How to Handle Bossy People (Especially Those Who Aren't Even Your Boss!) - By Hale Dwoskin

Among the many types of "difficult" people you will inevitably face in your life are the bossy ones. These are people who, for no other reason than they want to, tell you what you should be doing with your life, how you should be doing it, and -- everyone's favorite -- what you shouldn't have done already.

The thing about bossy people, though, is that they think they're doing you a favor. Your mother, for instance, simply must tell you to wash your hands (even though you're nearly 40 years old) because she can't bear to let you walk around with germs on them. Your spouse, meanwhile, may try to boss you around in the backyard because he or she is sure you'll pull out the tomato plant instead of the milkweed. The potential catastrophes are simply too great to not lend these pearls of wisdom.

To the recipient, of course, being bossed around can be downright maddening, particularly when it's coming from someone who is probably better off minding their own business. However, you don't have to let bossy people get the better of you.

How to Handle Bossy People (in a Kind and Healthy Way)

Because nobody likes being bossed around or controlled, you may be tempted to confront the bossy person in an accusatory way, which will surely escalate the situation and leave you with nothing but more strife. So the next time you find yourself with a bossy, controlling person, use these tips to handle the situation with eloquence, class, and a positive outcome for you.

1. Confront the person in an appreciative way. You certainly should address a bossy person's offensive behavior, but you must do so gently. Start out by showing your appreciation, then stating that you're happy doing things your own way. (Try, "I appreciate that you're trying to help me do the dishes more effectively, but I prefer to use the sponge, not the dish rag.")

2. Release your frustrations. Being bossed around can bring up many negative feelings, including anger, frustration, anxiety, and even a loss of self-esteem. The last thing you want to do is internalize these feelings and create an unnecessary source of stress in your life. The Sedona Method is an ideal tool you can use to release these negative emotions simply, quickly, and for good.

3. Stand your ground. While realizing that most bossy people do have good intentions, you should make it clear to him or her that you have no intention of changing your behaviors. It may be that the person continues to try and control you, but it's also possible that, upon seeing your confidence, he or she will eventually back down and leave you be. Again, this should be done in a kind, not accusatory, way. (Such as, "Mom, I do so many things around the house the way you do, but when it comes to making salad, I like to cut the tomatoes in quarters, not slices.")

4. Give them a taste of their own medicine. Sometimes bossy people may not realize how offensive their remarks can be... until they experience it themselves. Next time someone tries bossing you around, experiment with being bossy in return. It may just help to curb the behavior altogether. For instance, if a bossy friend tells you how to get your hair cut, tell them your opinion about how they should be cutting theirs. Just be careful not to go overboard with this and become a bossy person yourself!

Worry by Zig Ziglar

Worry has been described as "interest paid on trouble before it comes due." One of America's worst enemies is worry. Worry is like a rocking chair; it requires a lot of energy, and it gets you nowhere. Leo Buscaglia said, "Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy."

Question: Are you a worrier? Americans take more pills to forget more worries about more things than ever before and more than people in any other nation in history. That's bad. According to Dr. Charles Mayo, "Worry affects the circulation and the whole nervous system. I've never known a man who died from overwork, but I've known many who have died from doubt." Doubt always creates worry, and in most cases, lack of information raises the doubt.

Life is much like Christmas. You're more apt to get what you expect than what you want.

Mathematically speaking, it really doesn't make sense to worry. Psychologists and other researchers tell us that roughly 40 percent of what we worry about will never happen and 30 percent has already happened. Additionally, 12 percent of our worries are over unfounded health concerns. Another 10 percent of our worries involve the daily miscellaneous fretting that accomplishes nothing. That leaves only 8 percent. Plainly speaking, Americans are worrying 92 percent of the time for no good reason, and if Dr. Mayo is right, it's killing us.

One solution that will reduce your worry is this: Don't worry about what you can't change. Example: For a number of years I've flown in excess of 200,000 miles a year. On occasion, flights are canceled or delayed. As I write this, I'm sitting on the runway waiting for my gate to clear. If I worry or get angry, nothing will change. If I take constructive action and finish this article, I'm ahead of the game. That's a positive way to use the energy that I would have wasted on anger, frustration, or worrying.

