Going Beyond New Year Resolutions

By Usiere Uko

As each year draws to a close, it is customary for folks to enter the New Year with a fresh set of New Year Resolutions. We make a list of things we want to stop doing and those we want to start doing. New Year resolutions have become the butt of jokes because most resolutions do not go the distance. Most folks slip back to status quo in less than two months into the New Year. It seems they do not have what it takes to go the distance.
That is exactly the point. Most New Year resolutions fall beyond the realm of our current capabilities. To perform at that level, you need a new you. The old you have taken you as far as it could take you. To proceed further, you need to upgrade. The focus and effort should be on the new you rather than improved performance which comes naturally as an outflow of the new you. For instance, if you are a smoker desiring to stop smoking, the best area to focus your energies is creating an identity as a non smoker. By the time you become a non smoker, stopping smoking comes naturally as a consequence of being a non smoker. The change occurs from the inside out and not from outside in.
The typical approach is to attempt to stop smoking as a smoker. While you may succeed temporarily, your identity as a smoker pulls you back to the habit you are trying to break away from. If you try to lose weight as a fat person, you are facing an uphill task. When, you see yourself as a slim person, soon you start eating and exercising in alignment with that image. Becoming slim on the outside becomes only a matter of time.
Everything is created twice. The first creation is a mental one, in the realm of the imagination. If you cannot see it, you cannot have it. Trying to have without first seeing it is like trying to build without a blueprint. You will be all over the place and will soon give up in frustration. For a New Year resolution to translate to a concrete goal and ultimately an achievement, you have to invest in your personal growth and development so that you can sustain the effort required to raise your game to the domain where your desired achievement or results lie. To attain the level of self discipline required to achieve certain tasks, you need to grow to that level.
The transition from an amateur school athlete to an Olympic medallist takes more than a mere desire to perform at that level. It involves commitment to personal development to develop the required mental toughness, physical fitness and training regimen to step up your game to the Olympic level. It requires putting together the right Team (coaches, fitness trainers, doctors, nutritionists, psychologists etc), the right exercise regimen, training schedule, enrolment in competitions, improving your performance and ultimately taking a shot at the Olympic and world records, if you are to stand a fighting chance of winning a medal. Achieving your goals is an inside job. If it does not happen on the inside, making it a New Year resolution does not help much.
If you want to go beyond the ritual of yearly New Year resolutions and actually achieve the change you desire, you have to start on the inside. Create a new you. Change your mindset, self image, dismantle self imposed limitations, create a new identity, self image, beliefs and paradigm before you attempt to step into a brand new day. You have to see it first before you attempt to reach out for it. Become an athlete, a writer, a speaker, a non smoker, a slim person, a mountaineer, whatever it is you want to achieve before you attempt the doing. If you truly become who you want to be on the inside, the doing part flows naturally. The secret to a Happy New Year is a Happy New You.

Usiere Uko is a writer, investor, entrepreneur and editor of http://www.financialfreedominspiration.com, an inspirational blog on investing, financial education, discovering your passion and fulfilling your God given dreams. Subscribe to Financial Freedom Inspiration Newsletter and get inspired to start your journey to financial freedom today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6789124

7D That Change Your Life

by Budi Martanto

On one occasion, there is a client of mine asked via email. Here’s the contents of his email: “Good morning, I want to ask can? Regard, I would ask what the secret to success?”
Answer: Secrets of Success? There are no secrets to success. And I never keep it secret. My mentors were never kept secret. To be sure, you need to do to Success 7D habits. Because Success is the result of repeated practice. 7D What is it? 1. DARE TO THINK POSITIVE. Successful people, not far from this habit. They always do it every time. So, Where ever you are, whatever the circumstances. Stay POSITIVE THINKING!
2. DARE TO HAVE A BIG DREAM. Have you written your big dreams in Dream your book? If not, do it before you go any further on the Habit. Dreams must be specific. 3. DARE TO MAKE A GOAL! Make your goals. What is the Goal in your life? What will you accomplish in 2 years, 5 years, 10 years to 25 years you? Remember 5 years from now definitely up. Quickly make your GOAL! 4. DARE TO MAKE PLANNING. Make your planning. Just like eating an elephant, if you eat directly where the fit. You need to cut it into small pieces and then eat it. And you need also a place to save the elephant, the DREAM BOOK! Planning is part of the Dream as well as your Goal. 5. DARE TO ACTION! Without action, your dreams just be dreams. Goal planning and you just become junk on your desk. So Take Action! 6. DARE TO THANK accustom. Gratitude is a part of life. With Gratitude will come no miracle in your life. With gratitude, will come much more ease. Start to get used to THANK! 7. DARE TO RECEIVE. Accept as if you’ve got what You Want from scratch. It’s not deceive ourselves or anything. But with the acceptance of natural law will work for you.
Hopefully Helpful!

