Self Improvement | Self Help Books & Videos

The ABC's Of A Great Life: "Z" Is For Zeal

2009-10-19T02:23:00.000-07:00

A great life demands a great response, and a great capacity for enjoyment. Zeal is all that and more. It is more enthusiastic than enthusiasm, more glittery than gold and brighter than sheer brilliance. It is a single-minded focus of energy that ignores or avoids nothing, yet manages to steer clear of the worst detritus floating in the currents of life.
Zeal is the zig and the zag of life, the zap of experience and the zowie of discovery. It is the ability to indulge without addiction, to absorb without being consumed and to engage without being ensnared. It sticks its tongue out at boredom and exhaustion. It good-naturedly drags doubts along the path kicking and screaming, yet never abandons them to the dark. It is the energy that yanks you out of bed in the morning, and the peace that lets you sleep at night. It is the spirit of life and the ecstasy of death. It is the core of a great life.
What provokes your zeal? What dampens it? How can you bring more of the former and less of the latter into your life? Being zealous need not verge into being a zealot, one who has misused the raw energy of zeal to their detriment. By remain open to new experience and new information, and allowing yourself to laugh at yourself, zeal can carry you a long way in a long, and great, life.

3 Part Guide in Creating Value in Your Life and in What You Do

2009-04-03T03:49:00.000-07:00

Let me share with you some tips I found really useful for myself. I am not saying it is right or wrong, as I can only tell you from my experience and what I think works for me. It is totally up to you if you decide to try what I say. There are 3 Parts
Part 1 - Planning
If this is your first time, set down 30mins a day to plan for the next day.
Step 1: Set Your Objective (based on 30mins to 1hr Goals)
This is the most important step as it will keep you focus on what needs to be done. This goes for any task, project etc.
Step 2: Set Your Time line (time yourself)
This pushes you to get it done in a set time.
Step 3: Prioritize them according to what is the most important, remember if it is a long task, you need break it down and take it step by step.
Part 2 - Execution
This might be the hardest part, especially if you are used to giving excuses to yourself (e.g. I got no time, I am too tired, I can do it tomorrow, etc).
Step 1: "Act In Spite of Your Mood"
Humans are creatures of habit, once we are too comfortable, we end up justifying our actions and we end up with a lame story. Therefore it is essential you must "Act In Spite of Your Mood".
Step 2: "Act with Integrity"
I found it very useful to associate something that needs to be done with someone I do not want to let down, e.g. wife, your children, friends. Because if you let them down, trust is lost and you start loosing integrity, which is the core basis of your own being. It is like putting your life on the line.
Part 3 - Living It!
The easiest part, repeat Part 1 & 2 everyday!! Once you live your life and walk the talk, you will have a never ending energy to keep pushing yourself to greater success. And as creatures of habits, the more successful you get, the more you breed success. You will overcome your fear and comfortably and do what ever it takes to succeed.
So go out there and take on your daily challenges.

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Still Hope

2009-03-28T00:24:00.000-07:00

No matter what the sceptics and the critics and the conspiracy theorists say, the current recession is a reality for millions of people across the world.
Try telling the hundreds of thousands of people who were made redundant this year alone that there is no recession; try telling the families of the people who committed suicide because they lost their jobs, their homes, their marriage, the entire life that they knew.
Imagine multi-millionaires are committing suicide over this financial crisis, far less for the ordinary man facing repossession and bankruptcy. Just yesterday on my way home, I heard an announcement at the train station that someone jumped onto the train track and killed themselves, an occurrence that has happened quite often since the beginning of the year.
So while CEOs and big bank bosses are complaining about their bonuses, normal people are growing ever more frustrated with the economic downturn and their loss of earnings.
Suddenly people find themselves back in the job market, competing with twenty-something's fresh out of their graduation gowns. Suddenly people are realising that their skills aren't as polished as they hoped, their experience isn't as broad as they thought, and their education - well the idea of going back to school as a mature student can frighten anyone.
So why am I saying there is still hope? Because there is! It is possible for you to regain control of your life and become an even stronger person you once was, for coming out on the other side victorious. The reason why I'm saying this is the global recession we are now facing is not the same as the one in the 1920's or even the 70's. This one is taking place in the age of technological advancement, where people are earning a comfortable living from the comfort of their own homes, and not only that, but they are willing to teach others how to do it.
I know many people are sceptical of "making money over the internet", thinking it's all "get rich quick schemes", but you couldn't be further from the truth. For example, anyone who thinks internet marketing will make them a millionaire in a month is in for a major surprise. But if you're someone who is diligent, patient and creative, then you can make the resources available on the internet work for you. If you can put in the same amount of dedication and perseverance that got you that promotion at your job, trust me when I tell you the reward will be far greater than what any 9-5 can give you.

Get More Done With a To-Don't List

2009-03-25T04:28:00.000-07:00

A colleague of mine recently sent me a link to an article written by Liz Massey of Creative Liberty on 7 Ways to Reduce Stress With a To-Don't List. As a chronic To-DO list maker from waaaaayyyyy back, I was really intrigued by the title! As a coach who helps her client's focus on what's most important and get it done, I thought I'd share some additional insights with you that I've learned.
I'm just soooo busy!
Somehow in our culture, "being busy" has been elevated to a status symbol. However, busy does not equal productive! It's easy to be unceasingly busy with the never ending to-do list. As one thing is checked off, three more are added on. But too often clients complain they just aren't getting what they want accomplished or they aren't hitting their goals. They are "busy" going nowhere.
While the to-do list seems forever ongoing, in contrast, Massey describes the "to-don't" list as "contractive, narrow, and boundary-defining." She also shares that, "At the heart of the 'to-don't' list is the Pareto principle, also known as the 80/20 rule." The 80/20 rule states that 20% of our efforts produce 80% of our results. This means that 80% of our efforts aren't even important! Enter the "to-don't" list.
Creating Yours
While Liz Massey's article focuses on the seven benefits you'll get from implementing your own "to-don't" list, I'd like to share three tactics you can use to create your own "to-don't" list so you can attain those benefits!
1. Assess what you are currently doing and rank the importance using the traditional A, B and C ranking where A is urgent, B is for items you'd like to get done today but aren't critical and C is for the optional or back burner items. Review your B and C tasks and assess if any can be added to the "to-don't" list (permanently or temporarily).
2. Identify what you can outsource! While some tasks need to be completed, they may not need to be completed by YOU! Much of the business administration work you do can be given to an assistant (or virtual assistant for all you small business owners) to free you up for focusing on the 20%! Those items outsourced can be added to your "to-don't" list.
3. Detect your key time stealers. Cell phones, blackberries, pagers, a disorganized boss, e-mail, junk mail, or a chatty co-worker are just a few possibilities. Once you know the time stealers you can decide how to handle them. Perhaps some things can go on your "to-don't" list like checking e-mail first thing in the morning. This is often a major time stealer and can be relegated to a little later in the day. Save your "prime time" work hours for the more important and strategic activities.
Use your "to-don't" list to clear away some of the 80% of unimportant work. Your "to-don't" list will also help you create a to-DO list that is more strategic AND realistic!

