tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53743828551595548602024-03-07T19:32:44.070-08:00Personal Development dot Combrings to you life improvement stuffJay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-53658249613039088462013-10-07T08:41:00.000-07:002013-10-07T08:41:50.813-07:00The Road to IntuitionThe Road to Intuition<br />
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Have you had that experience when all of a sudden you just had this huge hunch that something is about to happen, and to your surprise, that intuition was eventually translated to reality?<br />
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When you feel strongly about something without logical basis to it, that's called intuition. It comes in three impressions: clairvoyance or "the third eye", sensing clearly and feeling through listening.<br />
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Clairvoyance is when your eye goes beyond what it can see. This is when you know what is happening somewhere.<br />
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Sensing clearly is basically what we refer to as "hunch" or "gut feel." This is the time when you are overwhelmed with a feeling and you can't explain it and all you can say is "I just know."<br />
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On the other hand, feeling through listening or clairaudience is being able to "listen" between the lines. Intuition also happens at times when a certain sound, whatever it is - be it a car's honk or a bird's twitting - ushers in an intense feeling.<br />
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They say only a number of people are gifted with intuition. Astrologers even insist that people born under the Scorpio or Pisces signs are naturally intuitive it almost borders on E.S.P. But studies have been sprouting left and right that proclaim that anyone can develop intuition.<br />
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Why the need to develop intuition, you ask? Why not let your emotional and psychological state as it is? First and foremost, intuition promotes good communication. It makes you more sensitive to the people around you; it often keeps you from hurting those you love because you are intuitive enough to understand them. Intuition also makes you far more creative than ever. Intuition means releasing more creative juices for any means of expression. Lastly, intuition has a healing power. This healing power is not in the physical sense, but in delving deep into your soul to eradicate some negative energy buried in it.<br />
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With that being said, are you ready to develop your intuition? Here are some ways to unlock this gift:<br />
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1. Hypnosis<br />
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Oh yes, get yourself hypnotized. Hypnosis is not limited to watching a pendulum move back and forth. Perform self-hypnosis or you can avail of hypnotic programs that can strengthen your intuition.<br />
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2. Meditation<br />
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Meditating means finding peace in yourself. If your mind and heart are cluttered with too many baggage and hurt, you wouldn't be able to quiet down that part of you that could eventually initiate intuition. There are so many ways to meditate: take a yoga class, or just simply practice some breathing that could bring you straight to Zen.<br />
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3. Think positive!<br />
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A worry-free, fear-free state could do so much to improve your intuitive ability. By staying positive, you attract good energy that would be able to easily recognize imminent feelings and events.<br />
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4. Just let go.<br />
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What does this mean? If you are on the brink of making a huge decision, let go of all the inhibitions and head to a quiet place where you could find out where the letting go has brought you. Sometimes you just have to listen to the voice within you, and that voice wouldn't come out unless you let go.<br />
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5. Never expect.<br />
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After letting go of the inhibitions and all those things that stop you from thinking and feeling clearly, never expect for an answer right away. Never expect that the "hunch" would fall on your lap immediately. Give it a little time then you'd just get surprised that -- wham! -- now you have your answer.<br />
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6. Believe in your first impressions.<br />
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When you see someone for the first time and think that he is a bit too arrogant for your taste, chances are that impression actually holds true. Most of the time, first impressions are brought by intuition.<br />
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7. Stay happy!<br />
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See? All you need to be intuitive is to stay happy! Happiness attracts immense power and such power includes intuition. In tapping your intuition, your motivation must be happiness and contentment. Given that premise, intuition will fall to you easily.<br />
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Intuition is helpful, because sometimes it leads you to something that cannot be achieved otherwise. A lot of lives have been saved by intuition alone. Decisions are easier done if armed by this gift. Develop intuition now and reap benefits you have never imagined.<br />
<br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-2420840891852417632013-04-27T04:00:00.000-07:002013-04-27T04:00:02.986-07:00"Who's the Boss?" 10 ways to start taking controlAt first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have nothing to do with one another. But many of us with ADD develop negative thinking patterns because we become frustrated by our challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even harder for us to manage those challenges and move forward. <br /><br />Practicing positive thinking allows people with ADD to focus on our strengths and accomplishments, which increases happiness and motivation. This, in turn, allows us to spend more time making progress, and less time feeling down and stuck. The following tips provide practical suggestions that you can use to help you shift into more positive thinking patterns:<br /><br />1. Take Good Care of Yourself<br />It's much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.<br /><br />2. Remind Yourself of the Things You Are Grateful For<br />Stresses and challenges don't seem quite as bad when you are constantly reminding yourself of the things that are right in life. Taking just 60 seconds a day to stop and appreciate the good things will make a huge difference.<br /><br />3. Look for the Proof Instead of Making Assumptions<br />A fear of not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to assume that we know what others are thinking, but our fears are usually not reality. If you have a fear that a friend or family member's bad mood is due to something you did, or that your co-workers are secretly gossiping about you when you turn your back, speak up and ask them. Don't waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof that there is something to worry about.<br /><br />4. Refrain from Using Absolutes<br />Have you ever told a partner "You're ALWAYS late!" or complained to a friend "You NEVER call me!"? Thinking and speaking in absolutes like 'always' and 'never' makes the situation seem worse than it is, and programs your brain into believing that certain people are incapable of delivering.<br /><br />5. Detach From Negative Thoughts<br />Your thoughts can't hold any power over you if you don't judge them. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, witness it, and don't follow it.<br /><br />6. Squash the "ANTs"<br />In his book "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life," Dr. Daniel Amen talks about "ANTs" - Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, like "Those people are laughing, they must be talking about me," or "The boss wants to see me? It must be bad!" When you notice these thoughts, realize that they are nothing more than ANTs and squash them!<br /><br />7. Practice Lovin', Touchin' & Squeezin' (Your Friends and Family)<br />You don't have to be an expert to know the benefits of a good hug. Positive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even pets, is an instant pick-me-up. One research study on this subject had a waitress touch some of her customers on the arm as she handed them their checks. She received higher tips from these customers than from the ones she didn't touch!<br /><br />8. Increase Your Social Activity<br />By increasing social activity, you decrease loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, happy people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!<br /><br />9. Volunteer for an Organization, or Help another Person<br />Everyone feels good after helping. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return.<br /><br />10. Use Pattern Interrupts to Combat Rumination<br />If you find yourself ruminating, a great way to stop it is to interrupt the pattern and force yourself to do something completely different. Rumination is like hyper-focus on something negative. It's never productive, because it's not rational or solution-oriented, it's just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment - go for a walk or sit outside. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or turn on some music. <br /><br />When it comes to the corporate world, protocol is pretty much the religion. To know the things needed to do are the basics of productivity, but interaction and having a steady mind makes up the entire thing to true productivity. There are those who seem to work well even under pressure, but they're uncommon ones and we are human and imperfect. To get these little things like stress under our skins won't solve our problems. Sometimes it takes a bit of courage to admit that we're turning to be workaholics than tell ourselves that we're not doing our best.Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-74643339940550527262013-04-25T10:30:00.000-07:002013-04-25T10:30:01.081-07:00Stress ManagementWe all have this favorite expression when it comes to being stressed out, and I wouldn't bother naming all of them since it may also vary in different languages. But when it comes down to it, I think that it is how we work or even relax, for that matter that triggers stress. Ever been stressed even when you're well relaxed and bored? I know I have.<br /><br />Since stress is unavoidable in life, it is important to find ways to decrease and prevent stressful incidents and decrease negative reactions to stress. Here are some of the things that can be done by just remembering it, since life is basically a routine to follow like brushing your teeth or eating breakfast. You can do a few of them in a longer span of time, but as they say-- every minute counts.<br /><br /><u>Managing time</u><br /><br />Time management skills can allow you more time with your family and friends and possibly increase your performance and productivity. This will help reduce your stress.<br /><br />To improve your time management:<br /><br />· Save time by focusing and concentrating, delegating, and scheduling time for yourself. <br />· Keep a record of how you spend your time, including work, family, and leisure time. <br />· Prioritize your time by rating tasks by importance and urgency. Redirect your time to those activities that are important and meaningful to you. <br />· Manage your commitments by not over- or undercommitting. Don't commit to what is not important to you. <br />· Deal with procrastination by using a day planner, breaking large projects into smaller ones, and setting short-term deadlines. <br />· Examine your beliefs to reduce conflict between what you believe and what your life is like. <br />Build healthy coping strategies<br /><br />It is important that you identify your coping strategies. One way to do this is by recording the stressful event, your reaction, and how you cope in a stress journal. With this information, you can work to change unhealthy coping strategies into healthy ones-those that help you focus on the positive and what you can change or control in your life.<br /><br /><u>Lifestyle</u><br /><br />Some behaviors and lifestyle choices affect your stress level. They may not cause stress directly, but they can interfere with the ways your body seeks relief from stress. Try to:<br /><br />· Balance personal, work, and family needs and obligations. <br />· Have a sense of purpose in life. <br />· Get enough sleep, since your body recovers from the stresses of the day while you are sleeping. <br />· Eat a balanced diet for a nutritional defense against stress. <br />· Get moderate exercise throughout the week. <br />· Limit your consumption of alcohol. <br />· Don't smoke. <br /><br /><u>Social support</u><br /><br />Social support is a major factor in how we experience stress. Social support is the positive support you receive from family, friends, and the community. It is the knowledge that you are cared for, loved, esteemed, and valued. More and more research indicates a strong relationship between social support and better mental and physical health.<br /><u><br />Changing thinking</u><br /><br />When an event triggers negative thoughts, you may experience fear, insecurity, anxiety, depression, rage, guilt, and a sense of worthlessness or powerlessness. These emotions trigger the body's stress, just as an actual threat does. Dealing with your negative thoughts and how you see things can help reduce stress.<br /><br />· Thought-stopping helps you stop a negative thought to help eliminate stress. <br />· Disproving irrational thoughts helps you to avoid exaggerating the negative thought, anticipating the worst, and interpreting an event incorrectly. <br />· Problem solving helps you identify all aspects of a stressful event and find ways to deal with it. <br />· Changing your communication style helps you communicate in a way that makes your views known without making others feel put down, hostile, or intimidated. This reduces the stress that comes from poor communication. Use the assertiveness ladder to improve your communication style. <br /><br />Even writers can get stressed even though we're just using our hands to do the talking, but having to sit for 7 or 8 hours is already stressful enough and have our own way to relieve stress. Whether you're the mail guy, the CEO, or probably the average working parent, stress is one unwanted visitor you would love to boot out of your homes, especially your life.Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-23505666554061723752013-04-23T05:30:00.000-07:002013-04-23T05:30:05.429-07:00Does a Law on Human Attraction Exist?“Opposites attract” is a law of attraction, at least where electromagnetism is concerned. But are there laws about attraction between two people? “In a world that is full of strangers” as a line in a famous song of the 1980’s goes, is there a clear set of rules that allows two people to fall for each other? <br /><br />Is attraction a matter of chemistry?<br /><br />Maybe. According to scientists, the attraction between animals of the opposite sex is all about chemicals called pheromones. The effect of pheromones in behavior of insects is the most studied to date. It has been observed, at least in some experiments, that pheromones are responsible for communication among same species and colony of ants. The horrible odor released by skunks to ward off enemies is said to be a kind of pheromone. Some species of apes rub pheromone-containing urine on the feet of potential mates to attract them. Some scientists believe that animals (usually the females) such as insects and mammals send out these chemical signals to tell the male of their species that their genes are different from theirs. This gene diversity is important in producing offspring with better chances of survival. The perfume industry has capitalized on pheromones as a means to increase one’s sexual attractiveness to the opposite sex. Animals such as the whale and the musk deer were hunted down for these chemicals. <br /><br />Lately, scientists are looking into the existence of human pheromones and its role in mate selection. There are many conflicting views in the realm of biology, chemistry, genetics, and psychology. Most scientists would assert that these do not exist, or if they do, do not play a role in sexual attraction between a man and a woman. But new researches such as that conducted by Swiss researchers from the University of Bern led by Klaus Wedekind are slowly making these scientists rethink their stand. Their experiment involved women sniffing the cotton shirts of different men during their ovulation period. It was found out that women prefer the smell of men’s shirts that were genetically different, but also shared similarities with the women’s genes. This, like in the case of insects and other mammals, was to ensure better and healthier characteristics for their future children. But researchers also cautioned that preference for a male odor is affected by the women’s ovulation period, the food that men eat, perfumes and other scented body products, and the use of contraceptive pills.<br /><br />Does personality figure in sexual attraction?<br /><br />Yes, but so does your perception of a potential mate’s personality. According to a research conducted by Klohnen, E.C., & S. Luo in 2003 on interpersonal attraction and personality, a person’s sense of self-security and at least the person’s perception of his/her partner were found to be strong determinants of attraction in hypothetical situations. What does this tell us? We prefer a certain personality type, which attracts you to a person. But aside from the actual personality of the person, which can only be verified through close interaction through time, it is your perception of your potential partner that attracts you to him/her, whether the person of your affection truly has that kind of personality or not. This could probably account for a statement commonly heard from men and women on their failed relationships: “I thought he/she was this kind of person.” <br /><br />So how does attraction figure in relationships?<br /><br />You have probably heard that attraction is a prelude, or a factor towards a relationship. Most probably, at least in the beginning; but attraction alone cannot make a relationship work. It is that attraction that makes you notice a person from the opposite sex, but once you get to know the person more, attraction is just one consideration. Shared values, dreams, and passions become more significant in long-term relationships.<br /><br />So should I stop trying to become attractive?<br /><br />More than trying to become physically attractive, work on all aspects of your health: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Physical attraction is still a precursor. Remember, biology predisposes us to choose the partner with the healthiest genes. Where your emotions are concerned, just ask this to yourself: would you want to spend time with a person who feels insecure about him/herself? Probably not! There is wisdom in knowing yourself: who you are, your beliefs, values, and dreams. And do not pretend to be someone you are not. Fooling another person by making him/her think that you share the same values and beliefs is only going to cause you both disappointments. When you are healthy in all aspects, attractiveness becomes a consequence and not an end. As mentioned in the Klohnen and Luo’s research, a person’s sense of self-security matters, perhaps even beyond attraction. But remember: do these things for yourself and not for other people. Only then can you truly harness your attractiveness as a person.<br /><br /><br /><br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-39454365948731314122013-04-20T14:23:00.000-07:002013-04-20T14:23:05.042-07:00What Innovation Can Do to Your LifeIt's a talent that everyone has, yet they think they don't. The power of innovation. If you've ever marvelled at somebody's creative prowess, guess what, you can create and innovate too. It just takes time. Everyone is born creative. The box of crayons in kindergarten were not limited to those who possessed potential; because the truth is, everybody has potential.<br /><br />You know how long it took to learn to ride a bike or drive or to never commit the same mistake again? It's the same with innovation. It takes a bit of practice and a lot of time before this mind function comes easily when called. This article will teach you a few tips on how to bring innovation into your life.<br /><br />Don't listen to what other people say. Follow the beat of your own drum. Allowing for the input of other people will only bring cacophony to the music you are trying to make. If you have an original idea, don't waste your time and effort trying to make people understand. They won't. And the help you will probably get comes in the form of negative feedback. If all those geniuses listened to their peers, we would probably still be living in the middle ages.<br /><br />Spend time on it. I cannot stress that enough, although, please do not mistake this tip to tell you to quit your day job entirely. Do not. This involves some tricky time management but with a little discipline you'll be able to squeeze both in. <br /><br />Exercise. Take a walk. Run a mile or two. Send all those endorphins coursing through your veins. Exercising certainly clears and relaxes your mind and allows for anything to pop up. <br /><br />Record your dreams. Aren't some of them just the craziest things that your conscious mind would never have thought of? If you've had these dreams before, and I'm sure have, this only shows you the untapped innovative power you have lying within. So jot down those notes. Those dreams may just create an innovative spark in you.<br /><br />Find your own style. You can always tell a Van Gogh from a Matisse. You'll know Hemingway wrote something by the choice of words on the paper. So it is the same with you. People will appreciate your innovation more because it is uniquely yours and that no one else would have thought of what you were thinking. That will let people see how valuable an asset you are. <br /><br />Don't hide behind nifty gadgets or tools. You don't need the most expensive set of paints to produce a masterpiece. The same way with writing. You don't need some expensive fountain pen and really smooth paper for a bestseller. In fact, J.K. Rowling wrote the first book of the Harry Potter Series on bits of tissue. So what if you've got an expensive SLR camera if you're a crappy photographer? Who cares if you've got a blinging laptop if you can't write at all? The artist actually reduces the number of tools he has as he gets better at his craft: he knows what works and what doesn't. <br /><br />Nothing will work without passion. What wakes you up in the mornings? What keeps the flame burning? What is the one thing that you'll die if you don't do? Sometimes people with talent are overtaken by the people who want it more. Think the hare and the tortoise. Ellen Degeneres once said that if you're not doing something that you want to do, then you don't really want to do it. And that's true. Sometimes you just want something so bad you become a virtual unstoppable. And that is passion. Passion will keep you going. <br /><br />Don't worry about inspiration. You can't force it; inspiration hits when you least expect it to, for those unpredictable yet inevitable moments you should prepare. An idea could strike you on the subway, yet alas, you poor unfortunate soul; you have no sheet of paper to scribble down a thought that could change the world. Avoid these disasters. Have a pen and paper within your arm's reach at all times.<br /><br />I hope this article has helped you bring more innovation into your life. Keep in mind that you're doing these things for your own satisfaction and not anybody else's. But soon enough they will notice, and everything should snowball from there.Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-83554914459814514632013-04-08T15:32:00.000-07:002013-04-08T15:34:32.094-07:00Aikido in Everyday Life<br />The modern martial art from Japan called Aikido is often referred to as the "art of peace" because it espouses a quick peaceful end to any form of aggression. In the practice place of Aikido, usually called dojo, students will be able to learn about flexibility and adaptation. Both of these are results of a relaxed manner that Aikido students strive to embody. <br /><br />The reason why being relaxed and calm is taught in Aikido practice is because at the heart of its principles of spirituality and philosophy, Aikido masters and instructors believe that the ki or ch'i or energy can only truly flow in its complete potential energy when one is relaxed. It is in this relaxed state that ki flows freely and smoothly. This philosophy that ki is a force that is very strong and fundamental. <br /><br />It is believed to be superior to muscle and physical strength, which sometimes hinders the ki. In fact, in Aikido, instead of muscle and strength building, flexibility and endurance is part of the Aikido martial art training. Now, it said that to be able to truly harness the power of the ki, it must be allowed to flow. It can only flow properly within us when we are in a relaxed state. The relaxed state cannot be built like muscles through exercise. A spiritual journey must be taken upon by an Aikido student to be able to achieve the state of calm and peace that is vital in combat.<br /><br />In constant defense and fear, we tend to be too busy to concentrate and are easily distracted. Aikido stresses this fact and so it teaches its students to remain calm in the face of an assault. Remaining calm puts an advantage over the assailant because you will not be caught of guard and unaware and therefore will not be toppled over or thrown. More advanced techniques teach students not only to fall properly, but also to be able to rebound and plant a counter attack as one rises from a fall.<br /><br />Beyond combat and the dojo however, Aikido masters and instructors cultivate the development of spirituality and character within Aikido students so that they can apply Aikido principles everyday in life. True understanding of Aikido simultaneously promotes better performance in practice combats as well as in performance in everyday life.<br /><br />Aikido everyday in life is akin to having an unshakable peace and calm that enables you to have the strength needed to withstand even the toughest of life's challenges. Remember that Aikido teaches students about flexibility, adaptability, calm and clarity. All these are useful tools in dealing with life, so say Aikido practitioners.<br /><br />Some Aikido martial artists tend to relate Aikido combat principles to everyday life like work, play and personal relationships. This results in a true oneness in the practice of Aikido everyday in life. In Aikido training, there is such a thing as uke and nage. One cannot exist without the other. Uke makes an assault on nage and consequently is the receiver of the Aikido technique which nage uses to neutralize uke's attack energy with. In training using uke and nage, one will be able to get better in Aikido techniques by learning from each other and gaining each others strengths and battling each others weaknesses together.<br /><br />If this is something that you want to cultivate in your life then Aikido everyday in life is something that you might want to take up and learn. <br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-58320373139895107332013-03-17T01:34:00.003-07:002013-03-17T01:34:56.338-07:00Self-improvement and Success<br />
