Personal Insight from a geek

Be, Do, Have

2009-09-30T21:24:00.001-06:00

Most people think the other way, when I have the luxury home and car, executive job, I will then be successful. I say it is the other way, first Be successful in your mind, then do the things so you can have the luxury home and car. You must first be successful in your mind. This goes for anything you want in life. The 'Be'ing comes first. To have a wonderful marriage, you must first BE the perfect partner in you mind.

One of the concepts I got from the book 'Think and Grow Rich' was that nothing in this world just happens, first someone must think about it. You don't just go out and build a house. First there are ideas of what the house should look like, floor plan, etc. Then someone make drawings and plans for building the house. The same goes for your life. First think and be what you want, successful entrepreneur, great marriage, wonderful parent, etc. Then write it down, just thinking is not enough. This is where writing a journal is so helpful. Writing in a journal helps to focus on what your goals and helps to clarify your thoughts. I remember reading somewhere that writing is a mental exercise it helps with getting your thoughts into your subconscious mind. So, writing your thoughts, dreams and goals in a journal will help you to BE what your are striving for.

Polaris Media Group Launches New Line to Assist Entrepreneurs Find Success

2009-09-07T19:31:00.003-06:00

Learning to Set Goals, Be Self-Reliant and Persistent Can Help Individuals Achieve Their Dreams.

Amazing company that I am grateful to be in on the ground floor

2009-09-02T18:56:00.002-06:00

Book Review: "The Greatest Net worker in the World" by John Milton Fogg

2009-02-17T06:11:00.001-07:00

I like instructional books that are written as a story. It seems to make the reading easier. I don't know I am reading and learning. This book is about a network marketer that was about to quit when he meets The Greatest Networker in the World (GNW). He spends the weekend with GNW and learns a lot about himself, and the network marketing business.

One of the things that stood out for me was when GNW talked about how network marketers will put down other network marketing companies. This hurts the whole network marketing industry. People here this and think 'Why would I want to be in network marketing'. I might think that my opportunity is the best in the world, but I will not put down, or insult other companies. One reason is that not every opportunity is the best for everyone. Each individual person needs to decide if the opportunity is right for them, and that might not be mine.

On of the techniques I liked was the 'Movie of my life'. It is a visualization method where you visualize going to a movie that is about myself. I imagine sitting in a theater and watching my accomplishments and adventures on the big screen.

Overall a good book and easy to read. As I said, I like the style of a story for self-help type books.

Grateful for my kids

2009-02-17T05:48:00.001-07:00

I am so grateful for my 2 great kids. I have learned raising them than I ever did in college. My daughter and husband have a cute son. I am thankful for my grandson, for all the love and joy he brings to our lives.

My GeoTrax train set

2008-12-27T17:15:00.001-07:00

My kids gave me a FisherPrice GeoTrax for Christmas. They think I am 4 and not 45.

Christmas Day 2008

2008-12-26T12:05:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Self-Care for the Holiday Season by by LaSara W. Firefox, MPNLP

2008-12-09T20:46:00.002-07:00

The holidays are upon us.

No matter what your spiritual persuasion, you’re probably going to be finding time within this season of cold days and long nights to gather with family and friends, sit around the feast table, and celebrate some light in the darkness.

What a wonderful thing! But even so, the most joyful season still comes with holiday stress. And, between travel, shopping, parties, and family commitments, many of us don’t take very good care of ourselves in the midst of it all.

During the holidays, most of us eat more – and more poorly. We exercise less. We let our spiritual practices slip. I mean, who has time to meditate? There’s a sale on, and I still have gifts to buy! (Right?)

The result; physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion.

In addition to the basic stressors listed above, the holidays are the loneliest time of the year for many. Depression rates increase in the darker months, and many people experience physical and psychological ills when faced with the prospect of gathering with family. (Ever heard of the Christmas Migraine? It’s a real thing.)

For a change, why not make a pre-New Year’s resolution? Dedicate yourself to defeating the stress and depression many of us associate with this time of year, before it even happens.

Remember your own self-care, and the rest will come easily; pleasure, enjoyment, and a healthful indulgence in the more lovely aspects of the season.

1. Eat with a plan:

The magic of the holidays doesn’t change the exercise/calories ratio. So, as usual, the more you exercise, the more calories you can take in without weight gain.