Soul Food - What is Your Favorite?

2009-03-17T02:14:00.000-07:00

Generally, when we hear the term, 'Soul Food,' we, think of our favorite food. 'Soul Food,' is different for different cultures. For example, Southern Soul Food includes: Honey Baked Ham, Pork Chops, Oven Baked Ribs, Chitterlings and Hog maws, Salmon Croquette Patties, Fried Chicken or Catfish, Sweet Potato Pie, Black Eyed Peas, Corn Bread. It goes without saying that many people outside the southern U.S. region enjoy this food too. However, each culture is known for its 'Soul Food.' German Soul Food includes: Bratwurst, Sourbraten, German Potato Salad (Yummy), Sausage and the list goes on.
Although, we may think these foods are food for the soul; it is in fact only food for the body and if we over indulge we add on excess weight. Food has become a substitute for real soul food. Real soul food is scheduling time to engage in spiritually fulfilling activities that replenishes our spiritual energy and emotions.
Highly nutritious 'soul food' activities include: Yoga, Ti Chi, Meditation, Visualizations, Affirmations, Being in Nature-walking, bird watching, being near water or listening to a water fall or fountain, spending time with your thoughts uninterrupted, experiencing tranquility and expanding your spiritual awareness (aka spiritual awakening).
As we have become more occupied with electronic gadgets -TV to iPhones and the Internet, we have neglected our soul and emotional needs. With the advent of each new gadget we feel pressured to make the most of our time, thus, the activities that sustain us, rejuvenate us and help us evolve are being sacrificed when we are faced with prioritizing our time.
If is important to remember that there is more to life than achieving something bigger, better, having more money and having the latest gadget or car. Your spiritual sustenance needs to occupy top priority on your 'To Do' list.
Each task you engage in and each relationship you nurture draws from your well spring of spiritual vitality. Making time to engage in spiritually fulfilling activities replenishes your well spring and readies you to face the tasks at hand. Making time for spiritual activities that contributes to your spiritual growth is a wonderful way to tell yourself and others that your needs are important and that your well-being is important. And you become the role model to teach others to do the same. Taking regular time to focus on your soul's needs ensures that you will be able to nurture yourself and those who depend on you.
It is easy to be distracted and pulled away from keeping your spiritual enrichment as a top priority as there is often little tangible evidence that it is creating a difference in your life. There are many seemingly more important pressing things that need to be done. In western society many people feel guilty if they make time to 'do nothing,' i.e. commune with nature or meditate. In eastern society it is culture norm that people will have their spiritual activities on their priority list.
To change this paradigm might be difficult, but, necessary. You will need to explain to your family that you will be 'unavailable' at a certain time of day. It may be necessary to say no to some requests or refuse to take on work that others want to give you.
It is important to schedule at least fifteen to thirty minutes each day for your spiritual needs. You will notice after three or four weeks that you feel more tranquil, have more energy and feel more in touch with yourself and others. To start you can write in a journal, meditate, study the words of wise women and men and engage in other spiritual practices.
Creating time to nurture your spirit might require you to let go of less vital activities. TV is the first less vital activity that comes to mind. If you do not watch TV now, there is no doubt an activity that if you let it go there would be little repercussion. The more time you spend on soul-nurturing activities, the happier and more relaxed you will be. The time you spend to enrich your spirit will rejuvenate you and help you create a more peaceful life. Thus, you will also notice that your relationships are more peaceful and you will have less tension in general with all relationships.

Divorcing Your Inner Critic

2009-03-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

As 2009 begins, I believe that we have reason to celebrate. We have been to hell and back and have survived. My mother was always fond of saying, "What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger." I have seen the wisdom of her words and indeed do feel stronger today. The last year was full of emotions, a roller coaster ride I am not eager to jump on again. Nonetheless, the fact that we are still standing, makes me confident that we are survivors and we have reason to hope!
As we enter 2009, with all of its challenges, I am more determined than ever to help others in voicing their dreams, realizing their worth, and in taking action. I have been energized and stimulated by the masses of people who celebrated the change we are embracing. We seem to have regained optimism and renewed our sense of hope in America.
As the New Year emerges, we can look back and see that on November 4, 2008, over 57 million Americans made their voices heard. Americans lined up, said that they were ready for change, and elected Barrack Obama as President. Overnight, we regained the respect of the world and stood as a united force. Together, we can face the challenge and transition into a more inclusive and caring society.
Despite our concerns and worries, we can now look forward to a brighter new year. If 57 million Americans were willing to stand in long lines to vote and to make their voices heard, I am convinced that many million more stayed at home with dreams and hopes unheard. I am anxious to hear these unspoken dreams and hopes in 2009. I am going to make a concerted effort to encourage those who are often overlooked and ignored to voice their dreams and hopes. I will encourage them to acknowledge their strengths, to connect with others and to walk toward peace and understanding.
I was recently reminded of a song that is very significant for me. I heard it sung during the the Kennedy Center Honors televised program in tribute to Barbara Streisand and was nearly moved to tears. I know you have heard it. It was sung by a classmate the year I graduated from high school and has always held a special place in my heart.
Barbara Streisand made it popular and it was written by Michael Spriggs, Andy Byrd and Lindsay Ellis. The song is Somewhere. The words resonate with me more now than even then.... Here they are:
"Someday, somewhere, we'll find a new way of living, we'll find a new way of forgiving. Somewhere. There's a place for us, someday, a place for us. Peace and quiet and open air. Wait for us, somewhere. There's a time for us. Someday, there'll be a time for us. Time together with time to spare. A time to learn, a time to care. Someday, somewhere, we'll find a new way of living, we'll find a new way of forgiving. Somewhere. Somewhere. Somewhere. There's a place for us. A time and place for us. Hold my hand and we're halfway there. Just take my hand and I'll take you there. Somehow, Someday, Somewhere."
Will you take my hand? Will you walk with me into 2009 and work with me toward a new way of living? Will we find a new way of forgiving? Is there time for sharing and a time for caring? I hope so!

