Do affirmations really work?

I've read many conflicting articles on both sides of the argument. The self help sites and writers all support the theory that affirmations work. The scientific community are of course skeptical. One article written on the Positive Physchology website states...there is no conculsive evidence to support the theory that affirmations work. What's a guy to do?

I guess the logical thing to do is to test it ourselves? I found a ton of sites that give you suggested wording etc. All embraced it's effectiveness. What I found little of was evidence of success. I remain optomistic and will therefore test it for myself.

One article that I found interesting was written by Scott Adams, he's the guy who writes the Dilbert comic strip. He claims he was highly sceptical but tried it out and found as he describes it, amazing success. He was able to manifest everything he wrote affirmations about except winning a Nobel prize.

Scott's method was to write out his affirmation 15 times a day. This reminded me of when the teacher would have you write out on the chalk board....I will not poke Billy in the back of head just for the fun of it....a hundred times. I guess that worked as well, as I never poked Billy in class again (ok, maybe in the school ground, but never in class).

So I'm going to try Scott's method with a Truthteller twist! I'll write out my affirmation 15 times a day for one full month. However, since I'm going to choose a really big affirmation, I'm going to employ a creative idea with it. As I said in the previous article, by writing with your opposite hand you engage your creative (right) side of the brain. That should give me a double whammy! It should only take 5-10 minutes of my day, so why don't you join me. A few minutes a day is worth the potential windfall. (Please don't write...I'm going to win the lottery, I already tried that one without success)

No, I'm not going to tell you what my affirmation is! That's my little secret, however, if successful I'll be dancing down the street yelling at the top of my lungs...YAHOO!

Eduardo

P.S. A friend just correctly pointed out to me, that my magic cards are a form of affirmation. So now I'll have a triple whammy, thanks.

Kick start your creativity

"just one good idea could make all the difference in the world"

Every now and them I get stuck for answers to some project I'm working on. I've learned a lot of techniques like brain storming, mind mapping and of course I use the magic cards to great success. However, sometimes the right idea seems to elude me...what then?

Here is a very simple technique to access your right brain (creative side). This technique is very simple, and you know I do simple really well. So try this and have a fun with it:

Write out the question you need an answer for, but do it with your opposite hand. Now continue writing down any potential answers, again with your opposite hand. If you are like me, this really slows down your writing speed and your effort produces some mighty sloppy penmanship.

I'm not bright enough to understand what this exercise does to your neural connections, but it does help you access your creativity. Somehow it reverses your thinking from your logical left side of the brain to the creative right side. I can't say I had any great answers in the first couple of minutes but as I perserved it did seem to bring unexpected results. Sometimes it took several days of this exercise to produce results, so stay with it.

I've been playing (yes, I'm always playing) with doing other functions with my left hand to stir up creativity. Try shaving, using your computer mouse or brushing your teeth with your opposite hand...it's not easy.

Eduardo

P.S. Just for fun, when I met a client this morning and went to shake his hand, I put out my left hand. This put him into instant confusion. In a few seconds, he recovered started laughing and said...you are one weird guy! So I guess you could say my technique caused him to see me in an entirely new way.

Having fun with your brain

"what I am about to reveal, is how in just 5 minutes, you can achieve incredible things"

I really love making statements like that. Sounds like one of those late night commercials. Now if you'll just send me four equal payments of only $999 you will have all you ever dreamed of in just 5 lousy minutes. Ok, back to reality....

This is reality...in just 5 minutes you achieve incredible things! I've made this interesting little discovery. I want to talk about just two parts of your brain. The first is called, the amygdala region. Sounds impressive, and neither of us will remember the name, so let's just call it 'the go' part of your brain.

The go is designed for quick response. It will send blood rushing to your limbs so that you can make a quick response. For instance you see a commercial for a big fat juicy burger dripping with heart stopping fat and a super sized order of fries and the go says....must have now. The go is quick thinking and is in no way contemplative or reasoning. The go is very important, like for instance when you see an insurance salesman, the go moves your feet quickly as possible to the other side of street. No thinking required, just escape. The go is good, sometimes.

The second part (and much larger) part of our brain, I want to discuss is the in the frontal lobe is our know system. The know system is slow and contemplative. It is emotionally neutral. It is designed for thriving and not just surviving like the go system.

Ok, now let's get to the cool stuff like, how to use this knowledge to my advantage? Glad you asked. Let's imagine that you want to do one of the following; lose weight or quit smoking. Your go system, gets an urge to smoke or eat a piece of chocolate cake. The go fires off the thought, go for it and be quick about doing it. The go is in a hurry to fulfill your desire.