The message is clear: If you don't like your situation in life, don't fret or worry--do something about it. Worry less, and act more.

Easy Ways You Can Control Anger

According to health experts, anger is defined as "an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage." Anger can be brought on by either external or internal factors. Anger can come about as the result of a fight, a traffic jam, a run in with the boss and even a past memory of a hurt suffered can cause anger. Recognizing when you are angry and finding ways to control the emotion are very important. Anger can be constructive to a point but can very easily lead to destructive behavior. Let's take a closer look at how to control anger.

Developing better problem solving skills is one way to control anger. Sometimes anger takes place in relation to circumstances that a person cannot control. When this happens, make a concise plan about how to deal with the problem and then pay attention to your progress in coping with the situation at hand. Do the best you can but do not beat yourself up if things do not go as planned. Just keep on trying your best.

Control anger by taking yourself out of the environment that is a breeding ground for more anger. Always take a breather from stressful times and schedule some down time or personal time for yourself every day, even if it is just an hour per day. Do something you enjoy or something that makes you happy, such as reading a book, watching a movie, taking a walk, relaxing in the bathtub, gardening, going window shopping, and so on. Learning to relax is an excellent way to diffuse a situation where anger is taking hold. Try some basic relaxation exercises such as using imagery or deep breathing to help you feel calmer and more centered. For example,learn to breathe from your diaphragm, as breathing from your chest as most people tend to do is not going to help relax your mind and body at all. Choose a word or a phrase and repeat it to yourself in your head whenever you are feeling angry. Suggestions are using the word "calm" or "relaxed,” “take a breath," "calm down,” or “take it easy.” Imagery goes a long way in making relaxation a reality. Visualize a scene or a memory that helps to calm you and brings you joy.

Yoga is another way to relax yourself from the top of your head to the bottom of your toes. There are many different forms of yoga. So, make sure you choose the one that is slow and non-strenuous to the body. Yoga helps to relax the muscles as well as calm the mind. Other ways to relax in order to control anger include getting a massage or taking the time to learn to meditate.

Cognitive restructuring is another method of controlling anger. Put more simply, this means altering the way you think about events, people and the like. Angry people often exaggerate, blow situations out of proportion and leave all forms of logic behind. Always remind yourself that in the end anger solves nothing; instead, it complicates situations even more. An attitude adjustment is often an effective means of controlling anger.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

How to Use the Law of Attraction - 4 Secret Keys - By Michael Lee

The law of attraction has become one of the most popular topics today in the world of personal development. Many people have experienced massive changes in their life since they have watched the life-changing movie entitled "The Secret". This movie focused on what is believed to be the most powerful law in the universe - the law of attraction.

People everywhere are interested to know how to use the power of this universal law to attract their desires and achieve their ambitions in life.

For those who are not familiar, you might be asking, "What is the law of attraction?"

It is a universal entity that attracts to you whatever you focus your attention on majority of the time. This magnetic power allows you to manifest your thoughts and emotions into reality.

You may have not been aware, but it has been existent since the beginning of creation. The greatest people who have ever lived practiced the law of attraction. The most successful people in the world today are practicing it, including Oprah Winfrey.

It is vital for anyone who is applying this universal law to know how to use it to its full advantage. The law of attraction does not merely rely on the "ask, believe, and receive" formula. Nope, sorry to say but it's not that simple. To unleash its full magnetic power, you have to observe the following:

1. Visualize in your mind the very thing you desire to be, do, or have. Believe without a doubt that it is already happening in your life. Feel the happiness or satisfaction of having achieved your dream in your whole body, mind, heart, and soul. It is highly recommended that you create a vision board (a cardboard will do, with pictures of things that delight your heart). This will greatly boost your visual faculty.

2. Declare your intentions, believe that you are already receiving what you are asking for, and state your affirmations whenever you can. If you want to be a best-selling author, say, "I am a best-selling author!" many times throughout the day with belief, conviction, and emotion. It is highly recommended to go to a room alone to focus on your self-talk.

At any time of the day when you are about to say something negative like "I can never do this!" or "I'm so dumb!" hold your tongue and say "Cancel! Cancel!" or "Delete! Delete!" It is vital to keep your inner dialogue purely positive and free from pessimistic toxins.

