In this issue...

Welcome
Visualize to Realize
Relationships
Did you know?
Humor
Problems

Visualize to Realize by Leon Shepherd

Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish."

To successfully achieve your goals, you must have a clear vision of what you want or expect. Visualization is the process of creating a mental picture in your mind of what you want to happen before it has happened. It's using your imagination to see yourself successfully achieving your goals.

One of my favorites ways to put visualization in perspective is to remind you that everything you see around you now was first imagined. The button on your shirt, compact discs, cell phones, or the chair you're sitting in all began in someone's imagination!

Someone had an idea, a thought that they imagined. They actually saw a picture, before it became the physical reality.

Trying to reach your goals without a vision is like trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle without being able to see what the completed picture will look like; or trying to drive your car at night with your lights off. You must be able to see where you're going, before you can successfully reach your destination.

So start seeing yourself thinner, making more money, and enjoying time with your soulmate.

Start visualizing your goals and the life you want.

Just as Martin Luther King had a dream for society, you must also have a dream for your life.

And when you can visualize your dreams and goals, you are well on your way towards making them become a reality.

Obesity is gaining on tobacco use as the leading cause of preventable death.

Obesity has been rising steadily since 1991. Today about 60% of US adults and 13% of children are overweight. More than 300,000 people die each year from illnesses caused or made worse by obesity. More than 430,000 die each year from smoking-related illnesses.
National Center for Chronic Disease.

Early-decision college applicants are more likely to get accepted, even if they are less qualified than students who apply later. Applying for early decision can be the equivalent of adding 100 points to SAT scores.
Christopher Avery, PhD.

Ceiling fans are an effective way to keep cool at much less cost than air conditioning. Most people can be comfortable with a temperature of up to 86 degrees if a ceiling fan circulates the air. At higher temperatures, a fan can be combined with air conditioning on a low setting to produce the same comfort as air conditioning alone on a high setting - but at lower cost.
The New York Times.

Hot weather reduces conceptions.
Twenty percent more births occur in September than in April or May - which means 20% more conceptions take place in December than in July or August. Also, 10% hotter summers lead to 6% lower birthrates the following spring.
David Lam, PhD.

Eye irritation caused by mascara is common. Buy only brands that contain preservatives, since mascara is prone to bacterial contamination...never apply mascara with saliva, share mascara or use mascara "testers" in the store...apply mascara to only the outer two-thirds of your eyelashes.
Andrew Scheman, MD.

Over-the-counter tooth bleaching kits can cause root-end infection or nerve damage for people with preexisting conditions, such as cavities. Using too much bleach can cause sensitivity.

As an alternative: over the counter bleaching strips are safer and more effective than bleaching kits.
David McFadden, DMD.

You should not focus on yourself during a job interview. Ask the interviewer questions that express your interest in the position and the company.

Examples: What does it take to succeed in this job? Why is the position important to the company? What are the company's concerns about the position? What differentiates this company from its competitors? What is the vision for where the company will be in three years?
Jeffrey Fox, marketing consultant.

HOW NOT TO LET YOUR PROBLEMS
Push Your Priorities Off Track
by Martin Groder, MD

The secret of presidents, CEOs and anyone else who performs at a consistently high level, day after day, is that they are able to compartmentalize their problems.

Known for their "inner strength," these people box all of their personal crises and work-related pressures into a remote corner of their minds.

That way, with emotional issues kept away, they are better able to focus on their priorities and the needs of those who depend on them.

Compartmentalizing is the essence of professionalism and the key to great leadership. Effective leaders generate loyalty and enthusiasm because they are able to tune out the emotional "noise" and keep their minds rationally trained on the issues before them.

Compartmentalizing is voluntary and controllable -- it is an act of will. It is not self-deception.

The compartmentalizer can open the door and let the information or emotional state back into his mind when it serves his interests to do so.

Some people seem naturally more adept at compartmentalizing than others. But the truth is that compartmentalizing is a mental skill that can be developed.

Steps to take...

Test yourself.
Put yourself in situations in which your ability to shut off distracting thoughts and feelings is tested.

When you're angry and upset, immediately get to work on tasks that require concentration and focus.

As your emotions break in, set them aside and keep on turning back to your work. In time, the unwanted feelings will be boxed in, allowing you to focus your attention on what you are doing.

Develop a conscious plan.
Be absolutely clear about what your goals are in situations where you want to compartmentalize.

Remind yourself why they are worthwhile. Imagine and practice exactly what you will do.

Seek support from others.
It is easier to box out intrusive emotions if there is a caring person on your side with whom you can share your feelings afterward.

Learn strategies that give you the power to compartmentalize.
Try thought stopping.
When upsetting thoughts intrude while you're trying to concentrate, say "Stop!"
loudly to yourself. Repeat the process if they come back, and train yourself to keep them away.

Also, learn how to shift perspective to keep troubling situations from generating emotions that spill over into the rest of your life.

When a series of catastrophic thoughts begins, reframe them more realistically.
Example: Instead of automatically thinking, "Why is my child doing so badly in school? If this keeps up, he'll never get into a decent college"...try saying to yourself, "It's probably just a phase he's going through. I know he's really smart. if he needs tutoring, we'll get it for him."

You're not ignoring serious problems by using this strategy.

If you finally determine that your child truly is facing big problems in school, you're more likely to spend time looking for solutions to the problem rather than letting your fears overwhelm you.

