David Suzuki talks about the chemicals present in our personal care products. If you want to find out how you can eliminate these from your home simply by switching stores to better, safer products please visit my website at www.switchingstores.com/KatF
What are you putting on your body?
April 16, 2010
Do you know what's in your cosmetics? (Credit: Shawn Campbell via Flickr)
By David Suzuki with Faisal Moola
Every day, we slather ourselves with liquids, lotions, and potions-from shampoo and soap to deodorant and makeup. After all, most of us want to look and feel clean and to smell nice. It's not uncommon for a single person to use 10 or more personal-care products daily.
We don't usually think of our cosmetics as a source of pollution. But U.S. researchers found that one eighth of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal-care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, plasticizers, and degreasers.
Take a look at the ingredient list on your bottle of shampoo or hand lotion. Most of us would have a hard time identifying which chemicals in the typically long list of ingredients may be harmful to human health or the environment.
Chances are your personal-care products contain 'fragrance' or 'parfum'-often the last item on the ingredient list. Fragrance recipes are considered trade secrets so manufacturers don't have to disclose the chemicals they include. More than 3,000 chemicals are used to create 'fragrances', usually in complex mixtures. Up to 80 per cent of these have never been tested to see whether they are toxic to humans.
These fragrances are not just found in perfumes and deodorants but are also in almost every type of personal-care product, as well as laundry detergents and cleaning products. Even products labelled 'fragrance-free' or 'unscented' can contain fragrance, usually with a masking agent to prevent the brain from perceiving odour.
The negative effects of some fragrance ingredients can be immediately apparent, especially for the growing number of people with chemical sensitivities. For example, fragrance chemicals can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and migraines. Researchers have even found evidence suggesting that exposure to some of these chemicals can exacerbate or even contribute to the development of asthma in children.
Other chemicals may have harmful effects that don't show up right away. For example, diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a cheap and versatile chemical widely used in cosmetic fragrances to make the scent last longer. But it is associated with a range of problems. The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption has listed it as a Category 1 priority substance, based on evidence that it interferes with hormone function. Phthalates have been linked to early puberty in girls, reduced sperm count in men, and reproductive defects in the developing male fetus (when the mother is exposed during pregnancy).
Some research has also suggested that phthalate metabolites may contribute to obesity and insulin resistance in men. Health Canada has moved to ban six phthalates in children's toys, after evidence showed that prolonged exposure can cause liver or kidney failure, but it has no plans to regulate the chemicals in cosmetics. DEP is also listed as a Priority and Toxic Pollutant under the U.S. Clean Water Act, based on evidence that it can be toxic to wildlife and the environment.
Fragrance chemicals often harm the environment. Some compounds in synthetic "musk", which wash off our bodies and find their way into nature, remain in the environment for a long time and can build up in the fatty tissues of aquatic animals. Researchers have found measureable levels of synthetic musks in fish in the Great Lakes (pdf), and they've found that levels in sediment are increasing.
In response to the sensitivity many people have to airborne chemicals, a growing number of offices and public spaces are becoming "fragrance-free". This is a great initiative, but what are these and other harmful chemicals doing in our cosmetics in the first place?
Canada's regulations don't measure up to standards in other parts of the world. The European Union restricts many fragrance ingredients and requires warning labels on products if they contain any of 26 allergens commonly used as cosmetic fragrances. Europe also prohibits or restricts the use of chemicals classified as carcinogens, mutagens, or reproductive toxins in personal-care products.
The David Suzuki Foundation and other organizations are working for safer products. We're conducting a survey to raise awareness and to find out what's in the products people use every day. We plan to present the results in September, along with recommendations for strengthening laws to protect Canadians and our environment from harmful chemicals in personal-care products.
You can help out by becoming more aware of what's in the products you use and switching to products that don't contain harmful ingredients.
11/29/2010
11/17/2010
Great Article!!
26 WAYS TO ENJOY WELL-ROUNDED WELLNESS
What jumps to mind when you think about being healthy? For most people, something about their physical health comes to mind, like eating nutritious foods or getting regular exercise. A close second might be financial health—having enough money to meet your needs.
There’s no question that both physical and financial wellness are important. However, life is about more than just your body weight or your checkbook balance! Have you taken a look at the fitness of your family life, your social life, or your own inner self lately? These areas deserve your attention too. For example, if you’re so consumed with your job that you miss out on the simple joys of spending time with your family, you’re not completely well. Or if you’re consistently skipping time out with your friends to slave away at the gym, you’re not totally well either.
With this in mind, take some time to look over these ideas to help you focus a bit more on your family, social, and inner wellness.
FAMILY WELLNESS
Your relationship with family members is crucial. Spending quality time with your spouse, children, brothers, sisters, and parents goes a long way toward strengthening family closeness. Closer families enjoy more peace and love in the home. And they form unbreakable bonds that will pass from this generation to the next.