But in just 5 minutes we can shut down the go and fire up the know. Here's how it works. Tell yourself...ok, I can have what I want but I will wait for 5 minutes to do it. The go is very impatient and by making it wait just 5 minutes it will give way to your know system. And your know system, will start reasoning with you. Giving you thoughts like....I know that's not good for me, I don't really need that right now, or my health is more important than a stupid cigarette or that damn chocolate cake. The know is the smart part of your brain!

So by waiting just 5 minutes, we can put the know in charge and you have a very good chance that your know will win the day. Isn't that simple?

I've also discovered another way to use my 5 minute system. Let's suppose you are like me and are a procrastinator. Then just decide that you will start the task and you only need to do it for 5 minutes. That's all just 5 minutes. Here is what is likely to happen; first, you either do 5 minutes work and quit, or you just feel like doing a little extra once you get going. Either way you get something done and start moving forward. More times than not you end up doing more work. I've tried this and actually cleaned the bathroom!

Go ahead and print off the card I made above and carry around with you. Think of something you have been procrastinating on and commit yourself to just 5 minutes of effort. Take my word for it you will be surprised!

Or beat back those bad habits by just delaying 5 minutes, you can do it. Let the know system operate your life.

Eduardo

P.S. This message is just for men! Do not, I repeat do not let women see this article or they will be saying things like......come on honey, just do 5 minutes of cleaning in the bathroom, that's all. Don't say I didn't warn you!

You've just got to try this

I think we all realize how difficult it can be to make major changes in our lives. Over the years we've been programmed to react in certain ways. Even when we know we should make changes for some reason we resist. To illustrate how our programming affects us, try this little game:

1. While sitting where you are; at your desk, in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

2. Now, while you are doing this, draw the number 6 in the air with your right hand.

Your foot changed direction, didn't it? You can try it again if you want, however there is nothing you can do about it. Your brain is just wired that way and there is little you can do about it, unless you meticulously practice it for hours.

Fortunately, if we want to make changes to improve our lives we don't have to make drastic changes. Just slow progressive improvements and before we know it, life is great.

Now go try this out on your friends....pass the frustration on, you know you want to!

Eduardo

One dumb little prayer

"God please grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference"

I saw that on a poster in a store they other day, I've seen it elsewhere at least a couple of hundred times. At first, I thought, I guess that little prayer helps a lot of people deal with lives problems. While I was driving around today, the thought occurred to me...man that's dumb!

How are we going to change things if we are praying for serenity, to accept what we don't like? How do I know what I have the power to change, if I don't try? And if I can't answer those questions, how am I going to find the wisdom to know the difference?

Well, that got me thinking I should change that little prayer around to something more useful. Something that might lead to real positive changes. I don't want to surrender to serenity, when it comes to things I think are wrong. I want the courage to tackle things I don't think are possible. And finally, I don't want the wisdom to know the difference or I'll never accomplish much.

What do you think who have happened to Jesus, Budda or Muhammed, if they had that attitude? Nothing great gets done with that kind of thinking! Unreasonable men (and women) accomplish fantastic things with unreasonable beliefs, right?

So amigos, I've re-written the little prayer, to suit me, what do you think?

"God grant me the honesty to know what is right,
the courage to take action,
and the wisdom to make a difference"

I like that, and I'm feeling better already!

Eduardo

Golf balls, coffee and a life lesson

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.

The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full they agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.

The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal."

Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Note: I found this story on several sites on the internet, but I couldn't find the source so who ever wrote it, thank you!

Eduardo

Why you are not rich, and what to do about it!

"the real purpose of television
is to suck the money out of your pockets,
and put it into the pockets of advertisers"

Before I go on my little rant, let me say that TV has the ability to inspire, inform and educate. Unfortunately, it does precious little of that. What TV is really good at is; making us fat, causing attention deficit disorder, de-senitizing society to violence, promiscuity and debt. And that's just for starters..the BIGGEST PROBLEM HAS TO BE OUR LOST OPPORTUNITIES!

"I find TV to be very educational. Every time someone switches it on, I go to another room and read a book" Groucho Marx

TV sucks the energy right out of us. Can you even think of a more sedentary activity than watching TV? It requires nothing more of us than a comatose state excepting of course the trip to the fridge for a snack or beer. And just in case we are not so motivated the food commercials will activate the taste buds giving us just enough energy to get our butts off the couch to retrieve the junk food.