New studies show that though the amount of weight gained during the holidays is less than was assumed – around 1 pound gained between Thanksgiving the New Years - the weight gain is often long-lasting, if not permanent.

On average, body weight in women increases by 5.2 percent in ten years. How much of that is holiday gain? It’s unclear. But, holiday munching is one culprit you can limit the power of by eating consciously, and entering the season with a plan.

If you’re in relatively good shape, your plan should include healthy eating choices, and balancing exercise with caloric intake. Don’t get neurotic about it, but pay attention.

If your weight is already a health concern, your plan should be more intensive. And again, exercise is key to happy, healthy, guilt-free eating.

2. Exercise

Exercise keeps your weight down, and your heart healthy

As mentioned above, your holiday health plan must include exercise! There are many excellent reasons to include a solid dose of cardio in your regular plans.

One reason, of course, is the exercise/calorie ratio. One pound of weight=3500 calories. So, as you keep track of your intake, you can tally, and exercise as needed to balance the indulgences.

Exercise is also a great treatment for depression, stress, anxiety, and seasonal affective disorder.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in 2005, exercise is as effective as antidepressant medication for treating mild to moderate depression. It’s also helpful in the treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

For treatment to be most effective, perform moderately intense cardio – exercise bike, treadmill, or other aerobic activity - for 30 – 35 minutes a day, 3 – 5 days a week.

If you’re on antidepressants, exercise is wonderful as a complimentary measure.

3. Take a break:

Take time to slow down. Relax into the rhythm that your body gravitates to in this dark time. Sit in the bathtub. Meditate. Pray. Greet the dark, and let it heal you.

Don’t forget to make time for sleep.

4. Spend time with those closest to you:

In my little family, we plan our relaxation into the calendar, holidays or not. We plan chill time, family movie nights, and my husband and I religiously observe Tuesday evening as our date night.

Find some rituals that make sense to your and yours.

Plan in and enjoy closeness with those near and dear in these coldest and darkest of days and nights. Tell and listen stories. Watch the classic holiday films. Do crafts together.

5. Remember the heart of what’s most important to you about the season:

What’s your favorite thing about the season? Is it friends, family, and gatherings? Who got or gave the greatest gift? Wassail and carols? Feeding the hungry? The lights and trees and sparkly things?

Whatever it is that brings you joy, make sure to keep it front and center. Focus on the delight. Build your holiday around the parts that you, and those you love, find most important. It goes a long way toward keeping your holiday sane, sweet, and meaningful.

About the author:

LaSara Firefox, MPNLP, is a coach, trainer, and author. LaSara helps clients find balance in their lives, and alignment with their personal and family-held values. She teaches and coaches internationally. She’s wife to an outstanding man, and mom to two brilliant girls.

You can find out more about LaSara at http://www.lasarafirefox.com. While you’re there, be sure to check out her December coaching special – the VERY affordable Body, Mind, and Spirit Renewal program.

Funny Story - WalMart Chili

2008-11-29T13:20:00.002-07:00

Do not know who wrote this, received it in an email.

I went grocery shopping recently while not being altogether sure that said
course of action was a wise one. You see, the previous evening I had prepared
and consumed a massive quantity of my patented 'You're definitely going to
mess yourself' chili. Tasty stuff, albeit hot to the point of being painful,
which comes with a written guarantee from me that if you eat the next day
both of your butt cheeks WILL fall off.

Here's the thing. I had awakened that morning, and even after two cups of
coffee (and all of you know what I mean) nothing happened. No 'Watson's
Movement 2'. Despite habanera peppers swimming their way through my
intestinal tract, I appeared to be unable to create the usual morning
symphony referred to by my next door neighbors as thunder and lightning.

Knowing that a time of reckoning had to come, yet not sure of when, I bravely
set off for the market; a local Wal-Mart grocery store that I often haunt in
search of tasty tidbits.

Upon entering the store at first all seemed normal. I selected a cart and
began pushing it about dropping items in for purchase. It wasn't until I was
at the opposite end of the store from the restrooms that the pain hit me. Oh,
don't look at me like you don't know what I'm talking about. I'm referring to
that 'Uh oh, gotta go' pain that always seems to hit us at the wrong time.
The thing is, this pain was different.

The habaneras in the chili from the night before were staging a revolt. In a
mad rush for freedom they bullied their way through the small intestines,
forcing their way into the large intestines, and before I could take one step
in the direction of the restrooms which would bring sweet relief, it
happened. The peppers fired a warning shot.

