Peaks and Valleys by Spencer Johnson

Spencer Johnson has done very well for himself by taking simple lessons and sharing them in short stories. It is not surprising that USA Today called him "The King of Parables." "Peaks and Valleys: Making Good And Bad Times Work For You - At Work And In Life" is Johnson's newest parable, and like those before it, this book contains more than meets the eye.

The book is short, only 99 pages, and some of those contain only one quote. And like his other books, it is a smaller formatted hardcover. However, despite its length, there are some practical pearls of wisdom that if applied will make one's life more positive. It would be easy to dismiss this book as too simple, or too easy. After all, in the text Johnson refers to the story as common sense. But how many people actually apply the simple lessons of life? Treat others as you want to be treated is a universal lesson found throughout history, but do people actually apply it? Some do of course, but so many don't.

Often, we spend countless hours, sometimes even lifetimes, searching for some profound truth or magic moment that will enlighten us and make all of our troubles disappear and success and riches materialize in abundances we only dream about. While searching for the complicated, we sometimes fail to listen to the simple. We forget what we know. We don't apply the lessons we do learn because we are too busy looking for something greater.

What I like about "Peaks and Valleys" and the other books by Spencer Johnson is that they remind us of the simple, and encourage us to apply these simple lessons to our own lives. One of the lessons in "Peaks and Valleys" is to imagine yourself enjoying a better future in such specific, believable detail, that you soon enjoy doing what takes you there. This is not new. Earl Nightengale taught the same lesson in his "Strangest Secret." Nightengale taught "We become what we think about most of the time." Others have taught variations of this, and it is so simple that it is often overlooked.

Just because I have heard variations of this lesson before does not mean I didn't enjoy it here. Like the young man in this book, I too forget these lessons at times, especially when the hustle and bustle and stresses of today's world seem to overwhelm at times. The short time it took me to read "Peaks and Valleys" was a relaxing reminder of some important concepts that when followed make life better.

I would encourage anyone to take a little time for yourself, find a relaxing place, and enjoy this short parable by Spencer Johnson. Then take a little longer to assess how you can apply the lessons from this story to your own life. If you do, you just might find yourself enjoying more Peaks and realize your Valleys are not as bad as you thought.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a mediator/attorney with Bennett Law Office P.C. and an author/speaker through his own company Burrese Enterprises Inc. He teaches people to live with the warrior's edge through his writing and speaking on a variety of topics focusing on the business areas of negotiation and success principles as well as self-defense and safety topics. He is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks, several instructional dvds, and numerous articles. You can find out more about Alain Burrese at his websites http://www.burrese.com and http://bennettlawofficepc.com

Feng Shui and Symbols - What You Have in Your House Says a Lot About You

What does a broken statue of a rooster have to do with Feng Shui? Feng Shui teaches us that everything in our house is a reflection of what is in our mind. Symbolically speaking, your house and the things in it reflects your thoughts, feelings, and spirit.

So let's get back to that rooster. One of my clients had recently separated from her husband. I noticed that a statue of a large bird was directly facing her bed, so it was probably the first thing she saw when getting up in the morning. Upon closer examination, I noticed two things; first, one of the legs had previously been broken and was wrapped in what appeared to be a cast. Second, I realized that it was not a chicken; it was a rooster. Unfortunately, the coxcomb on the top of the head had broken off, probably in the same fall that broke the leg of the statue.

I examined this unfortunate art piece for a moment and then said to my client, "Do you realize that the first thing you see in the morning is a broken cock?"

After I picked her up from the floor (she was laughing so much she just collapsed), she gasped out, "You have no idea of how perfect that observation is." Not wanting to really know much more, I suggested we send out the broken rooster for repair. We then talked about what she really wanted to see first thing in the morning; it was her flute and music and a picture of her daughter.

Another client was having a hard time keeping relationships with men going. Visiting her apartment was like seeing a shrine to her daughter. Everywhere was a mother/daughter photograph. It felt like she was already in a relationship and there was no room for any other one to grow.

Everything that you choose to surround yourself with has symbolic meaning and reflects something about your life. Whether intentional or not, all those objects, pictures, photographs, and pieces of furniture resonate with information about you. Take a look around at your house. What is the first thing you see when you enter your home? When you get up in the morning? When you sit down to eat? Do those objects support you in living your best life? Observe what you have around you and then experiment. See how you feel swapping out the images that surround you for other ones that are a better reflection of who you are and where you want to go. I've seen this simple action do amazing things to improve people's lives.

Interested in learning more about Feng Shui and ways to improve the energy in your home or office? Get great tips and motivating messages by subscribing to the Empty Your Nest newsletter at http://www.emptyyournest.com

Book Review - "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens"

I just finished reading "7 habits of highly effective teens," by Sean Covey. This book is written by the son of the famous author of "7 habits of highly effective people," Stephen Covey. The author attempts to shed light on some issues that teens face and how they can best overcome them. As the CEO of a teen jobs website, I read dozens of teen related books each week. In my opinion, this is one of the most engaging and entertaining teen related book I have ever read.

This book will provide meaningful content for teens, such as advice for improving their self image, how to build friendships and how to resist peer pressure. What I like most about the book is the way the ideas are presented and the format. The author uses a lot of graphics, cartons lists, quotes and other elements to really hook the reader and compel them to keep reading. Another great part about the book is the real life examples that the author writes about. There are real stories of teens that have been faced with huge obstacle and the incredible stories about how they overcame adversity. This part of the book was very inspiring to me.

The one criticism that I have is the fact a lot of the tips and suggestions are quite obvious and really basic common sense. I would have liked to see more of an emphasis on the real teen stories, as I think a book can be written on that topic alone.

In closing, I highly recommend this book to teens and parents of teens.

Dan Keller is the CEO of the popular Teen Jobs site and runs a Teen Forums site as well.

The Power of Group Energy Work

Most people that seek a therapist think about doing individual counseling sessions. They are safe, individualized and allow you to focus on your specific concerns. Group therapy is an alternative way to work with a therapist. Group therapy, like individual therapy, is a dynamic therapeutic environment for personal growth.

Group therapy is a powerful venue for change. People benefit from being part of a supportive group that is facing similar issues. Groups provide the opportunity to gain alternative points of view, ideas and feedback on the issues you present. Group dynamics allow you to explore and better understand yourself and how others perceive you.

In a group, you have the benefit of being in a dynamic, supportive environment. Using the Emotional Freedom Technique will increase the effectiveness of the group. Even if you choose not to disclose your issue, you will have relief from them through the process of Borrowing Benefits. During the group, EFT will be used to address all issues. We will tap as a group on the issues that are presented. At times you might be tapping for someone else; however, you are aware of what you need to address. This is a very effective process for each person in the group to experience relief and healing at the same time. The group tapping will help to resolve your issues, although the focus might be on another individual.

After being in the group, you might find that you have more in common than you realized. So often, people feel that their concerns are unique. There is comfort knowing that others have similar concerns. Being able to receive feedback in a supportive way and having your perspective validated is an important part of the group dynamic. Often other group members will address issues that might be similar to your experience. While tapping as a group on that issue, you will most likely find relief for your issue as well.

I have found group therapy to be more effective and to produce quicker results than individual counseling. The group has the ability to become a mastermind where you benefit from each persons perspective and to work through issues with other people that have similar concerns. The group dynamic provides more wisdom and insight than in an individual counseling session due to each group member bringing their unique perspective to the group.

Come join the group for a time of healing. Bring one or two issues to the group that you want to focus on. We will tap together for each person to increase the effectiveness of the tapping. Being able to Borrow Benefits will allow you to benefit from all issues that are presented during the group session. You will experience progress on your own issues from tapping on another person's issue, even if you don't have that issue in common. If you do share the same issue, you will get even more benefits.

You will be amazed at the progress you make in a single session. You can come as often as you want. Come and experience the benefits of tapping in a group. You will leave feeling energized and empowered from the experience of group tapping.

Read more articles written by Loren Fogelman at http://www.kolpiacounseling.com

The Religion of Bio-Psychiatry

If we examine the term 'psychotherapy' we will see that it literally means the 'healing of the soul'. Much of emotional distress is actually a spiritual problem, where an individual has lost meaning and hope. In today's society, we have lost sight of spiritual values and many have in turn decided to turn to the religion of bio-psychiatry.

Bio-psychiatry has a creed, the creed is that all problems of life are the result of so-called chemical imbalances. Any professional or individual challenging such conception is branded a heretic and subject to sanction.