1. Make family time a priority. Give each family member the opportunity to decide on a weekly family activity— it will keep everyone involved and help build togetherness.
2. Cook together. Decide on a “Treat of the Week” and let each family member help prepare it.
3. Play cards or board games. Have a regular family “Game Night.”
4. Garden together. Plant and nurture a family garden and grow everyone’s favorite fruit or vegetable.
5. Help others. Spend some family time doing charity work through your community service organization or church.
6. Get involved in school. Join the parent-teacher organization at your child’s school or volunteer to help out at your local school.
7. Read together. Read to your young children every night before they go to bed.
8. Limit television, video game, and computer time and get outside. Turn off, log off, and go wash the car or play in the yard.
9. Keep in touch. Make a home movie and send it to family members who are away from home.
10. Adopt a pet. Bring home a new family friend.
SOCIAL WELLNESS
You are socially well when you have friends, when your name is spoken with trust, when your home is a welcome stop, and when you are respected for your willingness to help others. Improving your social well-being often means placing others’ needs above your own. As you increase your respect for people—including coworkers and family members—others will naturally become more concerned about you in return.
1. Reconnect. Locate an old friend from high school or someone you’ve lost contact with and catch up.
2. Volunteer. Make time for community service or church committees to expand your social circle.
3. Reach beyond your current contacts. Get to know the parents of your children’s friends and meet the spouses of your coworkers.
4. Switch roles. Organize a revolving monthly dinner with your friends where you take turns playing host and guest.
5. Take to the streets. Have an old-fashioned block party with your neighbors.
6. Introduce people. Host a party where each guest brings a person no one else knows.
7. Take classes. Enroll in classes to meet others who share the same interests as you.
8. Do your civic duty. Get involved in local politics— perhaps even run for an office.
9. Be a team player. If you can’t join a team, sign up as a substitute player for community sports teams.
10. Keep an eye out for others. Organize a neighborhood Community Watch committee through your local police station.
INNER WELLNESS
You are most at peace with others and yourself when you live your life with integrity. Inner wellness—or living a life consistent with your values—brings you peace, helps keep you centered, and enables you to accomplish what you want most out of life.
1. Spend time alone. Devote some time every day to breathe deeply and focus on yourself.
2. Believe in yourself. Stay true to your values and beliefs—especially when they’re challenged.
3. Keep a clear conscience. Be honest and ethical in all your dealings.
4. Stay positive. Try to maintain a good attitude and outlook on life—especially during stressful times.
5. Expand your viewpoint. Have an open mind and listen to other points of view.
6. Own up. Take responsibility for your actions.
TOTAL WELLNESS IS WITHIN YOUR CONTROL
Living a healthy, happy life is a day-to-day balancing act. And no one of us are perfect at it! However, these tips and ideas show that you can do small things every day that can have a big impact in the quality of your overall health. Try some of them and come up with a few of your own— you’ll enjoy your life more and be on the road to “well-rounded” wellness.
What jumps to mind when you think about being healthy? For most people, something about their physical health comes to mind, like eating nutritious foods or getting regular exercise. A close second might be financial health—having enough money to meet your needs.
There’s no question that both physical and financial wellness are important. However, life is about more than just your body weight or your checkbook balance! Have you taken a look at the fitness of your family life, your social life, or your own inner self lately? These areas deserve your attention too. For example, if you’re so consumed with your job that you miss out on the simple joys of spending time with your family, you’re not completely well. Or if you’re consistently skipping time out with your friends to slave away at the gym, you’re not totally well either.
With this in mind, take some time to look over these ideas to help you focus a bit more on your family, social, and inner wellness.
FAMILY WELLNESS
Your relationship with family members is crucial. Spending quality time with your spouse, children, brothers, sisters, and parents goes a long way toward strengthening family closeness. Closer families enjoy more peace and love in the home. And they form unbreakable bonds that will pass from this generation to the next.
1. Make family time a priority. Give each family member the opportunity to decide on a weekly family activity— it will keep everyone involved and help build togetherness.
2. Cook together. Decide on a “Treat of the Week” and let each family member help prepare it.
3. Play cards or board games. Have a regular family “Game Night.”
4. Garden together. Plant and nurture a family garden and grow everyone’s favorite fruit or vegetable.
5. Help others. Spend some family time doing charity work through your community service organization or church.
6. Get involved in school. Join the parent-teacher organization at your child’s school or volunteer to help out at your local school.
7. Read together. Read to your young children every night before they go to bed.
8. Limit television, video game, and computer time and get outside. Turn off, log off, and go wash the car or play in the yard.
9. Keep in touch. Make a home movie and send it to family members who are away from home.
10. Adopt a pet. Bring home a new family friend.
SOCIAL WELLNESS
You are socially well when you have friends, when your name is spoken with trust, when your home is a welcome stop, and when you are respected for your willingness to help others. Improving your social well-being often means placing others’ needs above your own. As you increase your respect for people—including coworkers and family members—others will naturally become more concerned about you in return.
