I am creating an atmosphere of helpfulness in my home

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I teach my children to be helpful by setting an example. I help my children clean their rooms and pick up after themselves. When I help my children, I do it with a smile.

I refrain from giving my children mandatory commands in order to teach them to help out of love. Instead, I politely ask them for their help. My children help at home because they feel like they are part of something great.

The motive behind my children's assistance is sincere care and concern for the well being of our household. Neither pressure nor fear plays a role in motivating my children to help.

When my children need help, they ask for it with the confidence that someone will come to their aid. I am teaching my children that keeping our home tidy is everyone's responsibility.

I am fostering a heart of service in my children by teaching them that it feels good to help, even if they did not participate in creating the mess. Doing something for yourself is a responsibility; doing something for others is a pleasure.

It is important to me that everyone in my home helps out as much as they can without limiting themselves to simply doing their fair share. The character traits that my children exude are selflessness, helpfulness, and sincere care.

Today, I lead my family by example. I offer my assistance when someone is in need and watch others do the same for each other. The atmosphere in my home is peaceful because I have created a place where everyone loves to help.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. How much do my children help around the house? 2. Do I help my children when they need me? 3. What can I do to promote a spirit of selfless service among my family?

I am above jealousy

I am above jealousy because I trust my partner. I know my partner loves me dearly and is respectful of our relationship. We are by each other’s side through thick and thin.

When unfounded jealousy tries to creep in and eat away at the trust we have built, I abolish the thought before it even begins to take root.

I am confident in myself and let go of any expectations for my partner to cut off all ties with the opposite sex. That is unhealthy and unnecessary in a relationship built upon trust.

My partner has friends of both sexes, just as I have friends that are male and female. As much as we love spending time together, we have social lives outside of our relationship.

I let go of any worries about others becoming attracted to my partner. Although the emotions of others are out of my control, I have total faith in my partner's ability to fend off unwanted advances.

I know that my partner respects the boundaries of our relationship and intentionally avoids anything that could cause me pain.

I understand that it is alright to feel jealous from time to time. In fact, a small amount of jealousy is perfectly healthy. It shows that we are still in love and our fire is burning strong! I brush away these fleeting feelings of jealousy with a laugh.

Today, I release myself of unfounded jealousy. I am secure in myself and my relationship.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I have valid reasons to be jealous? 2. Does my jealousy stem from insecurity? 3. Am I overly controlling and suspicious in my relationships?

I age with grace

Age is much more than just a number. It is a badge of honor that I wear with pride. I am well into adulthood and have attained a successful career, a beautiful home, and built a wonderful family. Best of all, I answer only to myself. I call the shots in my life!

Each wrinkle and fine line that appears on my face, I wear with delight. Wrinkles and lines are a sign of wisdom and endurance. Why would I want to hide features with such beautiful meaning?

I age with grace. I have hope for the future and look forward to many more moments of maxing out each minute I spend on this grand Earth.

I wake up each morning with just one goal in mind: to enjoy the precious gift of life.

My spouse is my fruit of life: my partner, best friend, and my fountain of youth. The laughs we share in one afternoon can reverse a decade worth of birthdays.

I look back at how I worked my way to success and can blissfully enjoy the fruits of my labor. My years allow me to achieve a level of happiness that I could only imagine when I was younger.

Today, I admire the person that I have become. I fought a long battle to get to this stage of my life. It would be a shame to undermine my hard work in pursuit of "looking young."

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Why am I uncomfortable with aging? Is it the physical or emotional aspect that scares me? 2. What can I do to maximize the joy I get out of each day? 3. Have I achieved the goals I had throughout my youth?

I accept the situations I cannot control

The only person I can control is me. I let go of my tendency to try to control the opinions and decisions of others.

Just as I expect to have the right to express my own opinion, I must accept the fact that others may disagree with me from time to time.

At times, I wish I could take charge of a situation or control the outcome, but I know that is often outside of my control.

Nothing positive can come from agonizing over something that is out of my control. When the outcome is in the hands of someone else, all I can do is hope for the best and plan for the worst.

While I accept the situations that I cannot control, I actively seek solutions to the ones I can.

Family disputes are within my control. Work-related troubles may sometimes be within my control. However, political hardships or the behavior of another person are outside my area of control.

