Saturday 29 September 2007

Friday 28 September 2007

Thursday 27 September 2007

Secret #94 The 1000 Percent Return Principle

Tired of letting life live you while your priorities sit quietly neglected in the back seat of your life? Well, if you're REALLY ready to do something about it... this blog's for you!

To make sure your life's priorities end up in your daily, weekly, and monthly routine, you will need to start by investing time in planning. Why is planning so critically important? When you take time to proactively plan your priorities into your schedules you are engaging in one of the highest returns you can get from time. As corporate consultant Brian Tracy puts it,
“You save ten minutes in execution for every minute you invest in planning. This means that the very act of planning—thinking on paper before you begin—gives you a 1000 percent return on energy. This is one of the highest returns you can get from anything you do in life.”
If you are serious about getting your priorities out of the back seat of your life, then you must proactively plan your priorities into your daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly schedule. Planning takes time... but the return on your investment in planning is worth the time spent planning.

If you don't take time to plan, you will more than likely arrive at the end of life wondering why life lived you. Is that what you really want?



Note: This blog entry was taken from the workbook and audio CD, Time Management for Painfully Pooped-Out People: Ten Biblical Principles for Taking Control of Your Life and Time

Some Motivational Good Quotes

Some Motivational Good Quotes

Tuesday 25 September 2007

Tuesday 18 September 2007

A quick post - CELL PHONES

Just a small stress management technique!

If yours is stolen or lost......do you have a hard copy with a list of all the numbers available?

Yes, I know you can get them from email, but would it not be simpler to have that hard copy?

My daughter's phone was stolen, so I know it can happen! Hold on to your "stuff", make hard copies of your numbers, and PRAY FOR PEACE!

Valueable Quotes

Valueable Quotes

Saturday 15 September 2007

GONE BUT NOT PERMANENTLY!

I won't be posting for a while....at least I don't think I will. I have family coming to stay and I will try to be spending the majority of my time LOVING them! They are
moving from the east coast and I am so excited I could literally jump out of my skin!

I hope you don't forget to check back with me in a couple of weeks. In the meantime,
love those who are around you. Don't ignore them for someone on line!

Keep the priorities of life in order and remember to laugh, move, have fun and bless
your hearts!

I care!

Friday 14 September 2007

Tuesday 11 September 2007

10 Ways to Excercise the Mind - Revisited

Hi Readers,

I thought this might be a good time to repeat this post. The popularity of Nintendo's Brain training is testament to that! So here you go .. 10 ways to exercise the mind.

Allen



In many ways the mind is like a muscle i.e. if you don’t exercise the mind – it can weaken. Like a muscle, if you regularly test it with exercise, the brain will be become stronger and stay fit and alert. I am sure there are many more spiritual or deeper methods of exercising the mind but in keeping with the theme of my blog I like to keep things simple.

With that in mind :), here are some of my suggestions on how you might exercise the brain and keep your mind fresh.

1. Regularly solve puzzles e.g. crosswords, sudokus and other “brain teasers”.
I find this the single most effective and simple way to exercise the mind. I have noticed if I give them a miss for a while, my brain doesn’t quite operate as efficiently as it might do when I regularly solve my favorite crossword.

2. Play a musical instrument – even if you play it badly.
I play a little bit of guitar and I play it quite badly. I play it for myself and I find it a great way to stimulate a different part of the old grey matter. If you don’t play an instrument then learn how! There are countless instruments out there that you can play badly or you might even surprise yourself and play the instrument well!

3. Paint, sketch or draw. I know what you are going to say. I can’t draw! Well you know what? It doesn’t matter that you are not the next Leonardo Da Vinci, paint or draw for you. I draw sketches now and again and sometimes they look ok and sometimes the look like they have been drawn by a six year old. It doesn’t matter. Do it for YOU!