1. Reconnect. Locate an old friend from high school or someone you’ve lost contact with and catch up.
2. Volunteer. Make time for community service or church committees to expand your social circle.
3. Reach beyond your current contacts. Get to know the parents of your children’s friends and meet the spouses of your coworkers.
4. Switch roles. Organize a revolving monthly dinner with your friends where you take turns playing host and guest.
5. Take to the streets. Have an old-fashioned block party with your neighbors.
6. Introduce people. Host a party where each guest brings a person no one else knows.
7. Take classes. Enroll in classes to meet others who share the same interests as you.
8. Do your civic duty. Get involved in local politics— perhaps even run for an office.
9. Be a team player. If you can’t join a team, sign up as a substitute player for community sports teams.
10. Keep an eye out for others. Organize a neighborhood Community Watch committee through your local police station.
INNER WELLNESS
You are most at peace with others and yourself when you live your life with integrity. Inner wellness—or living a life consistent with your values—brings you peace, helps keep you centered, and enables you to accomplish what you want most out of life.
1. Spend time alone. Devote some time every day to breathe deeply and focus on yourself.
2. Believe in yourself. Stay true to your values and beliefs—especially when they’re challenged.
3. Keep a clear conscience. Be honest and ethical in all your dealings.
4. Stay positive. Try to maintain a good attitude and outlook on life—especially during stressful times.
5. Expand your viewpoint. Have an open mind and listen to other points of view.
6. Own up. Take responsibility for your actions.
TOTAL WELLNESS IS WITHIN YOUR CONTROL
Living a healthy, happy life is a day-to-day balancing act. And no one of us are perfect at it! However, these tips and ideas show that you can do small things every day that can have a big impact in the quality of your overall health. Try some of them and come up with a few of your own— you’ll enjoy your life more and be on the road to “well-rounded” wellness.
9/27/2010
The Most Amazing Entertainment Ever!!1
Jump Rope Performance by US Naval Academy "Kings Firecrackers"
9/09/2010
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9/02/2010
9/01/2010
STAY IN THE GAME IF YOU WANT TO WIN
The more you try, the greater your chance of succeeding.
The law of averages is on your side.
Taking a risk is often your first necessary step toward success.
If you don't take some risks, you won't get the chance to succeed.
While you are trying, you are winning.
Never get discouraged.
Every wrong attempt is another step forward.
People that make no mistakes usually don't make anything.
Make up your mind not merely to overcome a thousand obstacles,
but to win in spite of a thousand defeats.
Your mistakes are stepping stones to success and your installment payments to victory.
You can't be a winner and be afraid to lose.
The law of averages is on your side.
Taking a risk is often your first necessary step toward success.
If you don't take some risks, you won't get the chance to succeed.
While you are trying, you are winning.
Never get discouraged.
Every wrong attempt is another step forward.
People that make no mistakes usually don't make anything.
Make up your mind not merely to overcome a thousand obstacles,
but to win in spite of a thousand defeats.
Your mistakes are stepping stones to success and your installment payments to victory.
You can't be a winner and be afraid to lose.
8/24/2010
8/20/2010
Laser Thinking, as presented by Hyrum Smith
Natural Laws are fundamental patterns of nature and life that human experience has shown to be valid.
Law #1: A successful business person is willing to do that which the unsuccessful business person is not willing to do.
Law #2: Wisdom is knowledge rightly applied.
Law #3: Time is the occurance of events in sequence one after the other.
Law #4: Management is the act of controlling.
Law #5: Time Management is the act of controlling events.
What do I control?
Law #6: The Effects of Conditioning:
1) There are events we can control, but we believe we can't.
2) There are events we cannot control, but we believe we can.
Law #7: Inner Peace is having serenity, balance and harmony in our lives achieved through the appropriate control of events.
Law #8: The objective of good time management is inner peace.
Law #9: The result of good time management is high self-esteem.
Law #10: A goal is a planned for event.
Law #11: When a goal is valued it become a priority.
Law #12: When goals are valued together, prioritizing is taking place.
Law #13: Prioritizing is the process of determining the precedence of events.
Ask yourself these questions:
1) What are the highest priorities in my life?
2) Of these priorities, which do I value the most?
Law #14: Planning is the process of determining future events.
QUESTION: Why don't people plan?
ANSWER: They don't have enough time...
This is not the actual truth. What they are really saying is that they value something else more.
Two Fallacies of Time
1) Somehow I'm going to get more of it.
2) Somehow I'm going to save it.
Commitment: I will spend 10-15 minutes every single day planning my day.
Three Steps to Effective Daily Planning
1) Identify all of the tasks I want to accomplish today.
2) Give a value to each task.
a) Vital - must be done.
b) Important - should be done.
c) Trivial - could be done.
3) Give a numerical value to each item on the list. (ex: a1,b2,c1)
REMEMBER: Vital does not equal Urgent
What is your timeline?
