You better work.

Say hello to my heavy friends.

With a few rare exceptions, there's nothing hard exercise can't fix. Seriously. And when I say, "hard exercise," I mean hard. The 20-minute stroll around the mall after dinner in the food court doesn't count. I'm talking sweat. A lot of it, and maybe some involuntary exertion sounds, too. The kind of exercise that makes you really wonder if you can complete the set, or survive the next 45 seconds. Life in the modern world is so full of comforts and entertainment, the stress of really vigorous exercise at first seems absolutely crazy. But it makes perfect sense if you want your life to be better; here's why:

With challenge comes change*. Change is inevitable, even for people who live very routine, regimented lives. Anyone who is getting older (all of us) is changing. You can let time and inertia change you into something crusty and stagnant. Or you can let your effort change you into something new. Something stronger, faster, and more adaptable. (*Courtesy of Tony Horton - thank you P-90X!)

Exercise makes you resilient. Especially if it's progressively more challenging. The first time I did high intensity interval training, I almost vomited. It was awful, and I felt pathetic confronted by my lack of strength and endurance. But when I tried again, and I delivered a little more. That was immensely gratifying, so I kept coming back. Proving to myself that I can always give a little more helped me let go of my fear and just go for it. Here, I challenge you to try this 15-minute workout on 3 consecutive days this week. Believe in yourself, the results will astound you.

Be here now. Some people choose meditation or yoga to achieve mindfulness. I like to lift as heavy as I can. For those few minutes, there's no room for worry about work drama, or shoveling the driveway, or the bills. There's only me, a barbell, and gravity. Like quality sleep, I believe a tough workout helps clean out your mind.

Speaking of Zs, you'll sleep like a rock, which will make you more rested, which makes you more patient and pleasant. Good for everyone.

Endorphins and confidence. Let's be honest, when you don't look your best, you don't feel your best. But when your pants fit well or you don't have knee pain anymore, you stand up a little taller. Even a small boost of energy goes a long way to making you feel more secure and ready to face the world. People around you notice, and they react to it. Positive energy makes more positive energy. Negative energy, bah - let's not waste our time.

There are plenty of things in life that we can't change. Many are the result of large external forces (or unchangeable people) outside our influence. But we can make choices about what we do with our minds and bodies. We all have the power to nurture and strengthen them. How will you take charge?

2014 gift: your greatest hits

This time of year, I do a lot of looking back and looking forward. And today I remembered a great way to enjoy the achievements of the past and let them inspire the ones coming in the future. Driving around on errands, I caught "The Best of Frank Sinatra," on the radio. Now whether or not you're a Sinatra fan (I am), you have to respect the man's catalogue. What a voice, and what a career! And the fact that "The Best of Sinatra" is a weekly program says something, too, right?

This year Steve was up for promotion to full professor, and part of the process was documenting his accomplishments since the last evaluation. I called it his "greatest hits album." What started out as a chore became a tranformative experience. "There's nothing like seeing all your work laid out. It's the ultimate scrapbook - it reminds you of all the hard work you did to get it all done."

He had a point. Besides a sometimes-tended Behance portfolio, I've not fully committed myself to building a greatest hits album. But I think I will. We whittle away at projects that take up so much mental effort, and consequently only enjoy the pride of one project at a time. Why enjoy it all in one dose?

I may not do work that saves lives or earns notoriety, but I take immense pride in it. And that's not going to change. But I am going to take more time to look back and know that I've helped others, and in the process produced some damn fine work. And this time next year, I'll think of 2014, and think, "It was a very good year."

Happy holidays!

I know, it's early. But a recent trip to London has inspired me to get in the Christmas time mood. In particular, a visit to Fortnum & Mason got me really excited. F&M is easily the most gorgeous and elegant retail experience I've ever had. And a bit surreal, to be honest. You come up the centuries-old staircase to an inviting, but not overwhelming combination of cinnamon and pine fragrance. There's just enough room to walk around, and every square inch of merchandise space is used to the max. It was just captivating: sparkling ornaments arranged perfectly in glass pedestal bowls, artfully decorated trees, rolls of glittering gift wrapping paper. I wanted to buy one of everything; this is visual merchandising done right.

I was especially tempted to buy one of these (fuschia) beauties, but sadly, it was more than I could pay for something that might not make the trip home in my suitcase. The whole display was a feast for the eyes, and well, F&M does sell online, so there's still time if I change my mind.

And of course, I had to visit the gift wrapping department. I love the glamorous chandelier over the counter. Maybe I need one for my shop...

I could have stayed there all day. The papers in the shop weren't too different than what I find here in the states, but it was (naturally) the presentation that struck me! You could tell that the wooden display tables had been lovingly maintained, the employees were incredibly knowledgeable, and even the brass plates on the door hinges were polished regularly. All of this points to an immense pride in the work, which really appealed to me. Though I'm very happy with my dayjob, I had a little fantasy of donning the tidy F&M waistcoat and bowtie, and standing behind the gift wrap counter, wrapping exquisite treasures in gorgeous, fine paper and silk ribbon. Who wouldn't?!

That said, I'm brainstorming a Fortnum & Mason-inspired prezzie series. Stay tuned.

PS: In case you were wondering, the signature robin's egg blue of Fortnum & Mason came 130 years before Tiffany & Co.

Fine Giving on Fine Living

Years ago, I worked for Kate's Paperie in New York City. Fine Living asked me to share tips on gift wrapping. Check out this how-to video on making your gifts personalized and special.