Often during the month of November we see "30 Days of Thanksgiving" challenges that push us to develop gratitude for the blessings that we so often overlook and take for granted. And while I love such challenges, they often only require us to declare our thankfulness on social media and nothing more. And that's not enough.

So, here's a challenge that is truly an activity challenge. During my "30 Days of Thankful-ness Giving" you'll have to not only do some soul-searching to discover what you're grateful for, you'll have to do things for others and for yourself to express your gratitude. This challenge will open your heart, deepen your soul, strengthen your relationships and most of all bring peace and joy to your life. 

Developing a spirit of gratitude has been shown to improve our immune systems, increase our level of happiness, deep our relationships and build optimism for daily life. So good luck and happy holidays! May this season be full of laughter, love, light and football...I mean, wonder. 

-Jeremy

30 Days of Thankful-ness Giving ChallengeExpress Gratitude For Your....

Day 1: Life's Experiences - Do you realize how amazing you are? A living, breathing human being! Take a moment and write a list of ten life events that you are grateful occurred to help you be you. 

Day 2: Parents - As imperfect as they are, your parents did their best to love and raise you right. Pick up the phone and call your mother or father (or a mentor) to tell them how much you appreciate their influence in your life.

Day 3: Best Friend - Friends are the spice of life, so write your best friend a letter outlining all the reasons you are thankful that they are in your life.

Day 4: Neighbor - "It takes a village" as they say and neighbors are an important part of our lives. Make a taste treat and take it to a neighbor who has been a wonderful friend for you and/or your family.

Day 5: Blessings - Spend a quiet 15-minutes today just thinking about all the blessings that you have in your life and nothing else.

Day 6: Body - Do something active today! Get outside and enjoy the fresh air and give thanks for the body that you have, despite what you think may be its faults or "problem areas".

Day 7: Mind - Spend time reviewing a favorite childhood memory, then think about what you did yesterday, and finally think about a problem in your life and come up with a solution. Lastly, be grateful for a healthy mind that can do all three of those things and spend some time in a good book today to exercise your brain! 

Someday “Just friends” Will be “Best Friends”

Someday “I think highly of you” Will be “I can’t stop thinking about you”

Someday “I have to go” Will be “I don’t want you to ever leave”

Someday “I’m glad you’re in my life” Will be “I can’t imagine life without you”

Someday “We’re going in different directions" Will be “Where can we go together?”

Someday “I’m here for you” Will be “I’d give my life for you”

Someday “You’re pretty great” Will be “You’re my everything”

Someday “I admire your life” Will be “Let’s build a life together”

Someday...

-Jeremy C. Holm

With the Sochi, Russia XXII Olympic Winter Games, or the 22nd Winter Olympics, upon us, the world is eagerly anticipating watching their favorite sports and over 2,800 athletes compete on the global stage as they strive to win gold in 98 events in 15 winter sport disciplines.

But why should they have all the fun?

The Games remind us of all the good that we can do in this world when we follow our dreams. I think the Olympics are so loved because they speak to the inner child we all carry in our hearts, that part of ourselves that still believes, still hopes and still dreams. And the Games, along with the inspirational example of our athletes, invite us to let our inner child go play, go dream, go hope and go live an amazing life without fear, insecurities or regrets.

To that end, I put together this 2014 Olympics Bingo card so you and your friends and family can have fun as you watch, laugh, cry, sigh, gasp and cheer! Just right-click on the image below and print to enjoy!

-Jeremy

Alternatively, you can download a PDF version of the Olympic Bingo card HERE

A recent encounter with a bump in the road (aka "adversity") in the pursuit of one of my goals, for some reason my mind turned to Peter the apostle in the Bible's New Testament. Now, even if you aren't Christian, keep reading because I realized that one of Peter's experiences in his life can teach us quite a bit about setting, keeping and working for goals.

The story in question is found in St. Mathew chapter 14 (or St. Mark 6 and St. John 6). The story tells us that Jesus Christ's disciples, of which Peter was one, were out on a small fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee on their way to Capernaum. We read that it was late at night, during the "fourth watch" which according to the Roman's method of keeping time was "quarta vigilia noctis", or just before dawn, which tells us that the disciples had been rowing and fighting the storm throughout the night.

Now storms on the Sea of Galilee can be quite violent due to the cold air coming down from the hills around the sea where it meets the warmer air around the Galilee due to the lower elevation. So there the disciples were; it was late, it was violently stormy, the wind was roaring, the waves were crashing over the tiny boat's sides and the rain was coming down in sheets. It was at this point that Jesus appeared, walking across the thrashing water. While the disciples feard it was spirit at first, Jesus said "Be of good acheer; it is I; be not afraid." Peter, upon seeing his master, cries out, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." to which Jesus simply responds, "Come." This is where it gets interesting.

After spending half a lifetime surrounded by some of the best athletes in the world, I've learned quite a bit about setting effective resolutions for life. From Olympic gold medalists to world champions, these competitors continually set the bar high in pursuit of athletic, personal, work and educational goals.