TV is all about selling us stuff, and most of it we really don't need. It's all about consumerism. Think of it as a big vacuum cleaner sucking the cash out of your pockets. Someone is getting rich of television and it's not us.

My biggest beef with that 'stupid box'is the lost opportunities. TV uses up on average 3 hours of our precious time each and every day. That's 3 hours per day that could be used to pursue our dreams, have quality time with spouses and the kids or to gain some uselful knowledge.

When we say we don't have time to read a book, take a course or get some exercise that is frequently just a lame excuse. Turn off the idiot box and you just found the missing time. The extra found time can be just what we need to improve relationships, shed those unwanted pounds and plan that business you always dreamed about starting. Or maybe, time to just dream about a better life.

Now if you'll excuse me, the hockey game is about to start...

Eduardo

go gently

go gently in this world
like the cool summer breeze
that refreshes

be as open to inspiration
as the flower is
to the morning sun

make no more effort
than the river
on its journey to the sea

be not fixated
on the destination
for that is the end

it is the journey
that is to be enjoyed
and cherished

your destiny
is free will
just say thank you

live without effort
carry no burden
for none is necessary

know that life is
meant to be fun, easy
and over-flowing with abundance

Eduardo

"Good things are attracted to good people"

"one of the dumbest things ever said was...nice guys finish last"

It's amazing how something gets said and repeated over and over until, it finally gets accepted as true, when in reality its just nonsense. Everything I've ever experienced in my life, shows me that the opposite is in fact the truth...nice guys finish first.

"how beautiful a day can be
when kindness touches it" George Elliston

The most successfull people whom I've ever met have almost always turned out to be the nicest most considerate people. They tend to be appreciate and in different ways generous. They are usually the nicest men and women in town. So how did that rediculous quote get popularized?

It is actually from a baseball manager (can't remember the name) and he was making reference to another manager who was thought to be too nice. As it turned out the one who got fired was the fool who made that quote. So even he proved his comment wrong.

"if you step on people in this life,
you are going to come back as a cockroach" Willie Davis

I've been reading a book called...Why Good Things Happen to Good People and it quotes extensively studies, that list all the benefits to the one who gives to others. Giving can take many forms and it's not just cash donations. It can include; a compliment, a smile, a favour or just some form of kindness. What always seemed to surprise the researchers was the benefits that the giver got in return.

"today give a stranger one of your smiles,
it just might be the only sunshine he sees all day" H Jackson Brown

Givers live longer, healthier and have better mental health. They are much happier than the general population. And if you want your children to grow up to become good human beings that will do you proud...teach them to be givers too! Teens who are taught to be givers have less problems with alcohol, drugs and promiscuity. Similar to the benefits derived by having a family meal together daily as we discussed in a previous article.

"a bit of fragrance, clings to the hand that gives it" Chinese proverb

I can imagine someone who reads this might think to themselves...oh yeah, what about all the jerks in this world who end up rich and famous? Well, what about them? Are they really winners in life? Think of Mike Tyson, Brittany Spears and Lindsay Lohan? These are people who despite their fame and fortune, found themselves to be empty shells without meaning. They become self destructive because they haven't learned to give back. We can only hope that they find some guidance and get their lives back on track.

Imagine the consequences if we could teach the young to be givers while they are small. We could change the world in one generation. And remember those small eyes are watching us, they learn more from what we do then from what we say.

"never miss an opportunity to make others happy,
even if you have to leave them alone to do it" unknown

Let's you and me, try and lay a few miracles on the world, with a full day of kindness!

Smile, it looks really good on you.

Eduardo

It could be you or me?

You didn't think I was going to say, you or me might be the next Einstien, did you? Well, I'm not discounting you but for myself, that's not possible, because I'm not interested in wearing my hair like that!

No, I'm talking about inspiring someone else on to greatness. To explain my point, I need to tell you a little story. So snuggle up and let me tell you a story about young Albert. Once upon a time....

Albert was one of those kids we would call 'a little slow' (that's if we were being kind). Albert was really slow developing and was way behind the other kids in learning how to talk. He was a poor student to put it charitably. No one held out much hope for Albert. It appeared that Albert would live up to those low expectations until a visitor to his home showed up one day.

It was an old Jewish custom to take in a needy religious scholar to share the Sabbath meal; the Einsteins modified the tradition somewhat, by hosting instead a medical student.

His name was Max Talmud, and he began his weekly visits when he was 21 and Einstein was 10.

