Success is For Everybody

Success is available to everybody. Nobody was born successful.

Success is all a matter of what you want in life and how desperate you are to get it; you and you alone are responsible for your own achievements and success in life.

Success starts with an idea or dream of what you want to become or achieve. This idea or dream must be a desire or passion within you then you stand a good chance of achieving what you want and thereby being successful, other peoples ideas won't necessarily mean that you will be successful.

To be successful you must be motivated and be clear and specific in what it is that you want to achieve. There are certain steps that you need to follow, nothing will just happen and give you the desired results;

You must have a goal.

-You must put in writing what it is that you want (be specific).
-Write down when you want to achieve it (date).
-Write down how you want to achieve it (resources that's needed).
-What are you prepared to sacrifice to achieve your goal?
-Repetition (Read and re-read daily).
-Educate yourself.
-How are you going to share your success?

Now let's look at each of these points by themselves;

1.Formulate a goal.
Every idea or dream will stay just that unless it is put down as something definite that
you want to achieve. Unless you work on your idea or dream and put it down as a definite goal the chances of achieving it is very slim, because with the first obstacle a person encounters the chances of saying it is to hard, become very relevant or I've tried my best.

2.Put goal in Writing.
When it is in writing you will be able to see a month or year from now what it is that you
really wanted to achieve. Ensure that it is realistic and achievable. Very unlikely that any human being can stay under water like a fish for days on end without breathing apparatus. With a goal in writing one can regularly check and see if you are still on track and if it is perhaps necessary to put in more effort or work harder to achieve your goal. Unless it is in writing it will remain an idea or dream and can change as circumstances change.

3.When will the goal be achieved.
Unless a specific date is recorded it will remain as an unfulfilled dream. The date must be realistic and achievable. Ensure that the date allow time for unforeseen circumstances.

4.How the goal will be achieved.
What resources are needed? What assistance is required and where will it be obtained? If physical equipment is required like books, buy it from the outset as it will mean commitment.

5.What will be sacrificed?
If the goal involves studying, then parties and socials must come second to the studies. The goal must be more important than TV or other games. Don't neglect physical activities as a fit body means a fit mind. Don't ignore important people like loved ones or family. Don't push yourself to the point of a burnout.

6.Repetition.
Read your goal at least twice daily and then once aloud, convince your inner self that this is what you want, therefore read with the right emotion. By continually reading your goal you will stay focused. Reading the goal will immediately highlight if any diversions is sidetracking you.

7.Educate yourself.
It is necessary to read relevant information to keep you inspired. You might need some specific information. Books or manuals might be informative as to other people's achievements. Watch informative videos or screen shots. You might even need to join a library, depending on your goal.

8.Sharing success.
Who will you share your success with? Who will benefit from your success? How will you live with this success?

Belief in yourself, hard work and perseverance is some of the key elements of success.
Look at the achievements of any great name in history or just the achievements of any Olympics athlete.

Your success depends on yourself.

Dawie writes on motivational related topics.
You can learn more by visiting my blog, Essentials For Success
http://essentialsforsuccess.blogspot.com

Is The Bible Historically Accura

Something To Get Christians Thinking Video

I was reading a book on advertising when the author mentioned, "All Advertising Is about Hope."

Check out one of his recommended books, Read This Book

Greg is currently creating articles on religion filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Followers Or Leaders
Missing Years Of Jesus

How Self Help Tapes and CDs Can Help You Become a Happier and More Positive Person

We are bombarded with depressing news all day via the newspaper, the news channels, the radio and even by word of mouth among people. With all the negative activities going on around us it is refreshing to have something positive come our way. That is where self help tapes (or self help cds) on positive thinking come into use. These products are very useful to keep the mind positive even amidst all the chaos happening in the world.

The best thing about these products is that they are books that you don't need to take time out to read. We all know how hard up on time we are usually. Therefore, we will never be able to make time to specifically read books on personal inspiration. On the other hand, these self help tapes are very useful for personal motivation. Therefore, all you need to do is put them on wherever you are, and continue doing your work while enjoying the luxury of motivational talk for inspiration.

There are many publishers who have such motivational texts converted into self help tapes for your convenience. Now you can cook, eat, bathe, work on the computer and feed your baby while listening to these tapes and receive our daily dose of inspiration amidst all the terrorism, violence and sadness of the world. However, while buying any of these you should be sure of what you want. A good idea is to read reviews and find out what other people are saying about a particular product.

If you want to find a way to achieve success and happiness in your life, check out my review of some of the most effective Self Help Tapes (or Self Help CDs) available.

Read my Quantum Mind Power Review To Find out More about this powerful program.

You dont want to miss out on this Amazing Secret when you can discover the answers Today!

Water Damage Mold

Personal Development, Self Improvement & Self Help, Are You Living in Integrity With Your Goals?

So... you have set the goal and started the process of achieving what you want. You work towards the goal, think about the goal and are really excited. Then something happens. You loose steam, you get busy and the excitement that you had while you were working towards your goal fades and another project gets stuck back up on the shelf. Waiting for completion and just outside of your grasp.

These projects and goals that you shove to the side have an impact on your mind. They are promises that you made to yourself that you have broken. Inside there is an overdrawn debit account for every project that you did not complete. The internal stress from this debit account wears on you if you cannot put it back into alignment.

Getting Back Into Integrity

One of the ways that you start to live in integrity with your goals is to figure out what you really want in life. Many times you start a goal and never finish it because its something that you don't really want. Maybe some of the goals you have been setting have been for other people and not you. You will never make real progress until you have clearly defined goals that you actually want. Think about each of the projects that you have tabled or not completed and evaluate whether you want that for yourself or whether you were just going through the motions for another person.

Once you have that done list out the five main areas of your life: wealth, health, family relationships, love relationships and your form of spirituality. Write down what you want in each area of your life and be specific.

Do A Daily Check-Up

Each morning when you wake-up read your goals. Plan out what you will do each day based on the five categories of your life. Make sure that you devote at least five minutes every day to each of the five areas. At the end of the day go back over your list and ask yourself if you lived true to your goals during the day.

Living in integrity with your goals means that you take steps each day to move towards them. You align yourself in terms of your habits and your thoughts so that you are helping move yourself closer to your goals. If you merely sit around and dream without taking action you are out of integrity.

When you change your habits, actions and thoughts, your whole life will change. Set aside a few minutes each day to work on your goals. Click on http://www.GlobalSuccessILG.com to learn about how to increase your income and create wealth in your life. This site covers topics from leadership, to tax strategies, to growing your business and many more. Ray Stendall is President of Wealth Expressions, Inc. and regularly coaches individuals and businesses on how to achieve their goals and objectives.

What Happened To The Wise Men

Patronym - The Name of God the Father As Patronym

The Patronym is the Name of God the Father. When you are sealed, it is written in your forehead. It shows you belong to God, that He has claimed you as His own child.

It is not enough that you consider God your Father. You need His consideration. You need Him to say that you are His child. You may want Him to be your Father but you must have His approval to realize your dream.

You may say, "You are like a Father to me." But does He say, "And you are a child to me," in response? This is what you are seeking. The favorable response of God. And being sealed is the way.

When you are marked with the Seal of God he claims you as His own. He owns you. He should be able to do with you as He will. That is the ideal at least. But it's not always that way.

And most people are not marked by God. It is not common. It is unusual. It is not the norm. It is an exception. But it can happen to you. Just like it happened to some of the people in Heaven.

One of the apostles John saw a multitude of people in Heaven. There were 144,000 of them. And each of them had the Name of God written in their forehead. They belong to God. And so can you.

God is seeking people to belong to Him. It hurt God that man disobeyed Him from the beginning. That was not what He created you for. He created you to work with Him. To help Him. And so He could help you.

Because when you belong to God you are not just His property. You are glorified. And He will give you what your heart desires. He will help you fulfill your dreams. Just as you help Him with what He is doing.

And often the two will be inseparable. You will want what God wants. He will want what you want. The goals of the two of you will be in such agreement that when one of you gets their way so will the other.

It can happen to you just like it happened to the people in Heaven. God can favor you as His own. You can belong to Him. The way it happens is to be sealed with the Patronym in your forehead, or Name of God.

Jason Witt is a sinner healed and sealed. He has been transformed by Jesus, who came and made His Home in Jason's heart and in his mind. Come and see what Jesus foretold that is starting to happen today. Jason Witt dot org

Is Money A Big Part Of Organized

Imagine No Possessions in the Life of Peace

Imagine There's No Heaven, It's Easy If You Try, No Hell below Us, above Us Only Sky, Imagine All the People Living for Today. Imagine There's No Countries, It Isn't Hard to Do, Nothing to Kill or Die for, and No Religion Too. Imagine All the People Living Life in Peace. Think about It.