4. Learn a new language.
This is such a great way to stimulate the mind. I can speak Swedish as a second language and it’s a shame I don’t get to practice it any more. Although my wife and I can have secret conversations in public as there are not that many Swedish speakers in the world. Pick a language you feel you would love to learn but remember some languages are more challenging than others.

5. Learn how to juggle.
I love this exercise. It is a great way to improve concentration and improve hand to eye co-ordination. It also relaxes the mind as you don’t have time to think of all the stresses and strains of life as juggling takes 100% concentration. Go on, give it a go! Its even fun!

6. Play Chess, Backgammon, Checkers or even Go!
These are great and classical mind games and are surprisingly easy to learn but it might take a life time to master Chess or Go! :) .

7. Play computer games.
Strategy games or puzzle games can be great stimulation but like most things in life play them in moderation! I like to play the odd game of “Advance Wars” on my Nintendo DS.

8. Write!
Write poetry, write a short story or even write a blog! :) Even keeping a journal is a great way to flex those creative muscles.

9. Try amateur dramatics.
Acting can be a wonderful release of emotions and very creative. I was involved in an English speaking drama group in Sweden – even performing as part of a cabaret act. It was something so different from my then day job (a computer programmer) and I felt I was able to use other parts of my brain and rest the logical part! There is nothing logical about performing in front of a crowded theatre.

10. Travel.
It is true what they say - travel does indeed broaden the mind. You take in so many things about so many different cultures. You learn that not everybody thinks the same way you have been taught to. You gain an understanding of the world around you and sometimes you have to think fast to meet the challenges traveling can bring. I admit this is not an option for a lot of people but if you ever get the opportunity to travel this world of ours – go for it!

What other ways can you think of to exercise your mind?

Good Luck!,
Allen

10 Ways to Excercise the Mind - Revisited

Hi Readers,

I thought this might be a good time to repeat this post. The popularity of Nintendo's Brain training is testament to that! So here you go .. 10 ways to exercise the mind.

Allen



In many ways the mind is like a muscle i.e. if you don’t exercise the mind – it can weaken. Like a muscle, if you regularly test it with exercise, the brain will be become stronger and stay fit and alert. I am sure there are many more spiritual or deeper methods of exercising the mind but in keeping with the theme of my blog I like to keep things simple.

With that in mind :), here are some of my suggestions on how you might exercise the brain and keep your mind fresh.

1. Regularly solve puzzles e.g. crosswords, sudokus and other “brain teasers”.
I find this the single most effective and simple way to exercise the mind. I have noticed if I give them a miss for a while, my brain doesn’t quite operate as efficiently as it might do when I regularly solve my favorite crossword.

2. Play a musical instrument – even if you play it badly.
I play a little bit of guitar and I play it quite badly. I play it for myself and I find it a great way to stimulate a different part of the old grey matter. If you don’t play an instrument then learn how! There are countless instruments out there that you can play badly or you might even surprise yourself and play the instrument well!

3. Paint, sketch or draw. I know what you are going to say. I can’t draw! Well you know what? It doesn’t matter that you are not the next Leonardo Da Vinci, paint or draw for you. I draw sketches now and again and sometimes they look ok and sometimes the look like they have been drawn by a six year old. It doesn’t matter. Do it for YOU!

4. Learn a new language.
This is such a great way to stimulate the mind. I can speak Swedish as a second language and it’s a shame I don’t get to practice it any more. Although my wife and I can have secret conversations in public as there are not that many Swedish speakers in the world. Pick a language you feel you would love to learn but remember some languages are more challenging than others.

5. Learn how to juggle.
I love this exercise. It is a great way to improve concentration and improve hand to eye co-ordination. It also relaxes the mind as you don’t have time to think of all the stresses and strains of life as juggling takes 100% concentration. Go on, give it a go! Its even fun!

6. Play Chess, Backgammon, Checkers or even Go!
These are great and classical mind games and are surprisingly easy to learn but it might take a life time to master Chess or Go! :) .