Max brought Einstein science books, including a People’s Books on Natural Science, “a work which I read with breathless attention,” said Albert. The books stressed the interrelations between biology and physics. Now that may seem a tad boring to your or me but Albert was enthralled.

Talmud, also helped Einstein explore the wonders of mathematics by giving him a textbook on geometry. Albert was thrilled and couldn't wait to show Max problems he had solved from the book. Albert hadn't even taken the subject in school yet.

It wasn't long before the student had surpassed the teacher. Albert's brain was on fire! Now, you know that Albert went on to discover the theory of relativity. I have no what that theory means, but some people think its a really big deal. Anyway the slow kid went on to be recognized as one of the worlds most important brainiacs.

Do you know what the moral of the story is? Of course you do, you are one of the smart ones, that's why you are here. Yes, you never know what the final outcome will be, when you spread a little kindness and especially when you share a passion with someone else.

Some day they may be saying of you....that Eduardo, he wouldn't be so rich and famous you hadn't stopped by his website and encouraged him to keep writing even though he was a little slow and had no discernable talents!

Smile, it looks really good on both of us!

Eduardo

Spiritual Rules of Money

"money doesn't seem to like people who are desperate for it" Ernie Zelinski

Ernie has written several books telling us how to quit your job and live a comfortable rewarding life. Ernie, has done it, so who am I to argue his success. One interesting part I found in his book...Real Success without a Real Job was his little known, but 'Important Spiritual Rules of Money' I invite you to read this list over and see if it resonates for you as it did for me. I'm pleased he called them rules and not laws as so many pompous writers are fond of these days. Check this out...

Spiritual Rules of Money:

1. If money becomes your primary focus in life, then money is all that you will get.
2. Spending a lot of money can get you trapped into thinking you are prosperous and
having a lot of fun, when all you are doing is spending a lot of money.
3. The person with no money may be poor; however not as poor as the person who has
nothing but money (ouch)
4. Prosperity isn't a matter of acquiring how much money you desire; it's a matter of being happy with how much you presently have.
5. It is better to be out of money than out of new creative ideas on how to have money.
6. Above all, the value of money lies in the creative and spiritual uses to which it can be put and not in how many possessions it can buy.

That's good stuff and lot's to think about. One thing I've realized is that money is attracted most easily to those who have a purpose greater than themselves. It may be to build an empire or to give your family what you never had. Or maybe the idea of developing a product or service you strongly believe in.

"pursue those things that you love to do, and do it so well that the world can't help but notice...then money must flow to you, as surely as the river must flow to the ocean"

What happens when you one day realize that you have more than you will ever need? We see this in movie stars and athletes. Because they have no meaning in their life, money soon becomes insuffient. So they turn to self destructive behaviors. All they need to do to save themselves is find a meaning greater than themselves and their problems will be solved. It's just that easy.

"money is a blessing when you have a use for it that is greater than yourself"

Eduardo

Hey, it's National Grouchy Day!

As I was having my morning coffee and paper I overheard two middle-aged ladies sitting nearby, complaining about getting older. I thought to myself...they don't look that old (after all as they say, old age is 15 years older than you are). At any rate, I had just read that this was National Grouchy Day, so I decided they were entitled to their grouchy day.

This did also get me thinking about 'old age' and I've collected a few thoughts, just in case you or someone you know is getting grumpy about getting older...

"I just love old things, like cheese, wine and you Eduardo"
from a friend (I think)

"there are compensations for aging. One is the realization that if your socks don't match, people won't critize your fashion sense, they'll just think of you as a loveable old eccentric" Eduardo

"a diplomat is a man, who always remember's a woman's birthday, but never remembers her age" Robert Frost

"being an old maid is like death by drowning, a really delightful sensation, after you cease struggling" Edna Ferber

"people who ask a woman her age, are silly, she isn't going to tell the truth anyway" Eduardo

"no matter how old a mother is, she still watches her middle-aged children, for signs of improvement" Florida Scott Maxwell

"when I was 14, my father was so ignorant, I could barely stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonded at how much the old man had learned in just 7 years" Mark Twain

Ok, there you go, you grouchy old people. And even if you are not old, you can be grumpy and grouchy all day long, if you feel like it. I'll leave you with one more thought...I've noticed that as soon as folks get too old to get into trouble, they find everything to complain about the younger generation!

Smile, it looks really good on you, or be a sour puss if you want (but just for today)

Eduardo

Is this is the answer to your question?

