Self-Improvement Tips

Eight Simple Ways to Finding Your Grateful Heart

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:33:00 +0000

By Alane Brown Email Article

1. Wake up at the same time everyday.

You choose the time. Just be consistent. Say good morning to God and give Him your day.

2. Think of at least five things you are honestly grateful for and write them in your gratitude journal. Do this before even getting out of bed - and thank God for them. This is a guaranteed way of knowing you are starting the day off right. It puts one a mindset of joy, peace and harmony.

3. Find a quiet place to spend time with God. Again, be consistent - go to the same place every day. Some place where you can be alone. Examples: A living room chair, your kitchen table or your favorite room.) Read your Bible or daily affirmations/meditations. After/during your alone time with God make sure to note in your gratitude journal anything and everything that came to your heart.

Nothing is too small to be grateful for. We need to remember to be grateful for everything. Not just the big stuff or the stuff that we specifically asked for but everything.

4. Take "Spiritual Shower" as you take a natural one. Stay in an attitude of gratitude! Be grateful for the hot clean water etc. Think this way: you are cleaning yourself spiritually as well as physically. Confess and praise. Then once again - Write any thing that you are grateful for - during your shower time in your gratitude journal.

5. While Cleaning – Pray and bless everything in your home. Remember to focus on gratitude and love. (This can be difficult while cleaning) Focus on keeping a Spirit of working for the Lord. When you are done cleaning, quickly jot down the things that came into your heart that you are grateful for. Again, it doesn’t matter how small.

6. While Driving, walking, gardening (anytime you are outdoors) – Turn your eyes to nature. Look for the beauty. Some of God’s most beautiful art work is found in nature. Look with in others. Look for the good in everyone. Speak well about others. Praise and encourage one another always. Not just in your business with family and friends – everyone. Examples: The cashier at the store. The gas attendant etc...

7. Right before you dose off – read all the things you are grateful for. Add any that were left out. This fills your heart with "right thinking" and "right attitude" while you sleep and encourages good and peaceful dreams!

8. Prayer time then… sleep.

If we continue in this attitude of gratitude for 90 days, our hearts and attitudes will change and we will see and feel gratitude "automatically". We will have successfully changed our mindset. Let’s give it a try and watch what happens in our lives and our business.

Kindness is contagious! Have you even been driving and when you come to a tool booth, the attendant has said, "You’re all set. The gentleman in the car before you paid the toll for you."? Well, I have and it felt so good that I in turn, paid for the vehicle behind me! Who knows how long the attendee had been asked to pass the paid fee back to the next car coming or how long it continued forward!
Smiles are also something that are easily passed on to others. Try smiling at everyone you see on your next trip to the mall or grocery store. I am sure you will find that most people DO smile back. I bet you’ll even notice that many people needed your smile and that you have helped to brighten the day of many!

Alane Brown, Life Style Mentor and Successful Entrepreneur, is helping many become the next success story. Whether you're looking to create an extra few thousand dollars per month, be an ex-corporate executive, or the next millionaire Mom, Alane can assist you to create a second stream of income and greater peace of mind. visit : Time Freedom

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There's nothing to forgive... Ever!

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:29:00 +0000

By Michael Watson

Have you ever had trouble forgiving someone for something they "did to you"? We all experience various aspects of life that are challenging, and if these challenges involve the behaviour of another human being being unacceptable, it can be easy to hold a grudge. But how can we forgive if we truly believe that another person has done wrong? Simple, we can't. If we still believe them to be wrong, then we havent yet forgiven.

The inability to forgive arises solely from the mistake of identifying a person as their thoughts. An average human being currently experiences many thousands of thoughts every single day: I must clean my teeth; What should I cook for dinner?; I wonder what the weather will be like today?; My bum looks big. The internal dialogue goes on and on. To believe that we are solely the collection of all such thoughts is absurd, yet people make this mistake all the time, and it is at the core of all problems.

Your true self is beyond all description. It cannot accurately be put into words. We can point you towards a realisation of this in the following way: Imagine all of the actions that you could potentially carry out here on earth: Mastering the game of golf; Cooking a great meal; Riding a bike; Looking at a bird; Cracking jokes. There are literally an uncountable number of actions that you could potentially perform. Then imagine all of the things that havent even been invented yet, and all of the things happening all over the rest of the Universe that you could in theory become engaged in. A little thought and you will realise that there is an infinite number of possibilities. And so it could be said that you ARE a field of inifinite possibilities. You cannot be defined. You are unlimited potential. Another way to see that you are not your thoughts is simply to meditate. When you experience being without thought it becomes obvious that you cannot possibly be a collection of those thoughts you sometimes experience.

Thoughts are a part of your human experience, just like seeing, smelling, tasting etc. They are a tool, nothing more. Yet You are so much more. Not only are you a field of infinite possibilities, but as you detach from your thoughts you realise that you are pure joy and love. Without identification with thought it is impossible for you to commit acts of harm on another.

With this realisation, if someone does something that initially upsets you or makes you angry, remember what is really going on here. If you are blaming them for something then you are making the ultimate mistake: you are seeing that person not as they truly are, but as a collection of thoughts and actions.

Consider the kinds of thoughts that are going through the head of someone conducting an extreme act of violence. Imagine the pain associated with those thoughts. To commit such an act, that person must be identified with their thoughts, completely unaware of the infinite depth of their true being lying beneath. In the moment of violence, they believe that they are hatred itself. Without the identification with hateful thoughts, violence could not possibly happen. Once you realise this, there is no need to hold a grudge. They did what they did because they were unconscious; lost in a stream of thoughts. There really was nothing to forgive. In fact it was just a mistake, and you can offer help. This is where compassion arises and transforms the situation.

If you find this hard to get, then you are not yet in touch with your own true self to a great enough depth for the realisation to occur. This too is absolutely fine. Simply spend time in meditation, or in nature, or doing more of the things that really inspire you. These will all serve to deepen your awareness of your true self. The deeper this awareness, the more love, joy and compassion you experience. We would actually be closer to the truth if we say that you uncover your true characterstics of love, joy and compassion.

When you realise there is never anything to forgive, you are also completely accepting of what comes into your experience. You are non-judgemental. When something arises that would have previously made you angry, you feel compassion and want to help the so-called other to experience the true joy of their own being. You therefore respond with love.

And when you no longer fight the hand dealt by life, circumstances begin to effortlessly transform into something more inline with your desires. The Universe is on your side. You become lucky.

With this comes gratitude - a wonderful place to be. Wishing you great love: a realisation of your true self.

Know How to Flow. Profound teachings, realizations and poetry to enjoy and draw inspiration from on your spiritual journey. http://www.knowhowtoflow.com .

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Non-locality and Entanglement

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:22:00 +0000

By Maanna Stephenson

Einstein called non-locality "spooky action at a distance". He was concerned that the early founders of quantum mechanics were attributing the effects we see in the manifested, material world to be initiated by non-local causes, meaning that they were not measurable in the physical realm. Einstein’s entire argument against non-local causes involves a condition known as entanglement.

To show that quantum theory was incomplete, he asked two fellow physicists to help devise a thought experiment which later became famously known as the EPR Paradox. In it was theorized that when a particle goes through beta decay, two new particles were produced. Because they have interacted with one another, they are considered to be entangled. Those two particles are sent away from each other in either a straight line or at right angles. When the spin of both are measured, a table of results can be created showing that they are correlated in some direct manner. Einstein suggested that the only way for this to happen was that some force traveled between particle A and B, delivering the necessary information for B to drop into the appropriate state in correlation to the state of A after A had been measured.

Here’s the catch which Einstein pointed out. A force can only travel at the speed of light and can only go so far between each particle. This means that the short range of the force’s furthermost reach can be traversed at the speed of light in what amounts to no time, or instantaneously. If the distance between the particles is increased, no force can travel that far so as to instantaneously affect the other particle.

Here’s another way to think about this concept. A large building contains a very powerful electromagnet. When it is turned on, nearby metallic objects will fly toward it. But, the magnet’s field can only affect objects within a certain distance. It doesn’t affect the cars outside the building in the parking lot. If it could affect the cars at the same time and in the same way as nearby metal objects, some influence outside hidden force or information would have to travel faster than the speed of light out to the parking lot. In quantum theory, this influence is called a "hidden variable". Einstein wanted to show that no such spooky thing existed.

Later, physicist John Bell developed a matrix, or a table, showing every combination of detection at every combination of angle alignment of the two detectors and compared it to a table showing classically measured results (those with only local causes). The table showed that the quantum theory of hidden variables produced more accurate predictions than did the table of classical measurements. This was experimentally proved in 1982 by physicist Alan Aspect.

Some physicists also interpreted this experiment to mean that faster-than-light travel might also be possible. The type of correlation referred to in Bell’s Theorem was called entanglement in a 1935 paper written by Edwin Schrödinger.

The metaphysical and epistemological implications of this idea are staggering. What is chosen for one system affects all other systems that are entangled with it. Of this, Schrödinger went on to say, "It is rather discomforting that the theory should allow a system to be steered or piloted into one or the other type of state at the experimenter’s mercy in spite of his having no access to it".

This leads back to the philosophical implications of free will versus determinism which is often entangled with the human philosophical implications of the same topics. Later, Schrödinger’s original idea of this reality has been expanded to include all experiential reality including that of the mind and soul, which Schrödinger never meant to address. As Heisenberg pointed out, philosophical arguments cannot altogether be avoided and good physics can be spoiled by poor philosophy.