Six Steps
Step 1: Identify my governing values (my highest priorities)
Law #15: When my daily activities are in concert with my highest priorities, I have a claim to inner peace.
Step 2: Identify my Long Range Goals
Law #16: Governing values are a description of who I am.
Law #17: Goals are what I'm doing about who I am.
Step 3: Identify your Intermediate Goals
Step 4: Create your prioritized daily task list.
Step 5: Create a compelling score card.
Step 6: Hold yourself accountable.
Law #18: There is no chance, no destiny, no fate that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.
Law #1: A successful business person is willing to do that which the unsuccessful business person is not willing to do.
Law #2: Wisdom is knowledge rightly applied.
Law #3: Time is the occurance of events in sequence one after the other.
Law #4: Management is the act of controlling.
Law #5: Time Management is the act of controlling events.
What do I control?
Law #6: The Effects of Conditioning:
1) There are events we can control, but we believe we can't.
2) There are events we cannot control, but we believe we can.
Law #7: Inner Peace is having serenity, balance and harmony in our lives achieved through the appropriate control of events.
Law #8: The objective of good time management is inner peace.
Law #9: The result of good time management is high self-esteem.
Law #10: A goal is a planned for event.
Law #11: When a goal is valued it become a priority.
Law #12: When goals are valued together, prioritizing is taking place.
Law #13: Prioritizing is the process of determining the precedence of events.
Ask yourself these questions:
1) What are the highest priorities in my life?
2) Of these priorities, which do I value the most?
Law #14: Planning is the process of determining future events.
QUESTION: Why don't people plan?
ANSWER: They don't have enough time...
This is not the actual truth. What they are really saying is that they value something else more.
Two Fallacies of Time
1) Somehow I'm going to get more of it.
2) Somehow I'm going to save it.
Commitment: I will spend 10-15 minutes every single day planning my day.
Three Steps to Effective Daily Planning
1) Identify all of the tasks I want to accomplish today.
2) Give a value to each task.
a) Vital - must be done.
b) Important - should be done.
c) Trivial - could be done.
3) Give a numerical value to each item on the list. (ex: a1,b2,c1)
REMEMBER: Vital does not equal Urgent
What is your timeline?
Six Steps
Step 1: Identify my governing values (my highest priorities)
Law #15: When my daily activities are in concert with my highest priorities, I have a claim to inner peace.
Step 2: Identify my Long Range Goals
Law #16: Governing values are a description of who I am.
Law #17: Goals are what I'm doing about who I am.
Step 3: Identify your Intermediate Goals
Step 4: Create your prioritized daily task list.
Step 5: Create a compelling score card.
Step 6: Hold yourself accountable.
Law #18: There is no chance, no destiny, no fate that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.
8/16/2010
Our Quest for Happiness by Frank Vandersloot
I believe that a factor that is often overlooked in our search for happiness is the tremendous impact that our own moral compass has on our happiness. We all seem to have a moral compass--something inside of us that tells us what is morally "right" and what is morally "wrong". It's something that is inside each of us. When we live and act within the boundaries of our moral compass, we have peace of mind. When we find ourselves living or acting outside the boundaries of our moral compass, we don't like ourselves. And when we don't like ourselves we can never be happy. I suspect that this phenomenon has the greatest impact on our happiness. Liking who we are is, I believe, the most important aspect of finding happiness. I have often imagined a man standing in front of a mirror when he is 90 years old and saying to the person in the mirror, "I know you. I know everything about you. I know everything you've ever done. I know every thought you've ever had. I know every mistake you've ever made. And I know what you have done to try to correct those things. And therefore I like you. And I trust you!" I think that would be the ultimate test of our lives. If we can pass that test, we will have passed the test of life. We will like ourselves. And we will have lived a happy life.
8/06/2010
100 Ways to Connect With Your Teens
By: Debra Hapenny Ciavola, Ph.D.
1. View adolescence as an adventure.
2. Respect their privacy.
3. Create family times around activities they enjoy.
4. Keep the delicate balance between holding on and letting go.
5. Understand the nature of the adolescent beast.
6. Take advantage of an unexpected connection.
7. Bite your tongue.
8. Don’t take their chaotic behavior or mood swings personally.
9. Help them discover their spirituality.
10.Catch them doing something right and praise them.