Everything that happens to us happens in purpose. And sometimes, one thing leads to another. Instead of locking yourself up in your cage of fears and crying over past heartaches, embarrassment and failures, treat them as your teachers and they will become your tools in both self improvement and success.<br /><br />I remember watching Patch Adams – it is my favorite movie, actually. It is one great film that will help you improve yourself. Hunter “patch” Adams is a medical student who failed to make it through the board exams. After months of suffering in melancholy, depression and suicidal attempts – he decided to seek for medical attention and voluntarily admitted himself in a psychiatric ward. His months of stay in the hospital led him to meeting different kinds of people. Sick people in that matter. He met a catatonic, a mentally retarded, a schizophrenic and so on. Patch found ways of treating his own ailment and finally realized he has to get back on track. He woke up one morning realizing that after all the failure and pains he has gone through, he still want to become the a doctor. He carries with himself a positive attitude that brought him self improvement and success. He didn’t only improved himself, but also the life of the people around him and the quality of life. Did he succeed? Needless to say, he became the best damn doctor his country has ever known.<br /><br />So, when does self improvement become synonymous with success? Where do we start? Take these tips, friends…<br />*Stop thinking and feeling as if you’re a failure, because you’re not. How can others accept you if YOU can’t accept YOU?<br /><br />*When you see hunks and models on TV, think more on self improvement, not self pitying. Self acceptance is not just about having nice slender legs, or great abs. Concentrate on inner beauty.<br /><br />*When people feel so down and low about themselves, help them move up. Don’t go down with them. They’ll pull you down further and both of you will end up feeling inferior.<br /><br />*The world is a large room for lessons, not mistakes. Don’t feel stupid and doomed forever just because you failed on a science quiz. There’s always a next time. Make rooms for self improvement.<br /><br />*Take things one at a time. You don’t expect black sheep’s to be goody-two-shoes in just a snap of a finger. Self improvement is a one day at a time process.<br /><br />*Self improvement results to inner stability, personality development and dig this …. SUCCESS. It comes from self confidence, self appreciation and self esteem.<br /><br />* Set meaningful and achievable goals. Self improvement doesn’t turn you to be the exact replica of Cameron Diaz or Ralph Fiennes. It hopes and aims to result to an improved and better YOU.<br /><br />*Little things mean BIG to other people. Sometimes, we don’t realize that the little things that we do like a pat on the back, saying “hi” or “hello”, greeting someone “good day” or telling Mr. Smith something like “hey, I love your tie!” are simple things that mean so much to other people. When we’re being appreciative about beautiful things around us and other people, we also become beautiful to them.<br /><br />*When you’re willing to accept change and go through the process of self improvement, it doesn’t mean that everyone else is. The world is a place where people of different values and attitude hang out. Sometimes, even if you think you and your best friend always like to do the same thing together at the same time, she would most likely decline an invitation for self improvement.<br /><br />We should always remember that there’s no such thing as ‘over night success’. Its always a wonderful feeling to hold on to the things that you already have now, realizing that those are just one of the things you once wished for. A very nice quote says that “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” We are all here to learn our lessons. Our parents, school teachers, friends, colleagues, officemates, neighbors… they are our teachers. When we open our doors for self improvement, we increase our chances to head to the road of success.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-25501190409313809492013-03-07T10:00:00.000-08:002013-03-07T10:00:01.094-08:00Harnessing your Attraction PowerDoes a Law on Human Attraction Exist?<br /><br /><br />“Opposites attract” is a law of attraction, at least where electromagnetism is concerned. But are there laws about attraction between two people? “In a world that is full of strangers” as a line in a famous song of the 1980’s goes, is there a clear set of rules that allows two people to fall for each other? <br /><br />Is attraction a matter of chemistry?<br /><br />Maybe. According to scientists, the attraction between animals of the opposite sex is all about chemicals called pheromones. The effect of pheromones in behavior of insects is the most studied to date. It has been observed, at least in some experiments, that pheromones are responsible for communication among same species and colony of ants. The horrible odor released by skunks to ward off enemies is said to be a kind of pheromone. Some species of apes rub pheromone-containing urine on the feet of potential mates to attract them. Some scientists believe that animals (usually the females) such as insects and mammals send out these chemical signals to tell the male of their species that their genes are different from theirs. This gene diversity is important in producing offspring with better chances of survival. The perfume industry has capitalized on pheromones as a means to increase one’s sexual attractiveness to the opposite sex. Animals such as the whale and the musk deer were hunted down for these chemicals. <br /><br />Lately, scientists are looking into the existence of human pheromones and its role in mate selection. There are many conflicting views in the realm of biology, chemistry, genetics, and psychology. Most scientists would assert that these do not exist, or if they do, do not play a role in sexual attraction between a man and a woman. But new researches such as that conducted by Swiss researchers from the University of Bern led by Klaus Wedekind are slowly making these scientists rethink their stand. Their experiment involved women sniffing the cotton shirts of different men during their ovulation period. It was found out that women prefer the smell of men’s shirts that were genetically different, but also shared similarities with the women’s genes. This, like in the case of insects and other mammals, was to ensure better and healthier characteristics for their future children. But researchers also cautioned that preference for a male odor is affected by the women’s ovulation period, the food that men eat, perfumes and other scented body products, and the use of contraceptive pills.<br /><br />Does personality figure in sexual attraction?<br /><br />Yes, but so does your perception of a potential mate’s personality. According to a research conducted by Klohnen, E.C., & S. Luo in 2003 on interpersonal attraction and personality, a person’s sense of self-security and at least the person’s perception of his/her partner were found to be strong determinants of attraction in hypothetical situations. What does this tell us? We prefer a certain personality type, which attracts you to a person. But aside from the actual personality of the person, which can only be verified through close interaction through time, it is your perception of your potential partner that attracts you to him/her, whether the person of your affection truly has that kind of personality or not. This could probably account for a statement commonly heard from men and women on their failed relationships: “I thought he/she was this kind of person.” <br /><br />So how does attraction figure in relationships?<br /><br />You have probably heard that attraction is a prelude, or a factor towards a relationship. Most probably, at least in the beginning; but attraction alone cannot make a relationship work. It is that attraction that makes you notice a person from the opposite sex, but once you get to know the person more, attraction is just one consideration. Shared values, dreams, and passions become more significant in long-term relationships.<br /><br />So should I stop trying to become attractive?<br /><br />More than trying to become physically attractive, work on all aspects of your health: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Physical attraction is still a precursor. Remember, biology predisposes us to choose the partner with the healthiest genes. Where your emotions are concerned, just ask this to yourself: would you want to spend time with a person who feels insecure about him/herself? Probably not! There is wisdom in knowing yourself: who you are, your beliefs, values, and dreams. And do not pretend to be someone you are not. Fooling another person by making him/her think that you share the same values and beliefs is only going to cause you both disappointments. When you are healthy in all aspects, attractiveness becomes a consequence and not an end. As mentioned in the Klohnen and Luo’s research, a person’s sense of self-security matters, perhaps even beyond attraction. But remember: do these things for yourself and not for other people. Only then can you truly harness your attractiveness as a person.<br /><br /><br /><br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-45460546583168465882013-03-04T13:28:00.001-08:002013-03-04T13:28:20.129-08:00Take decision, live your own lifeLife is About Choices and the Decisions We Make.<br />Life is like a road. There are long and short roads; smooth and rocky roads; crooked and straight paths. In our life many roads would come our way as we journey through life. There are roads that lead to a life of single blessedness, marriage, and religious vocation. There are also roads that lead to fame and fortune on one hand, or isolation and poverty on the other. There are roads to happiness as there are roads to sadness, roads towards victory and jubilation, and roads leading to defeat and disappointment. <br /><br />Just like any road, there are corners, detours, and crossroads in life. Perhaps the most perplexing road that you would encounter is a crossroad. With four roads to choose from and with limited knowledge on where they would go, which road will you take? What is the guarantee that we would choose the right one along the way? Would you take any road, or just stay where you are: in front of a crossroad? <br /><br /><br />There are no guarantees.<br /><br />You do not really know where a road will lead you until you take it. There are no guarantees. This is one of the most important things you need to realize about life. Nobody said that choosing to do the right thing all the time would always lead you to happiness. Loving someone with all your heart does not guarantee that it would be returned. Gaining fame and fortune does not guarantee happiness. Accepting a good word from an influential superior to cut your trip short up the career ladder is not always bad, especially if you are highly qualified and competent. There are too many possible outcomes, which your really cannot control. The only thing you have power over is the decisions that you will make, and how you would act and react to different situations. <br /><br /><br />Wrong decisions are always at hindsight.<br /><br />Had you known that you were making a wrong decision, would you have gone along with it? Perhaps not, why would you choose a certain path when you know it would get you lost? Why make a certain decision if you knew from the very beginning that it is not the right one. It is only after you have made a decision and reflected on it that you realize its soundness. If the consequences or outcomes are good for you, then you have decided correctly. Otherwise, your decision was wrong. <br /><br /><br />Take the risk: decide.<br /><br />Since life offers no guarantee and you would never know that your decision would be wrong until you have made it, then you might as well take the risk and decide. It is definitely better than keeping yourself in limbo. Although it is true that one wrong turn could get you lost, it could also be that such a turn could be an opportunity for an adventure, moreover open more roads. It is all a matter of perspective. You have the choice between being a lost traveller or an accidental tourist of life. But take caution that you do not make decisions haphazardly. Taking risks is not about being careless and stupid. Here are some pointers that could help you choose the best option in the face of life’s crossroads:<br />
<br />· Get as many information as you can about your situation.<br /><br />You cannot find the confidence to decide when you know so little about what you are faced with. Just like any news reporter, ask the 5 W’s: what, who, when, where, and why. What is the situation? Who are the people involved? When did this happen? Where is this leading? Why are you in this situation? These are just some of the possible questions to ask to know more about your situation. This is important. Oftentimes, the reason for indecision is the lack of information about a situation. <br /><br />· Identify and create options.<br /><br />What options do the situation give you? Sometimes the options are few, but sometimes they are numerous. But what do you do when you think that the situation offers no options? This is the time that you create your own. Make your creative mind work. From the most simplistic to the most complicated, entertain all ideas. Do not shoot anything down when an idea comes to your head. Sometimes the most outrageous idea could prove to be the right one in the end. You can ask a friend to help you identify options and even make more options if you encounter some difficulty, but make sure that you make the decision yourself in the end.<br /><br />· Weigh the pros and cons of every option.<br /><br />Assess each option by looking at the advantages and disadvantages it offers you. In this way, you get more insights about the consequences of such an option.<br /><br />· Trust yourself and make that decision.<br /><br />Now that you have assessed your options, it is now time to trust yourself. Remember that there are no guarantees and wrong decisions are always at hindsight. So choose… decide… believe that you are choosing the best option at this point in time.<br /><br /><br />Now that you have made a decision, be ready to face its consequences: good and bad. It may take you to a place of promise or to a land of problems. But the important thing is that you have chosen to live your life instead of remaining a bystander or a passive audience to your own life. Whether it is the right decision or not, only time can tell. But do not regret it whatever the outcome. Instead, learn from it and remember that you always have the chance to make better decisions in the future.<br /><br /><br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-58109482937551916742013-02-28T12:39:00.003-08:002013-02-28T12:39:43.671-08:00Founding Principles of AikidoAikido means "The Way of Harmony with the Spirit" and is considered a non-violent form of martial art. However, don't be fooled. Aikido when used correctly is very powerful often are able to block and neutralize strong attacks and counter them with an equal force. <br /><br />Morihei Ueshiba, now known as O-sensei to the world of Aikido, founded the martial art. O-sensei is a master of Jujitsu or unarmed combat, Kinjitsu or sword combat, and sojitsu or spear combat and studied philosophical and religious teachings. <br /><br />Because of the religious and philosophical foundations of Aikido, principles of the martial art include ways to harmonize with the ki or spirit within oneself and the bigger spirit of nature. Among the principles of Aikido include oneness, circular motion and ki.