It's hard to imagine, with the information today and even 50 years ago that most people still believe in religions all over the world, just because they were raised to believe in them. Religions of the future will have to adapt to change, a little faster as more people read articles like mine to promote education within your religion.

Find out a little bit more about Your Religious Freedom

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.

Greg is currently working on a religous help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Low Energy People
Dealing With Embarrassing Problem

Weight Loss Motivation Secrets

Weight Loss Motivation Secrets and Subliminal Weight Loss

Does this sound like you?

Decide to lose weight
Set a goal of how much to lose
Start new diet
Lose a few pounds
Feel really good
Have a small treat because you've done so well
Feel bad about the small treat
Promise yourself you'll start again
Start again
Give up

Weight loss is not easy. Anyone who has ever struggled with weight knows that. You know that. But it is possible.

When you first start a new weight loss regime you will be excited at the prospect of losing weight. Excited about getting back into shape, maybe buying some new clothes. You might even be excited about the new diet plan you've found that everyone is talking about.

Good intentions only take you so far and weight loss motivation is no different.

You already know how it works. Something happens that breaks your new resolve and it's one step forward and two steps back. Maybe you go out with friends from the office for a meal - you can't avoid it. Maybe you have a bad day at work and just need that familiar comfort feeling.

Whatever it is, willpower alone is not enough to keep you doing what you know you need to do to lose weight. And once you've broken the diet, you know as well as all the other dieters out there that it's really, really hard to get back into it properly.

It's very frustrating, especially if you've been through this routine before. Does it mean you lack willpower? No. Do you lack discipline? No.

What it means is that you may need some help to focus your mind on the right thing. The right thing to focus on is gaining a trim, slim vibrant body. Once you focus on that your mind takes over and knows how to achieve it. Once you give your mind the right instructions you start to move towards what you want, instead of away from what you don't want.

Most people trying to lose weight are concentrating on the negative aspects. In other words they think about what they can't eat anymore. Ever heard a dieter say "I'm not allowed that"? Ever said it yourself?

It's very easy for most of us to concentrate on the negative side of things, instead of the positive, but there are ways to change that.

You know how positive you generally feel when you first start on a new weight loss program? Well supposing you felt like that all the time. Can you imagine how much more likely you are to be successful?

Subliminal messages can give you the edge to make that change. Powerful and easy to use, subliminal messages can help keep you motivated and enthusiastic about your positive lifestyle changes.

Use what works for you. For some people it might be audio subliminal messages and for others it might be subliminal message software that works all the time you are using your computer.

One thing is sure, if you think about it, you already know that what defeats you when you're trying to lose weight is not the food. It's your mind giving in to the temptations in front of you. Change your mind and you can change your life.

-----------------------------------------------
For a free report with more weight loss motivation secrets, visit easiest-weight-loss-ever.com

Developing Wealth Building Habit

Pressure Creates Resistance

Pressure creates resistance. This statement rings true for me as a parent, grandparent and therapist. Parenting can be stressful, especially if the child seems to be growing in a manner that raises concerns for us. And if a child feels pressured by our concerns, the result will probably be resistant behavior. The child will resist our efforts to make him/her be the way we want and will continue to unconsciously develop behaviors that oppose our wishes. The child is usually not aware of what he/she is doing.

Many parents might disagree with my last sentence. However, I have been studying child development and human behavior for over 45 years. The human brain is not fully developed until we are in our early 20s. Too many people have been taught to believe that children can think like adults. Self-awareness and understanding is that skill that adults must develop consciously. Most children will "act out" their feelings and do not develop awareness until they have become adults. Children will behave oppositionally to their parents because their parents are pressuring them in a manner that feels dis- respectful to the child.

Aretha Franklin defined respect in her song with the phrase "find out what it means to me". How do you know what respect means to a child? Children do not have enough self-awareness or understanding to be able to tell people when they feel disrespected. That is an ability most adults have, if they have worked on becoming self aware. Part of the job of parenting is to be aware of one's own feelings, thoughts and behaviors. When a parent has developed this ability, well enough, the parent can begin to be more aware of what the child may be feeling as well. A child who is behaving in an oppositional manner usually does so because they are feeling pressured and disrespected.

Knowing and respecting the psychological boundaries of a child takes a great deal of self/other awareness. It involves understanding the developmental level of a child according to his/her age as well as their individual ability. What is true for a two year old will change rapidly and be different by the time a child is 4, 6, 8 etc. Children grow differently as individuals. The best time to start the process of understanding the child is as early in the child's life as is possible. When a parent-child relationships starts with awareness and understanding, the relationship tends to grow in a healthy direction.

Interpretation of a child's behavior usually comes through our own filters. For instance, if we have been raised to believe that only girls play with dolls and only boys can climb trees, these rules are part of our filters. Those filters can distort our interpretation of our child's behaviors and we can, out of fear, begin to pressure the child to be interested in things we think he or she "should" be interested in. This is when a child can feel disrespected. Children need to explore their interests as much as possible within safe limits and boundaries.

Safe limits and boundaries? What are they? Some are logical and universal such as don't use drugs, don't play in the street, eat well, get enough sleep, do your homework, clean up after yourself, etc. Structure is something we all need in our lives. It is only within structure that we can safely explore our interests. Children who have parents who have set reasonable limits and boundaries, are often able to set their own limits and boundaries while they explore. Setting reasonable limits and boundaries is another aspect of the parenting job of knowing and respecting the psychological boundaries of a child.

Yes, I know this sounds very complex and some might find it confusing. It's about balance. Being a parent who can continually create equilibrium within oneself is the most important job we will ever do. And I join the ongoing lament that there are no structured classes on how to be a parent. We just do it and often we do it out of our own issues. Self-awareness, self understanding and positive self-esteem are vital for good enough parenting. Good therapy can help parents increase these personal qualities.

Anne is a Board Certified Registered art therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. Anne has been studying human development and relationships for over 45 years. She has been successfully working with families, in various capacities, for over 20 years. Her private practice is in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia PA. She specializes in helping people recover from various types of trauma, difficult changes and loss. Anne has an unusual ability to connect with children and adolescents, along with their parents. Parenting is the most important job we ever do, yet no one shows us how to do it or gives us the support we need. Anne has successfully coached many parents through a variety of critical stages in their children's lives. Annes greatest joy is helping people understand themselves and each other.

http://www.annescreativetherapy.com

Power Of Affirmations

Primal Leadership - A Book Summary

Primal leadership takes center stage in this book. This concept goes beyond the set of conventional competencies on the making of a leader. Beyond bottom line figures, this book takes a leap forward with the concept of primal leadership through a keen and in-depth understanding of emotional intelligence and its link to leading and building emotionally intelligent organizations.

The authors explore the idea of leadership as an emotional
function. They propose that the fundamental task of a leader is to create resonance at work, thereby unleashing positive traits and attributes in people. Emotionally intelligent leaders bring organizational success to the fore because they inspire, motivate and foster commitment in people.

Harness the power of primal leadership in this book and bring out the emotionally intelligent leader in you.

Primal Dimension of Leadership

The use of emotion in leadership functions is a primal task that sets leaders apart. Great leaders move people by channeling emotions in the right direction, whether it is in formulating corporate strategy in the boardroom or a series of action items in the shop floor.

Resonance Effect

The positive channeling of emotions that empowers people to be top performers is called resonance. The culture of resonance brings out the best in people. On the other hand, when leaders negatively drive emotions dissonance is created. Dissonance is not conducive to harmonious working relationships as it can undermine peoples potentials.

Key to Primal Leadership

Emotional intelligence is the foundation of making primal
leadership work. An emotionally intelligent leader knows how to handle himself and his relationship with the people he works with in order to drive up performance.

Good Moods, Good Work

A good mood is essential for a team to function effectively. It is crucial for a leader to foster positive working relationships because emotional conflicts in a group can hamper a teams performance.

A study of CEOs from Fortune 500 companies revealed that
positive overall mood of top management people leads to better cooperation and better business performance. This argument takes the view that it is top management that creates the conditions for workers to work well.

Resonant Leader

For emotionally intelligent leaders, resonance comes naturally in their dealings with people. Their actions reinforce synchrony within their team and within the organization. The strength of an emotionally resonant leader lies in the emotional bond he forms which allows people to collaborate with each other even in the face of change and uncertainty.

Four Dimensions of Emotional Intelligence

The creation of resonance is a hallmark of primal leadership that can only be fostered by emotionally intelligent leaders. For a leader to promote prime resonance in a group, it is important to understand the four EI competencies. Interestingly, these competencies are not innately inherent but are learned abilities. According to research, an effective leader typically demonstrates at least one competence among
the four dimensions.