The psychiatrist is the priest, and in some cases is also looked upon as a messianic figure. As the priest, the psychiatrist defines the Social Law and the infractions thereof.

The religion of bio-psychiatry has its 'sacraments.' The sacrament of initiation occurs at intake, and confirmation occurs when the individual is indoctrinated into the credo of bio-psychiatry and led to believe that their problems lie in 'wiring' problems in their brains.

The religion of psychiatry has absolution. Through their ritual, adults and institutions are able to be completely absolved from taking any responsibility for meeting the real emotional needs of a person or examining how their own actions and choices could have impacted the challenges faced by the individual.

Ordination occurs at the conferring of the Medical Degree and the completion of a residency in psychiatry.

The religion of bio-psychiatry has the 'sacrament' of Matrimony. Bio-Psychiatry is wedded to the pharmaceutical industry, and what a generous dowry the pharmaceutical industry has provided!

The American Psychiatric Association serves as the "Ecumenical Council" to promulgate the creed of bio-psychiatry and to institute the definitions of the Social Law and the infractions thereof.

The Bible of bio-psychiatry is the DSM-IV.

The Deity is the enormous ego of the bio-psychiatrists themselves.

by Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.

Practical Ideas For Business Goal Setting

With any type of business goal setting you need to be careful. Setting too high goals will lead to disappointment and frustration and if you set your goals too low then you will not be motivated. There are a few tactics that are important to set goals. By using the following tactics you will create a ladder of goals that can be reached successfully.

You need to be passionate as the goals that you are passionate about will be the most powerful and generally include what you want, what you do and who you are. You need to discover your passion and then set a goal based on that passion. It is important to be realistic. If you want to make 1 million dollars in a year but only make 500, 000 don't think of that as failure. You just made 500,000 dollars, which is great!

You should be value driven and your goals should not conflict with your values or beliefs. If you think there may be some overlaps then you should list out your goals and your values. If the goal does not include at least of your values then you shouldn't waste time pursuing it. You need to be as detailed as possible as just having the goal is not enough. You also should have an achievement date and a way to measure the goal.

You should always have a plan to reach your business goals by starting with your final result and working your way backwards. You also need to be held accountable and hold yourself accountable to that goal. The best way is to have a due date for each part of your plan and report to yourself or another person. It is also important to have fun and reward yourself even when things get tough.

You also need to believe that you will reach the goal. You will never be successful if you don't believe that you can reach that goal. Almost all individuals also need support so don't be afraid to look for some support. Finally the most important step is not to give up. You may need to alter your goal a bit but you can succeed and have fun at the same time.

For more help on how to set goals just click here

Law of Attraction - A First Stage of Awakening

Using the Law of Attraction is a process of raising our consciousness. Most people tend to stay stuck at the victim stage--blaming others, parents, the government or something for the way their life sucks. Since we have been programmed since forever with this attitude, our beliefs are such that this is the way life is, and there's nothing to be done about it. Actually there is, but it takes work and many are not willing to do the work necessary to get out of the victim stage. They would rather stay with the misery that is familiar than to seek unknown success.

The work involved in raising our consciousness above the level of victim is all about accepting responsibility for our own thoughts. It takes great effort and determination to stand guard over our thoughts and change the negative ones or just decide to think only positive thoughts.

Now I know you think that positive thinking doesn't always work. You're right! Positive thinking alone does not make the law of attraction work properly, but it is the foundation upon which it is built.

We can choose to think any thought we want. When we realize that our thoughts are energy and have power to create more of what we're thinking about, we begin to see the value of eliminating the criticism of others, the complaining that life isn't the way we want, and the negative thoughts we have about what is going on in our lives. This only happens when we decide to accept responsibility for everything that happens to us.

It takes awhile to accept total responsibility, but as we remember that what we said or did or thought is what caused such and such to happen, we will begin to believe it. A victim will argue with this thought, that there is no way one could cause the experience taking place. THAT is the thought that must be transformed. Just realize that this is the way the Universe was set up, it's a universal law that our thoughts create our reality. The only way out, is to believe that and accept total responsibility for your thoughts.

Just open your mind to that possibility--that your thoughts create your reality. In the beginning you won't remember it very often, but determination and believing that it is true will bring it to your conscious mind more often and you will slowly begin raising your consciousness. Sure, you'll forget often, we all do, but when things aren't going well, and you aren't feeling great, realize that you've forgotten that your thoughts are creating what is going on in your life.

Raising the level of the energy of your thoughts takes forgiveness for having thought that way, and forgiving yourself for forgetting and loving yourself despite your mistake. Love, appreciation and gratitude have very high frequency energy levels, and science has proven that an energy of low frequency bombarded by one of higher frequency will raise the lower one.

If you are interested in the process of the Law of Attraction, then you are raising yourself out of this first stage of awakening. You no longer want to be a victim of circumstances. You don't want to be tossed by the winds of fate. You want to be more in control of your life, and that is very possible. This is knowing the principles of the Law of Attraction. To learn more, you can download a free ebook, 10 Critical Mistakes Using the Law of Attraction and How to Correct Them.

Mareen Robinson, published author, columnist and teacher of the Law of Attraction, offers tips, techniques on learning how to use the Law of Attraction. Visit Mareen at her website: http://yourmagicwanda.com

Whose God is The Best

If you're part of a religious organization, and were asked this question, "Whose God Is Better" meaning of course, is your God better and stronger or smarter and better looking than the religious competition. Is this something that you believe or were taught while you were young? Obviously you wouldn't think that the Hindu god Brahma is better than Yahweh or Jesus, if you're a Christian. It just wouldn't make any sense to belong to a religion that was weaker than the competition.

It seems like most religions around the world have gods or even one almighty God that is the biggest and baddest god in the neighborhood, maybe even the entire universe.

If we look at the numbers, the Christian God Jesus of Nazareth is the strongest by far. A survey that was done in 2005, showed Christians 2.1 billion strong and growing. With numbers like this, their God must be doing something right. Do you think these numbers are large because of their financial influences in poor countries? Something to think about, how did Christianity become such a large religious institution. They've got plenty of money and pay relatively little taxes. Remember the golden rule, the person with the most gold makes all the rules.

Second on our religious scale are the Muslims, the Islamic religion has over 1.1 billion followers and that puts it at almost half the size of Christianity, but more than doubled the size of the third largest religion by the numbers.

The third largest religion in the world is Hinduism and most of India which is second only to China as the most populated countries in the world are Hindus. Hinduism ranks around 800 million followers.

I'll stop right there. I wanted to give you an idea of religion by the numbers, realistically the Christians and the Muslims believe in the same God but the Muslims recognize Jesus as a prophet and the Christians don't recognize Mohammad at all and Mohammad is the number one prophet for the Islamic religion. But if we put the two of them together, it would be the largest religion by far with almost no competition economically or with military strength.

So to answer our question," Whose God Is Actually Better", I would have to say the Christian God is the most popular and powerful God and the universe. The only problem is, there's no actual proof that Jesus, Mohammed, Yahweh, Krishna or any other supreme being is real. People follow these religions and base almost everything on faith with very little facts that can actually be proven.

I'm not talking about small facts, I'm talking about big ones like, how the world was created, you can choose to believe, anything that you want but until we have some facts or at least something that sounds pretty good, you should probably stop thinking, that your religion is the only way and your God the best. Show some compassion for other religions around the world, their beliefs are no better or weaker than yours.

Hope in Religion

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development. Check out one of his recommended books, religious books

10 Keys to Designing A Personal Lifelong Learning Process

A Lifelong Learning Plan is a conscious, continuous engagement in acquiring, assimilating and applying knowledge and skills in the context of authentic, self-directed growth and challenge. It is rare for individuals to take this initiative. Most people operate on a "what they need now" plan and typically attend educational institutions for their training.

Lifelong Learning is a philosophy of approaching learning as an integral, inseparable part of our lifes activities. Here are ten guidelines to help you formulate your own personalized Lifelong Learning Process.

1. Commit to approach learning as a lifelong journey. Choose to keep it alive throughout your lifetime. You don't need to attend formal educational institutions for this process. In fact, you can learn more in small, consistent spurts than you can in a classroom, if you set up your plan correctly.

2. Maximize your resources. With lifelong learning, there isn't a structure like you had in school, so its easy to ignore and procrastinate. If you allow this, eventually the "you snooze, you lose" theory will catch up with you. A prime example is how changes in the national economy have hit the IT industry these last few years. The companies that priorize learning are still in the game, whereas their competitors who focused on "what we need now" are out of business. Create a system and plan that works and can last a lifetime. Keep learning journals for each topic.