<br /><br />Among the philosophical teachings of Aikido, one of the more basics and more important is learning to control oneself. Maintaining an inner balance is necessary to harmonize with others enabling to control an opponent's attack or applying an effective technique. Self-control is the key to achieve and maintain harmony. <br /><br />The Principle of Oneness is another basic principle in Aikido. An aikidoka must learn to become one with any situation. Becoming one means having an attitude of respect for all things and situations, friend or foe. By training to become one with every situation, harmonization will follow and it will become possible to execute Aikido techniques, movements and forms accurately and efficiently. <br /><br />Harmony also means synthesis. And the spiritual circle which is a foundation of all Aikido techniques synthesizes everything. Aikido is a combination of circular movements. Its techniques and movements revolve around the concept of circular motions. When an opponent attacks, the aikidoka uses a circular motion of the lower abdomen to control the attack and execute Aikido techniques to counterattack. <br /><br />It is said that defense is the greatest offense. In Aikido to defend properly an attack, one must learn to move away from the range of effectiveness of the opponent's attack. However, as you try to defend by getting out of the opponent's effective range, you must also try to maintain your own range of effectiveness in order to counterattack efficiently. <br /><br />You won't be able to give an effective counterattack if you stepped too far away from your opponent. Similarly, being too close would definitely lessen the effectiveness of your techniques. Everything will depend on the situation. As an Aikido practitioner, you must learn to determine how to avoid your opponent's range while controlling your own in various situations. <br /><br />Finally, the Principle of Ki involves believing that every thing in the universe is governed by a force or spirit. Ki is also the energy and our life force. Ki is the force that binds the mind and the body. It is the energy that harmonizes us to our surroundings. By learning to control our Ki, we will be able to unify our mind and our body maximizing efficient movements and execution of Aikido techniques. <br /><br />Aikido focuses on the distance, motion, speed, and projection of an attacker. By using blending, spiraling, and extension techniques, the attack will be neutralized and by using one's centeredness and hips, the same amount of force can be applied to the attacker. In Aikido, the spiraling and circular movements reflect what the martial art is: a fluid and flowing movement of spirit and energy. <br /><br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-60034799085345336282013-02-24T19:30:00.000-08:002013-02-24T19:30:03.218-08:00The Powers of a Positive AttitudeI am going to ask you to something very weird right now. First of all, I want you to listen to your thoughts. Now tell me, what thoughts fill your head? Would you label them as positive, or negative?<br /><br />Now let's say you are walking down the street with these thoughts. Do you think anyone who would meet you would be able to tell you what’s on your mind?<br /><br />The answer to number one is up to you. But, the answer number two can be pretty generic. Although people will not be able to tell you exactly what you think, they will more or less have an idea of how you are feeling. <br /><br />Here's another question. When you enter a party filled with friends, do they all fall silent as if something terrible had happened? Or does everybody there perk up as if waiting for something exciting to happen?<br /><br />You know what? The answer to all these depends on your frame of mind.<br /><br />Thoughts are very powerful. They affect your general attitude. The attitude you carry reflects on your appearance, too – unless, of course, you are a great actor.<br /><br />And it doesn't end there. Your attitude can also affect people around you.<br /><br />The type of attitude you carry depends on you. It can be either positive or negative.<br /><br />Positive thoughts have a filling effect. They are admittedly invigorating. Plus, the people around the person carrying positive thoughts are usually energized by this type of attitude.<br /><br />Negative thoughts on the other hand have a sapping effect on other people. Aside from making you look gloomy and sad, negative thoughts can turn a festive gathering into a funeral wake.<br /><br />A positive attitude attracts people, while a negative attitude repels them. People tend to shy away from those who carry a negative attitude.<br /><br />We can also define attitude as the way of looking at the world. If you choose to focus on the negative things in the world, more or less you have a negative attitude brewing up. However, if you choose to focus on the positive things, you are more likely carry a positive attitude.<br /><br />You have much to gain from a very positive attitude. For one, studies have shown that a positive attitude promotes better health. Those with this kind of attitude also have more friends. projecting a positive attitude also helps one to handle stress and problems better than those who have a negative attitude.<br /><br />A positive attitude begins with a healthy self-image. If you will love the way you are and are satisfied, confident, and self-assured, you also make others are around feel the same way.<br /><br />A negative attitude, on the other hand, has, of course, an opposite effect. So, carrying a negative attitude has a twofold drawback. You feel bad about yourself, and you make others feel the same way.<br /><br />If you want to have a positive attitude, you have to feature healthy thoughts. This is probably very hard to do nowadays since, all around us, the media feeds us nothing but negative thoughts. A study shows that for every 14 things a parent says to his or her child, only one is positive. This is truly a saddening thought.<br /><br />If you want a healthier outlook in life, you need to think happy thoughts, and you have to hear positive things as well. So, what can you do? Well, for starters, you could see a funny movie, you could play with children, spend some time telling jokes with friends. All these activities fill you with positive stimuli, which in turn promotes positive attitude.<br /><br />Although it is impossible to keep ourselves from the negative things around us, you can still carry a positive attitude by focusing on the good things, the positive things in life.<br /><br />And this positive attitude you now carry can be of benefit to other people. Sometimes when other people feel down, the thing people mostly do is try to give them advice. But sometimes, all they need is somebody to sit by them, and listen to them. If you have a positive attitude you may be able to cheer them up without even having to say anything.<br /><br />If positive attitude is really great, why do people choose to adopt a negative attitude instead? One who carries a negative attitude may be actually sending a signal for attention. Before you get me wrong, feeling sad, angry, or gloomy is not wrong itself. But dwelling on these thoughts for far too long is not healthy either. There is a time to mourn. <br /><br />As always, if you are beset by troubles, even in your darkest hour, focus on the good things in life, you will always have hope. Problems become something you can overcome.<br /><br />You do not have much to lose by adopting a healthy, positive attitude. Studies show that such an attitude actually retards aging, makes you healthier, helps you develop a better stress coping mechanism, and has a very positive effect on all the people you meet every day. So, what's not to like about a positive attitude? Adopt one today.<br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-25206375396471780452013-02-23T04:00:00.000-08:002013-02-23T04:00:08.775-08:00The Basics of Goal SettingSetting Your Goals - Easier Said, Easily Done<br />
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The basics of setting a goal is an open secret known by top-caliber athletes, successful businessmen and businesswomen and all types of achievers in all the different fields. The basics of setting goals give you short-term and long-term motivation and focus. They help you set focus on the acquisition of required knowledge and help you to plan and organize your resources and your time so that you can get the best out of your life.<br />
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Setting clearly defined short term and long term goals will enable you to measure your progress and achieve personal satisfaction once you have successfully met your goals. Charting your progress will also enable you to actually see the stages of completion leading to the actual realization of your goals. This eliminates the feeling of a long and pointless grind towards achieving your goal. Your self-confidence and level of competence will also improve as you will be more aware of your capabilities as you complete or achieve your goals.<br />
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The basics of goal settings will involve deciding what you really want to do with your personal life and what short term and long term goals you need to achieve it. Then you have to break down goals into the smaller and manageable targets that you must complete in your way to achieving your lifetime targets. Once you have your list waste no time in tackling your goals.<br />
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A good way to have a manageable list is to have a daily and weekly set of goals. By doing this you will be always in the position of going towards you life plan goals. Everyday will give you the opportunity to fulfill a certain goal giving you the feeling of accomplishment.<br />
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Here are some pointers that should be taken into consideration in setting goals and achieving them.<br />
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Attitude plays a very big role in setting and achieving your goals. You must ask yourself if any part of you or your mind holding you back towards completing your simplest goals? If there are any part of your behavior that is being a hindrance or puts your plans into disarray? If you do have problems in these areas then the immediate thing to do is to address this problem. Solutions may include a visit to a doctor or psychiatrist to control your emotions.<br />
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Careers are made by good time management practice. Failing in a career is often attributed to bad time management. Careers require a lot from an individual which often makes the career the life of the individual. Plan how far do you want to go into your career.<br />
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Education is key in achieving your goals. If your goals require you to have a certain kind of degree or require a certain specialization or demand a certain skill to be developed, make plans in getting the appropriate education.<br />
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Your family should never be left out of your plans. If you are just starting out then you have to decide if you want to be a parent or when you want to be a parent. You also have to know if you really would be a good parent and how well would you relate to extended family members<br />
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Personal financial situations also play a major role in achieving your goals. Have a realistic goal on how much you really want to earn. You also must be able to create plans or stages by which you will be able to reach your earning potential.<br />
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Physically gifted individuals may be able to achieve sports related goals like being in the National Basketball association or National Football League. Determining your physical capabilities should be one of your priorities. Physical limitations could however be conquered with proper planning.<br />
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As the saying goes -'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy', or something to that effect, is by all means true down to the last the letter. Giving yourself a little pleasure: should be included into your plans.<br />
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To start achieving your lifetime goals, set a quarter of a century plan, then break it down to 5 year plans then break it down again to 1 year plans, then 6 month plans then monthly plans, then weekly, then daily.<br />
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Then create a things-to-do list for the day. <br />
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Always review your plans and prepare for contingencies.<br />
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The basics of goal settings should not be so difficult once you get to be familiar with them.Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-7367957202683345502013-02-21T11:30:00.000-08:002013-02-21T11:30:00.064-08:00Your Guide To Creative ProblemMore than One Way to Skin a Cat: Adventures in Creative Thinking<br /><br />How many times have you caught yourself saying that there could be no other solution to a problem – and that that problem leads to a dead end? How many times have you felt stumped knowing that the problem laying before you is one you cannot solve. No leads. No options. No solutions. <br /><br />Did it feel like you had exhausted all possible options and yet are still before the mountain – large, unconquerable, and impregnable? When encountering such enormous problems, you may feel like you're hammering against a steel mountain. The pressure of having to solve such a problem may be overwhelming.<br /><br />But rejoice! There might be some hope yet!<br /><br />With some creative problem-solving techniques you may be able to look at your problem in a different light. And that light might just be the end of the tunnel that leads to possible solutions.<br /><br />First of all, in the light of creative problem-solving, you must be open-minded to the fact that there may be more than just one solution to the problem. And, you must be open to the fact that there may be solutions to problems you thought were unsolvable.<br /><br />Now, with this optimistic mindset, we can try to be a little bit more creative in solving our problems.<br /><br />Number one; maybe the reason we cannot solve our problems is that we have not really taken a hard look at what the problem is. Here, trying to understanding the problem and having a concrete understanding of its workings is integral solving the problem. If you know how it works, what the problem is, then you have a better foundation towards solving the problem.<br /><br />Not trying to make the simple statement of what problem is. Try to identify the participating entities and what their relationships with one another are. Take note of the things you stand to gain any stand to lose from the current problem. Now you have a simple statement of what the problem is.