HOW TO STAY YOUNG by George Carlin

I've always loved this list and am glad to see it circulate often....


1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them "

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9 Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10.Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.


AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

On Being Beautiful, Inside and Out

We, as women, must strive to act beautifully if we want to feel beautiful. And when we act beautifully, the world becomes beautiful.

:: By Aimee Valentine

We make choices on a daily basis. Some are "good" (i.e. moral, ethical, healthy, or beneficial), some are "bad" (i.e. immoral, unethical, bad for my health, or detrimental in every way), and some choices we don't even realize we are making at the time.

We act out of habit, and out of comfort. It's understandable. We are human creatures, most of us. This year I want to resemble something closer to a human being. Someone who exists to embrace the spirit of living, to breathe, to expand.

I realize that this cannot be a New Year's resolution. First of all, it's a little late for such a sentiment, and secondly, I don't want to doom this idea to failure.

So here's my plan: I am going to be beautiful every day.

Sounds silly, I know. But I'm not talking about covering up my dark circles and wearing a lovely shade of blush while taking out the trash (although this would certainly go a long way), I mean that I want to make choices and behave in such a way that I feel beautiful every day.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of feeling like a failure when it comes to being green. Yes, I recycle. Yes, I buy organic. Yes, I use ugly light bulbs. But I know it's not enough. It's not enough to be a green makeup artist, either. I can preach to you day and night about throwing out your chemical-laden, cancer-causing, planet-polluting makeup, and I can publicly endorse or eschew companies that claim to be green, but that's not going to make the world more beautiful.

We, as women, must strive to act beautifully if we want to feel beautiful. And when we act beautifully, the world becomes beautiful.

What does that mean, to "act beautifully"? For me, it means I don't want to cheat on myself anymore. I want to live with integrity — instead of this thing, this replacement for integrity which is so pervasive — this PC-ness of the green movement, this Modern Decency Law (the acknowledgement that the world is collapsing, and it is our duty to behave responsibly so as not to hasten our own demise), which many folks follow to the letter, ignoring the spirit altogether. I've encountered many "ugly" environmentalists. When there's a law, whether real or imagined, there are always loopholes, and it is our nature to obey social laws while exploiting the loopholes. We find ways to appear to do the right thing for all the wrong reasons.

What I want to do is ignore the law, and stop looking for loopholes! I want to act from a place which supercedes civilian code.

Instead of trying to do the "right" thing, I want to do the beautiful thing.

I believe beauty can save the world. But that's not my aim. I will champion beauty, for its own sake. I will strive to act as beauty would dictate. (Which will prove difficult — I have a mean temper, and a righteous indignation that creeps about looking for places to sink its teeth). I'm also profoundly lazy, a fact which I attempt to disguise by being "productive."

No more. My only mission now is to live beautifully. And busy bees are not beautiful. I will live with purpose. This probably means taking my time when I do things. I find that when I hurry (I'm a last minute kind of girl) I inevitably cut corners. Not beautiful.

You've been there: you're shopping for something or other, the store is jam packed with people, you're in a hurry. You don't see what you really want, so you settle for something else — because it will do. Aren't you tired of that? Aren't you sick of making do?

It's one thing to "make do with what you have"... a nice way to reduce consumption and live simply, or creatively; it's quite another thing to "make do" WHILE consuming! To "make do" because you ran out of time. To "make do" because you just want to get it done. To "make do" because you're ready to get married and he happens to be the guy you're dating. To "make do" because you don't know if you'll ever be able to make a living as an artist, and besides, middle management pays better.

Let us stop MAKING DO. Let us simply BE BEAUTIFUL.

We can do this by first examining our lifestyles, and becoming aware of times when we act in hollow ways. When we slight ourselves and each other — you've felt this before, a kind of pinging or aching in your gut. Maybe you've recently decided to eat at home more often (for your health, your budget, or to enhance your sensual experience), but you're ravenously hungry, you're tired, and there's a mediocre Chinese restaurant around the corner. (That was me, last night). So how do I feel today? More beautiful, for satisfying my insta-craving for sodium-heavy fried noodles? Nope. I actually feel a little dirty.

I love treating myself, but I gain more satisfaction from experiences chosen in the light of day (in a calm, detached manner), rather than fumbled for in the dark (when I'm more likely to make do, especially given a low blood sugar scenario).

And how about you? What are your weak spots? When do you find yourself settling for less-than-beautiful?

I intend to spend more time writing about this idea of Beauty (capital B). It is an intellectual and spiritual concept as old as civilization itself, and yet, somewhere along the way we became simple minded, distracted consumers. We are allowing ourselves to be "sold" beauty. But Beauty (capital B) isn't for sale. It is our task to manifest it.

I hope that we can share our ideas on this topic: I welcome your comments, experiences, and insights as we explore the path of Beauty of together. I will continue to post product reviews as well as cosmetic beauty tips, but I am now firm in my resolution to preach Beauty over beauty.

from GAIAM.com

Children Learn What They Live

If a child lives with criticism,


he learns to condemn.


If a child lives with hostility,


he learns to fight.


If a child lives with ridicule,


he learns to feel shy.


If a child lives with shame,


he learns to feel guilty.


If a child lives with tolerance,


he learns to be patient.


If a child lives with encouragement,


he learns confidence.


If a child lives with praise,


he learns to appreciate.


If a child lives with fairness,


he learns justice.


If a child lives with security,


he learns to have faith.


If a child lives with approval,


he learns to like himself.