7. Play computer games.
Strategy games or puzzle games can be great stimulation but like most things in life play them in moderation! I like to play the odd game of “Advance Wars” on my Nintendo DS.

8. Write!
Write poetry, write a short story or even write a blog! :) Even keeping a journal is a great way to flex those creative muscles.

9. Try amateur dramatics.
Acting can be a wonderful release of emotions and very creative. I was involved in an English speaking drama group in Sweden – even performing as part of a cabaret act. It was something so different from my then day job (a computer programmer) and I felt I was able to use other parts of my brain and rest the logical part! There is nothing logical about performing in front of a crowded theatre.

10. Travel.
It is true what they say - travel does indeed broaden the mind. You take in so many things about so many different cultures. You learn that not everybody thinks the same way you have been taught to. You gain an understanding of the world around you and sometimes you have to think fast to meet the challenges traveling can bring. I admit this is not an option for a lot of people but if you ever get the opportunity to travel this world of ours – go for it!

What other ways can you think of to exercise your mind?

Good Luck!,
Allen

Life

Life

Monday 10 September 2007

Secret #92 The "Why-Not-Try?" Principle

ALPINE, Texas--Mike Flynt was drinking beer and swapping stories with some old football buddies a few months ago when he brought up the biggest regret of his life: Getting kicked off the college team before his senior year. So, one of his pals said, why not do something about it? Most 59-year-olds would have laughed. Flynt's only concern was if he was eligible.

Finding out he was, Flynt returned to Sul Ross State this month, 37 years after he left and six years before he goes on Medicare. His comeback peaked Wednesday with the coach saying he's made the Division III team's roster. He could be in action as soon as Sept. 1.

Flynt is giving new meaning to being a college senior. After all, he's a grandfather and a card-carrying member of AARP. He's eight years older than his coach and has two kids older than any of his teammates.

"I think it was Carl Yastrzemski who used to say, 'How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?' I'd be in my late 20s or early 30s, because that's how I feel," said Flynt, who has made a living out of physical fitness. "That's been my approach to this whole thing. I feel that good. I'm just going to find out if I can perform and make a contribution to the team."

A longtime strength and conditioning coach at Nebraska, Oregon and Texas A&M, he's spent the last several years selling the Powerbase training system he invented. Clients include school systems and the military. His colorful life story includes being the son of a Battle of the Bulge survivor and having dabbled in gold mines and oil wells - successfully.

Flynt's life was supposed to be slowing down this fall. With his youngest child starting at the University of Tennessee, he and Eileen, his wife of 35 years, are planning to take advantage of being empty-nesters for the first time.

Instead, they've moved to this remote patch of West Texas so Flynt can mend an old wound and, he hopes, inspire others.

He became emotional discussing his goal of "helping a bunch of young men to make up for those guys that I let down." Then he laughed about the reality that fellow Baby Boomers are getting the most out of his comeback.

"People are kind of in awe. They keep comparing me to themselves and where they are physically," he said. "If I can help anyone out by what I'm doing, then it's all worth it."

Flynt's position is still being determined, but he used to play linebacker. Wherever he lines up, he'll likely become the oldest player in college football history. Neither the NCAA or NAIA keeps such a statistic, but research hasn't turned up anyone older than their mid-40s. And even those are rare, for obvious reasons.

"I told him he's an idiot," said Jerry Larned, who coached Flynt at Sul Ross in 1969 and counseled him at the start of his comeback. "I said, 'Gosh, dang, Mike, you're not 20 years old any more. You're liable to cripple yourself.' He understands all of that. But he has a burning desire to play. ... He is in great physical condition. He still runs a 5-flat 40 and bench presses I-don't-know-what. He's a specimen for 59 years old."

Back in the day, Flynt was quite a player.

In 1965, he was on the first state championship team at Odessa Permian, the high school featured in "Friday Night Lights." He was offered a partial scholarship at Arkansas when the Razorbacks were among the top teams in the land, but instead went to Ranger Junior College.