"Please" and "Thank You" Still Go a Long Way

2009-03-12T03:28:00.000-07:00

It seems more and more that we are losing our basic instinct to have good manners. "Please" and "Thank you," go a long way, still to this day I believe. Maybe even more so, since it's becoming an ancient practice of old times. In a world where communication is at its greatest, we can keep in touch with friends, family, and distant relatives through a number of ways. Whether through phone, internet, or fax, we have the ability to not miss a step in each others lives. Technology is a wonderful thing and I am grateful to live in the time that we do
On the other side of the coin, our physical interaction with one another is getting lost. Before the time you came out of the womb and was handed a cell phone, I think that please thank you and excuse me were things that we all said to one another in common courtesy. Treat people how you want to be treated. Isn't that the best course of action to take toward this common interest? We need to realize: life goes on outside of our little three foot circle, the things we say and do effect the attitudes of everyone around us.
Unfortunately, it seems that were all to busy for pleasantries. I make the joke all the time, that if you live in a big city, and you were laying in the street with your arm ripped off, someone on his or her cell phone would ask you to keep the shrieking down, because, they're on the phone. It's an exaggeration, but one that holds a great deal of truth. Everything is moving so fast, what took two days one hundred years ago, takes an hour today. In the time we save, we fill it with more stuff to do. I believe this is where a small amount of kind hearted human interaction is being lost. We are so preoccupied with everything that is thrown at us, stress, bills, health, etc, that we don't realize a simple "Thank you" could brighten someone's day.
Now we have our youth growing up in a world where they believe it's not necessary to keep this unspoken rule in order. They see ignorance every day on every corner and are thinking this is how we treat each other in the world. More times than not, if I am in a situation where I can talk to a stranger to pass the time, or fill the void, I will. For some reason, there is a sense of awkwardness more often when talking to common people you see every day, that I didn't feel until a few years ago. Shouldn't we be able to stand in a line and discuss the weather, or baseball, with a person you are sharing this small, insignificant moment?
We are all people. You can be black, white, brown, blue, green, sienna, whatever. We are all the same and we need to start treating each other with a little more respect and good nature. We need to be a little more polite, hold a door for someone, or help an older person with a heavy box or bag. These small tributes to every day make life a little better, a little more tolerable at times. "Please" don't lose this. The ignorance issue grows stronger every day, and only we can make it better. "Thank you." See how easy that was?

How to Be Confident - Discover Four Secrets to Self Confidence

2009-03-11T01:42:00.000-07:00

You can learn how to be confident in many ways. Here are four suggestions to help you to become more confident.
Confident Role Models
Whether you choose family members, co-workers, or friends for inspiration, finding a confident role model will assist you to become more confident in yourself. Obviously it will be easier if you have regular contact with the person you have chosen to emulate, so that you can pay close but discreet attention to how they conduct themselves.
Some people look to celebrities for inspiration. However, many celebrities 'put on an act' in public, and therefore, this may not be a true reflection of their personality.
Everyone has faults, and no one is suggesting that you try to be a 'carbon copy' of the person who inspires you. Just observe their positive attributes and practice emulating them. Notice how they walk, talk, etc. This will give you a first hand picture of how to be confident.
Talk To Yourself
Yes, that's right, talk to yourself. The path to self confidence mainly involves mental exercises. Seeing yourself as a confident person creates a confident mentality. The use of positive affirmations will also help you learn how to be confident. So keep telling yourself you're a confident person, and push negative thoughts from your head.
Try Something New
Trying something new can be an exciting way to learn how to be confident. New experiences will help you grow as a person. It doesn't need to be anything drastic like mountain climbing or skydiving, although if that's what you decide to do, then that's fine. Joining a class or course, or starting a new hobby can be just as exciting, and it will also help you to develop lasting skills.
Seek Outside Help
There are numerous self-help books about that may have strategies to help you learn how to be confident. However, while some books may offer real help, you may find that you need to deal with your confidence issues at a more deeper level.
If deep-seated issues are preventing you from learning how to be confident, then you should turn to hypnosis to help you to become more confident. The use of hypnosis can produce some truly remarkable results, and you could turn your life around in a relatively short time.

Taming Your Fear During a Recession - Part I

2009-03-07T00:15:00.001-08:00

Does listening to the news or reading the newspaper make you feel scared? Does walking to the mailbox invoke feelings of gloom and doom? Do you walk around the majority of the day feeling anxious and afraid as if waiting for the other shoe to drop? The current state of the economy is the topic of discussion today and every day. It invokes negative feelings in most people.
Taming your feelings of anxiety and fear is mandatory so you can move forward and have a happy and productive life. First, we must define anxiety and fear since most people misuse the words anxiety and fear. ANXIETY is defined as the vague unpleasant emotional feeling that makes us feel apprehensive, dread, distress, and an uneasiness. Anxiety is not focused on a specific object. Anxiety is manifested cognitively, behaviorally, and physiologically. FEAR is similar to anxiety but it is focused on a specific object such as public speaking, cold calling, or failure. People who experience fear can lose the ability to think, act, and perform.
There are three main perspectives associated with anxiety and fear.
The Biological Perspective - states that the GABA system is responsible motivating fear and anxiety. People often go to their doctor and ask for medication to control or aid in reducing anxiety. Benzodiapines are anti-anxiety drugs that can be prescribed to regulate the GABA neural transmissions.
The Cognitive Perspective - states that there are three motivators for anxiety and fear:
1. Loss of Control 2. Inability to use coping skills 3. State anxiety verses Trait Anxiety.
The Learning Perspective - states that anxiety and fear are learned responses to situations. Your body develops its own coping skills to deal with the routine situations. Therefore, when things push us out of our comfort zone we experience anxiety. When you hide from your anxiety and fear your body becomes conditioned to the object that invokes those feelings. When you confront your fear and anxiety, your body learns to not experience fear and anxiety i.e. being afraid of dogs. You can either confront the fear (fight) and be calm when seeing a dog or you can hide from your feelings and always experience the flight tendency. When you feel the flight or fight response, take a minute to acknowledge it for what it is.
You can identify anxiety and fear by identifying the Physiological Symptoms of Anxiety or Fear. These are commonly manifested by someone complaining of having a stomachache, head ache, shortness of breath, butterflies or a pit in your stomach feeling, nausea, diarrhea, sleeplessness, high blood pressure, hunger or no appetite. This is just a short list you can make your own list of physiological symptoms.
Now is the time to change your mindset from negative to positive. Most situations that cause us to experience anxiety are experiences of growth. Do you notice when you get butterflies in your stomach? Do you run from situations that make you feel the butterflies? When you pinpoint the source of anxiety and fear, you can confront the fear. Then you can design coping skills or a plan of action. Self certain people are aware and acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses. When you do not know or acknowledge your weaknesses, you are ill equipped to develop coping skills to conquer them.
The use of Coping Skills will help you reduce anxiety and fear. The most commonly used coping skills are visualization, positive self-talk, relaxation exercises/meditate/yoga, educate you, exercise, vent and mastermind, journaling and investing in a Coach.
When you are feeling anxiety or fear regarding MONEY or your Business Success employ the 5 Steps below in order to TAME YOUR FEAR:
1. Confront the fear. 2. Reexamine your business systems and strategies 3. Look at your budget and ensure you are financially sound or take action to ensure you get back on track 4. Examine your niche. If your niche can no longer can afford your products or services tailor your product funnel so that there is something they can afford. 5. Call or email your Coach.
You must take the necessary steps to tame your fear so that you can move forward and grow your business, grow personally and professionally, and be a pleasure to be around.

