Begin Each Day With a To Do List

Time flies faster and faster each day. Technology gives the impression that we can accom10FBplish more in less timeyet, observation and studies reveal America is falling behind in the race as a productive force. To improve your rate of productivitythere are some easy and simple things you can do.

Do avoid over scheduling your day. It seems like scheduling every minute is the logical and practical solution. However, it has the opposite effect. Some things will take longer than you expected, because there will be interferences that you cannot predict. If you are scheduled to the max, you will have no room to absorb the miscalculation on time. Plan to schedule about 75% as productivity and 25% free time to give yourself flexibility.

Do avoid saying, Yes to everything. See my article, Freedom to Say, No. http://ezinearticles.com/?id=391631 Saying Yes to everything is like cholesterol clogged arteries. Your system is overloaded with stuff you have difficulty handling. Sometimes you will need to say, No to yourself. If you want to read a book, you will need to say, No to watching your favorite TV show. If you want to start a business, you will need to say, No to time wasters or other lesser important things.

Do avoid trading what you want at the moment for what you want later. That extra few minutes of sleep might seem like the best thing since your last favorite chocolate, but you know it will only cause you to be late, and then cause you to play catch-up. That new pair of shoes or dress may seem like the most awesome item you could buy for yourself, but if it causes a money crunch for necessary items, they arent worth it. Think about the long-term effects of your decisions one decision at a time.

Do avoid being duped by the clich You can have it all. Having it all is possible, either by having it at different times in your life, or by having a whole lot of helpthink Kelly Ripa, Katie Couric, Barbara Walters, Charlie Gibson, Tom Brokaw, et al. They have hair dressers, chauffeurs, wardrobe attendants and a full staff of people, making sure their every professional need is met, as well as nannies, housekeepers, etc. You can rest assured they aren't grocery shopping or do laundry.

Do avoid adopting the microwave mentality. Appreciate the various stages of projects and goals, as well as the pleasure they give. Be like a roseit begins to bud and unfold slowly and perfectlyas it unfolds we can enjoy its beauty. A relationship can change, being just as beautiful and enjoyable at each stage. Enjoy your journey as you move through each stage of a projectwhether long or short. Observe yourself as you learn in the process.

Do avoid giving up. Never give up. When you make a mistake, or when the wind of life blows in unannouncedand it willbeing as prepared as possible will give you the strength to be able to carry on. If you lose your job, having a reserve of money will ease the transition into a new job and give you the ability to wait to find the right job. When it seems there is no end in sightpush on. The answer is usually closer than you think. Avoid dooms day (fear) thoughts, anger, frustration, or a poor me attitude. No one can stop youonly you can stop you. Keep on until you get what you want.

Do Simplify your life with a few more items you want to avoid. Listen to your heart. Listen to your intuitiona.k.a. gut. Your heart and intuition will readily and easily help you make up your own list of things to avoid. Set your intention on filtering out things that do not give you the most enjoyment/reward.

Do Set you intentions. Set your intentions on what you wantbe specific. I will write a book this year. I will learn to golf. I will improve my golf game.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, motivational speaker and inspirational leader. Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life's challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening. http://www.drdorothy.net

Danger Goal Setting Can Hurt You

Goal setting can hurt you. Yes, I know, goals are one of those sacred things not to be criticized because the evidence is clear; setting goals leads to success. While it is true that goal setting when done properly contributes a lot to your growth and success, there are also times when goal setting can actually harm you.

Whenever you set goals properly, it gets you focused, motivated, and causes you to outperform your usual self. This is fantastic for personal growth, and as I said earlier, goal setting helps you succeed in life.

So what is the danger in goal setting?

The danger from goal setting is when you fail to take a break from the process. Think about elite athletes for a moment. They are incredibly focused and use goal setting during their season. But o5A8nce their season is over, they back off a bit from their focus. This is a needed time of rest and recovery. Because goal setting can elevate our performance so dramatically, it also has the potential to burn us out if we are not careful. We burn out when we are constantly called to stretch ourselves and grow without any rest and recovery time.

When you workout in the gym, you apply stress to your muscles. The real growth occurs after your workout when your body has a time of recovery. Ask any fitness professional and they will tell you that working out constantly without a time for recovery will actually make you weaker. The key word there is "recovery." This cycle of stress followed by rest and recovery is evident in many places in life. In fact there is very little growth without the stress-recovery cycle.

Because goal setting can initiate a time of good stress by calling you higher, you also need to have periods of time where you are not being stretched and trying to grow. I know this may sound strange, but typically people set goals and come out of the blocks hard for the first couple of months, then they get tired and realize they cannot sustain this effort forever. It is usually at this point that they quit all together on their goals.

If you want to have a consistent year of goal setting, then break your year into trimesters. For each trimester, which consists of four months, make the first three mon57Eths, times of focused goal setting, and the fourth month a time to throttle down and take a break. To give you an example, here is a way you might structure your year beginning in January.

Goal Setting Months ===========Rest Months

January, February, March, ==========April

May, June, July, ================August

September, October, November, ======December

By following a cycle like this you will actually grow more than if you simply try to set goals year round without any break. Go ahead and commit to some goals for the next three months with a planned break from goal setting in your fourth month. You will find this structure very motivating and also you will see some incredible growth as a result.

Do you want to make massive progress on your goals and dreams? Take the Summit Challenge; the online goal setting game guaranteed to help you reach your peak potential. In addition to creating the Summit Challenge James Robbins also delivers keynotes on personal excellence and leadership issues such as employee retention and creating engaging workplaces. To find out more about the Summit Challenge, go to http://www.ontothesummit.com

The Need To Forgive Yourself

You can't make progress in personal growth until you learn to forgive yourself. Many of us replay our mistakes over and over, adding more self-criticism every time we do it. It's easy to turn a minor misstep into a major stumbling block.

As much as you'd like to be perfect, that's never going to happen. Human beings do make mistakes, and you're5B4 a member of that imperfect species.

Because your life will never be mistake-free, it's crucial that you forgive yourself when you do mess up. If you don't, you'll spend too much of your life in the past rather than in the present and future. Fear of making more mistakes will intimidate you in setting and achieving new goals. You won't grow.

You did the best you could

Personal growth is incremental. We become wise gradually, not all at once. Scolding yourself over mistakes assumes that you had all the knowledge and experience you needed to make a good decision, and often that's just not the case.

Even if you did have all the facts, other elements come into play, like emotional bias and acting too quickly. The mature view is that you did the best you could at the time.

Beating yourself up won't change the past. Instead, take a step back and try to objectively figure out what went wrong. Every mistake contains a lesson, but only if you can be calm enough to dig it out. Acknowledging that you did the best you could at the time takes blame out of the picture, and that makes it easier for you to come away with something worthwhile.

Learning requires an environment of forgiveness

Picture a kindergarten room in which children are learning the names of colors. Each time a child makes a mistake, the teacher smacks him or her on the hands with a ruler.

If you find tha28t action cruel and unacceptable, realize58C that you're doing the same kind of thing to yourself when you won't forgive yourself for your mistakes. We all know that a positive, supportive atmosphere is best for learning. You owe it to yourself to take that attitude toward your own errors.

Remember that you're the teacher as well as the student. When you forgive yourself for your mistakes, you'll motivate yourself to test new approaches and try again. Give yourself a pep talk when you stumble, instead of a chewing-out. Isn't that the kind of teacher you want?

Forgiving yourself helps you forgive others

Like you, everyone else is doing the best they can, too. Maybe their social skills aren't what they could be, but they're struggling as well.

We tend to be harsher on ourselves than we are on others, but why be harsh on anybody? If there's one thing people need, it's forgiveness. You'll just alienate them by pointing out their faults and shortcomings. Chances are they're already painfully aware of them anyway.

Forgiveness, compassion and respect build other people up. They'll build you up too, if you learn to show those qualities toward yourself.

How much and how quickly you grow depends on the way you treat yourself when you make a mistake. When you forgive yourself, you'll not only have more joy in your life, but you'll also see it overflowing into the lives of others.

If you're a single person, you can live a happy, confident, optimistic life using the proven principles in Jack Zavada's new ebook, Single & Sure

The Lack Of Adolescent Self Esteem

I want to talk a little about how it affects adolescent self esteem, what are the possible causes and what you can do about it. There are many teenagers that have low self esteem and need help and support from their parents and friends.

The causes

There are different causes, it could be heredity in the case that the parents have it, it can also be education what cultural values and beliefs did you learn at school, some might not be positive and also your environment, what are the people that grow up with you, your parents, your friends, your teachers and anyone else that gave you advice.

Those are the most common factors that affect your adolescent self esteem. So those factors can be positive or negative, if you live in a difficult environment in your house, where your parents fight all the time and don't pay you attention, you might have low self esteem.

If in the school your teachers treat you bad and your friends made fun of you in any way, you might have the problem. Some people are not affected by negative views or criticism but other are very sensitive to them.

Is very important to encourage adolescent self esteem because is the age when they are developing and creating their own personality, they have some emotional problems either with school or with a love and it can affect a lot.

Remedies

If you have a problem of self confidence, its important that you talk to your friends or parents about it, just find someone that respect you and understand you, you will feel better.

