Exercise For A Cause!
We all know that exercise is good for you, but did you know that exercising can actually help someone else out too? According to “Exercise Your Charity Muscle,” an article found in the October, 2008 issue of Prevention magazine, Fitness Pro, Eric Harr, will donate $5 to the humanitarian organization CARE for every hour you exercise and log at www.care.org/workout —up to $1 million. That is amazing. If you devote just 1-1/2 hours a week, you can help provide a student in the developing world with clean water, or you can log 200 hours and help build a home.
Why not reap the benefits of exercise for both yourself and others? The next time you exercise, take a few more minutes and log your time. You will be glad you did!
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Uncategorized on October 21st, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Hoax or Great Idea: You Make the Call or Not…
Today I received an email claiming that “Cell phone numbers go public tomorrow,” a reminder that all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies tomorrow. Coincidently, just yesterday afternoon I was commenting to my co-workers that I had received a telemarketing call, that very day, on my cell phone, a first.
I don’t know about you, but very few things irritate me more than being interrupted by someone, that I did not ask to call me, when I am in the middle of something. To make matter’s even worse, every time you receive a call on your cell phone you are charged for the minutes.
To prevent this, the email claimed that you could call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National Do Not Call list. It also gave this website: www.donotcall.gov as a way to register your numbers. I made the call and it did sound legitimate. I guess time will tell…telemarketers beware!
Feel free to share…
Angie
Posted in Uncategorized on October 3rd, 2008 by Angie | | 0 Comments
Staying Positive In A Negative World
With todays economy the way it is, it is not always easy to stay positive and upbeat. The media doesn’t help matters, as it is constantly bombarding us with negative stories and events, which can definitely have an impact on your outlook—that is if you allow it to. We don’t have to subject ourselves to all that negativism, and allow ourselves to feel down in the dumps. You are in control of your life and can change your thoughts and outlook.
I recently read, “Stay Positive,” an article found in the September 2008 issue of Selling Power magazine, that focused on how author and motivational speaker, Mark Victor Hansen, (Co-author of “Chicken Soup For the Soul” series of books) stays positive in down times. “What some people might perceive as an economic downturn, Hansen sees as an opportunity to step back from the fray of the day-to-day business and make long-term plans. ‘We’re here to re-invent ourselves on a full-time basis, he says. That’s what all of the greats do.’”
Following are Hansen’s 4 keys to staying positive in down times that I found interesting and wanted to share:
- Create The Big dream And Big Vision: When people are scared, or unsure of themselves, they tend to lower their goals, or focus, but according to Hansen, “you should be doing the exact opposite. Focus on big results, not necessarily small results.” ( i.e. Paul Newman, entrepeneur/philanthropist, used his success from acting to start a successful food business, to ultimately support a camp for seriously ill children.)
- Consider Who Is On Your Team: You’ve got to surround yourself with like-minded people who can work in cooperative harmony.
- Listen To Audiotapes, Daily, Preferably On The Way To Work: Don’t start your day with a negative spin! Avoid negative news. Instead try listening to motivational tapes that will help your mind set and keep you positive.
- Go To Seminars: According to Hansen, “there is no better way to plug into the kind of people who are already getting the results you want to get. Money goes where there is a certain kind of thinking, and you need to get your thinking going in that direction.” Just being in the presence of an inspiring speaker can help you feel inspired and get you motivated.
Thanks for reading and keep those positive thoughts flowing!
Barb
Posted in Business, Uncategorized on October 1st, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Down Time—Relax And Enjoy It!
A few weeks ago, I had one of those “freak” accidents happen to me. I miss-stepped and fell down some stairs rolling my ankle and spraining it in 3 different places. While it could have been a lot worse, I have had a hard time dealing with it, as I am the type of person that is always on the go and very active. I know that everything happens for a reason, but am not sure here. Maybe I am just supposed to slow down! Probably not a bad idea after recently becoming an “empty nester,” and a recent move.
It’s funny, we are a nation of workaholics, many of which have a hard time sitting still. According to “Be More Bored,” an article found in the October 2008 issue of Body + Soul magazine, “As much as we try and crowd it out, experts tell us that boredom is an essential part of the human experience. It’s counterbalance to all that busyness. In fact, some argue it’s a gateway to peace.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m going to give this “down time thing” more of a try, (at least while my foot heals.)
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Following are the Top 3 reasons we seem to be down on downtime along with ways to embrace it from the article:
- We’re Overstimulated: The empty pockets of time we once took for granted, such as waiting patiently and quietly in a doctor’s office have vanished. Many doctor’s offices today have TV’s to stimulate us. Cell phones, BlackBerry’s, ipods, computers, etc. are also common place. People can be seen virtually everywhere using them. This overstimulation however, can actually keep us from responding with depth to anything, or anyone. To avoid overstimulation, and recharge yourself it is important to just sit quietly from time to time. Turn off that TV, go for walk in nature, etc.
- We Believe Productivity Is A Virtue: Many people use To-Do lists because they help promote a sense of productivity and accomplishment, and affirm how busy we are. Using To-Do lists to fill up every empty space in our lives however, can be counter-productive. Everyone needs some time to reflect and think. This time can actually help the mind come up with new ideas. Try and schedule a block of time to do absolutely nothing. You might be surprised and pick up a paint brush, or have a few laughs with your family, etc.
- We Fear What Lies Beneath: “Many of live in a comfortably numb place. Space gives hidden feelings a chance to emerge.” When these feeling arise, we can actually deal with them and move ahead. (i.e. Discovering it is time to check those want ads for a new job, etc.)
Posted in Uncategorized on September 25th, 2008 by Barb | | 2 Comments
Amazing…isn’t it?
As I sat down to write my blog today I had a few different ideas come to mind. However, 
one kept reoccuring the longer I thought about it. I have been fortunate in my lifetime to have known 5 of my great grandparents. And even more fortunately, to this day, I am still very blessed to have 2 great grandparents in my life. This past week, on August 27th, my great grandpa Sherburne, turned 103. And coming up on September 7th my great grandma Edna, is turning 96 years young.
When I think about all of the events and moments they have experienced in their lives, it is truly amazing and mind boggling. Just think of it…the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Civil Right Movement, the Assassination of JFK, the invention of the computer, the explosion of the Challenger, Columbine, the first Republican female Vice Presidential candidate, and the first African American Presidential candidate, of course I could go on and on, but it is truly AMAZING!
With all of their life experiences, I have gained great wisdom and hope from their stories of struggle and success. I am thankful each day that they have enriched and helped mold my life, and the lives of others around them.
Happy Birthday Grandpa & Grandma!!
Feel free to share…
Angie
Posted in Uncategorized on September 5th, 2008 by Angie | | 0 Comments
