Is Your Life Complete? 5 Tips for Living a Fulfilled, Complete Life

When we talk about living a complete life, what do we mean? Are we talking about simply achieving goals as a way to show accomplishments? Not exactly – a complete life means that you live a life that is fulfilled and full of happiness.
Goals are an important part of it, but so are personal and professional relations, passions and desires. For almost everyone, living a complete life is an ongoing process – every day we take steps or perform tasks that help us achieve the goals and desires we have set forth in our life.
It’s very easy to live life – to go through the motions – without living fulfilled. Far too many of us are getting up every day and we don’t have a passion or purpose in what we do. We’ve lost track of our life goals and are not sure how to get back on the path towards living a fulfilled life.
So how do we get back on track in our lives? Or if we already are on track, what are some of the tips that can help keep us on track? I’ve compiled a list of 5 areas that you can focus on that can help you achieve living a fulfilled and complete life.

Turn Your Desires and Wants into Goals
We all have desires and wants in our life. For some of us it can be a desire to be able to retire early, for others we may have a want to get the latest BMW. For many people they have a desire to make sure that they leave behind a legacy of doing well in both their personal and professional lives.In order to achieve your wants and desires, set up goals for yourself. In fact, many people find that by having goals – and milestones to achieving that goal – that they have the motivating power to actually make it happen. Setting up goals gives you the purpose for getting up in the morning and helps fuel the drive to succeed. Make sure your goals are achievable by breaking them down into smaller steps. Then celebrate each time you achieve one of the steps towards the larger goal!
Turn Your Goals into Habits
Now that you have defined your goals, or better yet you have achieved them, don’t step there! Turn those goals into habits. If your goal was to finish your college education then make it a habit – make education a part of your everyday life by always learning and doing. If your goal was to get rid of the clutter in your life then make sure you don’t stop once you have achieved it or else the clutter will find its way back into your life!Habits help us continually achieve goals and even help take small goals and transform them into larger ones. For instance, if you have achieved your goal of reducing your energy and water usage help others see the benefits of doing so as well – expand your goal by making it your habit! People learn by seeing others do.
Track Your Progress and Celebrate Your Accomplishments
If you remember, I said that in order to make your goals achievable to break them down into smaller steps and celebrate each step as you achieve it. It’s important that we recognize the progress we make in our lives – and that our friends and family make in theirs. It’s positive reinforcement and it is one of the most crucial ingredients in leading a happy, fulfilled life.Celebrate accomplishments and use the momentum from achieving that milestone as the catalyst to propel you towards the next milestone! You will find that soon you have developed a positive self-feeding cycle in your life and you will be able to achieve anything you put your mind to!
Watch Out For the Negatives
How many of us limit ourselves by listening to old, outdated and just plain wrong advice and conventions? When people tell you that you can’t do something because you haven’t done X or Y first, just smile and tell them “Thanks, but I think I’ll give it a shot!” Never limit yourself or your beliefs.It seems that in life people are always more apt to listen to those who want to spread the negative emotions and thoughts around than they are those who want to spread around the message of “Yes you can!” Learn how to overcome those who want to be held back by old, outdated beliefs and propel yourself forward knowing that you can do something if you work hard at it.Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, didn’t believe in the old belief at the time that IBM didn’t do business with small companies – and look at where he is now!
Keep Your Mind Open Change
We should always make sure that we have an open mind and learn that change happens and sometimes we need to modify our desires or goals. This doesn’t mean you should give up on something because you think it is too hard to achieve, but rather you should be open for new ways of achieving that goal or modifying the goal to take advantage of advanced in technology, science and the world around us.Successful people know that change is part of life – and that change does not, as many people believe, happen suddenly but rather is a gradual process that takes place every minute of the day. By being aware of the change that happens around them they can better focus their goals and desires to take advantage of change instead of being surprised by it.

Are you preparing to bring fulfillment to your life? Use this list as guide then watch as change starts to happen around you. People will notice when you change your attitude and outlook, and when they do it is almost viral – they begin to change theirs as well! Before you know it, not only are you living a full, complete life but you also were the catalyst for others to find fulfillment in their lives as well!

Written by David B. Bohl of Slow Down Fast.

To live a HAPPY and SATISFYING LIFE...

In each day that passes by, we stand by and witness how our lives are being lived without the full happiness and satisfaction we crave and need. Most people spend their time stressed out, worried and on a constant panic about what needs to be done for their futures, raising their children, wired up over work, school, along with everything else. Does this sound familiar? Well if it does, it is because so many people live with this style and pattern. When you can start living that fully happy and satisfied life?

The only way you can live a happy and satisfied life, is when you start doing things that make you happy and satisfied. Sure, it sounds easy, and can be easy if you just remember to make yourself one of your top priorities. Too many people neglect themselves, feeling that it would be selfish if they took any time out to focus on their own being. While it is good to take care of others and other important things going on in your life, it is mandatory that you never forget about yourself. Discover who you really are and what matters most to you. Living a great life does not just happen. It requires, planning and following those plans to a life that reflects who you truly are.
Most people avoid planning goals and dreams in their lives because they may have a fear of committing to it or failing. They feel that by officially writing it down, they would actually have to go through with pursuing it. This is where you need to rate the importance of your life missions. What is most important to you? Is it losing a certain amount of weight? Getting your degree? Spending more time with your spouse or children? Whatever the reason or reasons may be, just write all of them down. You may feel that making a mental note of your goals and dreams is enough, but you could very well be setting yourself up for disappointment and failure. By writing it down, you will become a visual witness of those goals. Try writing them in an organizer, with a little reminder written in each day.