There are different things that you can do to improve your self confidence, like doing exercise, meeting new people, learning new skills, reading positive affirmations, helping other people, taking your own decisions and improving your self image.

Most adolescents suffer from low self esteem at some point, but there is a lot that can be done to help them, visit us: self improvement rules

at http://www.selfesteemimprovementtips.com

You 294can also read about: quotes of self improvement

Self Improvement Soup - A Simple Recipe for Success

The trick to self improvement is to put enough of your resources into things that will help your life go where you want it to go, and to minimize the amount of focus given to things that will keep you from making that happen.

It's a simple concept, but many people apply too much of their focus onto certain areas, while not putting enough of their focus on areas that need more attention. This causes an imbalance that ultimately leads to a lack of confidence, happiness, and overall contentment.

You could break down your life into almost limitless individual compartments that require your attention, although almost everything that you need to focus on will fall under the general umbrella of 3 primary areas: Health, Wealth, and Relationships.

Health - This obviously includes the health of your physical body, but it also includes your mental health, your level of peace with spirituality or religion, and also your general attitude and outlook on life.

Wealth - This could mean actual money in the bank or other assets, it could mean job security and prospects, or it could mean something as simple as your level of career satisfaction, and your belief in your chosen career to provide for your needs in the short-term as well as the long-term.

Relationships - This includes relationships with a partner, spouse, or significant other, it also includes friendships, the desire or ability to spend time with family members, and it could also include your level of contentment with how you deal with co-workers, and even strangers who are met in public.

As we go through life looking to accomplish goals in certain areas, it is very easy and natural to focus on one particular area, especially if we feel a serious lack of success in that area.

For instance, someone who wants to lose weight will probably focus more of their attention on their weight loss efforts, while not giving as much consideration to what is happening with their relationships, or with their finances.

On the flip side, someone who is very focused on building or maintaining a career will often take their relationships as well as their health almost to the point of neglect while they expend almost all of their mental energy on tasks related to their career.

For someone who is absolutely thrilled with their spouse, partner, or significant other, that person will often spend very little time tending to their health, yet they will spend money outside of their means in order to enjoy their relationship to the fullest.

In each of these examples, there is certainly nothing wrong with taking one area of your life and focusing attention on it in order to achieve success, and it is often the case that one or more areas of life are stable enough that they do not need as much attention as the other area5B4s.

However, we live in a society where people tend to take things to the extreme, and the attention that is given to an area of life that is falling behind is often given by taking needed attention away from other areas. We tend to overcompensate in our desire to lose weight, build a career, or have successful relationships, so those areas end up getting more than their fair share of the available resources, and the other areas suffer as a result.

In order to practice the fine art of self improvement you need to recognize that the key to success lies in balancing your resources so that all areas of your life receive enough attention.

Excelling in one area of your life, or even two, but then leaving the third area to fall flat will only set you up for an unbalanced - and ultimately unhappy - lifestyle. People who say that they don't really care very much about one area or another are not really making an accurate statement.

If someone says that they don't really care about making a lot of money, that may very well be the case. However, that doesn't mean that money isn't a part of their life that needs to be factored in. Very few people can make it in the world without at least a minimal means of supporting themselves.

The person who says that they are not really concerned about their health because they think that life is about "enjoying the ride" may be truthful when making a statement like that. However, t5B4hat same person who has a heart attack or a stroke as a result of their consistently negative health habits will almost always have a change of heart regarding their level of health.

Someone who claims to not need a partner, or who isn't interested in relationships with friends or family may truly feel that way. However, when the right type of relationship or social opportunity comes along, they will very likely engage in it because it is something that they can enjoy, or that they feel comfortable with.

Remember, balancing out these three areas of your life does not mean that each area gets an equal share of your attention. Whenever you are making soup, do you put the same amount of every single ingredient into the soup? Of course not.

Balance in life - or in soup - does not mean the same amount of every ingredient, but rather in knowing which ingredients need to be added in higher amounts, while lowering the amount of other ingredients.

Take a look at your own life and you will probably see that certain areas are taking up too much of your time and your mental energy, thus throwing off your balance. Redistribute some of your resources, and in so doing, remind yourself that all areas of your life are worthy of your attention!

Aaron Potts is the founder of Personal Development Part493ners, and the author of the widely popular Today is that Day Blog, which teaches about self improvement, personal development, and the Law of Attraction. Visit his site to learn more and to sign up for his free newsletter!

Budgeting As Self-Help

Both modern world and its financial system are rather diverse. No wonder so many people are in debt nowadays; they experience hard troubles paying the bills and get notices from creditors. Its clear enough that when you are likely to lose your or your car, you will hardly be able to sleep and even work well. Despite common opinion being in debt does not necessary mean that a person is a loafer and that is the only reason for his getting into bad financial situation. Some debt is actually good. Borrowing money to purchase a home, or to complete your education, is generally considered good debt.

When you found yourself in debt there can be numerous options for you: realistic budgeting, credit counseling from a reputable organization, debt negotiation, debt consolidation, or bankruptcy. The level of your debt as well as your discipline and prospects for the future will determine the option which is the best for you.

Those who have realistic assessment of what they earn and spend and who plan their finances they do take control of the situation. The self-help should start with listing all sources of income. Once you know your fixed expenses you may easily define how much money you may spend and not to occur in debt. Then you should count non-fixed expenses (those that are different each). One can make a mistake when not taking into account such expe5B4nses that seem to be insignificant. If you bring them together and you will be surprised by this essential sum of money. By prioritizing your commitments you can make sure your basic needs are met and then you can decide what else you can afford, and what you may have to save for or do without. Thus, when you know what you earn and spend monthly you may come to conclusion to earn more or to spend less. Its quite easy to say to spend less but not so easy to turn it into reality. At least you can shop around for goods and services that are cheaper.

It goes without saying that budgeting takes time and mathematical skills. Surely, it wont be the best leisure of yours. But if you budget is not eternity, you will have to choose: to work out budget or to get into debts. A personal budget can help you to plan ahead and make the most of your money. You also will need to review your budget regularly, because your circumstances are likely to change.

The information about budgeting and money management techniques can be fount at local public library and bookstores. Moreover, computer software programs can be useful tools for developing and maintaining a budget, balancing your checkbook, and creating plans to save money and pay down your debt.

When it comes to controlling debt, or getting out of debt, there is no remedy for all the financial cases. There is, however, one definite thing that you wont avoid when it4E4 comes to controlling debt and getting out of debt working your personal

Den Braun is an expert in finance. The author is a business writer specializing in finance and credit products and has written authoritative articles on the finance industry. Den Braun writes about Debt settlement & debt negotiation and other related topics on the debt-settlement website. To learn more about debt and finances in general, visit http://www.debt-help-center.net

Self-Publishing Authors Need Marketing Help

Have you written a book? Do you want to self-publish your book? What do you think is the next step? Read on.

Authors love to write. It is something an author can do almost anywhere or at anytime. If we can't sleep we hit the computer. When our brain starts buzzing and we can't concentrate on anything but a new idea for an article or story, we have to STOP and write.

There are so many people now self-publishing their books the money is really rolling. It is splashing, and pitching and it seems to run on forever. But let us put this in perspective. Who is on the receiving end of this never ending supply of money? Not the author.

New authors have a hard time in their marketing campaigns. With the media slamming doors in their faces, the big books stores not even trying to help the new author, the door gets slammed in their faces over and over again.

But does this make the self-published author any less a writer? No of course not. The new writer of today has just as much to say as anybody else.

The publishing world in New York City seem to be far removed from what is happening. The self-published author is here to stay and make a statement. We are exploding in our energy, creativity, and marketing skills.

I just wish we could have more help from our communities. Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to read any of my numerous articles on various subjects.

5B7

Copyright Linda E. Meckler 2008

Linda is the author of her first published book, "Ghost Kids Trilogy. "Christy, 12 and her Brother Brad, 16 moves into an old house on top of a mountain and meet two Ghost Kids.

Then we have a mysterious, magical Blue Vase where Uncle Charlie the villain is trapped. He wants out of the Blue Vase and exchange he will tell Christy and Brad where Pirates' Treasure is Hidden.

Take a walk with Christy and Brad down a dark hall hunting for Pirates" Treasure. You will think were you there right there with them.

Love, Family Values and Charity burst off the pages. http://www.lmeckler.com

Check out my new 4 E books Titled:

How To Appeal Medical Bills

Appeal and Collections Letters for Medical Providers

Boost Your Self Esteem and Blossom

Stop Computer Pain on my website http://www.lmeckler.com/store

Check out my website http://www.lmeckler.com

Coming Soon:

TTY Machine Manual

Sleep Apnea and CPAP Machines

Medicare Parts A,B,C,D, Easily Explained

Spiritual Advice

Infertility Treatment Through Self-Help

Where there is love between16D0 two members of opposite sex, there is a sexual desire that has to be fulfilled at any cost. This desire has no target except to get fulfilled, but in a marriage, the case is absolutely different. Love-making is not just the only objective, sometimes you and your spouse want some special result out of this sexual union- that is pregnancy or conception.

Some couples are really lucky who succeed in this, while some are not so blessed. After months and years of struggle result into nothing but inferiority complexes, depression, lacking interest in their sexual relationship and losing faith in everything. When go for medical treatments, they get trapped into false promises but the results are again- no pregnancy.