1. Self-Awareness

2. Self-Management

3. Social Awareness

4. Relationship Management

Approaches to Leadership in a Nutshell

1. Visionary

2. Coaching

3. Affiliative

4. Democratic

5. Pacesetting

6. Commanding

The Five Discoveries of Self-Directed Learning

1. First Discovery: My ideal self Who do I want to be?

2. Second Discovery: My real self Who am I? What are my strengths and gaps?

3. Third Discovery: My learning agenda How can I build on my strengths while reducing my gaps?

4. Fourth Discovery: Experimenting with and practicing new behaviors, thoughts, and feelings to the point of mastery.

5. Fifth Discovery: Developing supportive and trusting
relationships that make change possible.

Final Notes

Primal leadership is anchored on emotions. These emotions have underlying neurological explanations to them such as the open loop system. Thus, a leader must work hard to obtain emotional intelligence competencies that will make him a resonant leader
because resonance is the key to primal leadership.

A resonant leader builds a culture of resonance by emonstrating emotionally intelligent abilities that permeate throughout the organization. A resonant leader aims to live a resonant life for him and his people in order to make resonant work. It is this kind of work that builds an emotionally intelligent
organization a kind of organization that can survive the changing business climate because it has built-in processes that can sustain change.

By: Regine P. Azurin and Yvette Pantilla

Regine Azurin is the President of BusinessSummaries.com, a company that provides business book summaries of the latest bestsellers for busy executives and entrepreneurs.

http://www.bizsum.com "A Lot Of Great Books....Too Little Time To Read" Free Book Summaries Of Latest Bestsellers for Busy Executives and Entrepreneurs

Mailto: mailto:freearticle@bizsum.com

BusinessSummaries is a BusinessSummaries.com service.

(c) Copyright 2001- 2005, BusinessSummaries.com - Wisdom In A Nutshell

Education Leads To Success

The Roller Coaster of Life

As Summer winds down, look around. You're still on the roller coaster. Nine months have gone by since you strapped in for this year's ride. Can you look over your shoulder and still see the person who took your ticket and told you to 'keep your hands inside the car at all times'? By this I mean: has your train barely pulled away from the station? Did you begin the year with great intentions and never really make much progress toward them?

Or have you already taken so much action (clicks) toward this year's goals that you have climbed the big hill and are already enjoying the ride?

If so...feels great, doesn't it?

If not, there is still time.

Here are a few action ideas:

1) Dig back to last January and revisit your intended goals for the year
2) Evaluate your progress (or lack thereof) thus far
3) Re-dedicate yourself to TAKING ACTION toward them

One little decision or action, every day, can make all the difference in the world and bring you ever-closer to your desired outcome.

There is no need to be discouraged if you have not yet enjoyed the ride you dreamed of. Expanding beyond one's current comfort-level can be a daunting task, even with the best of intentions. Thinking outside the box can be a challenge. Actually 'living' outside the box can be downright death-defying for some!

The journey starts with just one step. Start small, just nudge your boundaries. Little successes can give you the confidence you need to climb into that roller coaster for a bigger, better ride.

There are 3 months left the year...plenty of time to click, click, click your way up that hill.

Believe me; the view is much better from the top, especially in the moment just before that last click sends you on a wild, exciting rewarding ride!

And once you've ridden this one all the way 'round, you'll want to get back on over and over again.

Peace And Religion

Is Jesus the Only Way to Heaven? - The Good People Get to Go to Heaven Also

I found a website that was recommended to me and it had the comment, is Jesus the only way to heaven at, Gotquestions, seems like your typical Christian website that replies with biblical quotes and simple to follow information. If I was lost, they will help me find a way. There's even a button at the bottom that states, I have accepted Christ today. I guess if I was to push that button, I get to go to heaven and be with Jesus. Hard to imagine, avoiding a life of burning in hell could be as simple as pushing a button and uttering a few simple words.

I found this question and began reading their comment. The first comment is from somebody answering as a nonbeliever in Christianity. It states something like, if I'm basically a good person and live a moral life, I get to go to heaven, right, only the bad people like murderers go to hell.

Now the answer that the website gives, seems to create fear if you do not belong to Christianity and provide you with hope if you join the group.

It mentioned Satan as the ruler of the world, and he can plant these thoughts into your head if you're not a Christian. He also controls your mind and let's you believe, that it would only make sense to any rational person, they get to go to heaven if they're good.

Now this is what makes sense to me but according to this information, I am doomed to rot in hell for eternity, even if I am a pretty good person. All I have to do is accept Christ as God and I get to go to heaven. That seems pretty easy and I wonder why more people don't do it. Just push the button.

I wonder if Satan is controlling, non-Christians minds and that's why there's brutality and war throughout the world. If everyone was a Christian, would our world be better.

Here's a quote from Wikipedia The Crusades were a series of religion-driven military campaigns waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal opponents. Crusades were fought mainly against Muslims, though campaigns were also directed against pagan Slavs, Jews, Russian and Greek Orthodox Christians, Mongols, Cathars, Hussites, Waldensians, Old Prussians, and political enemies of the popes.

These Christian Crusades killed thousands of people. To give you an idea how many people were killed, all I had to do was type the word crusades into a search engine and it took me to the Christian Crusades.

I guess that rules that out, it seems like the Christians a long time ago were pretty aggressive towards their enemies, I wonder if most Christians would refer to these people as enemies today or are they just being controlled by Satan. Do these Christians from the Crusades get to go to heaven? If people like this get to go to heaven, may be hell is a better place anyway.

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, Mere Christianity

Here's something to think about, go to heaven

Loving People With Kindness

If the Greek Religious Beliefs Were Wrong, Could Other Religions Be Wrong?

Greek mythology is taught in most schools during some time of your education, if you grew up in the United States. I remember looking back at the Greeks and thinking, "I can't believe these people were that stupid, who believes that there is a God of the ocean or one for love." I couldn't believe as a young elementary school student, that these people got caught up in these beliefs.

I mean come on, I was a Christian at that time and there was only one God, how stupid can these people be or misinformed about the way things really and truly are. It's kind of sad, but all the people in the past that did not accept Jesus Christ as the one true God are all living in hell. Well, that's how I thought when I was a child.

Some of the mythological stories are about pain, love, happiness, plotting, scheming and power. Now we're talking about something that most people can understand. These gods were just like regular people, except some of them had extraordinary powers and if they used them poorly, they would have to answer to the gods god, Zeus.

At the time in history, that the Greeks believed and their gods, they were one of the most civilized groups of people on Earth. They had some of the best and brightest scholars around. The Roman Empire and some of the United States government was based on information provided by Greek scholars.

Have you ever thought about your religion as being wrong? If we now know that the Greek gods and goddesses do not exist, do you think our modern day beliefs can also be wrong. If we could go into the future 1000 years, could children be studying about Christianity, Islam or Buddhism, like modern day children study about Greek mythology and other beliefs that we view today as unbelievable or impossible.

The Greek gods and goddesses made sense to the citizens of Greece in the past. Do you think in the future that our modern day religions will be viewed in the same way as we now view Greek mythology.

Looking back at the past, often inspires me for a better future.

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, You Can Have It All

Greg is currently working on a self help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Treat Others As You Would Like T

Making Rejection Work for You in Your Creative Life

No matter what your art form or field of expression: visual arts, performing arts, or writing--one thing is for certain: you will encounter rejection. When you do, what is the most healthy and useful way to respond? Eden Maxwell, author of "An Artist Empowered" offers these suggestions:

1. Know why you are an artist.

2. Know your purpose and the value of your process.

3. View rejection as a mirror that reveals truth about your dedication.

4. Confront yourself and this moment of awareness.

5. Use rejection as a moment of awareness, not a pool in which to drown.

6. Stay focused on results, but unattached to the results of your efforts.

7. A daily spiritual practice helps you keep life, art, and rejection in perspective.

Eden expands here on these seven suggestions.

Janet: Eden, talk about your approach to rejection in the arts. How does this relate to your spiritual practice?

Eden: As a writer and a painter, I have been on the receiving end of both acceptance and rejection and each has its own set of issues. It all comes back full circle to the core question: Why am I an artist?

If you know your purpose and the value of your process, then nothing will deter you from your mission, your dharma.

Janet: What is the true purpose of rejection, in your view?

Eden: Rejection, as it turns out, isn't the bane most artists believe it is; rejection is a mirror that reveals truth about your dedication; you are compelled to confront your own self and that is a moment of awareness.

Janet: How can the creative person learn from rejection?

Eden: If you are to learn from rejection, use the experience as a moment of reflection, not a pool in which to drown.

Should my art be rejected, I understand that if they could see it, could appreciate it, then they would. Also, a rejection from an anonymous party is no cause for faltering. I have seen great art ignored, and mediocre embraced.

Janet: How can the artist balance the need to have goals and yet to hold these goals lightly?