Turtles on vacation

 by Budi Martanto

Narrated group of turtles who decides to go on vacation. His name is also a tortoise, was of nature to a slow-paced. To prepare for this picnic, they take 7 years. And after everything is ready, leave a bunch of turtles from their nest to find a suitable place for their picnic activities. Came in second year, they finally found a suitable place for their picnic. During the six months they cleaned, unload supplies and fix the place. And something startled them all, they realized, that turns out they forgot to bring salt. "Gosh! A picnic without salt?!!" Then they discuss, digelarlah one long discussion. and it was decided a green turtle to take the salt in their homes. Although green turtles are the fastest tortoise from their group, the green turtle is complaining, crying, whining and thrashing in the shell. He actually did not like who is entrusted with the task. However, what can we do. With forced green turtles are willing to go, but with one condition, that none of them could eat before he returned with salt. They all agreed. So the green turtle. 3-year duration of the green turtle go, but have yet to return. 5 years, 6 years and in the 7th green turtle appeared yet. A tortoise among their parents had no more power to resist hunger. Then he revealed that he was so hungry and told everyone to open up food supplies. And at that moment, the green turtles emerge from the tree roots balih and said: "Look, right?! I know you definitely can not wait wait for me, if this is how, I do not want to go get the salt!"

The Power of Belief To Transform Your Experience

By David Neagle 

I just had a great conversation with a friend who was telling me about some business associates who have had a complete turn around on their dream.
A few months ago, they were enthusiastic and on fire for their future. Unfortunately, they didn't keep their mental doors locked... and something negative slipped in, and they dropped the pursuit of their dream.
All failure begins this way.
People may have high hopes, but when their perceived circumstances suggest a lesser outcome is more likely (perhaps via an unexpected obstacle), this perceived discrepancy becomes the initial seed of failure.
Being unaware of how this process destroys the dreams of countless people, they fall victim to its seduction.
Take a look at what happens and how this process works:
1. We all have two parts in our thinking: One is our dream or goal, and the second is the belief that it might not ever happen. This is where most people start out.
2. Next, something begins to spark or inspire a person to take action on their dream. (Yet, not having a full understanding of the Laws of Success, they are actually moving in the direction of their dream with a great deal of ignorance. Ignorance is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as a person stays open to what he/she must learn along the way. The problem is many individuals are not open to growth and change.)
3. Their subconscious manifests an obstacle to keep them from experiencing anything "new". This new challenge is perceived as a point of failure.
It is at this point in a person's journey where moving forward becomes too painful or fearful, and a person usually chooses to stay "safe". The truth, however, is that this is also the point where moving forward would allow a person to see the bigger win they are hoping for!
You see, YOUR beliefs control your perception of everything in your world, which in turn creates your reality. If you want to change your reality, you must use new information to change your beliefs AND your perception. Until you see things differently, you will continue to makes choices that keep you where you are. And eventually, you will give up on your dreams.
In other words, your experiences reflect your belief system. This means that if there is anything in your life you don't want to experience all you need to do to change "it" is to change the belief that caused "it" in the first place!
In theory, it's really simple... but in practice, many people find it difficult because they really don't understand all beliefs are nothing but illusions anyway. But these illusions are so strong people think that they are real when actually they are not.
The power of belief is astounding. I encourage you to study its mysteries for yourself and see what changes you truly do have the power to make.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6483484

Life Mask

by Budi Martanto


Many people who pretend to live every second in time in his life. Pretense that they may do, some just to look for a bite of rice up to the chair position. As if you can, but it is not. As if life of excess, but still lacking in everything.
Even my friend once said, "People who FEEL RICH, then he will start giving. People who feel poor, will continue to ask!"

No wonder so many people like the above earlier. For that is the form of a feeling. Well! Everyone is doing something to meet the feelings that they may feel. A form of feelings of respect, to look at a lot of people because of wealth and position. Feelings and other derivatives.
Whatever your feelings, it would be nice if brought benefits to many people. For example: You want respect, then respect others. You want to be loved, then love others. You want to receive, start giving.

Be the first person who is always beneficial to many people. That way, will always continue mengalis abundance in your life!

Hopefully useful!

