Expanding Consciousness

New Year Reflections...

2009-01-01T12:52:00.003+11:00

As we reflect on our lives and the changes that have occurred during 2008, we think of family, friends and loved ones. We reflect on the joys, heartache and all the things that make us who we are and helped get us to where we are in today.

The closing of one year and the birth of another always makes us stop to think on how to better our lives for the next year. Many call this a "New Years Resolution". Some call it a "New Commitment". Whatever you call it, it's an opportunity to take stock, a time that you can think about improving yourself and your circumstances.

Make your resolution, your commitment and when you do, keep focused on those goals and not your risks. Have faith that you can stay focused on what you want, as opposed to what you can lose. Staying focused is hard and can be challenging. That's why it's important to avoid those who bring you down, surround yourself with those who are positive and together, as a team, we can create a better New Year. And, a better new you!

No matter what the circumstances, you have a choice. Make your choice and stick with it.
Make a choice, a commitment, to help just 1 person a week. What better way to help yourself and your family but to help others as well. How exciting is that? That's what it's really all about...
May you find yourself blessed and healthy always.

Make this year memorable...

A few suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
~Oren Arnold

Think about it: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
~Norman McFinan
David Rosen - Founder Every Month A Million

FEMALE HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS

2008-09-14T15:15:00.004+10:00

I was aware that female heart attacks are different, but this is the best description I've ever read.

Women and heart attacks (Myocardial infarction).

Did you know that women rarely have the same dramatic symptoms that men have when experiencing heart attack ... you know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor that we see in the movies. Here is the story of one woman's experience with a heart attack.

'I had a heart attack at about 10 :30 PM with NO prior exertion, NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspect might've brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening with my feet propped up. A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion,when you've been in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you've swallowed a golf ball going down the oesophagus in slow motion and it is most uncomfortable. You realize you shouldn't have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly and this time drink a glass of water to hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation---the only trouble was that I hadn't taken a bite of anything since about 5:00 p.m.
After it seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasming), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum (breast bone,where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR). This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws.
'AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening -- we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven't we? I said aloud to myself Dear God, I think I'm having a heart attack! I lowered the footrest dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself, If this is a heart attack, I shouldn't be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else ... but, on the other hand, if I don't, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in moment. I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the next room and dialled the Paramedics ... I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn't feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts. She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to unbolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in.
I unlocked the door and then laid down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don't remember the medics coming in, their examination, lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the Cardiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions (probably something like 'Have you taken any medications?') but I couldn't make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stents to hold open my right coronary artery.
'I know it sounds like all my thinking and actions at home must have taken at least 20-30 minutes before calling the Paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the call, and both the fire station and St. Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was all ready to go to the OR in his scrubs and get going on restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stents.
'Why have I written all of this to you with so much detail? Because I want all of you who are so important in my life to know what I learned first hand.'

1.Be aware that something very different is happening in your body - not the usual men's symptoms, but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act). It is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) MI because they didn't know they were having one and commonly mistake it as indigestion, take some Maalox or other anti-heartburn preparation and go to bed, hoping they'll feel better in the morning when they wake up ... which doesn't happen. My female friends, your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise you to call the Paramedics if ANYTHING is unpleasantly happening that you've not felt before. It is better to have a 'false alarm' visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be!

2. Note that I said 'Call the Paramedics.' And if you can, take an asprin. Ladies, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!
Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER - you are a hazard to others on the road. Do NOT have your panicked husband speeding and looking anxiously at what's happening with you instead of the road.
Do NOT call your doctor -- he doesn't know where you live and if it's at night you won't reach him anyway, and if it's daytime, his assistants (or answering service) will tell you to call the Paramedics. He doesn't carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved! The Paramedics do, principally OXYGEN that you need ASAP. Your Dr.will be notified later.

3. Don't assume it couldn't be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol count. Research has discovered that a cholesterol elevated reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it's unbelievably high and/or accompanied by high blood pressure). MIs are usually caused by long-term stress and inflammation in the body, which dumps all sorts of deadly hormones into your system to sludge things up in there.
Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive. A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.

**Please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends (male & female) you care about!

A Funeral with a Difference ....