3. Maximize your environments. Identify and create settings that support and inspire you both inside and outside your home. How does the library spark your learning? How about the mall, the park, or even McDonalds! Explore different environments and label each one (e.g., "inspiring," "relaxing," "great for concentration.") What supplies help you keeping your energy up? Do you need quiet for some learning and busy environments for others?

4. Know how you learn. To learn effectively, know how you learn. How do you take in information, process, and retain it? There isn't one best way. Tie everything into a learning purpose and vision. When and how often does you mind need a break? Do you have reading spurts? How do you retain the information -- by reading aloud, notes, summarizing in memory, or sharing with others?

5. Tap into the power of your mind. Your minds power is evident in everything you do. Analytical, critical and creative thinking enables the mind to process, store, and create all the facts and ideas it encounters. By practicing different types and ways of thinking, you keep your mind strong and flexible. Consider it "going to the gym" for your mind! (Talking about how the mind works is the subject of a huge tome, not a Top 10!)

6. Harness the power of words and ideas. Words, when joined, form ideas, and are tools with enormous energy. Whether writing a memo, letter, e-mail, article, or journal entry, make each an opportunity to fulfill a learning goal. Each is a chance to work toward improving and using words to construct understandable ideas. Learn to express ideas in writing. This will evolve into clearer thinking. Keep an idea journal by theme or topic.

7. Absorb, retain, and demonstrate knowledge. What do you do with the facts, opinions, and stories that you accumulate daily? Listening helps absorption and memory skills, which enables retention. Listen to a teleclass or book on tape, then write your own version and master what you learned by moving it into long-term memory. Listening can be compared to using a camera. First, you view the image and focus (listening). Next, you snap the picture (remembering). Finally, you print the image (demonstrate knowledge). Mastering knowledge means being able to apply it in other situations.

8. Value diversity. The greater part of our day involves interacting with others. Experiencing other peoples communication styles, learning methods, and the roles played in groups and teams helps us to grow, prosper, open our minds and develop new perceptions. Dealing with conflict, criticism, and any points of vulnerability strengthens our ability to use any situation as an opportunity to learn.

9. Take exceptionally good care of yourself. Physical and mental health affects learning. Examine these aspects and set up contingencies within your plan to identify and work through all health challenges as soon as they appear.

10. Map your course. Maximize time, energy and focus by defining a yearly learning theme. Subdivide into monthly topics with time commitments. (Example: Ten years ago, I defined a learning goal of three new computer steps in no more than 15-minutes per day. It has compounded and saved time and money ever since.) Minimize distractions by learning to "table the other topics." Create a "next year" folder to contain those great ideas and set up a review month of tabled topics to decide how to use them in the following year.

Catherine Franz, a Certified Professional Marketing & Writing Coach, specializes in product development, Internet writing and marketing, nonfiction, training. Newsletters and articles available at: http://www.abundancecenter.com blog: http://abundance.blogs.com

Stammering and Stuttering Treatments That Work

In the world of stuttering treatments there is unfortunately rather a lot of trash out there. You may believe that this is a rather hard hitting statement however if you are a person who has a stutter then I am confident that you will understand what I am saying. There are, however, treatments for stammering and stuttering that do work, I will be writing about these in this article.

So which stammering and stuttering therapies do work? Well the first piece of advice that I will give is that the treatments that are offered by people who have previously had and overcome this form of speech impediment are likely to prove to be the most beneficial.

There are stuttering therapy courses on the market which are run by people who formerly had a stammer or stutter. The second piece of advice is that the courses which are on a one-to-one basis are likely to be of more benefit than those that are on a group basis. Yes there is likely to be a longer waiting time before a person can attend a one-to-one course, this is essentially because they are more popular, for obvious reasons.

Over the last few years there has been an ever increasing demand and popularity for self-help stuttering therapy products. There are now some excellent alternatives within the market place including a DVD, an e-book and an audio book.

The third and final piece of advice, well at least for this article, that I will provide, is in relation to these self-help stammering/stuttering therapy products. Before you decide to purchase you should ensure that there is a support service which you can contact if you have any questions from watching, listening and reading the material. If there is not a support service in place then it could be well worth seeking an alternative form of stammering treatment.

Steve Hill is a speech coach from the UK; he runs The How To Stop Stammering Centre and has a number of websites including:
stuttering information
speech impediment cure

Beyond Motivation - Passion

It seems that just as we shifted paradigms in the eighties, we worked synergistically in the nineties; now we are passionate in the naughties. Even my local petrol station has passion brochures at the pump! So what are we passionate for ?

Last October I got some unasked for, but expert, advice from an extreme extrovert to be more passionate. After I had calmed down, I took a long hard look at what I was doing and seriously questioned my passion level. This was after all, expert advice.

My research took me through a motley assortment of superficial pop psychology and self help books, all with Passion in the title and each more inane than the last. Finally I stumbled across a book by Sydney author Peter Wallman, The Wisdom of Passion. He appeared to get to the real core of what Passion is, and after meeting with him I was convinced that he had identified a simple but powerful process for identifying and capturing our core passions. I loved the simplicity of the process and the clarity it brought to me and my business. Now I assist others to identify what it is that gets their juices flowing.

Along the way through research, self analysis and questioning of my clients and others who have Passion Mapped I have identified some keys to passion.

Passion is very personal and unique to the individual.

Most of our strongest passions are kept internalised and rarely expressed outwardly.

The most powerful passions are not material (or sport).

Connecting strongly with our passions creates a magnetic effect We attract people and opportunities.

Eliciting deep passions requires skill, we have learned well from the school of hard knocks to keep this side of ourselves hidden.

When we express our passion, our voices change, our eyes sparkle, and our physical demeanor shifts.

Passion is contagious be very careful.

Passion comes before motivation and way before action.

Passion makes a difference.

I share my story of being told to be more passionate with colleagues and clients and generally get snorts of bemusement. As an introvert, I am not given to bounding into a room, leaping in the air, giving great shouts, or jumping up and down on a sofa Oprahs or anyone elses. So how do I express Passion? Tell me after you talk to me!!!

Passion is not something you have more (or less) of. Passion is inherent and intrinsic.

Last week I had the opportunity to coach 10 leaders and staff members of a niche organisation during three intense days.
Each of these individuals has a determination and a spark in their eyes, a tone of voice and a body posture which unmistakably conveys the depth of their passion about the work they do. Unsurprisingly, the organisations Director is passionately leading from the front - a true visionary leader. I felt honoured and very humbled to be coaching this particular team. Their common focus and harnessed energy, steered by their Director, is making a huge difference to their client base. Truly a high impact and passion based organisation.

One of our tasks as leaders is to uncover and unleash the hidden power of Passion in our employees, to harness and direct this passion towards a common shared goal. Just imagine, if you will, for a moment what your team could achieve this year if they were as passionately involved and focused as the organisation I mentioned earlier.

Kofi Annan said To live is to choose. But to choose, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go, and why you want to get there.
In business our Mission and Values statements spell out who we are and what we stand for, Our Vision statement gives where we want to go, and our Strategy gives us the how. But the why is missing.

Passion is the why!!

Liz Cassidy, founder of Third Sigma International is an author, Speaker, Trainer and Executive Coach and is passionate about facilitating results in the businesses, professional and personal lives of her clients. For more information http://www.thirdsigma.com.au

Walk With Norse God Odin - Become a Rune Wizard

Rune - Wizard - Odin

As an aspiring Rune Wizard, it is important that you connect with the energies of Odin, the All-Father. He is the master Norse Sorcerer, Wizard, Shaman, and Magician.

When I say connect, I mean you must build resonant frequencies within your own Aura to Odin. What energies we carry in our Aura attracts people, places and events into our lives.

We don't want to use out dated Asatru and Viking Rituals that bring us back into the time of Odin and the Vikings. We want to bring Odin into the 21st Century so he can walk with us and guide us into the NOW.

Speaking of the 21st Century, we are now in the galactic space called the Age of Aquarius. Our whole Solar System has rotated around the Galactic Sun. We need a new paradigm for contacting and attracting the wisdom and energies of the Runes and Norse Gods/Goddesses.

The Age of Aquarius has given us the Laws of Quantum Physics. The Laws of Quantum Physics have given us the language we can use to build our new paradigm.