Setting deadlines for these goals would be a great way to assure they will be accomplished. Avoid disappointment by setting realistic deadlines. For example, if you wanted to lose 10 pounds, do not give yourself a week to do so. You will only torture yourself and become depressed when the week is over and see that you did not come even close to losing the 10 pounds. In fact, you may give up losing weight altogether because of the failure you experienced, simply because your deadline was unrealistic. Take some time everyday to look over your goals and remind yourself of how important they really are to you. Ask yourself why they are important to you too. Knowing that something is important is not enough. You must know the reasons behind the importance of the dreams and goals you have, so that your mind can see it more clearly and understand exactly why it is so necessary to go through with your missions.

Excuses are demons you must learn to fight off if you wish to start living a happy and satisfied life. Most people claim to have many dreams, but say they just do not have the time to approach them. Stop making excuses! You are the only one who holds the power to make a real difference in your life. Sure, we all have busy lives with our careers and families, but nothing takes up 24 hours of your day. So if something is truly important to you, you will be sure to make the time to work on it. You can do this by replacing it with something less important. For example, if you claim you do not have the time to work on the other important goals in your life, perhaps it is time for you to start making close observations on the way you spend your time. If you spend several hours of the day working, studying, and then several hours taking care of house chores and family, what else are you doing with the rest of your day? If you spend a good portion watching television, then you need to cut back on that and use that time to begin and follow an exercise plan you have been thinking to focus on for a long time (or whatever goal it is you have).

Making yourself one of your first priorities is not selfish. It actually is obligatory to do so in order to succeed in the other subjects of your life. Without a happy and satisfied you, there will be no happy and satisfied life, because you will be stressed out and unhappy. You might be consciously ignoring your needs and desires, but your subconscious mind has not forgotten about you and will constantly remind you through stress, anger, sadness, insecurity and feelings of failure.

Start listening to yourself and becoming the best friend and supporter you need. No one is going to work on your happiness for you, so find the power and motivation stored up inside you, and use it to direct yourself into the path of true happiness and satisfaction. You can do anything you set your mind to, and once you have stopped and gotten in touch with yourself, you will learn and realize just how wonderful and capable you really are, and how you always have been. You will not only realize these things, but also begin loving who are more and more, which will not only lead you to achieving the things that make you most happy, but will guide you into a world of many new dreams come true.

The Best Things in Life

1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. A special glance.
5. Getting mail.
6. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
7. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
8. Hot towels out of the dryer.
9. Finding the sweater you want is on sale for half price.
10. Chocolate milkshake.
11. A long distance phone call.
12. A bubble bath.
13. Giggling.
14. A good conversation.
15. The beach.
16. Laughing at yourself.
17. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
18. Running through sprinklers.
19. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
20. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
21. Laughing at an inside joke.
22. Friends.
23. Falling in love for the first time.
24. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
25. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
26. Your first kiss.
27. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
28. Playing with a new puppy.
29. Late night talks with your roommate that keep you from sleeping.
30. Having someone play with your hair.
31. Sweet dreams.
32. Hot chocolate.
33. Road trips with friends.
34. Swinging on swings.
35. Watching a good movie cuddled up on a couch with someone you love.
36. Wrapping presents under the Christmas tree while eating cookies and drinking soda.
37. Song lyrics printed inside your new CD so you can sing along without feeling stupid.
38. Going to a really good concert.
39. Getting butterflies in your stomach every time you see that one person.
40. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
41. Winning a really competitive game.
42. Making chocolate chip cookies!
43. Having your friends send you homemade cookies!
44. Spending time with close friends!
45. Seeing smiles and hearing laughter from your friends.
46. Holding hands with someone you care about.
47. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
48. Discovering that love is unconditional and stronger than time.
49. Riding the best roller coasters over and over.
50. Hugging the person you love.
51. Watching the expression someone's face as they open a much-desired present from you.
52. Watching the sunrise.
53. Getting out of bed every morning and thanking God for another beautiful day.
54. Having friends you know you can cry on or talk to about your deepest problems

Have a "best thing in life" that you'd like to add? Please comment.

Please Help Me Sleep Better At Night!

Let's Get Started...

Many of us experience the occasional night of sleeplessness without any consequences. It is when the occasional night here and there becomes a pattern of several nights in a row that you are faced with a sleeping problem.

Repeated loss of sleep affects all areas of your life: The physical, the mental, and the emotional. Sleep deprivation can affect your overall daily performance and may even have an effect on your personality.

If your insomnia continues for a long period of time it can cause problems in your relationships, compromise your productivity, and perhaps lead to other health problems.

It can become a relentless cycle of worry and anxiety as night after night you toss and turn, wondering when sleep will come, wondering what is wrong with you.