Scientific theories and discoveries such as entanglement don’t actually prove anything. They provide models and frameworks of understanding. They beg us to ask the question, "Do the laws which describe the physical realm also apply to any non-physical realm?" Many intuitives might argue that this is a bogus question to begin with. They might assert that the laws of the non-physical realm are what create and sustain what we perceive as the physical realm. Unfortunately, science needs something to measure to study a thing at all. Since the advent of quantum theory, some physicists have come to the same realization that every mystic has always espoused, which is that the act of measurement is the limit of science, but not the limit of reality.

Do you experience "spooky action at a distance" that seems to imply the transfer of information outside the physical realm? Is there a boundary beyond which science can never measure but some information from it still influences our material realm?

Formally trained in electronics, acoustics and music and initiated as a shamanka, MaAnna Stephenson has lived immersed in the relationship between science and intuitive wisdom. Her exemplary work spans the music industry, wood carving, and authoring The Sage Age, a book illuminating new models for new thought. Visit www.SageAge.net for more. Some content excerpted from The Sage Age – Blending Science with Intuitive Wisdom © 2008 MaAnna Stephenson

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Don't Let Fear of Retirement Stop You from Taking the Leap

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:13:00 +0000

By Lin Schreiber

So, you're ready to retire, but you just can't bring yourself to pull the plug on the status quo of your life. You're feeling fearful about what life will be like for you in the next stage. Whether it's lurking persistently below the surface, or you're completely paralyzed by it (or somewhere in between), it's keeping you stuck right where you are. In your heart you know you want to move on.

The bad news is fear never really goes away. The good news is you can learn to move through it, once you understand which type of fear is holding you back.

Here are the three most common types of fear that can keep you from taking the leap into your next grand adventure, formerly called "retirement":

1. Fear of the Future. If you're suffering from an acute case of WIS (What If Syndrome: "What if I get sick, run out of money, lose my spouse, am bored, or _________?)", then you're definitely afraid of the future. The only problem with playing the "What If" game is it takes you completely out of the present, and that's the only place where creation happens. Not only does this fear keep you stuck, it also keeps you from designing and implementing the life that you really want to be living. So, what if you looked to the future with hope and excitement, instead of fear and trepidation? What if you explored all the many options and opportunities that are available to you, instead of conjuring up things that may never occur? What if you created your own future, based on who you are, and how you want to be living your life, instead of letting your fear limit what's possible? When you push through your fear of the future, you ignite the wonderful world of possibility, and fire up your ability to create life the way you want it.

2. Fear of Leaving Your Comfort Zone. Take a moment to explore where you are right now in your life. You may think what you're feeling is comfort, but more likely what you're feeling is numb. Are you in the "wow zone" or are you in a rut? When you're in the wow zone, you feel fully alive, can't wait to get out of bed in the morning, excited about what each new day will bring. When you're in a rut, you're just going through the motions. Remember this bumper sticker wisdom -- the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth. When you push through the fear of leaving your comfort zone, you build confidence, and discover the real "juice" in life.

3. Fear of Failure. This is a sneaky one. Think you're afraid of failing? Think again. I've seen hundreds of women bump up against what they think is the fear of failing. And, in nearly every case, what they're really afraid of is SUCCEEDING. Think about that for a minute. First of all, so-called "failure" is really an illusion, because you can use it to teach you, inform you and strengthen you, so you can adjust your sails and go in a different direction. As long as you learn from every experience, there's no failure. Second, isn't your fear really about being your brilliant, beautiful, powerful self? You have a sense of all that you would gain, but you're afraid of what you might lose. And, the operative word here is "might". When you push through your fear of success, you give yourself permission to shine your light and go for "it", whatever "it" looks like for you. And, you give the people around you permission to shine, too.

Each time you face your fear, you reduce its power to hold you back. The less power it has, the more power (and control over your life) you have. In fact, you can actually use fear to fuel you forward in your life. So when you find yourself fearing the future, open to all the wonderful possibilities the future holds. When you're in the deadly rut of your comfort zone, burst out of it and discover a more confident you. When fear of failure is staring you down, give yourself permission to shine no matter what, and craft your retirement into the life you've always wanted live.

Certified Retirement Coach Lin Schreiber, author of the popular ABC's of Revolutionizing Retirement, helps self-reliant women reinvent themselves in the next stage of life, formerly known as "retirement." To claim your free Revolutionize Retirement Starter Kit, visit her site at http://www.RevolutionizeRetirement.com .

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Ageless Life - Create It

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:11:00 +0000

By Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD

When you take care of yourself you can cultivate a deeper bond between your body and your spirit. A relaxed body devoid of stress can allow you to access your peace of mind and serenity. Such as simple acts of healthy eating, resting, exercising and rejuvenating your mind and soul.

Your mind, body and spirit are all you truly have in your life that is of real value. Oh, yeah-you have a lot of stuff-car, house, boat, vacations, clothes, jewelry and the list goes on. But, without a healthy mind, body and spirit, what do you really have? Only you can answer that question.

Advertisements for this potion or that pill to promote 'reversing the aging process' bombard us everyday. However, if you take good care of your mind, body and spirit the aging process moves at a slower rate, thus pills and potions to reverse aging is unnecessary-if they worked, which has not been proven. The truth is when people over 100 years are asked what they attribute their longevity to, no one says, "I took the 'reverse aging pills.'" They talk about having peace of mind and a healthy diet. While George Burns lived to 100 and smoked cigars for 80+ years, he is an exception to the facts.

It is important to make taking care of your mind, body and spirit a priority in your life. In order to be healthy in mind, body and spirit you need to put a plan in place. Consider the following:

• Do something everyday to give yourself emotional pleasure that is also healing and revitalizes you.

• Do something everyday to nurture your soul-meditating, visualizing a stress free day, counting your blessings, count what you are grateful for.

• Treat yourself to a relaxing healthy dinner at least once a month. With a fast paced hectic life that the majority of people live, it is important to treat yourself to a special relaxing experience. You can include this as part of socializing.

• Have a massage at least once-a-month - As you relax into the massage be aware of your body's response to being pampered. You might feel an overwhelming sensation of total calm and wellbeing that engulfs you. Taking delight in your body invigorates your spirit-breathe into this joyous feeling.

• Attend a yoga class once a week or twice a month

• Exercise 2 - 3 times a week: Cardio and muscle strengthening.

• Go for a walk in nature - nature is a natural connection to the universal rejuvenating energies

• Spend time near water as often as possible - a water fall in your back yard, a manmade pond, stream, creek, ocean, river or lake- Or have water fountains in your home. I have three in my home/office.

• There is a long list of ways to take good care of your mind, body, spirit. Create ways for your uniqueness.

• Last, but not least, remember to savor the wonder of who you truly are-allow your happiness to permeate all aspects of your life.

The wonders of a healthy mind, body and spirit will create the joy to carry you into the grandest life ever.

First published http://www.qassia.com

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, Author, "101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life." Dr. Dorothy has the unique gift of connecting people with a broad range of profound principles that resonate in the deepest part of their being. She brings awareness to concepts not typically obvious to one's daily thoughts and feelings. http://www.drdorothy.net

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Powerful Tool for Making Mid Year Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:09:00 +0000

By Jeremy Nelms

So, everyone has heard of New Year's Resolutions, right? Did you make any this year? Were you able to stick with them, after the excitement and newness of the new year faded away? Or, are you like over 50% Americans, who have fallen off the goal-setting train after the first, second or third stop of life?

Have you ever stopped to think of why we only make resolutions the first of every year? Why don't we make them in March or October? OR better yet why not on July 1st, when we are only half way through the year and have six months left to board that achievement train again and change your life forever?

I am sure you are asking yourself right now, how do I make resolutions that stick?

First off, your resolutions must be simple, specific and to the point. The goal should fill a need that you have not been able to fill this year. Sit back and think about it: do you have a need to improve a certain relationship? Drop a certain amount of weight by the end of the year for your health? Or do you need to make an extra amount of money in order to pay your bills?

You must make the goal REAL to you by allowing it to feel a desired need. This adds meaning and a motivation for achieving your goal, that you might not otherwise have.

Now, do not create one broad resolution that covers multiple areas of your life. As mentioned earlier, resolutions should be short, simple, to the point.

For example instead of creating a goal to just lose weight, make the goal more specific by saying, "I want to lose 10lbs by Thanksgiving". The goal above states a specific date, to which you would like to achieve your goal by. It also quantifies it by stating a number as to how MUCH weight you would like to lose.

The more specific you can be with your goals, the more focused and attainable they will become.

Next, allow yourself to attach emotion to each of your goals/resolutions. Emotion tends to be what drives us as humans to do what we do every day. It is what drives us to take action... or even not to take action. Each goal must carry an emotional feeling deep down inside of you that makes you want to create a change in your life.

Now, with heartfelt passion, take your pen and paper and write down emotions that you feel with each goal/resolution.

This step may be painful or even saddening, it may bring up feelings of fear or anger, but ALL of these emotions are fine and natural. The more emotion you can dig up, the more likely you will be to stick to that goal/resolution. Remember emotions drive you to do what you do... or don't do!

Now that you have found a need and attached emotion to it, you must find that burning desire to make the change. Why do you want to change? How will you feel when we have changed? How will you feel about yourself when you drop that 10lbs by Thanksgiving? Just think of all the compliments you will receive and how fantastic you will look in that new outfit as you strut your stuff at the Christmas Party.

Or imagine how you will feel when you start to earn that extra income each month. Let your mind soar and imagine what you can use that extra income on or for!

Thirdly, find an alternative for your previous actions. For example, if you need to lose 10lbs because you come home and sit in front of the TV every night and eat chips and queso, than you need to find a replacement action for your evenings.