No, I do not condemn these infertility treatments at all, but what I want from you is that never lose hope of conceiving before one year of trying. First analyse where lies the weakness in you, and if you can overcome it, then what is the use of visiting a doctor. But if your age is passing the required time of conceiving, then you should visit your doctor after 6 months of trying for pregnancy.

But before we move forward, I would like to make you aware what are the things that you cannot change. We are absolutely wrong if we think that all the factors relating to fertility are under our control. There are some things that are beyond our reach, such as

Among women, the conception is adversely affected by

Ovulation problems failure or delay to release an egg each month

Causes:

1. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), when numerous small cysts develop on the ovaries and ovulation gets disturbed.

2. Side-effects of certain medicines, like anti-inflammatory painkillers, chemotherapy and radiation treatment

3. Premature ovarian failure or early menopause

4. Hormonal imbalances

Blocked fallopian tubes

Causes:

1. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)- chlamydia and (more rarely) gonorrhoea

2. Endometriosis- when cells from the lining of the womb implant somewhere else, such as the ovaries

3. Pelvic inflammatory disease- caused by chlamydia and other STIs

4. Previous pelvic surgery- like in the case of appendicitis

Age factor

Women are usually more fertile in their early 20s as compared to those in their late 30s. This is because with age, the quantity and the quality of your eggs get declined.

Your womb also undergoes certain changes that cause problems with the lining of the womb, like fibroids or some physical abnormalities of the womb, depriving your womb from successful implantation of a fertilised egg.

Other conditions affecting the female fertility are

diabetes

epilepsy

thyroid and bowel diseases

gynaecological problems including previous ectopic pregnancy or more than one miscarriage.

And among men, the causes for infertility is the problems with the sperm, like:

1. Low sperm count, poor quality of the sperm or poor sperm motility (slow sperm-speed)

2. Poor testicles history like any inflammation or any injury caused by mumps, drug treatment, radiotherapy or sporting injuries

3. Any previous bacterial infection

4. Any surgery in the past could have damaged the tubes or impair blood flow to the testicles

5. Diabetes, any medication or urinary tract surgery can also result in retrograde ejaculation. In such a situation, the male sperm travels backwards into the bladder resulting in infertility.

But this is not the end to your life. There is a lot that you can do to make your life full of joy and colors. Here are the tips on what you can do to get pregnant fast. Go for the infertility treatments through self-help and give birth to a new life.

I wish you and your spouse all the very best!

Also, for videos on infertility treatment and much more, kindly visit my website http://www.top54u.com

Spiritual Movies and Ideas

Forget Success Be a Failure

Yep

You read that right!

Now before you lose your mind, let me explain.

You see, generally, people have a tendency to shoot for success or the positive side of things and forget the negative.

It doesn't matter if your goal is business success or a personal life goal.

When people reach their goal, they jump for5B4 joy butwhen something unexpected or negative happens, they start pointing fingers or become disgusted, upset and pretty much give up.

They say things like, "Yeah maybe this wasn't meant for me."

Or my favorite, "Well I tried and it didn't work out!"

Well the question I always ask is WHY?

Why didn't it work out or why isn't it meant for you?

Now you might just think from the title of this article that I'm about to tell you that these people are failures and if you feel the same then you're a failure too.

No way!

The fact is that it takes Failure to be a Success.

Maybe you should read that again.

It's okay to study failure, YOUR failures and the failures of others and look for the golden nuggets of knowledge that are built into them.

Success is inherent in failure. So seeking failure and analyzing what happened or reversing the process that lead to that failure you will find the cause of that failure.

All you have to do is look. Keep in mind you must look for it openly and without prejudice.

The truth of the matter is that you now know or understand the truth about success and it is Failure.

Failure is a greater asset to most than they care to realize.

Only when you knowingly give up on your dreams or desires do you truly become a real failure.

Failure is the key to finding and building the road to success. The Truth About Success: Forget Succe5B4ss, Be a Failure!

Seek success and learn from failure and you will achieve greatness!

Or better said

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." Thomas Alva Edison

*** Rasheed Ali, once a homeless & penniless teenager on the streets of New York, is now helping to change the lives of thousands people from all over the world through his innovative and thought-provoking newsletters and websites. He publishes the Power of Concentration Newsletter and provides a complimentary copy of the timeless classic by Theron Dumont at http://www.FreePowerOfConcent2B0ration.com ***

Succeeding In The School Of Life

Succeeding in the school of life is challenging and exhilarating, if you have a positive mind seta.k.a. attitude.

The school of life is continually in session and is ready to teach you valuable opportunities and experiences. You can maximize your success as a learner and increase your comprehension abilities if you utilize a few key strategies.

Be Open To New Opportunities and Experiences: Develop an attitude of enthusiasm and excitement as new information, different points of view or methods of problem solving and new ideas come into your path. New ideas are the seeds of personal growth and your willingness is the fertilizer. Stimulate your growth of new ideas by meeting new people. Join interest groupsbook club, hobbies, etc.where you will learn new ideas.

Show Up: Showing up for your life fully demonstrates you are there for yourself. Jump in, be an active participant and maximize your experience and opportunities. Seek out new opportunitiesA05 and grow more fully in your life. Take classes, read books, listen to CDs, etc. related or unrelated to your work. Volunteer for an organization that supports your passions in life.

Cultivate A MentorBe A Mentor: You have heard the axiomWhen the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Everyone has something valuable to share with others. Many people are willing to be a mentor. You need to cultivate their willingness to choose you. Likewise, you can offer to be someones mentor.

Ask Questions: Develop a curiosity about others. The wisest person asks questions to demonstrate that they are knowledgeable enough to know they do not know everything. How did you learn to____? What prompted you to go into_____? What do you like best about your career? Listen without judging. Make notes on what you discoveryou do not know when that information could come in handy.

Take Time For Yourself To Recharge Your Energy: Remember to have fun. Make sure you take time from work/family responsibilities to recharge yourself mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Remember recess was the best part of school. It still is in Lifes continual school.

And last, but not least enjoy your successin the School of Life.

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

Using Yoga to Reverse Aging

Yoga has become quite a popular exercise for people of all ages, but especially for the seniors. Yoga exercise for elderly people can help reverse the aging process and provide a wide range of positive benefits even if practiced on a moderate basis. There are many styles of yoga ranging in degree of difficulty. However, the basic moves and positions can be utilized by any age group. It is all about how you approach your exercise program that makes the difference. Since everyone is unique, it is always advisable to see your doctor before beginning any type of exercise program.

The Benefits of Yoga Yoga can provide positive health benefits for anyone but can be especially helpful for those more mature adults. The three main areas of development would be balance, stretching, and strength. Balancing exercises strengthen leg muscles and help to prevent falling. Every year in the U.S. there are tens of thousands of patients admitted for broken hips and usually some type of fall is the reason for the bone fractures. Balancing exercises can also help you avoid disabilities that may result from falling.

Beginning Yoga Exercises
Stretching exercises can increase your range of motion and allow you to do more of the things you need and want to do. Stretching by itself is not designed to enhance strength or endurance, however keeping ones muscles more flexible can also reduce strains and may improve circulation as well. Flexibility exercises, such as stretching, might help keep your body and joints limbered up, which could help prevent injuries and falling. It sometimes can speed up a recovery from an injury. Exercises for strength help bu5B4ild muscle as well as increasing your metabolic rate. This stabilizes blood sugar which and helps you maintain a healthier weight. By having stronger muscles, you will be less likely to need frequent assistance in doing your normal routines.

The Mental Benefits of Yoga
Besides the physical attributes of yoga, there are several mental benefits seniors can enjoy. By definition, yoga means union; therefore it is no surprise that one of the main underlying concepts is to achieve greater peace and harmony by better uniting the body and spirit. Perspectives on life and ourselves tend to change as we advance in age. The spiritual side of the world receives more importance as we grow older - this forms an excellent foundation for elderly people to start practicing yoga.

Proper Warm-ups for Seniors
It is recommended for seniors to begin their yoga exercise with slow, controlled motions. This phase can last for several weeks or longer depending on the individual. It is especially important in the earlier stages to avoid muscle sprains and strains. That will make the experience more enjoyable and safer while reducing the chances for injury. Even while using this slow gradual approach, many retirees can still benefit from improved circulation, range of motion and vitality.

Improve Your Circulation
Another benefit of yoga 58Ethat most seniors can experience is improved circulation. This helps to better utilize the oxygen in their blood vessels resulting in improved memory and concentration. Many elderly people experience losses in these areas as the age increases and yoga can help reduce or reverse some of these effects. Seniors have many options for keeping fit through various forms of light exercise. One of the most important and often overlooked keys to staying healthy is proper breathing. That happens to be one of the foundations of yoga. Air feeds our bodies just as much as food and water does. Slow, deep breathing through the nose helps to cleanse the body on many different levels.

Just Get Started
Contrary to popular belief, yoga does not require years of practice to attain many positive results. In fact many elderly people really look forward to their yoga exercise sessions not only for the increased vitality also opportunities or social contacts if done in a group situation. The biggest key to succeeding is just get started.