11. Influence your teens’ decision making, but don’t say “I forbid.”
12. Give privileges with age and responsibility.
13. Be their mentor and ally.
14. Guide them, not manage them.
15. Be clear about expectations and the consequences for not meeting those expectations.
16. Be your teen’s advocate.
17. Show true interest in their activities.
18. Expect miracles.
19. Be their parent. Teens do want rules, limits, and questions from you.
20. If your can’t police, monitor or enforce a rule, don’t have it.
21. Watch the little rules that poison relationships.
22. Spend time alone with your teen.
23. Ask open ended question, such as “What are you learning in your history class?”
24. Encourage them to talk it out.
25. Actively supervise your teen’s exposure to media violence.
26. Acknowledge your teen’s fears, even if you do not agree with them.
27. Control your own behavior.
28. Talk about gangs and cliques.
29. Allow them safe and healthy outlets for their energy.
30. Use “I” statements rather than “You”.
31. Enforce the important stuff, not the little stuff.
32. Seek to understand what your teen is really saying rather than reacting.
33. Share something personal that relates to your years as a teen.
34. Avoid giving unwanted advice.
35. Discuss personal matters on sex and fears.
36. Give your teen the impression that you trust them to do what is right.
37. Listen patiently to your teen’s reasons for wanting to do something.
38. Connect with your teen. Reflect on your adolescence.
39. Avoid lecturing.
40. Be someone they can believe in.
41. Make your home a place where teens want to hang out.
42. Talk less about the media and more about real heroes in our country.
43. Make a list of ten things you like about your teen and tell them.
44. Teach them how to be compassionate, empathetic, and fair.
45. Show compassion to other teenagers.
46. Keep your face relaxed when they are telling you something you don’t want to hear.
47. Talk about drinking and its consequences. Make your expectations known.
48. Help them establish their own autonomy while maintaining a loving relationship with you.
49. Support your teen’s interests and encourage in their accomplishments.
50. Have regular family meetings in which the whole family talks things over and makes decisions together.
51. Ask what worries them most about their future.
52. Use natural and logical consequences, so discipline makes sense.
53. When they come home from an event ask, “How did you show good character?”
54. Teach respect for life in all forms.
55. Ask if they would like to go out to eat, run an errand, or go shopping with you.
56. Show up to watch them in their activities. Clap loudly.
57. Talk to their friends, learn their names, and let them confide in you.
58. Work together in community activities.
59. Learn more about their world.
60. Believe they can make a difference and be a success.
61. Admit when you are wrong. Be able to say, “I’m sorry.”
62. Hug them often.
63. Say, “I love you. I’m proud of you.”
64. Show your teen respect.
65. Eat dinner together four to five days a week.
66. Never berate or belittle teens in front of their friends or peers.
67. Ask their opinions.
68. Give them room to breath to balance independence with dependence.
69. Set standards in clothing while still allowing them to express themselves.
70. Talk to your teen when there is not a problem.
71. Listen carefully to what is being said as well as what is not.
72. Have daily conversations.
73. Share your concerns rather than being the undercover cop.
74. Keep the discussions with your teen confidential unless they are involved with something dangerous.
75. Follow through on promises.
76. Allow your teen to take responsibility when you see them handling it well.
77. Forgive your teen when they make a mistake.
78. Negotiate new challenges.
79. Give your teen increasing autonomy (even if it kills you).
80. Accept all of your teen’s feelings as long as they are respectfully conveyed.
81. Schedule times to talk about unappealing topics. Do not catch them on the fly.
82. Focus on what your teen did right before offering constructive criticism.
83. Make more statements rather than asking questions.
84. Talk to your teenager rather than at them.
85. Don’t over-react.
86. Accept they will have moody behavior and teach them how to deal with it.
87. Allow them to make decisions about their own lives whenever possible.
88. Remember you are in the process of “people-making.”
89. Express words of appreciation.
90. Listen with your heart.
91. Help them develop a sense of humor by telling funny stories of your day.
92. Enforce mutually acceptable behavior standards.
93. Listen to the whole story before you react.
94. Use natural and logical consequences when a boundary is broken.
95. Cook together or teach them how to cook.
96. Wait up until they come home.
97. Talk in the dark after the house is quiet and they are before you give advice.
99. Discover a shared passion together.
100.Remember, children become who you predict them to be.
1. View adolescence as an adventure.
2. Respect their privacy.
3. Create family times around activities they enjoy.
4. Keep the delicate balance between holding on and letting go.
5. Understand the nature of the adolescent beast.
6. Take advantage of an unexpected connection.
7. Bite your tongue.
8. Don’t take their chaotic behavior or mood swings personally.
9. Help them discover their spirituality.
10.Catch them doing something right and praise them.