You might opt to go for a walk when you feel like pulling that bag of chips out of the pantry, or grab a big glass of water from the fridge. Or find something that you enjoy doing that will occupy your time, so that the bad habits do not creep back in.

Lastly, consistency is key. It is said that it takes 21 days to form a habit. We must be consistent with our actions, desires, and goals. You must pledge to do whatever it takes to make the change. You must decide to change, no matter what, and it must come from you and no one else.

Yes, life gets hard and schedules get rearranged, but do not forget those emotions that you attached to your goals. When life gets in the way and you FEEL like it would be easier to give up then to stay strong and take the essential steps necessary to meet your goals, be sure to keep these emotions fresh on your mind. If necessary, sit down for five minutes and envision how you would feel and what the end state of your goal looks like, feels like, and yes, even tastes like! These feelings must be so much stronger than any other outside distraction.

Now, stand up and go take action! You can do it, believe in yourself and make it happen TODAY by setting Mid Year Resolutions!

Alissa and Jeremy Nelms created Mid Year Resolutions, designed to help millions of people increase their monthly income, improve their relationships and gain the body of their dreams. The FREE teleseminar series provides over 20 hours of transformational information you can use to finally achieve your goals. Create lifelong, effective results and change your appearance, income, and relationships at http://www.MidYearResolutions.com .

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High-Level Narcissists Can Fool the Best of Us

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 15:07:00 +0000

By Linda Martinez-Lewi Ph.D.

The high-level narcissist, the one who succeeds in the world at the top rung of the ladder, is highly prized in today's business and social worlds. Often he/she is rewarded with outlandish salaries, co-ownerships, stock options, golden parachutes, and the glitter and bling that accompanies entertainment celebrities. High-level narcissists are "masters of charm, purveyors of magnetism...(They) beguile and persuade with a special kind of magic."

The narcissist spends his life creating grandiose visions that reflect his overriding sense of self-importance. He chooses special individuals to play different roles in the drama where he runs the show. Each member of his elite circle is chosen to play a part that enhances his (the narcissist's) feelings of superiority and self entitlement. His scale is grand; his visions are limitless, often delusional. But he has mastered the art of persuasion. When a gifted narcissist sets his sights on you, it is difficult to refuse him. With the skill that he has practiced since childhood, these individuals understand our needs to be cherished and feel special. High-level narcissists tap into those vulnerable parts of us that yearn to be seen, wanted and accepted as unique and valuable. High-level narcissists have great confidence in themselves and mastery of the external world. It can be irresistible to find ourselves next to a person who appears to be strongly attracted to us, promising to fulfill our deepest wishes and desires.

The very successful narcissist can set an experienced psychiatrist or psychotherapist off balance. Narcissists generally don't seek psychological treatment since they know that if there is a problem it belongs to someone else, not them. If he/she comes to therapy, there is often a honeymoon period at the beginning. The narcissist idolizes the therapist, viewing him as brilliant and perfect, almost his equal. Many therapists find themselves vulnerable to this level of persuasive ego boosting, especially if the patient is a prominent and influential figure.

Combating the charms and wiles of the narcissist takes keen awareness and a clear comprehension of how he/she operates. The development of genuine, transparent self knowledge is invaluable in expanding our own identities and essential for remaining grounded when the narcissist tempts us with his irresistible magnetism and bouquets of promises. If we see ourselves clearly, warts and all, we view him as he really is---a perfected, empty false self that holds no power over us. When we remove his mask, all the magic disperses into thin clouds of smoke. Another essential tool is knowing how the narcississt functions in his deluded version of reality. He is the most talented, brilliant and powerful actor in his life drama. The narcissist is in charge;everyone else is at his disposal. When he fixates his powerful attention on you, he knows exactly what he wants and what part you will play. There is no real relationship with a narcissist. He pretends to place value on others to get what he wants. When he has fully exploited the other person and achieved his goals, the individual he has sought is discarded and forgotten. To successfully handle the narcississt's overtures, we call upon our own sense of a separate, authentic self that cannot be exploited or invaded by the whims and desires of another. We know who we are and remain psychologically grounded. We stand firm in our reality that seeks self truth while holding the reins of integrity and self respect.

Linda Martinez-Lewi holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is a licensed marriage family therapist. She has extensive clinical training in narcissistic and borderline disorders. Dr. Linda Martinez-Lewi is the author of the book "Freeing Yourself From the Narcissist in Your Life."

Dr. Martinez-Lewi has worked for many years with patients experiencing psychological problems as a result of personal and professional relationships with narcissistic personality disorders. She has clinical experience treating patients suffering from childhood trauma, anxiety disorders, and depression.

Dr. Martinez-Lewi has been interviewed on numerous radio talk shows throughout the country.

Visit her website at: http://www.thenarcissistinyourlife.com

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Be a Possibility Thinker

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:05:00 +0000

By Ellen Farquharson

Motivational Message: Be a possibility thinker!

"She never wavered in doubt or disbelief but believed God's promise (for a successful business). In fact, her faith grew stronger (as she worked daily), and in this she brought glory to God. She was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises (through her)." Romans 4:20-21.

Ladies,

God has promised you unconditional love, abounding success, good plans for your future, complete forgiveness, he crowns you with love and tender mercies, He fills your life with good things, and most importantly he has promised that you can do ALL things through Him who strengthens you! (from Phil. 4:13, also Psalm 103). My motto: "I do my best and let God do the rest" AND "Work as if everything depends on you knowing that everything depends on God." Quit telling God how big your mountain is, and tell your mountain how BIG your God is.

Are you getting my point? As you work your business, you will gain confidence, achieve a more positive way of thinking, and experience wonderful personal and professional growth. My question for you right now is: Will you take that journey upwards with us? We are looking for 10 new Directors in our unit immediately! I am excited to see who will step up to that next level of thinking and success!

You have BIG potential to be a success story for women across America. Do you believe more in limitations (and what small minded people say) than you believe in possibilities? Do you think 'Why not me? I can do it too!" OR "What if ________?"

I urge you today, plead with you now, let all the negative programming go! Don't buy into it! Replace those thoughts with possibility thoughts, and work your business each day thinking "why couldn't I be super successful, having an amazing lifestyle, lift women up, and love what I do?"

AFFIRMATION FOR THE WEEK:
My life is what I say it is!

Ellen Farquharson's Accolades

Senior Sales Director, Ellen Farquharson, started her Mary Kay career in April of 2001. She became a director in the minimum time and was the #1 Dean's List in her debuting class Nationwide, receiving a beautiful blue topaz Dean's List ring. She has earned 4 company cars in her Mary Kay career, 2 of which are the beautiful Pink Cadillac, for which she takes $900 a month to drive her brand new silver CLK Mercedes. Ellen has been in the Queen's Court of Sharing every year of her business, once in the top 20, once in the top 5, and most recently as Queen of Sharing for 2006 Sapphire Seminar- for which she won a gorgeous 3 carat Bee pin, a 5 carat Pink Tourmaline ring surrounded by 2 carats of diamonds, and she has also earned 4 beautiful bumblebee pins. Ellen has been in the Circle of Excellence 3 times, once in the $450,000 circle. Her highest paycheck has been in excess of $17,000 for ONE month. She is so proud to have such powerful offspring directors in her area, and is on a mission to grow her area to 30 Directors immediately. Her passion is emp.

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Your Best Thought Can Change Your Life

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:04:00 +0000

By Amelia Johnson

It is related that Dwight L. Moody once offered to his Northfield pupils a prize of five hundred dollars for the best thought. This took the prize: "Men grumble because God put thorns with roses; wouldn't it be better to thank God that he put roses with thorns?" We win half the battle when we make up our minds to take the world as we find it, including the thorns.

"It is," says Fontenelle, "a great obstacle to happiness to expect too much." This is what happens in real life. Watch Edison. He makes the most expensive experiments throughout a long period of time, and he expects to make them, and he never worries because he does not succeed the first time.

Can we change our outlook on life by making happiness a duty? "I cannot but think," says Sir John Lubbock, "that the world would be better and brighter if our teachers would dwell on the duty of happiness as well as on the happiness of duty."

Oliver Wendell Holmes, in advanced years, acknowledged his debt of gratitude to the nurse of his childhood, who studiously taught him to ignore unpleasant incidents. If he stubbed his toe, or skinned his knee, or bumped his nose, his nurse would never permit his mind to dwell upon the temporary pain, but claimed his attention for some pretty object, or charming story, or happy reminiscence. To her, he said, he was largely indebted for the sunshine of a long life. It is a lesson which is easily mastered in childhood, but seldom to be learned in middle life, and never in old age.

"When I was a boy," says another author, "I was consoled for cutting my finger by having my attention called to the fact that I had not broken my arm; and when I got a cinder in my eye, I was expected to feel more comfortable because my cousin had lost his eye by an accident."

Children should be taught the habit of finding pleasure everywhere and to see the bright side of everything. Serenity of mind comes easy to some, and hard to others. It can be taught and learned. We ought to have teachers who are able to educate us in this department of our natures quite as much as in music or art. Think of a school or classes for training men and women to carry themselves serenely amid all the trials that beset them! This training could change their lives. Thoughts become things.

One of my early mentors only had a third-grade education. No matter what injury happened, physical or emotional, he would calmly state, "It's too far from your heart to kill you." If we always know why we suffer, our faith will have no room to grow. For better or worse, our faith affects others. We can do a lot through our words, actions and love to assist a person in finding happiness by exercising their faith.

Life's experiences are not always happy. But the world tells us to demand happiness, do all we can to attain it, and make personal satisfaction our chief goal. In the Bible, Solomon, writing about his own life, discovered that his wealth, power, position, wives and accomplishments did not make him happy.

