Choice - More Or Less?

The hundreds of decisions we now have to make in our daily lives doesn't necessarily make for a richer life.

Some years ago, choice was either a fluke or a privilege. Choice only came to you on special occasions such as your birthday. Then you would get to choose things like which of two outfits you wanted to wear , which three friends you wanted to come to tea, and maybe if you were really lucky, the style of your birthday cake. Or if you won at the fairground you could choose which goldfish or cuddly toy you wanted, and would it be candyfloss or toffee apple?

But now our lives are ruled by choice. Even asking for a glass of water in a restaurant has turned into a major decision. Should it be still, fizzy, tap, Finnish, French, or Derbyshire? Surely it doesn't matter as long as your thirst is quenched!

Choice has infiltrated every aspect of our lives. Make a telephone call to any department store, supplier or doctor's surgery and before you even get to speak to a real human being you will have had to choose which button to press, probably a number of times!

The TV provides such a bewildering choice of channels is it any wonder so many people just use their favoured one or two?

Some Advice When Decision Time Comes.

When making a choice, think about what you really do want. We're conditioned to think we want many things, in fact many of them are totally unnecessary and living without them gives a less cluttered life.

Try to consciously make a choice. Don't just "go with the flow", or act out of habit. This can leave you feeling stuck in a rut.

Don't regret your choices. Once you've made a decision, focus on that - rather than thinking about other routes you could have taken.

Work from Home Internet Business Take A FREE Tour Visit http://www.mibforce.com . We offer Full Multi Media Training and we close sales for you

Caring For Loving People

Mark Twain's View on Christianity - Changing Christian Thinking

There is a popular saying from Mark Twain about Christianity. Mark Twain - "If Christ Were Here Now, There Is One Thing He Would Not Be, a Christian."

Giving this some thought and looking around at the people that view themselves as Christians got me to thinking. Do you think, if Mark Twain were alive today, he would have the same view towards Christians and Christianity as a whole? I wonder if Christ's vision of a better world or society is what's going on today. I read somewhere, where this over 33,000 different types of Christian religions, is this what Jesus had in mind over 2000 years ago.

I don't think Mark Twain was referring to Jesus as being a bad person and Christians not wanting to associate with him. I believe it's the other way around, Jesus was an exceptional person and believed in living a life as an example towards others with kindness, forgiveness and love.

Sometimes Christians get a little carried away when they start talking about loving their neighbors like they would themselves or asking for forgiveness while choosing not to forgive others. It's hard to imagine what Jesus would actually think of modern day Christians or even what he would think about Christianity over a hundred years ago.

I wonder what Jesus would have thought a thousand years ago about Christians. Mark Twain brings up a very good point, if Christ was here today, would he be happy. If you're living a life as a Christian and following in the footsteps of Jesus, you should be proud of yourself. If not, maybe you should start thinking about changing your ways.

If you are following the path of Christ, are you following a path that has been changed and manipulated to benefit organized religion and the advancement of Christianity, or are you following the true path of Jesus. Something to think about if you're planning on spending the rest of your life in the Christian religion.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing, marketing, and personal development. Check out one of his latest articles, What Is The Secret Of Life

Greg is currently working on a self help video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Brainwashing People

Stammering and Stuttering Treatments That Work

In the world of stuttering treatments there is unfortunately rather a lot of trash out there. You may believe that this is a rather hard hitting statement however if you are a person who has a stutter then I am confident that you will understand what I am saying. There are, however, treatments for stammering and stuttering that do work, I will be writing about these in this article.

So which stammering and stuttering therapies do work? Well the first piece of advice that I will give is that the treatments that are offered by people who have previously had and overcome this form of speech impediment are likely to prove to be the most beneficial.

There are stuttering therapy courses on the market which are run by people who formerly had a stammer or stutter. The second piece of advice is that the courses which are on a one-to-one basis are likely to be of more benefit than those that are on a group basis. Yes there is likely to be a longer waiting time before a person can attend a one-to-one course, this is essentially because they are more popular, for obvious reasons.

Over the last few years there has been an ever increasing demand and popularity for self-help stuttering therapy products. There are now some excellent alternatives within the market place including a DVD, an e-book and an audio book.

The third and final piece of advice, well at least for this article, that I will provide, is in relation to these self-help stammering/stuttering therapy products. Before you decide to purchase you should ensure that there is a support service which you can contact if you have any questions from watching, listening and reading the material. If there is not a support service in place then it could be well worth seeking an alternative form of stammering treatment.

Steve Hill is a speech coach from the UK; he runs The How To Stop Stammering Centre and has a number of websites including:
stuttering information
speech impediment cure

Jim Rohn Author Review

Collaboration Creates Harmony

Sometimes unwittingly you might engage in a power struggle, both at home or at work. These conflicts often stem from an unconscious desire to retain control of your circumstances or surroundings. However, your strong-willed and defensive approach to solving issues, may cause you to come up against a stronger resistance from perceived adversaries.

When you let go of your need to be in control and engage in a collaborative strategy that will help you work in tandem with others, rather than against, others you will notice that together you can create powerful solutions that allow you each to have your needs and desires fulfilled. You will feel your defensiveness disappear as you seek out a fair and balanced workable solution.

When you cease pushing against those with whom you are involved in struggles for dominance, the conflict dividing you from one another, eases, and you can begin working on an equitable solution to your differences. Hostility only engenders more hostility, blinding you to the cooperative and fair strategy you can use to diffuse aggression.