Simply stated: the Laws of Quantum Physics tell us that there exists an infinite ocean of thinking, intelligent energy called the Quantum Ocean. It is for all intents and purposes the Mind of God.

Everything that ever was, is or will be exists in the Quantum Ocean. There is no time, no past, present nor future. There is only the NOW. There is no space only the HERE. That is a good definition for the Creator God, an infinite point called the HERE-NOW.

The runes and Gods/Goddesses of the North all exist in the Quantum Ocean in the Here-Now. As a Rune Wizard, you will want to contact and connect with the energies of the Runes and Odin in the HERE-NOW OF TODAY. You don't want to go backwards. You want to bring the energies of Odin and the Runes to you, in the now.

How do you get the energies within your Aura so that you can use and communicate with Odin and the Runes?

The Laws of Quantum Physics tell us that what you think upon you will attract. Thoughts and symbols are all tools that you can use to connect with Odin and the Runes.

Therefore, on a daily basis, have thoughts of Odin, meditate on his image, inhale his Runes into your Aura.

You can simply start by holding the print of Odin in your hands and looking at it. Do this in your favorite chair every morning, before leaving the house to go to work.

Now, mentally inhale and intone, "I am now making contact with Odin and I am bringing him and his wisdom out of the Quantum Ocean and into my Aura where I can talk with him and use his energies.

Do this three times. Talk to Odin in your mind. Visualize him sitting in the room with you. When you leave your home bring him with you in your car and take him to work with you.

Befriend him. Talk to him. Feel him. Soon you will know him and you will feel him in your every day life. Ask him Rune Wizard questions. Keep a notebook with you at all times and record your impressions, thoughts and intuitions.

You want Odin and his wisdom in your life? Build resonant linkages. I did and I met him on a snowy evening in the mountains of Pennsylvania. I wrote about it in my book "Conversations with Odin."

Ellis Peterson AKA Ragnar Storyteller is a retired math professor and electronics engineer. He has been studying astrology, runes, radionics, metaphysics and alternate healing treatments for over 30 years. He is 70+, in very good health and lives in the boonies of the Pocono mountains with his wife Lory. His writings are unique and refreshing. To see more of his writings visit his websites.

http://www.olevikingshop.com/

and

http://www.runes-for-health-wealth-love-now.com/

Or go to goggle and type in his pen name RAGNAR STORYTELLER for his listings. He is also a ghost writer and will write and article for you. Email Ragnar for his FREE 10 PART MINI-COURSE, "How-To use Quantum Physics in Your Every Day Life to Attract More Wealth, Health and Love, Now." You can contact him by email.

epete@ptd.net

Fighting Depression - Your Best Defense is a Body, Mind, Spirit Approach

With the number of people who claim to be depressed at near epidemic proportions, it's time to take a step back and ask ourselves: Why are so many people are depressed and why are women significantly more depressed than men? Better yet, if you're depressed, or know someone who is, what is the best course of treatment to beat the blues so you can begin to lead a happier, more productive life?

There are different factors that contribute to depression. Too many challenges in life (and not enough coping skills) are certainly factors. Un-related health problems, such as hypothyroidism or a vitamin D deficiency, can also make you feel depressed. And a chemical imbalance within the body can lead to depression.

Although many cases of depression are treated with medication, drugs alone rarely get to the root of the problem. Anti-depressants attack the symptoms of depression from a chemical perspective. But if you don't address the other factors that contribute to depression, you may end up being medicated for a very long time. That's why the best defense against depression is a wellness plan that takes a body, mind, spirit approach.

Body

If you're taking medication for depression, you've begun working on the Body part of the whole person approach toward wellness. But there are other aspects of your body that you should address. Diet is a huge defense mechanism when fighting depression. Proper nutrition - including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and adequate amounts of lean protein - are critical to the optimal functioning of your body. Filling your stomach with fast food and refined sugar will only increase the chemical chaos in your body, making it more difficult to reset the balance. Consider taking a high quality vitamin supplement each day to support adequate vitamin and mineral intake.

Exercise is another important aspect of the Body equation. Studies have shown that 30 minutes of light aerobic activity like walking can help your body product natural antidepressants, called endorphins. Getting some sort of exercise every day is very important if you're depressed.

Mind

Next up in the fight against depression is the Mind. Negative, self-defeating thoughts are learned over time. And with hard work, they can not only be un-learned, but they can be replaced with positive, nurturing attitudes.

Although immersing yourself in self-help books can help, re-training your mind often requires outside assistance. A therapist or personal coach will have many skills, tips, and tricks to help you overcome the internal mind games that we all play. It's important to find someone you can trust so that you can be honest about your thoughts and feelings without feeling judged. Because of this, you probably shouldn't fill this support role with a friend or loved one. The people you are close to often can't be objective in this role and may not tell you what you need to hear.

Spirit

Finally, it's vital to feed your Spirit when fighting depression. Although taking a more active role in religious activities can help some people, feeding your Spirit goes well beyond this structured environment.

There are countless ways to bring more spirit into your life. Here are just some examples:

• Take a class
• Read an uplifting book
• Take up meditation or yoga
• Do volunteer work
• Practice random acts of kindness
• Get a massage
• Take a long, hot bubble bath
• Hug your children or spouse more often
• Call in sick and take a "mental health" day

Feeding your Spirit simply involves taking action or doing activities that makes your soul feel good inside.

Not an Easy Road

Taking a proactive, mind-body-spirit approach to fighting depression is not an easy road to follow, especially when you can't even bring yourself to get out of bed in the morning. But if you truly want to heal yourself from the inside out, you really need to address all aspects of who you are: body, mind, and spirit.

Begin by taking baby steps and incorporating a little bit of each aspect into each day. And be sure and reach out to your health care provider and other trained professionals to ensure that you get the loving support you need as you begin the road to recovery.

Patty Harder is a Reiki Master, ordained S.H.E.S. minister, and the founder of 5 Minute Self-Help, an online community and personal coaching program for women who want to feel better, look better, and live better fast. To learn how you can improve your life in just 5 minutes a day, visit http://www.5MinuteSelfHelp.com

Multicultural Connections - 3 Tips To Connect People To People With Any Cultural Group

As a personal brand strategy coach, I work with clients helping them unearth their authentic strengths, their unique promise of value and help them connect the dots for their prospects and clients of "the why" in "why do business with me." That authenticity is key to any relationship they are forming, business included. In fact, if you believe that all business is based on relationships. Then understand that the key to all relationships is the relationship you have with yourself.

"Know thyself" stated Shakespeare. And, he is so correct, because it is yourself you bring into every connection. This becomes even more evident in making connections with minority based businesses where even our communication is scrutinized for inclusion, awareness and biases.

"Creating community, awareness and inclusion is our focus" shared Odel Crawford, president of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce. "Our theme for this month's conference is GROWING BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES IN TEXAS. We realize that there are many issues associated with the development, enhancement and sustainability of minority owned businesses. Of course our focus is on African-American entrepreneurs, however we realize the importance of supporting all minority owned businesses as they are important part of a community's economy."

Mr. Crawford brings out three important points to connecting to any minority business or community and that is to "create community, awareness and inclusion". As a coach, I'm driven to make this into useful, do-able, action oriented activities, so let's go:

• First is AWARENESS. Are you aware of the many communities within your community? Sometimes, diversity trainers will say that we focus too much on the differences. While that might be true, I believe that the differences are their already and to ignore them is not authentic. And don't we know that in connecting with people, that insincerity can be "read" quite quickly? How many cultures are in your community? Make a list and next to each culture identify if there is a group, organization, or association that represents that culture.
• Second is INCLUSION. Time for some self discovery. Do you do anything that "excludes" or "includes" everyone in your connections? Self discovery can be challenging however, we are that common denominator in every business relationship we have so we're a critical factor. Diverse connections come in many packages and sometimes it is easy for us to assume that the outside or external differences are the only ones we should concern ourselves with. Remove questions like "what are you?" or "what's your nationality?" and rather use all the great networking questions that the many fine experts of this publication will teach you. Asking great questions, or yourself and others and then listening will provide all the "skills" you need to make great connections.

Spending time in self discovery will also help reveal any assumptions that you might have or make. Assumptions, as we all know, can be quite damaging to reputations and relationships. Rachel Stone, president, of the Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and active member of the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce, shares the surprised reaction she gets and comments made when she meets them such as "Your last name is Stone? Are you married to an Anglo man? Or, wow, how did you get a last name like that?"

