Inspirations: Even More Things Ive Noticed Along the Way So Far

Some people live in and talk about the past so much it's as if they are "planning for the past."

The "I'm an adult victim/survivor of (fill in the blank)" culture does a great disservice to the possibility of change. There comes a time when you have to give up the identity of victim/survivor and decide who you will be now and in the future.

Here are 5 emotional states that can change your life: disgust, commitment, desire, decision and resolve.

Some people confuse foolish stubbornness with determination.

Would you hire a carpenter or plumber who had only one tool in their toolbox? Of course not. And yet we often approach life situations with an equally limited supply of tools. It was Abraham Maslow that said "if the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail."

Have you noticed that common sense seems to be less and less common?

Sometimes I think God got it backwards. So much would be different if we could be parents before we were children.

Parenting is like eating with chopsticks, playing golf, or driving a car. It looks so easy until you try it.

Be careful of hindsight. While it may be 20/20, what might have been is not necessarily what would have been.

There is no such thing as "no-fault divorce."

If the two greatest and most common phobias are flying and public speaking, I wonder what would happen if you had to give a speech on a plane?

I don't know anyone who hasn't thought of a great idea for a product or service and then see someone else make lots of money with it years later. So next time you get a great idea, put it into action.

I have just one question for husbands (or wives for that matter) who don't believe in marriage counseling: "Do you believe more in dovorce?"

People who talk on cell phones in a movie theater should be made to clean up the floor after the movie ends, using only their tongue and bare hands.

The more I do this counseling thing, the more I realize two things: I'm really just a coach, and there is so very much I do not know.

Wouldn't it be cool if teachers coming out of college were treated like star athletes? You know, a draft, multimillion dollar contracts and signing bonuses......

Most parents of teenagers have had the experience of playing "human alarm clock", having to try and wake up their teen for school. Research shows that adolescents need more sleep than adults. There could be several factors involved in your teen being too tired to get up. One possibility many parents don't think to check is that somewhere between bedtime and morning their kid has snuck out of the house and then snuck back in. Check for exit signs above the windows.

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Israeli soldiers, are seen during a patrol at the Lebanese-Israeli border, near the Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, south of Lebanon, Monday Jan. 5, 2009. The hilltop Israeli outpost towers over this south Lebanon village along the two countries' border, its fortifications shielded by a metal anti-rocket net and marked by its high antennas. Both Hezbollah and Israel this time are saying they're not looking for a fight but both sides are on alert, watching each other. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)AP - Israel resumed its Gaza offensive Wednesday, bombing heavily around suspected smuggling tunnels near the border with Egypt after a three-hour lull to allow in humanitarian aid. Hamas responded with a rocket barrage.



People looks for jobs in front of computer screens at the California Employment Development Department in Sunnyvale, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. The country lost nearly 2 million jobs through November and more bad news is expected this week when the government releases data on weekly jobless claims and December unemployment. No matter how bad those numbers are, and economists expect at least another 500,000 jobs were lost last month, the pain is stretching into 2009. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)AP - Pink slips are piling higher as companies scramble to cut costs even deeper to survive the country's economic and financial storms.



President-elect Barack Obama gestures during a news conference at his transition office in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, where he introduced Nancy Killefer, right, to the newly created position of chief performance officer. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)AP - Pointing with concern to "red ink as far as the eye can see," President-elect Barack Obama pledged Wednesday to tackle out-of-control Social Security and Medicare spending and named a special watchdog to clamp down on other federal programs — even as he campaigned anew to spend the largest pile of taxpayer money in history to revive the sinking economy.



Illinois U.S. Senate Appointee Roland Burris, left, meets with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)AP - Senate Democrats beat a hasty retreat Wednesday from their rejection of Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama's successor, yielding to pressure from Obama himself and from senators irked that the standoff was draining attention and putting them in a bad light. Burris said with a smile he expected to join them "very shortly."



Protesters yell during a demonstration against the shooting death of Oscar Grant at the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. Grant was shot and killed by a police officer after an altercation on a BART train station platform in Oakland on New Year's Day.  (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)AP - Protests over the fatal shooting of an unarmed man by a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer turned violent Wednesday night with windows broken, fires set and train stations closed.