By avoiding to provide any more resistance, you create a situation in which cooperative energy can flow. Once the blockages that existed between you have been eradicated through the channel of your openness, you can begin communicating with your adversaries. As you gain a new understanding of one another, you are each empowered to devise a universally beneficial resolution. You will gain the power to dispel conflict when you recognize that letting go is the ultimate antidote to anger and conflict.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, Author, "101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life." Dr. Dorothy has the unique gift of connecting people with a broad range of profound principles that resonate in the deepest part of their being. She brings awareness to concepts not typically obvious to one's daily thoughts and feelings. http://www.drdorothy.net

Problem Solving Tips

Three Seperate Gods Video

Reflections on Goddess Religion

The renewed interest and critical discussion of the ancient goddess religion open a path to the Perennial Philosophy, a substratum of human culture and consisting of a cluster of ideas, insights, view points, and attitudes about life found in most, if not all, societies. Basic concepts of the goddess religion can also offer insights into Hermes' art, which is still relevant and beneficial today.

Pelasgians are a people and their language who populated the southern Balkan Peninsula, Aegean Islands, and coast of Asia Minor before Greek invasions of the second millennium B.C. They were the last of the Neolithic goddess cultures. The name is even mentioned in some alchemical texts. Fulcanelli, the Master Alchemist of the twentieth century, specifically states that the hermetic cabala, Hermes' language, maintains the essence of the Pelasgians' mother language. Hermes' language birthed from the Neolithic cultures, if not earlier.

The goddess has many images linked to her: cave, moon, stone, serpent, bird, fish, and tree; spiral, meander, and labyrinth; wild animals such as lion, bull, bison, stag, goat, and horse; rituals of fertility; and journey of the soul to another dimension. Each historical goddess has many of these characteristics and often several different ones.

Isis, the greatest goddess of Egypt, was worshipped for over 3000 years. Her attributes are the tree of life, cow, serpent, pig, bird, underworld, Sirius, words of power, and great mother goddess of the universe.

According to the twentieth century scholar Marija Gimbutas, the serpent crown refers back to the Neolithic snake goddess, who wore such a crown. These snake crowns symbolize wisdom and wealth. Struggling with a huge white snake will gain the seeker a crown. Wearing the crown, the initiate knows all, is able to find hidden treasures, and can communicate with animals. Hermes knows that the serpent goddess is the living water, the philosophical mercury, and the white queen. Gimbutas' book, The Living Goddesses, is filled with many insights and presents an excellent comprehension of Neolithic culture and the goddess tradition.

The ancient rock art in Australia that depicts hermaphroditic figures is similar to some goddess images in European Neolithic art. Humans have lived in Australia for more than 40,000 years, arriving there during the Paleolithic. The hermaphrodite (the word is a blending of Hermes and Aphrodite) is an important alchemical concept.

The discussion about the stone symbol in Anne Baring and Jules Cashford's The Myth of the Goddess is profound. A stone lasts a long time and can symbolize eternity or timelessness. During the Neolithic, or earlier, it represented the foundation or essence of life, such as the soul or spirit that endured after the death of the body. The stone is, of course, a dominant symbol in alchemy: its goal is to obtain the philosopher's stone.

Two major themes of religious ceremony, starting in the Neolithic if not earlier, are the sacred marriage and birth of the child. A union with a divine spirit is inherent in all mystical ceremonies and practices. Initiation into the great spiritual mysteries has been a human activity for thousands of years, perhaps since the beginning of time. The female signifies the continuous pattern of birth-death-rebirth, which is the principle of regeneration. The male signifies the life of the individual, the short span of temporal life beginning with birth and ending with death. The neophyte enters the hidden subterranean recesses and dies a first death and only then does rebirth occur. Now the worldly and spiritual realms remain open to each other. The goddess was the portal into the hidden dimension through which the dead passed on their way to rebirth.

The dying god, a religious theme originating in antiquity, symbolizes physical life that is constantly changing, and the goddess illumines the principle of life that endures by eternally renewing itself. The goddess represents continuity while the god, sharing in the impermanent essence of the seed, dies annually.

More insight is revealed in The Myth of the Goddess. In goddess culture the manifest is the physical emanation of the unmanifest. So time is cyclical, a movement of manifesting to non-manifesting to manifesting and so forth. This is the lunar cycle. Because patriarchal culture sees time in a linear fashion of conflict with and conquest of opposition or the other, war and warriors are the central theme of history. Conquest in battle is the primary means of overcoming separation, but it never completely solves the problem because some opposition continues and remains hidden until it grows strong enough to challenge the victor. Thus, life is viewed as a perpetual struggle, battling foes and winning victories or being defeated, an onerous happening.

The goddess trinity comprises a young woman, a mother giving birth, and an old woman. The trinity is an ancient concept, probably in use before the Neolithic.

The trinity or three goddesses are the three visible phases of the moon. The hidden fourth-the dark or new moon-is the goddess of the night or of the unmanifest. The child born to the mother is signified by the sun born from the moon. At new moon the night sky is dark. Afterwards, the sun is gradually resurrected until full moon when its full light illumines the night sky. Then daily the sun dies away until its light is gone.

The goddess as mother of life sends her children forth into the world and as mother of death gathers her children unto her as they return from the world. The natural cycles signify this process of life and death.

The visible part, the son or daughter, comes from and returns to the invisible: the whole is the mother goddess. This idea is found in the Bronze Age. Based on the observation of natural phenomena, the idea no doubt is primeval in origin.

The ancient Middle Eastern cultures of Sumer, Babylon, and Egypt demonstrate the change from goddess religion to god religion. Inanna, a Sumerian goddess who later becomes Babylonian Ishtar, is the Great Mother Goddess, who holds the caduceus and double-headed ax as symbols of her power. The lunar cycle represents her power of life and death. The queen of heaven and earth, she has these attributes: the tree of life (palm tree), dove, owl, lion, dragon, serpent, scorpion, planet Venus, and Sirius. In Sumerian times Sirius was known as the Bow Star and rose in conjunction with the sun at sunrise during the month of July. Dumuzi or Tammuz is the son-lover, consort of Inanna-Ishtar. The caduceus and double-headed ax become his symbols; he is also imaged as a fish-god and a shepherd and sometimes wears a skirt with a net pattern. The son-lover possesses some of his mother's features.

