recognize the type of power that you and those around you are currently wielding, and what type of power you might focus on developing next.

Look up the word “policy” in the dictionary and you’ll find that the definition involves making plans, following guiding principles and pursuing a determined course of action – all for the sake of getting things done in an expedient, prudent manner.

Each of us is first and foremost a citizen of the earth. And so on some level, our deepest responsibility (and privilege) lies in making ourselves of service—even in some small way—within this realm.

A body that’s getting what it needs can bounce back from early damage and become even better than it was in its youth. But a body that’s not well taken care of tends to start showing and feeling its age early on.

There’s no doubt that each of us would do well to stop walking by the little messes we could easily clean up and start creating more beauty and sustainability where we can.

If you’ve been working tirelessly on a good plan for a long time, if you’ve been persevering and doing everything right and still not making any headway, it may be time to slow down, step back and reflect.

It rarely works to compare our lives, our bodies, our achievements with anyone else’s. One person’s imbalance is another person’s bliss.

We live in polarizing times. It’s a period characterized not just by galvanizing issues, but by a great deal of vitriolic rhetoric. Every time we turn on the radio or TV, or even turn around in our homes or offices, we’re likely to get an earful of why one person or position is right and another is totally, unredeemably wrong.

This year, a good friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer.

For as short as everybody likes to remind us that life is, in truth, if we’re blessed with good health and good luck, it goes on for a good long while. And all the way along, it’s filled with twists and turns, steep hills, long plateaus, and surprises of all kinds.

We love our children. We worry about our children. And, of course, we always want what’s best for them. But sometimes, by acting out of our instinctive desire to help our kids every step of the way, I believe we wind up doing them a disservice.

It’s interesting that in a society fixated on adventure and excitement, so many of us choose to lead lives defined by deeply entrenched routines. In fact, I suspect our vicarious fixation on others’ thrill rides is likely fueled by our real-life tendency toward mindless repetition.

In a culture where most of us are overwhelmed by too much stress, too much stuff, too many unhealthy temptations and way too many daily choices, it’s important to note that there are still a few areas where, in general, more really is better. Three examples come to mind …