<br /><br />Number two; try to take note of all of the constraints and assumptions you have the words of problem. Sometimes it is these assumptions that obstruct our view of possible solutions. You have to identify which assumptions are valid, in which assumptions need to be addressed.<br /><br />Number three; try to solve the problem by parts. Solve it going from general view towards the more detailed parts of the problem. This is called the top-down approach. Write down the question, and then come up with a one-sentence solution to that from them. The solution should be a general statement of what will solve the problem. From here you can develop the solution further, and increase its complexity little by little.<br /><br />Number four; although it helps to have critical thinking aboard as you solve a problem, you must also keep a creative, analytical voice at the back of your head. When someone comes up with a prospective solution, tried to think how you could make that solution work. Try to be creative. At the same time, look for chinks in the armor of that solution.<br /><br />Number five; it pays to remember that there may be more than just one solution being developed at one time. Try to keep track of all the solutions and their developments. Remember, there may be more than just one solution to the problem.<br /><br />Number six; remember that old adage," two heads are better than one." That one is truer than it sounds. Always be open to new ideas. You can only benefit from listening to all the ideas each person has. This is especially true when the person you're talking to has had experience solving problems similar to yours.<br /><br />You don't have to be a gung-ho, solo hero to solve the problem. If you can organize collective thought on the subject, it would be much better.<br /><br />Number seven; be patient. As long as you persevere, there is always a chance that a solution will present itself. Remember that no one was able to create an invention the first time around.<br /><br />Creative thinking exercises can also help you in your quest be a more creative problems solver. <br /><br />Here is one example.<br /><br />Take a piece of paper and write any word that comes to mind at the center. Now look at that word then write the first two words that come to your mind. This can go on until you can build a tree of related words. This helps you build analogical skills, and fortify your creative processes.<br /><br />So, next time you see a problem you think you can not solve, think again. The solution might just be staring you right in the face. All it takes is just a little creative thinking, some planning, and a whole lot of work.<br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-39032145431120369402013-02-19T08:30:00.000-08:002013-02-19T08:30:03.613-08:00Of The Good Use Of RelaxationYour Recommended Daily Allowance for Relaxation<br /><br />Stress is the curse of living in modern times. Everyone suffers from stress. And the stress we suffer takes a heavy toll on our bodies, emotions and minds. <br /><br />Feeling stressed out, worn out by fatigue or just simply having a miserable day, the best thing to do is relax. <br /><br />Watching television may be a form of relaxation for some, but is not a recommended method by experts. When we watch TV we are bombarded with commercials, ads, sounds and images. So how do we achieve relaxation? If there are thousands of ways we can get stressed, one of them is not meeting deadlines, there are also many ways we can relax.<br /><br />In recent studies, experts have determined that heart disease is linked to anger and irritability is linked to mental stress. Too much stress brings about ischemia that can lead to or cause a heart attack. Relaxation takes on added importance in light of this matter. Managing your anger and attitude is significant to heart health, and relaxation can help you manage stress. <br /><br />One way of relaxation is transcendental meditation. Recent studies have also shown that this method might reduce artery blockage, which is a major cause for heart attack and stroke. People practice transcendental meditation by repeating uttering soothing sounds while meditating, this is to achieve total relaxation. The researchers found that practitioners of transcendental meditation significantly reduced the thickness of their arterial wall compared with those who didn't practice transcendental meditation.<br /><br />Another study on another method of relaxation, acupuncture, seems to reduce high blood pressure by initiating several body functions for the brain to release chemical compounds known as endorphins. Endorphin helps to relax muscles, ease panic, decrease pain, and reduce anxiety. <br /><br />Yoga is also another method for relaxation and may also have similar effects like acupuncture. In another study, participants were subjected to several minutes of mental stress. Then they were subjected to various relaxation techniques, such as listening to nature sounds or classical music. Only those who did Yoga significantly reduced the time it took for their blood pressures to go back to normal. Yoga is a form of progressive relaxation.<br /><br />Breathing is one of the easiest methods to relax. Breathing influences almost all aspects of us, it affects our mind, our moods and our body. Simply focus on your breathing, after some time you can feel its effects right away.<br /><br />There are several breathing techniques that can help you reduce stress. <br /><br />Another easy way to achieve relaxation is exercise. If you feel irritated a simple half-hour of exercise will often settle things down. Although exercise is a great way to lose weight, it does not show you how to manage stress appropriately. Exercise should also be used in conjunction with other exercise method.<br /><br />One great way of relaxation is getting a massage. To gain full relaxation, you need to totally surrender to the handling and touch of a professional therapist.<br /><br />There are several types of massages that also give different levels of relaxation.<br /><br />Another method of relaxation is Biofeedback. The usual biofeedback-training program includes a 10-hour sessions that is often spaced one week apart.<br /><br />Hypnosis is one controversial relaxation technique. It is a good alternative for people who think that they have no idea what it feels like to be relaxed. It is also a good alternative for people with stress related health problems. <br /><br />Drugs are extreme alternatives to relaxation. They are sometimes not safe and are not effective like the other relaxation methods. This method is only used by trained medical professionals on their patients.<br /><br />These relaxation techniques are just some of the ways you can achieve relaxation. Another reason why we need to relax, aside from lowering blood pressure in people and decreasing the chances of a stroke or a heart attack, is because stress produces hormones that suppress the immune system, relaxation gives the immune system time to recover and in doing so function more efficiently. <br /><br />Relaxation lowers the activities within the brains' limbic system; this is the emotional center of our brain. <br /><br />Furthermore, the brain has a periodic need for a more pronounced activity on the right-hemisphere. Relaxation is one way of achieving this. <br /><br />Relaxation can really be of good use once a relaxation technique is regularly built into your lifestyle. Choose a technique that you believe you can do regularly.<br /><br /><br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-39456611660637121842013-02-17T14:05:00.001-08:002013-02-17T14:05:10.457-08:00Power Through The PeopleHave you come across a person who is so naturally friendly that when you put him inside a room of strangers, he'll be friends with almost everyone in no time? We call such a people-person, someone unbelievably nice and charismatic that he can charm anyone into doing anything. <br /><br />A socially-empowered person achieves so much greatness, basically because of the people that catapult him to success. He earns the trust and all-out support of the people, whom he had helped before. He never runs out of help. He can do anything with the plethora of people behind him. All because he knows he maximizes his social potential!<br /><br />See, if you know your social skills and you make use of them, you will reach self-empowerment. Self-empowerment is making a general overhaul in your life and turning yourself into a happier and more successful person.If you can be one of those people-persons, then I can't see any reason why you will not succeed. You just have to know how to start.<br /><br /><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>1. Be genuine</b>.</span><br /><br />Hypocrisy will just bring you all the way down. Be genuinely nice and interested to people. Once they perceive that you are Mr. Hypocrite with selfish intentions, you might as well say goodbye to self-empowerment. <br /><br /><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">2. Be the greatest listener that you can be.</span></b><br /><br />To earn the love and trust of the people, listen to their problems and sympathize with them. Do not just hear them out, listen to them with your heart. Make eye contact when the person talks to you. Listen as if every word matters, and it does. Brownie points when they find out that there is a confidante in you.<br /><br /><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>3. Laugh out loud.</b></span><br /><br />I do not mean that you force yourself to laugh for every joke cracked by someone, albeit you do not find it funny at all.This means finding humor in things and not being too darn serious. A person oozing with an awesome sense of humor attracts crowds and eventually, attracts success.<br /><br /><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>4. Don't forget yourself.</b></span><br /><br />In the process of fluttering around like a social butterfly, you might forget yourself, allowing everyone to push you over. Remember, love and value yourself before anyone else. If you deem yourself respectable and worthy of affection, people will flock to you and not trample on you.<br /><br /><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>5. Do random acts of kindness.</b></span><br /><br />You don't have to do a John Rockefeller and blow your savings to charity. Little acts of kindness matters the most, and this can be as simple as giving someone a surprise you-take-care card or helping an elderly cross the street. When we were kindergarten students, kindness was taught to us and greatly practiced. Now is the time to revive the good deeds and this time, let them stay for good.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">6. Contact your old friends.</span></b><br /><br />Sad how some friendships are destined to goodbye, but thanks to technology, you can do something about it. Relive the good old days by flipping your yearbook and look for the great people whom you want to communicate with again. Adding these old friends to your roster of support peers will surely make you feel good all over. <br /><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b><br />7. Develop your personality</b></span>.<br /><br />Are you grouchy, grumpy and generally morose? Whoa, you can't go through life with those. Get rid of the bad traits and habits that perpetually hamper your growth. And really, who wants a grouchy friend anyway? <br /><br /><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>8. Be confident.</b></span><br /><br />Be able to stride to the other corner of the room and introduce yourself to people with that winning smile of yours. Just remember: be confident, not arrogant.<br /><br /><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>9. Practice control.</b></span><br /><br />When angry, don't snap at anyone. Never throw a tantrum. Stay calm and collected. Be adult enough to take control of situation and transform your anger into something more productive and passive. As soon as people think your anger goes to volcanic proportions easily, they will find it hard to come to you.<br /><br /><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>10. Keep nurturing your relationships.</b></span><br /><br />Your relationship with your family, friends and significant others is too precious that you must not neglect it whatever happens. Go out and have fun with them. Do things together. Happiness will never fly from your side as long as the people who matter the most are close to you.<br /><br />In the end, using people for self-empowerment means becoming a better and more lovable person. It's a win-win situation: the people know they can turn to you anytime and vice versa.<br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-55071432497422551992013-02-08T07:11:00.000-08:002013-02-08T07:11:00.246-08:00The Beginnings of AikidoThe name aikido is formed by the combination of three characters in the Japanese language. Ai, which means joining; ki, which means spirit and do, which means way. These three words actually summarize the essence of aikido as a form of martial art— the joining of the spirit to find the way. It was only in the period from 1930s to the 40s that the name aikido was officially accepted as the name of the martial arts form. <br /><br />Aikido uses techniques that do not damage or kill unlike other forms of martial arts. The movements and skills being taught are just meant to divert attention or immobilize people. This is perhaps the reason why most people prefer aikido, because of it’s focus on peace and harmony as opposed to aggression and conflict. In fact, aikido developer Morihei Ueshiba believes that to control aggression without causing any injury is the art of peace. <br /><br />Ueshiba, who is also called Osensei, which means Great Teacher, created aikido from the principles of Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. He incorporated the techniques of the yari, the spear; the juken, which is a bayonet; and the jo, which is a short quarterstaff). But what ultimately separates aikido from other forms of martial arts is the fact that its practitioners can attack while empty-handed. Practitioners need no weapons for protection.