Sexual Addiction Recovery

2009-03-06T03:00:00.000-08:00

Sexual Addiction, by definition, describes a person's obsessive behavior and compulsive thought process surrounding sex. Any addiction left untreated will thoroughly dominate someone's time making commitments like work or personal relationships difficult if not altogether impossible. Sex addicts often blame others for their consequences and deny they even have a problem. The addiction takes precedence over all aspects of a person's life and self centered behavior that develops results in estrangement in relationships and damage to the spirit.
Sexual Addiction can result in dangerous consequences some medical/physical, some legal and some emotional. The risk taking behavior by a sex addict may start off with cyber sex and self - stimulation and through a progression end up with the use of prostitution and some cases molestation and rape. The obsession and compulsion is so great that loss of work, relationships, and imprisonment can not detour the addict from their addiction.
Sex Addicts do not necessarily become sex offenders. Left untreated some sex addicts lead a life of quiet desperation finding no satisfaction in any sexual activity and not able to form any meaning relationships. They are not capable of control over their behavior and are off consumed with guilt and shame.
Treating sexual addiction can only take place if the denial is broken. This will usually be the result of a major consequence, loss of a job, divorce, or maybe incarceration. Actual therapy will focus on changing behavior and developing an appropriate sexuality. As with an eating disorder the object of the addiction can not be totally avoided. Marital and family counseling are important to the recovery and the support of a 12 step fellowship.

Peak Experiences

2009-03-05T00:21:00.000-08:00

It is very likely that you have already experienced something of the excitement and the sense of supreme confidence that comes from being able to harness the stupendous intellectual driving force of the human mind. The pioneering studies of the late Professor Abraham Maslow of Brandeis University, the founder of humanistic psychology, showed that almost everyone has been able to make contact with this power at some time in their lives.
According to Professor Maslow, we make contact with this inner intellectual force during what he termed "peak experiences," moments when mind and body perform with total excellence and we know that whatever is attempted will be accomplished.
Nearly everyone has enjoyed at least a few peak experiences and, if you reflect back, we are fairly certain that you will be able to recall, perhaps vividly, such moments for yourself. They were times when all doubts were resolved, all obstacles disappeared, and you knew for certain you could give the performance of a lifetime. "There are signals from inside," Maslow said. "There are voices that yell out 'By gosh, this is good, don't you ever doubt it.'"
As Maslow pointed out, performance does dramatically improve during such experiences. After interviewing thousands of men and women, he reported that peak experiences are most likely to occur during such intellectually demanding tasks as learning, problem solving, and decision making.
Students talked of the time when they took an exam knowing they were answering every question near perfectly and being so confident of getting a maximum grade they never endured a moments doubt before the marks came out.
Business men and women recounted occasions when they made important decisions completely and justifiably confident that the choice made would turn out right. Scientists spoke of suddenly gaining insight into a previously intractable problem and being absolutely certain their ideas were correct. Even if you are unable to recall a similar Peak Experience right now, you should take a little time at some point during the day to think about any moment when you were inspired by the knowledge that everything was going to go your way. All at once, as if blinkers had fallen from the mind, you understood how to solve a problem, knew what was needed to reach a decision, found that previously difficult information could be learned with ease.
It was the time you discovered a small part of what the brain can achieve when used correctly, the kind of moment we try to make an almost routine part of everyday thinking through the techniques we have developed.

5 Ways To SuperSize Your Life

2009-03-03T01:56:00.000-08:00

McDonald’s does it, why shouldn’t you? Life is filled with choices; why not choose to live life in a more satisfying way.

1. Say Yes to Life.
“Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.” -Henry James

Saying yes to life allows wonderful blessings to come to you. Say yes to opportunity and success. Say yes to a life that you live by your standards. Say yes to making your own decisions and not seeking approval of others. Say yes to a fulfilling and rewarding career. Say yes to a relationship that energizes, supports and stimulates you. Say yes to a promising future. Say yes to living without guilt, resentment or regrets. Say yes to spending more time on your self improvement. Say yes to living an authentic life. Say yes to taking chances and freeing yourself from fear. Say yes to happiness and achievements. Say yes to a well-lived life.

2. Love Yourself and Others Unconditionally.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.....”
I Corinthians 13: 3, 5)

When was the last time you loved without hesitation or caution? Withholding love as a means of control only leads to distrust and resentment. Loving unconditionally means loving without judgment. Free yourself from unrealistic expectations and accept the person you love for who they are. Do not expect your needs and wants to be fulfilled by someone else. Allow those you love to express themselves without fear of rejection. Do not punish yourself or loved ones for past mistakes. People use the word love very loosely, but do not stop to think of the implications of using the word. Take the time to be responsible in how you show love. Allow yourself to love and be loved.