"what lies behind us
and what lies before us,
are tiny matters, compared
with what lies within us" Ralph Waldo Emerson

I've been doing a lot of reading and contemplating on life and it's purpose. The search for lasting happiness, how to make life fun and easy and manifesting abundance. Then a couple of nights ago I kept getting the message you see above, in a dream. I woke up and wrote it down. Of course I immediately turned it into a 'magic card' and have been carrying it around with me.

The more I think on it and let it settle into my subconscious, the more it seems to resonate for me. I'm thinking things like; how is it possible to have a healthy body if I don't love it? If I love my body, then shouldn't it be easy to make healthy choices?

And, isn't love the greatest attractor of all? So if love is a great attractor, does it attract abundance? I think so. There's a thought to consider; if we are more loving to everthing and everyone, do we attract more of what we want, whether it be money, people, ideas, fun or love in return?

"my first impression was to pass her by,
until I saw her with another guy"

What is our purpose for being here on this planet? Is it to learn to love? And what exactly is love? I sort of settled on this....love is unconditional caring and kindness. Hey, I didn't bother looking for a definition in the dictionary, because that is is irrevelent to me, what resonates for me or for you, is what is important.

So I've been mentally going around trying to love (unconditional caring and kind) to everything and everyone I met for the last couple of days. This is not as easy as you might think. Someone annoys the heck out of me and I'm mentally trying to conjure up a love feeling. Try stubbing your toe and thinking love for the danged rock! This takes practice and patience.

My results so far have been very favourable, I feel lighter in my spirit and if it's possible I think I've laughed more often. It seems to me that other people are more receptive to me. Don't get me wrong, I believe I am normally a nice guy so I doubt anyone would notice any great change. The difference I think would be very subtle. A few times I had to laugh to myself, like when I was walking behind this big macho brute and I started thinking to myself...I love you. If he could have read my mind, I think he would have probably thrown me into the dumpster.

"love is fun, the other stuff....not so much"

Lots of questions? I guess I'll just have to contemplate on this a little longer. Maybe you have some thoughts, you would share and help me out.

Thanking you in advance....oh, and I love you!

Eduardo

P.S. Wow, that's not easy to say...I love you, must be my male programming, I'll have to work on that.

Simple pleasure improves family life

No, I'm not talking about wine (although I'm open to thinking about that). The one simple thing every family can do, that has been proven to be beneficial for your kids is to have dinner together. That's it, just have dinner together, the whole family. It doesn't matter whether it's gourmet, left-overs or pizza, just share the dinner table.

Harvard Professor Dan Kindlon has quantifiable proof of the benefits for families that eat most meals together (including you Dad). Those families have children who are at significantly lower risk for; promiscuity, depression, drug and alcohol abuse and for under-achieving.

"I told you so! You can even heal your kids and have fun doing it"

This is how families bond, share values, connect and handle the negative influences of TV and all the other pop culture influences. It's through this shared experience that parents can better the influences of the bad kids your children may hang out with. Kids need guidance and structure and most parents are too busy to take the time other than at the mealtime. Besides, eating is good right?

Perhaps one other benefit not mentioned but which I believe possible, is that it can counter childhood obesity. It makes sense to me that when a family eats together they tend to eat healthier. Kids who prepare their own meals, just naturally want to take a short cut and choose the wrong foods.

This is also the most effective way to find out what is happening in their lives. Ask questions and try not to judge. Encourage them to open up about problems and challenges and brag about achievements.

Now what's for supper?

Eduardo

Imagination crisis Alert

"that which you imagine, believe with a red hot desire and act on, is yours to keep"

Consider this quote from Robert Moss's excellent book...The Three ONLY Things...

"the greatest crisis in our lives is a crisis of imagination. We get stuck, and we bind ourselves to the wheel of repetition, because we refuse to reimagine our situation. We live in a set of negative or confining images and pronounce them reality"

He also said, "we do it to cling to the familiar, not daring to give up what we are or, have been, for what we are meant to become".

One of my personal epiphany's was that, most people don't like to think. They believe, that thinking is hard work and who can blame them for not wanting to volunteer for work. It seems much easier to just react when things go poorly, blame others or circumstances.

Imagining is thinking

It is really easy to sit and daydream, but remember that any form of imagining is thinking. So when you play with thoughts in your head you are creating an action that can lead to all kinds of possibilties if you accept the importance of your thoughts. We keep insisting on trying to make life difficult, when the universe wants to simplify it for us and make it easy.