The great cosmic cycle of life and death can be described in this way: the soul comes from or is born from the goddess, and its life cycle resembles the lunar cycle; at death the soul returns to the goddess. This cycle is very conducive and supportive of reincarnation.

So much evidence leads to the conclusion that the Paleolithic moral order as encompassed in the goddess religion did not die but lives now albeit underground renewing itself. It will assert itself when the times beckon. An important cosmic principle is that the seed must die for it to live.

2009 All Rights Reserved

Having been a Humanities and English college teacher for thirty-six years, I now manage Ye Olde Consciousness Shoppe which presents ideas about transforming consciousness and reaching a higher level of reality. The website has information about my three books: Hermes Beckons, a tale of alchemy and magic; Foundation for a New Consciousness; and Reality Inspector, a novel of chess and computer-hacking.

Difficulties Talking About Religion

Observer and the Observed

So quantum physics tells us that the observer causes the observed, or at the very least that the observer interferes with that which is being observed by the very process of observing it. Ive heard some people crying "heresy!" They do not like the idea that once the observer is not observing the observed, then the observed is not.

In my mind that misses a large, obvious point which makes the concept ludicrous. We are all one, god if you will, or at the very least energy, unseparated my anything other than atomic configuration which on a larger scale appears to create separation of bodies of mass. Since we know better, then theres a couple other points we cannot overlook.

Firstly, because we are all one energy field, for lack of a better term, there is no disappearance of anything when it is not being observed. Our human notion of not existing encapsulates anything not within the small frequency band our six physical senses can pick up. Perhaps the observer causes the observed to become a manifest, physical experience (to the observer), but the lack of observer in no way takes away the existence of that experience/being/energy.

Secondly, because all energy is the same, and we as apparently individual human beings are conscious, then its very difficult to imagine that any spec of the energy field of all-that-is could not be conscious. The type of consciousness may vary greatly, in an infinite number of ways, but is still basic consciousness nonetheless. For us to be conscious implies that everything is, that energy itself is consciousness. That ours is focused into a small amount of matter at the moment (exclusively, as far as what we deem our conscious mind is concerned) does not mean that every other piece of this energy shares that form of focalised consciousness.

If our rule of free will stands up, as it must, in that the law of attraction clearly states that we create our reality by what we think about, thereby allowing that to become part of our reality, then all forms of consciousness must inherit this same trait, although perhaps experentially very different. Therefore the observer cannot observe the observed unless the observed is also an observer that is observing the original observer.

With this understood, all observers are in fact by nature observed, as that which they are observing is also by nature observer. The process of observation therefore does not contain observed and observer, but both of those in both participants, or what I will now call observed(er).

I dont mean to shake rocky ground, but this places all new challenges on the understanding of the role of observer in the observed.

And having raised an issue without providing satisfactory resolution, I leave you now.

jonpeeoh (http://www.jonpeeoh.com) is a new web community devoted to raising consciousness, magick, and teaching others to take control of their powers as creators of their own reality.

Religious Freedom

Education Connection

The importance of a well rounded education is extremely important in todays ever changing world. Although you may know exactly what field or business you want to get into, be sure to fully evaluate your situation and scenario. In order to do this I feel it is crucial test the waters, to get your hands dirty with something a bit unfamiliar.

I went to a a liberal arts school in Staten Island, NY and why, might you ask. I went because I had no idea what I wanted to study and furthermore, what I wanted to do, but I did know one thing, if I was going to find out I was going to find out in the most diverse city in the world, NYC. Here is where I got my well rounded education. I took my sciences, histories, mathematics, religions, and economics courses during my time in the class and learned very much from them. However I feel much of my formal education came from the time that I spent out of the classroom. The time learning and understanding how people work, how the city operated, the speed at which it operated, how trucks came in day in and day out to stock the city, all this baffled me and I was curious to learn about it.

Im not downplaying my classroom time, but rather enlightening on the fact that if I had been a complete classroom student, I would not have been able to apply my classroom teachings to the daily trifles of the real world. Education comes in many forms, shapes, and sizes. One must look beyond the classroom for this while at the same time, remembering and keeping fresh what was taught in the classroom. Once this connection is made then, well my friend, you are an educated individual!

liberal arts

What Happened To The Wise Men

Light Workers video

This video tells of the estoic wisdom between the three types of light workers and how they are going to bring the earth into a new earth full of love and light.

Life of Jesus

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a spiritual help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Stop Losing Your Car Keys
Richard Bartlett

Finding the Lost Sheep

The Bible is full of stories and the stories can teach children as well as adults how to live a pretty decent life. Extracting the meaning from most of the parables isn't that difficult. We cannot say for a fact that our interpretations of these parables are true, I say to you truly, what do you think Jesus really meant.

We have heard stories like these for years, biblical scholars, pastors and other Christian leaders, even my Sunday school teacher could explain most of the parables as they were taught. These teachers of course were taught by their teachers and who knows how long the meaning of these stories have remained the same. Meaning to the parables could have easily changed over the centuries.

Here's one of the parables about the lost sheep, read it and then, spend some time evaluating it, to see if you really know what it means, or at least take your best guess.

If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

If we lost one of our children or were driving through the forest one day and noticed a man upsets and panicking as he's running around furiously looking for something. Most of us would would be curious or nosy, it's our human nature I guess, thanks a lot God, we would probably try to find out what was going on and offer our assistance.

The parable clearly shows an example of someone searching for something that he dearly cares about. This makes a lot of sense but can have different meanings, especially if it's read during different stages in our lives. Whether God created man or we evolved somehow on earth, one thing is for sure, most of us seem to care about our loved ones and will travel to the ends of the earth if they were to lost.