Happiness is an elusive goal because people and circumstances change quickly. True and lasting happiness, however, comes from pleasing God. Thus, happiness cannot be achieved; it can only be received through a right relationship with God, because only God knows what is really best for us. If we are chasing after happiness, we will never find it. If we are seeking after God, we will find endless joy. Our thoughts should be centered on the Living Word to change our life to one of happiness.

Amelia Johnson, Life Style Mentor and Successful Entrepreneur, is helping many become the next success story. Whether you're looking to create an extra few thousand dollars per month, be an ex-corporate executive, or the next millionaire Mom, Debra can assist you to create a second stream of income and greater peace of mind. visit : http://netweb-ads.com/ameliaj">Success

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Social Anxiety Disorder Self Test

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:01:00 +0000

By Sandy Adamson

Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is something far beyond the general nervousness or discomfort in public situations which most people have experience of. People suffering from a social anxiety disorder are anxious and self-conscious to an extreme degree in day-to-day life situations, whether they are facing a crowd or one person. They have an excessive fear of being watched and judged by other people, and such crippling, intense and chronic fear often lead to emotional turmoil as well as physical ailments.

Report shows that a stagerring 15 million Americans are currently suffering social anxiety disorder. Because of its resemblance to the general public nervousness type, many people feel like a self test to help them make sure whether their condition is an anxiety disorder or simply nervousness. If you are one of these people, you may like to go through the following test and share your results with an anxiety specialist.

1. Check your symptoms: - Are you constantly and extremely fearful of being judged by others? - Do you often have the worry that you will be laughed at with whatever you are doing? - Are you feared that your trembing, sweating or blushings will let out the signs of your anxiety? - Do you realise that your fear is excessive or ungrounded?

2. Do you experience any of the followings when confronted with a feared situation: - extreme uneasiness - a panic attack, during which you suffer an intense and acute fear which is also accompanied by physical discomforts such as racing heart, shortness in breath, chest pain, dizziness, sweating, trembling, nausea or diarrhea, numbness, cold or hot flashes. - Do you intentionally try to avoid your feared situation as much as you can? - Is your fear an extreme one that it even stops you persuing your daily life?

3. With regard to accompanying symptoms: - Have you changed your sleeping or eating habits recently? - Do you often find life meaningless and your efforts worthless? - Do you often feel sad, depressed or extremely guilty for something?

4. In the past year, have you experienced one of the followings as a result of alcohol or drug abuse: - inability to fulfill work, study or family responsibilities. - dangerous situation, such as driving a car under the influence. - being arrested. - continued abuse of alcohol or drug despite the problems caused to you or yours.

As you can tell, the social anxiety disorder self test is designed in a way to evaluate your emotional and physical sypmtoms, your perception towards social interaction, and whether you also have other conditions (such as depression or substance abuse) which may complicate the diagnosis of anxiety disorder. The results will be more accurate if you answer all questions without trying to hide the truth. If most of your answers to the tests are positive, it is highly likely that you will need the professional help from a doctor. In fact, there is no need to shy away from the doctors. With the number of the victims today, you can assure yourself that you are just one of the many many cases out there. In the treatment of anxiety disorders, and social anxiety disorders in particular, the role of medical professionals is just as important as the drugs.

Copyright (c) 2008 Sandy Adamson

Forget about listening to loads of CDs or doing the deep breathing exercise. Check out our site for a unique, easy and safe anxiety therapy that delivers true results at: http://www.treating-anxiety.net More tips for managing panic attacks: http://www.treating-anxiety.net/tips-for-panic-attacks.html

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Self Improvement - 4 Basic Ideas For Self Improvement

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:58:00 +0000

By Hope Wilbanks

Self improvement will not come if you just sit back and wait for it. You must set yourself
into motion. To improve yourself, you have to act on the things you want improved.

Women are often among the majority of those who long for positive changes in
themselves. Yet, as women, we often neglect ourselves most. If you are among those
numbers, here are four basic self improvement ideas you can use:

=> Be kind to yourself. We take care of our families and work hard to provide their needs.
At the end of the day, we're all given out. When was the last time you were kind to
yourself? Do you attend to your own needs as well? Take some time each day to give back
to yourself. If you're having a bad day, don't berate yourself for being in a bad mood.
Practice positive self-talk and be kind to yourself.

=> Change one thing. You've heard it said, I'm sure, that you have to start with baby steps.
This is so true. To reach greater change, you have to start changing one thing at a time. I
was unhappy for several years because I had started college classes a few times, but
never followed through and completed college. I finally got tired of that hanging over my
head. While my husband was deployed in Iraq, I took advantage of that time alone. I
completed classes, that I started years earlier, at my local technology center. If you
desire self improvement, change one thing at a time.

=> Be proud of who you are. This is one thing women are horrible at. For some reason, we
always feel like we're not good enough. Change that today! Be proud of who you are.
Acknowledge your accomplishments and stop focusing on your failures.

=> No more negative self talk. This is key to self improvement. You have to stop the
negative self talk. Stop telling yourself how incapable or incompetent you are. You have
everything you need to start your self improvement journey today. You will learn as you
start this journey. Cancel out the negative self talk with positive affirmations every day.

Would you like more help to improve your self-esteem? Click here:
http://www.nurturedsoul.com/self-esteem.html

You can read more inspirational and self-improvement articles like this at
nurturedsoul.com Be sure to subscribe to the free newsletter at
http://www.nurturedsoul.com/subscribe

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The Incredible Power of Focus

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:51:00 +0000

By Richard Onebamoi

Every great man has become great; every successful man has succeeded, in proportion as he has confined his powers to one particular channel. Orison Swett Marden.

The Oxford Advance Learner's Dictionary defines focus as follows:

* To give attention, effort, etc. to one particular subject, situation or person rather than another;

* To adapt or be adjusted so that things can be seen clearly; to adjust something so that you can see things clearly;

* Technically, to aim rays of light onto a particular point using a LENS; and

* Point at which an object must be situated so that a well defined image of it may be produced.

It is important to identify and focus on your key result areas. This is a dynamic aspect that successful people have incorporated into their lives in order to achieve extraordinary results in their personal and professional lives. Where you place your focus, is where the rest of your mind and emotions will gravitate. When you focus on the negative happenings in your life, you are going to attract more of the negative happenings into your life. The Bible has a very powerful reference which says: "everything produces after its kind." This means every positive thought will produce positive outcomes, while negative thoughts will produce negative outcomes. Hence, focusing on the positive things in your life will eventually produce more of positive things in your life, in the same light focusing on the negative things in your life will produce more of the same.

It is imperative, that your focus is solution-oriented and not problem-oriented. If your focus is negative, replace it with the positive. Instead of dwelling on the things that are missing in your life, better focus on what you already have and what's possible in the future.

Discover what matters most to you and then focus on that. Look into your values. Anything that is not congruent with your core values will eventually become toxic to your focus and it can be "simplified" out of your life. This gives you more time to focus on what is important. Scrutinize the items on your schedule and delete anything that is no longer relevant to your desired objectives. Eliminate any activities which no longer brings you pleasure or which no longer offer you commensurate value for the time spent in order to focus on the 20% activities that will yield 80% of the results.

How do I stay Focused?

There are many techniques out there to increase focus. Here are few tips to help you stay focused and to become more efficient in your activities: You stay focused primarily by asking and answering the right question over and over again, questions such as:

* What is the most valuable use of my time at this point in time?

* What are my highest-value activities?

* What are my key result areas?

* What can I and only do that, if done will I achieve the desired results?

* Do one thing at a time; and

* Surround yourself with positive influences.

With a negative focus, your life becomes polluted and toxic, killing off your dreams and aspirations before they even have a chance to grow and produce after their kind. But with a consistent positive focus, you will cultivate fertile ground on which success and fulfillment will take root and grow to fruition. Notice, a well-known psychologist William James said about this: "If you would be rich, you will be rich; and if you would be good, you will be good; and if you would be learned, you will be learned. But wish for one thing exclusively, and don't at the same time wish for a hundred other incompatible things just as strongly." His point is you cannot achieve everything at the same, you have to decide what is most important, and focus on that.

Richard Onebamoi is a Pastor, International Speaker, Business Visionary and Success Facilitator. His mission is to inspire your performance, expand your imagination, cultivate your dreams, help you discover, develop and maximize your God-given potential(s). He is also a Registered Site Owner of http://www.success-empowerment-network.com and http://www.success-power-points.blogspot.com

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Improving Your Interpersonal Skills

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:48:00 +0000

By Akhil Shahani

What are interpersonal skills? These are the skills that enable you to work efficiently with others without any personality conflict. These skills will help you build good working relationships with your clients, employees and business associates. Working well with others involves understanding and appreciating individual differences. Therefore, interpersonal skills play an important role in determining how well you manage your interactions with customers and employees. How you behave with them can determine your success or failure. Try the following helpful tips to improve your interpersonal skills:

o No one wants to be around someone who is always morose and frowning. Maintain a positive, cheerful attitude about work and life. Practice smiling often.

o Be generous with praise and words of encouragement. If you let others know that they are appreciated, they'll want to give you their best. If you have to criticize, do it gently and give suggestions for improvement.

o Pay attention to people. Make eye contact and address people by their first names. Ask them for their opinions and suggestions. Really listen to what they have to say.

o Keep your promises. If you tell your customer that you will have the item in stock by the end of the week, make sure it is there. But make promises sparingly and do not commit to doing something that you cannot accomplish.

o Treat everyone fairly and do not play favorites. Avoid talking and discussing others behind their backs.

o Keep an open mind. Remember there is always room for discussion and compromise.

o Learn how to be an effective mediator and help sort out differences. By taking on such a leadership role, you will garner respect and admiration from those around you.

o Pay close attention to both what you say and how you say it. Your body language and tone of voice will give you away. Think before you speak and avoid misunderstandings or hurt feelings.

o Most people are drawn to a person who can make them laugh. Use your sense of humor as an effective tool to enhance your interpersonal skills.

o Try to see things from another person's perspective. Empathy is about being able to put yourself in someone else's shoes and understanding how they feel.

o There is nothing worse than a chronic complainer or whiner. Do not talk about your problems, instead focus on the other person's problem and try to help out.

