15. December 2009

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The Reason For The Season

It seems that the real Christmas meaning has been lost these days, “the reason for the season” in one way, is to have more time to rush from store to store, spending all your pay! Shouldn’t it be ‘Tis the season to be thankful and grateful for all we have and to think about those who don’t?  To share with others and pray for those who can’t?

Then I thought, “What is it about the Christmas Season that brings out the worst, causing us to lose all, rhyme and reason?”  It begins the day after Thanksgiving when someone grabs the last sale item from the shelf, knocking down several people without even knowing it . The very day after they were sitting at their table saying how thankful they were for all they had. And yet, they were all out the very next day grabbing for more.  What happened to that thankfulness?  That story was told more than once this week, but the beauty of the Season, not once did they speak.

Then I thought of my childhood days when the season was filled with mirth, and how we planned together to celebrate the Birth.  Credit cards were a luxury only the rich could afford, and there were no Wal-Marts and shopping centers galore.

My mother would sometimes spend months crocheting a shawl, or knitting and sewing gifts for us all.  I would have that beautiful new dress I wanted to wear my first day back to school after the holiday.  My dad would work long hours for extra pay so we could have one special gift under the tree on that special day.  My mother would stuff my Dad’s big socks with nuts, fruit and some candy for each of us.  We were so grateful and happy for that toy and sock.  We were a big family that shared a lot, but there was always room for one more potato in the pot. And it seemed that there was always an extra person or two at our table to share that potato.

On Christmas Eve the only pushing and shoving I can retrace, was to see who could get the closest to the warmth of the fire.  In those days we had one car that was for us all, and there were no cell phones to interrupt with a call.  We had one pair of shoes to do for the week, and a special pair for Sunday that made us feel sheik.  The same was true of our coveralls, while mother cut our hair, and at times left us bald.  No hair salons for us.

While today, our hi-tech hustle and bustle leaves us in a whirl and many have forgotten the One that came to save the world.  Celebrate with me right now, “the reason for the season;” lift up a prayer and praise to God for that baby that was born, and our Savior that was raised.

Let’s say that extra prayer that peace will abound in the world and our servicemen and women will be safe away from their families and know just how much they are loved and admired, not only by their loved ones but by all of us who are free today because of the legacy that has been left by all men and women of all branches of the services,  who have faithfully served our country in all wars.

Thank you God for this beautiful world and the people in it,  from all walks of life.  Let us continue to prosper and help others.  We are not worthy of your greatness  God, but we will spend all eternity trying to be.  In Jesus name, we pray o’ Lord.  Amen.

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25. November 2009

7 Comments

Habit – Interpret And React To Emotional Responses

You know, habits are like clothes, you wear them and they fit your personality and self-image. Some clothes make you feel like a million dollars while others make you feel dull. So  we often wear the same clothes over and over again just because we’re used to them. The same can be said for habits. Habits which include thoughts and reactions are learned. Therefore, whenever a situation arises we tend to interpret and react according to emotional responses we have previously learned.

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17. November 2009

2 Comments

How To Grow By Taking A Risk – Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone!

The quickest way to feel good about yourself and to grow in the process, is to take a risk. You have no way of knowing just how much you can do until you get out there and try. You don‘t know how far you can go until you actually find a way to get out of your comfort zone. Roger Bannister didn’t listen to the naysayers when he broke the 4 minute mile. Just because no one has ever done it before doesn’t make it impossible and you may be the very person who finally finds a way to get it done.

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17. November 2009

7 Comments

Is Gastric Bypass Surgery Just A Way To Avoid Exercise?

For people consumed with losing weight, surgery may seem like an easy option. Gastric bypass surgery has helped a number of people and has come to light in recent years due to a number of celebrities receiving this procedure. Although a gastric bypass surgery may seem like an easy way to shed unwanted pounds, it is actually a very serious weight loss method and is not for most people. You should only consider gastric bypass surgery if you are very significantly overweight and need to lose the weight for medical reasons rather than for cosmetic reasons.

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13. November 2009

5 Comments

Two Kinds Of People – Those Who Get Things Done And Those Who Wait For The Right Decisions

Which Are You?

There are basically two kinds of people: those who get things done and those who wait for conditions to be right. The first group will quietly get on with things, putting forth every effort as they act, giving consideration as they perform, until they reach their final objective. The second group thinks a lot. They wish, wonder, and dream. If they do act, it is only after much soul-searching and their action is often hesitant, and filled with doubt.

This has been me. I have always been a dreamer. I am somewhat of a perfectionist so things have to be done just right and everything I can learn must be learned before I can start something. I have found out the hard that if you continue on this path you are doomed. You will never reach your dreams. So get up off your bottom and just jump right in there. It will never be perfect because only God is perfect.

Colin Powell once said, “The freedom to be your best means nothing unless you are willing to do your best.” What would really get you going today? What would make you so excited, so enthusiastic, so motivated, and so full of energy that you would literally put your every ounce of effort into it? Folks, you cannot simply be successful. Your success must start with a particular objective, or it cannot happen. Discover the one thing that is truly important to you. Begin to focus on that objective and get passionate about it. Make every effort to make it happen.

My mentor, Daniel Graham teaches me something about myself everyday.  He says effort is the rock against which we can hone our integrity. As long as our effort is all that it can be, there will be no room for short cuts, doubt or cheating. Everyone is motivated by something. What is it that would compel you to transcend any obstacle, to do whatever is necessary to pursue that goal?