Insomnia and sleeplessness generally fall into three categories:

1. "Initial" insomnia: where you have difficulty in falling asleep, generally taking 30 minutes or longer to fall into a sleep state.
2. "Middle" insomnia: where after falling asleep you have problems maintaining a sleep state, often remaining awake until the early morning hours.
3. "Late" or "Terminal" insomnia: where you awake early in the morning after less than 6 hours of sleep.

Insomnia can be the symptom of some medical conditions that may require your doctor's advice and medical care. In those cases the cause will be treated, not the insomnia.

If, however, your sleeplessness is due to a pattern of not sleeping, or because your body and mind find it difficult to settle into a state of relaxation necessary for sleep, this guide offers you alternative choices for achieving healthy sleep without the use of prescription drugs.

This guide will teach you how to:

Set the mood for a comfortable sleep atmosphere
Prepare your body for relaxation
Use colors to stimulate calmness and relaxation
Understand the importance of exercise
Use music and other relaxation techniques
Relieve your mind of anxiety and worry
Discover the importance of reducing stimulants
Use herbal teas and warm drinks to promote relaxation
Use herbs and vitamins to promote natural sleep

After reading this guide you will have the information you need to turn your sleepless nights into restful ones, waking in the morning refreshed and alert rather than tired and anxious.

All of the techniques and sleep-inducing aids in this guide can be applied naturally and easily in your life. Get ready to embark on the journey of falling asleep naturally!

I Desperately Want To Feel Better About Myself

5 Steps To Overcome Shyness
by Jeff Cohen

If you want to learn the most basic steps, read on:


1. Start your day right with a positive image of yourself.

When you wake up and tell yourself that you are terrific, this aura eventually carries through for the rest of the day and therefore generates a positive feeling. This simple exercise can also boost your subconscious mind. By doing this, you'll get a good start in the morning. Just go through your day with the right disposition.

2. Dress up.

Dress the part. What you wear can aid in boosting your confidence level. Try it. If you look nice, you also feel good. Have you ever noticed how those Hollywood A-Listers walk down the red carpet with chin up and all? They attribute their confidence to the designer gowns that they are wearing. You may not be clad in a multi-million dollar gown but as long as you have the right fashion sense and you are comfortable in what you are wearing, you will not be shy in approaching people.

3. Understand that it is alright to be afraid.

You cannot remove fear or anxiety. It will always be there in the back of your head. What is important is not to show it. People, like dogs, can also smell fear. They can sense it.
Try to overcome your fears by taking calculated risks. Face situations with a head-on attitude. Try out things you have never even dared trying before. Do not be afraid of rejection. Ninety-nine people may say “no” but a single “yes” makes all the difference. In fact, rejection is the best teacher for a person, for it drives him to reach his goal.

4. Be honest.

In order to overcome your flaws, you have to admit them. By facing the truth, you can figure out what to do about it. By admitting to yourself that you are shy, you understand that you must do more.

5. Be active.

Engage in various activities. Join clubs. Interact. Jump into any opportunity that will allow you to be in a network. Prevent tension from seeping in by being part of an on-the-go social circle. Be engrossed in self-development activities.
Accept yourself and appreciate your own being. Realize that there are many opportunities for improvement and that you need on work on these. Accept your flaws and work around them. Don’t use these as reasons for you to hide in the background. Remember, you only live once. You might as well live the best life ever!

I Want A Better Life...NOW

6 Simple Rules To Live By
by Jeff Cohen

Life can be simple and peaceful if you incorporate the following six rules into your daily routine.

1. Practice some quite time everyday

Quieting your mind is the secret ingredient to a happy and successful life. Make it a regular habit to enjoy some quiet time every day. To start, set aside just 10 minutes at the start of your day. Just sit in a quiet place without paying any attention to your passing thoughts. Only pay attention to your breathing and notice your chest and abdomen while breathing. This is not yoga, meditation, etc. This is simply quiet time. Just ten minutes a day in the morning or even at night before bedtime is ideal for you to enjoy the peace within. If you make this a regular habit you will witness a better quality of life quickly.

2. Exercise your body and mind

Daily exercise keeps you away from mental and physical illness. Exercise keeps your body flexible, supple and strong. This also leads to a more balanced mind. There are plenty of good exercises you can choose from to keep yourself healthy and enjoy a long life. If you have not been exercising, start today. Just go for a brisk walk and feel the fresh air filling your lungs.

3. Eat sensibly

This area really poses a challenge for most of us. ‘You are what you eat’ is not just a mere saying. It is a fact of life. What we eat, why we eat, when we eat and how we eat are important factors related to our physical, psychological and spiritual well-being. It is wise to choose a healthy diet and stick to it. Your goal should not only be to lose weight, but also to keep it under control so that your body and mind do not bear the strain of obesity.

4. Choose a fulfilling profession or job

Many people have a bad habit of constantly switching jobs. They do not seem to know what they are looking for. They are not sure if they are after the money, challenge, job satisfaction, etc. It is important that you have clear-cut ideas on what you are looking for in a job. You should love your job in order to do it well and succeed in it. You will find fulfillment in your career only when you love your profession or job.