3. Take inspired action! The universe helps those who help themselves. If you've been watching "My Name is Earl," you'll probably be familiar with karma. It states that if you do something good, an equally good thing will come back to you. And if you do something bad, an equally bad thing will come back to you. You reap what you sow. Therefore, if you just keep daydreaming and don't do anything, the universe won't do anything to help you either.

4. Receive openly. The law of attraction is more powerful if you open up and allow yourself to receive the abundance that the universe supplies to you. If you reject your blessings, you are stopping the flow of prosperity and decreasing your attracting force. Acknowledge even the smallest things in life. Remember to always say "Thank you." Let the universe know how much you appreciate all the abundant gifts you are receiving. Show sincere gratitude, and the universe will respond appropriately by giving you more.

The law of attraction is so precise; it never fails. Understand it, know exactly how to unleash its full potential, and start applying its principles to manifest everything you've always dreamed of. You can do it! May the attraction power be with you.

Eight Success Lessons from My Mom - By Michael G. Rayel

As my mom receives treatment for a lingering illness, I can't help but think about what she has done for me and our family. As a young boy, my father used to remind me that without Mom, our family would have crumbled. "In every good family, there's always a good mother behind it," he emphasized.I can't forget those words coming from my dad, but my young brain couldn't fully appreciate it at that time. While I was growing up, Mom never talked about any success principle. However, through her attitude and actions over the years, I have realized that Mom is indeed the strength and foundation of the family. In fact, she has instilled in me life lessons important to success.

* Be Enthusiastic. My mom has always been enthusiastic. She was enthusiastic as a teacher, as a businesswoman, and as a mother. You could feel her presence because her positive attitude was infectious. Her smile, speech, and gestures showed a woman full of confidence in doing her tasks.A relative once commented that my mom was "a woman in a hurry" and "always busy." And yet you could always find a smile on her face, even during stressful times. She would tackle her task with ease and gladness. It was her positive attitude and enthusiasm that helped her develop long-term friendships and business relationships all through the years.

* Pursue Your Priorities. When she got married, she committed to raise her family the best way she could. Mom was always there for us, always willing to provide her precious time. We prayed, went to church, and had fun together as a family. Moreover, she gave us the necessary tools to do well in school. Many times, she had to swallow her pride just to borrow or rent Boy Scout uniforms or formal attire so we could participate in school programs. Early on, she made us aware of her mission. Her priority was to provide each of us with a college education regardless of her financial circumstances. She considered education as the only way to prepare us for the future.When the family business was thriving, she used the additional income to buy properties as investments. Her intention was to save for her children's future needs. So when I was in medical school and money was tight, she never hesitated to sell them just so I could pay my tuition fees and other school expenses.

* Develop a Strong Focus. My mom worked hard. She used to wake up early (around 5:00 a.m.), despite going to bed late (around 1:00 or 2:00 a.m.), to prepare the store for the day. Aside from her day job as a teacher, she was a full-time businesswoman in the evenings. She took care of her small restaurant and barbershop after work. During the day she would bring products to sell in a school store. I saw her rush to school, not just with a lesson plan but also with products in tow. On weekends she spent her free time with the customers and buying supplies, such as flour, bread, and meat, in nearby cities. Through hard work and focus Mom and Dad expanded their farm and grew their small business.

* Establish Your Integrity. My mom's coworkers and friends have always talked about Mom's integrity. Her words were consistently followed by appropriate actions. In short, her words were her actions, and vice versa. No wonder she gained the trust of her friends, relatives, and customers. Even lenders trusted her with their money. Each time she needed money, lenders would not hesitate to give her what she needed. Because of her integrity, some friends and relatives had asked her to borrow funds for them from "difficult" lenders or to serve as a guarantor. She had helped many families through these unselfish actions.

* Believe in Your Abilities. Mom has always made us believe that we're capable of achieving our goals. I was only 10 years old when she would announce to everyone how "intelligent" my siblings and I were. To prove her point, she would even ask me or my older siblings for suggestions about family or personal matters. My mom has always been proud of us. She values us. She focuses on our strengths and appreciates our efforts. She frequently reminds us that we each have a bright future. Because of her praise and positive expectations, we have confidence and strong belief in ourselves.

