Surveys have shown the average American is more afraid of public speaking than they are of death. No wonder many people have let promotions at work pass them by for fear of having to speak in public. It may not even have been a conscious decision, but public speaking fear has been shown to be the cause of missed opportunities for many people. As someone looking to move ahead in your career, working on your public speaking skills even before you need them in the workplace can be a smart move. Having public speaking skills could boost your confidence level so that you would be comfortable volunteering to give a presentation that could earn you extra prestige, or give you the assurance you need to apply for a particular job.

Developing Public Speaking Skills

Public speaking is something that does not come naturally for most people. Instead, it is a learned skill. Especially with the prominence of politicians these days, it can be easy to get the impression that good public speaking skills come naturally to many people. This is not really the case. Even politicians work on their public speaking skills, and have the benefit of giving speeches on a regular basis over the course of a long career. The most visible politicians and business leaders often “cheat” by using speech coaches who help them pinpoint specific things they can do to deliver speeches more effectively, plus they often use speech writers and teleprompters.

As an individual interested in getting ahead in your career, you don’t need to go to the extreme of using a teleprompter or a speech coach. But committing to improving your public speaking skills over the long term can have a major impact in terms of your overall career success. Toastmasters is a great organization that has spent decades perfecting a system of teaching people how to speak effectively in public. Their program is designed so you can get as little or as much out of it as you want. Each Toastmasters meeting gives everyone a chance to practice their public speaking skills through various parts of the meeting, such as the Table Topics, where each attendee can give a brief two-minute impromptu speech based on a topic given to them by the host. Most Toastmasters clubs also have mentorship programs where a more experienced speaker will work with you one on one to help you improve your skills.

We recommend visiting your local Toastmasters club to see how it works. To find out more about Toastmasters, visit their web site at this address:
http://www.toastmasters.org

Quick Tips for Conquering Your Fear

– Everyone gets nervous before a speech. Even former President Clinton has talked about how he still gets nervous before speeches, even after having spoken in front of all kinds of audiences all over the world. Experienced speakers talk about harnessing that nervousness and using it to energize and inspire yourself to give a better speech. Plus, they say the nervousness generally goes away after the first couple of minutes of speaking and turns into a feeling of excitement and exhiliration.

– There usually isn’t as much at stake as you think there is. People often make the mistake of assigning an unreasonable amount of importance to people in their audience. The truth is most audience members in any given situation are preoccupied with their own thoughts: what they’re going to do later that day, their relationship with their spouse, their kids, personal problems, etc. Your speech is much less important to them than it is to you. And they will be much less critical of your performance than you are. Plus, no matter who is in your audience, they are not more important than your family members and people who truly care about you.

– The speech does not have to be perfect. As mentioned earlier, there’s a tendency to compare yourself with polished public speakers you see on TV. Your audience will not expect you to be at that level, and you should not expect it of yourself.

– The most important ingredient in a good speech is preperation. This often requires investing time in researching the topic ahead of time so that you have enough material that you could speak for at least twice the amount of time allotted. If your speech has information that the audience finds interesting or that they did not know before, you will have done a good job as a speaker.

About the Author

Scott Brown is the author of the Job Search Handbook (http://www.JobSearchHandbook.com). As editor of the HireSites.com weekly newsletter on job searching, Scott has written many articles on the subject. He wrote the Job Search Handbook to provide job seekers with a complete yet easy to use guide to finding a job effectively.

Even before you launch your website, you can (and should) begin
to use your domain name. Why? Because it is the worlds cheapest
advertising tool and an excellent way to brand your business.
How? By using your domain name in your email address and in your
signature file.

If your email address reads yourname@aol.com or you@bell.com –
you are branding the name of your Internet Service Provider. Why
should you do it? Your ISP doesn’t pay you for it. Indeed, you
pay THEM a monthly fee!!!

Quite likely you were not aware that you do have a choice here.
Instead of advertising Earthlink, GTE, BellSouth, or AOL, you
can advertise and brand your own business and your own name.