Eden: Having goals is good; wanting to share your unique gift is good; making art is good. Keeping these desires in mind, I also realize that getting attached to any outcome is a self-made prison. Releasing your attachment to an outcome frees you to see other opportunities.

I strive to have no attachment in how a particular outcome manifests. I work; I create; I have faith in fulfilling my dharma; and my evolving strength tells me the Universe is handling the details.

So, no matter what is happening, I focus on the true goal, and the goal is this: understanding.

Visit Janet Grace Riehl's blog "Riehl Life: Village Wisdom for the 21st Century" at http://www.riehlife.com for more thoughts and information about making connections through the arts, across cultures, generations, and within the family. You can also read sample poems and other background information from "Sightlines: A Poet's Diary" on Janet's website.

Structuring Your 24 Hour Day

Factual Information in Christian Documentaries

I was watching a television show a few weeks ago and I would rather not mention the name of the program or the presenter of it. I can make my point without making anyone angry. The television show was all about proving that Christianity was real and they had evidence to prove it. The program was full of scholars and teachers. Some of these teachers were from unknown universities, as a matter of fact, I hadn't heard of any of them before this program.

Some of these teachers had very interesting ideas and philosophies on Christianity and I could see quite clearly how someone who was looking for facts could very easily get caught up in the hype in the program. When you start off asking a question, you should be able to answer it without beating around the bush and the answers should the comprehendible and easy to understand. Especially if the question was easy to understand.

If I asked you the question, is Jesus God, and your reply is frank and to the point with a simple "Yes He Is". I can accept this as your beliefs and could probably make sense out of your beliefs through your education, what you were taught and who taught it to you. This makes perfect sense to me and is easy to understand.

If I asked the same question, is Jesus God, and you reply with "let me set the record straight here and give you some truthful information about something that you might not know about. Searching for over 40 years and found the answer and now know for a fact and without a doubt that Jesus is God. Reading the Bible and talking to other Christian scholars has presented me with information that points to the truth and can prove the existence of Jesus and therefore, without a doubt in my mind, I can honestly say that Jesus is God and will be god forever and for anyone who doesn't understand that or agree with it, I feel sorry for them, because they will have to burn in purgatory forever. This death will be the most agonizing and painful death you could ever possibly imagine.

The second answer doesn't give me any more information than the first one, and this is what some religious documentary programs do. This program did it so much, that I had to watch it a second time, just to see if I missed what they were saying. I did gain a little more insight, the second time but the point of the program was completely misleading and relatively speaking, very little factual information was obtained from it.

Don't get caught up in the hype, while watching or listening to some of these programs. Try to watch them with an open mind and see for yourself, just how much factual information or scientific proof there actually is in the program. When I say, to watch these programs with an open mind, that doesn't mean to accept their information without proof. Do some research for yourself, to verify their opinions.

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.

Would you still be reading this article, if you had no desire, for better life. Find out more by visiting habits changing skills.

Changing Someones Bad Attitude

Yoga Classes As Motivation

Naturally, the only way that you'll get good at yoga is to attend yoga classes. If you've never tried yoga before and would like to find out how to get started, yoga classes are a great way to motivate you to learn. You don't need experience before you start yoga classes. All you need is the desire to learn and the motivation to continue. No special equipment is required neither do you need to be an athlete or exceptionally flexible. A person of any age can enroll in yoga classes and successfully complete them. With proper instruction from an expert, you'll become adept at yoga in no time.

Choose Between Home And Attending Classes

If you're brand new to yoga, it's better for you to take yoga classes so that you can learn how to do the basic poses correctly. Once you know the basics, you can try to do the poses at home. But before you do this, you need to be sure you know all the proper techniques. You need to be sure that you'll be able to perform the exercises on your own the same way they were taught in yoga class. Once you've internalized this knowledge, you can explore the option of doing your practices at home.

If you would prefer to do yoga at home instead of continuing with yoga classes, you need to make the decision of the type of yoga you'd like to practice very carefully. The yoga form you practice should meet your individual needs and skills. Don't be afraid to be aware of your limitations. Scheduling also has a big affect on yoga home practices. Decide a time that works best for you and stick with it, just as you would if you went to any out-of-home yoga classes.

Those who prefer to take yoga classes should choose a class that best suits their needs and aptitude. It helps if you enjoy working with the instructor as well. You never want to end up in a yoga class you can't perform or one where you detest the instructor. If you have any health issues or concerns, it's important to let your yoga instructor know this. He or she may be able to cater to your needs and guide you in the poses that are best for you.

Do not do anything that hurts you when you attend yoga classes. It's important not to push yourself beyond your capabilities or acceptable limits for your body. Yoga classes are not always meant to be seen as a challenge, but should be a way for you to work with what your body will allow you to do. Do not overstep your limits otherwise you will hurt yourself. It's not necessary to do what everyone else is doing.

When you attend any yoga classes, dress comfortably. Stretchable clothes are important. Also be sure to remove your shoes and stockings. At home, dim the lights to create a peaceful atmosphere to help you relax.

More interesting and valuable information on the most important yoga types and yoga classes can be found on my website yogaexpertise.com.

The Power of Positive Thinking - Video

The Power of Positive Thinking Has Changed Millions of People's Lives. If You've Never Heard of the Book, I Suggest That You Watch This Video to Get a Little More Insight on How You Can Change Your Thinking and This Could Lead to Changing Your Life.

Just how big of a deal is Money in Organized Religion. Your money is used for various things and some of them, you might not really want to spend the money on. Something to think about.

If you want to read something funny and get your daily laugh in, you need to read this, it's funny Using Religion Responsibility. It's based on overindulgence.

Wandering Or Lost Souls
Missing Years Of Jesus

Thought Leaders Then and Now - The Motivation is to Leave Something Behind

Though the best-known thought leaders of today are megastars, bigness isn't what thoughtleading is all about. What's important for the sincere practitioner of thoughtleading is that media exists to help get the word out, not become an end unto itself. Knowing which media to use is a key to thoughtleading success.

Most business thoughtleaders fare well, consistently staying on message when they show up to speak or be interviewed by a microphone or camera. A book by a lesser thoughtleader, therefore, represents the culmination of long, hard, important work, quiet research and reflection, and considered conclusions. A book serves as a gateway to the other "pillars" of thoughtleading such as articles, keynotes and media.

For the true thoughtleader, the motivation of all this careful reflection is to leave behind something that matters.

Consider now-superstar Tom Peters. Around 1980, before fame struck, he and Robert H. Waterman, both recently departed from McKinsey Consulting, designed a book concept around interviews they had done at McKinsey with companies around the world for the purpose of determining what makes organizations successful. When the dust of their research settled, they had identified 43 firms they felt had lessons to share. Their resulting pivotal conclusion was that business problems could be solved effectively with a minimum of business process "overhead." By submitting their manuscript to a publisher, the two hoped to deliver such insight to as much of the business community as possible. After all, if the companies profiled in the book could benefit so greatly from these lessons-learned, maybe a few other firms could benefit as well.

To everyone's surprise, their little report became an instant bestseller. Millions of copies later, it's still going strong. In Search of Excellence's anecdotes and conclusions have since enabled millions of company managers to reexamine their own business procedures and adopt more empowering practices.

What did this do for Peters and Waterman? Both went on to publish more books, speak at conventions and show up periodically in the business media.

Thanks to a series of PBS specials, Peters in particular achieved face-recognition notoriety.

Via this business world fame, he joined already-established thoughtleaders of his day who constantly write, speak, study and comment about important business issues and concerns.

Another now-famous thoughtleader, Harvard Business School Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter, is reputed to be the first woman in academia to achieve the status of "management thoughtleader." Much of her early renown stemmed from her emphasis on such issues as change management and employee empowerment. At this date, Kanter has published 16 books, a series that began with her in-depth study of 1960s communes under the decidedly business-y title of The Men and Women of the Corporation. Tackling such an unorthodox subject in pursuit of business insights enabled Kanter to explain organizational behavior in ways no one had ever done before.

In days gone by, of course, there have been other lights to follow, no less insistent and no less bright. One could thumb through history and uncover many such pioneers whose flames have lit large candles, their thoughtleading ideas bursting forth with fire and brilliance.

Consider Ralph Waldo Emerson. Though not a businessman per se, Emerson's life practices laid the foundation for today's business thoughtleading way of life. Any thoughtleader today, any expert seeking an "expert's edge," would do well to adopt a typical Emerson weekly schedule.

World-renowned in the mid-nineteenth century for his essays and books, Emerson's stature as a thoughtleader of his day was quite secure. In addition to buying and reading such books and essays as Nature and The Law of Compensation, many of his fans thought nothing of embarking on a journey of many hours or days to make their way to Concord, Massachusetts and drop in to see him.