5. Maintain good relationships

Life is for sharing. Share your love and happiness with your friends and family. Learn to cherish your relationships. Respect everyone around you and develop good communication skills to establish truly valuable relationships. Relationships make your life meaningful.

6. Get enough sleep

Sleep restores energy. Make sure to get 8 hours of sleep each night. A deep, regular and restful mind is good for body and spirit. If you have unhealthy sleeping habits, get rid of them and develop good sleeping habits today. It will make a HUGE difference in every aspect of your life.

When you practice these simple rules you are bound to enjoy a happy, healthy and peaceful life. Life is quite simple, really!

Why Living a Life of Gratitude Can Make You Happy

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” - Meister Eckhart

Just a few reasons:

Because it reminds you of the positive things in your life. It makes you happy about the people in your life, whether they’re loved ones or just a stranger you met who was kind to you in some ways.

Because it turns bad things into good things. Having problems at work? Be grateful you have work. Be grateful you have challenges, and that life isn’t boring. Be grateful that you can learn from these challenges. Be thankful they make you a stronger person.

Because it reminds you of what’s important. It’s hard to complain about the little things when you give thanks that your children are alive and healthy. It’s hard to get stressed out over paying bills when you are grateful there is a roof over your head.

Because it reminds you to thank others. The simple act of saying “thank you” to someone can make a big difference in that person’s life. Calling them, emailing them, stopping by to say thank you … just taking that minute out of your life to tell them why you are grateful toward them is important to them. People like being appreciated for who they are and what they do. It costs you little, but makes someone else happy. And making someone else happy will make you happy.

Tips to Guide You to Success When Making Life Changes

1. Get Ready to Change - You are more likely to be successful if you have developed a mindset that says you are ready to change. If you can see a reason to change, and if you actively plan to change, then making a change will be much easier.
2. Understand Your Motivation to Change - Are you motivated to change? Is your motivation high or low? Having a strong motivation and understanding why you want the change will make success more likely.
3. Be Confident - You must be confident that you can do it! Having confidence in your ability to change will increase your likelihood of succeeding.
4. Make it Your Mission - Writing a mission statement can help you focus and be a powerful way to help you make a change. Write down what you hope to accomplish, why you want to change and how you hope to make the change. Include a target date for the change.
5. Start Small - Many people are overwhelmed when they think of making big changes in their lives. So start small, take little steps. For example, if you're trying to get more exercise, start off by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or park your car farther away from the store entrance so you'll have to walk more. Gradually incorporate more exercise into your daily routine.
6. Keep it Personal - Find little tricks that work for you. Traveling on business? Pack some healthy snacks to take with you, or visit a local grocery store when you get to your destination so you'll be less likely to make poor food choices while away from home. Attending a dinner party? Make a mental list of the foods you will allow yourself to enjoy, and then remember to limit portion sizes. That way you can indulge a little, but not go overboard.
7. Be SMART - You are more likely to be successful if you follow the SMART goal-setting method:

Specific - Set a specific goal that is simple and that you can reach.

Measurable - Set up ways to measure your progress toward meeting your goal.

Attainable - Now that you've set your goal, find ways to achieve it.

Realistic - Make sure your goals are realistic. Are you willing and able to achieve them?

Timely - Set a timeframe for achieving your goal so you'll have a clear target.
8. Don't Give Up! - Almost everyone who tries to change will experience setbacks, so don't be too hard on yourself and don't give up! If you have a setback, you haven't failed. It's better to slowly make changes you can stick with instead of quickly making ones you can't.
9. Realize You're Not Alone! - Everyone needs a little support, especially when making a big change. So talk to a Wellness Coach, your doctor, a trusted friend or relative. They can help keep you on track or get you back on track.
10. Remember and Reward - Always remember your reasons for wanting to change in the first place, and don't forget to give yourself a reward when you make progress. Don't over-indulge, but do treat yourself to something healthy and enjoyable.

Films that caught my attention and made me brand new!

Let me share you the following films that I highly recommend if you want to drive positive ways of your living.

1. Peaceful Warrior – Director: Victor Salva. Writers: Kevin Bernhardt (screenplay); Dan Millman (novel). Description: A chance encounter with a stranger changes the life of a college gymnast. Genre: Drama/ Sport. View Video at a glance: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi360710425/. 2. The Kite Runner – Director: Marc Forster. Writers: David Benioff (screenplay); Khaled Hosseini (novel). Tagline: There is a way to be good again. Description: After spending years in California, Amir returns to his homeland in Afghanistan to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble. Genre: Drama/ Adaptation. View Video at a glance: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1468989721/. 3. The Pursuit of Happyness – Director: Grabriele Muccino. Writer: Steve Conrad. Description: A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he’s poised to begin a life-challenging professional endeavor. Genre: Biography/ Drama. View Video at a glance: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3471966489/. 4. If Only – Director: Gil Junger. Writer: Christina Welsh. Tagline: He loved her like there is no tomorrow. Description: After his impetuous musician girlfriend, Samantha, dies in an accident shortly after they had a fight (and nearly broke up), ), a grief-stricken British businessman, Ian Wyndham, living in London gets a chance to relive the day all over again, in the hope of changing the events that led up to her getting killed. Genre: Comedy/Drama/Fantasy/Romance. View Video at a glance: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2662203673/