Abraham Maslow, the creator of Maslow's Hierarchy of needs, found that in addition to the basics of food, water, shelter, air, people have a need to "belong and to be valued." Do you fulfill that need for people when you converse with them? Do you do and say things that make them feel that they "belong" or that they are "valued"?

Here's a quick revealing test to see if you do. Have you ever had someone who has to tell you the story in order to relay the facts to you? Have you ever tried to "cut them off" and give you "just the answer" or "the bottom line information"? If you have, you are guilty of making the person who values "detail and information" feel not valued. Truthfully, have you ever done that to anyone?

As in any networking situation, the goal is to learn more about the other person. The more you know the better the connection you can make. The deeper connection you make the more memorable and visible you become (for all the right reasons). The better the connection the more chance they have to sample your character and competence. The more chance they have to sample your character and competence then the faster trust is developed. Trust is foundational to all great relationships - including business relationships.

Dale Carnegie in his book "How To Win Friends and Influence People" speaks of the rules of engagement. One of the rules is, take a genuine interest in what they're interested in. One, cannot take a genuine interest in someone if they do not know what they're true interest is. It's amazing how often I hear people say, "I think this is what he wants. Or, I know that she wants this." Yet, they've 'not asked the person. They are speaking for this person. How do you feel when someone speaks "for you" and does not check in to see if that's really how you feel? Often the feeling is that of assumptions, being judgmental and even to the point of stereotyping.

So, let's get better at asking some good questions. When you ask great questions you get great answers! When do you ask these questions? When you're at a networking event or when you are meeting someone. Steer clear of asking these in "rapid fire" style or like a 20 point oil check. Do weave them into your coffee conversations. They will put more "meat" into your grip, grin and graze. Here are some to put in your connection bag:

1. What organizations do you belong to? Or, enjoy spending time with?
2. What drew you to those organizations? What drew you to this organization?
3. What have you found to be your most successful times with this organization?
4. What are some of the barriers that you've encountered as an organization?
5. What do you enjoy about what you do?
6. What are some of your favorite activities or events with the organizations you're involved in?
7. How do you keep yourself connected with others between networking or social events?

The key to great questions is to be silent and listen to the answers.

Lastly:

• Create COMMUNITY. Bring people together and give them opportunity to feel valued. One of the keys to creating community is to value the people that you are bringing together and that they value you. It is in this "valuing" that you create trust. Trust is a key component to any community and to any team.

Have you ever heard the comment opposites attract? We hear that often especially in the context of couples. And, while in personality style they may be opposites, a closer study reveals that they do share something in common - the same values. Look closely at people in long term relationships and you'll see that they share the same values.

Now, while that is true for marriages and long term relationships there are also some relationships where people do not share the same values but they do share something else in common. They have a shared activity that they enjoy or do together.

As you create community, it can be by discovering and sharing the same VALUES or by having a SHARED ACTIVITY (such as the African American Chambers of Commerce, or the Hispanic Chambers of Commerce) that brings you together.

As this great melting pot world becomes more like the great salad bowl world, you'll see that connecting with minority based networks is more about people relationships that in is about cultural relationships. And, whether their connection is values, generations, experiences or interests, the deepest connections are made people to people.

The true spirit of relationship performance management is to take high performing entrepreneurs and executives from frantic networking to profitable engagement that comes from shedding the limitations of old sales pitches and creating compelling connections. I invite you to discover your personal brand strengths and connect-ability readiness by taking this on-line quiz found at http://www.buzz2bucks.com

If you'd like to learn more about succeeding at your personal brand, visit http://www.buzz2bucks.com You'll learn everything you need to know from what is your personal brand, how to use what makes you best, and engage others in a way that compels others to speak positively on your behalf and influence their contact sphere to your benefit.

Maria Elena Duron, C.P.B.S., C.N.P. PCC, is Chief Buzz Agent, speaker and coach specializing in connecting high performing entrepreneurs and executives and using what makes them best so they can move from their frantic pursuit to success and balance now.

Exercising Your Self-Efficacy

Self- efficacy is the conscious awareness of ones ability to be effective in producing a desired outcome of ones task and/or the ability to deal with life challenges. A person that is self-efficient possesses a level of self-awareness that gives them an innate ability to realize that they already possess everything he or she needs to know to not only solve their problems, but to bring their goals, needs and wants into fruition.

As in each of our lives, there are 6 life areas that complete a self-efficient individual: emotional, physical, spiritual, financial, social and intellectual. Furthermore, when we have all these areas balanced we feel happy and fulfilled. The trick becomes how do we balance these areas and meet our basic needs of belonging, power / recognition, freedom and fun. The answer is to meet these needs internally rather than externally.

Think about it for a minute. If we all possess the innate ability to solve our own problems and bring them into fruition, then why are so many of us basing our own fulfillment on the needs, wants and perceptions of others and things (external). We should not be and the reality is; we will never become self-efficient if we do.

So what will it take to become a person with self-efficacy? It takes a decision, a commitment, a strategy and action.

Your Decision- you decide what you feel is your purpose and meaning. You then make up your mind that that you will start living a life that is based on your values and belief system and not from others. For those of you who are spiritual, your foundation of beliefs can be based in the principals and doctrines of your higher power.

Your Commitment- you pledge to yourself that you will utilize all of your strength, skills, talents and resources to accomplish your decision. Take your time and make sure you are being honest with yourself about your strengths, skills, talents and resources.

Your Strategy- you figure out healthy and empowering strategies that will help you bring your decision to fruition. If you realize that, you lack important resources and skills to bring your decision to reality. Strategize how you can use the strengths, skills, talents and resources you do possess, to acquire the critical ones you are lacking.

Your Action- you take positive steps toward your decision. You are simply making movement in the intended direction. Progress is progress. It is not based on how big the growth, it is based in simply growing. If you are growing your progressing, and if you are progressing you are changing, and if you are changing, action is taking place.

If you exercise your self-efficacy, you are one step closer to authenticating your spirit.

Interested in receiving more advice on healing, wellness and personal growth? Or are you interested in booking this writer for trainings, workshops, keynote presentations or seminars? Please visit us at http://www.wcwallc.com to sign up for our newsletter or request Christian F. Johnson at a speaking engagement.

Personal Self-Esteem Equals Profits

Since birth we have been taught to obey our elders, watch our manners, work on our hygiene, and a myriad of other behavioral molding characteristics. Though in many instances we are taught and have worked fine for most of us, we nevertheless also forget the freedom to think independently. Therefore, what evolve overtime is the skills to solve problems and address issues of personal self confidence and the faith in ourselves. We get stuck with negativity's and thoughts that hinder creative thinking. Some in many instances begin to development feelings of fear, anxiety, stress, and issues of anger which then lead to frustration and a low level of personal self esteem.

The purpose of this article is bring to light the skills one can develop to deal with the everyday challenges of interactive relationships. Identifying the elements needed to cope with fostering collegial relations with colleagues, friends, and business associates. The importance of identifying a true purpose in this world and that you can be a contributing factor in promoting positive and progressive thinking. Finding the appropriate avenues of being a servant, to help others, and to establish a process for communicating service for the benefit of mankind.

The program of personal self development and leadership presented in my leadership formula addresses the issues that negatively impacts personal growth and progress. It works on personal management progression and output results based on performance and accomplishments. It is done through focus driven exercises designed to make you be a successful business person. The formula of personal self development will in essence make you a success in the business world allowing you the opportunity to help others.

This program of leadership development establishes the key core values for progressive thinking people interested in self improvement, business development, program design and management and the creation of personal self development and leadership models to be an inspiration to your community, friends, colleagues, business associates and future clients.

Dr. Richard C. Baiz is a Doctorate in Business Administration. He is a College and Corporate Personal/Leadership Development Instructor and Coach. Dr. Baiz is an expert in Personal/Organizational Development and Management. Dr Baiz gets his clients top notch successful results fast: Personal and Leadership Development

From Greedy to Grateful - Appreciating What You Have

Not everyone is greedy, but most of us expect a lot out of life and often forget to be grateful for what we have already achieved and obtained. We seem to quickly jump from one accomplishment to the next. We go from receiving good things that we enjoy only briefly to quickly pursuing the next good thing we want. We are, for the most part, a pretty needy and wanting bunch of beings.