There I stood, alone in the spice and baking aisle, suddenly enveloped in a
noxious cloud the likes of which has never before been recorded. I was afraid
to move for fear that more of this vile odor might escape me. Slowly, oh so
slowly, the pressure seemed to leave the lower part of my body, and I
began to move up the aisle and out of it, just as an elderly woman turned
into it.

I don't know what made me do it, but I stopped to see what her reaction would
be to the malodorous effluvium that refused to dissipate, as she walked into
it unsuspecting. Have you ever been torn in two different directions
emotionally? Here's what I mean, and I'm sure some of you at least will be
able to relate.
I could've warned that poor woman but didn't. I simply watched as she walked
into an invisible, and apparently indestructible, wall of odor so terrible
that all she could do before gathering her senses and running, was to stand
there blinking and waving her arms about her head as though trying to ward
off angry bees. This, of course, made me feel terrible, but then made me
laugh. Mistake.

Here's the thing. When you laugh, it's hard to keep things 'clamped down', if
you know what I mean. With each new guffaw an explosive issue burst forth
from my nether region. Some were so loud and echoing that I was later told a
few folks in other aisles had ducked, fearing that someone was robbing the
store and firing off a shotgun.

Suddenly things were no longer funny. IT was coming, and I raced off through
the store towards the restrooms, laying down a cloud the whole way, praying
that I'd make it before the grand mal assplosion took place.

Luck was on my side. Just in the nick of time I got to the john, began the
inevitable 'Oh my God', floating above the toilet seat because my butt is
burning SO BAD, purging. One poor fellow walked in while I was in the middle
of what is the true meaning of 'Shock and Awe'. He made a gagging sound, and
disgustedly said, ' Oh my God!', then quickly left.

Once finished I left the restroom, reacquired my partially filled cart
intending to carry on with my shopping when a store employee approached me
and said, 'Sir, you might want to step outside for a few minutes. It appears
some prankster set off a stink bomb in the store. The manager is going to run
the vent fans on high for a minute or two which ought to take care of the
problem.'

That of course set me off again, causing residual gases to escape me. The
employee took one sniff, jumped back pulling his shirt up to cover his nose
and, pointing at me in an accusing manner shouted, 'IT'S YOU!', then ran off
returning moments later with the manager. I was unceremoniously escorted from
the premises and asked none too kindly not to return.

Home again without having shopped, I realized that there was nothing to eat
but leftover chili, so I consumed two more bowls. The next day I went to shop
at Albertson's. I can't say anymore about that because we are in court over
the whole matter. They claim they're going to have to repaint the store.

Christmas Newsletter

2008-11-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Olesya and Ned as elfs

2008-11-26T11:53:00.002-07:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I am one of Santa's helpers

2008-11-26T11:36:00.001-07:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Persist with out exception

2008-11-03T12:52:00.004-07:00

Definition (Webster online dictionary) Persist: to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning; to continue to exist especially past a usual, expected, or normal time.

I like that, resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition. How many times have we made a goal and then quit when told that it was too much or too big a goal? How often to we quit when are so close but just can't seem to get that last little bit? What would of happened if we had just persisted just a little bit more, or ignored the detractors. I like to call the naysayers, detractors, etc "Monkey Chatter". Seems rude but then isn't it rude of these people to try and stop you from reaching your goal. For example, I have a goal to weight 180lbs, I currently weight 275, and I started at 297. I have had some tell me that I will 'never' reach 180. Do I listen to them? NO. I use what I have learned with personal development ant Weight Watchers. I know that I can achieve this weight.

So the next time someone tells you about a goal or project and you think it is too big for them, instead of trying to discourage them, encourage and support.

I went to listen to Andy Andrews talk. He has a great perspective on Persistance. One of his 7 Decisions for success is 'Persist Without Exception'. Just when you think you have tried everything, done everything or thought of everything, that is the time to get stubborn and persist.

In the book 'Think and Grow Rich', Napolean Hill tells a story. In the gold rush days in Colorado a man and his uncle had started a mine. They had mined enough gold/silver to pay off the startup costs but then the vein of ore stopped. They kept digging for awhile but then gave up and sold the equipment and rights to a junk man. This junk man decided to get an experts opinion so he had a mining engineer look at the mine. The engineer found that the ore would contiue on just 3 feet from where the man and his uncle had stopped. This mine end up being one of the richest in Colorado. If the man and uncle had just persisted a little further they would have been rich.