20 Ways to Brighten Up Your Day

1. Have a winter picnic. Invite some friends. Put a blanket down on the floor and serve pizza or fried chicken, potato salad and coleslaw. If you are ambitious you can even dig out the barbecue and make some burgers! Use paper plates so there are no dishes to do later!
2. Rent a tropical movie and imagine yourself relaxing on the beach.
3. Clean out your closet and give everything that no longer fits or is out of style to charity, It will give you an inner smile to know that you helped someone, plus your closet will be clean!
4. Try something new. Take a cooking class, a dance class or a martial arts class.
5. Do something outside. Go skating, sledding, build a snowman, have a snowball fight or just go walk in a park.
6. Go to a zoo. Sometimes they have cheaper prices during the winter and there are no crowds.
7. Turn off the TV. Ever catch yourself aimlessly flipping channels? Read a book, play a board game or make a puzzle instead. You might be surprised!
8. Eat an ice cream sundae. Add all your favourite toppings like chocolate, strawberry or caramel syrup, crushed pineapple, marshmallow topping, bananas, strawberries, chocolate chips and chopped nuts. Don’t forget the cherry on top! (An alternative is to have a Sundae party. Assign each guest one topping to bring.)
9. Make a fancy meal for your family. Invite them to dine at “your restaurant”, find recipes in a cookbook and expand your skills.
10. Get a massage, a facial, manicure or a pedicure, this is for guys too! Schedule it a week in advance so that you have something to look forward to.
11. Say no more often. If you have too many things to do, politely decline requests. (This is not an excuse to avoid doing your chores!)
12. Put a do not disturb sign on the bathroom door and take a bubble bath. Don’t forget the radio and the candles!
13. Paint a picture with finger paint. Don’t forget to display your artwork on the refrigerator!
14. Go bowling (5 or 10 pin) or roller skating (the old fashioned kind where the wheels are not in line) or play laser tag.
15. Go swimming. Always a summer activity but the pool is just as hot in the winter. Often they have slides and rope swings to play on.
16. Laugh. Watch sitcoms, comedy movies or cartoons and laugh out loud!
17. Be optimistic. Try to find the up side in the situation for a change. Your attitude can make a huge difference in your mood.
18. Grow a plant. Visit a nursery or get a winter bulb. For example, Amaryllis plants grow from bulbs that are often forced to bloom in the winter and can be found even at the grocery store. You could also start and herb garden in small pots on a window ledge from seeds.
19. Don’t answer your phone. Let the voice mail or machine get it and call them back later if necessary. Take some uninterrupted time for yourself.
20. Whatever you do, don’t just sit there. Once you get out and do something the blahs usually disappear.

Brighten Up Your Day! (My Personal Ways)

Listen to your favorite music. I tuned in to Heart-felt and contemporary rhythm and ballad music.

Create your own life’s journal. I keep a note on those funny moments I had for the day.

Take photos and appreciate God’s beauty and creation. I love flowers & plants at my mom’s garden and the river flowing heavy at our backyard as these make me feel so good looking at those living things showing it’s another DAY to explore!

Love your body. Show them the beauty you have.

-John-

THE EFFECTS POOR BODY IMAGE CAN HAVE ON SEX

Can cause you to settle for unhealthy relationships because we don't think we can (or deserve) better
Can cause you to take sexual risks in order to feel desirable or loved
Can interfere with climaxing or experiencing a deeper sense of pleasure because of feelings of inadequacy and shame
Can cause tension in your marriages due to lack of intimacy
Can stop you from exploring your own sexuality, desires and “hot spots”
Can lead to depression which depletes your energy and leads to a lack of sexual activity
Can lead to depression which leads to poor performance

If you dislike the way you look, that’s bad! Focus about the positives of your body. Explore your sexuality, hmmmm…. Make it enjoyable! Love your body, pick one best feature you have and focus on it.

Go Organic

By Dr. Maoshing Ni, LifeScript Natural Health Specialist

What you can’t see can still hurt you. So, go organic whenever possible to ensure that your food is free of pesticides and chemicals. But when organic isn’t possible, give your food a bath. The pesticides and chemical residues on the surface of your produce can be washed off with appropriate methods. Soak veggies and fruits in a large pot of cold water for five minutes, add a tablespoon of sea salt and a tablespoon of vinegar, then rinse under running water in a colander for several minutes. You can also mix a small amount of dishwashing liquid with water to clean produce; just make sure you rinse well. For fragile produce that shouldn’t be scrubbed, simply soak it in salt and vinegar for 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Live long, strong and happy,

Dr. Mao

Want more? Visit AskDrMao.com and get your own copy of Secrets of Self-Healing.

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.Life is bliss, taste it.

Life is a dream, realize it.Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

Mother Teresa

Better Sleep Tips

Power Your Day
Take a nap. A 40-minute snooze in the middle of a work day can pump up your energy.

Room for Sleep
Make your bedroom a sleep haven. Keep temperatures moderate, use blinds or shades for blocking light, and remove the laptop or TV.

Plan Early
And sleep better at night. Make your next day's to-do list in the afternoon so worries don't creep into bed.