Sometimes lost sheep are standing right in front of us, we reach out to help them and they do not respond. Maybe you're one of the lies sheep, spending most of your time helping other sheep, but really you're the one who needs the help. Education can set you free from religious bondage.

Great Christian Articles

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development. Check out one of his recommended books, You Can Have It All

What Ever Happened to Apple?

I truly enjoyed every moment of this tale. Whatever Happened to Apple? is a lively journey of one apple from its conception to what happens - or should happen - to its remains. Apple is a happy little creation, growing in a beautiful orchard filled with ripening fruits. Soon he is picked and placed on display where he is eventually purchased. The family brings him home and sets him on the counter for days... and days. Finally his fate arrives and his spirit soars, for his destiny to nourish someone was fulfilled. However, he becomes very, very sad when the child throws him into the trash bin rather than the compost pile!

The illustrations were created by the author, Margaret Cecconet, and I was touched by how simple yet lovely and educational they were. Every page is filled with illustrations that look to be done in pencil crayon and crayons were truly artistic. I thought it was a perfect touch to provide educational information at the end about composting process and a landfill's composition. The book closes with Author's Notes, information about the author, simple steps to backyard composting that the reader can easily employ and a short list of American and Canadian resources and links for those who would like to learn more about the concept of organic waste management.

I encourage parents to pick up this book for their young ones - it's never too early to teach conscious living ideals. What Ever Happened to Apple? was published and printed in the US on 100% recycled paper. I applaud the publishing practices the author has chosen for her exceptional children's book. Without hesitation, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Title: What Ever Happened To Apple?
Author: Margaret Cecconet
ISBN: 9780978331603
Website: cecconetpublishing.com

~ Lillian Brummet: co-author of the books Trash Talk and Purple Snowflake Marketing, author of Towards Understanding; host of the Conscious Discussions radio show (http://www.brummet.ca)

Followers Or Leaders

How to Possibly Achieve the Spiritual Aspect of Yoga

Yoga is not something we can just do without a result of some sort. Delving into the spiritual aspects of the practice is a bit more complicated though than perhaps some may think, or the spiritual aspects are not thought of at all in some respects, at least on a conscious level. Consciousness is the key word here, though not on the cyber thought process of key words, as obviously to most people there is definitely no consciousness in cyberspace. We could argue that point, though not at this juncture.

Spiritual behavior by some definitions is only on the religious spectrum of thought, as in the divine, or theological teachings of what love means, or not. Strictly one interpretation of a definition, of which there are many for certain. Behavior is perhaps a bit of a misnomer though as spirituality, true spirituality is void of behavior in the sense of morality, as in if one is truly spiritual then morality would not even be in the vocabulary at least in behavior. In other words one is above the behavior consciously, though not egotistically, in a moral sense due to the absolute virtue of being spiritual.

Human behavior is akin to animal behavior in the sense that animals do not think on a spiritual level, which obviously is the difference between the two, although we are both mammals. Most humans do not consciously think on a spiritual level, which is one of the reasons for the practice of Yoga, though not the only reason. So spirituality is, are can be said to be a thought process which involves no animalistic behavior, of course much easier said than done.

Celibacy is what will allow the attainment of the true spiritual aspect of and through the practice of Yoga, though it could be said the practice of Yoga will allow one to become celibate through the effects of, as in Yoga being the cause and celibacy being the effect. Seems obvious yet this is not the case with the predominate majority of people who practice Yoga, which of course begs the question of what are they practicing? Western civilization is the practice, as in the absence of any type of spiritual thought process which actually amounts to anything other than words, that being lip service to Yoga.

Now everyone is not meant to be celibate or wants to be, which is the only reason for our species reoccurring in the form of bodies, male or female.Of course this does not happen spontaneously, which is why we are male and female able to fall in love and unite in love which allows the spirit of those in transition from only consciousness to another body, as when the spirit enters the womb by choice due to the male and female united in love.

Yes, choice in that the spirit chooses the womb carefully, at least if we have practiced what is taught from"TheTibetan Book of the Dead".Our spirit seesthe couple making love and if we make a careful choice then the womb we enter will sustain us in a new body, perhaps even though we did not make such a good choice. Meaning maybe the couple were nottruly making love, or in love, and just having a good time, which we call pleasure at times without thinking of the consequence. So our behavior is based on what kind of moralitywehave, versus spirituality based on absolute love. Celibacy can be had in a mutual loving relationship between the male andfemale, though of course without the absence of intercourse, yet with the presence of love. In a sense the couple is celibate in love, in some cases.

Point is Yogawill allow this type of loving relationship in the spiritual sense, though with much discipline and will through the total consciousness of those involved. Teachers are meantto be the conduit for the student to actually adhere to and understand the discipline it takes to attain a lack ofbody sense,in other words the physical form of the body needs to be forgotten in order to practice and gain the spiritual sense, which will come with the proper guidance.

True Yogis, or teachers, call them masters or what you will, are meant tobe celibate, or spiritual beings as a result of their practice as well as a reason they teach. Being celibate allowsthe teachings to bedonewithout the idiocyofwhat is meant by touch, as in guiding the student into a position, asana is the term for the Yogic position one is guided into if necessary as per the teacher.

If you practice Yoga, part of the practice is learning to accept the fact that someone may need to touch you and if (which is the question) the teacher is a spiritual being, then the touch will not even bring up any sense of discomfort or negative connotation of any kind, period. It must be remembered that truecelibacy will allow spirituality to endure through all levels of consciousness, as in there is no consciousness to get in the way. Love is the only factor in the truly spiritual which in no way shape or form resembles anything to do with animal behavior. If your consciousness is telling you something is amiss it is because the teacher has a conscious thought process which has nothing to do with spirituality, or it could be both student and teacher, which definitely is not the practice of Yoga in the spiritual sense.