3. Take Risks
“There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” - Anais Nin

Everything in life involves a risk. Are you allowing fear of rejection and failure to dictate your life? Fear inhibits success. Take chances and free yourself from limiting beliefs. Taking risks empowers you to take charge of your life. Be curious about life; experiment and try new things. Set goals for yourself and take action. Step out of what is safe, comfortable and familiar to you. Examine what feelings emerge when you are thinking about taking a risk. Ask yourself, “What am I afraid of?” Concealing yourself in a safe container prevents you from exploring other possibilities. Embrace the unknown and anticipate success. You will never know the outcome if you don’t take the risk.

4. Make the Impossible, Possible
“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”- Winston Churchill

Think it can’t happen; then it won’t. It is possible to get through the difficult times in life. Learn from failures and take responsibility for your life. Listening to your inner critic can sabotage your dreams. Silence the critic by reaffirming all the things you are capable of doing. Dream big and be excited about your future. Find and release your untapped talents. Believe in your abilities and discover what you have to offer the world. Think about all the things you can’t do and try to do them. Think back to a time, when something was difficult and you were able to overcome the challenge. Continuing to live life in a safe container doesn’t help you gain anything in life. Take the necessary actions to achieve your goals. Stop assuming and start achieving!

5. Make Your Life Really Count.
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
- Annie Dillard

What’s your legacy? How do you want to be remembered? The life you live defines who you are and the choices you make will determine what impact you will have on the lives of others. Never underestimate the power of your words and actions. You were uniquely created to make a contribution to the world. It is your right and your obligation to make your mark in this world. Surround yourself with people who are supportive, positive and encouraging. Show appreciation and gratitude to those around you. If you have a message to share, then share it with the world. Staying small and thinking small will not get you where you need to be in life. Starting today, have a new perspective on life. Start a new chapter in your life.

Water - Vital for Hot Weather Survival

2008-06-13T04:10:00.001-07:00

Water is vital for hot weather survival. One of the most important aspects of survival is staying hydrated, and that's even more important when the temperatures are soaring. This means you need to know about storing and purifying water. If you know how to store water before a power outage occurs and how to purify water after an event, you will be in good shape for any wide-spread power outage.
To prepare to survive a disaster you will need to store water. The first step is to thoroughly wash plastic, glass or enamel lined containers. Two-liter soda bottles also make ideal water-storage containers. Seal the water containers tightly, label and store in a cool, dark place.
Stored water lacks oxygen, making it taste "dull". Adding oxygen by pouring the water back and forth between two clean containers will improve the taste of the water. Remember to rotate the water out every six months, using what you've stored and refilling the bottle with fresh.
During a survival situation, you will want to purify all water before drinking it or using it for cooking or medical purposes; contaminated water can cause dysentery, typhoid and hepatitis. Boiling is the safest method of purifying water, which means, during a wide-spread power outage, that you will either need to boil your water on your barbecue or build a fire somewhere safe.
All you have to do is bring the water to a rolling boil for 3 to 5 minutes. Then let the water cool down before using. Again, you can improve the taste by pouring the water back and forth between two clean containers to add oxygen to it.
Ordinary household bleach will also kill germs. Use the kind that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Don't use scented bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners. Add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let sit for at least a half an hour. If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes or so.
Another way to purify water is to distill it. Again this involves boiling the water, so you need to have a safe way to build a fire. Use a large kettle and fill it halfway full with water. Tie a cup to the handle of the pot's lid so that the cup will hang right side up when the lid is on the pot. Make sure that the cup is not dangling into the water.
Boil the water for 20 minutes. The water that drips into the cup from the lid is distilled and safe to drink. Needless to say, this is not an easy way to get safe drinking water for a lot of people.
Depending on how long the power outage lasts, you will probably need to employ all three methods. Because keeping hydrated in hot weather is your best way to keep yourself and your family safe, you should have a plan before disaster strikes and make sure you have the necessary items available beforehand.

Prevent panic attacks

2008-06-13T04:09:00.000-07:00

Preventing panic attacks is a must for your well-being. Imagine walking down the street and suddenly being paralyzed with fear that someone is watching you. You quickly rush home, lock your doors, make sure the windows are shut tight and worry. You worry someone will get in and how you'd get out if they actually broke in. Overwhelmed with fear, sweat beads down your face and you begin to tremble. If you've ever experienced something like this you were probably having a panic attack. Panic attacks come and go without warning, but there are ways to actually avoid one from happening.
The best ways of avoiding panic attack is by learning ways to prevent one from occurring. Yes, this sounds easier than it really is. The first thing you'll need to do is figure out what causes your attacks to come on. Do you get anxious in crowded places? If you do have attacks try going at a less crowded time. Sometimes time can't be avoided, instead if it is for shopping make a list of what you'll need before going. Go off that list and get through the store. Don't rush, rushing only speeds up your blood pressure and makes matters worse.
Some panic attacks come in the form of literally getting sick while others are only things getting on your nerves. A person may vomit, hot flashes, dizziness and even headaches, some recognize these right away while others dismiss them as something totally different. By learning the signs of your own panic attacks can help you prevent them in the future. The next time you have one jot it down inside a journal, remember all things. Where were you? How did you feel? Was it a scent? People? Day or night? Location? Once you've done this you are one step closer to avoiding the next one.
Not all panic attacks are small, some actually become very dangerous, one might have an asthma attack, heart attack or go into a diabetic shock. When one begins to focus on what is wrong with them they tend to start freaking out. Don't! Stop and think about what is causing it and think of how you can overcome it. Getting excited about it will speed the blood pressure, stop your breathing and drop your sugar rate, causing all types of things to go wrong.
Need a reason to want to learn to prevent a panic attack? Simple. Imagine yourself having a child that is going to be on stage for a performance and would love for you to be there. Only problem is you have panic attacks in closed areas, or inside crowds. By learning ways to prevent the attack you'll be able to go, watch your child and maybe even shake a few hands in the end. Watch the joy on your child's face and it'll be worth it.
If these don't seem to help try visiting a psychiatrist and seeing what their advice is. Maybe your problem is deeper than you think, the only way of knowing is to get professional help. If you really don't want to go to a psychiatrist you can get a full physical done at the hospital and find out if you have any other illnesses. This will normally show you if there is something else going on in your body and is the perfect chance to tell your doctor your fears.