In case you didn’t know, here is how it works. For example, my
own service provider is home.com — but my e-mail program is
configured so, that the address I use in my “from” field says
“wanda@loska.com”. I can do that because my web host provides
me with a forwarding service. That means, any message sent to
wanda@loska.com is forwarded automatically to my *home.com*
account.

Don’t think that you need to launch your web site to be able to
do this — even if you are not ready, you can use this feature.
I suggest that once you get a domain name, you set up a simple
page like this: http://internetsuccesscoach.com/bizcard.html
– but even this is not necessary.

To use your domain name in email address, you only need to have
a domain name and a decent web host. Yes, really. With domain
name registration costs as low as $9.95 per year, and with web
hosting fees around $15-30 per month — can you afford NOT to
do it? I don’t think so!

To register a domain name, you might want to use a special
name-find tool at http://BuyDomains.com — it allows you to
search for the domain names containing your specific key words.
Excellent time saving device!

When choosing your domain name keep this in mind:

-> Select a name that is not only easy to pronounce and easy to
spell — make sure that it spells the same way as it sounds.

-> Avoid hyphens, numbers and abbreviations to prevent future
confusion — unless registering both versions — for example,
I registered both domain names: EMailMarketingTips.com and
E-MailMarketingTips.com

-> Chances are that the name you really want is not available as
dot-com anymore. If so, select another, less perfect name, but
try to get dot-com before you opt for .net or .org — or any
other extensions.

-> Make it is as short as possible. Yes, virtually all one word
domain names with dot-com extension are taken, but don’t give
up too easily on two-word names. There are still many great
ones available.

-> Three, or even four-word domain names can be good too if
they are not too long. Make sure you count syllables as well.
If it is easy to pronounce and under six syllables, most
likely it is fine (my InternetSuccessCoach.com has 3 words
and 6 syllables for example)

Using your own domain name is not only cost-free branding tool.
In addition this type of email address adds instant credibility
to your correspondence and – even more important – your e-mail
address will stay the same even when you change your ISP (and
most likely you will, trust me!).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wanda Loskot is Internet Marketing Coach. Sign up for her FREE
course “7 Strategies For Lasting Internet Success” — learn what
you need to know about Internet marketing in just one short e-mail
per day. To subscribe go to http://InternetSuccessCoach.com

Are you a good speller? It is hard to help your child with spelling if you have a hard time with spelling yourself. At the same time, if you are a great speller, it can be difficult to understand why your child is not a great speller.

What you

Contemplating earning a degree online?

Depending on the course of study and field of specialization you

Should I consolidate my college loans or not?

1. Still in school, yes! Rates are low, but they’re scheduled to go up. Your college loan payments will then remain as manageable as possible when you leave school. If you have graduated, or will be graduating this May or June, yes! Graduates can lock in historical low rates, and reduce their monthly payments more than half. You can lock in a rate even while still in school, and even if you have been out of school for a couple of years can get a good deal, too.

2. The newest twist in the consolidation puzzle is the “in school consolidation”, affecting students who are currently enrolled and will be enrolled past the July 1 consolidation. You can consolidate your existing college loans now to secure the low rates for at least part of their student loan portfolio.

3. Consolidating could save thousands of dollars in interest payments on college loans. There are impending student loan rate changes and new interpretation of regulations by the Department of Education, also, Congress is considering ending the fixed-rate program. Experts are urging students to consolidate to relieve themselves of a higher debt load.

4. Many students and families are looking for a simple, clear answer about whether to consolidate college loans or not. The simple answer is to take some of the bite out of the debt by loan consolidation. You could live like a miser and save as much money as possible or consolidate your federal student loans now.

5. For students still in school, you have an opportunity to choose consolidation. Consolidating would put a college loan borrower into repayment status, but the student can defer payments until after graduation by making a deferment request. Consolidating today can have payments put off until graduation.