Exceptions to this as rare as true Yogis, especially here in the West, which of course is why it is difficult to have a true spiritual experience in the practice of Yoga, though with a growing consensus of people involved, perhaps how to solutions will become more common place, which is part of the practice, in Yoga and in life. Perfection is perhaps sought, though very seldom attained, yet it is better sought than not. Balance and harmony with love will be the most beneficial to all, as long as humility is involved.

George Merritt is a Certified General Contractor, Welder, Writer, Machinist always learning something new, and never gives up hope on the love of life and the human condition in the quest for truth, love, peace, and joy among other things. http://www.georgetmerritt.com

30 Days To Creating Super Habits

Attitude - Is it Really the Difference Maker?

What is attitude? We hear this term from all motivational speakers. We have heard from our mothers, fathers and teachers when they have said, "Your attitude stinks," or "Young man, you'd better change your attitude." Let's see what Webster's says about attitude: " A manner or posture of carrying one self. A state of mind or feeling." It is interesting that this attitude is both a state of mind as well as a reflection of how we carry ourselves on the outside. In other words, attitude is an inward feeling expressed by outward behavior.

Some say attitude is everything. That one can have everything he or she desires by changing attitude. But is that an overstatement. John C. Maxwell in his new book "The Difference Maker," says, "The right attitude cannot make you something you are not, but it can enhance everything you have and all that you are."

I have been training, motivating and empowering sales teams for more than 25 years and I must say I agree with John Maxwell. One must have skills and competence in certain areas one is attaining to. A good example is you can have the best attitude in the world, and visualize and write powerful positive affirmations to be a brain surgeon. But if the good Lord did not give you the gift of exceptional intelligence and you failed all your natural science courses in college, I doubt having a great attitude will get you to your goal.

I will admit as a VP of Sales hiring sales folks they must have the skills, experience and competency to do the job. But the very next thing I look for is attitude. I want team players, problem solvers and folks that care about building and encouraging those around them.

So how big is attitude? Is it the little difference that makes all the difference in the world?

W. Clement Stone puts it this way, "There is little difference in people, but the little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative."

The following are some Barriers for us to break through when it comes to attitude:

1. Discouragement: You must win over discouragement by speaking positive to yourself and others. Put positive people around you. Have the right expectations.

2. Change: Embrace it and confront it head on. Change will always be in front of you it is a part of life. Re-frame it and look for positive improvements.

3. Problems: Be a problem solver. Start off with evaluating, analyzing, assessing alternatives, and bring forth positive recommendations.

4. Conquer Fear: Fear is the other side of faith. You must confront it and go through it to get your miracle.

5. Accept Failure: I had a boss who used to say, "I worry about you if you and your team are not failing, it tells me your are not trying new innovated things so you must be playing it safe and predictable." How are we going to grow and take on new challenges if you are afraid to fail? Step out and don't take it all so seriously.

Does attitude make ALL the difference in the world? Maybe not ALL but it is sure close. You see without it you will not be able to grow and stretch beyond your current God-given talents. You ask how? Well you see, none of us will get ahead in life unless a lot of people want us to. A positive attitude is your most valuable asset every day. It helps in little issues and provides for a positive framework in which to approach life.

As the famous Yogi Berra said, "Life is like baseball; it's 95 percent mental, and the other half is physical." A positive attitude is a difference maker so pass it on and have a blessed life.

Len Strickler is best described as a motivational coach, teacher and speaker who is unquestionably passionate about building, training, and leading remarkably successful sales teams that deliver fast-to-market results. As a sales executive, he has spent more than 25 years helping high-tech, global companies capture revenue to support product innovation activities, seize a competitive advantage, and generate profit fast. He thrives on the challenges and adventures of working in a global environment. He integrates a powerful mix of visionary leadership, collaborative team approaches, innovative thinking, and sales team mentoring and training to deliver enviable sales results for companies interested in shattering sales performance records.

Are you ready to take your company to the next level? Let Len help your company or team "Break Through The Barriers!" Book him today to speak at your next event!

30 Days To Creating Super Habits

Staying in Love With Gratitude

A child would not be in a state of "innocence" without love and security in their heart. Most children depend on their parents for their basic needs. I doubt very much that a two-year-old child would sit there and think, "Did my father or mother make enough money today?"

You see we have forgotten to live in faith. A child does not sit there and contemplate what the market is doing. As adults we tend to give more importance to the money we earn, the credit we can get and the status that we can achieve.

When a mother raises her newborn, the newborn is always held close and comforted. The smiles and laughter of a small child gives the world hope. That smile is love without condition.

On the path of discovery, a child finds every new thing as an incredible discovery. They want to learn more and when encouraged, they often do. We protect our children from the things that are harmful. We are concern about their well-being.

As adult we have a tendency to forget that as one time we were children we were nurtured and protected from anything that will do us harm. This does allow one to stay in love and peace. We had faith then but not exactly the same as we do now.

As children, we defined our circumstances as we learn what is right and what is wrong. Still in all this, we were given protection although we may have not felt the love we once had. When we made friends, we did not give that friend a suspicious look, we accepted them for who they were and allowed them to participate in our lives.

What was not taught to us was that no matter what happens forgive, be grateful and to have faith. Unless we have people around us to model this behavior, we fall into the perception of more bad than good.

To borrow from Lord of the Rings, there is a scene where Sam tells Froto, to paraphrase "It is like the stories of those who just kept going and though they could have turned back at any time they just kept pushing forward." Froto queries as to why and Sam responds, "That there is still good in this world and it is worth fighting for."

Our daily lives are as such that we have many thoughts that do not serve us. We must remain in unconditional love and be grateful for what we have. We should never let the pass dictate what we do in the future. Be grateful that we have music that we can listen to at anytime. We can pick up a phone and call a friend. Though we may not agree with everyone, we can stay in the state of unconditional love for everyone.