2008-08-28T11:32:00.002+10:00

I apologise for my tardiness in posting on this Blog, my excuse being that I recently started ANOTHER BLOG, tied into my new "career" in Network Marketing, called "Boost Your Free Traffic with Val Flint", which you can visit at http://www.ValFlint.com .

However, this article, which came through my mailbox this morning, deserved to be posted here - it's a thought-provoking read !

One day all the employees reached the office and they saw a big sign on the door on which was written:Yesterday, the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym. In the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one oftheir colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know who was that man who hindered the growth of his colleagues and the company itself.The excitement in the gym was such that security agents were ordered to control the crowd within the room. The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up.Everyone thought: 'Who is this guy who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he died!One by one the thrilled employees got closer to the coffin, and when they looked inside it, they suddenly became speechless.They stood nearby the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul. There was a mirror inside the coffin; everyone who looked inside it could see himself. There was also a sign next to the mirror thatsaid: There is only one person who is capable of setting limits to your growth: IT IS YOU!!!!!Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your husband or wife change, when your company change, when your church changes, when your location change, when your money change, when your status change.Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs.Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don't be afraid of difficulties, impossibilities and losses. Be a winner, build yourself and your reality. It's the way you face Life that makes the difference.
~Author Unknown~

Do you want to Change your Life? -
If You have Not Read my Book I suggest you do so http://morelifeforall.successin10steps.com Bernard Tritz
"Be A Mentor with A Servants Heart"
250 658 6703 call AnyTime
morelife@morelife4all.com

Something to be wary about !!!

2008-07-24T14:12:00.004+10:00

Cruise Control Safety!

I wonder how many people know about this?

A 36-year-old female had an accident several weeks ago and totalled her car. A resident of Wollongong, NSW, she was travelling between Wollongong & Sydney. It was raining, though not excessively, when her car suddenly began to hydroplane and literally flew through the air. She was not seriously injured but very stunned at the sudden occurrence!

When she explained to the policeman what had happened, he told her something that every driver should know - NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON.

She had thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain. But the policeman told her that if the cruise control is on and your car begins to hydroplane -- when your tyres lose contact with the road, your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed and you take off like an airplane. She told the policeman that was exactly what had occurred. The policeman estimated her car was actually travelling
through the air at 10 to 15 kms per hour faster than the speed set on the cruise control.

The policeman said this warning should be listed, on the driver's seat sun-visor - NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE ROAD IS WET OR ICY, along with the airbag warning. We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive at a safe speed - but we don't tell them to use the control only when the road is dry.

The only person the accident victim found, who knew this (besides the policeman), was a man who had had a similar accident, totalled his car and sustained severe injuries.

*** If you send this to 15 people and only one of them doesn't know about this, then it was all worth it. You might have saved a life!!

You Don't Often Find FREE Graphics....

2008-07-06T11:26:00.003+10:00

Exciting news for all internet marketers!

I came across this great product that is a definite plus in my books.

Not only does it make the job of an internet marketer easier, faster and present a great professional look, but it is being offered at the moment for free.

Imagine that! Great professional work like this normally costs a fortune, whilst trying to design it yourself can be frustrating & consume your days, leaving no time to attend to anything else.

The graphics are impressive and the quality is superb, just what you need to grab attention and help make that sale.

You can use these for
-Opt In forms
-Order Now Buttons
-Download now Buttons
-Guarantee Buttons
- and more...

And the best part is, the are All Free!

To find out more, click here...
http://www.freemarketinggraphics.com/?download-now=14233

10 MISCONCEPTIONS of a Newbie Internet Marketer (from personal experience)

2008-05-25T21:18:00.007+10:00

Are you considering entering the world of ONLINE MARKETING any time soon? I've been exploring this option for the past 6 months & in that time have learnt some valuable lessons that may speed up the process for YOU:

1. Please DON'T believe all the Hype that will come through your mailbox - there are many SCAMS out there, people who are NOT genuine & only want your money to provide an income for THEMSELVES!

2. Don't think it's easy or that it requires little effort - if you have no marketing experience, there are MANY skills to learn, many more than I ever imagined, if you are to become successful (only 5% of all entrepreneurs ARE successful!).