6. The federal loan program allows consolidation, which is when a borrower pools his student debts together so that only one monthly payment is necessary, rather than several. It’s not just the convenience of one payment that is making consolidation so compelling. The most significant aspect of the program is that it allows a person to permanently lock in a lower interest rate on loans. These loans are backed by, or granted directly by, the federal government.

7. Rates for federal Stafford loans, the most prevalent type of student loan, as well as some other types of federal student loans are set annually based on the rate of 91-day U.S. Treasury bills at the end of May. The exact rate won’t be known until the end of the month, but experts say it will be about 2 percentage points higher. (Private loans and federal loans cannot be consolidated together.)

8. For the first time, the U.S. Department of Education will allow students still in school to consolidate federally backed loans. Federal PLUS loans can also be consolidated. PLUS loans are used to help pay the cost higher education.

9. Students, regardless of enrollment, should absolutely consolidate their college loans, arranged through the student’s lender. There are no fees, no credit checks, and interest rates are expected to move higher. Those are good reasons to consolidate.

10. Act quickly to put lock on current federal-aid interest rates. Graduates should act now to insulate themselves from a drastic rate change. Apply early. Do not wait until the last minute to file paperwork. Those who have already graduated or left school should not wait to investigate consolidation. In the first six months after graduation, you are in a grace period. Within that six-month window, you can lock in a low rate on Stafford loans and spread the repayment over as long as 30 years.

If you’re going to consolidate, now is the best time to do it.

About the Author

Georgio Heberto is dedicated to offering news, articles, and instruction on financing college education. You have a definite choice in how you finance your education and beyond. Visit http://www.atopeducation.com for more information.

For National Teacher Appreciation Week, and every other week of the year, here are ten reasons why I appreciate certain teachers I had.

If you appreciate a teacher, let him or her know!

1. Mr. Thompson, my first-year Latin teacher.

He taught me to question! To use my brain and not allow myself to be spoon-fed. He told us verbs were conjugated one way on Monday, and then introduced the other way on Tuesday, saying, “And now you’re saying, ‘My teacher has lied to me.’ Well, they do!” It kept me on my toes, so to speak, and brought me into the real world where the rules don’t always apply and tricky things can happen.

2. Dr. Drake, my third-year Latin teacher.

Taught me how much I respect someone who stands for something and enforces it. The students had been picking on a girl I’ll call Clara. Dr. Drake sent her from class one day on an errand, and gave us a lecture about how people were going to be treated in her classroom. I can still see her pacing the floor, making her point. Things changed for Clara after that … and for me.

3. Mrs. English, my high school English teacher.

She cared enough to notice I was goofing off and called me on it, teaching me to respect myself. She refused to accept the half-a**** paper I had turned in, saying it was nowhere near what I was capable of producing, and told me to do it over.

4. Dr. Harriet Sheridan, college professor who taught me Principles of Teaching.

Dr. Sheridan gave me a role model for how a woman can live a balanced life. At the time, few women were working outside the home. She had a Ph.D. and taught full-time at the college, and also had 2 children. She invited us to her home often enough for me to see she was excellent at both.

5. Dr. Owen Jenkins, college English professor.

Taught me how to reason. And also that when you have self-confidence you can be warm and funny. Brilliant, he was also very funny. He taught the senior Logic Seminar. No quarters!

6. Mrs. Wilson, my fourth grade teacher.

Got me into the creative world. Coming from a household that was intellectual and didn’t encourage creative work, I was a budding but un-acknowledged artist. Mrs. Wilson put one of my drawings on the cover of the school newsletter. I was never the same after that.

7. Miss Adams, my first grade teacher.

She showed me how much I loved to teach. I was assigned to teach the new girl, Janie Lambert, how to read. I’ve been teaching (and loving it) ever since.

8. Mrs. Sledge, my piano teacher.

She taught me discipline. I started, with great excitement at the age of 6 and learned I could learn something very hard if I would just stick with it. She taught character along with piano. I stood up tall when I walked in for my lessons (and when I walked out)!