11. Influence your teens’ decision making, but don’t say “I forbid.”
12. Give privileges with age and responsibility.
13. Be their mentor and ally.
14. Guide them, not manage them.
15. Be clear about expectations and the consequences for not meeting those expectations.
16. Be your teen’s advocate.
17. Show true interest in their activities.
18. Expect miracles.
19. Be their parent. Teens do want rules, limits, and questions from you.
20. If your can’t police, monitor or enforce a rule, don’t have it.
21. Watch the little rules that poison relationships.
22. Spend time alone with your teen.
23. Ask open ended question, such as “What are you learning in your history class?”
24. Encourage them to talk it out.
25. Actively supervise your teen’s exposure to media violence.
26. Acknowledge your teen’s fears, even if you do not agree with them.
27. Control your own behavior.
28. Talk about gangs and cliques.
29. Allow them safe and healthy outlets for their energy.
30. Use “I” statements rather than “You”.
31. Enforce the important stuff, not the little stuff.
32. Seek to understand what your teen is really saying rather than reacting.
33. Share something personal that relates to your years as a teen.
34. Avoid giving unwanted advice.
35. Discuss personal matters on sex and fears.
36. Give your teen the impression that you trust them to do what is right.
37. Listen patiently to your teen’s reasons for wanting to do something.
38. Connect with your teen. Reflect on your adolescence.
39. Avoid lecturing.
40. Be someone they can believe in.
41. Make your home a place where teens want to hang out.
42. Talk less about the media and more about real heroes in our country.
43. Make a list of ten things you like about your teen and tell them.
44. Teach them how to be compassionate, empathetic, and fair.
45. Show compassion to other teenagers.
46. Keep your face relaxed when they are telling you something you don’t want to hear.
47. Talk about drinking and its consequences. Make your expectations known.
48. Help them establish their own autonomy while maintaining a loving relationship with you.
49. Support your teen’s interests and encourage in their accomplishments.
50. Have regular family meetings in which the whole family talks things over and makes decisions together.
51. Ask what worries them most about their future.
52. Use natural and logical consequences, so discipline makes sense.
53. When they come home from an event ask, “How did you show good character?”
54. Teach respect for life in all forms.
55. Ask if they would like to go out to eat, run an errand, or go shopping with you.
56. Show up to watch them in their activities. Clap loudly.
57. Talk to their friends, learn their names, and let them confide in you.
58. Work together in community activities.
59. Learn more about their world.
60. Believe they can make a difference and be a success.
61. Admit when you are wrong. Be able to say, “I’m sorry.”
62. Hug them often.
63. Say, “I love you. I’m proud of you.”
64. Show your teen respect.
65. Eat dinner together four to five days a week.
66. Never berate or belittle teens in front of their friends or peers.
67. Ask their opinions.
68. Give them room to breath to balance independence with dependence.
69. Set standards in clothing while still allowing them to express themselves.
70. Talk to your teen when there is not a problem.
71. Listen carefully to what is being said as well as what is not.
72. Have daily conversations.
73. Share your concerns rather than being the undercover cop.
74. Keep the discussions with your teen confidential unless they are involved with something dangerous.
75. Follow through on promises.
76. Allow your teen to take responsibility when you see them handling it well.
77. Forgive your teen when they make a mistake.
78. Negotiate new challenges.
79. Give your teen increasing autonomy (even if it kills you).
80. Accept all of your teen’s feelings as long as they are respectfully conveyed.
81. Schedule times to talk about unappealing topics. Do not catch them on the fly.
82. Focus on what your teen did right before offering constructive criticism.
83. Make more statements rather than asking questions.
84. Talk to your teenager rather than at them.
85. Don’t over-react.
86. Accept they will have moody behavior and teach them how to deal with it.
87. Allow them to make decisions about their own lives whenever possible.
88. Remember you are in the process of “people-making.”
89. Express words of appreciation.
90. Listen with your heart.
91. Help them develop a sense of humor by telling funny stories of your day.
92. Enforce mutually acceptable behavior standards.
93. Listen to the whole story before you react.
94. Use natural and logical consequences when a boundary is broken.
95. Cook together or teach them how to cook.
96. Wait up until they come home.
97. Talk in the dark after the house is quiet and they are before you give advice.
99. Discover a shared passion together.
100.Remember, children become who you predict them to be.
7/28/2010
Tips For Choosing A Home Business
If the company you are currently representing or the company you're considering meets all of these Success Factors, then you are probably on the right track.
1. Company Track Record - How long has the company you're considering representing been in business? What are the company's annual sales each year since in business? Does the company print average income statistics for business builders? It should and you should ask for them. Proof of long term sales, success and growth is critical with choosing any business.
2. Financially Sound - Does the company have outstanding debt? Joining a company that is debt free is something I highly recommend to lessen any risk to you.
3. Strong Management Team - What are the backgrounds and credentials of the management team? You want to join a company that is run with integrity and strong leadership.
4. Unique Consumable Products - Are the products of the company, ones that people actually need, use, run out of and repurchase month after month. Do they have any trademarks or patents allowing for exclusive rights meaning no other company can copy them. If the products are non- consumable, meaning they will only be purchased once, then that business will not be viable long term. If the products are consumable, however not necessarily a need, that will lesson your chance for long term success. Products needed, and consumed monthly makes for a solid business model.
5. Wide Market Appeal - Are the products usable by everyone? If they are specific to a gender, age group or body size for example, you lessen your market and therefore your potential.
6. Competitive Prices - Are the products comparable in price or less expensive than the competition? If they are too expensive this is not a business that will produce great results.
