Perspective

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are.

After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire. The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

One of my favourite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souse. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life".

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness.

Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time... and remember that time waits for no one.

So, stop waiting...
until you finish school,
until you go back to school,
until you lose ten pounds,
until you gain ten pounds,
until you have kids,
until your kids leave the house,
until you start work,
until you retire,
until you get married,
until you get divorced,
until Friday night,
until Sunday morning,
until you get a new car or home,
until your car or home is paid off,
until spring, until summer,
until fall, until winter,
until you are off welfare,
until the first or fifteenth,
until your song comes on,
until you've had a drink,
until you've sobered up,
until you die,
until you are born again

...to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

Thought for the day:

Work like you don't need money,
love like you've never been hurt,
and dance like no one's watching.

Read More

Friendships

1. In kindergarten your idea of a good friend was the person who let you have the red crayon when all that was left was the ugly black one.

2. In first grade your idea of a good friend was the person who went to the bathroom with you and held your hand as you walked through the scary halls.

3. In second grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you stand up to the class bully.

4. In third grade your idea of a good friend was the person who shared their lunch with you when you forgot yours on the bus.

5. In fourth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who was willing to switch square dancing partners in gym so you wouldn't have to be stuck do-si-do-ing with Nasty Nicky or Smelly Susan.

6. In fifth grade your idea of a friend was the person who saved a seat on the back of the bus for you.

7. In sixth grade your idea of a friend was the person who went up to Nick or Susan, your new crush, and asked them to dance with you, so that if they said no you wouldn't have to be embarrassed.

8. In seventh grade your idea of a friend was the person who let you copy the social studies homework from the night before that you had.

9. In eighth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pack up your stuffed animals and old baseball cards so that your room would be a "high schooler's" room, but didn't laugh at you when you finished and broke out into tears.

10. In ninth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who went to that "cool" party thrown by a senior so you wouldn't wind up being the only freshman there.

11. In tenth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who changed their schedule so you would have someone to sit with at lunch.

12. In eleventh grade your idea of a good friend was the person who gave you rides in their new car, convinced your parents that you shouldn't be grounded, consoled you when you broke up with Nick or Susan, and found you a date to the prom.

13. In twelfth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pick out a college, assured you that you would get into that college, helped you deal with your parents who were having a hard time adjusting to the idea of letting you go...

14. At graduation your idea of a good friend was the person who was crying on the inside but managed the biggest smile one could give as they congratulated you.

15. The summer after twelfth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you clean up the bottles from that party, helped you sneak out of the house when you just couldn't deal with your parents, assured you that now that you and Nick or you and Susan were back together, you could make it through anything, helped you pack up for college and just silently hugged you as you looked through blurry eyes at 18 years of memories you were leaving behind, and finally on those last days of childhood, went out of their way to give you reassurance that you would make it in college as well as you had these past 18 years, and most importantly sent you off to college knowing you were loved.

16. Now, your idea of a good friend is still the person who gives you the better of the two choices, hold your hand when you're scared, helps you fight off those who try to take advantage of you, thinks of you at times when you are not there, reminds you of what you have forgotten, helps you put the past behind you but understands when you need to hold on to it a little longer, stays with you so that you have confidence, goes out of their way to make time for you, helps you clear up your mistakes, helps you deal with pressure from others, smiles for you when they are sad, helps you become a better person, and most importantly loves you!

There's never a wrong time to pick up a phone or send a message telling your friends how much you miss them or how much you love them. No matter where we go or who we become, never forget who helped us get there.

If you love someone, tell them. Remember always to say what you mean. Never be afraid to express yourself. Take this opportunity to tell someone what they mean to you. Seize the day and have no regrets. Most importantly, stay close to your friends and family, for they have helped make you the person that you are today and are what it's all about anyway.

Read More

Your Life Changing Event

Something has happened in your life that is shaping everything you are and do.

If that is not true in your life then it just hasn’t happened yet. It’s inevitable that at some point in this journey we call life there will be a life changing event. It may be your marriage, or the birth of your first child. Perhaps it will be overcoming some great trial, like a serious illness or life-threatening addiction. For many it is the loss of a loved one, through death or separation. Often it is the experience that brings you to a faith in God, or that "something bigger" than all of us.

You may be thinking, "Well, that’s true, but actually I’ve had more than one such life changing event." Great! Not, "great" in the sense of celebration if any of these events were painful and traumatic, but "great" in the broader appreciation that such events have for stretching us and helping us to experience the fullness of life. You see, we experience that fullness even through loss.

One of the valuable reasons for preserving your life story is because in the process you will confront these life changing experiences. You will discover how they affect your beliefs, your actions and the way you view life. Sometimes returning to these memories helps you grow. This can be especially beneficial if any of the events in your past are holding you back from truly living life to the fullest.

Not only do you owe yourself the benefit of knowing what has most impacted your life. You really have an obligation to share that with others. We are not meant to live in isolation. Each of us has something to contribute to others. You may never make world history, be famous or rich or any of the other things the world often tells us are important. However, if your children, your parents, your spouse, siblings, relatives, friends, co-workers and even complete strangers are deprived of any beneficial lessons from your time on the planet then it is a loss for all of us.

Testimonies of faith and stories of life’s great adventure are of interest to everyone. You know this is true. Just visit any bookstore and notice the huge number of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. Keep track of all the movies and television programs that focus on someone’s life story. Open up one of the most influential books in all of civilization, the Bible, and observe how much is devoted to the telling of various individuals’ struggles and triumphs.

When you decide to record family history, write your life story or help someone else do the same you should always attempt to capture the essence of life changing events. Be open and honest with yourself or your interview subject. Certainly be sensitive. The greatest drama in life is there. Our best life lessons are learned from hearing, seeing or reading these stories.

Read More

Resignation!!

I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8 year-old again!

I want to go to McDonald's and think that it's a four star restaurant.

I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make a sidewalk with rocks.

I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them.

I want to lie under a big oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer's day.

I want to return to a time when life was simple, when all you knew were colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes; but that didn't bother you because you didn't know what you didn't know and you didn't care. All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset.

I want to think the world is fair; that everyone is honest and good. I want to believe that anything is possible.

I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again.

I want to live simple again.

I don't want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness, and loss of loved ones.

I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, kind words, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, mankind, and making angels in the snow.

So, here's my checkbook and my car-keys, my credit card bills and my 401K statements.

I am officially resigning from adulthood. And if you want to discuss this further, you'll have to catch me first, cause. . .

"Tag! You're it."