To run a successful business as well as enjoying a fulfilling personal life, it is necessary for you to establish a good, comfortable relationship with:

o your customers - nothing puts off a prospective client more than an unhelpful attitude and surliness.

o your employees - to retain good employees, you have to be seen as a positive, cheerful boss.

o your business associates - networking is one of the keys to good business. By being known as a caring, cheerful person, you are likely to make more friends in your business circle.

Hi, I'm Akhil Shahani, a serial entrepreneur who wants to help you succeed. If you like to work smart, check out http://www.SmartEntrepreneur.net It's full of articles and resources to help you start and grow your business successfully. Please visit us & download our special "Freebie of The Month" at http://www.smartentrepreneur.net/freebie-of-the-month.html

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The 5 Fatal Fears That Will Always Hold You Back

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:47:00 +0000

By Tony Hall

What are you afraid of?

The normal answers to that sort of question will be activities like, flying, drowning, or the most common is speaking in public. Or you may have a fear of spiders, rats, or snakes. Claustrophobia, the fear of confined spaces, and Agoraphobia, the fear of open or public spaces, are both well-known conditions that can cause major problems for people in their everyday lives. And there are even some obscure irrational fears like triskaidekaphobia which is an extreme superstition regarding the number thirteen!

Hopefully none of them affect you and if they do you should know that they can usually be overcome by taking the right steps.

But there are other fears, often that you are not conscious of, that will hold you back and prevent you from achieving what you want in life. They are often the result of the experiences and conditioning that you have been subject to in your life so far. And overcoming them is vital to your progress to your goals.

There are several that can be identified but it is the following five that are most relevant:

#1 Fear of Change

There is a saying in my part of the world which states, "if it aint broke, why fix it?" In other words if something seems to be Ok why change it? Well that's fine if you are happy with the way things are but often in order to move forward things will need to change.

The problem is that it is very easy to get into your comfort zone and to let things carry on just as they always have. You won't get hurt by standing still but very soon people or events will pass you by and you will find that in reality you are going backwards.

So change is essential in everyone's life, even if it's only little things like taking a new route to work, eating less chocolate, or going to the gym more often. But more often to get to where you want to be will need a change of thinking and of your habits and you should not be afraid to do so.

#2 Fear of Failure

One of the main reasons why you don't take the steps necessary to change your life is that you are afraid of failing. You may believe you don't have the skills or knowledge to succeed but they can easily be learned. More crucially you may have become conditioned through your past experiences to feel that you will fail. The things people have said to you, particularly in your childhood, are stored in your subconscious and give you an excuse for not doing what you desire. Taking stock of your achievements, skills and knowledge will help you to be more positive and overcome the negative thoughts that hold you back. Regular positive affirmations, like telling yourself when you feel good or do something well, will help you to grow in this area too.

#3 Fear of Rejection

Wanting to be loved or to feel you belong is natural. And so you will tend to go along with the flow and accept what others tell you rather than standing out and risking their rejection.

As a child you may have been told that "children should be seen and not heard" and punished for speaking out of turn. That will have conditioned you to believe that you should keep quiet and stay in the background and that doing anything "different" will cause others to reject you. But a child encouraged to ask questions and to express him or herself will grow into an adult who will more easily challenge the norm and take risks. So be that child today and you will find the only rejection comes not from people you respect or admire, but from those who themselves are afraid or jealous of what you are achieving.

#4 Fear of Success

It may seem odd but the fact is that many people are simply afraid of success and what it may bring. It may be that they feel it would mean extra responsibility or having to move away from the things and people that surround them at present. So although they may say they want things like a big house, a fast car, or lots of money they will rather moan about the fact they haven't got them and make all sorts of excuses for not doing so. You are often conditioned to believe you have your place in life and that you should be grateful for what you have and so you develop an unconscious fear of succeeding. Hence the excuses and procrastination. But there is nothing wrong in being successful and a positive approach with well formulated goals will help you to be so.

#5 Fear of Yourself

Quite simply unless you learn to act in the way that is right for you and not the way you are told to act, you will fail. You should always remember that you are a beautiful, special, unique person and that only you can truly shape your own life. So be yourself, follow what you believe to be right, be a good and honest person, and don't live in anyone else's shadow.

You will succeed if you learn to live without fear. If you are always positive and set and follow your own written goals you will achieve what you desire. All you need to do is believe and take action.

This article was written by Tony Hall who runs his own business dedicated to helping individuals develop their personal and business skills. You can learn more about how to develop your own life skills and get your complimentary copy of "The Process of Success" by signing up for his weekly newsletter at: http://www.selfimprovementskills.com/newsletter.html

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Applying Programming to Life

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:44:00 +0000

By Tommy Leung

I never knew I would be doing so much programming professionally. I grew up wanting to be an artist. Drawing was my thing; I drew a lot and loved doing it. I loved Disney cartoons and comic book superheroes. I didn't care about the great European painters. My parents would always say that artists didn't make any money and that I'd starve to death as an artist. I was way too young to care much about money so that didn't mean anything to me.

Life progressed and I basically fell into programming. I only learned how to code to make games--I also only drew because I wanted to make comic books and cartoons. I don't really do much programming outside of work these days and drawing has fell completely off the radar. I'm mostly engaged in politics, economics, money, and business now. But, I have been programming for a good many years professionally and on my own and there are a few incredible parallels to life that I've discovered.

You Don't Need to Know How

This is the single most important idea from programming that applies to life. You don't need to know how you'll get something done, you just need to believe you can do it. Very often when I am making a game, I have no idea how I am going to implement a feature. Either because I've never done it before or I've never heard of or seen anyone else do it. The latter is highly unlikely as I don't really do cutting edge stuff. The former is quite common. I consider this part of my job rather exciting--some people would have heart attacks. I'm not a veteran at making games and I never went to school for games or programming--my degree is in Marketing but, I can code.

In all the programming I've done, be it for a game or an application, there has been no feature that I've not been able to implement. It has very little to do with how good I am--I don't think I'm that good. Once you believe you can, your mind has this incredible power to find the means to get it done. I strongly believe that this is also true in life. Don't worry about how you'll reach a goal and absolutely don't think that you cannot. Just believe you can and as if by magic, you'll find a way to do it. There are a multitude of things in life that I've managed to accomplish without knowing how. I mean, I'm making games for a living. It had been a dream of mine to do that and like most dreams, it seemed far-off and almost impossible. I didn't know how I was going to do it and I didn't question it--after all, I was just a kid. I set the objective, believed it would come to be, and set forth towards it.

I know that this blind faith is ludicrous to some people. There isn't any other way for me to explain it. I know it works since I use it all the time. Of course, it doesn't mean things will all happen smoothly with no bumps along the way. To compare it to programming again, I'm often stuck for hours or days trying to figure out how to do something. It gets frustrating and almost impossible but, I keep at it trying different ways and thinking differently and then I find the answer. Always.

The problem lies more in the fact that we are more likely to give up on our own life objectives than on finding a solution at work. Think about it, I'm sure you have managed to solve a seemingly impossible problem at work by simply believing you can or because there was no other alternative; your boss wanted it done. We don't have a boss to make sure we reach our life objectives and so it is easy to put it on hold or just give up on it. So remember: you don't need to know how, you just need to know you can.

It Can't All Be Perfect

There are times when I spend way too much time trying to write super efficient code when the brute force method works just as good and takes much less time to write. Granted, computer programs today seem to be written more and more poorly. My web browsers--FireFox and Internet Explorer-- are always crashing! New applications run slower on newer computers than their old counterparts on older computers. There is a nice middle ground between writing super lightweight efficient code and slow resource-hogging code. The key is to know where the middle ground is.

I have no magical formula to find it. A lot of it has to do with experience and intuition. In life, we don't always need perfection but, at the same time, we can't always have everything half-assed. Just from being alive, we have learned what is and isn't important in our lives. For those things that we care about, we should try to be as perfect as we can. They are important and so they deserve the extra attention. Just as we only have so much computing power to use, there is only so much time in a day. Pick and choose what is important and focus on those or we'll never get anything done.

Think By Not Thinking

Every so often, there are bugs--defects in a program--that are impossibly stubborn. I'll look over the code as carefully as I can several times and everything looks fine. I test and debug to try and locate the source of the problem and I can't find it. These problems will drive you insane, especially when you finally solve it later and find out that it was something ridiculously silly. How do these problems usually get solved? I do it by not thinking about them. As illogical as that sounds, it is probably the best way to find the answer. You just forget about it, go do something else, and all of sudden the solution will come to you. I assume my subconscious mind goes to work on it once I stop consciously thinking about it. The subconscious has the incredible ability to see details we miss.

If it is one thing we have too much of in life, it's problems. Problems from A to Z and it never seems to end. Sometimes they are small and sometimes they are not so small. Some people take small problems and make them big problems. The size of the problem is in the eye of the beholder. I take all problems and make them small problems. That way, I don't worry about them. Often, I have a problem that I don't have a good solution for so I put it aside for a while. I don't spend every waking moment focused on it. I'm aware it is there and I let my subconscious take care of it. These are generally non-urgent problems but, even the urgent ones might be best solved by making them small problems and letting your subconscious find the answer--it can work pretty fast too.