What am I trying say? For anything you want to accomplish one of the traits you should use is persistence and persistence with out exception.

Andy Andrews on Amazon
Napolean Hill on Amazon

Learning Russian Language

2008-10-28T16:58:00.006-06:00

I took an assessment test on my knowledge of Russian.

Russian test by the iErudite online school My results grouped according to the levels of complexity
	Space cadet	0%
	Pilot	0%
	Navigator	6%
	Captain	0%
	Admiral	0%
I can get 100%!

Self-Help and Personal Development

2008-10-19T14:43:00.002-06:00

I was looking at the Top Audio books on iTunes and out of the 100 books 28 where on self-help or personal development. Many more where on business leadership or management. Only about half the books were fiction. i found this very interesting. So many people are looking to improve themself or trying to find something better in life. I read the description of 4 or 5 of the books, all were based on the law of attraction, or desire and thoughts. Everything I have learned from personal development over the years comes down to one thing, you are what you think you are. It is all on my own, or yours, mental attitude. How do I direct my mental attitude? I use visualization, affirmations, goals and meditation.

Visualization

Using my imagination to see who I am going to be and what I want from life. Once a day as part of my meditation I imagine achieving my goals. For example, I am getting married to a beautiful woman from Russia. To accomplish this is not an easy task, the visa for her could take up to a year. As part of my visualization I see us going to holding hands, cuddling, going to movies, dinner, theater, walks, and watching TV. I feel her hand in mine, I can see us talking and laughing. I do this everyday for at lesat 5 minutes.
Visualization can be used as a method of practice for situations. I use visualization to practice calling people for my business. I go over all responses and replies. Then when I do make my calls I am confident and comfortable talking with them. If I had a particular 'bad' call I will go over the call again in my mind and use different responses.
Another example of visualization is 'vision boards'. This is where I put pictures and statements about my life and goals and display it where I will see often thought the day. I also use my computer background and screen saver as a vision board. My computer background changes though a series of pictures I associate with my goals, my fiancee, home I want to buy, car I want to drive, places I want to visit, etc.

Affirmations

Affirmations are short positive statements. I use affirmations through out the day to re-enforce the visualizations. These affirmations should be positive. For example do not say, I will not procrastinate, instead say, I complete my tasks and projects on time and effectively. The mind does not see 'not' 'never',etc, only sees procrastinate so that is what will happen. Only feed my mind positive thoughts and feelings. I will repeat these statements many times through the day. I say these statements with emotion and feeling because I know they will come true.

Goals

Goals are very important. Goals must be written down. My major goals are on cards and attiched to my belt. I read and think about my goals every time I touch these cards. My goals are written as if I have already achieved the goal. By writing goal in the present I am convience my mind that I have already achived the goal and my mind will do what is needed to make that come true. I have already writing about how to write goals and there are many good books about goals.

Meditation

I have only been using meditation for a few months. I have meditation CD's and podcasts that help. I use meditation to quiet and calm my mind. This then helps me focus.

Blog Action Day - Poverty

2008-10-15T13:26:00.002-06:00

I am sure my thoughts on poverty are going to be different than what most bloggers will be writting about today. On of the books I read and try to follow is 'The Science of Getting Rich' by Wallace Wattles.

'To look upon the appearances of poverty will produce corresponding forms in your own mind, unless you hold to the truth that there is no poverty; there is only abundance.

To think health when surrounded by the appearances of disease or to think riches when in the midst of the appearances of poverty requires power, but whoever acquires this power becomes a master mind. That person can conquer fate and can have what he wants. ' - Wallace Wattles

My take on this is that I need to think about wealth and become wealthy. Then I will be an example for others. I will use my wealth to TEACH others to get out of poverty. I do give to my church. I do not believe in handouts, just giving to people. I believe that if someone works for something then they are better off than just giving it to them.