Read More

70 Ways to Increase Your Brain Power

You Want More Brainpower - Not Higher IQ Scores!

Okay, maybe you want higher IQ scores too. The American Heritage Dictionary defines Intelligence Quotient as "The ratio of tested mental age to chronological age, usually expressed as a quotient multiplied by 100."

Basically, it's a test of intelligence, with 100 as the average score. There are some problems with IQ tests however.

A recent IQ test asked which of four fruits was different. It was the one with more than one seed; but what if you were not familiar with these fruits? Obviously this test is culturally biased. You are assumed to have certain knowledge, yet you are being tested for intelligence, not knowledge.

Now look at these letters: "ANLDEGN." Rearrange them and you'll have the name of a(n): Ocean, Country, State, City or Animal. This is from an IQ test I took. Hmm... There are very few oceans, so I could eliminate those - but wait a second! That's a test taking technique. An intelligence test shouldn't be testing your test-taking ability. I'm bound to score higher than a person of equal intelligence who hasn't learned simple techniques for scoring higher on multiple - choice tests.

Real Life Results Versus Scores

Now let me ask you a question. What was Henry Fords IQ? Who cares! The man was one of the most innovative people of the last century, and he did what he did by surrounding himself with intelligent people.

That practice alone has to be worth more than 20 IQ points in terms of real life results.

Real life results are what you want, right? So if you want to be more creative, learn to use creative problem solving techniques. If you want to concentrate better, there are techniques for that. Learn to speed-read and you'll have double the knowledge in the same time. After you paint your first Mona Lisa, build your first skyscraper or make your first million, what will your IQ score be? Who cares!?

Okay, an imperfect test is better than no test at all, and it is entertaining. I just took an IQ test, and although I don't think my IQ is really the 138 it showed, it was fun. If you really want to, you can try a free IQ test on my website http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com. Of course you'll score higher on a good day than a bad day, so try these tips to make it a good IQ test day:

70 Ways to Better Brainpower -
(In no particular order.)

1. Breath deep. More air in means more oxygen in the blood and therefore in the brain. Breath through your nose and you'll notice that you use your diaphragm more, drawing air deeper into your lungs. Several deep breaths can also help to relax you, which is conducive to clearer thinking.

2. Meditate. A simple meditation you can do right now is just closing your eyes and paying attention to your breath. Tensing up your muscles and then relaxing them to start may help. When your mind wanders, just bring your attention back to your breath. Five or ten minutes of this will usually relax you, clear your mind, and leave you more ready for any mental task.

3. Sit up straight. Posture affects your thinking process. Prove it to yourself by doing math in your head while slouching, looking at the floor and letting your mouth hang open. Then do the mental math while sitting up straight, keeping your mouth closed and looking forward or slightly upwards. You'll notice that it's easier to think with the latter posture.

4. Phosphotidyl Serine (PS). This supplement has been shown in clinical studies to increase lucidity and rate of learning. It activates cell-to-cell communication, helps regulate cell growth, improves the functioning of the special receptors found on cells, and prepares cells for activity. In other words, it can help your brain power. It's also thought to reverse memory decline. Phosphatidylserine has no known adverse side effects.

5.Vinpocetine. This extract, derived from an alkaloid found in the Periwinkle plant, is used as a cerebral vasodilator. It increases blood flow to the brain, which improves its oxygenation and thereby increases mental alertness and acuity. Research suggests it may also be the most powerful memory enhancer available to date.

6. Gingko Biloba. The leaves of this tree have been proven to increase blood flow to the brain. The trees are often planted in parks. My friends and I used to eat a few leaves when we wanted a brain boost. It is also inexpensive, if you buy the capsules or tea at any health food store.

7. Saint John's Wort. This is a common weed that may be growing in your yard. Although it's brain enhancing qualities are less documented (studies do show it's usefulness for treating long-term depression), many people swear by it's temporary mood-elevating effect, and our brains tend to function better when we are happy. It is inexpensive, but I used to just collect it in the yard and make tea of it. (Hyperacum Perforatum, if you want to look it up by it's botanical name.)

8. Good thinking habits. Just use a problem solving technique for several weeks and it will become a habit. Redesign everything you see for a while, and that will become a habit. You can develop many good thinking habits with some effort, and then be more resourceful effortlessly from that point on. Use the power of habit.

9. Use dead time. This is time that is otherwise wasted or just under-utilized. Driving time, time spent in waiting rooms, or even time spent raking your yard can be included in this. With a tape player and a trip to a public library, you can start to use this time to listen to books-on-tape. You may spend 200 hours a year in your car. What could you learn in that time?

10. Learn a language. Learning a new language has been shown to halt the age-related decline in brain function. It also introduces your mind to new concepts and new ways of looking at things (in English we are afraid, whereas in Spanish we have fear). It is one of the best brain exercises.

11. Rosemary. This common herb may have an effect on the brain when the scent is inhaled. We are waiting for the research, but some people swear that just sniffing rosemary wakes up their brain. It seems safe, so if you have rosemary in your spice rack, give it a try.

12. Mindfulness exercises. Concentration and clear thinking are more or less automatic once you remove distractions. Learn to stop and watch your busy mind. As you notice things that are subtly bothering you, deal with them. This might mean making a phone call you need to make, or putting things on a list so you can forget them for now. With practice, this becomes easier, and your thinking becomes more powerful.

13. Write. Writing is good for your mind in a number of ways. It is a way to tell your memory what is important, so you'll recall things more easily in the future. It is a way to clarify your thinking. It is a way to exercise your creativity and analytical ability. Diaries, idea-journals, poetry, note-taking and story-writing are all ways to use writing to boost your brain power.

14. Listen to Mozart. In a study at the University of California, researchers found that children who studied piano and sang daily in chorus, were much better at solving puzzles, and when tested, scored 80% higher in spatial intelligence than the non-musical group. In another study, 36 students were given three spatial reasoning tests on a standard IQ test. Just before the first test, they listened to Mozart's sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448 for ten minutes. Before the second test, they listened to a relaxation tape. Before the third, they sat in silence. The average scores for all 36 students: 1st test: 119. 2nd test: 111. 3rd test: 110. A nine-point boost from Mozart!

15. Develop your intuition. Intuition can be an important part of brainpower. Einstein and others have relied heavily on their intuitive hunches.

16. Avoid foods that cause subtle allergies. These can include wheat, corn, peanuts and dairy products. Watch yourself to see if you have a problem with any of these. They cause digestive problems and brain fog in some people.