3. Don't think you'll make a fortune overnight. You'll discover there are many people earning 6 &7 figure incomes, but they are not newbie marketers, & they have probably been mentored by an experienced entrepreneur, which can be costly, but is an excellent way to start (ie find someone successful & follow his/her plan).

4. Don't even think you'll start earning immediately, so whatever you do, DON'T give up your regular job at this point in time!

5 Don't think it'll be a straightforward journey - you'll probably join a program or two which doesn't meet your expectations for one reason or another. Don't let that phase you - it happens to most online marketers. Just drop that progam & move on.

6. Don't think you'll only have to spend an hour or two a day (at least initially), unless you have a large marketing budget & you can afford to outsource some aspects of your campaigns. Even then it will take time for you to discover the most proficient, yet economical options.

7. Don't think it'll be obvious which programs will provide the best income for YOU- short-term/long-term. Some exploration will be necessary.

8. Don't think you won't become confused & overwhelmed, because you WILL at some stage - frustrated too & want to give up the whole idea of Internet Marketing. However, by then, you may have invested too much money & time for that to be a wise proposition.

9. Don't think you'll easily handle all the emails you'll receive, especially if you're using Safelists. Unsubscribe from as many as you can or you'll have about 100 coming into your mailbox every day & you'll find that all you'll be doing is clicking on emails. You'll never have time to do enough advertising & it is essential to keep your product, whatever it is, before the eyes of the public. I have found emails to be one of my greatest hassles.
NB: If you join a Safelist, upgrade immediately if you can afford it, to partly avoid this problem.

10. Don't think you won't spend too much money- everybody does when they first start out, unless they follow a mentor's advice, which will usually cost you anyway, though recently (I guess with the advent of Web2) I have noticed some free courses from reputable marketers. You'll receive many offers of various kinds daily, so be very selective about what you take up. Don't worry if you can't afford the latest "great" program - something better will be devised before you know it - that's the way of the Internet!!

So, what has been MY biggest mistake? I'll save that for my next post.

But I do suggest that you print out these 10 Online Marketing Misconceptions, pin them up near your computer & read through them often to help to keep you on track. And if you have any questions about setting yourself up as an Internet Marketer or about programs you are considering joining, just drop me an email at valf@mysoul.com.au (yes, I'm an Aussie - but we're not ALL convicts, thieves & rascals!) & I'll get back to you.

I'll review a couple of programs which I consider genuine & worthwhile financially in future posts - they'll get you off to a good start!

KEEPERS .....

2008-05-01T16:41:00.005+10:00

I received this today from friends of ours & thought it well-worth sharing:

Keepers

I grew up in the 40's/50's/60's with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a Name for it... A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress Things we keep.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.

But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return. So... While we have it.. it's best we love it... And care for it.... And fix it when it's broken..... And heal it when it's sick.

This is true... For marriage.... And old cars.... And children with bad report cards..... Dogs and cats with bad hips.... And aging parents.... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.

There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special.... And so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper', so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way.. Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are 'keepers' in your life. Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Keep them close

Author unknown

Music: 'May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You' - Jim Reeves

Experiences of a Newbie Online Marketer

2008-03-11T17:16:00.008+11:00

Don't believe all the HYPE around Online Marketing - it's phenomenal!!

"You HAVE to hear this!" "This is the answer to all your financial problems!" "Here's an awesome offer!" "Hurry! Only a few positions left..." "don't miss out!"

These are the kinds of emails which arrive daily in every Internet marketer's mailbox - dozens of them! And to a newbie marketer they sound mighty tempting. You start to believe that online marketing must be a cinch - there are so many "gurus" who are making thousands, if not millions! You could make a fortune in no time. But I'm telling you, it's a lot of hard work!!

Talk about "leaving your 9-5 JOB & having time to yourself"! What a joke - it may be so for those gurus who've done the hard yards, who've automated their whole system & who've already MADE millions, but so far, I've been at the computer for many MORE hours/day than I've ever worked elsewhere, & for far fewer dollars! Whatever you do, don't leave your regular job until you've really sorted out the "good" programs from the scams, & that could take you months!

You know from my last post that that's exactly what I've been endeavouring to do & I believe the confusion is finally beginning to clear, but you've really got to "hang in there" ............. it's been 4 months!

