Peak Performance

Donald S. Christiansen, University of Washington sports psychology consultant, lists characteristics of “peak performance,” sometimes called “the zone.”

The athlete is:

1. physically relaxed
2. mentally calm
3. focused
4. alert
5. confident
6. in control
7. positive
8. feeling enjoyment
9. feeling effortless
10. on “automatic”
11. focused on the present moment

True Joy in Life

This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

- George Bernard Shaw