17. Sleep better. As long as you get a certain amount of sleep - probably a minimum of five hours - the quality seems to be more important than the quantity. Also, short naps in the afternoon seem to work well to recharge the brain for some people.

18. Caffeine. The research shows higher test scores for students who drink coffee before major exams. My chess game gets better. In other studies, it has been shown that too much caffeine leads to poorer quality decisions. Caffeine affects individuals differently, and has some nasty long-term side effects for some of us, but short-term - it works!

19. Avoid sugar. Any simple carbohydrates can give you "brain fog." Sometimes called the "sugar blues" as well, this sluggish feeling makes it hard to think clearly. It results from the insulin rushing into the bloodstream to counteract the sugar rush. Avoid pasta, sugars, white bread and potato chips before any important mental tasks.

20. Hypnosis audios. The power of suggestion is real, and one way to use it is with hypnosis tapes, CD's or downloads. This type of brain "programing" has more evidence for it than subliminals.

21. Speed reading. Contrary to what many believe, your comprehension of material often goes up when you learn to speed-read. You get to learn a lot more in less time, and it is definitely a good brain exercise.

22. Exercise. Long term exercise can boost brainpower, which isn't surprising. Anything that affects physical health in a positive way probably helps the brain too. Recent research, though, shows that cognitive function is improved immediately after just ten minutes of aerobic exercise. If you need a brain recharge, you might want to walk up and down the stairs a few times.

23. Imaginary friends. Talking to and getting advice from characters in your mind can be a great way to access the information in your subconscious mind. Imagine a conversation with a person who has a lot of knowledge in the area you want advice in.

24. Develop your creativity. Creativity gives power to your thinking. Raw computation can be done by computers now, but humans provide the creative thought that shapes our world. S
25. Learn more efficiently. When you decide to learn something, take notes from the start. Leave each "learning session" with a question or two in mind, to create anticipation and curiosity. Take short breaks, so there will be more beginnings and endings to your studies (Things learned at the beginning or ending of a class or session are remembered better).

26. Use techniques for clear thinking. Cluttered rooms and offices can contribute to cluttered thinking. Organize a space for mental work. Sigh, stretch, and take a deep breath before you start on a tough mental job. Plan some distraction-free time for brainstorming.

27. Brain wave entrainment. The newest brain wave entrainment products are powerful tools for altering your brain function. Some will almost immediately relax you, while others will put your brain waves in a pattern that is most conducive to analytical thinking.

28. Creatine. This is a compound found in meat, used by athletes to help build muscle. Now the evidence is here to show that it helps your brain as well. Proceedings B , a journal published by the Royal Society reports that the research showed improvement in working memory and general intelligence resulting from creatine supplementation. The dose used in the study was 5 grams per day. This is about the level used to boost sports performance, and is as much as you'd normally get in four pounds of meat, according to lead researcher Dr. Caroline Rae.

29. Talk. Talking is only good for the brain if you are actually exercising it, of course. Try explaining something that you don't understand very well to a friend, though, and you'll notice that the process of explaining will help you clarify your understanding.

30. Do something you enjoy. This is a way to both lower stress and rev up your brain. The key is to do something active. Watching TV doesn't count. Whether it is playing Scrabble or building birdhouses, when you are actively engaged in an activity that you enjoy, you worry less about things and you start to think better.

31. Adjust your beliefs. Believe you are smarter, and you'll become smarter. For this, affirmations may work, but even better is evidence. Make a note of your successes. Tell yourself, "Hey, that was really creative," when you do something creative. When you have a good idea, make a note of it. Gather the evidence for your own intelligence and you'll start to experience more of it.

32. Brain exercises. Do math in your mind while driving. Think of a new use for everything you see. Regular use of the brain has been shown to generate new neuronal growth, and even halt the decline of mental function that often comes with age.

33. Learn new things. This is another way to exercise the brain. It can also be done with little time investment if you use books-on-tapes while driving.

34. Walk. Exercise has been shown to benefit the brain, and walking is one of the best exercises for many. It is low impact, and the rhythmic nature of it seems to put you in a state that is very conducive to clear thinking. In fact, carry a tape recorder with you to take notes, and a twenty minute walk can be a great way to solve problems.

35. Model others. Find others that are creative, intelligent, or very productive. Do what they do, and think what they think. This is a key principle of neuro-linguistic programming. Be careful about taking their advice, though. Successful people often don't really understand why they are successful. Do what they do, not what they say.

36. Eat fish. Eating fish actually speeds up brain waves, and improves concentration. Researchers have also found an almost perfect correlation between intake of fish and lowered levels of depression in the various countries of the world. The U.S. has 24 times the incidence of depression as Japan, for example, where fish intake is much higher.

37. Avoid unnecessary arguments. When you defend a position too vigorously, especially when it is just to "win" the argument, you invest our ego into it. This is not conducive to the easy acceptance and use of new information. In other words, you put your mind in a rut, and you dig it deeper with each argument. Debate can be a valuable thing, but when the ego takes over, the mind closes a little. This is not a recipe for better thinking.

38. Laugh. The release of endorphins caused by laughter lowers stress levels, which is good for long term brain health. Laughter also tends to leave you more open to new ideas and thoughts.

39. Play. Stimulating the brain causes measurable changes in the structure of the brain. New connections are made and new brain cells are grown. Intellectual play, as well as any playing that involves hand-eye coordination stimulates the brain.

40. Do puzzles. Crossword puzzles, lateral thinking puzzles, and even good riddles are a great way to get brain exercise. You can work on them while waiting for a dentist appointment, or on the bus, if you are short on time.

41. Sing. When you are alone in your car, try singing about something you are working on. This taps into and exercises your right brain. Have you ever noticed how it is easier to rhyme when you sing than when you just speak or write? This is because the right brain is better at pattern recognition. By doing this brain exercise regularly you can train yourself to tap into the power of the right brain. This will make you a more effective problem-solver. If you doubt the distinction between the hemispheres of the brain, look at how stutterers can stop stuttering as soon as they start singing. Try it.

42. Nuts. University students in Brazil and other South American countries often eat several Brazil nuts before an exam, believing they are good for their mental power. The evidence is starting to confirm this. Other nuts that have minerals and amino acids that are beneficial to the brain include almonds and walnuts.

43. Olive oil. High in mono-unsaturated fat, olive oil has been shown to improve memory. A cheaper alternative is canola oil, but this hasn't been studied much yet.

44. Vitamin supplements. In studies, children scored higher on tests when on a regimen of daily vitamin supplements. "Experts" will tell you that if you eat a balanced diet, you don't need supplements, which, given the culture here, is really just a sales pitch for vitamins, isn't it? Who eats a perfectly balanced diet?