Starting with ourselves, we must have optimism, but it should be a loving one. We are spiritual creatures and so we must remain in faith. It is in the spirit of love that determines the thoughts we have.

It rained for a few days a couple of weeks ago; my thoughts were that I wanted to see a rainbow. Over the next few days of rain, I had seen two, one small and one big. I was grateful to see them it gave me comfort. The other day I was hoping that I would see snow, since it has not snowed in my neck of the woods for years. Sure enough, it started snowing. It laid a white blanket on the earth; I smiled with the love and comfort that I felt watching the flakes fall on the land.

I was grateful because with my own eyes, I can see this incredible landscape, with mountains veiled in snow. This contrast of light and dark signaled that Christmas has arrived. This season that comes only once a year, which rings of glory and thanks to the world.

This is the season were we all want to share with friends and family. To congregate, with other worshipers, to love, praise and sending out good tidings and good cheer. Everything will be all right, no matter what the New Year brings, we shall overcome.

Our love as children, innocent and unconditional should be resonant in our very being. Let us look forward to the excitement of a New Year. Reflect what was, review the events and renew our faith, be grateful for what we have, and love unconditionally all things around us.

Give thanks for all that has prospered you and give credit to the One that has created you. We do not always see what our future may be. If we have faith and believe in the things we want which will come, then they will arrive.

Inspiration, creativity, new ideas, changes in attitude, come through our being and only if we allow it. Having an attitude of gratitude is where we start. Unconditional love will keep it in place. Celebrate who you are and those who surround you. Celebrate everything new and old for we all pass through this life; why not pass through with joy. Let us not dragged the burdens of the past with us to the future, for they are heavy and weigh down our endless possibilities.

The miracle of living is life and the blessing that is among us is the light within. With gratitude and faith, we can release our inner light to show us the way to our future. It is with love, faith and gratitude that we use as a compass for our decisions, in everything we touch.

Take some time today or tomorrow to sit down and celebrate the miracle that you truly are. There is nothing that has been taken away, that could not be restored. The only requirement is to believe. Believe in yourself and give thanks that you came into this world with an inner light, be who you are and let the light shine through.

Praise your Creator, be loving and grateful and know that blessings will shower you through grace in the most miraculous ways.

John Tebar Certified Life Coach, Author, Entrepreneur sign up for weekly Ezine at http://holisticlifeplanningandresearch.com

Luck Is What Happens When

The Importance of Women's Spirituality

A friend recently asked me why I felt it was so important to focus specifically on spirituality for women. Isn't the point of spirituality, she asked, to move to an understanding that transcends distinctions like gender? Does it really serve the process, she wondered, to imply there is a separate spirituality for men and for women?

As part of my response, I referred her to a recently published book called Taking Back God: American Women Rising Up for Religious Equality. The author, Leora Tanenbaum, explores the role of women within Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The author interweaves religious history with interviews of contemporary women who care deeply about their religions, and derive great knowledge and sustenance from them, but are unhappy with the restricted roles of women within them. Many of these interviews are very moving, because these women have really struggled with this issue.

One of the biggest problems for these women is the restrictions placed on their access to teachings and official roles. Many of their religions restrict women's rights or abilities to read certain scriptures, or to teach or preach. Since scriptures are often considered the word of God, or a conduit to enlightenment (in the East), this sends the message that women are 'further' from God or enlightenment, and that they don't have the right to communicate directly, or to learn, teach, or preach on their own. They have to get everything secondhand. Contemporary American women don't accept this in the office, and are increasingly uncomfortable with it in their houses of worship.

While Taking Back God focuses on the official role of women in Christianity, Judaism and Islam, things aren't altogether different in the New Age or self-help communities, or in many Buddhist or Yoga centers. Although there are more women spiritual teachers, authors, and religious leaders in America than elsewhere in the world, they are still vastly outnumbered by men (just check out the Amazon bestsellers list). This despite the fact that according to book marketing surveys, women outnumber men as the purchasers of spiritual and religious books by as much as 4 to 1. In other words, women would appear to be more interested in spirituality in general, but the majority of books, teachers, organizations and resources out there are male-dominated. What is the message sent by this?

So, my answer to my friend, the reason focusing on women's spirituality is important to me, even though I am wary of over-identifying with gender issues, is that I think it really matters how many women religious leaders and spiritual teachers there are out there. And I think full access to scriptures, and leadership roles, and teaching positions - within every tradition - is imperative. Women's access to spirituality, their relationship with God/Tao/Nirvana/Brahma (or whatever you believe in), can't be secondhand. In a way, changing this is the most essential form of change that can occur, because our spiritual and religious beliefs define our organizational view of the world. If we see women as 'lower down' the totem pole, even subconsciously, we are denying ourselves our full power.

Lisa Erickson is a mom, meditation teacher, and writer. Visit her blog http://www.MommyMystic.wordpress.com for spiritual book reviews and information on meditation and spirituality.

The History of Rock Music - Book Review

During the fifties and later, vital, energetic, and rebellious youth produced their own music in contrast to traditional music, becoming a target for censors and conservatism. When I saw this book with an Elvis-like drawing on its cover, I had to pick it up, because it reminded me of the times when most of us in my generation were, musically speaking, in love with Elvis and his successors.

The type of music called rock music sprung up from peacetime America but was adopted by the youth through the entire world. Although it started as an act of a rebellion, rock music became the governing music form for the next few decades, eventually turning into a customary music genre and leaving its throne of rebellion to other types of music. Rock music involves a vocal melody accompanied by musical instruments such as guitars, drums, and keyboard instruments.

When rhythm and blues met country music, rock music was born. The book, The History of Rock Music, gives this type of historical information alongside with the biographies of and information about famous rock stars who determined and shaped the course of rock music from early on. In addition to the musicians, Dick Clark with his television show American Bandstand promoted the rock music and coerced its respectability by the general population.