There are:

* some programs it would be unwise to leave - just yet anyway.

* some I'm cutting back on "extras".

* free programs, that I can advertise when I have time, which I may as well keep.

* others which charge monthly fees, but are too useful as advertising resources to give up,
even though they are not directly producing income.

* some which charge no fees & will advertise for you ... IF ... you buy an advertising pack
from them.

* and still others which charge a one-time fee ONLY, & I will, of course, retain those whose fees I have already paid.

Yes, I have been burned - yes, I have spent too much money, more than I could really afford,
but I have learnt a lot, the chaff is gradually being blown away & I'm concentrating now on what seem to be more solid options.

If you are interested in knowing what some of those options are, contact me at my email address:

valf@mysoul.com.au

or post a comment following this post. If I can help you in ANY way, I'll be more than happy to do so.

A NEW DAY!

2008-01-27T12:46:00.000+11:00

Well, my blogging has certainly taken a back seat, as I've become involved in Network Marketing. But I guess that's the way it goes - life takes all sorts of twists & turns as we're faced with different situations.

Actually, I've been so busy that there's scarcely been time to shower, shop, sleep & even eat, which means that my life has taken on a life of its own & is totally out-of-balance!

Hence, I've had to make a DECISION to take myself in hand & do some prioritising. And that's a lesson in itself - a lesson we all must learn at some stage if we are to become healthy in mind, body & spirit, whilst remaining productive in some way.

It's Affiliate Marketing I've decided upon, because that seems at the moment the easiest for me to slot into at my age. Let's face it, I can't afford to take YEARS to learn new skills - that would defeat the purpose of the exercise!

Whether I WILL reach my goal of earning enough extra money. via this means, to fund better accommodation for my husband, also having extra for the needy, as well as a little for my own use, is improbable at this stage - I'm still paying out far more than I'm bringing in! However, I HAVE cut back SOME of the programs I'd joined & I'm becoming more focussed on those which interest me more for either ethical or financial reasons. But it's not easy - then again, anything that's worthwhile rarely IS!

I'm determined not to give up without making a concerted effort, but my problem has perhaps always been TRYING TOO HARD - answering that childhood message, " Do your best!" The trouble IS - What is "your best" - when DOES one stop? Even when we were out fishing in our boat, I always wanted to stay "another few minutes", because I might just catch another one!

And, of course, for ME, there was ever that hope that if I did that little bit better, I might be acceptable enough to be loved! And even though I've dealt with all that as completely as I'm able, I know there will always be a residue lurking in the background, of which I need to be aware .......... but more of that later!

Choices, choices .......!!

2008-01-06T22:56:00.000+11:00

WOW! Have I been busy!!

I've been checking out Home-Business opportunities & once I started, my email-box was absolutely flooded with offers - I had no idea the online marketing community was so extensive! And growing at an ever-increasing rate, so it seems - the way of the future I'm told .........!!

But now I find that I've joined TOO many sites to ever have a HOPE of doing them all justice - so many offers sounded so promising! Thus I have the task of sifting through the maze & selecting only those which are proving to be productive - it is time-consuming, but I guess I'm learning a lot along the way - a new journey & an interest for me now that I'm on my own.

My MAJOR reason for starting this quest was the fact that my husband & I are pensioners, he is in full-time care in a Hostel & I would like to be able to provide for him a better style of accommodation.

Added to that is my desire to be able to financially assist many more who are in real need across the world.

But my reasons are not TOTALLY altruistic. I believe that at this time in my life I deserve a little comfort & ease. And with my 2 children living overseas (one in London, the other in NY), I would like to be able to afford to visit them more often.

So there you have it! I am NOT sitting back & stagnating - instead I'm endeavouring to be productive, while not needing to leave home ( I can stay in my PJs all day long if I so wish!) - I just hope I finally make the right choices!!

If there's anyone out there who can HONESTLY set me on the right track, I'd really appreciate it - there's so much hype, I don't know what to believe & what not to believe ..................

New Year

2007-12-31T20:23:00.000+11:00

Well, it's New Year's Eve, the last day of 2007 - when many of us think about making New Year's Resolutions. But is it just a bit of fun or are we serious - have we REALLY thought through how we want our lives to develop during 2008?