45. Fiber. It isn't just what goes in, but what comes out that is important to brain function. Toxic build-up in the body and brain can cause "brain fog." People often report clearer thinking as one of the benefits of curing their constipation.

46. Self awareness. This may not seem important to brain power, but it is. When you know yourself better, you can avoid the usual effects of ego and emotion in your seemingly "rational" thinking. Or you can at least take it into account. Watch yourself, especially as you explain things or argue.

47. Motivate yourself. Motivation is as important to mental tasks as it is to any other. Learn a few simple techniques for self motivation.

48. Avoid too much stress. Neuropsychiastrist Richard Restak, M.D., form the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services, sums up the research thus: "Stress causes brain damage." Long term stress has repeated been shown to hurt the brain, not to mention the rest of the body. Learn a few stress reduction techniques if you get stressed out often.

49. Get educated. Scientists have known for a while that the less educated get alzheimer's more frequently. Education in any area seems to make the brain stronger.

50. Avoid too much fat. In laboratory studies, animals consistently learn slower when they are on a diet high in fat. Type of fat may make a difference, so you may want to stick to using olive oil and other non-saturated fats. Saturated fats have been shown to actually stunt the growth of brain cells.

51. Eat less. Overeating has the immediate effect of redirecting more blood to the digestive process, leaving less for the brain. Long term, it can cause arterial obstructions that reduce blood flow to the brain permanently. In at least one study, rats on a restricted-calorie diet had more brainpower.

52. Avoid suspect foods. There is evidence that the following foods can be bad for your brain: Artificial food colorings, artificial sweeteners, colas, corn syrup, frostings, high-sugar drinks, hydrogenated fats, sugars, white bread, and any white-flour products.

53. Eat breakfast. When kids who didn't eat breakfast started to eat it, researchers found that their math scores went up a whole grade on average.

54. Avoid diabetes. The development of diabetes coincides with a dropping of IQ scores. In other words, if you want to maintain your brain power, follow your doctors dietary recommendations for preventing or treating diabetes.

55. Eat foods high in antioxidants. Antioxidants protect all your cells, including brain cells. Some of the foods highest in antioxidants include: prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, garlic, kale, cranberries, strawberries, spinach, and raspberries. In one test, rats had age-related mental decline reversed by eating the equivalent of a 1/2 cup of blueberries per day.

56. Drink wine. In moderation, red wine can be good for the brain, it seems. It is rich in antioxidants, which protect brain cells. One glass per day for women and two for men is usually considered a safe and moderate amount.

57. Use alcohol in moderation. In a study at the University of Indiana School of Medicine, elderly light drinkers (fewer than 4 drinks per week) scored higher on tests of thinking abilities than non-drinkers. Those who drank 10 or more drinks per week scored lower. It is known that alcohol can kill brain cells, so moderation seems to be the key.

58. Folic acid. According to one study, 200 micrograms of folic acid, the amount found in 3/4 cup of cooked spinach, alleviates depression and reverses memory loss.

59. Potential brain foods. Other foods that may be good for your brain include: Avocados, bananas, lean beef, brewer's yeast. broccoli, brown rice, brussel sprouts, cantaloupe, cheese, chicken, collard greens, eggs, flaxseed oil, legumes, oatmeal, oranges, peanut butter, peas, potatoes, romaine lettuce, salmon, soybeans, spinach, tuna, turkey, wheat germ, and yogurt.

60. Vitamin E. Jean Carper, in researching her book, "Your Miracle Brain," found that many brain researchers are taking 400 I.U.s of vitamin E daily. It is an antioxidant, and reduces the clogging of blood vessels, including those going in the brain.

61. Vitamin C. Taken in the form of orange juice in a study at the Texas Women's University, vitamin C increased the IQ scores of children.

62. Selenium. 100 micrograms of selenium has been shown to be a mood-elevator. Your brain almost certainly functions better when you are in a better mood. Foods rich in selenium include Brazil nuts and garlic.

63. Alpha-lipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid (10 to 50 milligrams daily) improves memory and protects nerve cells.

64. Inositol. This is a safe and natural substance that is often grouped with the B-vitamins. It reduces stress and promotes clear thinking. It contributes to energy production, and so can "wake you up." Animal studies show a measurable increase in physical activity for up to five hours after taking it.

65. Huperzine A. This is a compound extracted from the Chinese club moss. Researchers both in Israel and the U.S. have used it to treat alzheimer's. It improves memory and learning an seems to be very safe.

66. Ask questions. This is a great way to keep your brain in shape. Just get in the habit of asking questions often, even if it is only in your own mind. Why are taller buildings better? what is the purpose of curbs? Ask anything that comes to mind, and ponder the possible answers.

67. Sniff basil. This another of the herbs that may be good for your brain. No studies yet, but many report a brain boost from smelling basil.

68. Temperature. Many people have noted that they think better at certain temperatures. In general, it seems that being slightly cool, but not uncomfortable, is most conducive to good thinking. Try experimenting on yourself to see what temperature works best for you.

69. Use systems. From the time I was ten years old, 12 x 49 was always (12 x 50) - 12. It's easier to figure in your head this way (588, by the way). I didn't get any credit for my personal algorithms then, but they are selling these shortcuts on late-night TV now, because they work. You can find your own easier ways to do mental math or other mental tasks, or read a good book on them.

70. Make a brainpower plan. It takes about twenty to thirty days of repetition to establish new habits, many psychologists will tell you. This means that when you create your plan for better brainpower, be sure you plan to use that new problem solving technique, or eat those new brain foods for at least three weeks. You can use many of the brain boosters here and get immediate results, but it is creating new habits that will give you the most brainpower.

Read More

How to Become Rich

First, a Little Perspective

While many people dream of becoming rich, most never achieve this dream.

Of course, rich is a relative term with regard to financial wealth, as the average poor or middle class person today enjoys luxuries unknown to the wealthy people of ages past.

Compared to the wealth of Bill Gates, the average American is poor. However, if we compare the creature comforts enjoyed by the same average American of today to those enjoyed by George Washington, the richest man ever to hold the office of President of the U.S., it is George Washington who comes up short.

Money Can't Guarantee Happiness - But Neither Can Poverty

The term rich can also be applied to the accumulation of other things besides financial wealth.

Things like good health, close relationships with family or friends, good health, a rewarding career, enjoyable hobbies, etc. can also make people feel rich and well off.