@ budimartanto

The Magic of Positive Expectation

By Kate Corbin 

"Anybody who ever succeeded at anything came to a place of expecting success." - Abraham-Hicks
In January of this year, my sister called to tell me about a Friends & Family special her chiropractor was running. For $11, he was offering an exam, a full set of x-rays and a chiropractic adjustment. All this for $11? How could I say no? The exam revealed and the x-rays confirmed that I have a scrunched up, compressed lower right spine. I wasn't really surprised because, although I hadn't mentioned it to him, this area of my back is occasionally painful and I tend to "baby" it.
As he explained the treatment process, it felt like solid support that could enhance my own healthy lifestyle and I felt intuitively that the time was right to get my spine aligned. I mean, I get my car aligned, don't I? Why not my body? And, as a Law of Attraction Coach and practitioner, I'm all about alignment.:-] So I signed up for a year of chiropractic care and set my most positive intention for a happy, healthy, perfectly aligned spine.
Although I started chiropractic treatments with great enthusiasm and hope for magnificent results, after three months, I found myself wondering if it was really going to help me. I started thinking maybe it won't do much after all and I'll be disappointed.
This led me to the huge realization that I have a disappointment vibe which has convinced me, at various times in my life, that something will not work out for me and, therefore, it hasn't. I saw clearly those occasions where I had given myself fully over to the disappointment vibe so that something I had wanted very much resulted in disappointment.
Aha! I realized anew that it is absolutely up to me to continue to believe, to continue to desire, to continue to focus on the result I want and, therefore, to bring that result out of pure potential. I realized on a much deeper level that I have a choice about how things work out. I realized that it does not matter how masterful the chiropractor is. If I'm disallowing a positive outcome, it will not happen.
Fast forward another three months. Although I had staved off the disappointment vibe for a while, it started to creep back in -- "maybe it won't really do much after all. Oh, well, I tried." -- that sort of thing. This led to even deeper clarity about my power to choose. I can stay the course and maintain positive expectation OR I can give up and give in to disappointment.
It's like the Abraham-Hicks story about the journey from Phoenix to San Diego. They talk about how we get to the halfway point, around Yuma, feel discouraged and go back to Phoenix. Somewhere in our journey, our old programming about not being able to have what we want kicks in. It seems easier at that point to give up and go back where we started. The problem is that "going back to Phoenix" only strengthens and deepens our old programming for disappointment.
"You must train yourself into positive expectation. You must train yourself to only expect to succeed." - Abraham-Hicks
So here I am in Yuma - at the halfway point in my year of chiropractic. From here, I see my choices. I can give in to the disappointment vibe and disallow the positive outcome I desire OR I can use my power to choose positive expectation and continue to stay focused on what I want. As I become aware of my old programming and acknowledge what's actually at stake here, I can consciously choose to keep moving forward. I can consciously choose to create new neural pathways for positive expectation to replace the old neural pathways for disappointment.
This is where my power lies. When I choose to "keep heading for San Diego" filled with positive expectation, I'm choosing to believe I really can have what I want. And this choice and this belief make all the difference in the world.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6470682

Understanding Yourself - Steps to Understanding and Accepting Who You Are

By Bev A Robinson 

Sometimes we lack a realistic view and understanding of ourselves which can lead to feelings of being "lost" in our lives and depression. Understanding yourself helps you to accept yourself the way you are, and in turn, makes you a happier person. You cannot control everything in life, but if you understand yourself and make good choices based on who you really are and knowing what you want out of life, you can definitely begin to enjoy life to the fullest.
Here are a few steps to start you on the road of understanding yourself:
Step 1: Accept that you are unique and valuable in your own special way, just as you are. We all matter to our close friends and family. You are very important both for yourself and to others.
Step 2: Now you need to dig deep to understand the real YOU, without any pretenses. Set time aside to do this exercise. Explore the way you really feel about yourself, you can start with answering a few questions like:
What are the fears and beliefs that are holding you back?
Are you living your life or are you just existing from day to day?
What makes you truly happy?
What are the things that you know you can do well?
What is your self talk? Negative? Positive?
Do you treat yourself and others with respect?
Do you take responsibility for your life or do you feel like a victim of your circumstances?
What do you want out of life?
In understanding yourself as much as you can, you start to gain confidence in your strengths and you will also recognize your weaknesses. Rather than shying away from your flaws, you could help yourself better by accepting them and working on them. Build an honest picture of who you truly are. Maybe you can ask close friends and family members, whose opinions you respect, to give you honest feedback on their perception of you and how you interact with them and respond to situations.
Step 3: Once you understand yourself, you can always work to better yourself, but it should be because of what you want to achieve in life and what you expect from yourself, not because you believe it to be what others want from, or expect from you. Remember there is no reason for you change who you are, unless you feel it will be beneficial to you and move you in the direction of the way you ultimately want to live your life.
Understanding yourself means being comfortable with who you are and what you are. It also helps you realize your strengths and weaknesses so you can accept and embrace yourself - warts and all.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6460592

Anger Management Classes Don't Have to Be Embarrassing

By Ari Novick, Ph.D

Anger Management classes don't have to be embarrassing. More than every anger management classes have become the treatment of choice for those wanting to improve or sharpen their relationship skills. Unlike couples counseling, anger management classes are educational. They are aimed at teaching participants some very specific and concrete skills for improving interpersonal interactions.
As a licensed psychotherapist, I see many couples, and there certainly is a value in addressing relationship issues in counseling. Anger control; however, is laser focused on teaching skills that anyone can use right away. Regardless of whether your in a relationship, anger management skills will help in a variety of life settings including, work, school, family, driving, and day to day interactions with others.
Participants will learn a myriad of new tools including assertive communication, empathy and emotional intelligence, forgiveness, stress management, expectation management, improving judgement and impulse control and much more.
Anger control classes aren't an embarrassment because it is simply a class. And most quality programs are not just catering to the court ordered anger programs, but also for those seeking to gain skills for personal growth and improvement.
How nice would be it be to handle yourself better when you get upset? Wouldn't you like to walk away from a situation and feel proud of yourself for how you handled it? Imagine what your family and friends would say and think when they see the "new" you standing cool under pressure. No need to wait. You can even start taking anger management classes online!
For example, here is a sample content description of what is covered in just one chapter of an online class:

• Tool #5 - Assertive Communication
• Harmful Pattern #1 - Avoidance
• Harmful Pattern #2 - Criticism
• Harmful Pattern #3 - Passive-Aggressive
• Harmful Pattern #4 - Aggression
• Harmful Pattern #5 - Defensiveness
• Harmful Pattern #6 - Contempt
• The Assertive Communicator
• Send Clear Messages
• Learn How To Listen
• Complain with "Magical Formula"
• Acknowledge Your Part in Conflicts
• Conflict Resolution Approaches
• Useful Things To Say
• Give and Take Praise
• Express Feelings Openly

Imagine how your interactions will change by learning just one simple skill in anger control through the use of "assertive communication". You don't owe it to other people to make the change, but rather yourself. Learning skills in anger reduction and control is a journey in self control and self-improvement. Get started before you erode a relationship that really means something to you.

Ari Novick, Ph.D. is Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a certified anger management provider for both adults and adolescents. Dr. Novick is also an adjunct professor of psychology at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6455837

Choose Your Future

by Budi Martanto 

We all make decisions. Every minute in the days that we've been through, there is always a decision that we take.
We decide where we're going to work, what will we eat, the clothes we shall wear, when we break for sleep, etc. ..
That's all meruakan principled decisions we face every day ..
Of every decision that we take or make, there will be a responsibility that will be accepted as what will be an experience in our lives ..
If we are unhappy with what we're doing today, we have the freedom or choice to choose a new profession. Who can make us happier to do it. Our decision or choice in selecting the foods we eat, health determines who we will feel it later ..
Remember, there is no such limit yourself, but yourself.
We as human beings who are given a lunch by the Almighty to be used with the best. Just choose, will be used or not?
Just like if someone asked, "What's Your life purpose?".
Fraction, explaining in detail their purpose in life .. And mostly, feeling confused. Want to live where they are .. Even diampun is a decision too ..
Now We semmua know, if each of us has the power to choose. To plan the life we want.
As we all know that already, "DECISION yg We take this very moment, will affect our Future"
rest assured that we take a decision, because whatever the decision who do we take this very moment, do you regret later ...

How to Use the Law of Attraction Using Three Strategies

By Michael L Nkollo

Once you set out to do something worthwhile, be sure that you do it correctly. That is definitely true for learning how to use the law of attraction. Planning carefully up-front, getting advice and following it, might make all the difference in whether one does something correctly and succeed, or do it wrong and fail. Not carrying this out correctly, or carrying it out poorly, can bring on mediocre results. You could potentially find yourself in a situation where you don't get exactly what you want, or perhaps attracting something you don't want. If you're looking for tips on how to use the law of attraction, these three key factors are necessary to consider to assure your success.
To start with, Focus
Have a clear picture of what you want in your mind and focus on what you want as it aids in averting things in your life that you don't want. Instead of focusing on what they want in life most people focus on what's going on bad in their life. Doing this could lead to experiencing the same cycle of struggle. It's extremely important to focus on what you want not on what you don't want.. So please don't make the miss-step of forgetting this important point.
The second is, Belief
This is actually more important than focus for all those attempting to understand how to use the law of attraction. I'm telling you, this is simply not something to overlook. It's very helpful to understand that without belief in one's self to accomplish ones goal it will be impossible to use the law of attraction effectively. Napoleon Hill said it best "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve"
Finally, Take action
And finally, when you are working with use of the law of attraction, just be sure you take action. It will help with overcoming limiting beliefs, and that's a major part of the manifestation process. Neglecting to take action regardless of the "internal stuff" that you do like focusing and visualizing could mean you won't attract exactly what you want. Jack Canfield a motivational speaker once said "the only way you can get whatever you want in life without taking action is if you live at the bottom of a hill and whatever you want can roll down to you"
The law of attraction is always working. It's like the law of gravity, regardless if you know how it works or not if you throw a rock in the air it will come back down. When you're thinking of using the law of attraction, then you certainly would like to avoid the different types of mistakes most people make when trying to apply the principals. It's very simple but there are concepts you must understand to use the law most effectively.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6427898

