Friday, September 30, 2016

Jacksonville welcomes Snowbirds, Visitors and Locals to enjoy FL


Have you ever heard people say, “There’s nothing to do in Jacksonville, Florida?”  Well, here is a guide to planning your time while you’re living here, or just visiting the area.  In Jacksonville, we’re fortunate to live in a beautiful corner of the nation. There are beaches, forests, wetlands and marshes throughout the city.  With more than 400 parks and recreational spaces, JAX also have the nation’s largest urban parks system.  Now, there’s an easy way for residents and visitors to explore everything the wonderful park-system has to offer.

The city’s first-ever 2016-2017 JaxParks Directory and Activities Guide highlights the many unique park offerings that you and your family can enjoy, including year-round programs and initiatives.  This comprehensive, interactive guide is a great way to discover, or rediscover everything that JaxParks offers throughout the community. From recreation, to education, to wellness, to youth development, JaxParks has something for everyone.

Share Your Input!
With the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Johns River and numerous tributaries in this region, water plays an integral role in the lives of Jacksonville citizens.  In an effort to maximize this great resource, the City of Jacksonville, with funding support from the Florida Inland Navigation District, is developing a Maritime Management Plan for Duval County.  Your input will be an important part of that plan!

Here’s how you can get involved in improving access to Jacksonville’s waterways:
1) Take the online survey at www.JaxBoatPlan.com
2) Attend an open house meeting:
 Oct. 4, 6-8 p.m. – UNF University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224
 Nov. 1, 6-8 p.m. – Jacksonville University Marine Science Research Institute, 2800 University Blvd. North, Jacksonville, FL 32211
 Dec. 6, 6-8 p.m. – South Beach Park Community Center, 2508 South Beach Parkway, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

A team from the Northeast Florida Regional Council, University of North Florida and Jacksonville University will be working to gather information about the area’s waterway facilities and the needs and desires of the community.  Enjoy Jacksonville, Florida and improve the land.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

The Ends and Outs of Getting a Massage!


Updated: September 28, 2016
Some people are leery of things that they don’t understand.  If you’ve never experienced a professional massage, then you might not understand what goes on behind closed doors.  You may think that massages are luxuries, yet they are therapeutic for the triune man.  Your Spirit has a chance to slow down and communicate with God while your soul (mind, will and emotions) has the chance to learn from your Spirit.  Your body benefits from muscles being loosened, and pain being relieved.  There are different types of massage (hot-stone, deep tissue, mineral wraps, facials, etc.); your salon will explain the difference and you’ll discover what works best for you.

You should go to the restroom before you go into the room to begin your treatment.  The Massage Therapist uses oils that don’t have a strong aroma, but is very oily.  Your skin will be soft until you wash it off - and it doesn’t get on your clothes.  The massage person will leave you alone in the room to pin up or cover up your hair, remove your jewelry (post earrings may be left in place), remove your clothes and get under the sheet and blanket.


With your legs, one is exposed at a time and the sheet is tucked between your legs. Only one leg exposed at a time with modesty during the entire time.  Some people have a hard time removing their under garments and your therapist will adapt, but you won’t get some muscles massaged, especially on your upper and lower back.  My therapist starts with me on my stomach, arms to the side with a pillow roll under my ankles, head is in a head holder on the massage table.  When it’s time to turn over, they will hold the covers up (giving you some privacy) while you flip to the other side.

The room is usually has dim lighting with music (no lyrics) playing softly in the background.  Some therapists also use a sound machine (birds chirping, ocean waves, rain, soothing sounds).  If you want to talk, make sure it’s before your technician gets started.  They may ask if you have any problem areas on your body.  Sometimes there’s a floor fan, but you won’t be cold.  It may be to keep your massage therapist cool.

This is time for meditation, prayer and maybe a nap.  It’s time to clear your mind from all the frustrations that might come your way.  It’s your time.  If you get a ‘chatty cathy’ man or woman, you may want to change people.  It’s up to you if you are more comfortable with a man or a woman touching you.  Most men prefer women to massage them because a man-on-man may not be welcomed.  I’ve had both, nonetheless, I prefer a woman.