Leon Shepherd
Editor/Publisher
Living Successfully
Website: http://www.leonshepherd.com
E-Mail: leon@leonshepherd.com

12 Ways to Keep Your Realtionship Alive by Jel D.Lewis

Keep your relationship alive by becoming a romantic at heart. Some people are romantic, and it comes as easy and natural to them as breathing. Some people are not romantic and would like to be, but don't know if they can be. Anyone can become a romantic at heart, and all it takes is learning how to be romantic in actions and in thinking.

Romantic Checklist:

1. Make thoughtful calls. One of the first things toward becoming a romantic at heart is to start picking up the phone and calling your sweetheart more. Romantics are always using the phone lines, keeping airwaves busy speaking sweet nothings to each other.

Make a point of putting yourself in the habit of checking in with your sweetheart - at least once during the day. We all love to be thought of, and men and women are no different when it comes to receiving a thoughtful call.

2. Say, "I love you." It's not always easy for some individuals to say these words to the ones they love, but saying them is one of the most romantic things you can say to your partner. Put yourself in the habit of saying, "I love you," to your man or woman. Just saying those words will make you feel like more of a romantic. The more you say it, the better, at least three times a day - during breakfast, dinner and right before bed.

3. Give loving compliments. A single compliment can mean so much to the special person in your life. We love compliments from others in our life. All you have to do is say things to your mate that you would like said to you.

Compliments make us feel loved and special. Give your partner compliments on a daily basis and make him or her feel loved and special.

4. Spend private/quiet time. Private/quiet time is not always so easy to squeeze in between work and the kids, but this time together keeps your bond and romance alive. Make an all-out effort to spend at least an hour of uninterrupted time with your mate every evening. This is the time to tell your mate you appreciate and treasure his or her love. Quiet/private time can be spent for lovemaking, or just snuggling, hugging or kissing.

5. Say, "thank you." Whenever you do something nice for someone and he or she responds by saying, "thank you,'' it makes you feel that your favor or gesture was appreciated. Saying, "thank you" to your sweetheart will score points in keeping him or her feeling appreciated.

6. Give unexpected gifts. When you receive an unexpected gift, it probably makes you smile. And when you give someone an unexpected gift, it probably always has a way putting a smile on the person's face.

On a weekly basis, if possible, bring home one small, unexpected gift or present for your mate.
It doesn't have to expensive. The idea is to give any simple token just to express your love.

7. Mail something. Go shopping for fancy greeting cards, and put yourself in the habit of mailing that special person in your life cards and loving notes. You can do the same even if you're married or living together.

Imagine your loved one when he or she receives a card or note in the mail from you, or a bear that says, "This is me. Hug me and care for me."

8. Plan the upcoming weekend. Romantic couples are always doing things and spending time together. Make weekly plans for each upcoming weekend. Always have things planned that the two of you can do.

Keeping busy and doing different things together add adventure to your relationship and keep your romance blooming - anything from simple plans like visiting museums, parks and zoos, to the more expensive, like experiencing a cozy resort.

9. Romantic surprise. Plan one romantic surprise each month. Here are two suggestions: Pack a basket with lots goodies - including cheese, crackers and champagne on ice - and take a drive out to the country and have a champagne picnic under a big tree on a sunny hillside. Or, rent a boat for two or three hours. It's not as expensive as you think. Take a cruise out on the water and enjoy the cool breeze against your face while enjoying each other and a cold glass of wine.

10. Discover restaurants. Eating out or in is one of the things at the top of a romantic person's list. Dining out in dim lighting or candlelight with soft music in the background, or sitting on the balcony or patio of a cozy cafe while taking in the fresh air and the sun, is romantic.

Get into the routine of seeking out different cozy eateries to dine at once or twice a month. A new and different place for dining can add sparkle to your romance.

11. Place an ad. Place a personal ad to that special someone in your life and list it in your local newspaper under the personal column. Let your sweetheart know why he or she is so special. This will not only be a big surprise, it will also be intriguing, knowing you cared so much to go through the loving trouble.

12. Valentine's Day and birthdays. Valentine's Day and your sweetheart's birthday are the days the romantic at heart lives for. This is the one day you can shower him or her with gifts and cards, candy and flower, and nobody would call you a fool for spending too much on your lover. Make plans for Valentine's Day and your sweetheart's birthday - well in advance.

How To Tell If You Need To Pray At Work (humor)

1. When your coworkers walk pass your desk 20 times or more per day, and you just want to say... "Damn, would you sit your a** down
somewhere"..............You need to pray.

2. When you have someone on the job that lies about
everything....and you find yourself in conversations with your coworkers that start off..."That lyin b&*^%$& said..... " You need to pray

3. When a person leaves their dirty tissue at your desk and you want to say, "what m%&^%# f*&^% left this at my desk"..... You need to pray!

4. When you know you've done nothing at work all day but send emails, surf the net, and talk on the phone, but get mad when your boss needs you to do some actual work......You need to pray!

5. When you know everybody in the department's business, including whose baby's daddy is sleeping with who, whose wife/husband is cheating, who claims to be heterosexual but was seen at the gay bar, and whose child had to repeat kindergarten.....You need to pray!

6. When you walk all the way around the building to keep from speaking to someone in your office........... You need to pray!

7. When the person 5 cubicles down is talking so loud that you can't even hear your client on the phone & you want to say "Would you lower yo' country a** voice" .............You need to pray!

8. When you come to work with a hangover...........You need to pray!

9. When you say, damn, damn, damn, when you see certain people coming in your direction and you don't have a way to avoid them......You need to pray!

10. When your home office is set up with your
office's supplies.........You need to pray!

11. And last but not least, when you take a two-hour lunch because you've been shopping and return to work only to check your email, forward emails and return personal calls to those who missed you while you were gone for 2 hours,..YOU NEED JESUS!!!