<br /><br />As a young child, he was much into physical fitness and conditioning. This is because of his vow to avenge his father’s death. Eventually, his studies and activities brought him to the discipline of the different martial arts. He studied all. He even has certificates, fencing, fighting with spears, etc. He has learned it all. This is perhaps the reason why aikido is such a diverse and multi-disciplinary form of martial arts. <br /><br />Yet despite his know how, he remains dissatisfied. He felt that there is still something missing. It was then that he turned to the religions. He studied under a spiritual leader, Onisaburo Deguchiof the sect Omoto-kyo in Ayabe. Deguchiof taught him to take care of his spiritual growth. He then combined his spiritual beliefs and his mastery of the different martial arts. Aikido was born. <br /><br />His association with this charismatic spiritual leader Deguchiof also paved the way for his introduction to the elite political and military people as a martial artist. Because of this connection, he was able to establish aikido and even transferred the teachings to students, who have in turn developed their own styles of movement in aikido. <br /><br />Aikido is a combination of the different styles of jujitsu as well as some of the techniques of sword and spear fighting, of which Ueshiba is an expert. To get an overall picture, aikido combines the joint locks and throws techniques of jujitsu and the movements of the body when fighting with sword and spears. <br /><br />Oriental in origin, it was brought to the west by Minoru Mochizuki when he visited France in 1951. He introduced the aikido techniques to students who are learning judo. In 1952, Tadashi Abe came to France as the official Aikikai Honbu representative. Then in 1953, Kenji Tomiki toured through the United States while Koichi Tohei stayed in Hawaii for a full year where he set up a dojo. Aikido then spread its influence in United Kingdom two years after and in 1965, it reached Germany and Australia. At present, aikido has centers all over the world. <br /><br /><br /><br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-32167578025463486152013-02-07T07:06:00.000-08:002013-02-07T07:06:00.874-08:00Spiritual Growth: the Spiritual Challenge of Modern Times <br />To grow spiritually in a world defined by power, money, and influence is a Herculean task. Modern conveniences such as electronic equipments, gadgets, and tools as well as entertainment through television, magazines, and the web have predisposed us to confine our attention mostly to physical needs and wants. As a result, our concepts of self-worth and self-meaning are muddled. How can we strike a balance between the material and spiritual aspects of our lives? <br /><br />To grow spiritually is to look inward.<br /><br />Introspection goes beyond recalling the things that happened in a day, week, or month. You need to look closely and reflect on your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and motivations. Periodically examining your experiences, the decisions you make, the relationships you have, and the things you engage in provide useful insights on your life goals, on the good traits you must sustain and the bad traits you have to discard. Moreover, it gives you clues on how to act, react, and conduct yourself in the midst of any situation. Like any skill, introspection can be learned; all it takes is the courage and willingness to seek the truths that lie within you. Here are some pointers when you introspect: be objective, be forgiving of yourself, and focus on your areas for improvement.<br /><br />To grow spiritually is to develop your potentials.<br /><br />Religion and science have differing views on matters of the human spirit. Religion views people as spiritual beings temporarily living on Earth, while science views the spirit as just one dimension of an individual. Mastery of the self is a recurring theme in both Christian (Western) and Islamic (Eastern) teachings. The needs of the body are recognized but placed under the needs of the spirit. Beliefs, values, morality, rules, experiences, and good works provide the blueprint to ensure the growth of the spiritual being. In Psychology, realizing one’s full potential is to self-actualize. Maslow identified several human needs: physiological, security, belongingness, esteem, cognitive, aesthetic, self-actualization, and self-transcendence. James earlier categorized these needs into three: material, emotional, and spiritual. When you have satisfied the basic physiological and emotional needs, spiritual or existential needs come next. Achieving each need leads to the total development of the individual. Perhaps the difference between these two religions and psychology is the end of self-development: Christianity and Islam see that self-development is a means toward serving God, while psychology view that self-development is an end by itself.<br /><br />To grow spiritually is to search for meaning.<br /><br />Religions that believe in the existence of God such as Christianism, Judaism, and Islam suppose that the purpose of the human life is to serve the Creator of all things. Several theories in psychology propose that we ultimately give meaning to our lives. Whether we believe that life’s meaning is pre-determined or self-directed, to grow in spirit is to realize that we do not merely exist. We do not know the meaning of our lives at birth; but we gain knowledge and wisdom from our interactions with people and from our actions and reactions to the situations we are in. As we discover this meaning, there are certain beliefs and values that we reject and affirm. Our lives have purpose. This purpose puts all our physical, emotional, and intellectual potentials into use; sustains us during trying times; and gives us something to look forward to---a goal to achieve, a destination to reach. A person without purpose or meaning is like a drifting ship at sea.<br /><br />To grow spiritually is to recognize interconnections.<br /><br />Religions stress the concept of our relatedness to all creation, live and inanimate. Thus we call other people “brothers and sisters” even if there are no direct blood relations. Moreover, deity-centered religions such as Christianity and Islam speak of the relationship between humans and a higher being. On the other hand, science expounds on our link to other living things through the evolution theory. This relatedness is clearly seen in the concept of ecology, the interaction between living and non-living things. In psychology, connectedness is a characteristic of self-transcendence, the highest human need according to Maslow. Recognizing your connection to all things makes you more humble and respectful of people, animals, plants, and things in nature. It makes you appreciate everything around you. It moves you to go beyond your comfort zone and reach out to other people, and become stewards of all other things around you.<br /><br />Growth is a process thus to grow in spirit is a day-to-day encounter. We win some, we lose some, but the important thing is that we learn, and from this knowledge, further spiritual growth is made possible. <br /><br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-21711446850882275112013-02-05T07:01:00.000-08:002013-02-05T07:01:00.346-08:00The Way To Wellness<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It's time to start a Healthy life: your 7 days program</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">How many
times have you gone to sleep at night, swearing you'll go to the gym in the
morning, and then changing your mind just eight hours later because when you
get up, you don't feel like exercising? </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">While
this can happen to the best of us, it doesn't mean you should drop the ball
altogether when it comes to staying fit. What people need to realize is that
staying active and eating right are critical for long-term health and wellness
-- and that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The more you know
about how your body responds to your lifestyle choices, the better you can
customize a nutrition and exercise plan that is right for you. When you eat
well, increase your level of physical activity, and exercise at the proper
intensity, you are informing your body that you want to burn a substantial
amount of fuel. This translates to burning fat more efficiently for energy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In other
words, proper eating habits plus exercise equals fast metabolism, which, in
turn gives you more energy throughout the day and allows you to do more
physical work with less effort. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The true
purpose of exercise is to send a repetitive message to the body asking for
improvement in metabolism, strength, aerobic capacity and overall fitness and
health. Each time you exercise, your body responds by upgrading its
capabilities to burn fat throughout the day and night, Exercise doesn't have to
be intense to work for you, but it does need to be consistent. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I
recommend engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise four times per week for
20 to 30 minutes per session, and resistance training four times per week for
20 to 25 minutes per session. This balanced approach provides a one-two punch,
incorporating aerobic exercise to burn fat and deliver more oxygen, and
resistance training to increase lean body mass and burn more calories around
the block.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Here's a
sample exercise program that may work for you: </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">* Warm
Up -- seven to eight minutes of light aerobic activity intended to increase
blood flow and lubricate and warm-up your tendons and joints. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">*
Resistance Training -- Train all major muscle groups. One to two sets of each
exercise. Rest 45 seconds between sets. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">*
Aerobic Exercise -- Pick two favorite activities, they could be jogging,
rowing, biking or cross-country skiing, whatever fits your lifestyle. Perform
12 to 15 minutes of the first activity and continue with 10 minutes of the
second activity. Cool down during the last five minutes. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">*
Stretching -- Wrap up your exercise session by stretching, breathing deeply,
relaxing and meditating. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">When
starting an exercise program, it is important to have realistic expectations. Depending
on your initial fitness level, you should expect the following changes early
on. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">* From
one to eight weeks -- Feel better and have more energy.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">* From
two to six months -- Lose size and inches while becoming leaner. Clothes begin
to fit more loosely. You are gaining muscle and losing fat. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">* After
six months -- Start losing weight quite rapidly. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Once you
make the commitment to exercise several times a week, don't stop there. You
should also change your diet and/or eating habits,' says Zwiefel. Counting
calories or calculating grams and percentages for certain nutrients is
impractical. Instead, I suggest these easy-to-follow guidelines: </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">* Eat
several small meals (optimally four) and a couple of small snacks throughout
the day </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">* Make
sure every meal is balanced -- incorporate palm-sized proteins like lean meats,
fish, egg whites and dairy products, fist-sized portions of complex
carbohydrates like whole-wheat bread and pasta, wild rice, multigrain cereal
and potatoes, and fist-sized portions of vegetable and fruits </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">* Limit
your fat intake to only what's necessary for adequate flavor </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">* Drink
at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water throughout the day </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">* I also
recommend that you take a multi-vitamin each day to ensure you are getting all
the vitamins and minerals your body needs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I
suppose that's all I can think of for now. I should extend my thanks to a
doctor friend of mine. Without him, I wouldn't be able to write this article,
or keep my sanity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Enjoy
life, we all deserve it.</span></div>
Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-90557861043097312752013-02-03T06:56:00.000-08:002013-02-03T06:57:38.985-08:00How To Decide for Taking Herbal Supplements<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Many
people nowadays are turning to “organics” and “naturals” otherwise known as
herbals. The rising popularity of herbal supplements has created a new fad if
not a new health lifestyle. But before you join the bandwagon, here are some
things you need to know about this mean, “green” dietary supplementing machine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">What is
the difference between a drug and a dietary supplement?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">According
to the definition set by food and drug administrations in different countries,
drugs are chemicals that can prevent, prolong the life, treat other effects of
a health condition, improve the quality of life, and/or cure ailments and
diseases, or alter the function of any part or chemicals inside the body. These
drugs have approved therapeutic claims. For example, paracetamol is a drug
given to bring down the body temperature in fever. Ascorbic acid is indicated
for the treatment of scurvy. Iron supplements are given to treat mild cases of
anemia. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Herbal
supplements are not classified as drugs but as dietary supplements. The main
difference is that they do not have approved therapeutic claims unlike in the
case of drugs. Moreover, dietary supplements could either contain vitamins,
minerals, herbals, or amino acids, all aimed to add to or supplement the diet
of an individual. They are not intended to be taken alone as a substitute to
any food or medicine. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Most of
the manufactured medicines we now have once came from animals and plants. Through
the years, chemists isolated the life-saving or life-curing components and
separated them from the harmful ones. This lead to the further drug research
and drug development that lead to the production of a different variety of
drugs for many ailments and conditions from synthetic sources. But still we
have semi-synthetic drugs, as well as drug that more or less approximate more
natural composition. Since herbal supplements are made from a mixture of crude
herbs reduced into powder or gel form, and later on packaged as tablets and
capsules, there is a possibility that life-threatening or at least body
chemistry-altering components are still present, thus the expression of concern
from the medical community. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Is there
a growing concern with the use of herbal supplements?</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Yes.