Natural Anxiety Remedy For Depression

2008-06-13T04:08:00.000-07:00

If you've ever found yourself paranoid while going down a street or jumping at the slightest sound inside a store you may have anxiety. Anxiety is when someone becomes overly afraid of something or jumpy. This is an anxious feeling that is developed suddenly, it can stem from something as early on as childhood or something that has currently happened. There is a way to get help for your anxiety through doctors, therapy and even natural anxiety remedies.
Massage- Many may not believe it but something as simple as a body massage can make all the tension leave your body and this works for anxiety as well. A Swedish massage is generally the most common. Some may not know it by the name but this is the smooth strokes up and down the body. Oil may be used but only if the patient wants it, otherwise the body is caressed in smooth circular movements. Slowly the body will begin to relax and in rare cases a person may cry when the stress leaves their body. Other massages one might enjoy are Thai, Shiatsu, back, hot stone or even a deep tissue.
Passionflower- If you are really into experimenting you can try using the passionflower. This is an herb/flower that dates back to the Aztec people. This beautiful purple flower has been used in insomnia patients, depression, anxiety and many other illnesses. Do not mix this up with its cousin the bluepassion flower.
Yoga- Or another form of mind relaxing can definitely work if you are in an area where you can sit and relax. Place your mind somewhere else that pleases you, this can be a meadow, creak or a place you feel calm. Sometimes it is not wise to try to do this, such as inside a car. If you feel the need to relax your mind you may just want to play some soft music or pull the vehicle over in order to do it.
Breathing- By slowing down and concentrating on your breathing you can actually let the stress out. Try closing your eyes and counting to ten, believe it or not it does work. Another thing is you take a deep breath, hold it and release. This allows you to suck in the good area and exhale the bad, you'll also feel refreshed.
Aromatherapy- Have you ever smelled something that brought you back to a time that you loved? Smelled something that made a smile grow across your face? These are pleasing scents and should be around you as much as possible. Stock up on some candles and matches and light up your home every night and just sit in front and enjoy the aroma as it envelopes you, taking all the fears away.
Tea- Yes, while caffeine can help trigger an anxiety attack chamomile tea can help relieve it. There are a ton of herbal teas out there ready to help you, even lavender can help you sleep, but there are actually teas you should avoid such as black tea. No one likes to suffer from anxiety, hopefully these natural anxiety remedies will help you to overcome it.

Start using your mind.

2008-06-13T04:07:00.001-07:00

Take your mind back! Advertisers call it "branding", the government calls it "News" and the world thinks they're being Informed.
Corporate America and school system has done a great job making many people feel like they are hopeless without a degree. Why do people get more degrees when they want to make more money? What about countless people who come here from different countries with no education and make millions because they possess extra ordinary desire to succeed. What about the dropouts of America who simply believe. If you believe in yourself long enough it's only a matter of time until the world will follow suit! Look around you someone's mind created everything you're surrounded by. How great is your mind! The thoughts and beliefs from one man named Gandhi, freed a country from it's oppression and gave India their independence. How great is your mind!
In the land of tremendous opportunity we have been mentally maimed. Convinced to put our greatest asset in the hands of s!

5 Secrets to Successful Public Speaking

2008-06-13T04:06:00.000-07:00

So you want to be a public speaker - congratulations and welcome to the club. Public speaking is one of the most rewarding, not to mention well paying, jobs you or anyone else could hope for. Not one successful speaker spends their days wishing they were doing something different.
But can you really make a full-time career from this activity? How do you keep the work coming in? How can you lift your game and become a great speaker who people want to listen to time and again? Here's my five tips to start out with.
Always have at least two speeches on a general topic that are well rehearsed and you can deliver at short notice. Once I was at a function where the speaker didn't turn up. I stepped forward and volunteered my services and gave one of my set 45minute talks. Because of that I got an unexpected pay-check and two more gigs.
Leave the ego at home. Effective public speaking, the type that gets you the next job, is all about giving of yourself and your knowledge. Unfortunately too many look for the adulation and applause. Trust me - put the audience first and you'll receive more than your fair share of fame and fortune.
Leave your audience something to think about after the talk. You can do this by using some well chosen, well positioned, thought-provoking questions to drive your message home.
Be current and always update your older speeches. No one wants to hear out-of-date research. "According to a 1994 poll...." 1994 - who cares! Your audience won't that's for sure. Public speakers need to be on the ball with all that's new and fresh in their areas of expertise.
Don't let the jokes hide your message. If you want to be a comedian then become a comedian but not while you're marketing yourself as a public speaker. Humour is fine and has its place, it relaxes both you and the audience and builds rapport. But don't become a stand-up comic. The buyer didn't buy one and the public certainly didn't come to hear one.
Follow these steps and see yourself transform from being just another average speaker to one then gets repeat orders and professional incomes. Try them and see.

Anger Management for Adults

2008-06-13T04:04:00.000-07:00

Adult anger management classes and techniques have picked up in popularity over the course of the past few years. As an adult, it is quite likely that you have experienced some form of anger in your lifetime. Believe it or not, this is actually considered to be quite normal.

It is a healthy emotion that is expressed by humans. Unfortunately, it is quite easy to allow our anger to get out of control. When this occurs, many problems may arise. With adult anger management, you can learn to recognize physical and emotional signs that your anger is getting out of control, and learn healthy, nonviolent approaches to control the situation. Anger management is more less an equipping of coping mechanisms that you can use so that this emotion does not control you, others, and your life as a whole.

Who Attends Anger Management?

Anyone may attend anger management classes if they feel as if they have a problem coping with their emotions. Many individuals who have been convicted of certain violent crimes may be instructed by a judge to attend these types of classes. In many cases, parents may be informed that they should attend courses that teach them coping mechanisms on dealing with emotions that they have. While it is true that many individuals are referred to adult anger management classes, there are still a large number of individuals that attend because of the fact that they recognize that they have a problem and simply want to reach out for help.

The Impact of Anger

Both medical and mental health professionals agree that anger is a core emotion that is experienced by all people at one point or another in their lives. Early in childhood, we learn to express our frustration and dissatisfaction through the means of anger. Many of us will mimic the behavior of the adults around us as children, and some of us will create our own standard of expressing this emotion as we experience it firsthand. Unfortunately, we are often taught that anger is inappropriate and unadvised - though there can be some positive things that emerge from the anger that we experience.

As an individual grows to believe that the emotions that they are experiencing when they become angry are inappropriate, they have the potential to lock down these feelings inside of them. As time progresses, this can lead to negative behaviors and consequences. Most of the time, this ends up coming out in an inappropriate fit of rage, violence, in a way that is harmful towards others, and even in ways that are harmful to one's self. The purpose and intent of adult anger management classes are to provide individuals with coping mechanisms for their anger. This type of course will provide one with positive strategies for the emotions that they are experiencing as they deal with anger in their personal lives.