* Practice Self-Reflection. As a teenager, I was rebellious. I used to share with her my unconventional ideas about morality, religion, and politics. Instead of making comments, she would listen intently and made sure she understood me. Even during those times when I made mistakes, she never argued nor gave advice. Her infrequent and minimal comments would instead focus on the fact that I was "smart enough" to know what was good and appropriate. But I realized later that her "quiet" response was more powerful than any argument or advice in the world. Her unexpected response allowed me to analyze and criticize my own thoughts and behavior during my quiet moments. Likewise, it allowed me to learn from my mistakes through self-reflection.

* Be Generous. All her life, my mom has always been generous. She gives even if she has little. I remember as a young boy when she had to borrow money so she could give to a relative or a close friend who required urgent assistance. In addition, she sent some of our poor relatives' kids to school. She liked to help because she experienced the harsh reality of poverty when she was young. Her intention was to help stop the cycle of lack in those families through education.Moreover, she never hesitated to help a friend or a relative in need of basic necessities such as food and clothing. Her mindset was to serve others even if it meant sacrificing her own comfortable existence. It was, however, this profound sensitivity that endeared her to the hearts of others.

* Have Faith. Like any woman who has had to deal with an unfaithful husband, she suffered from sleepless nights and emotional pain. When my dad eventually left her for a younger woman, her only refuge was prayer. I saw her endure from that ordeal. She wept. She lost weight and had some restless nights. And yet, through constant prayer, she maintained her equanimity and survived the worst storm in her life.Her faith was tested yet again when my grandmother was suffering from the complications of dementia. For at least 10 years she was the only caregiver who was in my grandma's presence to meet her needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Through her unceasing faith, she faced the challenges of caregiving and provided for her mother's care without complaint. Now that she faces another adversity--her own serious medical illness--she will remain strong as she has always been. For sure, her character and her faith will once again shine. Life has handed Mom its wonders and hardships, its opportunities and challenges, and its surprises and disappointments. No doubt, she has embraced them all with acceptance and firm resolve. My mom, who rarely gave direct advice, has proven that role modeling is crucial in teaching young minds the life lessons of success.

About the Author:This article was written by Michael Rayel, M.D., contributing author to "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 2." Dr. Rayel, CEO of Oikos Global--the maker of emotional intelligence games and educational products--has helped others learn emotional intelligence through his award-winning invention, the Oikos Game Series. For details, visit http://www.oikosglobal.com and http://www.oikosinsights.com