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or web site, as long as you include the resource box and the active link to my website. Please notify me when it is used. Barry Craft is the owner and webmaster of 301http://www.Yoga-Exercise-Help.com.

For more inspiring and useful tips about the benefits of yoga, please visit our web site.

The Common Element Between the Six Branches of Yoga

Most people get a little bit too wrapped up in trying to decide which branch of Yoga that they should study. They read a brief synopsis of each type and then go about trying to discern which one is the most appropriate for them. The fact is that all branches of Yoga overlap. They do so very naturally. Yoga is very natural. Whether you choose to direct your energies to the study of Hatha, Raja, Karma, Tantra, Bhakti or Jnana Yoga - doesn't really matter. You should be more concerned with what Yoga means in general terms.

Yoga is the union of the mind with the body. If we become masterful in the direction of our thoughts, then we begin to grow in wisdom. All branches of Yoga have the direct aim to bring us into constant consciousness. We need to be aware of our bodies. We need to pay attention to our posture. We need to watch our words. We'll need to choose wise actions. We need to develop joint, tendon, ligament and muscular stEF1rength. We need to assist our bodies with its internal functions. We need to constantly check ourselves in order to ensure that we're being the people that we want to be. That's what Yoga is.

People have a serious misconception about the yogic arts. They think that the goal is to twist our bodies into pretzel-like formations. Until people develop their understanding further, they do not realize that the primary goal of Yoga is for the betterment and broadening of the mind. The concept is that by controlling our thoughts effectively, we are able to focus in on the body. We are able to relax ourselves into seemingly strenuous positions with ease. This is not done simply for the strengthening and the elongating of the connective tissues that surround our joints; it's done to bring us into a state of consciousness where enlightenment is a possibility.

When you go forward into the yogic lifestyle, you are entering a lifelong process. When you expose yourself to these timeless arts, you are planting seeds in your mind. The seeds will come to fruition in the form of increased confidence, increased strength, increased awareness, increased wisdom and a superior life in general. So, do not get too wrapped up in which branch of yoga that you wish to pursue. Just pursue the concept of being in touch with you. The rest will come in time. Here is a small list of some of the uncountable benefits that you can experience constantly through the development of your yogic understanding:

Increased blood circulation with simultaneously decreased heart rates.
Decreased respiratory rates.
Improved delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all of the systems of the body through the blood stream.
Alleviation of joint and muscular pain.
Increased flexibility.
Increased endurance.
Enhanced ability to relax and be tranquil in any situation.
A calm and composed air about yourself.
A deeper understanding of your fellow humans.
A deeper understanding of nature.
Increased consciousness of your actions, speech and thoughts.
Increased energy levels.
Decreased need for sleep.
Partial or complete reversal of all preventable diseases.

This list could go on forever. That's because there is no end to the benefits of Yoga. Save your questions concerning which branch to thoroughly assimilate into your life. Just start by taking a nice, full breath and stretching your hands into the sky above you. Appreciate the air that you breathe. Appreciate the nature around you. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of your daily competitive life. This is Yoga.

Alan M Roberts is a fulltime freelance writer and web developer. He is always available for consultation through his web site at http://www.10-4Life.com Visit him there often and find reasons to live!

Check this out: http://www.squidoo.com/10-4Life

Building Self Confidence and Self Esteem

As a hypnotherapist I specialise in helping people to develop confidence and self esteem.

Perhaps surprisingly, the people who ask for my help are not shrinking violets and their reasons for wanting to develop enhanced self confidence are not wholly selfish. Consider a few examples. The names have been changed.

John works for a large corporate. Diligent, startlingly intelligent and very ambitious, he found that his ideas were consistently overlooked. This wasnt enough of a catalyst to bring him to my door, however. He eventually grew frustrated, and then angry, that dominant individuals in his company were able to put their own ideas forward with ease. Worst of all, some of these ideas, he felt, were positively damaging, but he just couldnt make his opposition count. All his intelligence counted for little in his testosterone-fuelled working environment. It had reached the point where he felt that he should resign and start again with a fresh company; he simply didnt feel that he was adding any real value. A man of great integrity, John would rather leave than tacitly support such a wrong-headed and unintelligent approach to business.

John stayed. We worked together to identify his confidence profile, which was very unusual -- represented by less than 1% of the population. Through work on his stage presence and physical presence, we were able to significantly improve Johns effectiveness in being taken seriously, to the extent where he has recently broken through into senior management.

Jenny came to me because she was lonely. A brief marriage hadnt worked out, and she was finding serial dating to be a frustrating activity. Jenny had come to realise that she wasnt moving out of her comfort zone, either socially or at work. She feared becoming enclosed, locked into a safe routine which wouldnt threaten her, but wouldnt take her life forward either.

Jennys confidence profile was almost the inverse of Johns. Where he had masses of peer independence, Jenny had almost none, which meant that she was hugely dependent on the good opinion of others. She needed lots of reassurance, and had very little faith in her own ability or judgement.

The approach with Jenny was to strengthen her peer independence -- her ability to trust in her own judgement, independent of the views of others - and to build up her self esteem. She has now met somebody, changed her job and moved house -- all in the space of a year!

What these case studies illustrate is the complex nature of self confidence. It isnt like height or weight; you cant read off a single value which describes a person. Confidence is complex and to develop, we need to understand our confidence profile. I have subsequently made my confidence profile questionnaire available through the Confidence Club website http://www.confidenceclub.net

This has enabled me to build up an even larger database of confidence profiles, and allows people from all over the world to identify their particular areas for improvement.

Jim Sullivan is a hypnotherapist specialising in confidence and self esteem development. He works with individual clients, with companies looking to de-stress their staff and through his Confidence Club website. http://www.confidenceclub.net

Stress Busters

Are you stressed out to the max? Do you need help managing your stress? According to a survey conducted by the American Institute of Stress, 54% of Americans are concerned about the level of stress in their everyday lives. Are you among these?

The best way to bust stress before it gets out of control is to manage it properly. Here are the top ten ways you can manage stress, starting now:

1. Breathe One of the easiest and best ways to manage your stress is to take control of your breathing. When your anxiety levels rise, you may notice 1C3Cyour breathing increasing. You might start taking fast, shallow breaths. Close your eyes, inhale deeply, and then exhale slowly while counting to ten.

2. Exercise Any form of exercise is conducive to stress management. Creating a regularly scheduled exercise routine can not only help you work tension out of your body, but can help to eliminate unnecessary stress as well.

3. Guided imagery and meditation Guided meditation is often perceived as weird. However, it is one of the easiest ways you can relax. These CDs contain a person who assists you in meditating by providing you with guided imagery. (It is usually about a 10-20 minute track.)

4. Laugh It has been said that laughter is the best medicineand its true! Research proves that laughter is especially good for the heart. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine say that laughter contributes to an increase of blood flow to. See a funny movie, buy a book of jokesLAUGH.

5. Take a break When was the last time you went on vacation? Everybody needs a break every now and then. Plan a nice getaway with your spouse or family. Leave work at work. Get out and have some fun, relax and reduce your stress levels.

6. Manage your time wisely One of the biggest causes of stress is poor time management. Do you often feel as though there arent enough hours in the day to do everything you need to do? Do you run from one appointment to another, sometimes even arriving late? Planning and managing your time in a more wisely manner can greatly reduce a lot of stress.

7. Loosen up Are you uptight? Do you take little time off for fun? While your time should be managed, stress can be caused by living a life that is too strictly controlled. If you find it difficult to have fun anymore, try loosening up the reigns just a bit. Take a day off; go for a stroll in the park; buy a flower and give it to a stranger.

8. Journal Journaling is nothing new, but not many people take advantage of the positive benefits journaling can have. Journaling is a good way to get things off your chest without exploding at those at you love. It helps you to put things in their proper perspective and discover things you didnt recognize about yourself before.

9. Take a daily vitamin If you dont already take a vitamin, start today. Purchase a bottle of multi-vitamins and begin the habit of taking good care of your body today. Doctors often suggest that both men and women benefit most from a pre-natal vitamin because these are power-packed with all the nutrients your body needs.

10. Start a hobby Do you have a hobby? All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy. Try something that youve always wanted to but never made the time forgolfing, knitting, swimming, reading.

If you're sick of being stressed out and feeling overwhelmed, eliminate your stress today. http://www.eliminatestress.nurturedsoul.com/

Hardcore Body Building - How To Improve Your Body Building And Weight Training Program

Being hardcore does not mean having to alter your life to be on stage at the Mr. Olympia, having to sacrifice your life for the gym, or any other extreme measures. It simply means being intense, focused, and dedicated every minute you are in the gym in order for you to become the best you can be. That's the goal for all of us! Remember to train hard, go to failure (or near failure on certain sets), and continually give the best effort you can.

Genetics are a huge factor in bodybuilding as there are easy gainers and hard gainers. The vast majority of people fall somewhere in between. Provided that you have clearance from your physician or healthcare provider, anyone can train hardcore because this style of training is a mental & emotional approach to training, rather than simply a training routine with heavy weights. ANYONE, therefore, can be a hardcore trainee since it all starts with your own mind.

