It seems that you turn around and before you know it, it’s time for the Holidays again. For many this is always a joyous occasion, however, for others it’s a dreaded and depressing time. Memories of loved ones passing, or relationships ending, occur to some people’s lives around the Holidays and then, depression sets in. The idea of participating in festivities when sadness overwhelms you is stressful and debilitating. Instead of avoiding these seasonal moments, with friends and family, commit to dealing with your emotions and placing them in their proper places. There is a time for mourning and it... Continue reading

With the passing of one of the greatest innovators of our time, Steve Jobs, it made me think of how many people are out there that might also have revolutionary ideas but might not know how to take the steps to make them into reality. We were all brought into this world with various talents that, as we grow and learn, were meant to be shared with others. Some discover and share their talents while they are young; others are meant to hone their talents longer and share them as they are older. Don’t make age an obstacle to accomplishing... Continue reading

Spiritualism is a component that needs to be in everyone’s life at one time or another. Without a belief in spiritualism, doubts and lack of self-confidence prevail. In our society, we are constantly surrounded by negative messages and many times, by negative people. After a while of being bombarded by this daily, it is not a surprise that many are plagued by thoughts of despair and depression. One way to find enlightenment through the maze is by connecting with the ‘King of Enlightenment’ himself - Buddha. I’m not saying we need to become fanatical or religious in our quest; it’s... Continue reading

It’s time! After a frigid winter which felt like it was never going to end it seems that Spring is finally making it’s way forward. Seeing and feeling the changes in the air is refreshing and we need to start embracing what’s coming. Mother Earth will soon start her rebirth stage and all will be new again. This is also a great time to start what has been traditionally called ‘Spring Cleaning’. Clean out those closets; get rid of idle materials that are just occupying space; start washing out those Spring fashion outfits and bed sheets, or just buy some... Continue reading

In today’s world people are striving more than ever to become a celebrity. We have shows like ‘American Idol’, ‘America’s Got Talent’, etc. We also have ‘Internet Celebrities’ to contend with. But is being a 'celebrity' all it's cracked up to be? Imagine yourself constantly being followed and photographed to the point that it starts to drive you crazy. Everywhere you turn there's someone shouting your name and running towards you attracting attention from others who begin to do the same. You don't know if the people have good intentions or bad ones. Fear starts setting in and you have... Continue reading

Challenges are put in our paths for a reason. We are all here on Earth to learn and to experience Life. Everyone has their own journey. At times it seems that some have it easier than others. The only way to know for sure is to live in that person's shoes. How to survive Life's challenges depends on each individual's core. There are a number of positive emotions, that once triggered, take control of whatever the situation is. They fall under: determination patience persistence survival strategy action communication motivation inspiration Self-development is based on all these factors. Some people feel... Continue reading

So many Americans are still searching for work. According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment is either unchanged or actually going up in some areas. For many, it’s still a stomach-turning situation with no place to go. Here are a couple of suggestions, which you might already know, to get your Hope back in gear: 1) Do what many immigrants do - when they come to America they pool their money together to give each other temporary 'loans' so that they can buy their bills and/or start small businesses. Depending on the culture, one... Continue reading

photo by: barsik Whether you live in an apartment, or a house, the kitchen should be the gem of your home. For centuries it has been considered the hearth and hub of the family. If your kitchen is in need of improvement, this is the time to do so. If you're on a tight budget, you can still uplift the look of your kitchen to suit your style. Apartment dwellers who are tired of waiting for the superintendent to make changes, take heart, there are some things you can do yourself. A good start would be to locate all cracks... Continue reading

Centuries ago the mind and the body were considered the most important assets a human being can have. The mind was used to solve a multitude of basic, survival problems and the body was it's tool. Strategies were thought out and implemented daily while the body was honed to perfection. Whatever we lacked in nutrition was researched, and practiced, until we understood what kept us healthy. Battles made daily exercises necessary so that our bodies also became our weapons. It was near to impossible, through the centuries, that we didn’t use our minds and our bodies simultaneously. Then somewhere along... Continue reading

The above is a neon-flashing sign which I imagine the Universe has put up since the beginning of time. There are so many of us living on this Earth, with more being born every second, yet how many of us have truly contributed to this world in a positive way? Though we only know of those individuals who have been documented for their contributions, I still feel we are lacking in contributors. I heard a story of an elderly man who, when young, was taught by his mother how to sew. She believed that everyone needed a trade and, since... Continue reading

There's a television show, named 'Dexter', which depicts the life of a serial killer. It is well produced, directed and acted. I've enjoyed it numerous times but one day I realized...I'm watching a TV show which focuses on a serial killer. We all know a serial killer is an individual who is absent of emotions and who targets other human beings to be murdered. They are usually intelligent, perfectionists and hard to catch. In years past, the thought of a serial killer running loose would bring terror to the hearts of many. Has television, and movies, made us so immune... Continue reading

There are large numbers of people that go about life believing that things just happen to them. The truth is every deed and thought has a consequence. As an example - someone eats a banana and drops the peel to the ground as they walk away. Three people walking behind him miss the banana peel but the fourth person is not so lucky. As she slips on the peel, she lands on her arm which results in a small arm fracture. She is taken to the emergency room at a nearby hospital for treatment. Though the fracture was small she... Continue reading

Here it is, September, the 9th month in 2010. Sit back and review what you have done so far in this possibly momentus year. As you take note, have you accomplished most of what you planned for this year? Did you even create a to-do list in January of 2010? If you plan to change your life for the better, I'm sure you've noticed numerous articles propelling the idea of writing down your goals and sticking to them. Different authors put it in their own words and phrases but it's all the same – write down your goals and make... Continue reading

Kitchen or dining room tables can easily become a catch-all for everyone's belongings. Mail, school books, car keys, pens, pencils, and other miscellaneous items can quickly appear, and at dinnertime, end up in a large pile of clutter somewhere else in your household. Make things easy. Stop this habit by organizing a central area for everyone's belongings right inside the door to your house. Install hooks on the wall so that purses, coats and backpacks can easily be hung upon entry. A bench or short shelf can be placed directly underneath the hanging area for clearly labeled catch-all bins for... Continue reading

Whether you're communicating with friends or doing public speaking, there is so much to know about conversation that anyone could ever realize. You can learn through watching talk shows; radio programs; clubs dedicated to public speaking; ordinary conversations - certain rules still apply when it comes to interaction through words. It may sound tedious, but even though it's your mouth that's doing the work, your brain works twice as hard to churn out a lot of things you know. So the best way to start learning how to be an effective communicator is to know the very person closest to... Continue reading

It usually takes a small coffee, or more than likely a few rounds of beer or any type of drink you can get your hands on, before it comes to kicking back after a tough day's work. Well, yeah I'm blameworthy about that one as well, unless I'm caught sporting a lampshade on my head following a few rounds of vodka virtually-naked! All right, bad example and I apologize to one and all checking this after suffering nightmares about me in that condition of a drunken haze. Please don't ask how it happened, ok? But what's very intriguing is that... Continue reading