The unreal life

Herman Hesse had this to say...."There's no reality except the one contained within us. That's why so many people live an unreal life. They take images outside themselves for reality and never allow the world within them to assert itself"

So how we interpret what happens to us determines our reality. Two people can have identical experiences and interpret it differently. The effect on their lives can be dramatically different. At any misfortune, one could say...damn, nothing ever goes my way. Another could interpret the misfortune and say...that's not good, I wonder what I could do take advantage of that. One gives up and the other finds answers and maybe even prospers from the experience.

The philosopher Marcus Aurellius had this to say...."a man's life is dyed in the colors of his imagination". So if you're thinking to yourself, my life is a little grey and dark, maybe it's time to dust off your imagination. Daydream about a better life and how that would be and feel.

Don't dismiss imagination in yourself and especially never in your children. Accept what it has to offer, the possibilities are truly only limited by your imagination.

Smile, it looks really good on you!

Eduardo

P.S. Right now, I'm imagining a big beautiful blue sky with white puffy clouds floating by. I'm sitting on my boat, basking in the warm rays of the sun and admiring the blue calm waters that surround me. I'm enjoying the feeling a gentle warm breeze on my skin and an ice cold beverage in my hand. And.....well, why don't you just join me and experience it yourself...

You have problems....you have solutions!

"you know what to do, you just want me to find a shorcut for you"

I am a strong believer that we all have the answers to our own problems. We may have forgotten the answers or we may just be stuck. All we need are some simple techniques to bust open the dam and let the flood of answers and solutions come pouring out.

When things are going poorly, we sometimes feel overwhelmed and feel that we not capable of solving life's problems. Our mind can play tricks with us, making us feel like giving up. Or, we turn to others to ask for solutions, in the hope that we can dump our problems on them. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't. But then what to do when others are not interested in solving our problems?

"I'm thinking that since our minds play tricks on us, why don't we turn it around and play tricks on our mind"

Problems are stressful and can seize up our creative thoughts and block us from what we are looking for, right? Ok, then here is my little trick, or should I say...carefully researched technique (that sounds more professional). It occurred to me, that a better approach to problem solving is to make it a game!

Games are fun, they are not stress producing. When we are having fun, we relax and even though we are expending a great deal of energy, it doesn't feel like it. Any expert worth his salt, will tell us that creativity is most evidenced when we are having fun. And you know what it says, up there in the banner...."everything is possible if you can have fun doing it"

So lets have some fun and solve your problem! Here is what I ask you to do; print off the card you see above (I'll explain how). On the back of the card, write this..."I ask for guidance", now finish the sentence. For instance you might write something like....I ask for guidance to show me how to find a better job. Or any other problem you are stuck on.

Next, meditate on the words on the card..."Don't give up, play with it" As you think about those words, and get yourself in a playful mindset, ideas will start coming to you. Write them down and take action! If you don't write them down immediately, you may lose them. And if you don't take action on your ideas, then this is all just a big waste of time.

Before you go to bed at night, read the card (both sides) and ask for guidance to solve your problem, before you nod off. Keep a pad of paper and pen by your bedside. Your answer may come in the form of a dream. You have to capture that thought as soon as possible as dreams are extremely elusive.

The most important part of this inspired technique (I dreamt about it) is that you will have fun with it. Get yourself in play mode when you are thinking about it. Now, have fun solving your problems....

Eduardo

P.S. If you want to download the card you see above, here's how to do it;

right click on the card
click on SAVE PICTURE AS
then SAVE TO DESKTOP
then OPEN FILE
then PRINT
then ENJOY!
then BUY ME A BEER

Trouble sleeping?

While enjoying my morning coffee and paper, I came across an article that described how so many people have problems getting to sleep. Since I have designated today as my new idea day, I thought to myself....Truthteller has the answer (or at least one of them).

In keeping with my philosophy, that it should be fun and easy...here goes!

Try this out and see if it works for you? Get your self some, zen like music, or classical if you prefer, play it as you are getting ready for bed. Create a mood conducive to relaxing you. If it helps you, take a bath before climbing into bed and throw in a few candles to enhance your relaxation response. The idea here is create a bedtime ritual that starts to slow you down before you slip between the sheets.

Next, and this is the really important part; as you lay in bed, think of 3-5 things that happened in your day, that you feel gratitude for. You can do it, if you make the effort. It doesn't matter how bad your day was, there is always something to be grateful for. Perhaps it was a beautiful blue sky, a lush park you drove by, a compliment you gave someone or received or an apprceation for someone or somthing in your day. I will say this again; if you really think about it,there is always something to feel grateful for!