9. Mr. Framingham, high school English teacher, who supervised my student teaching.

He taught me how to really teach. At the local high school, he taught the honors class and the remedial class, and under his supervision, I taught both. Anyone can teach the brightest and the best. Mr. Framingham knew how to teach people who were very difficult to teach. He told me senior year in high school would be their last chance for a formal learning experience, and he wanted to make it happen. Go Mr. Framingham!

10. Dr. Porter, my college Greek and Mythology teacher.

He (and really all the ones I’ve mentioned) taught me to love learning. So incredibly passionate about his field, he made Greek (the language), interesting … every morning at 8 a.m. He couldn’t wait to begin class. He never wanted to let us go. “Just one more thing,” he would say, his eyes gleaming.

He, and all the other great teachers I’ve had, lit a fire under me, igniting a lifetime love of learning. I hope you

You are anxious to purchase your new digital camera! You want to get it in your hands quickly so you can begin to enjoy it. Are you going to go to the store right now and pick one out? Wrong! You must have some basic knowledge and know-how prior to entering into the world of salesmen and
digital cameras!

Here are the steps to buying the digital camera that is right for you.

1. Know your budget. Yes, you have to do the number crunching this time. No sense in getting your hopes up for a high powered digital camera you can’t afford. Do not be afraid to tell the salesman straight way what your budget is either. Don’t waste your time looking for cameras that don’t fit this budget.

2. Know what you want to use the camera for. Is this for a professional or to take pictures of your kids? Will it be used mostly indoors, outdoors, or both? Knowing this information can help narrow down your search as well.

3. Needs Versus Desires. Okay so just about everyone wants the digital camera that is loaded with features and added bonuses. But, is it really what you need? Cutting down all these extras will help you cut the extra costs as well. But, don’t skimp either. Take some time to check out several of the available digital cameras in your price range. Know what to expect for your money.

4. Do your research. Trust me, once you walk into that saleroom, chances are you are going to want to lay your hands on a camera and leave with it. But, this is not a smart choice. You need to either decide not to do this until you have checked out several places or you can do the smarter thing. That is doing your research online from home, far away from the store itself. Just keep going from site to site to determine what are the basic cameras available in your price range. Who is offering the most bang for your buck?

5. LCD screen or not? Most of us want to be able to preview the image we are going to take using the LCD screen. But, it is a costly addition to the camera. Consider whether it is right for you or not.

6. Memory Cards. Will you need to purchase a memory card for your digital camera as well or will one be provided. How many should you buy depends on how much you will use the camera in between downloading them. How much memory will be on the cards for the camera you plan to purchase?

7. Pixels and Resolution. Just, what is all that about? The better quality cameras which have higher pixels and resolution provide a clearer picture with much more detail then others. Again, compare the different models once you are at the store. Which model, in your budget range, has the best picture? Or, which camera has the best picture for what you are willing or able to spend. Test them out prior to
purchasing to see the difference here.

8. Is the camera compatible with your computer? This is very important here since this is how most people download and even print off their pictures! This is usually not a problem unless you own an older computer.

9. Ease of use. Purchasing a digital camera is supposed to make your life easier, right? Make sure you are choosing
one you can understand how to use and one that is simple to use. When you want to take a picture, you usually don’t have 5 minutes to figure it out.

10. Cost of features over name brand. Our last comment has to do with name brands. Surely, you know that just because a name brand sticker is on an item it is not a way
to tell if it is the best model out there. Compare the features and items listed above to find the best camera available to you, not the label.

Putting all of this together can produce a great digital camera that suits your needs, your budget, and even your desires. Now, that you have an idea of what to look for, go ahead, run to your retailer with the best deal and get the digital camera you have been waiting for!