Don't Take Your Inner Brat to Work! - By Pauline Wallin

Is your inner brat taking over your job? Everyone has an inner brat. It's the part of us that's still a two-year-old. It lives on in the dark recesses of our minds, no matter how much we've accomplished.The inner brat gets furious at the slightest inconvenience. It feels entitled to get what it wants, when it wants, and it complains when things don't go its way. Your inner brat not only makes you miserable; it makes work unpleasant for everyone else."Hmm," you might be saying to yourself right now. "That describes someone I work with." It's always easier to spot someone else's inner brat than your own. But take a moment now to reflect on yourself, and answer the following questions.* Do you frequently complain that something isn't fair?* Do you get angry at least once a day?* Do you hate at least one person at work?* Have you almost quit your job on the spot because you were upset?* Are you a spreader of gossip?* Do you frequently "forget" to do work or pass on messages that other people are waiting for?If you answered yes to any of these questions, you probably don't enjoy your job very much. And when you're in a negative mood, your inner brat brings you down even more. Research has shown that while some jobs are more stressful than others, dissatisfaction has more to do with your attitude than with the job itself. For example, consider two women, Abigail and Betty, who work as nurse's aides in a hospital. Abigail complains, "All I do is clean up other people's messes. Patients don't appreciate what I do for them. If I'm five minutes late or if I forget to wash out a bedpan, I get yelled at. When I first started here, they promised I'd get two breaks a day. Now I'm lucky if I even get one. I hate this job."Now here's how Betty sees her job: "I like to know that I can make the patients more comfortable. They don't always show appreciation, but I guess I wouldn't either if I was in as much pain as they are. Sometimes I get so busy that I forget things, and my supervisor gets mad. She's got the administration breathing down her neck and can't afford any patient complaints. There are days when I don't even get a break, but the time sure flies by on those days. Even though it's a hard job, I like helping people." The Key Is Changing PerspectiveYou can see from this example that your job is what you make it. It makes no difference whether you work inside or outside, at a desk or behind a counter, or whether you wear jeans or a suit to work. If you focus on the negative, you will never enjoy your job, no matter what you do or how much you get paid.Abigail in the above example has a strong inner brat. She complains and finds fault. She perceives herself as a victim. Not only will her inner brat make her irritable and hard to get along with, but it will deprive her of the opportunity to feel good about herself.Betty is more positive about her job, but at the same time she is also realistic. She's aware of the hard work and lack of appreciation. However, instead of dwelling on what's missing from her job, she focuses on why she chose to work there in the first place. She gets tired and stressed, but she also goes home with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. No one is cheerful 100 percent of the time. Still, people who don't let their inner brats make mountains out of molehills suffer less stress, are less angry, and are more optimistic about the future.There are many things you cannot control at work. For example, you have no control over your boss's moods. If your boss is in a bad mood, he or she might take it out on you. But you don't have to let your boss's inner brat push your buttons and unleash your own inner brat.Some aspects of your job may be monotonous or unpleasant. But even then, you can view them in a different way, for example, by setting up a challenge, such as racing the clock, or by doing things in a different order or with different tools. By doing so, you gain a sense of control over your work, thereby reducing both physical and mental stress."How can I possibly like my job when I work with impossible people!?"Who hasn't had to work with someone who was unpleasant, uncooperative, or a troublemaker? Such people not only bring their inner brats to work with them; they allow them to take over. It's even worse when the inner brat belongs to your boss.The main problem with other people's inner brats is that they trigger your own inner brat. Thus when Mary fails to relay an important phone message to you because she's angry at you, this gets your own inner brat screaming inside your head, "How dare she do that! She's not going to get away with this!" Then your inner brat spends precious time brooding or plotting revenge.Here are some things you can do when confronted with other people's inner brats.* Ask yourself who "owns" the problem. Did you do something wrong, or is the other person overreacting? If it's the latter, don't feel that you have to fix things. Just minimize your interactions with the person, and don't complain or gossip to someone else.* If your boss is overreacting, say something to acknowledge her feelings, such as, "I can see why you're upset." But don't try to explain or defend yourself at this point. Wait until your boss has calmed down.* When a coworker's uncooperativeness affects your ability to do your job, ask yourself if this is the first time. If so, offer to help him expedite his end of the job. If the person is habitually uncooperative, it's time to start documenting your efforts and later bring it to the attention of a superior if things don't improve. But do so in an objective way, documenting only facts, not your opinions or feelings.* Keep in mind that focusing on other people's bad moods, sarcastic comments, and uncooperative behavior will drain you of energy. Wouldn't you rather save your energy for something more productive or enjoyable?* Finally, remember that it's easier to spot an inner brat in someone else than in yourself. Are you sure it's the other guy's inner brat that's upsetting you... or is it your own?Copyright © 2004, 2006, Pauline Wallin, PhD. All rights reserved.About the Author:This article was written by Pauline Wallin, Ph.D., contributing author to "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 2." Dr. Wallin is a psychologist in Camp Hill, PA, and the author of "Taming Your Inner Brat: A Guide for Transforming Self-Defeating Behavior" (Wildcat Canyon Press, 2004). Visit http://www.innerbrat.com for more information and to subscribe to her free monthly "Inner Brat Newsletter."Her article above is one of 101 great chapters that can be found in "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 2." This powerful compilation book -- with John Gray, Jack Canfield, Richard Carlson, Bob Proctor, Alan Cohen, and countless other experts -- contains 101 chapters of proven advice on how to improve your life.