Remember that even the genetic "thoroughbreds on the Mr. Olympia stage are always looking to improve from year to year; so if they want to improve then remember that you can improve regardless of your genetics. At Metroflex, people from all walks of life train there every day; and the hardcore mentality is exemplified in numerous ways from people of all ages, athletic backgrounds, and limitations due to injury. Whether you train at Metroflex or at the most elegant health spa, the hardcore mentality should be considered as you can get the most out of your efforts. It also makes weight training fun, a challenge, and one which will help you realize consistent progress.

If you found this article to be useful and relevant, you are welcome to visit http://www.MetroflexGymTraining.com to get weight training & exercise information which simply works! You are invited to join the free Metroflex Gym Newsletter and download free reports, training logs, and receive special unannounced bonuses!

Building Muscles as a Woman and Flirting - Does it Make Sense?

Both men and women can experience the advantages and the satisfaction of building muscles. It's an activity that helps you get fit, feel good and perform better. Yet as a woman, there is a biological difference that is worth mentioning, whatever your decision about making body-building a serious activity. It's a difference that may be relevant to you according to how you see things and how you want to define your attractiveness.

Way back in time and following the mysteries of evolution, men and women followed different biological paths. In particular, men found women attractive according to things like the curve in their back (dead straight backs do not rate so well with men) as well as other physical attributes. On the other hand, women whilst still appreciating a man's good looks attached less importance to physical aspects and more to the degree of confidence that the man displayed. You can find information on the subject in the book "Why Men Don't Listen And Women Can't Read Maps" by Allan and Barbara Pease. It's great fun to read and after the tongue-in-cheek title, you may well find yourself nodding in agreement with many of the points they discuss.

In the context of body building, a man's bulging muscles therefore may mean less to a woman than the self-confidence that he has acquired via his body building. On the other hand, a man may start to lose interest in a woman when he sees soft curves disappearing and harder, more defined muscle groups making their appearance. This is not to say that this is always the case or that one way of appreciating the opposite sex is better than the other. Not to mention those who are attracted by the same sex and may see things differently yet again.

Whatever the case, if you are a woman and you would like to continue to exercise your attractiveness in terms of "natural" curves, you can at least now plan your bodybuilding and muscle gain in such a way as to have the best of all worlds.

The author : Jo Braweski works on body building and muscle gain topics, bringing new developments to your attention, as well as simplifying and clarifying existing areas. Visit Jo's site for information on how to improve your own muscle gain and get detailed information for free at http://www.muscle-gain-review.com

Learn About Exercises To Reduce Stomach Fat

As a person ages, the horrible spectacle of a round tummy becomes a haunting reality. The quest for a flat washboard abdomen is hard to obtain. Most popular exercises for abs do not work by themselves, spot reduction is a myth, abdomens are not designed to be flat, and genetics and diet have a huge influence on the shape of your pot belly. This article will try to shed a little light on these concepts.

The reality is that most exercises we do for the stomach reduction don't work very well by themselves. The idea that we can eat all we want of whatever we want and then do 250 crunches to compensate will lead to frustration. Stomach exercises such as crunches don't last long enough to burn many calories since they can be completed in a few minutes and it takes extended periods of exercise to burn calories. These spot reduction exercises ignore the fact that our abdomens are5B4 not designed to be flat.

Nature has gifted us with abdomens that are naturally round. The muscles that make up the abdomen area are affected by the genetic makeup of our heritage and the fitness level of our body. As we age, we tend to become rounder as our muscles soften and relax. Men tend to become apple shaped with advancing years while women will become more pear shaped. A deciding factor of the amount of belly we develop is the matter of posture.

Our posture will contribute to looking taller and slimmer or rounder and plumper. Poor posture will contribute a great deal to the round abdomen. A straight back, head up and balanced, not leaning forward, and shoulders held back are all part of a good posture that will slim and strengthen your bearing. The real key to a flatter stomach is proper diet and exercise.

About 80 per cent of the effort to reduce your tummy is diet with the other 20 per cent of the effort focused on exercise. Over all body weight reduction will result in a slimmer stomach as well. A well balanced diet of proper portions accompanied by the aerobic exercise will reduce your over all body weight and firm and strengthen your muscles.

A successful effort to achieve those wash board abs will include much more than just doing a bunch of crunches. That is not to say that exercise will not help. Many exercises when combined with the proper calorie reduction can achieve remarkable 3B9results.

Want to trim that gut? Learn how at Stomach Exercise Info

Common Thinking Errors

There are certain mindsets or points of view that can be counter-productive to good communication. These errors in thinking, and if taken to the extreme, can inhibit both personal growth and growth in relationships. Here is the list:

1. All or nothing thinking: You see th514ings in extremes, everything is black or white. This can be obvious or subtle for example saying 'He is always late, but I never get angry over it'. This mindset can be that of the perfectionist also.

2. Minimizing or catastrophizing: You exaggerate the importance of small things. 'The entire meal was ruined because the desert was not served promptly.' Is this a catastrophe? An example of minimizing is taking a significant issue or event and reducing its importance so it appears inconsequential. People often do this so as not to have to deal with uncomfortable emotions or consequences.

3. Overgeneralization: You take a single event and draw general conclusions that it is universally true. If your date is late you say 'All men/women are always late'.

4. Minimizing or qualifying the positive: If someone says you did a good job, you respond by saying 'I could have done better'.

5. Jumping to conclusions: This one is pretty self explanatory. You make a negative interpretation even though there are no definite facts that really support your conclusion. 'My boss didn't say Hi this morning, I'm in big trouble.' 'My girlfriend isn't home, she's cheating on me.'

6. Mind reading: Couples are often guilty of this, if he/she loved me they would know what I want.5B4 You arbitrarily conclude that someone is reacting in a negative way to you and don't bother to check it out. 'I know what you're thinking.'

7. Should and must statements: These are shame generators. "Musts" and "oughts" are also offenders. This can be the product of inflexible and rigid thinking. 'I must not let them see me cry.' 'I should have been there'. The emotional consequence of failure to adhere to the rule is shame and guilt. When you direct should statements toward others, you are setting up unrealistic expectations and if they don't behave they way they 'should' anger and resentment result.

9. Emotional Reasoning: While your feelings are valid, and they are your own, they do not necessarily reflect fact. Being frustrated at not being able to accomplish a task does not mean your are dumb. Feeling hopelessness does not mean you are hopeless.

10. Personalization: You see yourself as the cause of some negative event for which, in fact, you were not really responsible. Your loan application is not approved; it does not mean the loan officer had it in for you. Your daughter does not get asked to the prom does not mean you are a poor mother.

While all of us may be guilty of some of these mindsets, the danger is when they become a persistent view of your self, others and the world around you.

Tell4A7 your story! Pick up tips and tricks to help in addiction recovery and enhance your life free of addictions. Join our growing community. The author, Bill Urell MA.CAAP-II, is an addictions therapist at a leading drug treatment center. He teaches healthy life styles and life skills. Visit: http://AddictionRecoveryBasics.com

Is Today The Day You Take Action

You will either step forward into Growth, or you will step back into Safety.
~ Abraham Maslow ~

As the year quickly moves forward, this could turn out to be just another day, week and month that passes by, or it could be the beginning of something new. Take a look at your life. Overall, how is it going? Would you describe your life as a joyous, passionate expression of self? Are you living your most abundant, peaceful, loving life? Everyone of us carries within an idea, a dream, or a desire. Taking action on these desires is how excitement unfolds. Yet so often these dreams are dismissed or put on the cold back burner. Will today be another day that passes by without taking action on your dream?

Question:
What could I do dE11ifferently today that would effect my life?

What to Do?
We generally have some sort of an idea of what we would wish to create within our lives. Yet we also sense the enormity of all that it would take to change the status quo. The task ahead seems huge and unmanageable. All the familiar feelings of procrastination, doubt, and overwhelm rise to the surface to protect the known comfort of what is. It seems much easier to remain in the safety of what is known and familiar. And yet the desire to create change continues to exist. How do any of us get past the plateau that we sit on?

Take a Small Step
What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but you have to take it. Antoine De Saint-Exupery ( 1900-1944, French Aviator, Writer)

In the end, as adults, no one can save us but ourselves. We own, and are responsible, for our own lives and happiness. To get what we want out of life, it helps to know what it is that we want. We need to know what we dream of. Close your eyes and be willing to take a look at the big picture. What is it you want? For example:

Be at peace with food and your body

Weigh a certain amount _________

Write a book

Begin a new business

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

Now step back from the big picture and find what steps you can do now, today, to make your dream come true. What are five small, achievable steps you can take today to move forward with this dream? For example:

1. Write down my desire.

2. Create a simple picture board illustrating my desire.

3. Take five minutes to imagine myself joyfully living my desire.

4. Create a daily action list to help create different habits.

5. Feel joy in the recognition that I took these steps today.

Question:
Will today be the day I gently push aside all of my excuses, and take tangible action on my personal desires?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dr. Annette Colby, RD can help you take the pain out of life, turn difficult emotions into joy, release stress, end emotional eating, and move beyond depression into an extraordinary life! Annette is the author of Your Highest Potential and has the unique ability to show you how to spark an amazing relationship with your life! Visit www.LovingMiracles.com to access hundreds of content filled articles and sign up for a Free subscription to Loving Miracles! newsletter.

Psychological Freedom

Freedom.