In the same manner, Emerson often traveled to the homes of his thoughtleader contemporaries. Nearby, in Cambridge, Massachusetts for example, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow communicated with Emerson frequently via the Internet of their day--- letters! A thoughtleader in his own right, Longfellow and Emerson also networked with other thoughtleader colleagues at the Parker Hotel in Boston for no-holds-barred all-day philosophy fests.

This helped them refine their own ideas as well as spread the word about them via each thoughtleader's network. Undoubtedly these sessions led to the trading of information on good/bad book publishers, potential speaking engagements, sources for research and further contacts for networking success.

Today, the same process for effective thoughtleading is carried out, frequently in hotels around the globe just like the old Parker House, and for that matter, at the Parker House itself, which still exists!

Ken Lizotte CMC, author of The Expert's Edge: Become the Go-To Authority that People Turn to Every Time (McGraw Hill) and Chief Imaginative Officer (CIO) of Emerson consulting group inc., transforms companies and professional service firms into "thoughtleaders," separating them from the competitive pack. Contact info: 978-371-0442 or http://www.theexpertsedge.com

Video on Bible Facts

Can you believe this guy, if you look up these verses in the Bible, you will see that there and there, but how did he come up with these ideas about the Sabbath, teenagers and the fact that the Bible is repulsive.

If you're really seeking the kingdom of heaven, the glory of God and the true vision that Jesus had, check out some great Christian articles . These articles are designed to teach and educate Christians.

Developing Wealth Building Habit

Fun Questions Help You Find What You Have in Common With Other Women

The best way to look at getting to know other women is to see it as a positive experience. When you focus on discovering what you and they have in common, this will help you in widening your circle of friends, as well as developing new, close relationships.

A good way to start is to think about your everyday life. What your daily life consists of in general, how you prefer to spend your free time, and your basic interests and passions, are the most relevant factors in finding like-minded new friends.

If you are like most of us, you don't have a lot of free time. Your job, school, and family responsibilities probably account for the largest portion of your everyday life. "How do you find or make the time for the things you like to do?" is as relevant of a question to pose to other women as it is to you yourself.

When you direct this type of question to someone, it can lead to a number of benefits. First, it can be the starting point for developing new friendships. You will quickly see how much you and the other person have in common. Second, the way that your new friend approaches the subject of how she manages to include fun activities in a busy schedule will also give you new ideas for how you can do that yourself.

You also want to ask fun questions to get to know someone. If you really want to pique this person's interest, you can ask her what she thinks you have in common with her. You may receive serious answers, but it is likely she will come up with replies that are fun, interesting, and will get your relationship off to a great start.

These days, most people have very busy lives. While finding free time to engage in hobbies or other interests is often difficult enough in itself, talking to other women who can relate can make it much easier. When you and they all "brainstorm" on ideas, everyone benefits. The sharing of these ideas can go a long way in helping to solve the problem of not enough free time for fun, as well as finding new friends with whom to enjoy the activities you have in common.

For more fun questions to get to know someone and some very intriguing ideas on how to use fun cards Click This Link:

http://www.funquestions2ask.com/

About the writer:

Arianna is a trained coach who specializes in Positive Thinking and Positive Attitude. For positive attitude tips and training that's fun and effective visit: http://www.positiveattitude-tips.com/

The Mind Body Connection

An interesting incident is narrated by Gordon Rattray Taylor, the famous Chief Science Advisor, BBC Television in his book The Natural History of Mind. The Mind Body connection is a baffling subject even to the scientists. And hence it is worth reading the incident to understand the mind- body connection.

Taylor narrates: During the war I was so fortunate as to form a friendship with a man named Clifford Troke. He had been an air-raid warden in London for four years, repeatedly at risk and short of sleep. Among his more stressful experiences were the following. After a heavy air-raid in which more people were killed than the burial arrangements could cope with, an empty school in Trokes district was taken over and the unburied bodies placed in it. The following night a time-bomb fell near the school but did not explode. The health authorities decided that it was an unacceptable health risk to leave the bodies in situ. Volunteers were called for to enter the school and rescue not the living but the dead from the expected explosion. One night, after various such adventures and during a raid, Troke was assailed with the feeling that all Hitlers bombs were directed at him personally, and that the German air force would continue to drop bombs in his vicinity until they got him. He sat down on the edge of the pavement and began to weep.

In hospital next day, the doctor took his blood pressure and whistled. He told him that if he did not take things very easily from then on he would probably explode himself. In point of fact, he survived a few years after the war, but succumbed, while still relatively young, to a heart attack.
I recall this story to emphasize the point that mental stress can produce physical disease.

Stating this incident Mr Taylor points out that the connection between mind and body is subtler and more intimate than most people realize or are ready to admit.

The Upanishads declare:

Mana Eva Manushyaanaam Karanam Banda Mokshayo: in Sanskrit means the mind is the reason for the human beings to bind or release themselves. Amrutha Bindu Upanishad, one of the 108 important Upanishads teaches this.

The Mother of Aurobindo Ashram emphasizes this point:

There are people as soon as the least thing happens to their body, their mind is completely upset. There are others still who may be very ill and yet keep their mind clear. It is rarer and more difficult to see a mind that is upset and the body remaining healthy. It is not impossible, but it is much rarer; for the body depends a great deal on the state of the mind. The mind is the master of the physical being. And I have said the latter was a very docile and obedient servant. She further points out that, Normally one uses the mind ill as badly as possible. But instead of letting the mind do the disastrous work; one can use the same capacity to make favorable formations. If one knows how to do that, one gets wonderful results in a few seconds.

Mother advises us: Organize the Mind. Purify the Mind. Quiet the mind.
The great secrets of the Upanishads are to be learnt to achieve the above.

S. Nagarajan is a vehicle body engineer by profession. He has written more than 1300 articles in 16 magazines and published 18 books. He is revealing Eastern Secret Wisdom through T.V. Programmes, magazine articles, seminars, courses. His email address is: snagarajans@gmail.com. His articles on Yoga, laughter, efficacy of mantras and sound, Hypnotism, Tele Kinesis, Power of Prayer, Vastu and Feng Shui, Auto suggestion, Success Formula, Out of Body Experience etc are regularly appearing in ezinearticles.com. So far sixty three articles have been published in ezinearticles.com.

Developing Wealth Building Habit

Create More Energy in Your Life

When we are young we have too much of it, when we are older we can't get enough of it. What really is "energy" and how can we create energy in our own lives? Do we have to keep waiting for energy-filled days or are there proactive steps we can take to create more energy? The good news is that there are proactive steps to create more energy. The even better news is that I am going to share them with you and challenge you to take a few!

One common mistake people make is thinking that the only way to get more energy is to create healthy lifestyle changes that revolve around food and fitness. While that is one area we will cover that does dramatically influence energy--it is far from the only one. There are different types of energy and different sources of energy. Physical energy is influenced by our daily lifestyle habits, but there is also Emotional Energy, Production Energy, and Spiritual Energy, all of which can bring more zest and productivity to your days.

First, these four classifications aren't "official classifications." I made these names based on the research that I have been doing. It seemed that these four "groups" encompassed the energy-triggers I was uncovering. My working definition of energy is, "a feeling or personal power that allows us to continue positive production or perusal of the need-to-do tasks in our lives."

Emotional Energy and "The Second Wind"

Have you ever been really tired and then pushed yourself to go do something anyway? Perhaps it was a dinner with a friend or attending a talk or lecture? Somewhere inside that period, the tiredness disappears and is replaced by what we often call "a second wind." That "second wind" is energy that you are producing. It isn't something you have to wait for, you can produce that energy at any time once you understand the steps that created it in the first place.

Discovering emotional energy: This energy is derived from something that sparks our emotions or our passions. We receive new information, or hear old information in a new way. Or perhaps we are around someone who emulates energy, and their passion excites the energy within us.
Caution: Remember that energy fluctuates, so as easily as you can build it - you can also destroy it. There is no quicker way to become tired than spending time around negative people or listening to negative news. All stimulus influences our energy one way or the other. Watch for stimulus that are influencing your energy levels negatively. Example: Watching a round of Headline News will catch you up on the day's Headlines. But does watching additional programming help or hinder? What about reading? Are your choices uplifting and inspiring more energy or are they energy sappers?

Put it into Practice: To use Emotional Energy in your everyday life, you need to discover what produces this energy for you personally. Create a page in your notebook for listing your energy-producers. Here are a few that are on my list:

1. Read positive feedback or notes I have received from readers.

2. Have coffee, dinner or lunch with someone who I find inspiring.

3. Read a book that I find inspiring or motivational--something that really "speaks" to me.

4. Make sure I start my day off with positive emotional energy through my "Good Morning" routine.

5. Ask myself each morning, "Who do I want to be today?" and then remain personally accountable for being the best "me" possible.