How to Achieve Happiness Through Meditation

By Clifford Waite 

To be happy or not to be happy is your choice in life no one else's. You and only you can choose to be happy no matter the situation. That's why meditation is a good way to start finding the level of happiness you want to acquire in your life. When you meditate, you start to be one with yourself because your at a relax state of mind. The mind gets a sense of clarity, and you're able to figure out things in your life that are keeping you from living the life you've always wanted.
The way I use meditation is, I simply write down all the things that would make my life more happy. First I would write down on a piece of paper the necessary steps I need to take in order to achieve more happiness. Whether it would be making more money or building better relationships. I would review the things I had written down and then take a mental note of it. Then I would close my eyes and breath in slowly and take-in everything I just wrote and repeat it over and over internally for several minutes, or until I believe that I can actually take action on the things I have written down to being more happy. Once you believe in your own abilities then you will find your true happiness and feel more fulfilled.
So start writing down everything you want and the steps you need to take to get it. In order for the meditation to work, you have to believe that you can actually do the steps. So don't plan for something that is far beyond your talents. It has to be believable, something you know deep down you can do or else your just going to give up because it got to hard. Simply come up with the best plan that matches your skills.
Also they're some people who fake it till they make it. They pretend to show that they're happy on the outside, but really on the inside they are extremely unhappy and not satisfied with their lives. The way I see it is that, you can only pretend for so long. At the end of the day you're only fooling yourself deep down and that can affect you from achieving the things you want in your life because, it's not believable. Like for instance, if you say that I am going to be a millionaire, but deep down you are doubting yourself, guess what it might not happen. The reason is because, you believe more that you're not going to be a millionaire even though you say you want to be one. Saying it and believing it are two different things.
Meditation is another way of helping you believe in what you are saying and feeling all in one. The connection you have with yourself will be like something you have never experience in your life. So get started and you can begin to be happy way more than being unhappy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6396203

21 Days To A Better You

by: Jeanne Angel St.Cyr

How you see yourself in your mind is what you are going to manifest in your life. You will never rise higher than your own perceived expectations. How do see yourself? Are you a positive, outgoing individual? Or are you a quiet little mouse hiding in the corner afraid of the future?

You have control over your mind and emotions simply put you have the power already inside you to determine which path your life will follow. You can reprogram your mind through meditations, positive thoughts, saying or writing out positive affirmations. The word affirmations means to make true. What do you want to change in your life?

Make a list. Number your list in order of importance to you. Decide what one thing you want to work on. Only one goal or dream at a time, so as not to overload yourself. It has been said that it takes only 21 days to make or break a habit. You could be only 21 days from your greatest successes! How great would that be? You may feel that you have a long way to go, but look back at how far you've already come?

I quote from my book, “Inspirations”, page 36: “Don't stay locked away in a prison of remorse, of things done or not done, of choices made or not made. Let yourself be free and enjoy a brand new beginning!” And on the very next page, page 37, it says: “Now is the time. Do not delay. No more excuses, just start now!” And on page 49, I quote: “If you don't take action on your dreams and ideas, how can you expect to manifest success? You must take the 1st step, no one else can do it for you! Your never too old and it's never too late to start. Seize the moment, and take that 1st step!

Break Bad Habits Now With Affirmations

by: Amy twain


Affirmations can be really helpful to break bad habits if you are persistent about it.

In order for you to really break bad habits you must: a) be aware that the unconscious mind exists and b) learn how to manipulate its existence.

And affirmations are great and powerful techniques in which, if used effectively, could bring out and address directly to your unconscious being.

By uttering simple positive statements of the way you wish to live your life, then reiterating them out loud daily, you teach your unconscious thoughts in order to guide you to a better path to be reflected by your whole senses.

You can use:

1) Situational statements: one of a kind affirmations which provide a definite aim in your life. Some examples are:

a) "My heart and lungs are healthy."

b) "I am very happy to be earning $120, 000 per year."

2) Timeless affirmations. These are statements which can be made use at any point in your life.

a) "My body is healthy and strong."

b) "I am so happy in every aspect of my life"

In speaking these words over and over daily, they penetrate into our subconscious mind till it becomes our reality.

Moreover, the positive language of these "feel-good" affirming sentences blocks off negative thought processes, and in effect, fosters positive attitude.

To fortify this belief, each day, every morning, when you get ready for the day, you can try to spare at least 10 minutes of your time in uttering these affirmations out loud. Simply listen to your own voice as you speak these and try to be detached and unemotional as you can.

And lastly, it is very important that you must try to obstruct any negativity and concentrate 100% of your language and attention to the affirmations that you are saying out loud.

Ways to Manage Stress

by: Shena Fowler

Although stress is often viewed as a negative, it is actually a natural and normal physical response. A stress response is simply the body’s ability to defend and protect itself. This “fight-or-flight” reaction can help a person stay energetic, alert, and focused. These behaviors can be beneficial. A winning touchdown, successful board room presentation, or an A on a test can all be partially due to a healthy stress response. However, too much stress can become harmful and can cause extreme damage to a person - physically, mentally, and relationally.

Chronic stress is caused when the body is subjected to an overwhelming amount of physical and psychological threats. Since the body cannot differentiate between extreme or moderate stress triggers, it reacts with the same intensity, regardless of how major or minor the cause. This means that a bounced check or a long commute can be the catalyst for intense stress related symptoms (that may feel as intense as a real life-or-death crisis). Symptoms may include muscle tension, headache, fatigue, anxiety, changes in eating habits, mood swings, lack of enthusiasm, and/or an upset stomach.