Boost Your Sex Drive
Take a nap. Tired people have lower libido. Want more sex? Get more sleep.

Dream Diet
Sleep controls appetite hormones. Get to bed and start your diet.

Do Not Disturb
Put traveler's insomnia to rest. Pack a tiny battery-operated fan -- to create white noise.

Out Like a Light?
You may be overtired. Most people need 5 minutes or more to fall asleep.

Bedtime Medicine
Getting a good night's rest may reduce your long-term risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Find a Midnight Oasis
Bring romance and good sleep back to your bedroom. Clear out laundry, TV, and kids' toys.

Give Teens Some ZZZs
The sun's up but your teens aren't? Teens need nearly 10 hours of sleep every day.

Sleepy & Stuffy
No sleeping beauty wants a stuffy nose at bedtime. A saline nasal spray is an easy fix.

Nix Late Naps
No matter how tired, don't nap after 3 p.m. Late naps make it harder to fall asleep at night.

Avocados and Sleep

Can't sleep? Reach for an avocado. They contain tryptophan, a sleeping promoting substance.

Source Site: WebMD.Better information.Better health.

9 TIPS FOR LIVING HEALTHY

#1 Variety is the spice of life

If we all looked exactly the same life would be boring. Get into the uniqueness of you.


#2 Appreciate your body

Reestablish a positive relationship with your body. Your body is the most valuable asset you will ever own. All of Bill Gates money could not recreate you. Begin viewing your body as an instrument and not an ornament. Learn to appreciate your body for what it can do, not for what it looks like. Make a list of those things you like about your body.


#3 Pamper your body

Take a long hot bath and sooth yourself. Spoil yourself by getting a massage.


#4 Exercise

Studies have shown that when people participate in even moderate exercise, such as walking, they feel more connected and better about their bodies.


#5 You can’t judge a book by its cover

There is a lot more to you than what you look like. Your appearance is not your identity. Make a list of your traits that you really like. Think about the people you admire and look up to. You admire these individuals because of who they are, not because of what they look like.


#6 Surround yourself with support

Seek out others in your life who value you for who you are and not for what you look like. Find people who exhibit a healthy relationship with their body. Avoid those who tease or are constantly focusing on their weight.


#7 Throw away the scale

For many individuals, the number the scale reads in the morning determines what kind of day they are going to have. If the scale number is higher than they had hoped for they feel depressed and if they met their weight goal they feel elated. Constant weighing usually turns into a negative experience that leads to dissatisfaction and obsession. Many individuals have chosen to smash their scales and in the process have freed themselves from having their emotions tied to a number that has nothing at all to do with who they really are.


#8 Mealtime equals family time

Studies have shown that families that eat meals together have a lower occurrence of eating disorders. Making time to eat together as a complete family can be difficult with all the family’s divergent responsibilities and activities but mealtimes may be one of the most important events of the day. Mealtimes together allow family members to check-in with each other, model appropriate eating behaviors, and provides a forum to resolve conflict both within and outside the family.


#9 Be a good role model

Your children will have enough pressure from the media and peers. Try not to express dissatisfaction with your body in front of your children. Seventy-seven percent of children first learn about dieting from a family member, usually a parent. Studies have shown that parents who displayed dissatisfaction with their body were more likely to have children with body image disturbances when they became adults. Families of eating disordered individuals also tend to be overly concerned with physical attractiveness and social appearance. Discuss with your children the ridiculous nature of the media’s portrayal of body image and encourage them not to buy into it


LOVE MY BODY!

JORGE’S FIT TIP

5 Minutes to a Successful Day

By Jorge Cruise, LifeScript Fitness Coach


There are 1,440 minutes in a 24-hour period, but it only takes five to ensure your success for the entire day. In this short amount of time you can write a daily to-do list that schedules your weight-loss goals into your calendar. Each night, pencil in your morning exercise session, write down what you plan to eat and make note of any other goal-oriented plans you have for the day. If you wear special exercise clothing, lay out the next day’s clothes near the bed so you don’t have to scramble to find them in the morning. Make your lunch, and check to make sure you have the food you need for a healthy dinner. The whole process can take as little as five minutes, especially once you get into a routine of doing this each evening. Writing down your goals serves as an incentive and a well-laid plan to make them a reality.

Your coach,Jorge Cruise


For information on Jorge's newest program to reduce belly fat, visit 5minuteflatbelly.com.
Want more? Read Jorge’s Top 10 Diet Dos and Don’ts, 7 Exercises for Your Best Legs Ever and these Daily Fit Tips by Jorge Cruise:Push-ups for BeginnersBlast Belly Fat... But Not with CrunchesIs Spot Toning Possible?Baby Got Back MusclesGet Firm Arms, Fast

Visit 12Second.com and get your own copy of Jorge’s newest book The 12-Second Sequence.

7 Ways to a Joyous Day

A best-selling author's best advice

7 Ways to a Joyous Day

by Max Lucado, San Antonio, Texas

Ever have one of those bad days? You know—not kind of bad, but bad. You mess up at work. You have a terrible fight with your spouse. Your doctor calls you in for some tests that sound pretty scary. A day seemingly beyond all redemption. When you have a day like that (and let’s face it, we all do sometimes), you have several choices. You can retreat into paralyzing fear, act out inappropriately or just go into complete denial.