For my own sanity, I relinquish my grasp on situations that I have no say in. Unexpected incidents are a part of life. When life throws me curveballs, I handle them graciously.

When I am given lemons, I make fresh, tasty lemonade. And if that does not satisfy me, I make lemon pie! One way or another, I find a viable solution to my challenges.

There is always a positive aspect to every negative situation. By removing my emotions from the situation, I can begin to see things in a new light.

Today, I understand that certain situations are out of my control. The only person I have power over is me.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Am I controlling because I do not trust others to handle things correctly? 2. Is my opinion overbearing? 3. How can I improve the situations I can control?

I accept the changes in my body from carrying a baby

My body is an amazing instrument. I am humbled by my body's natural ability to carry a child and I am proud of myself for going through the process.

The image I see in the mirror today is very different from the person I was a few months ago. When I look at myself, I see a work in progress. I reject the voices of self-criticism that try to speak to me.

I embrace the place where I am. Every woman carries differently and has a different journey to her new body because we are all different. I am unique. My body is unique. My journey is unique.

I am taking care of my body by making healthy choices and concerning myself with my safety before my looks.

I refrain from looking at other women and comparing my body to theirs. Instead of focusing on my body, I focus on the blessing that I gained from this experience. My new miracle is worth the changes in my body.

When I look to the future, I am hopeful. I accept that it takes time for my body to adjust after carrying a baby. I also accept that my body is going to be different than it was before my pregnancy.

The people who love me do so regardless of what my body looks like. There are women in my life who understand what I am going through and how I am feeling. I reach out to those women because I can trust them to give me heartfelt advice.

Today, I accept my body just the way it is. I eliminate worry from my mind by focusing on the thing that matters most: my new family.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Am I making healthy choices with my body? 2. How can I be more patient toward myself? 3. Who can I reach out to for support?

Healthy eating revitalizes my lifestyle

Reaching for unhealthy foods is convenient. Punching a button on the vending machine or pulling into a drive thru is certainly far more appealing than cooking halibut or chopping vegetables, especially when I am hungry and hurried.

On the other hand, preparing healthy meals is time consuming, but it is certainly worth the effort.

My health is important to me. It takes precedence over the convenience of 5-minute meals. Convenience always comes at a price. In this case, the price I’m paying is sacrificing nutrition and playing Russian roulette with my health!

Healthy eating revitalizes my life! My good health enables me to play with my children, keep my physique in good shape, cut down on medical expenses, and increase my lifespan.

I would be a fool to pass up all of these benefits in favor of a quick burger or a bar of chocolate! For this reason, I make it a point to cook healthy meals and make conscious decisions when it comes to snacks.

Healthy foods taste better, fresher, and more wholesome than unhealthy foods. Eating healthily also provides me with a sense of empowerment.

Being busy is no longer an excuse. There are millions of individuals that manage to check off every task on their to-do list and still sit down for a wholesome meal three times per day.

My body is a temple and I treat it like my most prized possession!

Today, I change my life one granola bar at a time! I value my well being and consume healthy meals to fortify my body and soul.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I rely on food as an emotional escape from reality? 2. How many calories do I consume each day? 3. Is my calorie consumption on par with my caloric needs?

Giving to others makes me rich

Giving to others has benefits from improving my self-image to creating a better world. I feel good about myself when I give to others because I see an admirable, loving side of myself.

I grow by giving. Selflessness is birthed within me each time I give, performing a remarkable transformation on my overall being. Giving makes me rich with happiness.

My giving sets an example for my children, family and friends to do the same. When I give, I start a ripple effect that expands from those closest to me and reaches people I do not even know. Giving makes me rich in love and grace.

A single act of giving can change the lives of more people than I would ever know. Each time I give, I bring my world one step closer to complete harmony. Giving makes me rich in peace.

The more I give away, the more I have. I am like a cup that automatically fills up again every time I pour some out. When I share my blessings, I receive more blessings in return. Giving makes me rich in the things that matter most.

Giving to others has a powerful effect on my life. My mood is positively affected each time I give. When I see the expression on others' faces and try to imagine what they are going through, I am rich with gratitude.

Today, I am rich in every area of my life because I choose to share my blessings with others.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Why is it important to give? 2. Who should I give to? 3. When was the last time I shared my blessings with others?