Being rich does not necessarily mean a person is happy. The story of King Midas is a classic tale wealth and unhappiness as is George Eliot's classic Silas Marner in which the hero, Silas, finds happiness only after losing his horde of gold and taking in and raising an orphaned child.

The term poor little rich girl is a further examle of a person being both rich and unhappy as it describes a person born to great wealth who is also alone and friendless in the world.

However, before carrying this philosophical discussion too far, let us remember that we live in the twenty-first century of today and not the eighteenth century of George Washington and we need more money to acquire the creature comforts that are available today.

The Old Fashioned Way of Working and Saving is the Best Method

There are a number of ways to become rich and here are a few of the more common ones:

1 Inherit a fortune – for the most part this is a matter of luck in that you either have to be born into a family with a rich relative who will leave you their fortune or you have to encounter and befriend a wealthy person who is childless and decides to leave you their fortune. Both of these are long shots.

2 Win the Lottery – this is every sucker's dream, but frankly, the odds of meeting and befriending a childless stranger are probably greater than winning any lotteries.

As for the lottery run by my state (Arizona, and probably every other lottery in the world), I had a mathematician demonstrate to me once that your chances of winning the lottery by purchasing a ticket are statistically only slightly (very slightly) greater than your chances of finding a winning ticket on the ground that someone else brought and lost.

3 Be born with a talent in great demand – This one also depends upon luck but you do have more control and greater chances with this than with numbers 1 and 2 above. Inventory your talents to see what you have and what the market wants – athletes, singers, entertainers are currently hot commodities.

Then work very hard at developing your talent and you just might make that fortune.

While it may look easy, when you take time to study the background of the beautiful millionaire model or the the athlete making millions throwing a football, you will find that an incredible amount of time and effort went into reaching their present position and the stress of their present fame is usually more than most of us want to have to endure.

4 Grab an Opportunity and Run With it – Get a good education in a hot area, such as IT, web design, nano technology, etc.

Work hard to become a leader in the field and keep watching over your shoulder for the next opportunity in the field. Then, when the opportunity presents itself, throw all of your time, energy, and every cent you can get your hands to to start a company to produce the product or service.

If you guessed correctly and the product or service is just what the public wants NOW you can either go public and make a fortune on the sale of some of your stock or sell it for billions to a company like Google (a la You Tube) or Yahoo.

Of course your plan could bomb and you could find yourself with nothing but a pile of bills or, worse, fail because you were too early and have to endure the pain of seeing someone else make a fortune with the same ideas a few years later when the market is right.

5 Be Old Fashioned, Work and Save – This route is open to practically everyone and the younger you are the better. It involves working hard and saving.

In their book, The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy, the typical American millionaire is described by authors Thomas Stanley and William Danko as a very ordinary person who has slowly and steadily accumulated wealth through work and savings.

Most of these millionaires live typical middle class lives with few outwardly displays of wealth. In fact the only thing that distinguishes them from their other middle class neighbors is the size of their bank accounts.

Most of these millionaires own their own business but they are traditional low tech businesses.

While their neighbors live off of credit and spend thousands each year on finance charges, these people save (earning interest) and pay with cash. Their homes are comfortable suburban tract homes, their cars are late model family type cars, their clothes are off the rack.

The author's point is that these people are no different than the vast middle class that makes up America other than they are more focused on their work and they save rather than borrow.

By middle age these people are usually very wealthy but their habits remain those of the middle class.

In fact when Stanley and Danko were writing their book they held a series of focus group sessions in fine hotels and invited people whose financial status put them in the millionaire class, and asked them to describe their lifestyle and how they made their fortunes.

In the room where the focus group was held they arranged for a table of free drinks and snacks that included fine wines, expensive mixed drinks, caviar and other expensive appetizers. For variety they also included some beer and traditional appetizers.

What surprised Stanley and Danko was that the beer and traditional appetizers disappeared fast while the wines and caviar type food and drink went untouched. The work and saving are habits that are developed and cultivated over a life time.

6 Retire a Millionaire – for a young person this is probably the easiest road to wealth, but they have to wait for it.

Simply open a Roth IRA account with a good Mutual Fund or other investment company when you get your first job at 16 or 17 (or later, but the longer you wait the less time you will have for the money to grow).

Arrange for your paycheck to be deposited to you checking account automatically and, at the same time, arrange for the mutual fund or investment company to automatically withdraw a fixed amount from your checking account each month, say $25, $40, $75 whatever you can afford. It may hurt for the first couple of months but then you will get used to living off of the lower amount (your take home pay minus the IRA deposit) and forget about it.

In time your income will go up and you can either leave your IRA withdrawal the same or increase it by part of the raise. Over the course of the next 40 – 50 years, the reinvested income from your deposits will grow to many times the amount that you are investing and when you retire you will not only have accumulated close to a million or more but after age 60 you will be able to with draw it tax free.

Read More

The Story of Life

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate,neighbor, coworker, longlost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger) but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience help to create who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make every day count!!! Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before,and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

*MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!* If you LOVE someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store!!!

Read More

Your Happy life

It is possible to build a happy life, but for most of us, it’s not easy. Maybe you know someone who seemed to manifest a happy life in an instant; I don’t. I have heard of these miraculous awakenings into happiness, and I believe them to be true. One thing I have noticed, is that most of these cases seem to have something in common; a drastic change in perspective. Most often, through some type of near death or major life changing event. But even in these cases, the individuals seem to only maintain this amazing sense of perspective for a short time. As they say, eventually life get’s in the way.

As many of us do not experience some type of amazing life changing experience, how do we go about creating a happy life? More precisely for this article concerning perspective, how do we go about creating a new sense of perspective? Let’s examine the definition of perspective as it pertains to this article: the state of one’s ideas, the facts known to one, etc. Most of our ideas are based on past experiences, which lead us to anticipate what the outcome will be from similar, or not so similar events in the future. For example, maybe in a relationship we have been left abandoned or our spouse has been unfaithful, we are more likely to anticipate these same things happening in future relationships. As a result, we may alter our actions to prevent this from happening in the future, warranted or not. There is a lot of emphasis on living in the now these days, which is precisely one of the ways to change our perspective.

Living in and for the moment releases us from all past experiences and fears of the future. However, staying in each moment the best we can is difficult. With all the things going on in our life, its hard to stay connected to the moment. We may even feel as if we’re loosing control if we’re not worrying about the future or what we can do to control it. Nonetheless, there is tremendous power in keeping our mind and soul in the current moment as best we can.