He wound up at Sul Ross in 1969. An NAIA school then, the Lobos were in the Lone Star Conference with East Texas State, which at the time had future NFL stars Harvey Martin and Dwight White, and Texas A&I, which was starting a two-year run as national champs. The highlight of Flynt's two years at Sul Ross was sticking A&I with its only loss in '69.

Flynt was going into his senior year in 1971 when he got into a fight that was far from his first. School officials decided they'd had enough and threw him out of school. He earned his degree from Sul Ross by taking his remaining classes elsewhere.

"I actually grieved for more years than I can remember the loss of that senior year," said Flynt, who'd been a team captain and the leading tackler as a junior. "What really got me was I felt that was MY football team and I had let them down. ... I don't know if I ever got over it, but I finally learned to live with it."

Then came word of a reunion of former Sul Ross students from the 1960s and '70s. Randy Wilson, who has been best friends with Flynt since they met as college roommates in 1969, talked a bunch of his former teammates into using that event as an excuse to get back together.

During several days of reminiscing, Flynt's pain became fresh as ever, especially when one of the guys said their '71 season went down the drain without Flynt.

That's when he told them of his remorse. And, he added, "What really gets me is that I feel like I can still play."

"You might as well give it a shot," Wilson told him. "The worst thing that can happen is you get your head knocked off and come home."

When Flynt returned home to Franklin, Tenn., his wife wasn't as fired up by the idea.

"I feel like I'm married to Peter Pan," she said.

It took time to accept that instead of joining their daughter at Tennessee's home opener she would be watching her husband hit kids one-third his age.

Eventually she came around. They've sold their suburban Nashville home and are now living in Alpine, a town of about 6,000 residents near the Big Bend National Park, a three-hour drive from the nearest major airport.

"I told her, for me to know that I can do it and not do it would be worse than losing out the first time," he said.

A devout Christian, Flynt sees many religious undertones to his story. He also believes it touts the benefits of strength training.

"People have asked me, 'Mike, what is the fountain of youth?' Well, it's strength training that builds muscle, increases bone density and burns calories," he said. "It's the one thing you can do in your 90s and benefit from."

Just to be clear, Flynt won't be playing football in his 90s.

He'll be out of eligibility then.

Winner v/s Loser

Winner v/s Loser

Friday 7 September 2007

Comments and that ..

Hi Everyone,

I have a confession. I have been feeling guilty that I have not been responding to your comments in the way I would like to. I have no excuse other than I am a very busy person and sometimes before I know it, weeks have passed and I have not responded to comments on my blog.

What I will say is that I will try an improve upon this (after all this is supposed to be a personal development blog). I read every comment and I appreciate deeply the time and effort you take to pass comment on my scribbles on life.

I hope you all have a relaxing weekend and please be kind to my mistakes.

Peace,
Allen

Comments and that ..

Hi Everyone,

I have a confession. I have been feeling guilty that I have not been responding to your comments in the way I would like to. I have no excuse other than I am a very busy person and sometimes before I know it, weeks have passed and I have not responded to comments on my blog.

What I will say is that I will try an improve upon this (after all this is supposed to be a personal development blog). I read every comment and I appreciate deeply the time and effort you take to pass comment on my scribbles on life.

I hope you all have a relaxing weekend and please be kind to my mistakes.

Peace,
Allen

Life's Lesson

Life's Lesson

Monday 3 September 2007

Hope and Encouragement ....