Experience is making me a better parent

Although I read many books in preparation for becoming a parent, experience is making me a better parent every day. The book of reality is my greatest teacher. I embrace my life lessons with humility.

Every day, I am gaining knowledge from the mistakes I make. Sometimes, things turn out differently than I hoped. I learn from those moments and apply their lessons to my future behavior.

I am humble enough to apologize to my children when I react in a manner that is inappropriate. My children are discovering that, although I am not perfect, I am someone worth imitating.

As the kids get older, I look back with clarity and see areas that I can strengthen. I offer my advice to younger parents who seek it. Sharing my experiences with others saves them from making the same mistakes I made.

Over time, I am becoming slower to anger and quicker to forgive. I have such a powerful inner sense of peace that I am able to overlook offenses, exercising patience with others.

I am learning that time goes by so fast that I must hold on to every moment I can. I live in the moment and enjoy my children just the way they are.

With experience comes the clarity to distinguish those things that are worth dwelling over and those which are best forgotten. Experience increases my ability to take life in stride without allowing anything to steal my joy.

Today, I choose to embrace the lessons that life teaches me and apply them to my future behavior.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What lesson have I learned from my children lately? 2. Am I slow to anger and quick to forgive? 3. How can I turn mistakes into powerful lessons?

Choosing to nurse my baby is the best for my family

I am confident in my ability to make decisions for my family. My decision to nurse my baby is my choice. Regardless of what others think or say, I know I am doing what is right for my family.

I stay up to date on the latest research about babies and families by reading books, magazine articles, and information on the Internet. Talking to other moms also helps me gather information to make my own decisions.

Due to my thorough research, I am convinced that nursing is the right way for me to go. My family respects and supports my decision.

Nursing can be difficult at times, but I am determined to stick with it until I become proficient at it. Armed with knowledge and the tools I need to succeed, I take it one day at a time.

I am willing to change my diet in order to increase my milk supply. I am also willing to change my diet if something I eat causes my baby any discomfort.

I know where I can go to find help from a lactation consultant or other professional. There is a support group in my town that can assist me if I run into problems.

Nursing is a beautiful bonding time between my baby and me where we get to connect in a very special way.

Today, I choose to nurse my baby because it is the right choice for me. I am free from the pressure to impress someone else, and I support other moms who choose not to nurse.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. How do I feel about nursing my baby? 2. What are the benefits of nursing? 3. How can I ignore criticism and feel confident about my choices?

Choosing to bottle-feed my baby is the best choice for my family

Choosing to bottle-feed my baby is the best choice for my family.

I make my decisions with the utmost care so I am well informed of my options. I know my decision to feed my baby formula instead of breast milk is the right one for my baby, my family, and me.

Whether I work outside of the home, produce too little milk, or simply choose to abstain from nursing, I have the right to make that decision for my baby.

I am a wonderful mother, because being a mom is about more than feeding; it's about raising amazing children.

Inappropriate comments from others are easy for me to ignore. The only person responsible for making decisions about my children's well being is me. No one else can determine what needs to be done with my body or inside my home.

My family supports my decision to bottle feed my baby. They love being able to participate in feedings. I see joy in the faces of my relatives when I allow them to help me with the baby.

I am confident that my baby is getting all the necessary nutrients from formula. I have researched different brands and chosen one that best meets my baby's needs.

Just as with nursing, I hold my baby close and share a special bond during feeding. The bond I share with my baby is just as strong as any other mom's.

Today, I choose to bottle feed my baby because it is the best fit for my family. Every decision I make is in the baby's best interest, and this is just one of the many good decisions I make each day.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Am I confident in my ability to make decisions for my family? 2. How can I tune out criticism about my choices? 3. Where can I find support and meet other moms who choose to abstain from nursing?

An outgoing attitude is my antidote to boredom

Boredom stems from an insatiable search for pleasure. I have created a better reason for living than simply pursuing pleasure. An attitude of gratitude stops me from indulging in a pity party of boredom and propels me to get outside of myself.

Maintaining an outgoing personality ensures me a life filled with excitement. I am always on the go, whether it is helping someone, volunteering, exercising, or seeking a new experience.

I am outgoing because there is always something to do. Boredom is caused by unwillingness to do anything, rather than the absence of something to do. I awaken my inner child and follow my passions to discover new activities that fulfill me.