Physical Energy

Of course we can't "talk" about energy without including the physical element. However, if you are overwhelmed by the thought of a new health plan, keep reading. Little changes can make a big difference in your energy production. Many of us are aware of the "big steps" we should take, so I have tried to focus on little changes that make a big impact. If you would like an overview of the big changes, I really recommend spending a few minutes at this site: http://www.agingresearch.org/calculator/

I saw expert Thomas Perls on CNN with Larry King and found his research quite interesting and revealing. This free, online test is a great way to look at the "gaps" in your life. Odds are where you fall short on the health score are many of the same areas where you can improve and create more energy. This is an online life-expectancy calculator that is geared around his study of "Living to 100." It is very comprehensive and the results are equally comprehensive. This does a great job of tackling the "big areas" and some of the little areas, too.

Now let's look at some other physical areas and break down positive changes you can easily make:
Somebody bring me some water: As many of you know, I am leading a 2006 Goal Group. We have been discussing health/water/energy. A member submitted this link which is a wonderful resource for understanding your unique water needs. It includes a formula for learning how much water you need based on your specific weight. http://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/water.htm

Your personal zzzz quota: Recent research shows that the optimum amount of sleep is 7.2 hours. However, some people still need more and others need less. Figuring out your own personal quota can go a long way toward regulating your energy. Ideally you want to get the same amount of sleep each night to maintain optimum energy levels (you should also go to bed at the same time each night). Discovering your "zzz quota" takes a bit of work, but is well worth it. (Besides, how else will you get the permission to practice sleeping?) Before beginning, make sure you are not completely drained or fatigued otherwise you are going to overcompensate on your sleep. Spend a week getting more sleep so you are "fresh" to begin your study. Then for one week, go to bed EARLY enough that you can wake up naturally without an alarm clock. Write down how long you sleep for each of the 7 days, then average it out. This is your personal "zzz quota." Keep in mind this can change depending on what you are going through in your life, so it is good to "re-check" once or twice per year.

Sleep preparation: Make sure that you stop eating at least 3 hours prior to going to sleep to allow everything to digest. Avoid caffeinated beverages after dinner. Make your room "sleep friendly" by turning off the television and playing relaxing music.

The affects of food: Since food is our primary energy source, it makes sense that good food will produce good energy and poor choices will effect us negatively. Reduce refined sugar in your diet as much as possible. Avoid meals that are high in carbs during the second half of the day and focus instead on protein. Protein provides more stable energy than carbs which keep our body going like a roller coaster!

Reduce starches and breads: Bread, rolls, bagels, pasta -- starches often slow people down. Try going a week or two with minimal starches and see if this helps your energy level. You can conduct the same experiment with caffeine.

Pop those vitamins: At minimum take a good daily vitamin. While you may not see a huge change, over long term usage, this can help prevent many of the conditions that sap energy. The key here is consistency. Choose something you do daily and put your vitamins and a bottled water next to that item. Examples: next to car keys, toothbrush, coffee maker, computer.

Food patterns: Consider keeping a food journal to see how your energy fluctuates with your food consumption. Make adjustments to your food intake based on your discoveries. Remember that eating too little can be just as energy sapping as eating the wrong foods. Work on a balanced diet and don't forget your breakfast! Studies have shown that those who eat breakfast have more energy. If you have a hard time eating breakfast, find a simple solution. I often grab a breakfast bar on the go. A lean sandwich can also be made the night before and enjoyed in the morning. You don't have to eat "breakfast foods," but you do need to eat breakfast.

Exercise: You knew I would say it sooner or later! Getting your body moving is one of the quickest ways to increase energy. I love using my elliptical trainer and find that after I do so, I have extra energy to burn. Give any exercise program about 3 weeks to start giving you energy - the first three weeks can be tiring as we snap our bodies out of their comas! A recent Prevention article shared how doing just 10 minutes of LIGHT weight lifting repetitions caused a focus group to feel a 45% increase in their energy level. Pick up some light weights (5-10 pounds) at your local discount-mart and use them by your television at night.

Put it into Practice: It is important to recognize that energy isn't a "one size fits all" formula. I encourage you to experiment with each concept, paying attention to how it impacts your energy level. Choose one area to start with from the above list and schedule a "start date" on your calendar this coming week.

Productive Energy

One of my goal group participants was very surprised at her progress during her first week. While prior to the class she had felt unable to accomplish the simplest tasks, she now found herself completing her goal-centered to do lists -- and more! "How does that work?" she asked in a post to the support board.

This member discovered "productive energy." Aristotle said, "We become what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit." When we repeatedly step forward, we propel ourselves forward even further. When we continually stand still, we dig a bigger rut. When we continually move backward, we dig a big hole.

To truly understand productive energy, think of a time when you were fatigued and then became inspired to do something. Perhaps it was reading a book, writing, or organizing, or completing pages in a scrapbook. Before you knew it, you looked at the clock and hours had passed--even though you were tired earlier. What changed? Well you didn't eat anything or exercise. The change was in what you were doing. Your attitude and productiveness elevated - thus elevating your performance and your energy.

Make a list ... and make sure to check it twice: The first step in building productive energy is to be focused on the right track. Have a clear list of what you want to accomplish with clear and attainable timelines. Make sure to star three items for the day that will allow you to feel good about the day regardless of what bumps pop up in your path.

Get started early: Make sure to start your action list early in the day to build momentum. If you have problems with procrastination, consider enrolling in our Procrastination Primer class.
Recharge: In order to be productive, you must have balance and that means learning what you personally need to recharge. Some people need quiet time each day, others just need a good night's rest. Discover what helps you recharge and work that it into your to-do lists.

Forget revving your engine and just go... The great thing about productive energy is you don't have to prepare or spend a lot of time thinking about it. Often we over-think and would be much better off following the Nike slogan. Push yourself over inaction and you'll discover that productive energy is ready and waiting for you whenever you need it.

Put it into Practice: Read through these four tips and "star" which seems to speak to you the most as a way to increase your Production Energy. Schedule time to work in that area this month.

Spiritual Energy

Spiritual energy can be thought of as "soul food." It isn't anxious or stress-filled motivation energy, but a calm and centered energy. Think of a time where you have experienced deep relaxation or a time where you have been moved by a sermon or religious reading/teaching. That centeredness is spiritual energy. The beauty of spiritual energy is that it is steady and fulfilling. It doesn't rely on "highs and lows" to keep recreating itself. It comes from listening instead of talking and "being present" instead of "trying to get somewhere else." Because this is a quiet and calm energy and doesn't shout loudly for our attention, it is often the most neglected. Finding "peace" seems like an "extra" that many of us don't have time to pursue. Yet, within that peace, lies an ever-renewing source of energy. I would dare say that living without it is dangerous--and trying to live well without it, quite difficult.

Qualify spiritual practice: What does spiritual practice mean to you? It could be daily time for reflection or meditation; or daily Bible study or religious reading or prayer time. Take some time to think of where you have found spiritual energy in the past and if you are making room for spiritual energy on a daily basis.

Make a pact: Make a pact with yourself not to starve yourself of this soul food. Remember this is a quiet energy that won't shout for your attention, so it is important to nourish and commit to it.
Keep a spiritual journal: Make entries of your spiritual practice time and record what you learn and discover. Use this as a source to return to again and again to inspire continued spiritual development.

Journal: Journal about what life means to you and the concept of "purpose." What is your purpose? At the end of your life, what do you want to have completed here on earth and why? Use your journal to keep in touch with your purpose. You can also try writing about what "personal peace," means to you.

Form a group: To stay on track with spiritual practice, consider a partner or group to touch base with on a regular basis.

Put it into Practice: Choose one of the above ideas to work with and schedule the time to do so on your calendar. I will also be teaching a class on 5 Steps of Personal Peace. Consider signing up if you are interested in the discovering sources of calm energy.

Your Turn: Make an energy action plan incorporating these different action steps into your life. Also, start an Energy Journal and take notes of what changes work for you and how your energy is influence by your efforts.

Brook Noel is the creator of the best-selling 70 Day Life Makeover Program for Women .. The Change Your Life Challenge. http://www.changeyourlifechallenge.com This program has helped thousands of women take control of their home, finances, relationships, clutter, time-managmenet and more.

She is the author of 19 books and maintains three free newsletters. The Daily Rush is devoted to quick and easy recipes; Good Morning! is a daily newsletter to get your day off to a great start and The Challenge Weekly offers a personal challenge for self-improvement each week. To sign up for these free newsletters please visit http://www.changeyourlifechallenge.com/news.htm

Education Leads To Success

Advent Candles Light the Nights

The advent candles have a great history within the church history. They are in integral part of the advent wreath and to focus on the season of Advent itself. The use of the Advent candle reaches back to the 8th century. The origins of the advent wreath and in kind the advent wreath are sketchy although many agree that there was the use of a wreath in German and the wheel of candles of the Scandinavian countries that used the advent candle to light the long nights.