"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime" - Unknown

A Sage Story

2008-10-10T21:11:00.003-06:00

Once upon a time, there lived a sage who was known for his calm
temper and that he never became angry with anyone. Everybody
respected him for that and the word about him went around. A warrior
heard about the sage and did not want to believe that the sage never
got angry with anyone. He decided to prove it wrong and went to the
sage’s temple, and tried to offend the sage. The warrior tried everything
to make the sage angry but he could not. He was rude and crude but
the sage took no offence and was as composed as always. Whatever
the warrior did, the sage stayed calm and collected. The warrior was
amazed and grew to respect the sage.
On his way to leave the temple, the warrior went to say good-bye to
the sage and told him, "I respect you tremendously but you must learn
to stand up for yourself. You must not allow people to be mean to you –
you must set them straight. Isn’t it the right thing to do?"
The sage answered, "I understand what you mean, but before I answer
your question, can you answer mine?"
"Sure", said the warrior.
"If you offer someone a gift, and they refuse to take it, to WHOM does
the gift belong?"
"Why, of course if they refuse to take my gift, the gift is still mine!"
"Now, if you offer someone an offence, and they refuse to take it – to
whom does THE OFFENCE belong?"

Story is in '12 Simple Rules' - by Elena Solomon

Between stimulus and response...

2008-09-23T22:43:00.002-06:00

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. - Viktor E. Frankl

Success Lessons From A Vampire??

2008-09-21T23:43:00.010-06:00

I read something interesting today in this blog about how we create our own future. The blog talked about the tv show Angel. The blog quoted one of the lines 'We live our lives as though the world is what it should be, to show it what it can be'. Very powerful statement. My interpretation is that if I see the would/life as I want it then I will eventually make it that way. So, if I am always seeing or looking for the bad, ugly, evil, ...., than that is what I will find. On the other hand, if I am seeing prosperity, beauty, love, caring, charity, ... then eventually that is how my life/world will be. This starts with myself. If I see my self as wealthy, prosperous, charitable, loving, caring, ..., then that is how I will be.

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind." - William James (1842 - 1910)

"Man is what he believes." - Anton Chekhov (1860 - 1904)

Suggested Reading:
The Power of Your Subconcious Mind
The Secret

Lifes Bumper Sticker

2008-05-18T20:05:00.002-06:00

Work like you don't have to work

Live like you will die tomorrow

Love like you will live forever

Be postive in your thoughts and dealings with others.

2008-04-14T22:54:00.004-06:00

I am reading 'The Attractor Factor' by Joe Vitale. He describes 5 steps for creating well anything. Step 1 - Spring Board is about paying attention to my thoughts and conversations and how much negativity there is. This will let me know where I am at in my life. Also, I should keep negativity out and try to have positive thoughts and conversations. This also means to stay away from tv, newspapers, etc. Usually the just report on the negative that is going on. The Beyond Freedom program has you go on a media fast, i.e. not tv, radio, movies, newspapers, for 30 days.

This goes well with 'The Seven Habits - Habit 3' CD I am listening to, while driving. Stephen Covey talks about being loyal to those that are not present. Meaning to not say or pass on negative things about others. People will notice that and then wonder what I am saying behind there backs.

Best Advice I ever received

2008-04-13T22:49:00.004-06:00

What is the best advice I ever received? It was from my manager at my first 'real' programming job. I was a contractor for DOD, writing software for wharehouse tracking. My manager had information/education meetings once a week. When we first start on the contract the first meeting he told all of as to 'Never Stop Learning'. Does not really matter what to learn, just keep on learning something new as often as possible.

This fits in so well with personal development. I have been involved in personal development ever since then. I read personal development or self-help books. When I found Liberty Leageue International and the Beyond Freedom program, it was as if I had been looking my whole life for it. I am starting theBeyond Freedom program again this week. Every time I go thought it I learn something new about myself, and the world I live in.

Keep moving forward

2007-11-11T20:35:00.001-07:00

I watched a great movie this week, Meet the Robinsons, by Walt Disney Pictures. The main message of this move is never give up. The moto is 'Keep Moving Forward'. I like the end where Lewis decides not to meet his mother, but to live for the present and for the future but to learn form the past mistakes. For me learning from my mistakes has been hard, still is. I believe this will end up being on of my favorite Disney movies.

Reach for the stars

2007-02-20T16:25:00.000-07:00

“When you reach for the stars, you may not get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud, either.”

Unknown

Don't just sit there do something, take action

2006-09-18T22:22:00.000-06:00

I was watching a DVD of Andy Andrews. One of the 'Seven Decisions for Success' he talks about is 'I am a person of action'. He considers it the most important of the Seven Decisions. Steven R. Covey talks about something similar. To paraphrase him, To know a thing and not do is not really not to know.