Two women, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One was allowed to sit up in her bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from her lungs. Her bed was next to the room's only window. The other woman had to spend all her time flat on her back. The women talked for hours on end. They spoke of their families, their homes, their jobs, their travels.
Every afternoon when the woman in the bed by the window could sit up, she would pass the time by describing to her roommate all the things she could see outside the window.
The woman in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where her world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
As the woman by the window described the scenery in exquisite detail, the woman on the other side of the room would close her eyes and imagine the picturesque scene; a park with a lovely lake, ducks and swans playing on the water while children sailed their model boats, young lovers walking arm in arm amidst flowers of every color, the city skyline.
One warm afternoon the woman by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other woman couldn't hear the band - she could see it in her mind's eye.
Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the woman by the window, who had died peacefully in her sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other woman asked if she could be moved next to the window.
Slowly, painfully, she propped herself up on one elbow to take her first look at the real world outside. She strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall. She asked the nurse what could have compelled her deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

--- Author Unknown

Hope and Encouragement ....

Two women, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One was allowed to sit up in her bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from her lungs. Her bed was next to the room's only window. The other woman had to spend all her time flat on her back. The women talked for hours on end. They spoke of their families, their homes, their jobs, their travels.
Every afternoon when the woman in the bed by the window could sit up, she would pass the time by describing to her roommate all the things she could see outside the window.
The woman in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where her world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
As the woman by the window described the scenery in exquisite detail, the woman on the other side of the room would close her eyes and imagine the picturesque scene; a park with a lovely lake, ducks and swans playing on the water while children sailed their model boats, young lovers walking arm in arm amidst flowers of every color, the city skyline.
One warm afternoon the woman by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other woman couldn't hear the band - she could see it in her mind's eye.
Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the woman by the window, who had died peacefully in her sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other woman asked if she could be moved next to the window.
Slowly, painfully, she propped herself up on one elbow to take her first look at the real world outside. She strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall. She asked the nurse what could have compelled her deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

--- Author Unknown

Secret #91 Dare to Be and Do What God Created You to Be and Do

Are you spending your life just making a living... or are you doing what God created you to be and do?

Watch the following video and see a mobile phone salesman turn into an opera singer right before your very eyes.


Okay, you've watched an inspiring video clip.,.. but now you must dare to think, reflect, and step into what God created YOU to be and do...
1. What physical changes can you see in Paul Potts the moment he begins to sing?
2. Think back over your life. What were you doing when you felt most alive? Why?
3. How do the judges respond to Paul before he sings? After he sings?
4. In what ways have you settled for "selling mobile phones" in your life?
5. If you died today, what "music" left unexpressed would die with you?
6. Are you daring to be and do what God created you to be and do? Explain.
7. If not, what's stopping you?
8. What next step do you need to take to be and do what God created you to be and do? Be specific.
9. What might your life be like if you dare to do what you do best?
10. Who else needs to experience this blog? Why not click on the envelope at the bottom and send this to him or her.
Do you need some FREE practical encouragement and ideas on HOW you can be and do what God created you to be and do? All you have to do is CLICK HERE. It's a FREE audio download about what it really means to be a success in life. It's my gift to you for reading this blog. Hope the blog--and the FREE audio--helps you on your journey in some small way.

Sunday 2 September 2007

I need to breathe!

After reading the newspaper, news on the web, magazines, and so forth, I need to take
a breath and relax myself!

So much waste, so much dwelling on horrible incidents and potential disasters.
So right now, and I hope you join me, I am going to take in a few deep, mindful breaths.

As I do so, I am going to visualize all the trauma, all that which I CANNOT do anything about, leaving with my exhalation. This is not to "deny" problems, but to attend to
my own well-being. For if I am to do ANYTHING about ANYTHING, I must empower myself
with positive thoughts and strong intellect.

In breathing my inhalation I think about drawing in fresh oxygen, getting it to my brain (which needs 50% more to think optimally), and regenerating my spirit and my body.

In breathing out I am letting negativity push out down my arms and through my fingertips, and I am releasing in order to think in more positive terms. That will enable me to "handle" what is happening in MY WORLD....and to touch, what I am able, in the world of others.

Another few minutes of mindful breathing and I am up from the computer and out to accomplish a few things, and enjoy the moments of my life. I hope you do the same.