By concentrating on doing the best in the moment we’re in, we’re actually creating our future. What we’re doing right now in this moment, is putting things into motion that may or may not come to pass tomorrow. Although there is no guarantee, we certainly will not have the chance of a better future if we do nothing.

Let’s pretend that I don’t know how to swim and I happen to be driving down a coastal highway looking out at the ocean. I know, or have a good reason to believe, that if I stop the car and jump into the ocean I’ll drown. Pretty basic right? But how probable is it that I will ever learn how to swim if I never get out of the car? Not very. If I want to change my future—the chance of entering an ocean without drowning—at some point I’m going to have to stop the car and get out. As in life, there are certain actions I must take in this moment if I’m going to be in a position to have a happy life in the future. One way of putting into motion a happy life, is searching for inner happiness as it pertains to each and every moment.

When I was recovering from a deep depression in my life, I spent a lot of time around friends I had met in a support group. I remember when I felt a sense of doom and depression creeping back in, I used a simple technique. I would stop, look around myself at all the friends I had who supported me, and would remind myself that right now, in this moment, everything is OK. I realized that for most of my life, I was so concerned with how to find happiness, I was missing out on all the happy things that were happening around me. During this period I also concentrated on keeping things simple. I would journal about what I felt and experienced throughout each day; how certain activities would make me feel happy. When depressive feelings or unhappiness would start to sneak back into my mind, I would get out the journal and remind myself what I did last time I felt that way. Then I would do that. Pretty simple right?

By learning to stay in the moment as best I could, my perspective gradually changed. I begin realizing that I was making better choices in life and as a result I was creating my happy life! My perspective changed in that I realized experiences I had in the past were not necessarily going to happen again. I had to surrender to the fact that the only control I have is what I’m doing right now in this moment. By building a happy moment, I’m creating a happy life.

The key to creating your happy life is grasping several key concepts. One is learning how to lower your expectations of others and yourself. As a result, you are forced to be more present in the moment you’re in. Lower expectations result in less fear and anxiety and a life filled with more moments of happiness. Another key concept is acceptance. Learning to accept there are only certain things we can control, mainly ourselves. Moreover, we cannot control others; which we often try and fail with great frustration.

Creating your happy life starts with creating happy moments.

How To Lead A Happy Life

I often get asked “how to lead a happy life?” My response is always, live and lead yourself right and you’ll have or “lead” a happy life. Although it sounds easy, most of us aren’t sure what living right means. I wasn’t living right for years and as a result wasn’t happy. Although I wasn’t quite sure what “living right” meant, I was pretty confident I wasn’t doing it. My conscience took care of letting me know that almost every day.

In order to know how to live right or how to be happy in life, you must know self. Like I’ve said a hundred times before; it’s like trying to buy a Christmas or birthday present for someone you don’t know very well. You really want to make them happy but have no idea what that is… hard isn’t it? Creating your healthy happy life is the same way. You have to know what you need and to know that you have to have self-knowledge.

A healthy happy life is created when we have balance. When our happiness is not contingent on sources outside self and we’re grateful for our life; body and soul! We’re healthy (both mentally and physically) because we care for our bodies as well as our minds. The more gratitude we have the happier we feel, it just all goes together in creating your happy life!

Of course it all sounds nice and easy written or typed out here on this page, but getting there is not so easy. That’s why I’ve created How To Find Happiness, to help others achieve true inner-peace and happiness through self-love and discovery.

Read More

Life story is your own!

A growing number of people have decided to write a life story, autobiography, memoir or personal history. And more are thinking about it. But writing my life story was not a decision I arrived at overnight. Most of us don’t suddenly have an epiphany that our stories must be told. However, once you conclude it is important to preserve your story you are faced with a host of questions, such as how to get started, what the finished product will be, how much will it cost and who will do the work.

In some ways I am writing my life story every day. My thoughts, actions and experiences are forming the memories and life lessons that contribute to the story I share with others. I regularly record in my personal journal the insights from my life and I try to be aware of what’s going on around me.

You might think it a trite cliché, but we really do need to “stop and smell the flowers”. You only have this one life – and you should recognize that each day is a gift. One of the most important lessons any of us will ever learn is that we need to be present to our lives. We need to be alert to our ever unfolding life.

I know it is difficult to keep a sharp awareness at all times. Life is happening…and often circumstances wrap us up and we forget to pay attention. But at the end of the day – every day – you can look back and make note of its significance.

Writing your life story is a combination of reminiscence and evaluation. As you walk through memories you will recall certain events. You’ll remember them in a way that stirs feelings. If you tap into those emotions – the joy, sadness, exhilaration, drudgery, laughter and tears – you will find you are evaluating what those memories mean to you

This process can be cathartic, even therapeutic. But it also can require facing up to some self truth. We like to paint our version of the past, and that can be fine, as long as it isn’t causing harm to others – or to you. What you end up putting down for others to read is ultimately up to you. But I hope that you can be honest with your self. There are some things that perhaps shouldn’t be revealed. Think about them. What do those memories mean to you? And it also helps to consider something else very important.

Motivation Is Key

Writing a life story, an autobiography, a memoir – this can be a big undertaking. Your motivation for doing it will help you stay dedicated to finishing the story. That motivation will come from your primary reason for writing your story.

So first, think hard and long about why you want to tell your story. What is your motivation? Is it to pass on your personal history to your family? Is it to share your views and values? Have you been through some extraordinary experiences, such as great suffering, disease, heartache or spiritual transformation?

Do you desire to be in the spotlight and boast of your accomplishments? (Hey, vanity can be a strong motivator.)

Maybe you hope to just make some sense of your life.

The why of your story is important, so do give it some serious thought.

Now How

How you tell your story is another important consideration. Will you start at the beginning (chronological)? Are you going to record your entire life, from childhood to elderly status (autobiography)? Or do you prefer to focus on a specific time or event and what it means to you (memoir)?

There are many ways to tell your story. There are also different ways to present it.

The Point of View

A common approach is you telling us your story from your unique perspective. This is the technique most often used if you are doing the writing, or if you hire a ghost writer. An example:One of my favorite childhood memories was catching my first fish. It took me some time to successfully bait a hook with a writhing and slippery worm. But it was worth it when I finally had a fish bite down hard. He got his worm and I landed my prize – that trout was secure on the end of my line as I wrestled it ashore!

Your story can also be told “about you”. This is typical when you hire another to do the writing. Example: Johnny was remarkable for his resolve. If you dared to argue with him you best have your facts straight because he wasn’t going to admit defeat unless you could prove it five ways from Sunday.