If you're at all familiar with the Law of Attraction (LOA), you know that it states that what you put your attention on you attract to you. When you are grateful for what you have, you will be more apt to attract more good to you. When you are greedy and constantly wanting more and the next best thing, you are not stopping to be grateful for what you just received. You are not even taking time to celebrate your success, to enjoy the accomplishment, to revel in having it. What you appreciate, appreciates. That is, what you offer gratitude for grows and more comes your way.

For example, say you wanted a promotion at work and you got it. Instead of making a party for your co-workers or family, you're already thinking about how you can get the next promotion. It's a never-ending list of "gimme's" when you don't offer gratitude. Gimme that new car, gimme that new suit, gimme that vacation. It's all right to want tangible objects and activities in our life that make us feel good, that we feel we've earned by our hard work. However, we become greedy when we don't take time to acknowledge all that we are getting and all that we have.

And if we throw a tantrum when we don't get what we want, that is certainly not being grateful, and we are less likely to get it. If you want to live your life by applying the LOA, you need to be grateful, offer blessings and thanks for what you have now, and more will be added to you. A grateful heart attracts, while a greedy one repels.

A great practice for giving gratitude, which I share with my life coaching clients, is to write in a daily success journal. Every night before going to sleep, write down five things you are grateful for. What was wonderful about your day? Who did you touch? Who touched you? How did you serve? How did you make a difference? What good came into your life? The small things are just as important as the bigger ones.

Are you grateful for your family, friends, pets, house, car, clothes, work, prosperity, health, and more? Write these in your journal as a way of appreciating what you have. Not only will you attract more good, but you will feel good. You will feel filled up with all you already have. Your grateful heart will replace your greedy one.

I am grateful for the moments I share with my wife and children. I'm also grateful for my profession as a life coach, which allows me to help people live better lives. Most of all, I'm grateful that I always have the ability to change.

How about you? What are you grateful for?

Lifestyle Mentor, Personal Coach, Author, Educator, and Entrepreneur, David B. Bohl is the creator of Slow Down FAST. To learn more about this step-by-step strategy for Living YOUR Life YOUR way, and to sign up for his 9 FREE Tips for Finding Happiness in a Fast-Paced World, free teleseminars, free Special Report, free bi-monthly ezine and more, go to: http://www.SlowDownFAST.com

Happiness & Personal Growth

You are a woman on a path of self-reflection, self-awareness and expansion. One of the things that can be really frustrating is knowing that you have a lot of personal work to do, but you are not sure where to start.

Just like trying to choose the perfect shampoo and conditioner for your hair type and budget, trying to find just the right guide for your personal growth journey can be overwhelming.

There are TOO MANY choices. You spend way too much time standing in front of the shelves. Time you could be spending doing something personal and expansive.

Here are 4 essential insights to keep in mind as you walk your personal inner journey.

1. Keep it Simple

* How many self-help books do you own?
* Have you read them all?
* Do you feel pressured to buy each new 'best-seller'?

The most basic tenet speaks for itself. Keep it Simple. You don't need to own every self-improvement book on the market. Choose one that really resonates with you and allow yourself the luxury of giving it your full attention.

2. Keep it about you

Instead of rushing out to buy the next best seller, tell yourself that you already have enough. You have all the wisdom you need today; it is waiting for you when you turn your focus within.

Clean out your bookshelf. Let go of the pressure all those unread volumes quietly exert. Give them as gifts to your friends and let them go or just acknowledge that they look great on the shelf, but you don't need to read them all.

Get your journal out. Spend your time focusing on you. Reflect on what is going on inside for you. Get to know who you are at your center.

*What is your reading other people's stuff to writing your own stuff ratio?

3. Keep it Positive

This statement doesn't mean that you can't work through your issues, pain, and unresolved places. It does mean to do so with a mind and heart-set of growth, resolution, healing and possibility.

Wallowing around in your emotional muck just for the sake of it, is counterproductive your growth.

Decide that from this day forward, your inner work will focus on your strengths, hopes, growth, possibilities and potentiality. Decide that nothing is more important than feeling good. Your personal energy will lighten.

* Look back at your old journals.
* What was the overall tone?
* Are the pages full of self-criticism or were you kind and loving to yourself?

4. Progress not perfection

There are no rules on this journey. You will never get it finished and you will never get it perfect, so let go of all that. Just keep moving forward. Do something each and every day that take you to a deeper and more loving understanding of the beautiful woman you are.

The path to enlightenment does not require a lot of external resources. You might be surprised to learn how well equipped you are to travel simply and lightly. This personal adventure will reward you with gifts and surprises aplenty.

Wishing you Peace & Abundance... Joyce Lee "Your Life Empowerment Coach"

2008 joyceleelifecoach.com

Are you ready for more opportunities to explore and reflect? Go to http://joyceleelifecoach.com/prompts.html for your special gift of "20 Profound and Provocative Journal Prompts" designed to help you focus on your life with a spirit of peace.

Joyce Lee is a certified Life Empowerment Coach, Personal Growth Facilitator and Law of Attraction Practitioner, specializes in helping women understand the Law of Attraction and deliberately creating the life they really want.

Supercharge Your Positive Thinking

Many people have come to realize that what we are focused upon often manifests itself in our lives. Thus, if we are apprehensive about or fearful of events in the future, we will often attract that very thing into our lives. Fortunately, it works the other direction as well. If we are strongly focused on what we want, and imagine it happening in our minds, frequently we will receive it, or a form of it, into our lives. Here are four powerful ways to optimize your ability to focus on what you want:

1. Take care of your physical body. The mind and body are intricately connected, and care of one will benefit the other. Make sure you are eating healthy foods, taking appropriate multivitamins and calcium, and exercising regularly. These measures will elevate your mood and clear your mind, allowing you to think about the things you desire.

2. Rid your mind of negative thinking. If you are harboring anger toward someone or something, allow yourself the full negative emotion and note how it affects your mood and physical body. Make a conscious decision to release this negative feeling inside yourself for your own benefit. Remind yourself that you are here and now, exactly where you are meant to be. Assure yourself that whatever decisions you made regarding the situation, they were the best decisions for you at the time.

3. Allow that the other person or event has its limitations, and if it is a person, that this individual did what he or she could with what they have to work with. Visualize releasing this person or event into the universe, back to the God who had purpose for it. Begin to seek out the benefits of the experience and look ahead toward what you may constructively do with your experience.

4. Begin daydreaming about the things you want. Is it a material item like a car? A romantic partner? A new job? Allow yourself to think big and experience in your sensory capacity what it will feel like, look like, smell like, and taste like to have that thing. Anytime a doubt or negative thought that you "can't have that" comes into your mind, imagine a big red "X" through the thought or image, and verbally say "Cancel". Repeat as often as necessary to plant the positive mindset.

Are you interested in addressing your life challenges from a holistic standpoint, assessing the physical, emotional, and relationship components?

For a free copy of my ebook, "Natural Methods To Fight Depression", click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-naturalmethodstofightdepression.html

Shannon Cook is a personal growth and relationship expert who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and holistic personal growth, including physical, emotional and relationship health.

Is Only 24 Hours in a Day - Time Management Tips

We only have 24 hours in each day, if we're working 12 hours each day, six days a week, planning the time required to create a habit will be a little more difficult, than someone who works four hours a day three days each week.

If you're one of those overachievers and can't seem to rest or sit down for even five minutes a day. This tells me, we need to change this habit first. Most people that tell you, they just don't have any time during the day, for anything. These people usually have a lot more time than others.

Their time is normally unstructured and they often find themselves running around like a chicken with its head cut off. They are not organized or very efficient at most things that they do. Keep in mind that there are some extremely successful people that only work four hours each day and some of these people take vacations every other month.

Structuring your time will allow you the extra time you need during the day.

If you have a daytime organizer, use this to figure out, if there is any wasted time during the day. Pay strict attention to any wasted time and make a list you can evaluate at the end of the day. Do this for one week and at the end of the week evaluate your weekly activities.

If you don't have a daytime organizer, carrying around a scrap piece of paper to keep track of your daily activities. If you don't have a daytime organizer or if this is too much work for you, simply pay attention to any time you might feel, has been wasted during the day.

If we can create better time management habits, it won't be long before we have more time than we ever imagined.

Have you ever thought about Getting up Earlier.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world.

Priming the Passion Pump

Clarifying your life purpose is a team effort between your rational and intuitive minds. The following exercise is an effective way to combine these two powerful resources to help you move forward toward a life on purpose. Engaging in the following questions utilizes your memory and your rational nature to prime the pump, making it easier to access the intuitive or creative nature. Write down your responses in a journal, adding whatever comes to you as you are writing. Asking people who know and support you what they see about you in regards to these questions will add grist to the mill.