About the author:

John Howard has been an avid digital photographer for over 10 years. Visit his website for tips and tricks at:
Digital Photography

One of the biggest and hottest growing trends in the art of tattoo design is Hawaiian arm or leg band tattoos. As this trend goes a lot of people think to themselves, well of course.” At least that is what I said to myself at first. You can hardly drive more then 10 minutes on the freeway in southern California where I am from and not see a big SUV like a Lincoln Navigator or a Cadillac Escalade and not see a Hawaiian sticker. Things with flowers designs, or turtles, dolphins. Ya see it started off with the sticker and then the car seat covers with hibiscus flowers everywhere and it just grew from there.

This trend of Hawaiian design has then met it’s match with the whole tribal tattoo movement. Tribal tattoos have been the hottest thing in the tattoo world since sliced bread or the old school WWII era Hula dancer. You see these influences have been all around us for a long time my grandpa even has one of those Hula Girls tattoos still. Granted it is a little saggy and faded now but he still has one on his forearm nonetheless.

So the whole tribal tattoo and the growth in interest for Hawaiian designs have combined to make a hot and growing market for Hawaiian tattoos. This is really an up and coming thing and it not huge yet. However many tattoo artists are spotting the trend and jumping on it already.

Of course there is a lot of controversy on this subject also like anything. If you look on the internet there is a controversy about getting Kanji and Japanese Tattoos also. Anytime you try and take the designs of a culture and do not depict them accurately it creates a sense of bastardization or what I call the “Disney Effect” towards the culture. I mean how would you feel if you were in China and someone said, oh you should try this hot new restaurant out it serves this great food that is really American. They have fried chicken and apple pie that is the best.” Well, at first you would be excited right? Sure it would be nice for a good home cooked meal if you have been out of the US for a long time. However once you get there you see the place has really tacky and awful reproductions of 50′s art and the all the food tastes kind of strange. It would probably bee kind of close or resemble what you were thinking of but it would be missing something or a few key ingredients. I bet this would leave you feeling a little sad and like your culture was not totally understood.

Well, I can not speak for you and maybe you will feel different but I was pretty sad when after staying in Japan for 3 months I was invited to a 1950′s classic hamburger joint. When we got there it was Elvis with a funny accent playing on the jukebox and when my hamburger came it had a fried egg on top of it with teriyaki sauce. WOW what a surprise that was for me. I kind of felt weird about being in the place that had tried to recreate something from my own culture.
So, the same controversy rolls on in the world of tattoos. Anytime you get a tattoo design from another culture just make sure you go with a professional. Do not have your friend trace out some Kanji in a book for a tattoo and don’t go and rip some design of the internet because it states that it is Hawaiian. Go to a real custom tattoo designer and have them do the research and come up with some designs. After all this is going to be on your body for the rest of your life and since Hawaiian arm band tattoos and leg tattoos are typically big it will be a significant investment in pain, time and money to get the thing done. So you should consult with a professional and get top notch work done.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I am the owner of www.designmytattoos.com. Stop on by and have tattoos artist bid on your own custom designed Hawaiian arm tattoo or other custom tattoos!

1. Read last year’s IEP – It’s important to review what came out of last year’s plan. Was it successful ? Did the methods of instruction work ? Did the measurement process used really tell you if progress was being made ? Were the goals & objectives really functional for your child? Also try to think back to the actual meeting — what part of the discussion did you feel least prepared for ? Remembering will help you prepare better this time around!

2. Update your advocacy notebook — Hopefully you have a single book that allows you to keep all of your child’s information (evaluations, old IEPs, correspondence with school & service providers, etc.) organized & easily accessible. If there is new information from Dr.’s, teachers, or related service providers that needs added to your book take care of the filing now. You’ll be glad to have the most current information if the issue comes up during the meeting.

3. Do your homework — is there any new information on your child’s disability, have you heard about any promising new intervention strategies that caught your attention? Now is the time to check them out. Research them on the internet or contact a local resource person who can tell you more or provide you with information to review.

4. Come prepared to “grow” your team — If you’ve found anything interesting during your research, the IEP meeting is an excellent time to share this information. Rather than contacting everyone individually or relying on 1 person to pass on your information, you can share it with everyone at once. If the information describe an intervention strategy you would like used in this year’s IEP then be sure to bring copies so everyone can look over the information at once during the meeting. Few professional team members are going to be willing to sign off on something they don’t understand or feel comfortable with. By helping them learn, you maximize your chances of getting what you want.