So how do we make problems seem small? Actually, we are just putting them into perspective. I read this in Whatever You Think Think The Opposite, by Paul Arden, and in one part it describes a son telling his father that he had a problem so his father asks if someone was trying to kill him. He says "no" and his father says, "Then, you don't have a problem." That is how I look at it. If no one is trying to kill me and no one is going to die, the problem isn't that big of a deal. Don't spend all your energy trying to find a solution to all your problems, you'll just go crazy from over-worrying. Relax, give it to your subconscious, and you'll be fine.

To wrap it up: you don't need to know how, you just need to know you can do accomplish things, everything can't be perfect so we should choose the important things to focus on, and our subconscious can handle a lot of our problems better than we can. Who knew such universal ideas could be found in programming?

Tommy Leung
http://www.supertommy.com

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Tips For Problem Solving

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:40:00 +0000

By Akhil Shahani

There are many situations, both in our personal and professional life, which throw up problems that need specific attention. Think about it, we solve problems and make decisions everyday at home, at work, at play, even at the grocery store! So, are there any ways of doing it any better than we do already?

Some problems and decisions are very challenging and demand a lot of thought, emotion, and research, while others can be very simple to deal with. But if you keep the following tips that we've put together for you in mind and apply them, you will find it very easy to solve any kind of problem that you are up against.

1. Positive attitude: Begin with a positive attitude. When we are faced with a problem, our typical reaction is to wonder why such a thing has happened to us. Don't waste your time in recriminations and self-pity; accept that there is a problem and look at it as a learning opportunity. Do not be afraid of making mistakes. Sometimes, in order to find the best solution to a given problem, you may have to go through a hundred bad solutions first. The most important thing is to accept that it is OK to make mistakes. How else would you learn otherwise?

2. Open mind: When you are faced with a problem, approach the task with an open mind. Don't assume that there is only one answer and that you already know it. Often, there are multiple solutions to any given problem. Stop for a second and take the time to understand what the problem is truly about before applying a solution. Be open to all possibilities.

3. Global view: Things often look very different when we look at them from a vantage point. Think of it as a "helicopter" view. By looking at the big picture, you might actually be able to understand the problem in its entirety and right context. Once you have done that, you can determine the best course of action.

4. Smaller chunks: If the problem you are facing appears too huge for you to handle all at once, do not fear. Try and break it up into smaller, easily manageable chunks. A problem is like a jigsaw puzzle - when you are confronted with a 1000 pieces, that you have to put together, you can easily feel overwhelmed and give up. But try taking small sections of the puzzle at a time and soon you will have solved the entire problem.

5. Rational thinking: Never approach a problem when you are angry or upset. Emotions or stress can cloud your thinking and judgment. It is best that problems are dealt with logically. Take a step back, calm yourself and think through the problem instead of springing into action when you are all wound up.

Often, working oneself into a frenzy over a problem poses a large hurdle in the way of its resolution. Use your energy thinking about the solutions instead.

Hi, I'm Akhil Shahani, a serial entrepreneur who wants to help you succeed. If you like to work smart, check out http://www.SmartEntrepreneur.net It's full of articles and resources to help you start and grow your business successfully. Please visit us & download our special "Freebie of The Month" at http://www.smartentrepreneur.net/freebie-of-the-month.html

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Dealing with Afflictions

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:03:00 +0000

By Bethany Chastain

I have faced the same affliction again and again for many years, and I have prayed repeatedly for God to remove it. Although I have wept and prayed, it has not alleviated the problem. For years I have requested that God change things, make them better, make ME better. This strategy has not worked, however, as I have not become freed of my affliction. The failure hurt greatly, nagging at me and causing me to believe God didn't care about me.

It was with these thoughts in my mind and heart that I turned again to the Bible for answers as to why God was bringing me such troubles. In doing so, I read some things that I didn't anticipate reading.

The Apostle Paul was a great man of God with a flourishing ministry. He was one of the first leaders of the church and was seen as a man to be respected. He had many difficulties, too. During the course of his life he was shipwrecked, adrift at sea, beaten with rods, lashed almost to his death, imprisoned, almost killed by rioting, bitten by a poisonous snake, stoned until he was thought dead, and ultimately killed by the Romans. On top of everything else, he was afflicted by what he called a "thorn in the flesh" and, no matter how often he prayed, it would not go away (2 Corinthians 12:7-8). He kept on because he was sure that the end result would be worth all the trouble.

John was a beloved disciple, a very close friend of Jesus, and very blessed by God. John played an active part in Jesus' ministry by witnessing his miracles, listening to Jesus' hearings, was given responsibility for Jesus' mother, and was in a place of leadership in the church. He witnessed and wrote the book of Revelation, and he remained faithful, not ever denying Christ. Yet he was also persecuted by the Jews, was kept in hiding as an apostle, was boiled alive in oil, and then was banished onto an island to die. His life, like that of Paul, was far from easy.

God raised Daniel above other men. He was a man with a profound devotion to God who worshiped only Him. He was allowed to be a vegetarian by the steward who oversaw him, received recognition for his faithfulness and skill in dream interpretation, was placed above all of the King's magicians, survived the lion's den, learned the future from Gabriel himself, and finally passed away as an old man. Yet, he was removed from his home and witnessed the death of many of his tribe. His closest friends were tossed into a fiery furnace, while he was thrown into the den of lions a short time later as punishment for praying to God. Daniel, who lived his life as a slave, was cast aside by each new ruler until he was able to prove himself to them. He died eventually in a foreign land as a slave.

Scripture is filled with examples of men and women who were afflicted in sometimes unimaginable ways, yet who continued to love and remain faithful to the Lord. Scripture mentions many men and women "of whom the world was not worthy" (Hebrews 11:38), some of whom were Job, Lazarus, Moses, Peter, Ruth, and the prophets. Even though life is difficult and the world is unkind, God used them all for his glory, showing he will hold us until the very end. It is interesting that while God never promised an easy life, he also never abandoned or stopped caring for men and women. John 16:33 clarifies this statement when it says; "In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

So why do I complain about one small trouble? The Bible speaks of many men and women who experience afflictions. God stays faithful, however. He promises us that He will be with us no matter what, not that all of our problems will go away. Compared to the problems others have faced, mine seem trivial.

Maybe I can use my affliction to bring glory and praise to God like Paul did. Maybe, being aware of my imperfections will help others to see that God can deal with their failings as well. Therefore, we can be assured knowing that "[God’s] power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). And so I will endure my weakness in the best way that I can, believing that God has a plan. The words God gave to the Apostle Paul give me strength: "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:9). I hope that others will see me as God sees me, as a person with an affliction that still has great value in the eyes of the Lord.

Bethany Chastain, a woman who is "on fire for God." tries her best to learn the lessons that God has for her so she can communicate them to her children and others. One of the best ways that she learned to communicate about God is through Christian clothing, Christian necklaces, and purity jewelry. Her message keeps her eyes on Christ.

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Accept Life As it Is

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:00:00 +0000

By Marc De Bruin

A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are. Unknown

Can you accept that?

The other day, I was in a session with a client, and she was sharing how her network marketing business wasn't going the way she wanted. Or, more accurately, how she was frustrated with her activity (the lack of, rather) in her business, and... with life in general, basically...
My question to her was: "can you accept that?"

She looked at me blankly, and said "yes, I think so." "Really?", was my reply. "How does this situation make you feel when you think about it?" "Oh, it creates a knot in my gut!", she responded immediately.

So, was she accepting the situation as it was right there and then? Obviously not!

My conviction is that, if you look at (a) situation(s) in your life and you have negative bubbles coming up in your physical system, you are NOT accepting what is going on. Your vibration will lower, and you will perceive more and more things to be not the way you want them (Law of Attraction, remember!?).

In Business as well as in our personal life, non-acceptance of the current state of things will lead to erratic and frantic action. For what reason? To GET RID of what we don't like, to CHANGE the situation, to OVERCOME our difficulties! That's the worst place to start contemplating action from. Admittedly, sometimes fear and negativity can be a great initiator for action. If you are faced with a grizzly bear, for instance, boy, will you RUN!

Usually, though, you're not feeling too great if you have to act from fear, worry or frustration, and why would you want to be feeling that way...?

Acceptance is key. Acceptance will lead to a clear head, and to clear and constructive action, geared towards what it is you DO WANT. There are several ways to become more accepting. Being aware of your Dreamtime Personality Type is one. Awareness and knowledge of Neuro Linguistic Programming is another. The most effective one for the "I want results immediately" people, is body awareness: breathe!

Become aware of your breathing pattern. Feel the airflow in and out your nostrils, in and out of your body as you inhale and exhale. When your thoughts distract you, get back to the breathing a.s.a.p. Keep this exercise up for about 5-10 minutes, preferably twice a day. Within "no-time" you will start to feel more balanced and poised for action.

The only thing you have to deal with, cope with in "reality"-as opposed to our internal brain ramblings, which I call surreality, is this very moment. Ask yourself what the "problem" is you have right now. Not next year, tomorrow, or five minutes from now.

What's not right RIGHT NOW?

And RIGHT NOW?

And RIGHT NOW?

And RIGHT NOW?

If you can come up with something, you are not present!

Acceptance assists you with becoming present; the more you practice, the better you get at it, and the better you find your results will be. And you will feel good physically as well!