Many consider this to be the most important word in the human language. Wars have been fought, lives lost and revolutions won, all for the goal of freedom.

In the film "Braveheart," Met Gibson played William Wallace, a 12th-century Scotsman determined to win f21D7reedom for himself and his country.

While not completely accurate historically, the film's depiction of Wallace's passion for freedom captured hearts and minds.

As I pondered the popularity of "Braveheart" and the coming Fourth of July celebration, I decided to apply the notion of freedom to our emotional and psychological lives.

In order to be emotionally and psychologically free, or to have what I'll call "mental freedom," we need to have "freedom from" and "freedom to."

Freedom from

The past - This does not mean to forget the past. It's important to remember the old saying, "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it."

But an important freedom is to be free of the weight, or "emotional charge," of the past.

Too much stress - A certain amount of stress is good for us; it leads us to take action. Too much stress freezes us and leads to inaction.

Pressure - Stress comes from the outside, while pressure comes from what we tell ourselves about the stress. It's "how can I ever get all this done?" vs. "I can handle this."

Pressure is an inside job.

Abuse, of any kind - There has been a lot of emphasis recently on the important issues of physical and sexual abuse. At the same time, we also need freedom from emotional and verbal abuse.

Freedom to

Achieve your potential.

Do work you enjoy.

Be yourself.

To dream - Everybody has a dream. What's yours? Go for it.

Think for yourself - Never, ever, let anyone do your thinking for you. Others may disagree with you, and that can be uncomfortable, or worse.

At the same time, as Robert Louis Stevenson once said, "Sooner or later, we all sit down to a banquet of consequences." Make decisions on a daily basis to make sure that's a banquet you would enjoy.

To love and be loved.

To say no. Unless we can say no, our yes really doesn't mean much.

To change - Whether it's a change in direction, in priorities, maturity level, beliefs, or something else equally important, the freedom to change one's life is crucial to mental freedom.

As one person so aptly said, "It's good to be able to change our lives while life is changing us."

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You can also subscribe to The Article Writing & Article Marketing Tips Newsletter delivered to your email inbox twice a month from Jeff Herring, The Article Guy.

Being Able To Say No

Do you easily manage to say No to someone who wants a favour from you, while deep inside you feel you want to refuse? Or do you, like I used to do for quite some time, roll across your feeling with a bulldozer and say: Yes, of course .., because you feel uncomfortable saying No.

If you are prepared to follow the self motivation tips hereunder you will create healthier boundaries and with some self motivation exercise you will ultimately acquire the necessary self motivation skills.

I remember it took me quite some time to change from a person who wanted to please others, into a person who is consciously aware of what he feels and really stands for what he wants.

I used to waist far too much time with projects and activities that I really did not want to do. I was simply spending valuable moments of my time on other peoples good opportunities.

My mentor taught me how important it was for me to become experienced at feeling what I felt, at questioning myself if this was what I truly wanted, and at saying No if it wasnt.

Learning to live our full potential also means that we have to learn to not always say Yes to what other people want. We can only move forward with our dreams and goals if we are focused on the things that will produce them.

My mentor made me decide on what I wanted in my life and what I didnt. He convinced me to make these my personal policies. If I didnt want to let friends borrow money any longer, then I had to make it my personal policy. If I didnt want to discuss important business de5B4als over the phone anymore, then I had to make that my personal policy.

In general its not difficult to say to people what our policies are and we dont even have to say the word No. People tend to respect policies. And its likely that no one will take them personally. They simply realize its a healthy boundary you have set for all occasions.

It gets more tricky to say No , however, when what we are being offered sounds attractive. How can we determine for ourselves what is a good choice and what isnt?

I have learned to put such opportunity in writing, close my eyes and ask myself the following questions:

First of all I ask myself: Would doing this be in my highest option?, and when I feel it is, I ask myself what kind of information I need to gather and what I would need to do to make it happen.

Next I compare that information with what I know about achieving my goals. Is everything in line or is this opportunity leading me down a different path? Is it harmonizing with the purpose I am passionate about, or does it simply sound better than what I am doing at that moment?

Its good to talk to a mentor or other advisors about potential opportunities and reflect on their knowledge and expertise. They can help to become aware of whats involved and they can help to stay focused on our goals and dreams.

After a couple of years of practice I have learned to sta5A3y focused on my higher goals and I have learned to say no to good opportunities that interfere with my higher goals. I had to discover that I was not rejected for saying No. Actually I noticed that people respected me for my clarity and drive.

You know, we are in control of how we feel and how we behave and express ourselves, and so are others. That means that if other people get upset with you saying No, well, thats their choice. Isnt it?

Ab van Deemter (http://www.passiontogrow.com) is a Personal Growth specialist and a spiritual person, who believes in sharing his knowledge of personal perseverance. He has studied metaphysics and other holistic methods for many, many years and embarked on a life of success. With successful tools for personal freedom he has made it past a life full of obstacles and now mentors and teaches business owners, their staff, his own employees, as well as a large group of private individuals.

Reach Your Goals Temp Your Way To The Top

Temp your way to the top

Want to take the test for a software certification, but feeling a bit rusty? Need to brush up on your mechanic skills before tackling the full rebuild of that gas-and-oil-guzzler staining up your driveway? Or perhaps you need to re-enter the networking circle of your chosen work-from-home career after a few years out of the loop, but don't want to get trapped into the office-bound aspects of it. One visit to your local temporary staffing agency could have you on your way to meeting your goals and getting paid for it at the same time.

Temp agencies are well known for their desire to work with their employee-clients (that's you) on times, shifts, days and skill specifications. If you find out that you and a particular employer don't see eye to eye on what you need, you can just say "no" ("no's" are no big deal - the temp agency would rather find out before you walk out of an employer's office mid-shift and leave them with a PR hassle). By the time you've gotten what you needed out of the bargain, you and the agency have made some extra cash and the local businesses will know your name (and hopefully, that'll be a good thing).

(c) Soni Pitts

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Soni Pitts is the Chief Visionary Butt-Kicker of SoniPitts.Com. She specializes in helping others reclaim "soul proprietorship" in their lives and to begin living the life their Creator always intended for them.

She is the author of the free e-book "50 Ways To Reach Your Goals" and over 100 self-help and inspirational articles, as well as other products and resources designed to facilitate this process of personal growth and spiritual development.

The Need To Forgive Yourself

You can't make progress in personal growth until you learn to forgive yourself. Many of us replay our mistakes over and over, adding more self-criticism every time we do it. It's easy to turn a minor misstep into a major stumbling block.

As much as you'd like to be perfect, that's never going to happen. Human beings do make mistakes, and you're5B4 a member of that imperfect species.

Because your life will never be mistake-free, it's crucial that you forgive yourself when you do mess up. If you don't, you'll spend too much of your life in the past rather than in the present and future. Fear of making more mistakes will intimidate you in setting and achieving new goals. You won't grow.

You did the best you could

Personal growth is incremental. We become wise gradually, not all at once. Scolding yourself over mistakes assumes that you had all the knowledge and experience you needed to make a good decision, and often that's just not the case.

Even if you did have all the facts, other elements come into play, like emotional bias and acting too quickly. The mature view is that you did the best you could at the time.

Beating yourself up won't change the past. Instead, take a step back and try to objectively figure out what went wrong. Every mistake contains a lesson, but only if you can be calm enough to dig it out. Acknowledging that you did the best you could at the time takes blame out of the picture, and that makes it easier for you to come away with something worthwhile.

Learning requires an environment of forgiveness

Picture a kindergarten room in which children are learning the names of colors. Each time a child makes a mistake, the teacher smacks him or her on the hands with a ruler.

If you find tha28t action cruel and unacceptable, realize58C that you're doing the same kind of thing to yourself when you won't forgive yourself for your mistakes. We all know that a positive, supportive atmosphere is best for learning. You owe it to yourself to take that attitude toward your own errors.

Remember that you're the teacher as well as the student. When you forgive yourself for your mistakes, you'll motivate yourself to test new approaches and try again. Give yourself a pep talk when you stumble, instead of a chewing-out. Isn't that the kind of teacher you want?

Forgiving yourself helps you forgive others

Like you, everyone else is doing the best they can, too. Maybe their social skills aren't what they could be, but they're struggling as well.

We tend to be harsher on ourselves than we are on others, but why be harsh on anybody? If there's one thing people need, it's forgiveness. You'll just alienate them by pointing out their faults and shortcomings. Chances are they're already painfully aware of them anyway.

Forgiveness, compassion and respect build other people up. They'll build you up too, if you learn to show those qualities toward yourself.

How much and how quickly you grow depends on the way you treat yourself when you make a mistake. When you forgive yourself, you'll not only have more joy in your life, but you'll also see it overflowing into the lives of others.

If you're a single person, you can live a happy, confident, optimistic life using the proven principles in Jack Zavada's new ebook, Single & Sure

Self Development And Growth

When starting out the the area of self development and growth, one of the most important anAA8d basic skills to learn is the skill to deal with issues in your life.

Many sources often overlook the process of how to change. The process is long and hard, and often you will lose motivation and forget your goals for self improvement. While you may yearn for instant gratification and instant change, the reality is that it just wont happen overnight. Habits take a long time to form and break; deeper psychological issues that a long time to resolve.