5. Make your list — Once you’re organized & your research is complete is time to make your list. What are the issues you feel like really need to be addressed in your child’s IEP. Remember other team members may want to add additional items during your discussion, but you don’t want to be thinking afterwards, “Oh I really wanted to discuss X & forgot to bring it up.” Right now, while you’re calm & not under time pressure is the time to decide what the issues are from your perspective.

6. Prioritize — Because IEPs are a team process they by their very nature demand compromise. So once you’ve developed you list, you’ll need to go back through & divide it into 2 categories.

A) the issues that are non-negotiable to me — they must be addressed for me to give my consent for this IEP and B) the issues that I am concerned about, but I’m not sure how I want them addressed or what the critical components are. On these issues I’m willing to compromise or settle for minimal supports while we gather more information.

7. Decide who’s coming with you — IEPs tend to be extremely anxiety provoking for parents. When you are experiencing a lot of emotion it is unlikely that you will be able to absorb all the information be given to you. Having someone else there who can listen to the discussion & take notes will free you up to participate in the discussion & focus on your own agenda.

8. What about taping the meeting — Recording IEP meetings can be a touchy issue for many school districts. However, if you cannot find anyone to come with you to the meeting you may want to consider tape recording it so that you can refer back to the discussion after you’re home & calm. One caution, you will need to notify the school that you would like to tape record the meeting. Explain that it will be only for your reference & ask if there are any school guidelines or policies that you should be aware of regarding taping. Start this process as soon as you’ve been notified about the meeting as some school districts have time guidelines that the notice of recording must be given at least X amount of time before the meeting.

9. Determine your child’s participation – If you see a future of self-advocacy for your child, then it is important to involve them in IEPs as early as possible. This will let them watch your advocacy skills & learn by imitation. It also give you the opportunity to get their input on what & how they would like to learn. If you aren’t comfortable with your child attending the meeting, then consider how their presence can be felt by proxy. Two ways recommended by other parents are:

A) Bring your child’s picture & set it in the center of the table – this should effectively remind everyone at the table that the decisions made will impact the life of a real person & shouldn’t be arbitrary or for convenience sake.

B) Bring your child’s portfolio — originally developed to introduce new teachers to your child, the portfolio illustrates all that is unique & special about your child. This is a wonderful way to remind participants that everyone has strengths & special qualities to bring to the “table of life”. Check out the sample portfolio in our web resource section for ideas on how to do this.

10. Review your rights! — Right before you attend a meeting filled with professionals is the perfect time to read again how the federal laws “see” your role as parent. It will reinforce your feeling of importance within the team & also ensure that no one surprises you with any “questionable” tactics during the meeting.

If you have completed all 10 steps you should be feeling pretty prepared. Now you can go into that conference room with confidence knowing that you are ultimate “expert” on your child!

Copyright 2000, Lisa Simmons

About the Author

Lisa is director of the Ideal Lives Project, providing practical support for special needs families & professionals. Visit online at: http://www.ideallives.com or subscribe to her free newsletter at: mailto:ideallives-subscribe@topica.com

Contrary to the opinion of many parents, it's OK to want to have fun in everything you do in life. It's not selfish, insensitive or self-centered. Wanting life to be fun is natural, normal and healthy.

Every aspect of life goes better with fun. Fun can lubricate even the most tedious chore. And fun can infuse even the most serious of situations with the lightness of love.

May I suggest a few actions to keep your day light:

Really. It works. Wave to a firefighter. Smile at a cop. Salute a soldier. Hang with a kid. Have a friendly conversation with the cashier. Leave an outrageously generous tip. Drop in a shelter. Volunteer at a literacy program. Show up at a community fund-raising event.

Serve others. When you give, you feel more connected to other people.