If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,


he learns to find love in the world.

Appreciation in Action

Column By Mike Robbins
-----------------------
It's not what we know it's what we do that matters!


Many of us have brilliant ideas and/or learn amazing new concepts all the time. However, until we put these insights into action they have no impact on our lives. Appreciation
is often one of these "insights."


Most of us know how important it is to appreciate ourselves and others, and to live with an attitude of gratitude. However, knowing about the importance of appreciation and
acting in an appreciative way are two totally different things.


Here are a few simple and powerful actions you can take on a regular basis to increase your personal level of appreciation and that of those around you:


5 Simple Acts of Appreciation:


1) Write heartfelt thank you notes: In today's fast-paced world of email, cell phones, instant messages, and more, the power of a hand-written, thank you note is immeasurable.


Each week pick out at least one person in your life you would like to acknowledge. Sit down and write a heartfelt thank you note to that person and send it to them in the
mail -- yes, the "snail mail." See how they respond. They will love it and so will you.


One week, write the note to yourself and send it in the mail to your home. You will not believe how good it feels to get that card in the mail.


2) Use a "gratitude" journal: A gratitude journal is a place where you write down things that you are grateful for, what you are proud of, and all the positive stuff that is happening in your life.


This journal is a safe place for you to express your gratitude, about yourself and your life, on a regular basis.
Regardless of our circumstances, there are always things to be grateful for. And, the more attention we focus on being grateful, the more we have to be grateful for. It is amazing how this works.


3) Compliment people: Make a commitment to go out of your way to "catch people doing things right" and let them know about it. We always find what we look for and if we look for the greatness in others, we will find it.


Once we find that greatness, we then have a choice about whether or not to share it with them. It sometimes takes courage on our part, but when we acknowledge other people (in a genuine way), not only do we create a win-win situation; we actually encourage more of the behavior, attitudes, and/or attributes that we appreciate in them.


4) When people compliment you, say "thank you" and then shut your mouth: The irony about appreciation is that most of us are starving for it and many of us are horrible at accepting it.


The best example of this is how awkward and weird people often get when they are complimented. Even if you feel funny or uncomfortable when people compliment you, simply say "thank you" and then shut up.


Whatever you say after that (a self-deprecating joke, a quick complimentary response, etc.) is often a way of avoiding the appreciation and/or deflecting the compliment.


Just like a birthday present, say "thank you" and accept the gift (compliment) that is being giving to you. The better you become at receiving compliments, the more you will get.


5) Start and end meetings with appreciation: When you get together with other people for a business meeting, a family dinner, an informal gathering, a team session, or anything else, one of the best things you can do is to start and end the meeting with appreciation.


At the beginning, have people talk for a few minutes about what is working, what is going well, and what they are excited or happy about. This starts the meeting off on a positive note. At the end, take a few minutes for acknowledgments. Allow people to compliment each other, thank one another, point out strengths, and focus on what is being accomplished.


Starting and ending meetings with appreciation makes everyone feel better about themselves, the work that is being done, and about the group as a whole.


These are just a few simple examples of the many actions we can take to increase our personal level of appreciation and that of the people around us. Now the million-dollar question is, what will you actually do?

Lessons we learn from Geese

This story has been circulated, but it is a great one to embrace !

Next fall when you see geese heading south for the winter... flying along in V formation...you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way:

Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone. Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.

Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.

Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other's skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.

Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson: We need to make sure honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one's heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.

Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

-- Author Unknown

You're Awesome ! (find out why)

“Appreciate the women under your skin.”

The nurturing, caring, mother…the passionate, exciting vamp…the romantic dreamer…the playful child…the determined go-getter…the loyal friend – all these women and more are inside you.

Acknowledge and treasure each one!

Give each of your inner women time and opportunity to surface, for each has wonderful things to offer and makes you so lovable.

Make time for nurturing and passion and romance. Follow your goals and let nothing stop you. Find opportunities for friendship and fun. Respect all your inner womanly strengths and values.

Be proud of these things, for together they create one truly amazing woman. That woman is you!

©Jane Powell – Meditations for Women

Today’s Affirmation: I am proud of who I am.

How to Love Yourself

1. Stop all criticism: Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticize yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.

2. Don't scare yourself: Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. It's a dreadful way to live. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure (mine is yellow roses), and immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasure thought.

3. Be gentle and kind and patient: Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Be patient
with yourself as you learn the new ways of thinking. Treat yourself as you would someone you
really loved.

4. Be kind to your mind: Self-hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Don't hate yourself for having the thoughts. Gently change the thoughts.

5. Praise yourself: Criticism breaks the inner spirit. Praise builds it up. Praise yourself as much as you can. Tell yourself how well you are doing with every little thing.

6. Support yourself: Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends, and allow them to help you. It is being strong to ask for help when you need it.

7. Be loving to your negatives: Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need. Now you are finding new, positive ways to fulfill those needs. So. lovingly release the old negative patterns.

8. Take care of your body: Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercise. What kind of exercise can you enjoy? Cherish and revere the temple you live in.

9. Mirror work: Look into your own eyes often. Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself. Forgive yourself looking into the mirror. Talk to your parents looking into the mirror. Forgive them, too. At least once a day, say: "I love you, I really love you!"

10. LOVE YOURSELF - DO IT NOW! Don't wait until you get well or lose the weight, or get the new job, or find the new relationship. Begin NOW - do the best you can.



- from Louise Hay through Mind, Body & Spirit