But there’s actually another choice: You can rejoice.

Rejoice? Why? you ask.

Because it’s the only real way out. “This is the day the Lord has made,” the psalmist tells us. “We will rejoice and be glad in it.” This day? This messy, painful, frustrating day deserves a chance? Yes. Every day, whether it includes a lost wallet, a dented bumper or the funeral of a loved one, deserves our full presence. They all come from God’s drawing room.

Still not convinced? Try these seven strategies the next time you find yourself trapped in a day that holds more than you think you can bear. You’ll be surprised at how freeing they are.

Fret Not

Anxiety will ruin your day. And it can be a real confidence-killer. I know. I get plenty of opportunities to fret: Was I too long-winded in my talk? Is my latest book any good? Do I have any business telling people how to live? The drumbeat of worry can be deafening.

I like the approach of a friend who once told me, “Well, Max, I always assume everyone likes me.”

What a crazy idea, I thought. But I decided to give it a try—not just once, but to make it a regular thought habit. I started by giving myself and my audience the benefit of the doubt: We’re all here because we’re comfortable with one another.

That habit has changed how I view the world. It’s not such a menacing place anymore.

You can’t add one more day to your life or more life to your day by fretting. Worry doesn’t take away tomorrow’s troubles; it only rids today of its strength.

And why should you worry when you are surrounded by friends wherever you go?

Forgive Freely

I forgive easily. Or so I like to think. But some years ago a Christian leader publicly criticized me without giving me a chance to defend myself. This leader was offended by something I’d said on my radio show, misinterpreting my words, I thought. He wrote an article about me, inferring untrue things. I was angry and hurt. Really hurt.

I moped for a few weeks, until I realized I was letting this man’s accusations rob me of joy. So I wrote him a letter, telling him how I felt. He never wrote back. Maybe he never got my letter. I don’t know. But what I realized was that by writing that letter, I forgave him. Forgiveness is not about saying that what a person did is okay or that they’re right. It’s about making a decision, a choice to let the hurt and anger go. It frees you up to move on. Forgive someone and you’ll discover that that person has virtually no power to hurt you anymore. Then you’ll be able to focus on what you really care about: the joy of life.

Fear Not

Heart trouble runs in my family. Mom, Dad and my older brother have all had heart problems. I was so scared about having a heart attack, I became an exercise fanatic. I’m taking care of my health, I told myself, gritting my teeth. I even trained for the grueling half-Ironman triathlon. That should fix things.

Then about a year ago my cardiologist told me that I would probably still need to have heart surgery. All those miles of jogging and skipping desserts and stressing about my health, and my heart was no better off than it was before!

I’m not saying that exercise is bad. In fact, it’s very good for you. I still run. My mistake was to think that I could run from my fears.

Fear is a joy-killer. It can make me stressed out, short-tempered, unhappy.

What’s the opposite of fear? Trust. I do better when I trust in God—and go for a short jog. He’s in control of my life.

Place your fear in God’s hands and you’ll find that you have greater peace each day.

Live Passionately

I was a senior in high school when I made one of the most important discoveries of my life—I loved to write. My English teacher assigned us to write a short story. The whole class groaned, but inwardly I thought, Yes! I wrote that first story through the night. It wasn’t very good. But it was a great effort.

And from then on in my career and in my life I’ve always looked for opportunities to write. Writing is something I do from the soul.

Discover your passions by looking back over your life for those sweet-spot moments where you’ve had ‘Yes! experiences. String those together, and you’ll begin to see new possibilities for your life.

Nothing gives the day greater joy than a good wallop of passion that comes from doing something from the soul.

Get Over It!

Sometimes I’ll have a bad day just by waking up on the proverbial wrong side of the bed. I don’t know why I’m grouchy, but I stay that way for the rest of the day.

If you look long enough and hard enough, you’ll find something to bellyache about. So quit looking!

If you have health problems like I do, you probably feel justified in complaining. Being in pain is no fun. But try this instead of griping: Take a break from your problems. Face each day determined to dwell on the positives. Think about what you have to look forward to. Write a list and put it where you can see it. Try lending an ear to someone in need. Be especially kind to people with whom you have only one encounter—a waiter, a taxi driver, a store clerk. You may have only one chance to be kind.

When you start living for others, it’s pretty hard not to get over whatever’s bothering you.

Collect Your Blessings

Recognize all that you have, and finding blessings to collect will become easy. The key to a joyous day? Make gratitude your default emotion. Say, “I can find things to be grateful for in this day.” Let your thoughts be positive. Expect good things to happen. Seek out people who can encourage you. Over time, you’ll find that God’s list of blessings is longer than your list of burdens.

Once in a race, I was running next to a 66-year-old grandma. I was about to give up, but she urged me on. “Just hang in there, you’re doing really well. Look how far you’ve come.” I ran next to her and started congratulating myself for all the miles I’d run, not the ones that were still ahead. It worked and I finished the race strong.