With the rising popularity of using and consuming anything herbal or organic is
the proliferation of fake herbal supplements that threaten to endanger lives. If
that’s the case, then why are herbal supplements given drug administration
approvals? One way of ensuring the safety of the people is to have all
candidate drugs, food, drinks, and dietary supplements registered with the
proper authority. Otherwise, they would pose more risk with these things being
sold in the black market for a hefty sum. We could ensure the quality and
safety of herbal supplements if they get proper classification with the food
and drug administration. Moreover, people may be able to file the proper
complaints in the event a worsening of health condition is proven to be linked
to the use of a particular herbal supplement. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Is using
herbal supplements worth the risk?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Yes. It
cannot be discounted that many who have tried herbal supplements experienced an
improvement in their health—whether this is due to the herbals themselves or
due to a placebo effect, as long as they do not worsen the condition of an
individual, then using them is worth the risk. But of course, certain things
must be considered before taking those herbal supplements:</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Your
doctor knows best. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">First of
all, clear your condition with your doctor. Ask him/her if taking a particular
herbal supplement is safe given your health condition. People with heart,
liver, or kidney trouble or malfunction, are usually not advised to take these,
or at the minimum is to take these herbals in minimum amounts. All substances
pass through the liver and kidney to be processed and filtered respectively. Kava,
which is used to relieve people from stress, has been pulled out from the
Canadian, Singaporean, and German markets because it contains substances that
cause liver damage. Certain herbals such as Ephedra used for losing weight,
contains chemicals with heart-inducing effects that can increase heart rate,
which in turn can exhaust the heart and cause heart attacks in several
documented cases by the American Medical Association.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Follow
the directions for use.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Never
take more herbal supplements than what is directed by the doctor or as
instructed on the bottle. Each individual reacts differently to the components
of herbal supplements. While it is perfectly safe for one individual to take in
a supplement of primrose oil capsules, another person may be allergic to it. So,
do not even think about downing one bottle of </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It has
no approved curative effect.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">No
matter how the product pamphlet or the label of the bottle sounds about how it
has been found to be helpful in certain health conditions, these herbal
supplements are not therapeutic. So do not substitute these for the medications
prescribed by your doctor for the treatment of certain diseases, or for the
maintenance of blood pressure, lowering of blood sugar and cholesterol, and
fight off infections. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-92218005027993826162013-01-31T07:30:00.000-08:002013-01-31T07:30:03.373-08:00The Psychology of Physical FitnessPhysical fitness is one of the great essentials of match play. Keenness can only be acquired if the physical, mental, and nervous systems are in tune. Consistent and systematic training is essential to a tournament player. <br /><br />Regular hours of sleep, and regular, hearty food at regular hours are necessary to keep the body at its highest efficiency. Food is particularly important. Eat well, but do not over-eat, particularly immediately before playing. I believe in a large hearty breakfast on the day of a big match. This should be taken by nine-thirty. A moderate lunch at about one o'clock if playing at three. Do not eat very rich food at luncheon as it tends to slow you up on the court. Do not run the risk of indigestion, which is the worst enemy to dear eyesight. Rich, heavy food immediately before retiring is bad, as it is apt to make you "loggy" on the court the next day. <br /><br />It is certain injury to touch alcoholic drink in any form during tournament play. Alcohol is a poison that affects the eye, the mind, and the wind three essentials in tennis. Tobacco in moderation does little harm, although it, too, hits eye and wind. A man who is facing a long season of tournament play should refrain from either alcohol or tobacco in any form. Excesses of any kind are bad for physical condition, and should not be chanced. <br /><br />"Staleness" is the great enemy of players who play long seasons. It is a case of too much tennis. Staleness is seldom physical weariness. A player can always recover his strength by rest. Staleness is a mental fatigue due often to worry or too close attention to tennis, and not enough variety of thought. Its symptoms are a dislike for the tennis game and its surroundings, and a lack of interest in the match when you are on the court. I advocate a break in training at such a time. Go to the theatre or a concert, and get your mind completely off tennis. Do your worrying about tennis while you are playing it, and forget the unpleasantness of bad play once you are off the court. Always have some outside interest you can turn to for relaxation during a tournament; but never allow it to interfere with your tennis when you should be intent on your game. A nice balance is hard to achieve, but, once attained is a great aid to a tournament player. <br /><br />The laws of training should be closely followed before and after a match. Do not get chilled before a match, as it makes you stiff and slow. Above all else do not stand around without a wrap after a match when you are hot or you will catch cold. <br /><br />Many a player has acquired a touch of rheumatism from wasting time at the close of his match instead of getting his shower while still warm. That slight stiffness the next day may mean defeat. A serious chill may mean severe illness. Do not take chances. <br /><br />Change your wet clothes to dry ones between matches if you are to play twice in a day. It will make you feel better, and also avoid the risk of cold. <br /><br />Tournament players must sacrifice some pleasures for the sake of success. Training will win many a match for a man if he sticks to it. Spasmodic training is useless, and should never be attempted. <br /><br />The condition a player is, in is apt to decide his mental viewpoint, and aid him in accustoming himself to the external conditions of play. <br /><br />All match players should know a little about the phenomenon of crowd-psychology since, as in the case of the Church-Murray match I related some time back, the crowd may play an important part in the result. <br /><br />It seldom pays to get a crowd down on you. It always pays to win its sympathy. I do not mean play to the gallery, for that will have the opposite effect than the one desired. <br /><br />The gallery is always for the weaker player. It is a case of helping the "under-dog." If you are a consistent winner you must accustom yourself to having the gallery show partiality for your opponent. It is no personal dislike of you. It is merely a natural reaction in favour of the loser. Sometimes a bad decision to one play will win the crowd's sympathy for him. Galleries are eminently just in their desires, even though at times their emotions run away with them. <br /><br />Quite aside from the effect on the gallery, I wish to state here that when you are the favoured one in a decision that you know is wrong, strive to equalize it if possible by unostentatiously losing the next point. Do not hit the ball over the back stop or into the bottom of the net with a jaunty air of "Here you are." Just hit it slightly out or in the net, and go on about your business in the regular way. Your opponent always knows when you extend him this justice, and he appreciates it, even though he does not expect it. Never do it for effect. It is extremely bad taste. Only do it when your sense of justice tells you you should. <br /><br />The crowd objects, and justly so, to a display of real temper on the court. A player who loses his head must expect a poor reception from the gallery. Questioned decisions by a player only put him in a bad light with the crowd and cannot alter the point. You may know the call was wrong, but grin at it, and the crowd will join you. These things are the essence of good sportsmanship, and good sportsmanship will win any gallery. The most unattractive player in the world will win the respect and admiration of a crowd by a display of real sportsmanship at the time of test. <br /><br />Any player who really enjoys a match for the game's sake will always be a fine sportsman, for there is no amusement to a match that does not give your opponent his every right. A player who plays for the joy of the game wins the crowd the first time he steps on the court. All the world loves an optimist. <br /><br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-10641799241122579392013-01-29T14:03:00.000-08:002013-01-29T14:03:00.545-08:00Energy Healing 101: Pranic, Tantric, and Reiki You have probably come across exotic-sounding terms such as “chakra”, “prana”, “aura”, and “tantra” in your course of reading books on spirituality, sex, and healing in the New Age literature section of the bookstore. But what’s the real scoop behind these exotic vocabularies?<br /><br />Are All Energy Healings the Same?<br /><br />Chakra or energy center is a term used in Pranic healing, an ancient Hindu system of energy healing. “Prana” means life energy. “Aura” is another terminology traced to Pranic healing. Aura is a non-physical body that consists of energy, which exists along with our physical body. The aura that covers our body is said to have seven layers pertaining to the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual as manifested by energy. Studying the color and thickness of auras give ideas on the state of health of individuals. Six colors are associated with aura and interpreted into six personalities. These colors are all present in an individual but one or two are more pronounced.<br /> Green – ambitious achiever<br /> Blue – spiritual peacemaker<br /> White – unconventional chameleon<br /> Red – activist <br /> Orange – creative communicator<br /> Violet - psychic<br /><br />Although Tantra is popularly associated with the peculiar practice of sex and spirituality, it is another method of energy healing. It comes from the word “tan” which means to spread or expand. The concept of connectedness is a recurring theme in Tantric writings on sex and spirituality. As a method of healing, spirituality and sex figure prominently. It is presupposed that the union of man and woman can reach spiritual levels during orgasm, which removes the body and mind off collected impurities. These impurities being negative energies can in turn manifest as physical illnesses. <br /><br />Unlike Pranic and Tantric healings, which have Hindu origins, Reiki originated from Japan. It is relatively younger than Pranic and Tantric healings having been rediscovered in the early 1900’s. Reiki stands for universal energy, an energy brought forth by higher intelligence. Students of Reiki are taught how to tap this energy to heal physical, emotional, and mental illnesses.<br /><br />Although Pranic, Tantra, and Reiki are all systems of energy healing, they differ in the type of energy tapped for healing: life energy, sexual energy, and universal energy respectively. <br /><br />The concepts of the connectedness of mind, body, and spirit; the connection of individuals to all living and nonliving things around them and to the universe; and how energy impacts physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being are some of the salient similarities of these three healing methods. <br /><br />Why Do People Turn to Energy Healing?<br /><br />Pranic, Tantric, and Reiki are considered alternative methods of healing. In spite of the availability and relative accessibility of modern medicine, how come more and more people are being drawned to them? Here are some possible reasons:<br /> <br />· Energy healing worked where modern medicine failed.<br /><br />For several reasons both explainable and unexplainable, modern medical treatment failed to heal ailments and conditions in several if not many persons. Research or data may not be able to support this statement. But for the families of the dying as well as for the dying patient, they would take the risk of using alternative methods ranging from herbals and organics, faith healers, witch doctors, and New Age healing techniques just to be get well.<br /><br />· People perceive modern medicine to be isolating. <br /><br />Medical treatments are oftentimes focused on the disease and its causative agent, which can make a patient feel isolated and treated like a mere host of the disease. Although recent developments in hospital practice are gradually promoting the holistic treatment of a patient, the perception still persists. Unlike in energy healing, since energy and spirituality are intimately linked, the patient feels that all aspects of his health are being attended to.<br /><br /><br />· Energy healing is non-obtrusive and natural thus it is safer.<br /><br />Repeated surgical procedures are physically and emotionally traumatic for most patients. It is but a logical and attractive option to both patient and families to look for less stressful health interventions. Moreover, with the rising popularity of New Age religions, going natural is the way to go.<br /><br /><br />· Energy healing is a good way of relieving stress.<br /><br />Meditation is part and parcel of energy healing methods and this is an added come-on for highly stressed people. Moreover, sophisticated equipment is not required thus it becomes all the more convenient for students and future students of energy healing.<br /><br />The battle between alternative healing and mainstream medicine continues as both present the benefits of their approach. But in the final analysis, what matters is the restoration of good health. <br /><br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-31367713452862694122013-01-26T08:30:00.000-08:002013-01-26T08:30:00.572-08:00How natural medicine can help you<b>5000 Year-Old Medical Secret Unearthed!</b><br /><br />When you get sick, you go to the doctor. And the doctor will, of course, prescribe medicines. You will go and buy medicines. You take them, and hopefully, you get well. <br /><br />This is how the health profession goes on nowadays – a cycle of diagnosis and prescription.<br /><br />If anyone were to give you herbs for medicine, you would probably say that that person was a quack.<br /><br />But nowadays, studies are being conducted to see if there are really is any merit to what is called natural medicine.<br /><br />Natural medicine is the use of natural methods, herbal medicines, and traditional practices to heal ailments. Every culture has a form of natural medicine. In ancient cultures, village medicine men served as the doctors of the community, passing on medical knowledge to the apprentices that followed them.<br /><br />Many categories of the healing methods fall under natural medicine. Among these are traditional medicine, complementary medicine, and alternative medicine.<br /><br />Usually, natural medicine refers to medical practices that were in place before the advent of modern medicine.<br /><br />This includes herbal medicine, or phytotherapy, which is prevalent in Chinese, Ayurvedic(or Indian), and Greek medicine.<br /><br />Upon the advent of modern medicine, many professionals discarded the use of herbs in favor of man-made medicine. The fact that these treatments are based on the healing properties of some herbs was forgotten.<br /><br />For example, opium, digitalis, quinine, and aspirin all have their roots in traditional medicine.<br /><br />Natural medicine can be considered as a lost art. This does not mean that it has lost efficacy over time. In some cases, natural therapy is actually better than modern medicine. This leads some doctors to seriously consider and study the possible uses of natural medicine<br /><br />Before we continue, it is important to stress that not all the natural remedies are legitimate. It would help to only try those remedies which have been thoroughly studied and are relatively risk free.