Over the years as an athlete, then a coach, now an athlete again I have taken the lessons I have learned from these champions and applied them in my own life, in addition to my own insights and methods, and have discovered that there is truth to the saying that "you can do anything you set your mind to." The caveat is that it takes careful planning and hard work, so here are five gold-medal tips to help you set and keep those New Year's Resolutions!

1. Discover the Why
So often I encounter people who set great New Year's Resolutions, but fail to achieve them because they set them to impress or appease others.Any goal or objective that we set because of some outside social pressure is bound to fail. Why do you want to go to the gym more in 2014? Is it to improve your health and feel more fit? Or is it because you feel that you need to because society demands it? Why do you want to get a better job in 2014? Is it to feel satisfaction through a better use of your time and abilities? Or is it to tell others you have a fancy title and therefore feel (falsely) important? New Year's Resolutions that last are ones that are set because WE want to set and achieve them. So ask yourself: WHY do you want to set and achieve X, Y, and Z resolutions? Is it for yourself, or for others?

Several years ago while sitting with a trusted friend we began to reminisce about high school. As I talked about the good and bad that comes with that "joyous" time of life, I thought back to my younger self's battles for identity and the additional silent wars fought against anxiety and depression. Imagine trying to define yourself while dealing with those particular ghosts in the closet?

My friend immediately noticed the quiet change that came over my face. "You ok?"

"I feel sorry for him," I said quietly. And I did. When I thought back to all that my 15-18 year old self had to deal with, I silently wanted to applaud the fact that I had survived. Depression sucks at any age, let alone to a barely-able-to-drive kid who thought his world revolved around bobsled, girls, good grades and my faith. I didn't know words like "cope", "share", "vent", "heal" and "support." All I knew was that I was supposed to keep it together, put the big smile on my face and make it through. Like many guys, I would be damned before I admitted I needed a helping hand.

Recently I had the opportunity to participate in a charity masquerade dance/event to raise money for a young boy suffering from a costly medical condition. It was a real joy to help provide some surprise relief for this boy’s family as the holiday season (and medical bills) approached.

During the event I observed some fascinating social behaviors displayed by the attendees, 99% of whom were single and fell within the 25-50 age range. I noticed these same mannerisms at several Halloween functions I went to which piqued my curiosity even further.

I’m a people watcher, an “observer”. While I often find myself the center of attention as a speaker or visiting athlete or host, I am perfectly content just sitting with a small group of friends and talking the night away. However, more often than not I do not have the luxury of doing this, so over the years I have learned to quickly evaluate the personalities, mindsets, habits, attitudes, desires and motivations of the crowd, group or person(s) I find myself associating with for whatever event I am at.

As I watched the people at the masquerade and Halloween parties, I noticed that many were willing to give up their uniqueness in a good-intentioned attempt to be unique. Confused? Let me put it another way: I saw people put on the “important” and “required” social and fashion “masks” in order to fit in when they really desired to stand out.

Several years ago I went backpacking with a group down to Paria Canyon in Southern Utah. Located within the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area, this beautiful 50-mile hike was a breathtaking adventure in some of God's greatest creations. With stunning sandstone "sculptures" molded by wind and water and overwhelming 300-400 foot tall cliff walls, this trip was where I fell in love with Southern Utah.

During this trip we would sleep out under the stars and I remember one night gazing up into the cosmos and trying to count the infinite number of bright lights that hung in the night sky. The air was so clear down there that I felt as though I could raise up my hand and touch the stars. 

Touching the stars. Not many of us try to do that anymore. As kids we all had these marvelous dreams and hopes for the future, but somewhere along the way we start to lose that magic, that special spark of "anything is possible". Reality sets in and imagination goes out the window. No wonder so many people in this world are bored, sad, lonely and discouraged! You can see it in their eyes; they've stopped dreaming.

They've stopped reaching for the stars. 

Over the years I have been asked just about every question you can think of when it comes to bobsled. From "What do they make the ice out of?" to "What if you put flour on the sled's body to help with aerodynamics?" (true story) so I wanted to compile a brief summary of some key terms and components of my beloved sport.

These are very basic definitions and descriptions designed for the general public, so my colleagues in the sport may find this page redundant. But for those of you who want to learn more about the world's BEST winter sport, read on!

THE SLED:

• Bunk: The four wings on the sides of the bobsled (two in front, two in back) that keep the body of the bobsled from hitting the walls. Also, in Four-Man bobsled the two side pushers load into the sled by stepping on the Bunks.
• Brakes: The Harrow-type implements that dig into the ice once a bobsled crosses the finish line. Controlled by the team’s Brakeman. The brake handles are located on the brakeman’s sides in a four-man sled or to their front in a two-man sled.
• Four-man Bobsled: A Four-Man bobsled measures 3.8 meters (about 12 feet) in length and weighs no more than 630 kilograms (1,389 pounds) with crew. A Four-Man bobsled crew consists of the Pilot, a Brakeman and two Side Pushers. 4-man sleds can often reach slightly higher speeds on the track than Two-Man bobsleds.
• Two-man Bobsled: A 2-man bobsled measures 2.7 meters (about 8 feet) in length and weighs no more than 390 kilograms (860 pounds) with crew. Crews of a 2-man are made up of the pilot, or driver, and a brakeman.