7. High Customer Reorder Rate - Does the company share it's reorder rate?
How many customers that purchased from the company last month, reorder again the following month? If the re-order rate is low, the business will not be viable as new customers simply replace your old customers producing no real growth or a secure, residual income.
8. Low Initial Investment - If the cost to join or start is too high it makes for more risk and difficulty in attracting customers and business partners.
9. Low Monthly Requirement - If there is a high monthly requirement, customers/business builders may end up with inventory or products they do not need. If there is a low monthly product requirement, then customers are getting what they need for personal use each month, and from a business standpoint you know customers are purchasing each month which creates the security and true residual income.
10. Rewards For Leadership Development - Does the company reward you for helping others in your business succeed? If there is any way the company could remove business builders from your business because of their success, be very careful about joining. There should never be potential for you to lose great partners.
11. Risk-Free - Is everything 100% guaranteed? If not, I would advise against joining.
12. Anyone Can Be Successful - Is the business plan set up for anyone to be successful at any time? If it's a company that says "Ground floor" opportunity, or "Get in Now", be very wary. If only the people who join at the beginning can be successful, then eventually people will get hurt.
Well, how does the company you are with or considering measure up?
Hope this was helpful..:)
Kathy
P.S. Want to learn more about my home business,
visit http:://www.ParentsGoingGreen.com
1. Company Track Record - How long has the company you're considering representing been in business? What are the company's annual sales each year since in business? Does the company print average income statistics for business builders? It should and you should ask for them. Proof of long term sales, success and growth is critical with choosing any business.
2. Financially Sound - Does the company have outstanding debt? Joining a company that is debt free is something I highly recommend to lessen any risk to you.
3. Strong Management Team - What are the backgrounds and credentials of the management team? You want to join a company that is run with integrity and strong leadership.
4. Unique Consumable Products - Are the products of the company, ones that people actually need, use, run out of and repurchase month after month. Do they have any trademarks or patents allowing for exclusive rights meaning no other company can copy them. If the products are non- consumable, meaning they will only be purchased once, then that business will not be viable long term. If the products are consumable, however not necessarily a need, that will lesson your chance for long term success. Products needed, and consumed monthly makes for a solid business model.
5. Wide Market Appeal - Are the products usable by everyone? If they are specific to a gender, age group or body size for example, you lessen your market and therefore your potential.
6. Competitive Prices - Are the products comparable in price or less expensive than the competition? If they are too expensive this is not a business that will produce great results.
7. High Customer Reorder Rate - Does the company share it's reorder rate?
How many customers that purchased from the company last month, reorder again the following month? If the re-order rate is low, the business will not be viable as new customers simply replace your old customers producing no real growth or a secure, residual income.
8. Low Initial Investment - If the cost to join or start is too high it makes for more risk and difficulty in attracting customers and business partners.
9. Low Monthly Requirement - If there is a high monthly requirement, customers/business builders may end up with inventory or products they do not need. If there is a low monthly product requirement, then customers are getting what they need for personal use each month, and from a business standpoint you know customers are purchasing each month which creates the security and true residual income.
10. Rewards For Leadership Development - Does the company reward you for helping others in your business succeed? If there is any way the company could remove business builders from your business because of their success, be very careful about joining. There should never be potential for you to lose great partners.
11. Risk-Free - Is everything 100% guaranteed? If not, I would advise against joining.
12. Anyone Can Be Successful - Is the business plan set up for anyone to be successful at any time? If it's a company that says "Ground floor" opportunity, or "Get in Now", be very wary. If only the people who join at the beginning can be successful, then eventually people will get hurt.
Well, how does the company you are with or considering measure up?
Hope this was helpful..:)
Kathy
P.S. Want to learn more about my home business,
visit http:://www.ParentsGoingGreen.com
7/26/2010
PAINS
When you have pains in life, always remember this expansion of PAINS:
P - Positive
A - Approach
I - In
N - Negative
S - Situations
P - Positive
A - Approach
I - In
N - Negative
S - Situations
7/22/2010
My Comfort Zone
A Motivational Poem
My Comfort Zone
By Author Unknown
I used to have a comfort zone
where I knew I wouldn't fail.
The same four walls and busywork
were really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.
I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much.
I said I didn't care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.
I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.
If you're in a comfort zone,
afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.
Reach for your future with a smile;
success is there for you!
My Comfort Zone
By Author Unknown
I used to have a comfort zone
where I knew I wouldn't fail.
The same four walls and busywork
were really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.
I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much.
I said I didn't care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.
I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.
If you're in a comfort zone,
afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.
Reach for your future with a smile;
success is there for you!
7/08/2010
7/05/2010
Catching Fish In A Jar
When I was between eleven and twelve years old I decided one bright sunny day that it would be fun to go fishing. I didn't have any fishing gear and I had never done much fishing other than to play on the stream banks while my father fished. I also didn't want to "hurt" the fish I just wanted to catch them and then let them go.