I would love to hear what you think and which kind of person you are.  Please leave a comment below and if you haven’t already join my google friend connect.

Be the best you can.

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26. October 2009

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Learning How To Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle

Diet and Exercise

I can’t stress enough how important these two things are to live a happy and long life.  If you want to see your children and grandchildren grow up, and be able to spend time with them in a productive way,  you MUST learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Nutrition and physical activity combine for us to have healthy bodies.  Exercise is going to give us fitness along with four major things:

  • flexibility
  • strength
  • muscle endurance
  • cardiovascular health.

Diet on its own is not going to be able to give you this.  You need to have the physical part as well.  One thing to remember is that a bad diet can affect the way that your fitness training goes even if you follow the best type of exercise plan that you can.

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4. October 2009

10 Comments

Important Things You Should Know About Healthy Living

Do you know the important things you should know about healthy living, such as how to handle your food while preparing it, how to help your family enjoy certain foods, how to get your family involved in the every day style of healthy living?  How about the pitfalls of dieting, certain diseases caused by dieting and very important dieting along with exercise?  Well read on and find out all these things and much more.

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23. September 2009

3 Comments

More Germ Areas And The Most Germy Jobs

In my previous post I gave information on many places we might not think of as being really bad areas for germs.  This post will tell about more germ areas and the most germy jobs.  Please read the following from a comment I received on my recent post – It is a great addition to my post:

September 17, 2009 by Oren Pardes:

While disinfection IS a highly recommended practice, many germs have become MORE of a problem due to our attempts to kill them. Those that survive “adapt” and become “stronger”. Rather than focus on reducing the number of germs, we need to increase our ability to resist them.

Germs (even in large numbers) are usually only a problem if our immune systems are weak. Getting the kinds and amount of food, water, sleep, exercise, sunlight, and other things that support and strengthen us is by far the most important action(s) we can take for staying healthy and protecting ourselves from getting sick.

Germs can also only infect and hurt us (and/or anyone else) if they can get into our bodies. Unfortunately, we often help them to do so – with what we touch with our hands (including ourselves). Putting our hands in our mouths is so common we probably don’t even realize it.

Here are three easy but important practices for staying healthy:

1. Cough and sneeze into a sleeve (or other fabric) rather than hands.

2. Wash the SIDES and TIP of EACH finger (and under the nails).

3. Clean faucet and door handles BEFORE washing hands OR use a paper towel to touch them AFTER washing hands. Otherwise hands are NOT clean.

Finally, the household object with the MOST germs is almost always the kitchen sponge used to clean dishes. Microwaving it on a regular basis is one way to reduce the chances of spreading germs by “cleaning”.

Thank you Oren.:-)

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17. September 2009

6 Comments

Germs On Surfaces, In Homes and Other Places, And Yes – Germs In Hospitals – Is This A Scary Thought?

Well IS this a scary thought?  You bet it is.  I would like to let you know just how you can protect yourself from as many germs as possible, by letting you in on things you might not have even thought about.  Are you ready?

Almost every medical expert in the world will tell you that germs are everywhere, whether you like it or not.  By just walking across the room, you are surrounded by airborne organisms.  Sit in a chair and when you get up you will be covered with bacteria.  No matter how clean you think you are or your home is, you will never be able to be totally free of germs.

Humans are the worst types of offenders.  Not that people should be overly concerned about becoming ill.  According to Phillip Tierno, Director of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at NYU, only about 1-2% of the 60,000 types of germs people may come in contact with on a daily basis are a potential danger to anyone with a normal immunity.  That works well for us, because just about any surface contains some of these microscopic organisms. 

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5. September 2009

5 Comments

Be Sure To Have The Right Yoga Equipment

For anyone into learning yoga, you will find that there are a few things that you might want to purchase for proper training. When it comes to yoga equipment you will want it to be safe and give you the ability to perform the correct moves and poses. This means that you will want to go shopping for some special equipment.

First and foremost, it is important to have a good mat. Mats come in all shapes and sizes, so you will have many choices when making a purchase. Look for a mat that is large enough for you when you are sitting. It should be dense, but not too dense.  You don’t want to sink down into it.  Be sure that it is lined with a non-skid material, washable, preferably machine washable. Remember, yoga is an exercise, so be sure to wash your mat often to prevent the spread of bacteria and other germs.

You will also want to buy blocks made especially for yoga.  These will be used to correct your posture.  Made of dense foam, they can be used to help learn specific positions. They are light and strong so that you can easily take them to and from your class, if you will be attending a class.  Bolsters can also be used for the same purpose.  However, they are heavier, but conform more easily to the shape you need.

More advanced yoga students may wish to consider other props, such as a yoga sling to hang from the ceiling.  This will help in doing inverted positions. Yoga ropes, which can be mounted to your walls or ceilings will help with posture and flexibility.  If  that is a bit too much for you, some sandbags with handles can be used to create a bigger stretch when you are doing certain poses.

You may want to purchase books and videos on yoga to continue to learn this art. When it comes to learning new poses you will find that a coach or instructor can help to show you the correct way it should be done. Videos are a great way to do this.  Taking a class is also a great way to have more fun and meet new friends.

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