Among the earlier artists mentioned are Little Richard, Elvis, Buddy Holly, Woodie Guthrie, and Bob Dylan, and from the sixties on come the Beatles, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Motown, Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead, The Beach Boys, The Doors, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix. Later, when hard rock surfaced, its representatives became Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, and Black Sabbath. From seventies on, singer-songwriters came into the music scene like Jackson Browne, James Taylor, and Joni Mitchell.

The book not only gives information about music groups and presents several features from actual history, but it also provides details on the instruments and the evolution of rock music trends to the end of the nineties, from before Elviss time to Curt Cobains grunge.

The History of Rock Music is a volume from the Masters of Music Series, in hardcover and 64 pages, with ISBN-10: 0764151371 and ISBN-13: 9780764151378.

The author, Andrea Bergamini, has written other books on music like Beethoven and the Classical Age, Music of the World, and Le rock. Also, a great deal of appreciation goes to the books illustrator, Ivan Stalio, who has illustrated numerous volumes such as: The Atlas of World Religions, Adapting to the Environment, The Animal Atlas, The History of Technology, Life Cycles, Mammals, and Plants.

With its large pages filled with bright photos, graphics, and illustrations, this young adult book is a delightful book to read and enjoy for people of all ages.

Joy Cagil is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.

The Jewish Menorah - A History

The menorah is a seven branched candelabra which has come to represent the Jewish People and Israel. Its origins directly derive from the Torah and its symbolism has proven to be long lasting.

Early coins and pottery containing images of the menorah and dating back to biblical times have been recovered from archaeological sites.

The first menorah was originally made for the tabernacle and later placed in the first and second temples. The Torah records how the great artist, Bezalel, fashioned the menorah in accordance to detailed Divine instructions. These instructions are recorded in Exodus 25:31-40, see excerpt below:

"31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it. 32 And there shall be six branches going out of the sides thereof: three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candle-stick out of the other side thereof..."

Listed below are some of the facets of the menorah:

- (as stated above) it was hewn out of a single block of pure gold

- it weighed approximately 150 pounds and just under 5 ft in height

- it had seven branches; a middle branch and three branches extending from each side

- according to Maimonides and Rashi, the side-branches extended from the middle branch in a diagonal line, not in a semi-circular arc as most drawings depict

- extra pure olive oil was used in the cups - gently pressed, not crushed and just the first emerging drops were considered pure enough

- it was positioned beside the southern wall of the temple, opposite the 'shulchan', the table which held the twelve show-breads.

The daily maintenance and lighting of the menorah was a task allocated to the Kohanim (priests). Interestingly, although only the Kohanim were permitted to prepare the menorah, there were no restrictions as to who could light it.

It is written that one branch of the menorah miraculously stayed alight continuously. Synagogues today have a 'ner tamid' (everlasting light) situated opposite the ark, which contains the Torah scrolls. This reminds us of the significance of the menorah during temple times. In addition many synagogues also display a menorah, or an artistic impression of one, in painted decorations or on stained glass windows.

After the fall of the Second Temple, Jewish historian Flavius Josephus recorded that the menorah was taken to Rome and carried along during the triumphant homecoming parade. A depiction of this event is preserved on the Arch of Titus that still stands today in Rome.

During the Jewish festival of Chanukah a menorah is lit on each of the eight nights. This menorah differs from the temple's menorah in that it has nine branches instead of seven.

The location of the original menorah is unknown today but the symbolism lives on; the national emblem of the State of Israel is a menorah, flanked by two olive branches.

The author of this article researched the origins of the menorah during the development of a range of Judaic themed homeware. http://www.judaicamosaica.com

Supercharge Your Positive Thinking

Many people have come to realize that what we are focused upon often manifests itself in our lives. Thus, if we are apprehensive about or fearful of events in the future, we will often attract that very thing into our lives. Fortunately, it works the other direction as well. If we are strongly focused on what we want, and imagine it happening in our minds, frequently we will receive it, or a form of it, into our lives. Here are four powerful ways to optimize your ability to focus on what you want:

1. Take care of your physical body. The mind and body are intricately connected, and care of one will benefit the other. Make sure you are eating healthy foods, taking appropriate multivitamins and calcium, and exercising regularly. These measures will elevate your mood and clear your mind, allowing you to think about the things you desire.

2. Rid your mind of negative thinking. If you are harboring anger toward someone or something, allow yourself the full negative emotion and note how it affects your mood and physical body. Make a conscious decision to release this negative feeling inside yourself for your own benefit. Remind yourself that you are here and now, exactly where you are meant to be. Assure yourself that whatever decisions you made regarding the situation, they were the best decisions for you at the time.

3. Allow that the other person or event has its limitations, and if it is a person, that this individual did what he or she could with what they have to work with. Visualize releasing this person or event into the universe, back to the God who had purpose for it. Begin to seek out the benefits of the experience and look ahead toward what you may constructively do with your experience.

4. Begin daydreaming about the things you want. Is it a material item like a car? A romantic partner? A new job? Allow yourself to think big and experience in your sensory capacity what it will feel like, look like, smell like, and taste like to have that thing. Anytime a doubt or negative thought that you "can't have that" comes into your mind, imagine a big red "X" through the thought or image, and verbally say "Cancel". Repeat as often as necessary to plant the positive mindset.

Are you interested in addressing your life challenges from a holistic standpoint, assessing the physical, emotional, and relationship components?

For a free copy of my ebook, "Natural Methods To Fight Depression", click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-naturalmethodstofightdepression.html

Shannon Cook is a personal growth and relationship expert who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and holistic personal growth, including physical, emotional and relationship health.

Living With Limited Beliefs

Get off your butt and start your life in motion today.