When I was younger, massage was a luxury (special occasions); now, it’s a necessity.  I budget a one-hour, hot-stone treatment (a good therapist massages with her stones and doesn’t just lay them on your body), once a month as I do my manicure and pedicure.  If you don’t take care of yourself (don’t go into debt, but cut back on other luxuries) then how can you take care of someone or something else.  Massage chairs found in a mall doesn’t count as an authentic massage.

At the end of your massage, it’s very important that you drink lots and lots of water to flush the toxins from your body.  If you exercise, some people choose to go before, others go after the gym, and some don’t go on the same day of the massage.  I choose the latter.

Thanks to Beth at Hand and Stone Massage & Facial Spa for enlightening me on things that I didn’t know about the massage trade; and to 10, 000 Waves for giving me a wonderful resort experience and knowledge.  Resorts and cruise ships offer rooms for you and your spouse to experience the relaxation of therapeutic massage.  If you have any questions, ask me in the comment section.  OBTW, if you have a little flatulence (gas) during your massage; just say, “Excuse me”.  It’s only you and your therapist in the room and somebody did it.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

John Maxwell and company come back to JAX

Updated: September 30; October 7, 2016
L
egacy Leaders, LLC and Impact Church are pleased to host Live2Lead Jacksonville via Simulcast on Friday, October 7, 2016.  Live2Lead is a leader development experience featuring John C. Maxwell, Simon Sinek, Liz Wiseman, and Dan Cathy.  It is a half day program designed to equip you with new perspectives, practical tools and key takeaways. You’ll breathe new life into your leadership during this information-packed half-day event.

Legacy Leaders LLC
is a leadership development firm headquartered in beautiful Jacksonville, Florida.  They provide training, speaking, coaching, and consulting services to help businesses, entrepreneurs, and their employees recognize, embrace, and pursue their next levels.  Their customizable curricula for personal and professional development cover areas such as effective communication, workplace readiness, employee engagement, succession planning, priority management, and so much more.  Legacy Leaders LLC works with you and your employees to move you from being busy to being effective; transforming your business from successful – significant.  Return to your office ready to implement your new action plan and lead with renewed passion and commitment.

As in years past, you will learn from qualified, successful entrepreneurs who have proven themselves in the business and social world.  Speakers include:
John C. Maxwell: #1 New York Times bestselling author, coach, and speaker.  John is the #1 leader in business according to the American Management Association®.  Business Insider and Inc. magazines identify him as the world’s most influential leadership expert.
Simon Sinek: Bestselling author and unshakable optimist.  Simon is leading a movement to inspire people to do the things that inspire them.
Liz Wiseman: Teacher of executives and emerging leaders around the world. Liz is the President of “The Wiseman Group” and a bestselling author of three books.
Dan Cathy: Chairman, President and CEO for Chick-fil-A, one of North America’s largest family-owned businesses.  Dan takes an unconventional, yet personally and professionally rewarding approach to Chick-fil-A leadership.

The 2012 Chick-fil-A Leadercast conference, that was held in Atlanta, GA and telecasted to over 125,000 leaders in over 600 host sites, and 17 countries; gave the tools that are need in order to be effective role models.  The Jacksonville Florida site, where this writer attended, hosted 205 participants that had a need to know about choices and leadership qualities.

Live2Lead 2016
DATE:
Friday, October 7, 2016

Due to the severe weather projected, Live2Lead: Jacksonville on this Friday, October 7th will be postponed. Each of our guests' safety is of utmost importance, which is why we have elected to move the event to next Friday, October 14th.

TIME:
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

LOCATION: 
IMPACT CHURCH
      
8985 Lone Star Rd.
      Jacksonville, Florida 32211
      (904) 725-3636
For a location near you, click HERE and submit your information.

TICKETS: *Pre-registration is required* and the deadline has been extended to Thurs., Oct. 6th.  Individuals Sales $89 + processing fee. 
Group Sales of 6 or more are $79 + processing fee.  Price includes: General admission seating, Breakfast and Simulcast event.  Sales end on Oct. 6, 2016.  Tickets are required and will NOT be available on the day of the event.

** Interpretation Services provided for Deaf and Hard of Hearing **