I have the courage to reject fear and embrace change. I see change as an opportunity to embark on a new adventure. Change keeps my life interesting.

When I feel boredom creeping up, I shake it off by taking a walk to clear my head. I make a mental list of things I want to do that I can choose from when I find myself at a standstill. I reflect on the items on my list and turn them into goals.

I am taking the lead in maintaining an active life. It is up to me to get myself up and moving so I can have a fulfilling life. It is up to me to find out what I like to do and do it. It is up to me to keep myself engaged.

Today, I choose to take responsibility for my own entertainment by having an outgoing personality.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What can I do when I feel bored? 2. Who is an outgoing friend that I can call when I need to go out? 3. How can I turn change into an adventure?

9 Easy Tips for Strengthening Your Fading Memory

Although you may think that a fading memory begins in old age, there are techniques you can use throughout your life to keep your memory in peak operating condition. An excellent memory can be to your advantage in personal, educational, social, business, and financial situations.

Considering the many benefits that a sharp memory can bring you, it's wise to seek out ways to strengthen it at any age.

Try some of these easy tips to boost your memory:

1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. You may not relate your general health to memory; however, if you stay healthy you'll be helping your memory in the process.

* Eating nutritious foods will ensure that you're getting plenty of vitamins that enable healthy brain function and reduce free radicals, which can impair memory, as well.

* Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and keeps oxygen levels up. These higher oxygen levels keep you alert and provide you with more clarity in your thinking.

2. Pay better attention. You can improve your memory simply by being more aware of what is going on around you. When someone is talking to you, give them your full attention. You'll have a better chance at encoding their words to long-term memory.

3. Use mnemonic devices. Mnemonic devices can be used to help you remember certain bits of information by relating the facts to an easy-to-remember image, word, tune, or phrase.

* For example, the classic sentence, "Every Good Boy Does Fine," has been used for generations to help people remember the lines of the treble clef (EGBDF) for sheet music.

* Relating the knowledge you want to remember to jokes or rhymes works well, too. These are fun ways to remember facts.

4. Get organized. Have a daily planner to help you organize your day. A good planner reminds you of important events while keeping you from having to juggle too many things in your mind all at once. Too much juggling can result in "scatterbrained" thinking.

* Also pay attention to the way you organize your life. You won't have to remember where you left your keys if you always leave them in the same spot. A great rule to follow is, "A place for everything and everything in its place."

5. Keep your stress level down. Too much stress can make your thinking erratic and cause challenges with your memory. Take steps to calm yourself down and you'll find that you're thinking with a clearer head.

* Deep breathing exercises, meditating, reading, physical workouts, relaxing music, and pleasurable hobbies are all great stress-busters. Do something that relaxes you every day.

6. Play mind teasers and games. These games keep your brain, including your memory, sharp and active. Puzzles also help with attention and concentration. Crossword puzzles, Sudoku puzzles, trivia games, and even video games all exercise your mind.

7. Get enough sleep. If you're sleep-deprived, you're more likely to suffer from poor memory. Go to bed and get up in the morning at established times to help your body form a natural day-to-night rhythm. Relax before bedtime to help you transition into a sound sleep.

8. Rehearse information. If there's something in particular that you're trying to study or remember, try rehearsal techniques. It's a great way to ensure that information is passing into your long-term memory. With rehearsal, you just repeat and study information over and over until you remember it easily.

9. Visualize concepts. Images can be very powerful. If you're a visual person, you might find visualizing more helpful than some of the other techniques. Visual people remember better if they see what they need to remember. It will usually help you to see information in a picture, chart, or graph.

When you stay proactive with these memory techniques, you'll be sharp for a long time to come. Exercise your memory daily and it will serve you well in all aspects of your life!

Marketing Yourself: Looking for a Job

Looking for a job - a tough feat in any field - can be even harder when the economy is down. Good marketing can set you apart from other candidates if you know how to properly promote yourself.

You might have better skills and knowledge than other candidates in your field, but unfortunately, if they have more effective marketing, they might have a better shot at the job. The system is not always fair, but if you play your cards right, you can end up landing any job you want.

Doing Your Homework

When you're looking for a job, be organized and prepared. Do your homework first. Determine the specific jobs that you'd like and whether or not you currently have the proper skill set to apply.