EQUIPMENT:

• Bobspikes: The special sprint shoes we use in bobsled that include hundreds of sharp steel spikes on the soles of the shoes which allow us to push on the ice. Those spikes cannot be thicker than one mm or longer than four mm.
• Burn Suit: (also burn vest) The special friction-dissipating shirt worn underneath speedsuits to protect athletes from ice burns in the case of a crash.
• Helmets: Bobsled helmets need a certified EEC safety rating such as OKM or DOT and protect our heads from the serious injuries that can result in memory loss, reduced physical mobility, or perhaps even death.
• Runners: Four highly polished steel sliders on which the sled rides. It is prohibited to heat the runners or treat them with any gaseous, liquid or solid substances in order to improve their sliding capabilities.
• Scabbards: Protective covers that go over the bobsled’s runners which allow teams to move their sleds around with damaging their polished surfaces.
• Shims: Thin sheets of metal placed between the sled’s Runner and Shoe to reduce chatter and help with alignment.
• Speedsuit: Those awesome superhero spandex suits we wear for competitions.

ATHLETES:

Brakeman: Athlete who sits in the back of the sled in Two-Man and Four-Man bobsled.
Driver: see Pilot
Pilot: The athlete who drives the sled by use of steering ropes and the steering system which controls the front two Runners. The Pilot sits in front in both two-man and four-man bobsled.
Pushers: In the four-man sled, two additional athletes help push the sled and then sit in the sled between the pilot and brakeman.

THE TRACK:

Braking Stretch: The section of the track just beyond the Finish Line where teams use their brakes to decelerate. It’s the part on TV where all the ice is spraying out to the side.
Buzzer: An audible noise that lets the team know the track is clear for them.
Control Tower: Just like at an airport, the track’s Control Tower monitors track clearance, the timing system, the video system and more. They’re the bosses.
Cornering: When a bobsled team heads through one of the track’s curves.
Course: See Track
Finish Area: The area at the bottom of a track where teams remove their bobsleds from the track and place the sled into its Scabbards.
Finish Clock: The timing scoreboard that sits near the finish area.
Kreisel: A turn on a bobsled track that curves back on itself and is between 270 and 320 degrees around the circumference.
Labyrinth: A portion of the track that consists of a three-turn combination.
Line: The best or most efficient route around a track. A "high line" takes a sled closer to the top of a turn while a "low line" takes a sled closer to the bottom, or belly, of a turn.
Lip: A reinforced safety barrier that sits on the top edge of turns and prevents sled from flying off the track. Hit these and you’ll bounce off back down the turn.
Omega: a large turn that looks like the Greek letter Omega or a ‘W’.
Push Block: A wooden block frozen into the ice on the Start Ramp that the team uses to push off of during the Push Start.
Start Area: The top area of the track where teams prepare and queue their sleds.
Start Clock: a countdown clock off to the left of the Start Ramp that contains a green light and a buzzer to let the athletes know when the track is cleared for their run. Bobsled teams have 60 seconds from this point to break the first timing point.
Start Ramp: The Start Ramp on a track is the initial decline that bobsled teams push down and load into their sleds for their Run down the course.
Sturz: (also 10-81) German word for crash.
Track Crew: The talented professionals who keep the track running smoothly. They clean and shape the ice in the curves and monitor the overall conditions of the course.

THE RACES:

Disqualification: (also DQ’d) When an athlete or team is found to have broken one of the rules he, she or they are Disqualified from the race.
Heat: A heat in bobsled consists of one rotation of the race order.
Loading: The portion of the Push Start where the athletes load into their seats in the sled.
Officials: A team of dedicated professionals that help make sure everyone is adhering to the rules of the game from the start of the competition to the end.
Push Start: The portion of a run where the team pushes the bobsled down the Start Ramp and loads in. This is all about speed and power and the race can be won or lost with a Push Start.
Run: (also decent) A run consists of a full trip down the course for a team.
Timing Points: The Timing Points on a track are locations where sensors have been embedded into the course’s Short Walls so as to measure a team’s speed and time spent on their current Run.

ORGANIZATIONS:

FIBT: Fédération Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing, the international governing body for bobsled and skeleton.
IOC: The International Olympic Committee is international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation based in Lausanne, Switzerland which is the supreme authority of the worldwide Olympic movement.
IPC: The International Paralympic Committee is an international non-profit organisation and the global governing body for the Paralympic Movement.
USOC: Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., the United States Olympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States.
USBSF: The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation is the national governing body for bobsled and skeleton for the U.S.