Each person has a different tolerance level when it comes to calculating stress. It is important for each individual to understand his or her stress level threshold. Factors that influence stress tolerance include: one’s ability to deal with emotions, one’s preparedness for stress-inducing circumstances, one’s sense of control, one’s attitude, one’s support network, one’s physical health and nutritional status, one’s fitness level, and one’s sleep habits. These variables are what enable one person to maintain a sense of calm while another person feels completely overwhelmed.

Just as each person must evaluate the factors that cause stress, it is essential for individuals to consider the ways in which they react to stress, and whether or not their responses need to be altered. Some individuals react by freezing up and becoming extremely internally agitated. Some become very outwardly agitated and may become volatile. Others become withdrawn and show little to no emotion. Understanding personal stress triggers and individual reactions are key in moving forward and coping with stress.

Although stress can affect any individual, those with fast-paced and challenging work environments (such as medical professionals) are more likely to experience the symptoms and signs of stress. Strategies for managing stress (whether it’s work related or personal) include: avoiding unnecessary stress, changing one’s situation or environment, adapting to and accepting one’s environment, upping one’s fitness level, and scheduling time for personal leisure and relaxation. Taking control of one’s life and prioritizing what’s truly important (and worth stressing over) are integral methods of managing stress. 

Ms. Susan Boyle: An Inspiring Story

by: Amy twain

By the time you read this, you probably heard of the inspiring life story of Susan Boyle. A 47-year old, unemployed, never been married (and never been kissed) woman from Scotland who elicited lots of praises and compliments not just from the three judges, but also from millions of people across the universe, thanks to Youtube.

Her inspiring story spread rapidly like wildfire and inspires others (especially underdogs and dark horses like her) to reach for your dreams no matter what. The Britain’s Got Talent contestant (by far the most popular these days), delivered a strong performance backed up with an even appropriate and inspirational song, “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables. I like watching that show, in the sense that Britain’s Got Talent is indeed about talent. It’s about talent through and through, despite your looks, and your age. And what I even like most about the inspiring story of Ms. Susan Boyle is that it’s as if she’s the epitome of dreaming and believing in your dreams—and not putting an age limit to your dreams and goals.

What makes this inspiring story so appealing to the masses, is the fact that we have a not-so-young dreamer dreaming to be a professional singer (wants to be as successful as Elaine Page at that!), when generally, dreaming is associated for the young and their promising future. But here, we have Susan Boyle to change the face of dreaming big and giving us her inspiring story.

Truly, she’s not just a living example, but also a living inspiration as well! I know of other singing competitions that imposed age limits on their contestants. It’s good that Britain’s Got Talent never limits their contestants for a certain age bracket only. Why this allure about second chances and underdogs and dark horses? And why not—it just goes to show that all of us, at some moments in our lives, can relate to being underdogs, since we experienced what it feels like being an underdog ourselves.

We want to inspired and strengthened after failure, rejection, and frustration. An inspiring story like Susan Boyle’s is just one strong validation and we felt justified that we can be like her. She’s also a real person (and not just any fictitious character) and she’s like one of us, living an ordinary life but who wants to have a better life.

So, how who can resist this inspiring story? As we live our day to day struggle in our lives, we all need some bits of inspiration to make us smile, enlightened, hopeful and optimistic for our future. And we don’t need pretty faces, toned muscles, almost-perfect hair that light up our TV screens to make us inspired.

On the contrary, it’s those flawed, ordinary-looking individuals which we can relate to that make us more humane and we can say, “If she can do it, I can too.” And I love that smiling aura of Ms. Boyle devoid of any arrogance or self-pity (unemployed, but still looking) when asked what she’s going to do onstage.

She said, “I’m gonna wow the audience”. And boy, she did more than just that—she even received a standing ovation not just from the crowd, but also from the two judges. Everybody’s got an inspiring story---what’s yours?

Learning To Improve Your Memory Information

by: Timothy Romano

Have you experienced the embarrassment of forgetting a family member's birthday or an important assignment? Are you in school and are finding it toilsome to study successfully for exams and tests? It's not just you! Thousands and thousands of individuals out there have the same challenge, and it doesn't just affect senior citizens. In school, they never teach you improve your memory information, or the time-tested strategies for successful memorization.

Your brain is a very able piece of machinery. The organ collects data and thoughts, and then categorizes and stores them. For the information in the brain to be used beneficially, it must be available for quick retrieval. One such case of quick recall would be answering a question like, "how old are you," or "what is your address?" How many of you have searched high and low for a pair of eyeglasses, and found them right on your head? Maybe you have forgotten something more important like a project at work, or a homework assignment. The good news is that you don't have to keep worrying about your memory. Regardless of age or ability, there are lots of things you can do to exercise, and improve the performance of your memory.