Why Learning is a Leader's Most Important Skill - By Kevin Eikenberry

Ask anyone to give you a list of skills that describe a highly effective leader, and I'm guessing they'll give you a pretty extensive list. (Go ahead, make a quick mental list right now.) Since I've done this many times in groups, I am accustomed to what I will hear or read. These lists typically include that leaders must have vision, they must be compassionate, they must be good communicators, they must build relationships, they must work well in teams, they must be powerful persuaders...and many other similar sentiments. All are excellent observations. Rarely, though, do I find someone listing the most basic, underlying skill of all. Learning. Highly effective, remarkable leaders must be continuous, lifelong learners.There are at least four reasons why I believe this is true: the complexity of leadership, the nature of change, the role of leaders to model for others, and the overall source of leadership. Let me explain. Leadership is a complex endeavor. Humans are complex, and a leader is dealing with more than just his or her own complexities. They are tasked with understanding the complexity of human behavior and interactions across many people. When we put it this way, the role can seem daunting. Something this complex won't be mastered quickly. Remarkable leaders know that the mastery of these complexities is a lifelong journey with no defined endpoint. The result? The need and desire to be in a continuously learning mindset.The status quo requires no leadership. Think about it. If everything in the current situation was great -- if there was no need for change -- how much leadership would be needed? Leadership is required because we want to move somewhere. In other words, the need for leadership is predicated on change, and so leaders must be prepared to work under changing conditions. If conditions change, then learning is required to continually adapt to and work under the changing conditions. Remarkable leaders know their job is to move people through status quo. Therefore, they know that they must continue to grow themselves to meet the needs of the situations and the people they are leading.We must model it for others. While the needs and forces for learning are great, leaders aren't just learning for themselves. Sure, they are learning for their own competency and confidence as well as to better serve those they are leading, but they also are setting a tone and modeling for those that are following them. When you are a leader, whether by position or reputation, people are looking to you -- whether you like it or not, you are a role model. How then can leaders expect their teams to continue to grow and develop if they aren't doing it themselves? Better leader = better human. The best leaders are learners for all of the reasons above (and their own other reasons), but they also know something else. They know that in the end, the skills that make them better leaders also make them more highly functioning human beings. Remarkable leaders are learners because they want to be better leaders and because they want to be better people. For example, learning how to communicate more effectively makes you more effective in more than just your role as a leader -- that skill development, that growth, spills out into every part of your life. If none of the other reasons above are compelling enough for you, this one should be!So, if learning is such an important skill, why don't people notice it and/or add it to the list of traits of great leaders? Precisely because it is the underlying skill. People can become exceptional at the other skills on the list because they are willing to learn, grow, improve, and change. They know that to become more effective they must continue to improve. They know that effective leadership is a journey -- so they remain focused on becoming more effective, not on arriving and maintaining. The mindset of being on the path, of constantly being a learner, is the path of the truly remarkable leader.The good news is that you can choose that path every day. You can choose to be a more effective leader -- and your first choice is to become a learner.You can make that choice anytime. Today's the day to start.About the Author:Kevin Eikenberry is a leadership expert and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, a learning consulting company that helps clients reach their potential through a variety of training, consulting, and speaking services.