What Topics Are Common To Adult Anger Management?

There are a number of topics that are common to adult anger management classes. The following details some examples of what you may learn in this type of educational environment:

1. The basic psychology behind anger.
2. Physiological aspects of anger.
3. Anger styles - how they are learned, how they are expressed, and how they can be changed.
4. How to recognize anger symptoms.
5. Strategies for coping with anger.

Conclusion

If you or someone that you love suffers from irrational thoughts, behaviors, and feelings as a direct result of anger, it may be time to reach out and seek assistance. One of the best ways that you can do this is by considering classes that specialize in adult anger management.

Benefit from reading Self Help Books

2008-06-13T04:03:00.001-07:00

How many self help books have you read where you have actually taken the information presented and used it to improve some aspect of your life? I am asking this question because if you do read self help books and do nothing with the information presented shame on you! But don't feel bad, you are not alone!

People buy self help books with the intention of learning something to help improve some aspect of their lives. The information available today is literally endless as to what you may want to learn. Unfortunately, many books are bought and the information stays idle in the minds of many.

So, why do we take the time to learn something and then turn around and do nothing to practice what we just learned? It is much easier to say that we learned something new than to put it into practice. This is the basis for living a very mediocre life. Unfortunately this is the norm for most people.

To go even further, we are all creatures of habit. What you see most people doing today they will be doing the same things 5 years from now. The interesting thing is that they don't see or realize this pattern of behavior. It is the very few that will take the time to learn new habits and go on to live an extraordinary life!

Most self help books have exercises at the end of each chapter. This is perfect for you to implement the concepts the author has presented you. Think of it like an athlete using weight training to strengthen his muscles. With every repetition, the athlete strengthens his muscles with every set he or she completes.

The same is true with what you can learn from a self help book. Some concepts may be very new to you. But, with every practice session, you are learning new behavior and habits to strengthen the 'muscles" of success to help you achieve anything you want to accomplish.

Even if your book of choice does n't have exercises, feel free to highlight the key points or take notes of the important points. Another way of getting the most out your book is to find a friend that has read the same book and compare notes. This takes advantage of the "two heads are better than one" theory.

This is all simple advice that when coupled with the information you have discovered in a self help book will literally make you unstoppable in anything you want to do. You will see the difference over time and so will people you associate with. You will get more "bang for the buck" with your investment you made in yourself.

Now, go over to your book shelf and pull out the last self help book you have read and challenge yourself. Prove it to yourself that the information that you invested in will work for you. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. This is a position many people can only imagine to be in.

Life Couching Principles

2008-06-13T03:59:00.000-07:00

There are some individuals who seem to have given up on ever reaching their personal goals. Perhaps they are not setting any goals at all and merely "exist" without moving forward in their workplace or their personal life. They believe that achieving their goals is impossible and so are resigned to whatever life seems to hand them. It does not have to be that way. If you are one of these people, then it is possible to get ahead. Life coaching may be the tool that you need.

Life coaching is about helping others to achieve their goals and their dreams. They can do this by leading through example, offering life tips and employing effective coaching skills that come from a variety of disciplines, such as psychology or sociology.

As a life coach, he or she must help the client analyze their current living situation and help them decide where they want to be in life. They guide you along by offering tips and helping you to overcome these obstacles.

A life coach is not a "fix all" and he or she cannot solve the client's problems for them. If drugs, alcohol, abuse or psychological issues are present, then the mentor is not qualified to help with those types of problems. They can provide a good example and help the client seek out professional help but the mentor is not qualified to undertake such a task.

One good thing to remember is that there is no professional licensing for leadership mentoring or being a life coach. There are organizations that do offer membership but there is no schooling needed in order to be a mentor.

If you are looking to hire a mentor to help you set goals, then you should be wary of any individual claiming to be able to change your life or help you obtain an unreasonable objective.

The mentor is not and should not be there to show you the way and push you towards something for which you are not ready. They merely provide the shoulder should you need their help in dealing with specific life transitions.

Life coaching is a calling for most individuals who become involved in this career field. If you wish to be a life coach and want to know more about the profession, then you can visit "iCoach Academy" for more information.

You may not be able to earn an officially recognized certification from these helping organizations but at least you will be making a difference.

Don't let Doubt destroy your Dreams

2008-06-13T03:54:00.000-07:00

"I can't make any money doing this." "This is too good to be true." "Maybe I just don't have what it takes to do this." "I'm never going to figure this out." "I guess I'm not going to find something I'm passionate about." "I'm not sure any more that I really want to do this."
I've heard these doubts and many others from my clients as they follow their dreams, desires, and passions. Doubt seems to be a normal part of the busy human mind, one of Monkey Mind's favorite flavors.

Do you have thoughts that lead you to mistrust yourself, your vision, or your path?
Doubt can squeeze its tendrils around your mind, feed on itself, and, just like a wild vine, take over.

Doubt makes you uncertain, unsure, and confused. The doubting mind can't even be certain of its doubts. Thoughts whirl around in your head, often the same ones over and over. It's easy to become shaky and fearful, to begin to question and distrust everything, to get stalled, and to delay taking action.

Doubting, doubting, doubting also saps your energy. Eventually you may stop moving forward or give up completely. There goes your dream!

It doesn't have to be this way. You don't have to let doubt run - or ruin!- your life. Try doubting your doubt.

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?

One of my clients had been searching for her passion for a long, long time without success. She came to me to see if I could help her discover her passion. In our first few hours together, we identified a number of things that lit her up and that she was passionate about. Good news!
Within two weeks of that initial clarity, she came across an opportunity that would allow her to work from home, travel a little, and do something that she thought was so much fun she couldn't possibly get paid for doing it.

All of this lit her up so much she was on fire when she told me about it. In the midst of her excitement, though, she kept saying, "This is just too good to be true." That thought (which she had been having repetitively) was getting in the way of fully savoring and pursuing this opportunity.

Was it too good to be true? Maybe, maybe not. She didn't have enough information to know. Asking "Is this too good to be true?" over and over kept her busy whirling around in circles and it wasn't producing any useful answers.

So how could she get some useful answers? First, she needed to identify some intelligent questions.