There you have it, my magical formula...simple and it works.

Here are some other pointers, I got off a research article....

DON'T watch TV in the bedroom, it won't calm you it will most likely put negative thoughts and images in your brain. You want to slow down not speed up your brain.

Banish negative thoughts and replace them with pleasant thoughts and images. Make up a beautiful experience in your head and dream about that. It is only logical that if you want sweet dreams, you need to have sweet thoughts in that skull of yours as you drift off to sleep.

Don't drink alcohol before you go to bed.

Resist the urge to take naps during the day, this will make a sleeping problem worse and keep you up half the night.

Pay attention to your body. Go to bed when you feel sleepy, do not concern yourself with sticking to a regular bed time.

Now, sweet dreams amigo!

Eduardo

This is your lucky day!

"of course I believe in luck, how else do your explain the popularity of Paris Hilton, or the success of Pet Rocks"

Research has shown that whether you believe you are lucky or unlucky...you are right! Lucky people tend to be optimistic, energetic and open to new ideas and opportunties. It only makes sense that if you have these atributes that you will be available for more good things to happen in your life. Consider what Larry King had to say about this? Here's a guy who had interviewed more successful people than anyone on the planet!

"those who have succeeded at anything and don't mention luck are kidding themselves"

Luck goes under other descriptions including, great timing. However, whatever label you give it, luck plays an important role in our lives. Meeting the right person at the right time can mean the difference of having a great relationship or ending up in divorce. Making the right connections (often by chance) can lead to fantastic business opportunties.

By contrast, unlucky people tend to be more withdrawn, clumsy, anxious and ignore a lot of the opportunities that may come their way. Again, this just makes sense, doesn't it? So the big question is...

Can you create luck?

And the answer is YES! Two things are required of you to become lucky. The first is that you must cultivate the belief that you are lucky. The second is that you must give it your attention. That's pretty simple (and we like simple, right?)

Fortunately for you, the Truthteller makes this fun and easy. See the card above? It's your reminder that 'you are lucky'. Just print it off and carry it around with you. Create that lucky feeling inside of you and think upon it. Eventually it will become part of your belief. If this is too simple for your mind to accept, I have another technique, not as simple but effective.

Based on research, that I mentioned in previous articles we found out that if you write an essay on a contrary belief that you hold, months later it was found that most people had changed their beliefs. So if you now feel unlucky, just a write a short essay that argues, why you are lucky. Then let time do the work.

Now I'm not suggesting that you go buy lotto tickets (but if you do and win, remember your amigo Eduardo) but who knows what unexpected opportunities might come your way. One thing is for sure, if you ditch the, I'm unlucky attitude, you will be at least receptive to good stuff happening. You have nothing to lose by trying my suggestions, but a bad attitude!

"a man on a date, wonders if he'll get lucky, a woman already knows"
Monica Piper

Smile, it looks really good on you!

Eduardo

It's International Smile Day

Quote from a friend....."when I found your blog Eduardo, I couldn't stop laughing all day long.....one of these days, I think I'm going to read it"

Sign on a bar.....Guy's: No shirt, No Service
Gal's: No shirt, No Charge

Joke....What do you call a dog with no legs?
It doesn't matter what you call it, he ain't gonna come!

Quote...."Friendship is like peeing on yourself,
everyone can see it,
but only you get the warm feelings that it brings"

Ok, I've tried to do my part, now it's your turn to make someone smile.

Smile, it looks really good on you!

Eduardo

You might be one of the richest people in the world?

"you can always tell a real friend:
When you make a fool of yourself,
he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job" Laurence Peter

Most people in surveys say that they are happier when they are with friends than when they are with either a spouse or even their children. That's a very surprising insight (if it's true). I would have assumed that for most people their spouse was their best friend? However, it does clearly illustrate the importance of having true friends.

"if you have at least one true friend, you are much richer than you think"

So what constitutes a true friend? I remember reading what Mark Twain had to say about it. He said something like this; "a friendship is not a true friendship until it has been tested. Until then it's just an acquaintance" That may not be a totally accurate quote (and I'm too lazy to look it up), but the point is valid.

Here are a few other indicators of whether are friends are true friends;

* When you need help, they are the first to offer assistance
* You can confide in them with your biggest problems
* In some way, they help you become a better person
* They like you when you screw up and they like you when you succeed
* They are faithful, loyal and sincere (yes, they tell you when you've done wrong)
* And, they make time for you, even if it is an inconvenience to them

"the only way to have a friend, is to be one" Ralph Waldo
Emerson

Friends that you develop through the workplace can be fleeting. Once one of you changes jobs the connection can be lost without some extra effort. The same goes for friendships developed through your spouce, it too can be fleeting. So, its always best to develop your own friendships.