Sometimes the best "improve your memory information" can be found by asking someone who's got a lot of experience under her belt. My grandmother used to tell me about an old trick to help remind myself of something I had to remember. The technique is to tie a piece of yarn on your finger, or put some tape on your hand to serve as a reminder that you had to remember to do something. Since the string or tape is out of the ordinary, it will help you remember what you were supposed to do. You could tie a string on your thumb, wear your watch upside down, or even set an alarm on your mobile phone. The secret is to mix up your normal environment just enough to tune you in to the fact that something is wrong and you have something to remember.

You can also try creating a picture to help improve the effectiveness of your memory. The easiest way to accomplish this is to create a scene in your mind of what you are trying to remember. In my language learning hobby, I have found this technique very effective in learning new vocabulary. This is how it works. "Potato," in the German language, is pronounced cart-awfol, which is in no way like to the word potato in English. Try to form the following image in your mind. You're shopping for groceries at a store in Berlin and see a gigantic cart of rotten potatoes. Your buddy exclaims, "That is a cart of awful potatoes!" Implant the image in your mind and think about how bad that smells. I'll bet that you'll remember the German word! If your image is wild and imaginative, even a little dirty, you are much more likely to remember your vocabulary word. It works, believe it! This is a system I have employed over many hundreds of words in several languages. Try it! You can use this helpful trick to remember far more things than German vocabulary!

These are just a few ways you can supercharge your brain. The improve your memory information that I've shown you here is easy enough that you can start practicing right away! In no time, your memory will be much improved, thanks to the new techniques you've learned and practiced.

Take the Box off Your Head

by: Margaret R

When I began my journey towards the understanding of Third Q, my life was not worth much. My expectations and my achievements were severely limited. My thinking was boxed in, and I suspect that yours is, too.

My comfortable existence in some ways reflects the way many of us live our lives. We feel safe in our own little worlds. We are afraid of stepping outside our boundaries. Even though an amazing world of joy and success awaits us on the other side, we are often unwilling to break free of our self-created boundaries.

It's as if each of us lives our life in a box. However, none of our boxes are the same. Some are larger, some are smaller; some have thicker walls, and some have thinner walls. And interestingly, it seems that people with the most wants, needs, and desires tend to live in tiny boxes that tend not to grow through the years. But limitations are not reserved for those who are poor or unhappy. Even millionaires live in a box. Theirs may be larger, but their boxes are no less limiting. In fact, Max, my mentor, told me once that the same mind it took for him to become a millionaire was not the same one that he needed to become a billionaire. He needed to break out of his millionaire box.

This discussion of mental boxes is more than just a metaphor. The constraints we create in our heads are as real as the walls of a cardboard box; not only do they keep us contained, but they also keep us from seeing what's outside. Fortunately, unlike a cardboard box, the walls we create in our minds are flexible. And as a consequence the more knowledge and openness we bring into our box, the more we can expand the box and thin its walls. Truly enlightened people have large boxes with ultra-thin walls like a balloon, and some, like the Dalai Lama, actually shatter the boundaries of their boxes. Once you realize this truth, you can endeavor to gain the skills necessary to grow your box and, in turn, expand your reality.

As an exercise, cover your head with a box. Leave it there for at least five minutes. Think about the limits of your experience inside the box. What can you see? What are you missing?

Now, take the box from your head. What do you experience? A sense of freedom? Joy? An appreciation of the world around you?

Close your eyes and reflect on your thoughts. Do you find that certain factors are limiting those thoughts? Try to fill your mind with thoughts that are free of the bias of others, thoughts that serve you, thoughts that empower you, thoughts that expand your 

Experience the Empowerment of Personal Affirmation

By Jurgen Mennel

It is possible to use a positive affirmation to overcome the negative feelings and thoughts that can trap anyone. People from all walks of life can experience a period of emotional homelessness. We all know someone who has experienced dark depression. Many people become totally helpless when they allow strong emotions to elevate to mental grief.
A friend of mine told me about a man who married a woman with a five year old son. The young boy was diagnosed with high functioning autism. The man and the boy connected in remarkable ways
. Their relationship resulted in the boy integrating to public school and achieving the highest marks possible at the proper grade level. More important was the boy saying that he felt like he belonged.
Over a five year period the man and boy become blended in their minds and hearts. The boy said that he waited his whole life for his real true father to come for him. The boy listened patiently one day while his stepfather explained the adoption process and then told the man that he understood except that God had already made them a family.
During this 5 year period the mother experienced growing depression, sleeplessness, and her behaviour fluctuated from the lows to sudden elevated moods. Despite every effort to be loving and supportive the mother exhibited destructive behaviours with infidelities and other betrayals. Eventually she left the home and entered a relationship that made no sense to anyone who knew her.
The boy and man continued as best they could until the day arrived where the mother returned to take the boy away from the man he claimed as his one true Dad and the place he called home. It was the beginning of a soul shattering separation. The man was crushed. He did nothing for several sleepless days and had no appetite.
He awoke one morning and wrote down all the things he could do to save his son. At the top of the list was a statement to be grateful his son was alive and counting on his father to rescue him. The man started with an attitude of gratitude. He began and ended each day stating his gratitude out loud. He talked to his windshield in the car, the reflection in the store front doors, and the mirror on the door in his bedroom.
He knew the coming holiday season would be filled with loving memories of his son. He used his positive affirmation of gratitude by volunteering to serve food at a local church, deliver meals to shut in senior citizens, and collect items for the community food bank. He wanted to deliver nourishment to remind himself that love can sustain any one of us.
After 4 months of separation, the man was shutting down his automobile and had his door open when he heard a small voice asking him if he would like to get out of the car and hug his own son. They two melted into each into the arms of the other. Before falling asleep that night they shared a prayer and each spoke words of gratitude that were heard from their home to the heavens above.
Everyone of us has the ability to choose our emotions. We can discover the powerful effect a positive affirmation can wield in our daily life. Imagine the changes your want to make starting today and become the architect of your transformation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6282952