What do you love to do? When have you felt most alive, excited, in love with life? What were you doing during those moments? Who were you with? Ask people who know you when theyve noticed you most alive and enthusiastic.

What kind of people do you love to be with? Answer this both specifically (specific people) and in general (types of people you enjoy). What are some of the things you could do in your life that would give you the opportunity to spend more time with these people?

If money, time, energy, and talent were unlimited, what would you do with your life and who would you be? If its difficult to imagine any of these being unlimited, make a note of this. Then, let go of that concern and continue the exercise.

Who are some people that you greatly admire? These may be celebrities, people from history, family members, or friends. What is it about them that you admire? Is it a way of being, or a set of values, or what they do in life? Be as specific as you can.

What values are most important to you? Its important to distinguish between the values you think you should feel are important and the ones you choose of your own free will.

2003 Brad Swift of Life On Purpose Institute, Inc.
This article can be reprinted freely online, as long as the entire article and this resource box are included.

Dr. Brad Swift founded Life On Purpose Institute in 1996 with the vision of creating a World On Purpose by assisting people like yourself to clarify their life purpose & live true to it. Determine how on or off purpose your life is with the fun & insightful Self Test at: http://lifeonpurpose.com/_forms/self-test.php?source=ezart Inspire yourself with a fr.ee subscription to Purposeful Pondering Ezine: http://lifeonpurpose.com/index.php?dir=_ezines&task=view-ezines

Over Deliver in Your Business Or Someone Else Will

When you decide to undertake a new business or internet enterprise or if you already have a business be prepared to deliver the goods. That is over deliver. If you want to stand out amongst the countless mediocre businesses that are out there, give of yourself and share all the resources you have at your disposal. This is not only a good philosophy to adopt, but it is mandatory.

There is way too much competition and too many alternatives available in todays' marketplace to offer some run of the mill product or service and expect people to be satisfied. Others may get away with it, but that doesn't make it alright to perpetuate this practice. Make it your mission to blow your customers away with the value you offer. You may fear this will exhaust you or overwhelm you, but I can assure you the opposite is true.

Outside forces tend to come into play when they are truly necessary. If your mission is to help others and offer a business, service, or program that is of value it will get noticed, and as such others will rally behind this system and actually contribute to and multiply your efforts. You will find this reaction energizes you and inspires you to offer even more value. Also the concerted effort behind this cause will gain momentum.

So few people actually make themselves available to spend the time assisting their newly recruited clients or customers and offering them the assurance and support they need. By simply going the extra steps and taking the time to answer questions, offer training, return phone calls, return emails, and show your concern; you are fostering more trust and a stronger bond that will pay off in the long run. You're establishing long term relationships and ties that carry on.

Learn a lesson from the top businesses or noted personalities who are among us today. What are the commonalities? What qualities do they share? Above all they are givers. They blow people away. Disney World does this, Walmart does this, McDonald's does this and even Brittany Spears. All in their own way, they offer something and they don't hold back. Fan or not, this is undeniable. Walmart has teams of marketing experts seeking out name brand goods to offer at lower prices. Disney always surprises us with the latest in animation and technology. And yes, Ms. Spears may take a detour or two, but she ultimately shares her talent and is rewarded because of that.

If this sounds foreign to you or like unnecessary baloney, I would encourage you to reexamine your intent and your expectations for success. A customer can always buy from someone else or a new client can always seek a service elsewhere. Don't let them. Don't be concerned with "the how" as much as the effort. If you put forth more effort, even more than you think you possess, you will most assuredly enjoy the rewards, and in most cases more than you can gauge by a bank account.

If this has been helpful and you'd like to learn more Go Here for more marketing tips.

James Broadfoot is an entrepreneur, web publisher and online marketing specialist. Take a Look Here to see what else he's up to.

Defending God by Offending Satan

Did you ever have rules as a child, or even at work that were just never really enforced? The kind that at first you followed, but as time went on and you saw other people not really paying attention to it and you noticed that no one really cared, so then you thought , "well, it must not really be any big deal"? Do we, as Christians, let our morals and beliefs become justified in the same way? 4 Reasons that I believe may be impacting Christians in how they establish and maintain moral value systems for daily life.

Cultural Confusion - "He who is a slave to the compass has the freedom of the seas"

- Morals are considered being old-fashioned, and that having morals just adds unnecessary baggage to our already complicated lives.

- Many beliefs and doctrines exist in our society to accommodate every lifestyle and help people justify their behaviors... which confuses most people into believing that there is No Absolute Truth, but rather what truth for you is truth for you, not necessarily for me - & vice versa.

- Our society in schools and workplaces is teaching "respect the individual" and accept "diversity", such as same sex marriage (homosexuality), and even the legal system is supporting this with the introduction of new "diversity" laws.

- Being politically correct in our speech is helping to mask the ugliness of the truth.

- Special Interest groups minorities are "squeaking the loudest" in Washington and across our nation in schools and courts.

Cultural Fears - Acceptance

- If we don't conform, or if we actually stand up for what we believe in we fear rejection

- Job Loss or no advancement, etc.

- We want to be accepted, we want to fit in, and peer pressure is stronger than ever

- We don't want to be put down

- Possible legal consequences like discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment

Denial & Justification -

- It's not really that bad

- I can control it if it ever does get that bad

- "It's just a necessary evil" to fit in, for my career sake; part of the territory

- I haven't seen it or heard it, so it can't be true (while we intentionally look the other way to avoid it)

- Everyone else, even others at church aren't saying anything... or think it's ok... or watch it, listen to it, play it, etc.

- My spouse / kids / I would never be sucked into thinking / believing like that

Desensitization - Cogs on a gear or bicycle chain/sprocket wear down, and we don't seem to notice until the chain starts slipping and we're no longer moving forward.

- Look at our Movies and TV programs, and our...

- Music

- "Literature" books in the schools

- Magazines

- Ads

- Video & Computer Games

- Internet

- Even News stories

We have become reactive instead of proactive...

- We have become more involved with justifying ourselves, instead of proclaiming Christ
- Debating our faith, rather than practices our works and standing on our faith and defending it
- Arguing to convince Satan and others of our beliefs and values instead of preaching the Gospel of Christ to a dying confused world
- We need to actively stand up and Offend Satan

- Offense marches on, moves forward, finds a way over-under-around-through an obstacle...
- Defend is an action word - it means to DO something to correct, protect, & serve
- Face the opposition, and stop looking the other way hoping that they will just go away
- Pick up the Sword, the Shield, the Armor, and trust in God to win the battle through you... you see, this one step takes all of the pressure off of us.

God knows that we can't win without Him, and He loves us anyway. If you trust Him to work through you, then it's not any personal risk no matter what happens, because you know that it's God, not you!
- The cup isn't at fault if the coffee is cold, it's only job is to hold the coffee and provide drinking access to it; not make it, not pour it, not make it taste better... and neither are you at fault or risk if someone rejects the Word... your only job is to hold it and share it, provide access to it for others. You are the vessel.
- Would you expect a paycheck without a job?
- Would you expect a Medal of Honor for hiding and avoiding the draft?
- Then don't expect Heaven as a reward for accepting the world, not even for accepting it through remaining silent.

We are saved by Grace... yet we must have faith after hearing... and we must have enough faith to do something about it and demonstrate our acceptance of Christ in our lives by being baptized as we are commanded... and then we coast into cruise control and grace saves us, right?

NO, of course not! How can we know Him, and not speak about Him? Yet faith without works is dead... where are your works? Where are your values made and maintained? Where is your head, your heart, your soul... in Him, or in the world?

If you have an interest in the Bible, missions work, or religious matters, you will most likely enjoy and learn much from these sites: http://www.missionsworks.org You may also want to visit my blog: http://360.yahoo.com/brantdeth

The sites are designed to teach, but also to provide numerous resources on the Restoration Movement that took place in America's early history. There are several resources that you can access from the site, as well as some very basic biblical teaching that may enlighten you or others about just what the Bible tells us, without interjection of man's creeds or opinions

Keep your eyes open for my new book "In Pursuit..", schedule for release later this year. The book briefly addresses some of man's theories (Darwin, Uniformitarianism, Existentialism, and others), the age of our earth (and universe as a whole) by genealogical and secular historical perspectives, and other interesting aspects of our being. You will follow through to self-discovery, using the Bible as the focal point of the Truth, Peace, and Hope that questions your pursuit, and promises attainment. Your will laugh, learn, and be enlightened

At some point, though not ready yet, MissionsWorks.org will also provide an interactive living map of where missions works are being performed globally

Any thoughts, comments, or feedback is always appreciated! What would you like to see me write about? Let me know! God Bless You!