"Great friends don't come cheap"

The price you pay for a great friend is your time, support, inspiration, empathy and advice. I assume you want a happy friend so it is incumbent on you to be a happy person. The price is high but so is the reward. Great friendships are high maintenance (I was going to say just like women, but I'm much too nice to go there).

"a great friend knows when it's time to shut up and let the other person do the talking"

The sum of all of this, is that to have a great friend you have to suppress your natural desire, which is to always put yourself first. Little wonder that so many say they don't have any great friends outside of the marriage.

"the best thing about friends is that you get to choose them"

Or as Dr Wayne Dyer joked...friends are God's reward for putting up with your family(unless your lucky like me and enjoy your family). So if you have great friend(s) take care of them and if you don't, go find yourself one and you will be infinitely richer!

Eduardo

Do you want to make someone cry?.....in a good way

"Thanksgiving is not that far away. I'm going to share with you something that could make your family get-to-gether so special, you'll be thanking me for years"

Of course this idea is not exclusive to Thanksgiving, you could use it anytime you felt it appropriate. Although, special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas and religious holidays add a special touch (and a few extra tears).

Suppose that you have someone in your life that you feel you are greatly indebted to. So you want to show them your gratitude and you want to do it in a way that will be profound. This technique will do the job for you, but be warned....bring a big box of tissues!

"silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone" G.B. Stern

First, you write a letter to that person and express as fully as you possibly can how you feel about what they've done for you. Pour your heart into this as it must be as genuine and heartfelt as you are capable of. Don't send that letter off!

Next, get face to face with that person. If you think it appropriate, and it can be even more powerful if others that person loves and respects are present, read your letter to them. Then stand back because the tears will start to flow from the recipient of your gratitude. Then before you can say...your welcome...your tears will join in the outpourning of emotion. Then the dams break and soon everyone is crying like a baby.

The experience can be so moving and emotional that it will be remembered by everyone present, for the rest of their lives. The bonds of frienship will be stuck together like the world's most powerful crazy glue.

It would be perfect if this is where the story stops, but there is more. People who have tried this say that it starts a chain reaction. Soon others want to try it on someone. As it spreads the tears flow like rivers and the hugs and 'I love you's' become an unstoppable avalanche.

"before we know it, we will have flooded all the rivers, raised the sea level and...healed the world"

Eduardo

P.S. I'd love to lay claim to the idea, but I got from the book...A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink

Is it time to take the kid inside of you, out for a spin?

"the foundest memory of my childhood,
was making my friends laugh so hard,
that their soft drink came out of their nose"

This article was inspired by a discussion by the Happiness Club, an internet discussion group. The discussion got me thinking about 'lost childhoods'.

Many of us had less than desireable childhoods, don't get me wrong, mine was mostly good, however parts were not. Quite awhile back, I decided that rather than dwell on what wasn't I could and would create what is.

Now, I can't be a child again, however, I still have my inner child. That part of me that can in a moment be child-like, playful and downright goofy. So now I tell others...

"it's not my inner child
I'm afraid of losing touch with,
it's my outer adult"

We can reconnect with our inner child at will and in a million different ways. Remember what it was like as a child, to lay on your back and try and find interesting shapes in the cloud formations? How about getting a bike and going for a ride again? Tobogganing, playing in the sand at the beach, telling corny jokes, running and kicking through a pile of leaves, jumping in a mud puddle...I'm sure you get the idea. Just think of what you liked or wanted to do as child and go for it. It's never too late to have a happy childhood!

"if you carry your childhood with you,
you never grow older" Tom Sheppard

Even if your physical abilities prevent you doing some activities, there are other things you probably enjoyed as a child. Try drawing, painting or writing a story or poem. It really matters not whether you are good at it, only that you have FUN! How about finger painting?

"the things which the child loves
remain in the domain of the heart" Kahlil Gibran

Children are naturals at finding joy and happiness especially with their imagination. We've all seen young kids have more fun with the box, then with the gift inside?

Still having trouble with the concept? Then go borrow a child and get down on the floor and play with them. Don't worry, kids can always think of a game. So let's dust off our imagination, connect with the kid in you, and go for a spin.

Smile, it looks really good on you!

Eduardo