Set a Landmark:

Firstly: where are you having "reactions"? What gets to you, in business, health, relationships, finances, etc.? What DON'T you want? The first thing to do is to accept that you are not accepting! Accept that you are still reacting!

Secondly: what is it you DO want? What is the reverse of the situation you are in? Can you become specific about your outcome, please? The more specific you can get, the easier it is for your brain to "wrap" itself around it.

Thirdly: start doing the breathing exercise! Twice a day.

Lastly: be patient. In the beginning you will find "it doesn't work" (can you accept that?). Practice makes perfect, though. Keep at it, and you will find the benefits really quick!

There's a lot to be said about breathe and breathing. And justly so. It is the ultimate "centering tool". That's why we use sighs so often; they take us into the present, temporarily!

Start using this extremely powerful tool, and do approach me for additional profiling, NLP and coaching tools and techniques; the package is a powerhouse!

Marc is a certified life/business coach, master NLP Practitioner and Body Stress Release Practitioner on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.

He is among Australia's Law of Attraction (LOA) experts, and coaches/mentors internationally with the LOA principles. Marc inspires his clients to find out what has been hindering them all along in achieving what they want, and to then make the conscious choice to take their lives and/or careers to the next level.

Having been a lawyer for nearly 6 years in his "previous life", before immigrating to Australia from The Netherlands, Marc knows exactly how daunting taking the first step in a new direction can be. On the other hand, he also knows how fulfilling taking that step is, and has the knack of imparting his knowledge and wisdom in a stunningly simple and highly effective way.

Visit http://www.landmarc.info , or email him at marc@landmarc.info to arrange a complimentary face-to-face or phone mentoring session!

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Understanding Stress in the Workplace

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 02:59:00 +0000

By Konstantin Koss

Stress in the workplace is an old story. Everybody in the office, or any workplace for that matter, experience it; beginning from the executives down the rank and file staff. No one is spared from it. But what is stress really? Is it really that bad?

-The Nature of Stress

Stress is the way our bodies and minds respond to the demands and responsibilities put upon them. It is a part of any job. It is a part of our everyday life. In the workplace, stress is manifested when the demands of the job and challenges it entails increase.

Stress is how our body reacts to these things. It is what drives us to do the job and finish it right away to meet the deadline but have it done well. The heightened tension gives us an adrenaline rush that allows us to push ourselves to the limit. Oftentimes, it is after the work is done or when the crisis is resolved that we feel the exhaustion. Then we feel relieved.

A little stress from time to time is good for the body and mind for it is some sort of exercise for the brain to think of solutions to the problem the shortest time possible. It is also some sort of exercise for the body when it needs to do the running and walking around in doing the work. This is when people feel more alive, because they are doing something important; hence, they feel important. So, a little stress is actually good for you.

-When Stress Becomes Excessive

So when do stress becomes bad for you? When stress becomes excessive, it becomes bad for your health. As the old adage says, "anything in excess is bad". In fact, everything has to be in moderation.

Excessive stress can trigger emotional as well as physical responses that may be harmful the person experiencing it and to the organization he belongs to as well. Excessive stress may manifest in the individual or employee in the form of headache, uneasy sleep, upset stomach, irritability, inability to focus, and poor treatment and relations with colleagues, family and friends.

Each of these manifestations of stress affect the productivity of the employee in the workplace. It may result to absenteeism and sometimes insubordination; hence, affecting the company's overall performance in the long run. It could lead to conflict and more tension in the workplace

And worst of all, stress can also lead to serious chronic diseases such as musculoskeletal conditions, cardiovascular disease and even psychological disorders. There are strong evidence from scientific studies that workplace stress does contribute to the development of chronic health problems that were mentioned.

So how does workplace stress become excessive? Workplace stress, or better known as job stress, increases as the demands and challenges of the work increases. When these demands and challenges become excessive and the employee's ability to handle them or the satisfaction of the employee with the compensation of his effort for the job do not match, that's when stress becomes excessive.

For example, an average employee is given too much work beyond his mental ability, or just impossible to accomplish at the given time, then stress becomes excessive. Or if the employee given a difficult or complex task is only receiving minimum wage, he would be dissatisfied with it but is unable to voice his opinion so he would be stressed over that fact. This is also when stress becomes excessive and harmful to the employee and to the company as well.

Other causes of stress are: tedious tasks; long work hours with low pay; unhealthy working environment; unreasonable work demands; not enough rest breaks; vague job descriptions and expectations; * multiple superiors; conflicting work demands; lack of participation or voice in the decision-making; unfair policies; ineffective communication flow; instability of the job; lack of proper transition for changes; frequent personnel turnover; No or poor chance of career advancement; difficult superiors; bullying or harassment by superiors; and unfair competition among staff and other conflicts.

These are but a few of the many causes of stress in the workplace. And unfortunately these are always present in every company. For this reason, work is sadly always associated with stress. It seems like everybody thinks that every job is stressful.

Well, as mentioned earlier, it is perfectly normal to be stressed from time to time. However, one should learn to adapt to the work environment so as to reduce stress in the workplace when it borders on becoming excessive.

Copyright (c) 2008 Konstantin Koss

Konstantin Koss has worked as an aerobic instructor and trained massage therapist. He is also a certified wellness guide. More information about the various ways to achieve relaxation can be found at the Real Relaxation blog. Readers can also subscribe to his RSS feeds to receive instant updates on the latest news from http://www.realrelaxation.net

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Personal Growth - Larger Than Life

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:57:00 +0000

By Mark David Gerson

Back in October 2006 when I was visiting Toronto, a friend treated me to a ticket to Barbra Streisand's first-ever concert performance in that city. Although we were sitting high in the rafters in a hockey arena that was anything but intimate, I was startled by how fully and personally her energy filled every corner of that venue.

"She's larger than life," I remember gushing to my friend at intermission.

I recalled that experience the first time I listened to the CD recording of the concert tour, some months after my return from Toronto. "That's what I want," I heard myself say at the time and was so startled by what seemed such a profoundly ego-driven thought that I was almost embarrassed.

But it wasn't until some months later that I fully understood both the Streisand experience and my inner voice. What I realized was that "larger than life" isn't about being famous. It simply means living larger than the restrictions and limitations we all carry so willingly through life. I also realized that access to that energy is not limited to the Barbra Streisands of the world, unless we choose for that to be so.

Even as our souls yearn for us to "play big," to discover our passion and live it to the fullest, our fearful self continues to seek out ways to hide and play small.

"Our deepest fear," writes Marianne Williamson in A Return to Love, "is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."

Perhaps even deeper than the fear she describes is the fear of experiencing and expressing our power out in the world, of being larger than life, of living beyond the self-imposed walls and barriers we create in the mistaken belief they will keep us safe.

They can't and they won't.

Our only safety resides in living our largest life to its fullest potential, in living our truth...in living our passion. In walking through life as though we are safe...as though nothing can stop, limit or restrict us.

As I write this, an old Cole Porter lyric keeps running through my head:

Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above,
Don't fence me in

At a literal level, the song is sung by a cowboy who longs for the endless space of the open range.

Yet it's also the song of every soul deprived of its fullest expression by the fences of a fearful mind, a soul that seeks only the limitlessness of its natural state.

Whatever you think of Barbra Streisand's talent or personality, when you are in her energy field, you touch that limitlessness and your soul cries out, "Me too! That's who I am, too!!"

Here in the Western world, where we have been taught to play small, we transfer all of our natural desire for the fenceless world of a life lived large to our movie stars and sports heroes.

If we can't play out our own passion and power, we play it out through a celebrity cult that's no healthier than any other cult, one we also find in countries with charismatic leaders/dictators, in religions with unapproachable gods and in all situations where we abdicate the expression of our infinite nature to someone or something outside of ourselves.

In my novel, The MoonQuest, very much a metaphor for all our journeys, the main character is destined for a greatness he continues to resist. Yet destiny, as he is constantly reminded, is not cast in stone. There is always a choice.

"Every choice you have ever made, has led to this moment. Your moment. Still, the power to make a different choice remains yours."

The power to choose is always ours. In every moment and through every situation, we're offered the opportunity to choose our greatness, our passion, our light.

It's what we do with each moment and situation that governs our destiny, that decides whether we live in our greatness or in the shadow of someone else's, that determines whether we build fences or tear them down.

In this moment, what do you choose?

Mark David Gerson focuses all his work on assisting you to access, experience and express your passion, power and potential. A speaker, mentor and coach, Mark David is author of the award-winning visionary fantasy, The MoonQuest, and of a critically acclaimed book of tools, tips and inspiration for writings, The Voice of the Muse: Answering the Call to Write. Read his "10 Rules for Living" at http://markdavidgerson.com , where you can also subscribe to his free newsletter. Go to http://lightlinesmedia.com to hear excerpts from both his books.

(c) Copyright - Mark David Gerson. All Rights Reserved.

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Pick Up Where You Left Off

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:07:00 +0000

By Kevin Hinton

I had a great response from a friend who, not long ago, embraced Nature Cure in an effort to get her health back on track.

Well, to make a short story long, after many months of diligence and perseverance - she did it - she got her health back.

You might ask - how did she know when she got her health back?

I guess the answer to that is that she no longer felt the symptoms that labeled her as being sick.

She felt good about herself, her life and her future.

And like so many of us, after working hard at her health, she finds that she has abandoned some of those lifestyle disciplines that gave her back her health.

And now - she asks - 'Why, when we know that certain habits produce ill-health - why do we persist in creating an environment that will, if repeated often enough, drag us back into a similar state of ill health?'

I guess because we like to do those things that give us pleasure -even if the pleasure is fleeting and transient.