And if you're not naturally motivated to reach out to others, think selfishly: any altruistic gesture — from buying someone a coffee to letting another driver in front of you — puts you on the fast track to feeling good.

Water your field of dreams — your energy field! Call a friend who is consistently fun to talk to. Just for the heaven of it! — not for business or to have any other need met. Simply ring someone up for a sociable hello without any agenda or expectation.

Welcome serendipity. Invite surprise. Cultivate spontaneity. Notice synchronicity. Know that the whole of your life — events, situations and people — has been secretly structured by your soul in order to bring you the experiences you want to have this lifetime. Approach life as if the whole of creation is conspiring to bring you goodness — because it is! Realize that unpleasant people and situations are deliberately placed in your path as a challenge to help you grow big enough to embrace even them.

4. Have an exciting destination.

Seek wonder. Go toward joy, ease and adventure — not simply away from boredom, pain, struggle and fear. Don't dwell on the old. Focus on your destination — move towards a fun future.

To keep from being overwhelmed — yet still make headway — break your larger goals down into more manageable steps. It's easy to become discouraged if each step looms large and requires a major expenditure of time. Take at least one action a day — no matter how minor. Then you can make some progress only if you have a few minutes. It may be something as little as gathering or setting out the materials for the next stage.

As you take small steps, check them off as achieved. Give yourself a pat on the back for your progress. Always focus on the advancement you've made as being just as important as the distance you have yet to go.

Give up perfectionism! Perfectionism goes hand in hand with fear of success and failure. We feel in order to succeed we must be perfect. As perfectionists, we insure that we will never be satisfied with who we are. Giving up perfectionism means seeing the good in our lives rather than the faults, focusing on what is working rather than what is not working.

Celebrate success in one aspect of your life each day. Look for the positive. Ask, “What did I do that was on the mark? Which parts of my day went well? What am I happy about?” This approach and attitude helps take the sting out of the aspects of your life that seem lacking.

Take 15 minutes each day to do . . . nothing! Nothing of any significance whatsoever. We need time each day to not race against the clock or be productive. As we slow down, our spirit is free to be restored and creative. Go on a walk. Listen to music. Sit on the couch. Dance, run, jog, skip or stretch. Write, paint or sketch. Pet an animal or plant. Listen to the wind. Take yourself on a date. Do something that is alive and energizing for you.

The point is to relax. No multi-tasking. Don't live in your daily planner.

And take a break from technology for a while. Turn off your phone, fax and pager. Our modern conveniences have made us more accessible and vulnerable to other's agendas and demands.

Consider everything you habitually say “Yes” to each day. Community involvement. Errands for family. Favors for friends. Daily calls. Regular visits. Take time to consult with your spirit. Ask, “Is this activity at this time, in this way, really serving me? Is this the wisest use of my time and energy for all concerned in the long run? Is this activity giving me more energy than it is ultimately taking?

If the answer to these questions is “No,” then your answer to the activity should be “No.”

In saying “No” to the people and events that aren't intuitively right for you, you are actually saying “Yes” to yourself — and to the people and values that mean the most to you. If you allow yourself to be tied up with disharmonious, non-aligned situations, you can't be available to share your true gifts with your family, friends and the world at large.

Do you long for more expanse, efficiency, easy flow and elbow room in your life? By intuitively re-arranging the elements of your daily life, you can create the space to nurture the fun, freedom, opportunities and effectiveness you desire. By clearing out the old, dead elements of your life, you create a natural vacuum and an unblocked channel for fresh, new energy and ideas to come into your private and professional life.

Keep in mind that not everyone knows what you know. Your personal experiences can be valuable to others. You might be surprised by what some people don't know about life! I always am.

We thrive when we feel we are valued and have left the world a better place at the end of each day. Leave a grand legacy.

Happiness comes from sharing happiness. There are few joys that are as complete as bringing joy to another human being.

Joy defies the laws of economics in that it's not something that we have less of when we give it away. Joy is something that grows greater for the giver as it is given. The more you give, the more you have.

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