Either way can be fine and both have considerations. If you are telling your story from your perspective you need to be careful not to be too overbearing. Too much use of the “I” word can turn the reader off. Aye-yi-yi.

Also, avoid being preachy. You probably do have some valuable lessons, but if you are telling others how they should live their lives – and implying you know best – people will reject it. Much better is to show how you met life challenges and share your insights and what you’ve learned.

The writer who writes your story in a third-person narrative has to be careful to say what you want them to. It’s not an expose by an aggressive investigative journalist – unless that’s what you want! A good personal history life writer will review the text with you and get your feedback and corrections. But they will also have the ability to bring your story to life in an interesting way, using vivid detail and the insight you share with them.

Start Where You Want

One of my happiest discoveries about writing my life story is that I didn’t have to start at the beginning. Eventually the manuscript will contain the parts of your story you want included, but if it jumpstarts the process to begin with a special recollection then by all means do so. It’s not unusual for writers to work on different parts of their story at different times. This can be stimulating to your memory. You’ll also find the actual process of the writing will inspire and motivate you.

The placement of the parts of your story will most likely be worked out nearer the end of the writing. You certainly can benefit from an outline, but the table of contents might not be finalized until after you’ve recorded your different experiences.

Theme Writing

If your story is well-crafted and cohesive, it will have a certain theme. Love lost. Redemption. Perseverance. Gratitude. Note it can, and probably will, have a combination of such themes. However, there should be an umbrella theme that the reader gets from your story. How you arrive at the theme depends again on your motivation, but also on what your story eventually says about you, or what main message you want to convey.

Don’t be surprised if you change your mind about the theme over the course of writing your life story. That can happen as the writing process takes you deeper into the meaning and purpose of your life and story.

Make a Memory List

A great way to organize your thoughts, stir up memories and get ideas for what to include in your story is to create a Memory List. Your goal is to write as many short sentences or phrases about events and life experiences as you can. Don’t worry about writing complete sentences or including a lot of detail. A few words will do the trick. First scout campout. Birth of second child. Told I had cancer. Attended rock concert of my favorite group. Christmas in Australia.

From your list of memories you will eventually sort out the core memories that will play key roles in your story. Some of the memories will be combined as you find similarities. Others might stand alone, even become an entire chapter. And some will get discarded. You want to have an extensive list. It will take more than one sitting. Keep your memory list in a three-ring binder and refer to it regularly, recording more memories as they occur to you.

It’s Your Life Story, So Own It!

Your life story is your own. Take time to prepare for it. Consider the tips and suggestions in this article. Talk to someone you trust to help you flesh it out. Even if you do the writing yourself it is helpful to have a writing coach or consultant.

Read More

How to change the world

May when see this article, you thing its impossible but do the following and see how the world around you was changed!

1. Change your self:

The very first thing that has to be changed before you can truly change the world for the better is: yourself. Most people view the world live from a perspective of "I don't have enough to be happy, so I need more". Many of the richest among us still wake up every day thinking, "What can I do to get more for myself?". What they don't realize is that the key to happiness is not in having more, but in being happy with less.

Once you decide you are happy with what you already have, an entire new world will open up to you. Instead of wanting more you'll want to give more.

Giving more instead of wanting more is a powerful message to yourself and your subconscious, it's a way of saying to yourself: "I am happy now".

2. Give Away some of Your Stuff

Giving away things that you don't want or need is one of the easiest way to help. Do you have any children's books from when you were little or when your son or daughter was little? If you don't use them, why not give them to children in need instead of letting them collect dust in your attic. Perhaps you have clothes that you don't wear anymore because you outgrew them, or they're just not your style? Go out to your garage or attic or closet, and find everything you haven't used in the last year - then give it all away.

3. Donate Money

There are hundreds of organizations out there doing their part to save the environment, end world hunger, bring education to those who have none, and change their community for the better. Whether you give money to these organizations, or participate in a "click to donate" site, even donating the equivalent of one fast food restaurant visit per week will make a difference.

4. Volunteer

If you have a weekend or a day during the week you could spare to help a cause, volunteering at your local food bank, shelter, or community center can play a huge part in fighting the problems in the world. If you feel especially giving, you could travel across the world with an organization and volunteer there! If both of those methods are out of reach for you, virtual volunteering on the internet is another great way to change the world from home, taking minimal effort and time, allowing you to spend just a few minutes at your leisure to make a difference!

5. Change Your Spending Habits

It's been said that capitalism is in essence a voting system. What you spend your money on is what you vote to have more of. Spending your money in Walmart is a vote for more Walmarts. At the same time, spending your money on organic milk is a vote for more organically grown milk. Keep this in mind when you shop. Choosing to spend your money on greener products and services!

6. Drive Less and Bike More!

It's a hard concept for many Americans to grasp, especially with how dependant we are on our personal transportation to get us wherever, whenever we need. While it's almost impossible to live in most cities and not own a car, this doesn't mean that you have to drive everywhere.

Instead of driving, why not ride a bike when the opportunity allows? For local errands try biking instead of taking your car. Sure it may take a bit longer, but you'll also get your doctor recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise with ease.

If you're fortunate enough to live close to work or to school, why not take a bike instead? With biking, you get exercise, increase your level of health, reduce fuel costs, and parking is always a lot easier!

7. Drink Less Bottled Water

Bottled water is not eco-friendly, no matter how green the label is on your plastic water bottle. It takes oil to manufacture the plastic that's used for the bottle - not to mention how many empty bottles end up in a landfill or out in the ocean somewhere. The best alternative to this is to use a heavy plastic or eco-friendly bottle and filling it with tap water.

If you live in the USA, or any other major city and first world country, the tap water has no health risks what so ever and is highly accessible. There are also new studies from Iowa State University which show drinking bottled water can be hazardous to your health! Do yourself and the world a favor, make a change and drink tap water from home or from any faucet available. And if there is something about the tap water you don't like, buy a filter!

8. Waste Less And Recycle More

Most of our lives revolve around a disposable living. Packaging, batteries, paper towels, and more are all made to be used once, then tossed away as trash. Try consuming less in your daily life, or make it a point to recycle everything you can recycle - this will make a huge impact!

Also, if your workplace doesn't have a recycling program, don't complain about it or use it as an excuse not to recycle... start one!

9. Inspire Others

Spreading the word about any of these issues and doing anything to help at the same time is a great way to change other peoples' thoughts on the struggles of the world. It's as simple as telling your friends and family the difference you're making or the steps you're taking to help. With each new seed of influence planted in a person's head, the more likely that person is to one day take action themselves.

