HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

Hope springs eternal. Every year around this time, everyone (including me) takes the time to reflect upon the past year and look forward to the year ahead. In my case, there is so much room for improvement and so much optimism about narrowing the gap between my expectations and reality. This year may be different, but likely it won't. Hope springs eternal.

I can't tell if I'm being optimistic or fatalistic, maybe both. Nonetheless, like every year before, this year is about optimization and fine-tuning. Setting specific, achievable goals can help us stay motivated and on track. Focus on progress, not perfection. Hope springs eternal.

Drink Less

Pomp & Whimsey Gin Liqueur
Alcohol

It is tough (for me) not to drink in a social setting or even when I'm home for dinner. I don't need to drink, but I like to drink. I am fortunate that I don't have a drinking problem and would never make light of this issue. Nonetheless, I was introduced by fellow Louper Debi W. to a new gin that tastes amazing and has significantly less alcohol by volume (30-40% vs. typical gins 40-50%). They describe it as "twice infused and re-distilled with a select blend of 16 natural and whole botanicals, including lychee, cucumber, orange, grapefruit, raspberry, and jasmine. Lightly sweetened with organic cane sugar." It is perfect in place of Gin in any mixed drink or tastes good simply over ice. They even have a more traditional gin with less alcohol than most brands and infused with florals and citrus. This is an excellent way to accomplish my goal of drinking less and being more in control. Cheers!

Work Out More

Nike + Netflix = Nike Training Club
Exercise

The perfect gym business model is to open a new gym on January 1st, charge $50 for the year, and close the gym on February 1st so the customers can say (with a straight face) that they would work out, but their gym closed! This is far preferable to canceling Membership or outright lying to oneself!

The holy grail of being in shape is working out consistently. However, to do so, you not only have to be motivated, but you also have to be interested. How quickly do you get bored of the same routine, the same trainer, or running in place on a treadmill? These activities seem great initially, especially in the New Year, but you quickly get bored. I have always been looking for upbeat content and a good workout with plenty of variety. I frequently do Peloton workouts through my AppleTV app, but they don't have great aerobic activities outside of cycling and running. YouTube is a mess. Therefore I was excited to see the new collaboration between Nike (the pinnacle of high-performance athletes) and Netflix (the height of low-performance athletes/couch potatoes). A variety of workout routines are meant for all types of athletes and will keep you motivated and interested for the foreseeable future. Yeah!

Sleep Better

Hot Water Bottle
Home

This Winter Break allowed me to travel to incredible places and see an extraordinary array of exotic animals in their environments. We stayed at lovely hotels with excellent service. However, one thing that stood out was the hot water bottle at the foot of our beds every night. This is something I didn't know I needed to enhance my sleep. The truth is that I like my room cold when I sleep, but I don't want my feet cold, and I don't enjoy wearing socks to bed. The answer is the hot water bottle. Yes, it takes effort to fill it up in the evening before you go to bed, but take the time because it stays hot, lasts a while, and the comfort is next level; trust me! It makes being in New York in January almost tolerable!

So, as January 2023 is officially upon us, drink, work out, relax, and consider Pomp & Whimsey Gin Liqueur, Nike Training Club, and Hot Water Bottle Found!