Question Your Religion

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a motivation help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Developing Wealth Building Habit

Success Through Inspiration - Reading One Book

Could one book, read by one person change the world. One book written by Henry David Thoreau called "Walden", changed the lives of people in India and the United States of America. These people were treated like second-class citizens and soon were inspired to change because of one person gave them hope that they could.

This man died when he was 46 years old and I wouldn't consider him a world of success at that time but he did live his life, the way he wanted to live it, for the most part. He has inspired great people like Gandhi and Martin Luther King. He had no idea, at the time he was writing the book, the impact "Walden" would have on the world.

He wrote his book on daily experiences that he had living in a cabin for just a little over two years. Two years of his life and he created this wonderful masterpiece. It's amazing how the few hours a day, for a couple of years could create something that would inspire others to become great leaders and provide the world with inspiration.

People for years have been inspiring others to change their lives. If I had to make a list of all the people who had inspired me, it would be pretty long. There are a few books, movies, documentaries and individuals who have inspired me more than others. I'm sure you have lists of people that you look up to also. Changing the world to make it a better place will take individuals who are inspired by others, educated by others and helped by others to become who they are today.

Henry David Thoreau has inspired other people, and was also inspired by others. Never underestimate the success that you can be created through inspiration. Continue to receive your inspiration from great people and provide inspiration for those who need it greatly.

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development. Check out one of his recommended books, You Can Have It All

Greg is currently working on a self help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Lou Holtz

Religious Fundamentalism Can Create Problems

Religious groups can easily justify their actions by using religious text to benefit and promote their beliefs. The Muslims can sling quotes out of the Quran to justify their treatment towards women as second-class or even third class citizens in society, often removing certain rights from them because they weren't born men.

Shouldn't these women be treated equally. This is where religious fundamentalism evolves into religious fanaticism.

Christians can often use the same tactics to justify their beliefs and Christianity. This list goes on and on and has created hardships in the past on some people in our civilizations and will continue to do so in the future. As long as people continue to turn a blind eye to evil religious and government leaders, atrocities will take place and some of them will even be supported by those who eventually will become accused are victims of their own wrongdoings.

Does anyone remember the Ku Klux Klan? If you live in the south eastern part of the United States, there is a very good chance that you have heard of them or even know someone who belongs to this organization. The Ku Klux Klan was responsible for hanging African Americans throughout the early 1900s to prove that the white race was superior to the race of black people. Their religious beliefs fueled them with righteousness.

If this going on anywhere in the world today, may be issues about abortion or gay marriage. It seems like an oxymoron, if we allow gay people to get married, we won't have to worry about the abortion issue.

Some Christians, but most Americans look at this as a shameful part of our American heritage. It's not something that most Americans would ever support today. I would like to point something out about the Ku Klux Klan, they started out as a Christian organization and made examples out of other white people who weren't conforming to their ideal Christian society.

There are stories of people that abused their wives and the Ku Klux Klan set them straight, one way or another. If it required beating the crap out of them or killing them, something needed to be done and they are morally obligated to perform the task as Christians. These people took their Christian beliefs to an extreme.

When are we as a country and the world going to start fighting religious fundamentalism at its core and stop the atrocities that are going on today, using religion to justify their wrongdoings.

Create Personal Power

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a self help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Thomas Ashley Farrand
Inspecting A Stairway

Creating Wealth With Affirmations And Actions

Who doesnt want to be wealthy? Everybody needs money may it be for power, to ease financial worries, or maybe just mere necessity. In our mostly capitalist world, without it, we cannot afford our needs and of course, our wants. But why is it that a big percentage of the worlds money belongs to only a small percentage of the worlds population? Is this just a mere accident, or did these people win the lottery and are lucky in gambling? No, the real wealth owners do not rely on chance to acquire riches. In acquiring wealth, one must think that he or she can create wealth. Never underestimate the power of the mind. If you tell yourself over and over again that you are creating wealth in your life, you will be a magnet for it.

If you are a positive thinker, you can strategize better. If youre a negative thinker, you can no longer focus on how to achieve things because you are preoccupied with your feeling of being unlucky or simply feeling that you dont have what it takes. A positive thinker can plan out on how to achieve his goals and aspirations. If you believe that you can do it, you will.

One best way to use the power of your mind is by using visual aids. Visual aids can help you to inform your brain of what you really want. Then you tell yourself that you can achieve these things. Yes, if you believe you can create wealth in your mind then you can create wealth. Plan it out, think straight.

Affirmations help you on your way to materialize your goals. The part of believing is reinforced every time you assert to yourself what you want. And affirmations are just that: positive assertions to your mind, that what you want is happening now. While your beliefs start to change you will feel the motivation to act toward your goal. New ideas to shorten the time to accomplish your goal will pop-up every day, guaranteed!

If you want to earn more, you must seek higher learning. The more you learn, the more the options for you. Focus on a couple of things and enhance your skills or knowledge on those then expand your expertise. Be a master or an expert of your chosen field and you will be recognized for that. It will need an effort from you to gain the fame and of course with it, the money. You cant just simply get wealth by not doing anything. You need to act and believing that youre doing the right thing with your heart and mind.

You have to be equally motivated as educated. Seeking higher learning to reach your ultimate dream of creating wealth is not enough if you are not motivated enough to take that step or take that giant leap of faith. Take failures as your own success. In failures you learn something and that adds up to your knowledge as well. Dont look back at failure and hesitate to take that plunge again. Remember, most of the richest people took the plunge at least once in their life. Youll never know what you can achieve if youd just dip your toe in the water. You must take the plunge after youve tested the water. If things end up as a failure, take it. Then, figure out what went wrong. To really learn from your mistakes is key to never make the same mistake again. Learn and value your mistakes as you never would reach the top if you wont fall a few times.

Dino Ruales, researcher and technology developer for self improvement, creator of MindZoom Affirmation Software. Visit http://www.mindzoom.net