You may not see results immediately but keep at it - stay positive, and stay happy, and stick to your beliefs - Over time, people will begin to see the kind of joy you live your life with and they'll want to be like you. Your efforts will have an impact even with people you never thought you could persuade!

10. Start a Non-Profit

Starting a non-profit isn't easy. In fact it's one of the hardest things you may ever do. At the same time it may be the most rewarding. Starting a non-profit is just like starting any other business, you need a unique and inspiring idea, a business plan, and the will to carry on for months and even years with no reward. Most people begin by choosing a cause that is near and dear to their hearts. The next, and probably the most difficult step is fundraising. After that comes the fun part, spending the money you've raised on the cause that you love.

so we can understand from what i am writing that changing the world doesn't happen overnight, but it won't happen by putting it off either. The time to act is now, and your role is just as important as the next person's. While you might think the little things you can do are insignificant and have no effect, with enough people these small things add up and make an even bigger change than any single organization or person could ever do! It all starts with you, and your willingness to help create the world that you dream of.

Read More

Personal Development

I notice that some people are put off by these terms and assume it entails a lot of hard work in the form of looking deep within to ‘fix what’s broken’, and of course this can be true, but personal growth and development can be achieved easily on a day to day basis, without the need for long drawn out analysis.

Many people fear bringing unresolved issues to the surface, which they are aware, may affect them because they don’t want to create an emotional imbalance which could throw them off course.

It can seem a daunting task and many people ignore simple opportunities which arise on a daily basis, which could offer them the opportunity to grow on a personal level.

Every day is an opportunity to grow

What many people don’t realise is that every act in every day is an opportunity to grow, and being fearful of the process of growing is probably the only factor holding them back from achieving regular and positive personal growth.

The fact is, personal development isn’t something to be fearful of, and you can develop personally on a day to day basis without the daunting task of looking too deeply into your psyche.

The way to achieve this takes two simple steps, perceiving an imbalance, and then more importantly, recognition of the reason for the imbalance.

So you now know due to your negative emotion that you have an emotional imbalance, you need to figure out the cause. The negative emotion you are experiencing may not always seem directly related to the cause.

For example, you may be feeling angry but you cannot tie your anger to any recent or specific event. If this is the case think back to how often you have felt this anger, is it something which occurs often?

If so, try and think back to the last few times you felt this anger for no apparent reason, is there a pattern or event associated with the onset of this anger? Try and think ‘outside the box’, the cause isn’t always obvious.

You may experience (or feel) anger when your cognitive and logical mind is telling you that you shouldn’t be experiencing anger. This can lead to confusion and point you in the wrong direction, so try not to be lead cognitively, let your feelings take the lead.

Here’s an example, you come into contact with a person who at first glance is pleasant and polite, and this meeting shouldn’t conjure up any negative emotion. However, this person has a passing resemblance or a mannerism which reminds you of someone from your past who you mistrusted.

Although this person hasn’t done you any harm or given you reason to mistrust them, just by being in their presence causes you to feel angry. You’re processing this meeting from a past experience and therefore past feelings may emerge.

This is what I mean by recognising the cause of any emotional imbalance. Staying with the example for a moment, once you are aware that a certain mannerism displayed by other people conjures up this feeling of anger within you, you can stop processing this experience from your past feelings and instead process it in the here and now.

You’ve recognised the cause for your reoccurring anger, and by simply being aware of this trigger, you’ve eliminated the possibility of the negative emotion attached to a past experience happening again.

In those two simple steps you have just developed personally, and grown in a way which will stop that specific negative emotion reoccurring. That’s personal development!

You can apply these two simple steps any time you feel negative emotion, which you know is an indication of an emotional imbalance.

The key to happiness

Some people wrongly assume that the key to happiness is being in a constant state of ecstatic elation, continually brimming with positivity and feelings of well being.

As pleasant as this state is, it can never be achieved for any great length of time regardless of how much you may want to stay in this state.

The key to happiness, as with anything else in life, is equilibrium. Your emotions are a tool and an indicator of imbalance, what you do with the tools you have at your disposal is up to you.

For me, personal development is about growth and maintaining emotional balance, and it’s nice to know we all have the ability to achieve this on a daily basis.

Read More

You learn nothing on school!

Do you know you learn on school every thing except how do you learn!, except how do you keep information! nothing mention in school about personal development! so you learn nothing on school!!

if you "Want More In Your Life? More Adventure... More Excitement ... More Self Mastery... More Personal Power... REAL Success?"

"Five Familiar Life Challenges...
Which Do YOU Want to Overcome?"

1. I want a change, but I can’t seem to get started
2. I can’t seem to stay focused on what I want
3. I want more adventure and excitement in my life
4. Stressed - can't organize my thoughts and actions
5. Overworked and just not reaching my goals
   
   

Can you imagine waking up in the morning feeling excited, focused, creative, intelligent, impassioned ... and knowing you ARE on track to TRULY get what you want in your life ... regardless of what is happening around you!

What if right now you could…

• CUT THROUGH ANXIETY and burn with REAL excitement about your ability to transform problems into opportunities.
  
  
• CONQUER STRESS AT THE PUSH OF A BUTTON and achieve higher levels of mind power that lead straight into "THE ZONE" level of creative thinking.
  
  
• DEVELOP CALM MENTAL FOCUS and begin to TRULY create what you want in your life ... regardless of what's happening around you!
  
  
• UNLEASH AMAZING INTELLIGENCE lying buried beneath the thick blanket of stress in our modern life, and begin to experience your own NATURAL genius. (YES, you DO have that!)
  
  
• FIRE UP SIZZLING MOTIVATION without feeling you have to struggle... and push... and drive yourself to achieve things that somehow still slip away.
  
  
• DISCOVER RICHER PERSONAL MEANING and take it into ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR LIFE... including your business or profession.
  
  
  
  
  

Is This Possible? YES!
Here's What You Need To Know!

You ALREADY have the solution you're looking for. It's sitting right there inside your mind! AND ITS REAL! Read on...

1. Passion, creativity, excitement and success all happen in certain higher parts of your brain! This is not theory, it's solidly based on modern neuroscientific research.
   
   
2. So what's wrong? Stress, discouragement, worry, and even boredom shut down the higher parts of our brain -- the parts that generate the passion, creativity and excitement of truly successful people!
   
   
3. There is basically only one answer. Stretch your brain into a better mind set! You could spend years in counseling to tackle this -- but there's a much faster way that's a whole lot more enjoyable!
   
   

Read More