If we don't set goals for ourselves, we 'll simply drift along, being at the mercy of every whim & fancy, & before we know it, 2008 will have come & gone & we'll be no further ahead than we were 12 months ago.

Maybe that's OK for you - maybe that's as much as you want out of life, but life really IS short ( I've become more & more aware of that fact the older I've become!) & if there ARE goals you wish to achieve, then you'd better set about making a plan & setting it in motion. Time's awastin'!!

Don't know where to start? Haven't a clue what you want for yourself? Want some guidance? Last August I joined an organisation called Goal University - no, there are no entrance requirements & no there are no exams! But, yes, there ARE exercises we work on to define our passions & dreams & we all support one another. It's great & it's the reason I began this Blog.

If you think it could be useful for YOU, go to http://goalguru.com where you'll find Jill Koenig, who brought Goal University into existence - it had been one of HER goals! She is nothing short of AMAZING - coming from an underprivileged background, she has risen to become one of America's leading goals experts - a real goal guru!

Yes, I AM still here!

2007-12-16T08:43:00.000+11:00

What have I been up to?

Well, for one thing, I've been endeavouring to start monetising this Blog (you've probably noticed the ads!), because, with only ONE pension now coming into our house, I really need to supplement my income - not only for MY sake, but also in order to provide better facilities for my husband, as well as being able to donate more to worthwhile organisations. At the moment, however, it's ALL about paying money OUT, so I'm definitely going backwards, which is a bit of a worry. I hope in the future I'll be able to look back & see that it was worth it!

So there - I HAVEN"T been sitting around on my butt doing nothing, in fact, I've been quite busy .........................

2 weeks ago my husband was sitting on the side of his bed when he slipped off & fell on the floor - 2 days in a row, would you believe!! He crushed a disc & has been in severe pain ever since, demanding my attention on a constant basis, so actually I'm feeling pretty stressed & weary right now.

Will get back to more self-exploration ASAP.

May you all enjoy your Christmas / New Year break & may your goals for 2008 be realistic, achievable ones!!

Our condition IS terminal ...........

2007-11-28T11:50:00.000+11:00

The wonderful celebration of Thanksgiving has recently been observed in the US. We would be well-advised to take time out to recognise all our blessings here in Australia also!

Every day people are told that their condition is terminal. When they hear this, a lot of them say, " Things I've taken for granted, like my health, my family and my friends, have suddenly become all-important to me. Trivialities no longer matter."

If you've been grouchy lately, maybe this will help you to SEE THINGS in PERSPECTIVE:

If you woke up this morning, you're ahead of the 1,000,000 people who didn't survive the week.

If you can sit down, read the paper & drink a cup of coffee, you're better off than the 500,000,000 men, women & children around the world who are presently experiencing the horrors of war, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture & the pangs of starvation.

If you can attend church without threat, you've a freedom envied by 2 billion others who've never been inside one.

If you have food, clothes and a roof over your head, you're richer than 75% of the earth's inhabitants. (Actually a garbage disposal eats better than they do!)

If you've money in the bank, you're among the world's top 8%.

If you've got a Bible, you're better off than the 1.5 billion people who've never even seen one.

If you can read this, you're ahead of one-third of the people on the planet who are illiterate.

If you've fallen into the trap of expecting much but appreciating little, it's time you remembered, repented & gained a little perspective!

Note: I keep this on my refrigerator to remind me!!

How confident are you, REALLY?

2007-11-26T14:53:00.000+11:00

It seems to ME that a great many problems we confront in adult life originate in a POOR sense of SELF-WORTH.
Parents simply have not recognised until now ( & many not even NOW!) the amazing difference building up a child's self-esteem can make to the entire course of his life. If a child is NOT encouraged to believe in himself, if he is not told/shown that he is a unique & worthwhile individual, then why on earth would he suddenly begin to behave like one ?

Rather, he will become insecure & will most likely conduct himself in one of the following ways -

1. He may be shy, withdrawn, afraid to take risks, display social anxiety & never reach his full potential, because he feels inferior & undeserving of success.

OR

2. He may become a loud-mouthed, (apparently) over-confident braggart, who behaves as if he knows everything & can be told nothing - which is really only a COVER for his insecurity.