Unbearable Boredom: A Call to a Magnificent Life - By Annette Colby

"Life is okay, but I'm bored with it all. I get up, go through my morning habits, and generally keep going. During the day I smile, engage in friendly conversations, attend to the requirements of my work. After work, it's home to watch television, eat, and sleep. In between, there's the movies, gym, music, and shopping. My days are predictable and routine. What is joy? What is excitement? I think I'm missing the meaning of my life."If you ever find yourself dealing with unbearable boredom, treat it not as an undesirable invader, but celebrate the arrival of an important messenger. Without boredom we'd comfortably vegetate in neutral, passing time by doing the same things in the same ways over and over again. Boredom's appearance is a glorious sign of impending growth. New interests, passions, talents, or strengths seek expression. It's a wake-up call indicating a readiness for more: more self-love, self-leadership, self-expression, pleasure, passion, and spontaneity. Boredom is an invitation to allow an old self to fade away and a new potential self to emerge. Certain facets of self-control and repetitive behaviors are ready to be released in favor of expanded imagination, creativity, inspiration, and spontaneity. What was once an effective, useful routine has now become stagnant, stale, and passive. Boredom is the interim period; a place neither here nor there. On one side lies the safe, comfortable, and dependable, yet outgrown past. On the other side lies an intriguing, daring, more passionate future. Boredom identifies the natural resistance we all have toward letting go of the known and entering the unknown.Once boredom reveals its presence, several options are available: we can sink deeper into passivity and dullness; the physical edginess can be temporarily concealed with greater levels of entertainment, distractions, and diversions; or the boredom can be sedated with food, drink, or choice addictions. Another alternative exists: embrace the message of boredom. Beneath the uncomfortable discontentment lies a natural, inherent call to the lifelong process of individuation. It is time to broaden personal horizons beyond past former levels of conformity and social adaptation. Greater individuality, power, love, and creation beckon from within. A readiness is brewing to connect more deeply with the heart of our existence. The chains of boredom are more easily shed by allowing time to welcome ideas that spark the imagination and expand the heart. What is truly important; what fascinates and engages our spirit? We have the ability to go inside, sort through some ideas, and decide what an exciting life would look like. We feel good, and our bodies feel good, when we assume responsibility for choosing to focus on stimulating desires, personal interests, and inner passions. Only we know what feels good within, what excites, ignites, and enlivens. We gently allow for the emergence of new potentials and new possibilities--and decide to feel good in the process. Instead of letting life just happen, we can go inside and ask, "What do I want?" Typically, the first answers are filled with details about what is not wanted. Accept this as an excellent starting point. But our responsibility is to make sure we take the extra step and actually find an exciting vision to focus on. We become what we think about, and it is up to us to determine what thoughts and visions dominate our mind. We take control of our lives as we spend more time with thoughts that increase excitement and less with those that decrease excitement. Will an exciting life happen instantaneously just because we shift thoughts from boredom to more passionate visions? Obviously, the answer is no. Some individuals will wonder how in the world they can possibly imagine exciting outcomes when they are currently just barely getting through the day. They don't have a clue what to imagine; they are frustrated and mad at themselves for being in this position. For anyone, creating a larger life requires effort, patience, and time. Yet not much changes without first engaging imagination and intention. Excitement is the element that moves us toward unfinished business and unfolding potential. It is what we want to be doing right now, while providing the energy necessary to do it.Who we are and what excites us matters. The irritation of boredom simply reminds us, in a very noticeable way, that energy is swirling about without passionate direction or purpose. Rather than permitting our lives to be blown about like leaves on the dirt, victims of circumstance, we allow imagination to set the foundation for direction and purpose in life. Boredom is an indication of a certain readiness to become increasingly loyal to internal passions, desires, and values. We can decide we are worthy of forming enthusiastic relationships with what we care about. Feeling good, feeling alive, and being a radiant human is important for us and for the world. We consciously develop our divine natures through the joyful manifestation of dreams and desires. A loving community begins first with a party of one. It begins by forming excited relationships with our bodies, thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Our inner dreams are the joy of life, the salvation of earth, and the future of the people of this planet. Bringing paradise to earth is more than just a lofty concept; it is an individual endeavor, a personal responsibility. As human beings, we suffer when this physical connection between spirit and earth is no longer expanding and evolving as it is meant to. Our most important task is to first give permission to love, excite, and empower ourselves. We take the time to ensure we are the ones balanced, enlightened, and joyful. To share and expand love with all life on this incredible earth, we begin with ourselves. We serve others when we become living, breathing, walking examples of inspired, excited lives. We inspire others to greatness when we ourselves have come to realize that happiness, success, abundance, empowerment, and joy are possible. The magic spreads as we become the magic. Personal success is allowed, so our beautiful concepts are no longer lofty spiritual abstractions, but tangible, physical manifestations. The next time you are perpetually bored, realize the beautiful magic wishing to unfold. An invitation has been issued to venture beneath the surface and investigate new and exciting potentials and possibilities. Inspiration spreads as the success of one individual ignites the desires and dreams of another. It makes a difference that we, you and I, carry excitement once more. Boredom asks us to become the living, breathing embodiment of joy. Our joy brings light into the world. About the Author:This article was written by Dr. Annette Colby, RD., contributing author to "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 2." Dr. Colby is a leader in the field of personal growth and consciousness. As a nationally known consultant, educator, and author, she inspires people to believe in themselves and find themselves worthy of receiving their dreams. Visit http://www.LovingMiracles.com for a free, weekly, life-changing newsletter.Her article above is one of 101 great chapters that can be found in "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 2." This powerful compilation book -- with John Gray, Jack Canfield, Richard Carlson, Bob Proctor, Alan Cohen, and countless other experts -- contains 101 chapters of proven advice on how to improve your life. *** If you purchase just one copy of their new book today, you will also receïve $1,500 worth of valuable bonus gifts. To see this special book package, please visit http://www.selfgrowth.com/products/greatwaysbook2.html

Some Simple Rules for a Satisfying Life - By Andreas Stark

Life has taught me that success, abundance, prosperity, peace, and happiness are all created through exercising a planned routine. To create a happy and prosperous life, we need some instructions, or rules, for living.