Often when people deal with their issues, they're dealing with it in a LOGICAL manner. This doesn't motivate you because motivation is EMOTIONAL. When you feel emotionally affected towards the issue, you will have the drive to resolve the emotions. This is the basis for my model of dealing with issues.

Without further ado, here it is: Dealing with issues, the 4 steps.

1. Figure out what the issue is.

This first point is ridiculously obvious, but incredibly important and oftentimes looked over. In many instances, we believe that we're dealing with one problem when in reality we're actually facing problems with a deeper inner issue.

For example, in the world of dating and relationships, the actual act of meeting members of the opposite sex can be quite daunting. The possibility of rejection, the fear that they will dislike you is present. No one likes to think that they are incompetent with the opposite sex, and this is the issue that may arise and challenge them if they approach and get rejected. So they sit at the back of the bar with their friends talking about how they're 'pimps' and 'could pick up anyone in this bar' but 'they don't want to' because 'no one here is worth it'.

What is happening here is an avoidance of the real issue: they depend on other's approval and reactions to feel good about themselves. An issue of low self esteem and low self confidence.

This issue would not be realised without some serious hard thinking and the ability to see things for what they really are. Your mind and ego will throw up a million different cognitions to throw you off the real issue because the truth hurts your sense of self.

This first point is ridiculously simple yet hard to realize.

2. Experience the issue.

This is different. I swear by this technique 100%.

When you figure out what the issue is, it's going to try and hide. It's going to throw up excuses as to why you have those cognitions. You're going to want to avoid the issue. Yeah that's right, you know what I'm talking about. This is the nerd realising that they suck with women but rationalising it as due to their studies or the fact that they "don't have time", then using that as a constanB07t excuse not to GO OUT and MEET women. Or the woman who has emotional issues that affect her relationships but blames her relationship problems on her looks.

By experience the issue I mean to feel it fully. You KNOW it's there, you aren't going to avoid it. You just broke up with your partner? It feels crap. Don't avoid having the feelings. You're scared of chatting up that cutie? Don't avoid the issue. Immerse yourself in the experience of feeling like that.

Only then do you have a solid base for your motivation to get the problem fixed.

3. Act on resolving the issue

After experiencing the feelings that you don't want to feel, make a decision to ACT upon the issues. After all, just pointlessly making yourself feel bad is... pointless. So what did you do? Make a commitment to take steps forward in solve the issue. If you're afraid that people will 'reject' you then approach people until you emotionally realise that 'rejection' by a stranger means nothing more than the fact that you approached them in the wrong way. If you're avoiding exercise because of an underlying issue of laziness, get out there and exercise! Do you actually WANT to be unhealthy? How does being unhealthy feel?

Experiencing the issue should give you the MOTIVATION to ACT on the issue. If you don't act, you'll just stay the same. Do you really want to feel the way you felt when you were experiencing the issue? I doubt it.

4. Figure out your other issues

In self improvement, it is critical to remember that your problems will NEVER end and you will ALWAYS have issues to deal with. Reality is harsh.

If you're serious about improving yourself, keeping this in mind will help you a lot. You will always have something to fix. Take a break once in a while, moderate how much you work on yourself, but never forget that you always have something to improve. Read "The way of the superior man" by David Deida. It gives a good description of this point.

I'd dare say your not as good with women as you wish you were, your looking for something that can take you above and beyond 99% of men for free, it's here, you just have to reach out and grab it.

Have fun,

-- Solace

Energy Enhancement Meditation

Usually first step is to Open the Heart, and on this planet only perhaps 50% of the people have started to think a little about others instead only of themselves.

This means that the other 50% of the people perhaps are entirely selfish so now you can understand all your problems with relationships! Opening the Heart is the First Initiation on the path of Enlightenment and in it the Solar Plexus starts to empower the Heart with its energy. Blockages stopping the flo1C69w of Energy include Anger.

Anger is totally removed!

Then Master Relationships. This is the Second Initiation and entails the Second, Abdominal or Relationship chakra starting to power the Throat Chakra, the source of our creativity. And then open the pathway between the Base Chakra and all the Head Chakras. This is commonly called Enlightenment itself. The Crown Chakras purpose is to access the Soul or Higher Self through the Antahkarana or the Energy Connection from the Crown Chakra to the Higher chakras above the head, or The Highest Heart, Prajna Paramita. ENERGIZE!!

Once Relationships have easily been mastered then The Third Initiation, Enlightenment happens in the same Lifetime!

The problems of the World are now so intense that there needs to be a speeding up of evolution to create more evolved and Happy Beings. The problem is that most people are Not Happy!

The problems of the World come from a Lack of Evolution, a Lack of the Opening of the Heart, of Caring, of Sympathy, of wanting to help, Of wanting to reduce the amount of Pain in Humanity. If you have no Heart which is the Case of more than half of Humanity, then Selfishness, Anarchy, War, Revenge, Jealousy, Envy, Torture and Psychopaths will rule! And this has been the case for all the History of this Earth! This speeding up of evolution can only come with a Heart to provide by Right of Being Born, of All Basic Needs to every member of Humanity.

As a Good Family gives its Sons and Daughters Everything for their Evolution. These Basic Needs Are Food, Housing, Money, Education And Meditation Teaching, also Security, And Human Rights.

Meditation will Speed Up all other techniques, Hatha Yoga, working on the health of the body, Pranayama, working on increasing energy and happiness, Dance or Martial arts, for instinctive grace and movement. In Energy Enhancement we start with meditation and move on into The Kundalini Kriyas of the Hindu and Taoist Masters. Then Samyama, working on removing all the problems of: Energy Blockages, Cleaning the Psychic Body, Cleaning the Inner Traumas and Memories, Creating Incredible Relationships.

We need to work first on Meditation and the Grounding of Negative Energies. As Gurdjieff said, "First Mastic. Then Mystic." Which is the ability to digest all negative energies.

Extra energy comes from outside, from the teachers usually, "Hanbledzoin," as Gurdjieff said, is the Energy, The Bled, or Blood of the Masters, and is necessary for the integrative process. This is the Buddhafield. This is the origin of Shaktipat. This is the origin of all access to the symptoms of Kundalini Energy.

These specialized energies are available to complete the psychic bodies, to fill them up, to complete them. These energies can only come through properly Authorised Teachers. An Advanced Synthesis of Successful Meditation Techniques is a new Higher Frequency of Energy sent by Ascended Masters and Highly Evolved Devas or Angels to speed up the evolution of this planet.

All Advanced teachers can be judged by all students to have Advanced Meditational Experience after years of Training. It is the first test of the Student to choose the Right Teachers.

Some teachers teach that it is necessary to take energy from other students. They never mention the Opening of the Heart through the Removal of Energy Blockages like Anger and Depression. They Never mention the Purification of the Antahkarana and Connection with the Soul. Energy Vampires only want to steal energy from others and increase Trauma and Pain blockages to do this.

Instead of taking over Twenty years of Meditation, Advanced Techniques allow the process to be speeded up with the Advanced Techniques from a Synthesis of Successful Meditation Techniques taught to all advanced practitioners of Meditation for over 5000 years.

Good Teachers of Meditation must transmit Energies to help the Evolution of their Students. This Uppadesa is sometimes called Shaktipat and can come by word, glance or in Silence.

Good Teachers will always teach Advanced Techniques to Remove Aches and Pains, Negative Emotions and Trauma, Open the Heart, Connect to the Energies of the Higher Self and thus Access Higher Levels of Energy.

As the Ancient Text of the Siva Samhit, iii, 10-19: says, "Now I shall tell you how easily to attain success in Yoga, by knowing which the Yogis never fail in the practice of Yoga. Only the knowledge imparted by a Competent Teacher through his lips is powerful and useful; otherwise it becomes fruitless, weak and very painful.

Why spend time on techniques which give no results?

As Gautama Buddha Said, "Meditation is for those who believe in the reality of Enlightenment, and understand the Urgency of the Situation." So, do not hang around. If you believe in Enlightenment, then you need to find the best and most Speedy Way!

Speed Up The Process of Enlightenment with Advanced and Effective Meditation Techniques, a Syntheses of Ancient and successful techniques over 5000 years old. The roots come from many ancient disciplines available in most Ancient Cultures all over the World, and include -

Alchemical V.I.T.R.I.O.L, the first Formula of Alchemy, in reality a guided meditation to give you Incredible Energy!!

Yoga to make you Flexible, Strong and increase the years of your long and happy life.

Meditation to Access Peace and Clarity within.

Kundalini Kriyas

Taoist Meditation Techniques including the Microcosmic and Macrocosmic Orbits.

Kundalini Tantra and Energy Circulations of Kriya Yoga

Creating the Antahkarana so you can access the Incredibly Intense Energies of the Soul.

Soul Infusion and Connecting to the External Energies of the Highest Heart.

The Grounding and Purification of Negative Energies

Psychic Purification of the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual Bodies.

The removal of Energy Blockages and implants to Remove all Aches and Pains

The creation of the Light Body so you can have more Radiance.

The use of the Ancient Egyptian Technology of the Merkaba.

Golden Pyramid Psychic Protection to Stop Energy Vampires.

Satchidanand, Director of Energy Enhancement, is one of the leading teachers of Meditation!