Candles were initially used in pagan worship but the Church has taken many pagan rituals. Incense was also used in the pagan tradition but the church embraced these elements when they were working toward converting the early Christians. Other byproducts of pagan ritual are the Christmas tree and Christmas itself which was originally part of the winter solicits celebration. These items seem to greatly enhance the religious and spiritual experience creating an atmosphere for worship.

The advent candles and the advent wreath are ways to mark the special time of the year known as advent. The candles have much significance because they are used to mark the four weeks of advent. Symbolically the diminishment of the candles shows the passing of time though the advent season. Week one by the end of advent is usually very short and needs a replacement advent candle. The candles also provide light, just as Christ is the light of the world. In the 8th century these candles were used to light the long nights of Winter.

Additionally there great symbolic nature of the candle light. By moving though the period of advent, the light of one candle does give off very small amount of light. Though the second week when the second candle is lit it reveals a little more because the two candles provide more light. As we move to the third week and the joy the light of the three candles give off we become more away of the warm light of Christ. Just like we are happy over the warm light our candles give off lighting the long winter nights.

Above all the advent candles help light our way though the penitential season of Advent. We use our wreath and the nightly candle lighting service to remind us to pray and to fast so we are fully prepared to receive our Lord at his birth on Christmas, or ready ourselves for the second coming of our Lord. There is a definitely duality in Christmas of looking to the past or waiting for the future.

The advent candles traditionally come in purple which in the church conveys the penitential nature of the season, just the same as Lent does. The third candle is pink which reminds us of our joy. The third week should remind us that Christmas is almost here. In more recent times the candles have moved out of the tradition realms. For example the Irish often used an emerald green in place of purple and pale green in place of the rose Candle in their Celtic Advent Wreath. This is fine to do as long as the spirit of the season does not get lost. Advent strengths the family and continues to be handed down though the generations.

Beth carries many Advent Wreaths including many Advent Candles

Laotzu

There Is Only One God

I do not affiliate with any religion. For me, no one religion is enough by itself. The way I believe encompasses all that the various religions have to offer but goes beyond. God is not a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim, a Hindu or any other religion; God is just God. He is everything! There is only one of Him and He doesn't restrict his love to one sector of humanity. He is there for all of us regardless of how we perceive Him or try to define Him through religious dogma.

As far as I have determined, the eastern religions primarily see God as being universal and the western religions as personal. I think they are all right but none tells the whole story.

I believe in a universal God in that God/The Universe is everything, everywhere, above us, beside us, in us and in every living thing and everything that is. And we are all a part of this God entity who is pure spirit. This is also our natural state, as we are really spiritual beings who are temporarily using a human body in order to learn through having experiences here on earth. So I do believe in reincarnation, which is the eastern way, but I don't believe it is a random event as some would imply. I believe we specifically choose to reincarnate at particular times in order to have certain experiences that are unique for each of us (and to meet up with certain people who will enrich our lives in various ways).

But as well as the universal God, I also believe absolutely in the personal aspect of God and have felt His presence on many occasions. Actually to some degree I feel His presence most of the time but on occasion very intensely. And although I have not heard His voice He has sent me many wonderful, awesome and enlightening messages by methods that cannot be explained by human logic. Although He doesn't answer me in words, He has on many occasions acknowledged me with feelings. I might say "Thankyou God for .... this experience, this beautiful day .... whatever ...." and I have in return experienced the most intense feeling of love (spiritual bliss?). Never when I have an expectation of it happening though!

Just to add a little to that, I believe God to be the creator but not quite the way that people generally do. It seems to me that most people think that because God "created us in his own image" that he must have a human image Himself (but much bigger than humans). This is reinforced by various religions referring to God as "the Father". But I think this is the wrong way round. God is pure spirit and doesn't really have an "image" as such. (He guided Moses by a cloud in the day and fire at night.) So when he created us "in His own image" it was as spiritual beings like Himself. And He also gave us free will and with that free will we "decide" when to incarnate into a human body to learn the lessons we need to learn. To my way of thinking this makes perfect sense no matter whether you believe in one human life only or many (as I do).

Now you might wonder how I can believe in a God that is both personal and universal as you may consider them to be contrary to each other. Well my understanding is that it is all to do with dimensions. We live in a three dimensional world where 1+1=2, always has and always will. But our earthly laws do not apply in a multidimensional afterlife where 1+1 has the potential to equal infinity. So, I have already stated that God is everywhere i.e. 100% of all that is (the universal God) but he is more than that; He is also the thinking part of The Universe (i.e. the personal God). It's sort of like trying to put two litres of milk into a one litre container; it makes no sense in a 3 dimensional world but in the 5th dimension and beyond anything is possible.

I believe that the personal aspect of God is very important in our lives. What is the point of God if you can't pray or talk to Him? Meditating is a wonderful medium for self discovery and wisdom but it isn't enough on its own (at least for me). I want a God I can talk to as well on a one-to-one basis. Without that there would be something very vital missing from my life!

My aim is to help as many people as possible realise their full potential from both a human and spiritual perspective. My website provides resources for personal and spiritual development including articles, newsletter and help available by email.

Pat Campbell
"TheArcher"
http://www.eyeofthearcher.com.au

Awfulizing Creates Negativity

Finding Your Optimum Spiritual Self in Recovery

How can we find our optimum spiritual self in recovery?

The answer to that is a process that unfolds before us over a period of years or even decades. Why is it like this? Because everything in recovery is essentially a process. Take, for example, the process of surrender when an addict or alcoholic is first coming to terms with their problem and decides to ask for help. For most people, this moment of surrender is not an event, but instead it takes years and years of fighting and struggling with addiction--desperately trying to control their drinking and drug use--before they can finally admit to their problem and take steps towards a healthier life.

Finding our best spiritual self in recovery is no different. This journey is a process just like everything else, and it can take quite a long time for us to seek out our highest spiritual self. The reason for this is mostly because we block ourselves from achieving such a state of spirituality. All of the great spiritual teachers and leaders have essentially said as much--that the answers are within us all if we just take the time to seek them out and practice some simple gratitude in the stillness and quietness of our lives.

One big problem that many recovering addicts and alcoholics have is that their minds are filled with dogma and limiting beliefs that have possibly carried over from their childhood. These might be mental blocks, such as believing that only religious people are spiritual, or that the only way to connect with a higher power is in church. Spirituality is much broader than that and goes outside the boundaries of what other people think and believe. True spirituality is derived from your own personal quest for knowledge and inner peace; it has little to do with what is in books or what a religious figure might tell you.

Another major problem that people have is that they do not give themselves enough credit for their own spiritual progress. We have hectic lives and do the best that we can in recovery, so why beat ourselves up for not meditating for 8 hours each day? Sometimes we have to take peace and serenity when we get it, and be grateful for it as it comes to us. This is the secret of gratitude and in finding your optimum inner self. Celebrate those inspiring spiritual moments and focus on them and recognize them for the gifts that they are. Do not disregard your own spiritual growth just because you are not walking on water or claiming complete peace and serenity during every waking moment. Finding our optimum spiritual self in recovery is about finding peace among the chaos that will inevitably come with your normal, everyday life.

Finding your spiritual self is a natural function of living the creative theory of recovery, as spirituality is the "glue" that holds the creative life together. Pursue the creative life in recovery and your spiritual self will naturally fall into place as you practice the spiritual principles that drive a successful recovery.

And now I invite you to learn more about finding your spiritual self Visit http://www.spiritualriver.com/

Feeling Alive Teenage Problems

SMARTER Goal Setting - A Key to Making It Great!

In the past, I've written about SMART goal setting, but after much reading and thought, I realize now that goals need to be SMARTER in order to be most successful.

SMARTER goals, broken down:

S - Goals must be Specific and the more specific the better. State your goal in as exact of terms as possible.

M - Targets should be Measurable. That which you measure will be treasured, so think about what will be the measurement of your achievement of your goal.

A - Goals should have Accountability. Who or what are you accountable to for the goal?

R - Goals must be Realistic. Unrealistic goals will lead to discouragement.

T - Targets should be Time based. Decide your time-table for completion, and stick to it.

E - Goals should be Exciting. Exciting goals will be met far sooner than boring, bland goals.

R - Goals should be Recorded, in a place where you can look at it every day.

OK, so let's break down one of my goals for 2006, and see how this works in action.

I will earn by Competent Toast Master (CTM) designation by December 1st, 2006.

Specific - Yes, this is very specific. It says exactly what I am going to do.

Measurable - Yes, this is measurable. CTM designation is something that takes 10 speeches to do in Toastmasters, so if I do these 10 speeches, this goal will be achieved.

Accountability - I'm sharing it with you, so I'm accountable to all of you. I'm also including this in my goals at work, as public speaking is part of what I do, and letting my Toastmasters Mentor know about my goal (I'm sending him this post), so I am accountable to many others.