I looked around the house for what I could use and I found a washed out old mayonnaise jar. You know the old style jars with the big open "mouth". I walked to a nearby pond and put the jar down in the soft dust-like mud of the water's edge with the open "mouth" of the jar facing toward the center. I then stirred the waters a little and made them cloudy so that the fish would have trouble seeing me. Then I waited hovering over the jar. Gradually, cautiously a small fish would swim up to the clear jar to investigate the disturbance and when it swam into the jar I dropped my hand into the water and over the jar mouth. I caught a fish, then another.
I just let them all go and returned my jar to the cupboard. Then I decided to use wire "box trap" to go fishing and rigged a string to the door. This way I could drop the trap in the water and not have to "hover over" it like I did with the jar. I sat very relaxed on the bank of the pond and sure enough I caught a fair sized bluegill. I took it home in a water filled plastic waste basket to show my dad and afterward returned it to the pond.
When I told people about how I had caught the fish they just paused and laughed nervously. You see unlike these people, I didn't know that you couldn't catch fish in a jar. If I would have asked them they would have scoffed and said, "You can't catch fish in a jar or a box trap!" No one in my life had ever dreamed of telling me that so my belief system did not contain these words or the impact that they would have had on my "day of fishing". Only a free minded kid could come up with an idea of using a jar or a box trap to catch fish! No one had told me that this was impossible so I just used what I was familiar with and what I had available and I succeeded.
Maybe today finds you facing a situation that seems impossible. You have a desire but no visible way of bringing it into being. You may need to find that "kid" inside you who thinks "outside the box" and the normal ways of achieving things and let him or her catch that fish in a jar! See your situation from a different angle. Start looking at the resources that you already have and the things that you are already familiar with. A fresh perspective and a childlike sense of wonder may surprise you and there's no telling what you will come up with!
Jami Sell
Catching Fish In A Jar is an excerpt from author Jami Sell's new book Thought And Belief: How To Unlock Your Potential And Fulfill Your Destiny! © 2010 All Rights
I looked around the house for what I could use and I found a washed out old mayonnaise jar. You know the old style jars with the big open "mouth". I walked to a nearby pond and put the jar down in the soft dust-like mud of the water's edge with the open "mouth" of the jar facing toward the center. I then stirred the waters a little and made them cloudy so that the fish would have trouble seeing me. Then I waited hovering over the jar. Gradually, cautiously a small fish would swim up to the clear jar to investigate the disturbance and when it swam into the jar I dropped my hand into the water and over the jar mouth. I caught a fish, then another.
I just let them all go and returned my jar to the cupboard. Then I decided to use wire "box trap" to go fishing and rigged a string to the door. This way I could drop the trap in the water and not have to "hover over" it like I did with the jar. I sat very relaxed on the bank of the pond and sure enough I caught a fair sized bluegill. I took it home in a water filled plastic waste basket to show my dad and afterward returned it to the pond.
When I told people about how I had caught the fish they just paused and laughed nervously. You see unlike these people, I didn't know that you couldn't catch fish in a jar. If I would have asked them they would have scoffed and said, "You can't catch fish in a jar or a box trap!" No one in my life had ever dreamed of telling me that so my belief system did not contain these words or the impact that they would have had on my "day of fishing". Only a free minded kid could come up with an idea of using a jar or a box trap to catch fish! No one had told me that this was impossible so I just used what I was familiar with and what I had available and I succeeded.
Maybe today finds you facing a situation that seems impossible. You have a desire but no visible way of bringing it into being. You may need to find that "kid" inside you who thinks "outside the box" and the normal ways of achieving things and let him or her catch that fish in a jar! See your situation from a different angle. Start looking at the resources that you already have and the things that you are already familiar with. A fresh perspective and a childlike sense of wonder may surprise you and there's no telling what you will come up with!
Jami Sell
Catching Fish In A Jar is an excerpt from author Jami Sell's new book Thought And Belief: How To Unlock Your Potential And Fulfill Your Destiny! © 2010 All Rights
Something to think about: A 'Yes' Face Charles Swindoll
During Thomas Jefferson's presidency he and a group of travelers were crossing a river that had overflowed its banks. Each man crossed on horseback fighting for his life. A lone traveler watched the group traverse the treacherous river and then asked President Jefferson to take him across. The president agreed without hesitation, the man climbed on, and the two made it safely to the other side of the river where somebody asked him: "Why did you select the President to ask this favor?" The man was shocked, admitting he had no idea it was the President of the United States who had carried him safely across. "All I know," he said, "is that on some of your faces was written the answer 'No' and on some of them was the answer 'Yes.' His was a 'Yes' face."
"The most significant decision I make each day is my choice of an attitude. When my attitudes are right there's no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme and no challenge too great." - Charles Swindoll
"The most significant decision I make each day is my choice of an attitude. When my attitudes are right there's no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme and no challenge too great." - Charles Swindoll
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