He helps people worldwide reach further than they EVER thought possible, FASTER!!

http://www.energyenhancement.org

http://www.energyenhancement.co.uk

John Holland

Everything Starts With a Thought

We create in a variety of ways but the basic process of creation is a three-step formula. We create by thought, word, and deed.

The Creation Equation: Thought

Thought. Everything starts with a thought. Let's examine this powerful phenomenon that is pervasive in our lives and sets the table for the smorgasbord of things we can pick from to create the life of our intentions.

Everything starts with a thought:

We have thoughts running through our heads all the time. Most of the time we do not think about them too much because we are used to them, and they are like background noise in the day-to-day world that we live in.

We are bombarded with noise constantly as we move throughout our day. Our heads are filled with the sounds of music from the radio, or the incessant dialogue on the television. We receive constant messages about everything from how many people were killed senselessly in the world today, to which team is better at football, to canned laughter about some tired sitcom joke, to which potato chip to eat with the next newest diet, low-cal, low-fat, low-sodium, decaffeinated, high-calcium, sugB15arless soda pop we are supposed to drink.

We talk to a variety of people throughout the day and receive a huge volume of incoming messages that we process and filter to glean out the information that we need. As we take the information from outside stimuli, we also process information internally to use in our decision-making process, and then develop and systematize our thoughts into speech patterns to verbalize them. We listen, we process, and we talk, all through this concept of thought.

We understand that we have thoughts all the time. This concept becomes apparent when we sit calmly and try to quiet our thoughts, as we do when we meditate. Sometimes it takes a long time for your thoughts to quiet down and not pop into your head in random-fire order. You actually have to train your mind to quiet your thoughts in order to reach a truly quiet and tranquil place where you do not have this constant barrage of thought.

Thoughts come to us because that is the nature of the universe and the creative process and thank God for that. We need our thoughts to tell us about our environment so that we can be aware of the things that influence our lives and allow us to decide which thoughts we wish to pursue.

Every thought we have is creative but we don't create every thought we have into our reality. However every thing that shows up in our reality started out as a thought. Not just your personal reality but also the collective reality of the universe. You had a hand in how life on planet earth is being played out with the very thoughts you are thinking.

Yes, that is how powerful you really are. Your thoughts not only are the catalyst for every experience in your life but when you feel strongly about social issues those thoughts form with other similar thoughts and society as a whole is created with your input.

You are the center of the universe and everything in your universe started with a thought. Your thought.

Richard Blackstone is an award winning author and international speaker on Love, Oneness & Creation. Journey into discovery of Self by reading this FREE report; "The 3 Simple Immutable Laws of the Universe" at: http://www.NutsandBoltsSpirituality.com

Confucianism

Thoughts To Ponder #61

When Betty Eadie was 31, she died in a hospital after undergoing surgery. What happened next has been called by some, "the most profound near-death experience ever." Betty journeyed to a beautiful world beyond this life. She met Jesus there. Jesus gave her a message to give to others when she returned. These quotes from her books, Embraced By The Light, The Awakening Heart, and The Ripple Effect give a glimpse of her profound experience. Part XVIV

There are far fewer accidents here than we imagine, especially in things that affect us eternally. The hand of God and the path we chose before we came here guide many of our decisions and even many of the seemingly random experiences we have.

There is magic in gratitude. It frees us from worry and competition in life. It opens our hearts and hands to genuine love, ironically allowing our hearts and hands to be filled again... Gratitude helps ward off negativity. Being grateful for the good things in life invites their continued influence.

All experience is for our good, and sometimes it takes what we would consider negative experience to help develop our spirits. We were very willing, even anxious, as spirits to accept all of our ailments, illnesses, and accidents here to help better ourselves spiritually. I understood that in the spirit world our earth time is meaningless. The pain we experience on earth is for just a moment, just a split second of consciousness in the spirit world, and we are very willing to endure it.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, Author, "101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life." Mind, Body, Spirit healing and Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention and Recovery. As an inspirati10FBonal leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life's challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening. http://www.drdorothy.net

Seven Spiritual Law of Success

Perfects Abs - Three Ab Routines To Show Your Six Pack

Crazy, ripped, hard abs. That's the key to showing an awesome body. If you think that all training is about is making sure your chest is big enough to make your shirt hang out past your stomach then youre missing the boat. Chiseled abs is awesome abs.

How do you get ripped abs?

It's about diet, cardio and hard ab routines. I'll give you the low down on how to burn in some washboard abs with this killer ab routine and save the diet ramble for another time.

First of all if your not training abs, start. That would be beginner ab routine phase one! Three sets of crunches for 20 reps a set. If that's not a problem then superset each set of crunches with a set of hip roles, followed by a brief 30 second rest to let the burn fizzle a bit.

For hip roles you lie on the ground pushing down with your hands and raise your pelvis off the floor so the tail bone comes right up and squeeze the abs!

Last step in the beginner ab routine is to add in some bridges or "planks" as some "guru's" of fitness have coined them. This is basically a pushup position but you don't rest on your hands, you rest on your forearms and just hold it for 30-60 seconds. Don't let your lower back sag! Keep a slightly inverted c posture like your trying to pull your hips toward your chin.

So here is the ab routine once you are working all exercises together.

Beginner ab routine phase 1:
Crunch x20
Hip roll x20
Bridge for 30-60 seconds
Rest and repeat for 3 circuits or just keep rotating through!

Alright enough of the easy stuff, we're here for some serious abs, killer abs.

Onto Ab Routine 2: The ab killer! I love pet names.

This ab routine will all be done on the decline bench.

The first ab exercise? Decline hip roll/leg raise. Beauty!

Step 1: Put your head where your feet should be

Step 2: grab the bench or the footholds; whichever is more comfortable (not that it will matter in a few minutes)!

Step 3: Stretch out and do a straight-legged leg raises.

Step 4: once at the top of the leg raise turn it into a hip roll so that you point your feet at the ceiling. Hold for a three count and go back down!

Second ab routine exercise:
Incline sit-ups:
Step 1: put your feet in the foot holds (you've turned around!)
Step 2: Lower yourself until you're about a foot short of lying fully back
Step 3: Come back up if youre still with me!

Third ab routine exercise:
Incline Russian twists (even sounds evil doesn't it?)

Step 1: don't move out of the sit up position. Just grab a medicine ball or a 10- pound weight.

Step 2: straighten fully your arms right to your front and lower yourself to the bottom position of the incline sit up and hold it.

Step 3: Rotate to the right 90 degrees with your arms straight and then back to the left at 90 degrees. That's one rep. You don't come out of the bottom at all! Fun huh?

Here it is ab routine layout:
Leg raise/hip roll x20
Incline sit-ups x20
Russian twists x20 or 40 if you count both sides!

No rest between ab exercises, and only 30-60 seconds rest after completing the tri-set.

Third Ab Routine:
And the grand daddy hardest ab routine ever? For mortals anyway? Because I remember something about homer Simpson and a cannon ball, but I think you need to have access to the applesauce bar for that ab routine to work!

Well lets call it the "commando cardio ab annihilation" workout. I have to have a fancy name on it or you wouldn't be interested! It involves a pre-stretch, a contraction and a dynamic stabilization (I just made that up, but you get the idea) exercise. Here are the ab routine exercises.

1. Smith machine, Swiss ball hip rolls
2. Partner resisted Swiss ball crunches
3. Swiss ball rollouts
4. Profuse sweating and clutching of the stomach.

Ab routine exercise 1: Smith machine, Swiss ball hip rolls:

1.Set the bar low in the smith machine, just below the top of the Swiss ball.

2. Sit on the ball and roll out so that you have to reach back and grab the bar as you lie on the ball. You should be about 2-3 feet away, stabilizing your self by holding the bar and flexing everything!

3. Using only your abs, stretch your pelvis down as low as it will go and then do a hip roll. Legs straight is the hardest.

Ab routine exercise 2: Partner resisted Swiss ball crunches.

1. Its a normal Swiss ball ab crunch but your arms are crossed across your chest and your "friend" pushes down on your shoulders to apply resistance. That's it,..ahem.

Ab routine exercise 3: Swiss ball rollouts.

1. Kneel on a pad with legs crossed ball in front of you not on the pad.

2. Your hands are on the ball so it now looks like your praying?

3. Roll the ball out until your straight as a board with your head between your arms and pull it back in.

4. Profuse sweating and clutching of the stomach. This should come naturally.

In an ab routine all together?

Smith machine/Swiss ball hip rolls x20

Partner resisted Swiss ball crunches x20

Swiss ball rolloutsx20

Rest 30-60 seconds after each tri-set circuit or continue right through if you're a freak of nature or slightly "touched". I've never gotten 20 on all ab exercises on all three sets in a continuous circuit, let me know if you do!

I'll have to buckle down!

Ray Burton is a motivational speaker, an ISSA-certified personal trainer, philanthropist, and author of the best selling weight loss book, "Fat To Fit - The Journey Ray has written hundreds of articles and been featured in Rising Women, The Calgary Sun, and www.Crosstrainer.ca

For info on Ray's book, visit the home page at: http://www.FatToFitBook.com. To get Rays FREE weight loss tips newsletter visit his weight loss website.