Rule 1: Spread love. In order to produce great achievements, we have to take great risks. The greater the required achievement, the greater the personal risk involved. The greater the love we show and give, the greater the vulnerability, but the greater the return.

Rule 2: Learn from life. We have to learn from the lessons in life. When we do lose, as we all will from time to time, we should lose gracefully and learn from the lesson that life has taught us through the experience, turning it into a positive to build on.

Rule 3: Show respect. We need to respect others as we respect ourselves. Above all we should respect ourselves and show that respect. In today's society, there seems to be a great lack of self-respect. Just look at the way people behave and dress.

Rule 4: Be responsible. We need to take full responsibility for all our actions. Always do things for the right reason and from a position of love for your fellow man. Remember that anything done for the greater good will always succeed.

Rule 5: Be ethical. Live a life that is honorable and ethical. Especially in today's world, there seem to be a lot of questions about ethics and deceit. It is very important to stay true and honest to the fundamental rules of ethics and fairness.

Rule 6: Admit fallibility. Remember to take immediate action when you realize you have made a mistake. It is very important that you admit when you have made a mistake and that you take immediate steps to correct the mistake. It is a sign of maturity and of courage to own up to your own fallibility.

Rule 7: Show forgiveness. Do not let little things interfere or destroy a great relationship. Whether in your personal life or in business, relationships are precious and should not be taken lightly, so when minor disagreements occur, do not let these destroy the relationship. Show forgiveness, and move on.

Rule 8: Allow change. Be open to change, but do not compromise on your values and ethics. Through change we grow and learn. Too often, however, people tend to change for opportunistic reasons and are willing to forego all that is good and valuable for immediate gratification or greed.

Rule 9: Learn to listen. There are times when it is better to be silent than to speak. Too often, we feel the need to say our piece, but there are many situations in life where it is better to be quiet and listen. It is through listening that we learn the other person's point of view and get a better understanding of the situation under consideration. This could be a hard rule to master for some of us.

Rule 10: Create abundance. Create a loving and harmonious atmosphere in the home. When we create an atmosphere of love, we create the foundation for happiness, abundance, and prosperity. Remember that it is through giving that we receive the greatest joy and rewards.

Rule 11: Practice quiet reflection. Spend some time alone at least once a day. This is the time you can spend to meditate and reflect on the happenings of the day. This is your opportunity to recharge and to connect with your inner self. Here you will create the foundation for your abundance and prosperity.

Rule 12: Give of yourself. Remember that in any relationship your love for each other exceeds your need for each other. In other words, it is in the giving of yourself without any attachments or expectations that you receive the greatest satisfaction and rewards.

These twelve simple rules, when followed in a consistent manner, will bring you lots of abundance, prosperity, and happiness. They will create a life experience that you will gladly look back on. They have certainly helped me in reaching my life and business goals. It will take time to learn and practice these rules faithfully, but the time spent will surely pay benefits in your life's journey. Always have unwavering faith in what you set out to do, as long as it is done for the right reasons and within the universal rules of ethics.

About the Author:This article was written by Andreas Stark, MSc, contributing author to "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 2." Andreas is a consultant, entrepreneur, and teacher. He and his wife Regina have an independent energy consulting business that specializes in earth sciences and in teaching and training. Andreas has written many educational course manuals for the energy industry as well as for postsecondary education.His article above is one of 101 great chapters that can be found in "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 2." This powerful compilation book -- with John Gray, Jack Canfield, Richard Carlson, Bob Proctor, Alan Cohen, and countless other experts -- contains 101 chapters of proven advice on how to improve your life.