Color Your World

One day I was at the beach, enjoying the balmy day I had so looked forward to. The sand was soft and cool. Tufts of clouds drifted across a deep blue sky. I leaned back in my beach chair and closed my eyes. That’s when a seagull decided to use my chest as target practice. Yuck! I poured water on my shirt, trying desperately to get the stain out. And just like that, I’d lost the color of the day. Almost.

Maybe you were caught in bad traffic or your flight was cancelled or you haven’t gotten over that nagging cold. How can you see the world in vibrant color on a day like that? Many of us can’t. There I was on the beach…about to allow one errant seagull ruin my day. I moved my chair, trying to regain the magic of the morning. And then I practiced all these steps I’ve been writing (passionately) about: forgiving the bird (after all, it was only doing what came naturally), not fretting or fearing, counting my blessings (what a beautiful beach) and mostly, getting over it! No, it wasn’t too late for my day to be a joyous one.

The world is full of vibrant color. Don’t let it lose an ounce of its luster. Assume this day is going to be good, and it will. God made it so.

The above article originally appeared in the December 2007 issue of Guidposts Magazine.

Today's Power Thought:

Talk Peaceful.

Develop serenity and quiet attitudes through your conversation. Depending upon the words we use and the tone in which we use them, we can talk ourselves into being nervous, high-strung, and upset. By our speech, we can also achieve quiet reactions. Talk peaceful to be peaceful.

No. 11 in a series of 100 Power Thoughts from The Power of Positive Thinking, the All-Time inspirational Best-Selling Book by Norman Vincent Peale.

Courtesy of PealeCenterforPositiveThinking.com

Daily Thoughts

A Time to Think
All that I have written seems to me like straw compared to what has now been revealed to me. - St. Thomas Aquinas
To Act
Don't underestimate your power to change yourself.
To Pray
Lord, help me to listen to Your voice in all times and all places. Help me to answer Your call.

The Roots of Change

Time to read inspirational thoughts from the expert.. Let's make life a well being one...

The Roots of Change
Daily Inspiration
John H. Sklare, Ed.D
Monday, July 28, 2008




One of the greatest challenges to creating change in life is incorporating new thinking into your day. Not only is changing the way we think a daunting task for us humans, it is also a critical piece of the change puzzle. In short, change is impossible… unless accompanied by new thinking. I was reminded of this the other day as I read a quote from the late American author Henry David Thoreau. Although Thoreau’s work was published in the mid-1800s, his writings can still teach us a very valuable lesson in 2008. That lesson is about change, and that is what I want to address today. Here is what Thoreau wrote: As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in your mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kinds of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.

What a powerful and accurate statement regarding change! Change is the result of consciously repeating a thought long enough until it becomes a natural part of your everyday thinking. This is an important lesson for those of you seeking change in your life. If change is what you desire, then mindfully repeating thoughts that support that change is critical. In modern day language, we might call these thoughts positive affirmations. So today I ask you to consider these important words of Mr. Thoreau and pick just one thought regarding change in your life that you would like to incorporate into your everyday thinking. This is very important for creating change. As the "dean of personal development" Earl Nightingale states, “You become what you think about!”

Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare
http://www.innerdiet.com/
Got a Question? Ask Dr. Sklare

How to start a healthy living? Not what you think it's easy...

Enriching lifestyles.... to fitness.... Basically we were grown to be physically conscious and expect more cuts and curves for our daily life's habits toward developing great shape, looking young and sexy and managing a healthy diet....

But one point that gotten my attention is how to make my life a no ordinary one abide from those physical things that keep us more busy and we don’t notice how we can make our daily lives a healthy living.

There are some insights I put a note whenever I got the chance to read inspirational, real, great and very helpful books from Dan Millman.

Words below make sound easy to work on to enrich our lifestyle for making ourselves healthy and fit though it’s a hard time for us to follow the determination one’s self to pursue. Work on and have a enjoy time while living a healthy life!!!


Adopted from great book of Dan Millman’s No Ordinary Moments

A Purifying One-Week Diet

Incorporate the following principles into your daily diet as much as possible:
@ Eat less (or no) meat, fish, and poultry.
@ Eat less (or no) milk, cheese, and eggs.
@ Eat less (or no) refined sugar (read labels).
@ Use less (or no) alcohol, tobacco, and other nonprescription drugs. If you smoke, quit as soon as you can, but not this week or withdrawal symptoms may interface with your enjoyment of the program; the same applies to caffeine.
@ Enjoy fresh salads, steamed vegetables, pastas, fresh fruit, yams, potatoes, and rice and other cooked grains.

Please note.
This diet is intended as a gentle, enjoyable discipline, not a Spartan routine. Do not deprive yourself. Don’t go hungry. Eat what you wish of the healthy foods listed above; just don’t overeat.
Avoid “all-or-nothing” thinking. Do your best within your present limits, and remember that a little of something is far better than a lot of nothing.

Specialists in human nutrition now recognize this kind of diet as optimal for health, vitality, freedom from most food allergies, a feeling of lightness and well-being, and a longer life. Not everyone thrives on exactly the same diet; however, it took me some years to adopt to this program as a lifestyle. Go with your instincts. Be gentle with yourself, eat consciously, and enjoy the blessings of good food.

This will help you start a healthy living. So enjoy and never omit the happiness of working out with this diet. Have fun while living a healthy life!