OR

3. He may fit somewhere in-between, externally appearing confident, but internally feeling extremely unsure of himself.

All these people are as insecure as one another emotionally - they have simply chosen different survival techniques in order to be able to navigate their way through life.

Of course, it need not be so - each one is a valuable human being, with his own set of skills - he just doesn't know it - he was never told. And if he were told now, he wouldn't believe it!

Does any of this RING A BELL? Do you know someone like this? Can you yourself identify with one of these types of people? THE BIG QUESTION IS -

Is it the way you want to stay for the rest of your life?

If NOT, what can you do?

1. Spend as much time as possible with people who DO believe in you, who give off POSITIVE vibes, whose company you enjoy.

2. Learn from those who are already GENUINELY confident - find a POSITIVE ROLE- MODEL

3. Avoid people who put you down - they are probably insecure themselves. It might mean changing your group of friends or not seeing some of your family members as often, but REMEMBER - "YOU'RE WORTH IT!"

4. Seek the help of a professional if you feel "stuck" - they'll understand where you're coming from, will allow you to be yourself & will be able to assist you on your journey to a MORE SECURE & CONFIDENT FUTURE!

"The secret of life isn't what happens to you,
but what you do with what happens to you".
- Norman Vincent Peale

This may well SAVE A LIFE!

2007-11-20T13:17:00.001+11:00

Sometimes the symptoms of a STROKE are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognise the symptoms of a stroke.

HOW TO RECOGNISE A STROKE -

Ask the victim to do 3 things:

1. SMILE.

2. RAISE BOTH ARMS.

3. REPEAT A SIMPLE SENTENCE (coherently). eg It's very hot today.

If the victim has trouble with ANY of these tasks, call an ambulance immediately & describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Widespread use of this test could result in a prompt diagnosis & treatment of the stroke & prevent brain damage.. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!

BE A FRIEND & SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH AS MANY FRIENDS AS POSSIBLE - you could save their lives!

Whose Needs are you Meeting?

2007-11-16T17:25:00.001+11:00

That's the BIG QUESTION parents need to ask themselves -

As a parent, WHOSE NEEDS ARE YOU REALLY MEETING, your child's or your own??

I was NOT a successful parent!

Why?

Because I had unmet childhood needs for affection & acceptance that had not been met..........& I DID NOT KNOW IT!!

So I still subconsciously WANTED those needs to BE met - BUT - I was an adult by then - in years, but unfortunately not emotionally. I couldn't go back and if I had been able to, who would have met those needs anyhow?

So what did I do - WITHOUT REALISING IT?

I EXPECTED MY HUSBAND TO MEET THOSE NEEDS! But he was my husband, not my parent, so that didn't happen & I became more & more frustrated & angry.

Then I began to expect it from my CHILDREN! I was living vicariously through my CHILDREN, expecting THEM to succeed for ME!

HOW UNFAIR TO MY CHILDREN!!

But still I was unaware of what I was doing. All I knew was that I was becoming more & more frustrated. You see, I'd buried my needs & pretended I was OK for so long, I'd even fooled myself.

Perhaps YOU can relate to what I've been saying - are YOU an angry person & you don't know why?

Think back to your childhood - was it happy, fulfilled? Or was there something missing & subconsciously you're still longing for that "something", desperately wanting someone to fill that need, & becoming more & more frustrated because it isn't happening? And are you taking it out on those you love?

It took me a divorce & 6 years of therapy to uncover & come to terms with MY unmet childhood needs. I trust that by reading this, YOU might become aware far more quickly - hopefully before too much damage occurs - saving you time, effort & a great deal of hurt.

However, you WILL still need assistance as you work through your issues, so DON'T DELAY, don't sweep them under the carpet - I CAME OUT THE OTHER SIDE A MUCH STRONGER, EMOTIONALLY HEALTHIER PERSON & SO CAN YOU!

What kind of Parent are you?

2007-11-05T17:47:00.000+11:00

I believe most parents do the best they can with the understanding they have at any given time.

I certainly did & no doubt my mother did also, but that was not enough to ensure that we had good parenting skills.

All we virtually knew was how OUR parents had treated US when WE were children.