If you don't have the skills, perhaps you can find a program where you can get specialized training to develop them. If you do have the required skills, start working on your resume in order to highlight the specific skills you have that pertain to the job you want.

In addition, do your research on the company where you're applying. Potential employers will be impressed with your knowledge of the company and know that you're serious about getting the job.

Marketing Tips

When it comes to marketing yourself, there are specific things you can do to make yourself more attractive to the company. Some of them are subtler than others.

Try using the following tips to effectively promote yourself:

1. Tweak your resume. Your resume is clearly vital when it comes to landing a job. It's a simple piece of paper that describes what you've done in order to prepare for the specific job. Customize your resume to include items that are specific to the job for which you're applying. In fact, employers prefer that you keep it simple and on topic.

2. Come dressed for success. Always pay close attention to what you wear when you're making a first impression. It says a lot about you. Dressing for success increases your chances of landing the job.

3. Be ready to nail the interview. At the interview, smile and stay as relaxed as possible. You'll want to appear friendly as well as knowledgeable in your field.

4. Remember that you're always a student. Be humble, without selling yourself short, when you're looking for a job. There's always something else you could add to your skill set to compliment your current skills. Being able to easily cross train might set you apart from your competition.

5. Check your own Internet sources. "Google" yourself to check on what public information appears on the net about you. If there's something you might not want potential employers to see, find out if you can have it removed.

6. Come prepared to share new ideas. Before the interview, practice thinking on your feet and presenting new ideas with a friend. Then, you'll be ready for any opportunity at the interview to share these ideas. When you do, it'll show that you're willing to go the extra mile and think creatively.

7. Explain what sets you apart. If you're given the chance, explain what sets you apart from your competition. It's a great way to really sell yourself to the employer.

A big key to landing the job you desire is having a positive attitude along with the proper training. Stay organized, calm, and persistent and you'll go far.

Tips To Become More Assertive in Social Situations

Assertiveness is one of those things that some people seem to be naturally good at, while others simply aren't. If you're not, people can tell you to "just be more assertive" till they're blue in the face, but it won't help. Why? Because they're not telling you how to go about it!

Once you find out specific things you can do to help you make the change to greater assertiveness, and then practice them, you'll find it easier and easier to be bold and assert yourself in social situations.

There are many different character traits that can contribute to assertiveness. You can work on strengthening any one of them or a few of them if you feel that you're lacking in any categories.

Some people believe that people are just the way they are and it should just be accepted. It's true to a certain extent, but you'd be surprised by how much you can change when you're truly dedicated. If you want to be more assertive, you can be, regardless of others' opinions.

Use these strategies to help yourself become more assertive:

1. Believe in yourself. Self-confidence and believing in yourself are very important traits. Strengthening your confidence in yourself and your abilities can bring you greater assertiveness too.

* A good way to start building your self-confidence is by reflecting on your talents and skills. Write them down. You may be surprised at the length of your list! Feel good about these gifts and do what you can to further develop them.


2. Learn how to deal with your frustrations. If you keep everything bottled inside, you might end up exploding in someone's face. People won't see this as assertiveness; more likely, they'll see it as arrogance or aggression. When you're frustrated, voice your opinion as soon as you can while the situation is at hand and work out your differences together.

3. Be calm and clear. Staying calm and talking clearly will convey assertiveness and self-confidence in social situations. It's a great rule to remember if you're ever feeling negatively in a situation. Remember to tell yourself to be calm first and then concentrate on your clarity.

4. Overcome your fears. Fears might be holding you back from being assertive. You may even fear being in social situations. Face your fears head on by placing yourself in situations you fear. Start with smaller manifestations of your fears and move up to larger ones step by step.

5. Express your needs. It might be hard to break out of your shell the first time, but eventually people will listen to what you have to say. Let them get used to the fact that you're speaking up and showing that you have wants, needs, and desires just like anyone else.

6. Pay attention to body language. Give extra attention to your body language when you practice being assertive. People will know that it's a front if your shoulders are hunched or your arms are crossed. You might even have a nervous tick. Open up your shoulders and relax your body before you begin speaking.

While developing your assertiveness, give yourself time to achieve change. Be patient and strong. It might be tough at first, but you'll get the hang of it the more you practice these strategies. Soon, assertiveness will come naturally to you!