Positive Thinking Affirmations: Achieving Through Believin

By Robert N Jones

If you believe in something, you can make it happen.
People who have achieved success in their lives have faced difficulties along the way but they did not falter. They keep on believing and moving forward.
What helped make their dreams a reality is positive thinking affirmations.
When life troubles us with challenges and adversaries, we always have to fight back not with frustration or desperation but with a positive outlook.

Only you can bring yourself down.
Only you know how much you can endure.
That is how powerful positive thinking affirmations are because they help you keep motivated.
This is not just a case of seeing the glass half full versus seeing it half empty. Optimism or positive thinking affirmations coupled with vision will bring you close to what you are ultimately aiming for.
Positive thinking affirmations are gifts that you are allowed to bear on the road to your success.
Here are some reminders and thoughts you should keep at all costs:

• I value myself and acknowledge the things I am blessed with.

You have to know your worth. You have to value yourself and all the things you are capable of.
With all the blessings you are blessed with, the gift of knowledge and opportunities, you can absolutely make things happen.
You have to trust and believe in it. You also have to recognize and appreciate your abundance at present. You have to acknowledge that they are gifts and they keep you healthy and happy. And that whatever happens, you have them to rely on and you always have to be thankful for them.

• I am open to possibilities.
• I give my best to everything I do.

You are capable of greatness. But before others can see it you have to see and recognize it for yourself first. Then you have to prove that you have it.
Confidence is key but humility is also a must. There are things that will pose greater challenge for you. You have to know how to approach them. By knowing and mastering your strengths and your weaknesses, you empower yourself.
Positive thinking affirmations can only guide you but ultimately you have yourself to rely on. You have to trust that you can do it!

• I can only get better.
• I trust that good things will happen.

Again, humility is key. When you are faced with challenges, consider it an opportunity for learning. Do no be afraid to make mistakes but make sure to learn from them. When you do, you get better as a person. And the better person that you are, the stronger you become against difficulties.

• I trust that some time in the future, I will get the abundance that I deserve.

The things you wish, pray and hope for may not be given at the time you asked for it. Positive thinking affirmations do not only teach us optimism and humility, it also teaches patience.
A good formula for success is perseverance, confidence and positive thinking affirmations!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6284681

How Daily Positive Affirmations Can Transform Your Life

By Jurgen Mennel

By making daily positive affirmations, you can begin to alter your perspective. If you acknowledge that negative thoughts, or even outside influences, have held you back, then affirmations will give you a means to turn things around.
The wonderful thing about affirmative thought is that while it doesn't cost a cent, it can bring change, positivity and joy into your life. Using positive affirmations you'll be able to be more focused and be more likely to discover a way to move ahead in your life and achieve your goals.
How to Create an Affirmation
In order to create a positive affirmation, you need to focus on something specific that you would like to see in your life or that you would like to change in your life. By thinking about it in positive terms, you can begin to bring the goal or dream you have to fruition.
One important thing to understand is that you must focus on positive thoughts and you should be specific. If your goal is that you would like to go from 70 kilos to 65 kilos, then you need to focus on the idea of being 65 kilos, rather than being 5 kilos lighter.
If you focus by creating a daily positive affirmation of "I'm going to be 65 kilos", you'll find that this affirmation can bring about a much greater degree of success. Your affirmation needs to be positive, because a negative affirmation will simply reinforce the very thing you're trying to change.
If you've wanted to do something for a long time but you've always said 'I'll never be able to do it', chances are that you never will, unless you change the way you think.
The Benefits of Daily Positive Affirmations
Daily affirmations have the power to alter your conscious and subconscious thoughts. When you reflect daily upon something that means a lot to you, the conscious affirmations can begin to influence your subconscious mind.
As you become more focused on a goal, on achieving something you've dreamed of, or improving an aspect of your life that you've found unsatisfactory, then these positive thoughts will help you to become more psychologically able to move forward.
When your mind and energy is focused on finding positive outcomes, the affirmations you make can have a powerful influence on the level of success you achieve. With daily positive affirmations you start to think differently about what you want to achieve and how to think in an empowering way, and these new thought process can transform the way you live each and every day.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6285998