The problem is immediately obvious - a variation of the same type of parenting being used generation after generation.

UNLESS

somewhere along the line someone makes a CHOICE to change something.

However, that doesn't occur until there is an AWARENESS that there ARE OTHER PARENTING METHODS which would be preferable.

Until the 1980s there were few resources to tap into, so we just acted by instinct, according to the programming we'd received from our own parents.

Now that was ok IF our own parenting had been loving, healthy & functional, but if not, another dysfunctional family was created, by no fault of our own.

Today we have so many opportunities to access knowledge & support -

Parenting programs

Psychologists

Psychotherapists

Counsellors

Family services

Relationship classes

Parenting books

Online websites

Are you, as a parent, taking advantage of these resources, or are you still reacting according to your instincts, as your parents did before you? It concerns me that many parents are doing just that - they are NOT MAKING EDUCATED CHOICES about how they will raise their children - when so many resources are today available.

Probably nothing in this world is more satisfying than seeing one's child growing & developing into his/her full potential, but with that opportunity comes the enormous responsibility of deciding upon & implementing the best parenting methods.

To be a "good" parent requires SACRIFICE. If that is something you are NOT prepared to do, for your sake, as well as the child's, think again about having children in the first place!

"Blog Profits Blueprint" - of great assistance

2007-11-02T14:22:00.000+11:00

Well I'm sure on a steep learning curve setting up this blog. I thought it'd be quite straightforward & I guess the basics are, but the detail that follows, such as advertising to make money & marketing a blog, are a little more complicated for a novice computer user.

And so I was delighted to become aware of YARO STARAK'S 54 page "BLOG PROFITS BLUEPRINT" (see http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/), which he distributes FREE-OF-CHARGE. It's well-written & a credit to Yaro, who has only been blogging for two-and-a-half years, making great strides in such a short time.

Yaro ( who's an Aussie like me) also runs a Blog Mentoring Program ( see http://www.blogmastermind.com/ ), which I'm sure would also be invaluable.

Thank-you, Yaro, for saving me time & total confusion - I appreciate the knowledge you've gained which you're prepared to share with those less technologically able.

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can ...
to all the people you can as long as you ever can." John Wesley

Val.

What a difference a sad event in someone's life can make

2007-10-28T14:20:00.000+11:00

This was sent to me today & if you haven't already seen it, just take a few moments to ponder what it has to say -

GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died...)

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time

We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

"Have you hugged your child today?"

2007-10-27T15:35:00.000+10:00

That was a bumper sticker in Australia in the 1970's, when my children were growing up, & on occasion my son would come to me, as I was making an after-school snack, saying just that - " Have you hugged your child today?" Of course he would always get exactly what he was asking for. But it's true, sometimes I did forget in the flurry of meals, piano lessons, soccer & netball practice etc etc .............. & it was great that he was able to remind me in that way. However, maybe YOU have a child or children who find it difficult to actually ASK for affection.

So, "HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR CHILD TODAY?" OR your husband/wife or anyone else whom you love? Because it means so much more if one doesn't have to ASK for it, if it's given SPONTANEOUSLY. And if a child CAN'T ask, as I never could, & they're NOT told or shown, that child may be desperate to know, which in turn could be affecting his behaviour, his self- esteem, his achievements.

I'm sure there are parents out there (like MY parents), who simply EXPECT their children to KNOW they are loved, even though they DON'T tell them or give them lots of hugs, kisses & cuddles. And Dads, don't think YOU'RE exempt - most children are just as desperate for their father's approval as their mother's.

Perhaps it may seem strange to you at first, because that's not how it was for YOU as a child, but believe me it'll be worth stepping a little outside your comfort zone - your bond with your children will become so much closer.

So, "Have you hugged your child today?" If not, DO IT, DO IT NOW!!

Unwanted Pregnancy?? (cont.)

2007-10-22T14:27:00.000+10:00

I spent my entire childhood trying to be "good enough" to be accepted & loved.

Of course, if my parents had realised this, they could have made a concerted effort to show me, by word & deed, that they did in fact love me, for even though my mother had not wanted to be pregnant with me so soon, somewhere along the line the anger became meaningless. In other words, there WAS a way to set things right.