Dr. D

Surviving a Break Up and Self-Help Tips

The break is supposed to happen to the best of us. More self-esteem issues are directly linked to the break that in. If you are looking for someone or a couple, we have the strain to which loves us and makes us feel like the luckiest person in the world, which unfortunately is often not always occur.

Often surviving a breakup is a big lesson and decision making time for you and her especially if there was cheating involved in the first place.

One thing that many of us try to do is determine whether the reason for their problems in their existence, first, is due to the problems between you and her, or is it due to problems that originated from the beginning.It can be exhausting trying to survive the disruption and its separate way.

It is best to try and focus your mind on something else just to clear your mind. You can see a therapist for help with the depression of a breakup.Or if you think you can work out and have a future with this person now is the time you and your spouse if you both know it's the other and help each other to survive and overcome the challenges of its disintegration.

You might be curious about self-help books and use different tricks and tips to help you feel better. If your connection is secure, there will be a special trust between the two. First, however, it is necessary to work in the construction of the relationship. Find a good marriage couple to get advice to helping your problem.

There are some things you can do to help its dissolution. Which are separated by belief, and try to talk instead of saying that it is a mistake, or where their weaknesses are trying to find common ground. Take time to discuss what each others roles in the breakup. Also discuss what you expect of others. Let your partner know what hurts, but you know what you want or need to do and try to offer the same to them.

If you are involved in a dating or marriage there are many things you can try to help position the separation. Once the two of you have worked in surviving the breakup and stop all talks of divorce, separation, rupture, or simply that the two can work together to make each other better and happier people. Its dissolution will help you help the image and help you overcome all those things you have to go back.

With this recession on the verge what are you planning to do about your financial stability?
Well, If you think you have a chance in the online game then check out my blog:
http://top10jobsonline.blogspot.com
In hopes that you will make enough money to quit your day job......

Self Esteem and Body Image

Our self esteem has a lot to do with our body image. How much do we accept our own bodies? Are we good enough to be ...?

Are we good enough to have ...?

Are we good enough to do ...?

The answers depend entirely on our own self esteem. Although our bodies have something to do with how others treat us, the most important factor is how we view ourselves.

If we hold an image of our bodies as being messed up then we have a negative impact on our bodies as well as our self esteem.

If we think we are our bodies, then we are building esteem for the wrong self.

We build esteem for our bodies by seeing their true perfection. The first step in doing that is accepting them the way they are. They are okay the way they are.

What effect does self acceptance have on our health?

Many people believe that we have energetic blueprints for our bodies. This energetic blueprint affects the condition of our bodies. The blueprint comes first. The actual body condition comes some time later.

If you were fortunate enough to see the movie What the Bleep, you saw microscopic pictures of water after it was exposed to prayer, positive thoughts, and various negative emotions.

The results were astonishing!

The microscopic pictures of the water exposed to negative emotions and thoughts looked like a real mess. However, the pictures of the positive emotion exposed water looked like nature's works of art. They were harmonious and beautiful.

Imagine what effect emotions have on our body!

In a later scene, the main character looked into a mirror and dramatically exclaimed "I hate you". This normally beautiful woman looked quite unattractive.

Fortunately, the leading character had a realization. She started loving herself and painted loving art work all over her body. Her whole appearance changed. She looked beautiful again. She was happy. She accepted and loved herself.

Have you ever tried to fight off negativity?

You probably noticed that it was a never ending battle. We might temporarily succeed by placing ourselves inside a protective egg shell where all the bad stuff is outside. Our world can get smaller and smaller as we do that. Pretty soon there's nothing left but us in our shrinking eggshell watching Mary Poppins video.

Have you ever tried to get rid of something by resisting it?

What happened? Did it keep coming back? Could there be a better way?

Yes, fortunately there is a better way. We can observe something and accept it the way it is. This doesn't mean we mentally push it away by telling ourselves that we accept it.

Can we really accept something? Can we allow it to continue forever? If we really can, then magic happens. That something can lift off. I can't promise that you can change physical reality. But I'm not saying that you can't.

I can tell you from experience that you can change your emotional and mental experience.

By accepting your body the way it is, you change the energetic blueprint of your body. And ...

It feels good.

Copyright 2006 by Jim Kitzmiller

Jim Kitzmiller is the author of Rocket Fuel for the Soul -- Blissercise Self-Help Manual. The book's bliss exercises (blissercises) surpass usual positive thinking approaches by bypassing the logical mind. The blissercises cover 46 different areas of life.

Jim leads self-help workshops and does spiritual coaching.

Why You Need to Be Flexible With Your Tarot Card Definitions

Tarot Card Definitions

Tarot card definitions can seem to be a bit hazy to those just starting out learning the tarot. But, while it can leave you a little frustrated at not being able to find plain and concise instructions, this is actually the beauty of this ancient art. If you were to be totally literal in your interpretations of the tarot card definitions, your readings would actually become jumbled and nonsensical.

How can this be so? Because tarot card definitions are not just isolated nuggets of information but instead are fluid and flexible in order to absorb the wisdom of the cards surrounding them in your reading. To use an analogy - words have meanings by themselves but these meanings change within sentences or by context. You simply need to learn to 'talk' the language of the tarot.

Here are two examples. Firstly, let's take a popular spread, the Celtic Cross. In this spread, the cards will be placed in a particular order and this assigns them a specific function. Card number 1 details your present, card number 2 tells you what your immediate challenges are, and so forth.

Let's look at how we might treat the Seven of Swords in both of those positions. If I were to see this card come up as the querent's present, I would immediately think that s/he is involved in plan making and wishes for the future, but I would also feel that these might be flaky and lack substance. If I were to see this card in position number 2, the immediate challenges, then I would ask if there might be someone around the querent who is encouraging them with big ideas and that they need to reign in their plans a little, perhaps take more responsibility for themselves.

You can see the similar characteristics of the card at work, but their meanings take on a slightly different flavour.

Example number two - I'm going to look at different tarot card definitions for a Major and then Minor Arcana card. First, let's look at a card that usually puts a smile on people's faces - The Lovers. Now, I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, so let me say that if you've asked a question regarding love then this is almost always going to be favourable for you. However, it can have other meanings too. Are you too deeply involved with someone or a situation? Are you lacking in enthusiasm for something that really needs you to put your all in? This card might be asking you to inject the energy, that love usually inspires, into it.

Another confusing set of tarot card definitions can be seen in the Eight of Cups. This card often indicates that you have drawn a line under things and have decided to move on. But can you be so sure that you have done this or are you kidding yourself? This card can sometimes be there give you a bit of a kick up the backside!

As mentioned above you will also need to look closely at the surrounding cards for your answers. The tarot card definitions will be modified by the presence of other cards. This will be even more true if you see patterns, such as a high number of a particular suit come up.

So, now let's look at the general themes of the minor Arcana:

Wands represent thoughts and notions. Is there something that you need to work out? If you see a high number of these cards come up, you should take note and maybe take some time out to think.

Cups mean emotions. If you see a high incidence of these cards, it's likely that you are going through a difficult time or that there is a lot of change around you.

Swords stand for activity. If you see lots of these cards then expect things to start happening or ask yourself if you should start to make them happen.

Pentacles mean that things are starting to take shape. But as with the swords, the cards may actually be telling you that you need some of the pentacle's energy in your life so it's time to get motivated.

As for the tarot card definitions of the Major Arcana? These cards carry more authority in your readings so when you see these, it's time to sit up and take notice as they are more likely to mean major changes, either psychical, emotional or in attitude. In fact, these cards are so influential, some experts recommend that beginners use only the Major Arcana for their readings but I am of the opinion that you might as well get stuck in!

In summary - harmonize. Yes it's important to understand the meanings of each the cards. But try to get to know the cards as rich and complex characters, rather than just seeking the precise tarot card definitions. They're not to be used as a Q&A session. The answers will be reaching far deeper than that. As with all great disciplines, you will have to persevere to achieve the wisdom.

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For more info on tarot and all other mystical areas, try our blog http://destinycharms.blogspot.com/

Francesca xx