The advertising moguls know our weaknesses - appeal to our emotions and we are suckered in.

Logic, understanding and intelligence play very little part in the sensuous delights of most people's lifestyle.

I don't have time for health - I must soldier on - so I go the fast food route.

I don't have time for rest - I have a deadline - so I stimulate myself with chemicals.

I don't have time to get sick - there's too much to do - so I take something to suppress my symptoms.

My mentor, Mr. Jaffrey, was fond of chiding me when I pursued this line of thought with..."Why is the wrong question young fellow - What you should be asking is - What do I do NOW?"

But unfortunately we think - "I'll take care of it later." - But later never comes - there is only the NOW.

This article is not meant to be a censure on any person or action -but merely an appeal to the intelligence and willpower that brings your thought process to the very essence of Nature Cure - Health is the result of building a lifestyle on very simple principles -however, it takes practice, patience and persistence.

I wish each and every reader all the best in the pursuit of your health and happiness.

Kevin Hinton is a renowned Natural Health Educator & Advocator who has assisted a broad range of people to reinvigorate their lives through common-sense Natural Health practices. He is a trusted advisor to many in the corporate world in Australia and North America who recognize the life-improving value of Natural Health habits. His experience in the field reveals that adopting practical Natural Health habits usually helps drive success in other areas of life.

Visit Kevin at: http://www.thehealtheducator.com and sign up for a FREE world class newsletter.

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Focus On Emotion-Not Logic

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:44:00 +0000

By Mike Cosentino

Knowing your customers and what they want to hear is a very important part of personal development. People like to hear things like 100 % money back guarantee. This helps a lot when people are considering trying something new. Most sales are based on emotion more than logic. A sense of security means a lot to people these days. There are a lot of people getting laid off and fired. With this on their minds, people need a sense of security and if they know they won’t lose any money they will be more willing to invest in your business or products.

With health issues on the rise people are really concerned about health issues. When people go to work and work a job that is really stressful it begins to affect their health. You can point out that with running their own business, or starting their own spoke in a business, they will be the boss, and they won’t be placed under as much stress. They can work when they want and take a few days off as needed.

How much money they can make is a very important consideration, as people like to know they will make enough to live the way they want to. They like to make sure they have enough money to pay their bills and buy whatever they need and want. The more they buy, the better they feel. When that great feeling goes away they buy something new. They like to be the ones that the neighbors try to keep up with.

Have you ever listened to children arguing over something? "That’s mine" you will hear them scream at the top of their lungs. Most adults are the same way we like things being ours. We like being able to show people something and say "that is mine."

Most of the time when you are talking to people the decision to try what you are selling is more an emotional decision than a logical one. That is why it is more important to you that they make a quick decision rather than having time to think about it logically. Never pressure anyone into making a decision but the sooner they do the better chance you have of making the sale. Also if you can key into an emotion that is connected to your sales pitch, you have a better chance of sealing the deal.

Mike Cosentino is a professional development expert, entrepreneur, and a top sales trainer read more of his topics or subscribe to his free newsletter at www.mikecosentino.net

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Types Of Depression

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 06:05:00 +0000

By Jan Howard

There are several different types of depression. Two of the most common types are major depression (also called major depressive disorder) and dysthymic disorder. Other types of depression include manic depression (also known as bipolar disorder), postpartum depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Major depression is a collection of symptoms that interferes with the ability to handle daily life. Also known as clinical depression, this is what most people think of when the subject of depression comes up. The symptoms of major depression are severe--sufferers may find it nearly impossible to even get out of bed in the morning.

Dysthymia is a depression that lasts for two years or more, but with somewhat milder symptoms than major depression. Dysthymia is sometimes referred to as chronic depression. It does not disable to the extent that major depression does, but still prevents sufferers from functioning normally or working at their best. In addition, people with dysthymic disorder may also suffer episodes of major depression.

Specific symptoms of dysthymic disorder include sleep difficulties (sleeping too much or too little), lack of energy or fatigue, a feeling of hopelessness, lowered self-esteem and a difficulty making decisions or concentrating.

Because dysthymia is milder and may only involve a few symptoms, it is much more likely to go undiagnosed and untreated. The symptoms of dysthymia tend to be more enduring and are more resistant to treatment.

Manic depression (or bipolar disorder) is characterized by cycles of mania and depression. Mania refers to periods of excitement, overactivity, delusions and extreme responses. It may include violence. Manic episodes normally last for at least a week. It also includes an elevated self-esteem, less need for sleep and excessive movement. People in the midst of mania may become involved in risky, but pleasurable behavior. They are easily distracted and more talkative than usual. In some cases, the symptoms are so severe that hospitalization is required to prevent harm to self or to others.

Postpartum depression (PPD) occurs among new mothers a few months after they give birth. It is more serious and intense than the normal "baby blues" that occur in the first weeks after delivery. PPD is thought to be caused by hormone changes, but is more likely to occur in difficult situations (low partner support, a colicky baby, or history of depression).

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is another form of depression. It is connected to seasonal changes, usually occurring every fall or winter. The cause of SAD is not completely understood, but it seems to be related to changes in the amount of sunlight available. Lack of sunlight may affect sleep rhythms or the balance of chemicals in the brain. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between seasonal affective disorder and depression. Light therapy has proven to be an effective treatment for some people, but others require antidepressant medications.

Jan Howard provides a factual but enlightened approach to the much misunderstood topics of anxiety, depression, stress and panic attacks. Read more at http://www.panic-attack-advisor.com

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Natural Stress Remedies and Tips to Naturally Maintain a Healthy Positive Attitude

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:16:00 +0000

By Remy Vixamar

Stress is a normal feeling that happens in everyone’s life one time or another. It can encourage you to remain focus on something or get things done. We all have it sometimes in our life. Certain occasions are known to cause stress. For some people, it happens before having to speak in public. For other people, it might be before a first date. For people like me, it happens when they meet someone that they love deeply. What causes stress for you may not be stressful for someone else. However, a long-term stress over which you don’t have any control can increase the risk of diseases like depression, cancer, heart disease and a variety of other problems such as suicide.

Scientists have discovered that stress may cause stubborn belly fat. According to government researchers, there is a link between stress, tension, and excess belly fat. High levels of cortisol, stress hormone, can cause pound after pound of excess body fat to accumulate around your waist and even in other parts of your body.

Stress and depression are part of the Western civilization. They reach all classes of the American population. They often lead to taking antidepressants during several months with difficulties of interruption, without ever resolving the problems. To treat a depression or stress, it is essential to investigate the causes. Once the cause is known, it is easier for the stress to be treated even by the patient him/herself.

The most common causes of stress and depression are:

• Sleep deprivation has a number of physical and mental effects

• Alimentation - poor nutrition can contribute to stress

• Thyroid problems can cause depression, fatigue, and lack of dynamism.

• Environment - unsafe neighborhood, pollution, noise, being distracted by gossiping colleagues

• Insulin hyper secretion - releasing excessive of insulin can cause hypoglycemia, fatigue and depression

• Amino acid deficiency that are precursors of neurotransmitters, which plays an important role in our personality

• Professional conditions – job dissatisfaction, insufficient pay, medical professions: doctors, nurses, paramedics, etc.

• Family and relationship – can be a source of stress due to marital disagreements, dysfunctional relationships, jealousy, rebellious teens, and financial problems: bills, debt, high mortgages.

A lot can be done to naturally maintain a healthy positive attitude and prevent occasional emotional lows. It is a good idea to keep your natural feel-good chemicals flowing by eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grain foods, ensuring plenty of fresh air, adequate sleep, moderate sunshine and regular exercise.

In addition, Natural remedies have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years to gently and safely support the healthy functioning of the brain and nervous system, as well as to encourage normal and efficient balance of emotion and a soothed state. To learn more about natural depression, insomnia and stress remedy, Visit our natural stress remedies website today and save 5%.

Raphaelo is a nutritionist who strongly believes in natural healing and disease prevention. He loves to share his own personal beneficial experience with natural healing to others. To learn more about natural depression, insomnia and stress remedy, Visit his natural stress remedies website

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Using Belief to Increase IQ

noreply@blogger.com (CHOUN) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 04:14:00 +0000

By Nick Marcellus

What is your IQ? Are you a genius? Would you believe me if I told you that you could become one? Latest research shows that belief is one of the strongest components of obtaining a genius intelligence.

If you believe you are smart, then you become smart.

Don't believe me?...

Research shows that students can raise their test scores by 20% by believing that they will do better. Students who expect to do poorly on an exam become self-fulfilling prophecies!

Our brains run on free will, and belief shapes our reality. Specifically, belief shapes how our brain works.

Researchers in neuro-linguistic programming have known this for years. We can program our brains with NLP to become what we think!

Our beliefs are a very powerful force on our behavior. It is common wisdom that if someone really believes he can do something he will do it, and if he believes something is impossible no amount of effort will convince him that it can be accomplished. ...

Our beliefs about ourselves and what is possible in the world around us greatly impact our day-to-day effectiveness. All of us have beliefs that serve as resources as well as beliefs that limit us ...

Our beliefs can shape, effect or even determine our degree of intelligence, health, relationships, creativity, even our degree of happiness and personal success. - Robert Dilts, Changing Belief Systems with NLP.

I believe many people are living below their genius potential simply because of social conditioning. If you did poorly in school, your brain becomes programmed to think you're not a genius. Unfortunately, school is a very poor indicator of creative geniuses, so a lot of smart people are missing out on the genius upgrade that is just within reach...

Nick Marcellus is an alternative health guru who is passionate about living to our highest potential. Read more about increasing IQ at GeniusIntelligenceReview.com

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