HOWEVER, neither of my parents were liberal with hugs & kisses & I don't EVER remember being TOLD I was loved. They just EXPECTED me to KNOW!! When I finally plucked up enough courage (in my mid-forties!) to ask them, my mother, absolutely amazed, immediately threw her arms around me & said:" Why on earth would you think that we didn't LOVE you?" My response was, " Because you've never told me!"

That was an enormous step in my journey to freedom!

But what about the 2nd scenario? On the one hand, we have a child desperately trying to be "good enough" to be wanted & loved, on the other hand, the child who can see that that isn't working, may get sick & tired of trying & yet still crave attention & recognition. And so he rebels & does everything he can to ANNOY his parents, because negative attention is better than none at all. If they don't realise what is happening & why, & work to remedy the situation, it will only escalate as the child gets older & learns more sophisticated methods. This path could even lead to a life of crime .....................

Aren't we complex beings? And what a tremendous responsibility parenting entails!!

The answer is to thoroughly work through your own emotional issues as early as possible, so that the next generation will not be burdened by them.

Unwanted Pregnancy??

2007-10-20T14:54:00.000+10:00

Unexpectedly pregnant, but the time's not right?

Maybe you wanted to wait til you were married, maybe you feel you have enough children already, maybe you didn't want to have children at all, maybe you just wanted some time for you & your new husband with no further intrusions. The reason doesn't really matter - you just know that you are angry, disappointed, frustrated, confused, perhaps even guilty & you have a right to be - they are all relevant emotions under the circumstances, because you DON'T
feel OK about having an abortion.

So what DO you do?

1. First of all, it's important to allow yourself to actually FEEL those emotions. If you pretend they're not there & you submerge them, they WILL resurface at an inopportune time & someone will be hurt.

2. Next, find someone not involved, whom you trust, to talk over what you're feeling - preferably a professional therapist or counsellor, & include your partner at some point. It's important to get everything out in the open where it can be explored thoroughly. If you don't, the baby will suffer.

* * I realise it may be difficult for you to consider the matter from the baby's perspective right now, but if you decide to actually KEEP this baby, then that is what is most relevant & that is, in fact, where I am coming from.

I believe (because there now seems to be evidence to corroborate it), that a baby senses its mother's state of mind, even before it's born. So, if he (using the masculine for ease of expression) comes into the world, knowing already that he's not really wanted, what effect will this have on his development? Probably one of two things, the first of which is my personal experience & so it deeply concerns me. In either case, the child will feel he is inferior in some way or otherwise his mother WOULD want him.

In the first case scenario, he'll be as good a child as he can possibly be, hoping that eventually he'll be good enough to be wanted & loved. Of course, it never happens, because the child's behaviour has nothing to do with the mother's initial feelings. He'll grow up trying to please EVERYONE but himself & he'll be terrified to put a foot wrong. He'll have no confidence in himself & be timid & shy, or else he'll adopt a front that he's coping & all is well, when he's really quite anxious below the surface. Either way, he won't have a healthy emotional development, he won't reach his unique potential & probably at mid-life (if not before) he'll experience a psychological break-down of some kind. If he's married by now, he may have married for unsustainable reasons, so his partner will suffer, as will any children, who may be emotionally traumatised & need counselling themselves.

All this could eventuate because the parents have not come to terms with their OWN feelings about an unwanted pregnancy and/or have not considered how that could affect the child.

I'll discuss the second scenario at a later date.

Well, here I am!

2007-10-17T19:46:00.000+10:00

This is a first for me.

I decided recently that one of my goals is to record in some way lessons I've learnt throughout my life. If I don't do this, very few people will be able to benefit & the knowledge I've gained from the lessons I've struggled to learn will essentially die with me. I want this to be part of the legacy I leave behind for those who follow.

However, I am not a writer. In fact this will be my first public attempt, so please bear with me. I don't know the ins & outs of being a Blogger, so maybe some of you can help me with that along the way.

I have a passion for "hurting people" & if I can do anything to ease someone's pain, I will consider my life has been worthwhile. My hope is that this site may be a place where you feel comfortable to come, where you feel empathy, where you gain some knowledge, support & encouragement to move on.

"The best teacher is experience; other
people’s if you’re smart".