<br /><br />Take herbal medicine for example. There are many well-documented and studied herbal remedies available. However, only those that deal with minor ailments such as cough, colds, fever, skin rashes, and its ilk are likely to be recommended by health professionals. These remedies are sometimes superior to synthetic medicine. This is because herbal medicines are less likely to cause negative side effects. <br /><br />Currently there are numerous organizations that study the effects and advocacy of natural medicine – among which is herbal medicine. Some governments and health agencies openly advocate the use of natural methods since they are inexpensive and relatively risk-free.<br /><br />As their studies compile, more herbs and treatments are added to the list of accepted medicines. However, many herbs and treatments have been proven to be bogus medicine. This represents a challenge for both the user and the agencies because they have to ascertain that the treatments they either use or advocate are legitimate. <br /><br />There exist today many alternative medical treatments that fall under natural medicine. However, not all of them have been proven to be effective. You could mention homeopathy, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and other alternative medical treatments. It would pay to consult the experts as to the legitimacy of these treatments.<br /><br />Natural medicine should also be thought of as an accompanying medicine. Right now, the current collective medical thought suggests that natural medicine be used only to supplement accepted modern medical practices. In that case of minor ailments your expert we actually advise you to take natural therapies instead.<br /><br />The practice of modern medicine revolves around diagnosing an illness and prescribing treatments for such. Natural medicine is helpful because it suggests that treatment be not necessarily given only when sick. Natural medicine strives to make each patient practice good health habits. These habits include good diet, healthy living, and the regular natural treatment.<br /><br />It is this same line of thought that leads our parents to tell us to eat our vegetables. Yes, a healthy lifestyle and will do no harm to our well-being. And this is the foundation of natural medicine – may it be massage, herbal medicine, aromatherapy or others.<br /><br />It is funny but true that science, in its quest for excellence, is studying the knowledge of sages past. This, surprisingly, leads us back to the remedies nature offers. The possibilities of finding remedies to everyday illnesses in natural medicine are encouraging. So staying tuned to studying these remedies is worthwhile until we can verify that these therapies are truly helpful to our health and our society.<br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-5167836096289085322013-01-23T09:30:00.000-08:002013-01-23T09:30:02.353-08:00"A Piece of Blarney Stone" 10 ways to empower your communicationThe Blarney Stone is a historical stone, or actually part of the Blarney Castle in Ireland where it was believed that kissing the stone can grant you the gift of gab. Yeah, it seems strange in this day and age, but who are we to question tradition? It's not like I'm saying that Santa Claus doesn't exist (OOPS!).<br /><br />There is so much to know about conversation that anyone, even I, could ever realize. You can go though watching talk shows; radio programs; clubs dedicated to public speaking; ordinary conversations; certain rules still apply when it comes to interaction through words. It may sound tedious, I know, but even though it's your mouth that's doing the work, your brain works twice as hard to churn out a lot of things you know. So what better way to start learning to be an effective communication is to know the very person closest to you: yourself.<br /><br />1. What you know.<br />Education is all about learning the basics, but to be an effective speaker is to practice what you've learned. My stint as guest at every Toastmasters' meeting I go to taught me that we all have our limitations, but that doesn't mean we can't learn to keep up and share what we know.<br /><br />2. Listening.<br />It's just as important as asking questions. Sometimes listening to the sound of our own voice can teach us to be a little bit confident with ourselves and to say the things we believe in with conviction.<br /><br />3. Humility<br />We all make mistakes, and sometimes we tend to slur our words, stutter, and probably mispronounce certain words even though we know what it means, but rarely use it only to impress listeners. So in a group, don't be afraid to ask if you're saying the right word properly and if they're unsure about it then make a joke out of it. I promise you it'll make everyone laugh and you can get away with it as well.<br /><br />4. Eye Contact<br />There's a lot to say when it comes to directing your attention to your audience with an eye-catching gaze. It's important that you keep your focus when talking to a large group in a meeting or a gathering, even though he or she may be gorgeous.<br /><br />5. Kidding around<br />A little bit of humor can do wonders to lift the tension, or worse boredom when making your speech. That way, you'll get the attention of the majority of the crowd and they'll feel that you're just as approachable, and as human to those who listen.<br /><br />6. Be like the rest of them<br />Interaction is all about mingling with other people. You'll get a lot of ideas, as well as knowing what people make them as they are.<br /><br />7. Me, Myself, and I<br />Admit it, there are times you sing to yourself in the shower. I know I do! Listening to the sound of your own voice while you practice your speech in front of a mirror can help correct the stress areas of your pitch. And while you're at it you can spruce up as well.<br /><br />8. With a smile<br />A smile says it all much like eye contact. There's no point on grimacing or frowning in a meeting or a gathering, unless it's a wake. You can better express what you're saying when you smile.<br /><br />9. A Role Model<br />There must be at least one or two people in your life you have listened to when they're at a public gathering or maybe at church. Sure they read their lines, but taking a mental note of how they emphasize what they say can help you once you take center stage.<br /><br />10. Preparation<br />Make the best out of preparation rather than just scribbling notes and often in a hurried panic. Some people like to write things down on index cards, while other resort to being a little more silly as they look at their notes written on the palm of their hand (not for clammy hands, please). Just be comfortable with what you know since you enjoy your work.<br /><br />And that about wraps it up. These suggestions are rather amateurish in edgewise, but I've learned to empower myself when it comes to public or private speaking and it never hurts to be with people to listen how they make conversations and meetings far more enjoyable as well as educational.Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-87259040187542809902013-01-20T08:00:00.000-08:002013-01-20T08:00:02.087-08:00"Life With Woody" 10 inspirational quotes than can improve yourselfIt might take a little coffee or probably a few rounds of beer or any other booze you could get your hands on when it comes to relaxing after a hard day's work. Well, yeah I'm guilty about that one as well, unless I'm caught dead wearing a lampshade over my head after a few rounds of vodka… half-naked! Okay, bad example and I apologize to everyone reading this after getting nightmares about me in that state of drunken stupor.<br /><br />Just don't ask how it happened, please.<br /><br />But what's really interesting is that how do people go through the usual part of life when faced with vein-popping stress? I mean, the new age thing like Zen or yoga is one of the good things and it actually works. Is there room for the intellectual side of people who can actually smell the roses-in-a-can while on the move? It kind of had me thinking that there really must be something in this 'mind-over-matter' thing.<br /><br />Humor is indeed the best medicine there is whenever you are. I mean anyone can pay good money to listen to a comedian just to make you wet your pants after laughing so hard. Despite of what's been happening, and to those who has gone though the ordeal, it's better to just laugh while facing the troubles with a clear mind than anger with a clouded vision. One of my favorite celebrities of all time may have to be Woody Allen. Now this is one guy who gives you the in-your-face bluntness that he pulls out with gusto, even without even trying. You can talk just about anything with a man, and he's bound to mock the subject and you'll end up laughing rather than being upset about it.<br /><br />Woody Allen has this to say:<br /><br />1. "Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons." It sounds good to me, I mean the practicality of all things does involve money but it doesn't have to take an arm and a leg to get it.<br /><br />2. "I believe there is something out there watching us. Unfortunately, it's the government." 'Nuff said.<br /><br />3. "There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?" This happens to be one of the classic ones. I mean the issue about life's little problems isn't all that bad, until 'he' shows up.<br /><br />Sure, relationships can get complicated, or does have its complications that probably any author about relationships is bound to discover it soon. We follow what our heart desires, unless you're talking about the heart as in the heart that pump blood throughout your body.<br /><br />4. "Love is the answer, but while you're waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions." And if you want more, just keep on asking!<br /><br />5. "A fast word about oral contraception. I asked a girl to go to bed with me, she said 'no'." It sounds, 'practical', I think.<br /><br />And when it comes to everyday life, he really knows how to make the best out of every possible scenario, and it doesn't involve a lawsuit if he strikes a nerve.<br /><br />6. "Basically my wife was immature. I'd be at home in the bath and she'd come in and sink my boats." I never had a boat in my bathtub before. Just staring at it while soaking in hot water makes me seasick already.<br /><br />7. "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens." If it rains, it pours.<br /><br />8. "I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." It could get worse when you're guzzling on beer… or mouthwash, and it happened to me once!<br /><br />9. "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans." At least he doesn't smite us with lightning, and I'm thankful for that.<br /><br />And despite of what may happen to all of us in the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years, I guess we all have to see things in a different kind of light and not just perspective. I can't seem to imagine life without any piece of wisdom that could guide us. Whether we're religious or not, it takes more courage to accept your fears and learn how to deal with them is all that matters when it comes to even just getting along.<br /><br />And to sum things up, here is the last nugget of wisdom to go by… however, whenever, and wherever we may be.<br /><br />10. "The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have."<br /><br />Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374382855159554860.post-38012740904173237432013-01-17T13:35:00.000-08:002013-01-17T13:41:20.799-08:00"What Really Makes You Tick?" 10 questions you should ask to yourself: a preparation to self-improvement<br />
Be all you can be, but it's not always in the Army. I often see myself as somewhat contented with my life the way things are, but of course it's hard to think of anything else when where are real issues to be discussed.<br />
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Still I aspire for something deeper and more meaningful.<br />
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So we're all pelted with problems. Honestly it shouldn't even bother or even hinder us to becoming all we ought to be. Aspirations as kids should continue to live within us, even though it would be short-lived or as long as we could hold on to the dream. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks… or can they?<br />
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1. What do I really want?<br />
The question of the ages. So many things you want to do with your life and so little time to even go about during the day.<br />
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Find something that you are good at can help realize that small step towards improvement. Diligence is the key to know that it is worth it.<br />
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2. Should I really change?<br />
Today's generation has taken another level of redefining 'self', or at least that's what the kids are saying. Having an army of teenage nieces and nephews has taught me that there are far worse things that they could have had than acne or maybe even promiscuity. So how does that fit into your lifestyle?<br />
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If history has taught us one thing, it's the life that we have gone through. Try to see if partying Seventies style wouldn't appeal to the younger generation, but dancing is part of partying. Watch them applaud after showing them how to really dance than break their bones in break-dancing.<br />
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3. What's the bright side in all of this?<br />
With so much is happening around us there seem to be no room for even considering that light at the end of the tunnel. We can still see it as something positive without undergoing so much scrutiny. And if it's a train at the end of the tunnel, take it for a ride and see what makes the world go round!<br />
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4. Am I comfortable with what I'm doing?<br />
There's always the easy way and the right way when it comes to deciding what goes with which shoes, or purse, shirt and whatnot. It doesn't take a genius to see yourself as someone unique, or else we'll all be equally the same in everything we do. Variety brings in very interesting and exciting questions to be experimented.<br />
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5. Have I done enough for myself?<br />
Have you, or is there something more you want to do? Discontentment in every aspect can be dangerous in large doses, but in small amounts you'll be able to see and do stuff you could never imagine doing.<br />
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6. Am I happy at where I am today?<br />
It's an unfair question so let it be an answer! You love being a good and loving mom or dad to your kids, then take it up a notch! Your kids will love you forever. The same goes with everyday life!<br />
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7. Am I appealing to the opposite sex?<br />
So maybe I don't have an answer to that, but that doesn't mean I can't try it, though. Whether you shape-up, change the way you wear your clothes or hair, or even your attitude towards people, you should always remember it will always be for your own benefit.<br />
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8. How much could I have?<br />
I suppose in this case there is no such things on having things too much or too little, but it's more on how badly you really need it. I'd like to have lots of money, no denying that, but the question is that how much are you willing to work for it?<br />
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9. What motivates me?<br />
What motivates you? It's an answer you have to find out for yourself. There are so many things that can make everyone happy, but to choose one of the may be the hardest part. It's not like you can't have one serving of your favorite food in a buffet and that's it. Just try it piece by piece.<br />
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10. What Really Makes You Tick?<br />
So? What really makes you tick? You can be just about anything you always wanted to be, but to realize that attaining something that may seem very difficult is already giving up before you even start that journey. Always remember, that self-improvement is not just about the physical or philosophical change you have to undergo, but it's something that you really want.Jay Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598062143770706677noreply@blogger.com0