Realistic - This is absolutely a realistic goal for me. I have given 2 speeches in 2005, so I have to increase my output 4 times. I can do this, but it will take effort.

Exciting - Definitely an exciting goal for me to achieve. As a new Toastmaster, I will be able to improve my speaking ability by doing this, and it will also help our club achieve more distinguished status.

Recorded - I wrote it down here, I'll be putting it on a note card with my other goals, it will be in my HR system at work, and I'll review it every day to remind myself of its importance.

So what goals are you setting in 2006? How can I help you set SMARTER goals? Let me know because I'd love to help you make it great!

Phil Gerbyshak leads a team of IT help desk professionals in Milwaukee, WI, and finds that sharing his knowledge is a crucial component in his success as a leader and as a person. Phil's personal philosophy is paraphrased from Tim Sanders' fantastic book Love is the Killer App: "Share your knowledge, your network, and your love. The rest will follow." Read more of Phil's ideas at http://makeitgreat.org

The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle

Jim Rohn has been writing and speaking on success for over 40 years. He has been called America's Foremost Business Philosopher. He does not disappoint in his little book, The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle.

For those familiar with Rohn's work the themes and stories in this book will be mostly familiar. Even if you have heard Rohn speak you will benefit from reading this book.

Rohn approaches success through five factors, or pieces of the puzzle. They are Philosophy, Attitude, Activity, Results and Lifestyle.

Jim Rohn's chapter on Philosophy can be summed up in his quote: To have more we must first become more". He teaches that we make our own future. Like many other authors of note he stresses taking responsibility for our lives. He teaches that to have more we must be more. He reminds us to work on ourselves first and foremost to make ourselves more valuable in the market place and to achieve more. He then takes the reader down a road teaching how you can and should improve yourself so you can be more.

In his chapter on Attitude he stresses the importance of our attitude in all things. He teaches the value of being present, of learning from the past, and of applying those lessons to the future. He teaches how to plan for the future building on the lessons learned in Philosophy.

In Activity he tells us that no matter how well we plan and how clever we are if we do not act on our plans no progress can occur. All achievement is the product of our action. He stresses the need for sound planning and discipline.

In Results he discusses the measurement of what we do to learn how to improve on our results. He then discusses the importance of expanding our capacity and improving our results.

In Lifestyle Rohn points out that you do not need to be rich or powerful to enjoy life and live with a touch of class. He gives good examples of this and how to enjoy life without the need for conspicuous consumption.

In his conclusion Rohn discusses the importance of a sense of urgency in what we do. Our time is limited and our opportunities are numbered. He stresses that we must exploit that time and opportunity for once it passes it is lost. He also compares the level of success of those who have a sense of urgency with those who do not.

In these 121 short pages Jim Rohn teaches many of the most important principles of success and achievement. This little book is worth its weight in gold.

1991 Jim Rohn
Dickinson Press Inc.
Southlake, Texas

Daniel R. Murphy -- helping people build wealth through self education and development. For more Free Special Reports and other information leading to personal success and financial independence visit http://www.books2wealth.com.

Check out what we have to offer. Sign up for the free ezine, Creating True Wealth, bringing you book reviews and helpful articles twice per month to help you build wealth, manager your time and achieve success. You will secure your future through your continued education and self improvement.

Are You Caught Up In A Life Of Guilt

Guilt is one of the largest causes of stress in your life. Stop reading this article for a second and think about the people in your lives that often make you feel guilty.

Now did you really stop reading the article and think about the people in your life who make you feel guilty? Okay well if you did this get back to the guilty feelings so many of us have. Guilt goes all the way back to your childhood, your parents, teachers, friends and relatives have gotten to be pretty good at it over the years, often learning from the same group of people when they were children.

Guilt is definitely a big part of our society and can be found almost everywhere you turn. Have you ever turned the television on to notice a commercial about weight loss. A large majority of Americans are overweight and are targets for a guilt creating society.

I was reading a book on writing magazine articles, when they mentioned a fact that I never thought of, most women's magazines run articles on dieting in every issue. Guilt sells magazines.

Do you think weight loss, dieting or nutritional eating habits, sell magazines? If your answer is no, you should check the financial statements of these companies. They know what sells magazines and guilt or fear is one of their best friends. If you answered yes to the question, you won't have to suffer from the guilt of not knowing the answer.

Guilt seems to work on our subconscious mind in negative ways, often producing harmful thoughts that create stressful feelings in our lives. The longer these negative thoughts are held as truths, the harder it's going to be on our self esteem.

If you find yourself around people that make you feel guilty for something you do or don't do on a regular basis, I would suggest finding new people to hang around with. Gathering negative information from people you consider your friends can only create more damage to your conscience.

If you truly and sincerely do not like something about yourself, tell your friends in a nice way, that you would rather talk about your problems in a negative way. If they have constructive and helpful comments, you would love to hear them. Guilt causes stress and stress can lead to death. If you don't believe that, do some research on stress related illnesses.

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, The Intuitive Way

Greg is currently working on a personal development library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Living in Full Bloom

Spring is the time when gardeners clean out their flower beds, fertilize their lawns and sow seeds for colorful summer blooms. It's this time of year when I look around and see evidence of laws of nature that never fail and that parallel in our own lives.

Last summer, for example, I planted a weeping rose tree that blessed the garden with fragrant pink blossoms. By late fall, it was time to prepare this graceful tree for the bitter cold Midwestern winter. This required digging up the rose, laying it down and covering it with mounds of soil. Before long, the winter arrived; and our tree was buried beneath 75 inches of snow during the course of the season. The wind whipped, and temperatures steadily dipped below zero. I often looked out my kitchen window wondering how my beloved rose tree was faring in the harsh outer conditions. Finally spring arrived, and the revealing took place. As my husband and I moved the soil away, a beautiful sight emerged. New red shoots were bursting from the stems. "It's alive," I shouted with joy. Indeed, the shoots were signs of strength and life that were always present beneath the surface regardless of severe outer conditions. While the winter snows hammered the tree, it was quietly rejuvenating stronger, healthier and ready to give its gifts to our garden.

Our current world situation might be compared to the long, harsh, cold winter. This is where we have the opportunity to cut away the dead wood in our thoughts and emotions and establish stronger roots in consciousness. While we may need to rest while fertilizing our minds with new ideas, within us are contained the sprouts of growth that are ready to come up stronger than before. If we trust that Divine ideas are always germinating in our minds, we can allow them to grow and take form in our own life's conditions.

We can take another example from gardeners who spend winters envisioning what they will plant in the spring, including the color scheme, the shape and the focus of the garden. This is done with love and compliance with the laws of nature. Likewise, you can pay attention to what you would like to plant in the garden of your mind. What is the shape and scope of your thoughts, visualizations and speech? Create a mental picture, and comply with Universal Law by nourishing it with love and joyous expectation. We can further boost the growth of our mind's garden with faith and conviction.

The Goodness of God

Ernest Holmes tells us: "If we are to have an active faith - the faith of God instead of merely a faith in God - our thought must be centered in Universal Mind . . . No matter what the outside appearance, we must cling steadfastly to the knowledge that God is good."

Because we are programmed by mass consciousness to think of our lives in terms of what is going wrong in our world, we seldom think of the blessings and goodness of God. In reality, problems are the weeds that will choke out the buds of positive change if we let them. Instead of giving power to a problem and vitalizing it with fear and doubt, withdraw all sustaining energy to challenges you are facing. Affirm that Spirit's love and wisdom is guiding you at every moment, and live confident that this is true.

Remember that every time you think or feel negation, you are dishonoring the God-presence in you. When we love the Divine Mind with every particle of our being, all is added to us and more love, truth and wisdom is revealed.

Seeds of Change

You can make a choice to be the master gardener of your mind, and your life. Reject negative messages. Refuse to entertain doubt. Nurture the seeds of greatness that are already planted in you. Enjoy a life abundant with blossoms of joy, beauty and love. Relish each season of your life and kindly tend to the sprouts of newness in your mind. For sowing seeds of positive change reaps a consciousness of love, peace and joy in our individual lives and in the world.

Barbara Gulbranson is a spiritual coach, author, speaker and New Thought minister. She is the founder of Live Your Joy Institute, a non-profit teaching center devoted to spreading love and light through education and practical application of spiritual principles. Barbara's critically acclaimed books, LIVE YOUR JOY: HOW TO AWAKEN FROM SPIRITUAL SLUMBER, and HOW TO ATTRACT YOUR SOUL MATE: THE SECRETS OF LASTING LOVE, are changing the lives of thousands of people around the world.

For more about the author's books and classes and for free gifts such as downloads, book study guides and newsletters, visit http://www.liveyourjoy.org