I asked her what "due diligence" would help her discern if this was a viable opportunity. She quickly came up with "ask the organization for names of people who have made money doing this" and "check the Better Business Bureau." Just identifying these questions halted her whirling mind and gave her more clarity and focus. She got off the phone energized to get these and other intelligent questions answered.

As she does this, her increased knowledge will decrease her qualms and ease her fears of the unknown. She can then choose to move forward with this opportunity or to find another path.
IN YOUR LIFE

When your mind is filled with doubts, going back and forth in your head is more likely to increase your uncertainty and confusion than to help you. To reduce your doubt and fear of the unknown, here's a way to begin doubting your doubt.

* What are you doubting? What are you saying to yourself that is creating your uncertainty? Write this down.

* Identify five to ten intelligent questions related to whatever it is that you have qualms about. Write them down.

* Get answers to those questions.

* Allow the information you gather to decrease your misgivings and fear and to guide your next choices and actions.

By the way, if you can't come up with intelligent questions that is a big clue it's just your Monkey Mind talking. In which case, thank it for sharing and turn your attention to your dream, your desire, your vision, your next step.

Doubt your doubts, not your dreams. As Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."

How to make a Perfect Decision

2008-05-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

If someone asked you to tell them how to make a decision, you would probably come up with some good advice. It might be something like this:

List the options
Consider the pros and cons of each option
With steps 1 and 2 in mind, apply reason and experience to make the decision

Now answer this question: how often do you make decisions using this same advice? Following a structured plan is the first step to improve decision making. However, if you're like most people, you keep that structured plan stuck in a nice, secluded area in your mind.

You use the plan only when something triggers a warning to get serious. For instance, if a bad decision would cost you money or prestige, you might be inclined to pull out the plan and use it. Your mind may label some areas of your work as "research required," and that may also push you into a structured decision.

With these few exceptions, most decisions are produced in our unconscious. We just grab a convenient intuition and hope that it works.

Intuitions have an especially interesting role in decisions. When we don't have time to make careful decisions, we have to rely on intuitions; but, we ought to understand what we're dealing with.

Intuitions come from our accumulated knowledge and wisdom. They also come from our accumulated biases and outmoded beliefs. Obviously, the more knowledge and fewer biases and outmoded beliefs you store in your brain, the better your intuitions will be. Unfortunately, intuitions still have a great weakness: they don't come with a list of pro/con statements, the kind you use in structured decisions. Without that list there is no ready way to examine the quality of an intuition.

In general, you'll make consistently better decisions when you base them on a careful, structured approach. If it's well constructed, the structure makes you consider options that are new and unfamiliar. In a dynamically changing world, you need to look beyond your experience, maybe even beyond your comfort zone to find answers.

But don't reject intuitions entirely; they actually work well with structured decisions. When your information is just too tangled to unravel, intuitions help you find conclusions so that you can move on. When you've evaluated your options and remain uncertain, intuition can give you the confidence to go ahead and make the decision.

I like the phrase, "informed decisions," when considering the partnership between structured decisions and intuition. The problem with the classic, structured decision that we started with is that it implies that the answer lies within the structure. Actually, a good structure of cutting edge knowledge and reason can get you close to the answer, but to make the decision, you'll need some intuition.

How to stop teens from Adictions?

2008-05-03T06:51:00.000-07:00

Parents now realize if their teenager develops a compulsive gambling addiction their future course of action and time involvement is unknown. This isn’t something that is here today and gone tomorrow.

Compulsive teenagers with a gambling addiction have one or more of the following in common:

1. School grades drop

2. Social development decreases

3. Low self esteem

4. Self destructive behavior

5. Asking you why this happened to them?

6. Thinking suicide is the only way out.

7. Stealing

8. Pawning personal possessions

9. Negative Attitude

10. Cutting School

11. Disappearing for long periods of time

12. Blaming the parent because they gamble too

.13. Working a part time job to pay off debts

14. Stopped after school activities

15. Watched poker tournaments on cable and television

16. I tried to stop but I couldn’t

Parents have been forced to educate themselves on the above when confronted with their teenager’s gambling addiction. From there they try to find answers instead they have more questions. They are not looking to point the finger but really to get help for their child. They also would like to help prevent another parent from having to deal with this addiction.

The following questions were raised by parents regarding the local school gambling event:

1. Has the school systems educated themselves to guarantee that gambling is equal to arts and crafts?

2. If one student develops a gambling addiction will the school system compensate the family for the negative affects on their teenager?

3. Will the school system cover all medical expenses if needed?

4. Should the post prom committee be legally responsible if just one student becomes addicted to gambling?

5. What does the law state?

6. What’s happening to our children’s future?

7. How I can tell my kid he can’t go when all his friends are going?

8. Is there something wrong with me, because I disagree with the school system?

9. How can I write a letter to the school board when my son may find out it was me objecting to the gambling event?

As a parent when you find out it’s your child who has the gambling addiction, what are you going to do? From a majority of the emails I receive, parents question and ask. “How did this happen to my teenager? I am a good parent.”

Just as you have to take the time to talk to your children about, protective sex, drugs and alcohol you now have to explain the effects of gambling.

Teenagers who grow up in a house where their parents are active gamblers are more likely to gamble too. A school event puts a stamp of approval on gambling.

Parents have asked for statistical proof that the upcoming post prom gambling party will have a negative effect on their teenagers. I gave the parent specific examples of real situations. This was not sufficient for the prom committee. They wanted to know what percentage? And how many students will be negatively affected by this event?

I haven’t been in high school for twenty years. I am amazed by the current events in our school systems.

The following was never heard of when I was in high school:

1. Teenage gambling addiction

2. Gambling at the post prom party

3. Teachers sleeping with students

4. Students shooting students on school grounds

5. Gambling on school grounds before and after class

6. Teenagers addicted to the Computer

7. Teenagers addicted to video games

8. Protective Sex 9. 911

Before I wrote this article I had fewer questions. The more you look into this subject matter more questions come up. Should gambling in schools be eliminated if the local law states no one under eighteen can gamble?

Gambling is the wagering or betting of money on games of chance. Even though most people believe it’s a form of recreation, it can become a psychologically addictive and harmful behavior in some people.

It’s very hard to track a teenager who has a gambling addiction. Once they graduate high school they are on their own start their life

If a teenager develops a gambling problem, in a majority of these situations parents are not going to openly admit their child has a gambling addiction. Once again we have limited statistics.
It’s possible no one ever sat back and looked at this subject realistically because it’s new. Education is the key.