President-elect Barack Obama is welcomed by President George W. Bush for a meeting at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, with former presidents, from left, George H.W. Bush, Bill  Clinton, and Jimmy Carter.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)AP - Confronting a grim economy and a Middle East on fire, Barack Obama turned Wednesday to perhaps the only people on the planet who understand what he's in for: the four living members of the U.S. presidents' club.



In this photo provided by the Washington State Department of Transportation, water rushes past a washed out road near Blewett Pass on U.S. highway 97 in Washington State on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 in Washington State. (AP Photo/Washington State Department of Transportation)AP - Rain and high winds lashed Washington state Wednesday, causing widespread avalanches, mudslides, flooding and road closures as the heavy snowfall that has buried parts of the state began to rapidly melt.



Christian Bale accepts the favorite action movie award for 'The Dark Knight' at the 35th Annual People's Choice Awards on Wednesday Jan. 7, 2009 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)AP - Holy People's Choice Awards, Batman!



Workers put bulletproof glass on President-elect Barack Obama's Inaugural Reviewing Stand on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)AP - The upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama is an attractive target for international and domestic terrorists, but U.S. intelligence officials have no information about specific threats to the Jan. 20 event.



Harvard's Jeremy Lin (4) drives for the basket in front of Boston College's Rakim Sanders in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP - Jeremy Lin scored 27 points to lead Harvard to an 82-70 upset over No. 17 Boston College on Wednesday night, three days after the Eagles upset previously top-ranked North Carolina.



Israelis take cover before a rocket fired by Palestinians in Gaza lands in Beersheba, after they attended the funeral of Israeli soldier Alex Mashavisky at a cemetery, January 7, 2009. (Eric Gaillard/Reuters)Reuters - At least four rockets fired from Lebanon exploded in northern Israel on Thursday, wounding two people, police and medics said, in an attack likely linked to Israel's offensive against Hamas Islamists in the Gaza Strip.



President-elect Barack Obama listens to a question from the media following a meeting with members of his future cabinet and economic advisors at his transition office in Washington, January 6, 2009. (Jason Reed/Reuters)Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama will call for quick action on a fiscal stimulus package in a speech on Thursday aimed at reassuring Americans that he is determined to stem the economic crisis.



A share trader reacts while checking share prices in front of the German share price index DAX board at the German stock exchange in Frankfurt, December 18, 2008. (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)Reuters - A fresh wave of profit warnings and job cuts soured investor sentiment on Thursday after an employment report suggested U.S. job losses in December could be the worst in almost 60 years.



Senate-designate Roland Burris talks with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Reid's office on Capitol Hill, January 7, 2009. (Larry Downing/Reuters)Reuters - In an abrupt switch, Democratic leaders began talks on Wednesday to swear in Roland Burris, appointed by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.



A customer looks at listings on display outside a Brown Harris Stevens offices in New York, June 4, 2008. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)Reuters - It took war, the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression and the collapse of some of New York's famed investment banks, but Manhattan apartment prices are finally falling.



Reuters - U.S. cities are vulnerable to an attack like the gun-and-grenade assault that terrorized Mumbai for three days and killed 179 people, the White House homeland security adviser said on Wednesday.

Reuters - Citigroup Inc is leading other lenders in advanced talks with key U.S. senators on legislation that would allow judges to set new repayment terms for millions of mortgage holders who wind up in bankruptcy court, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people involved in the talks.

Ali al-Marri, who has been held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, is seen in this undated photograph released to Reuters on January 6, 2008. An early test for President-elect Barack Obama will be the case of suspected al Qaeda 'sleeper' agent Marri, which will force Obama to take a position on his predecessor's claim that anyone the president deems a national security threat can be imprisoned indefinitely without charges in the United States. (Handout/Reuters)Reuters - The case of Ali al-Marri, accused of being an al Qaeda "sleeper" agent and held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, will be an early test for President-elect Barack Obama.



Israeli soldiers patrol the Israeli-Lebanese border. The Israeli army fired into northern Lebanon on Thursday after rockets were fired at the Jewish state, an army spokeswoman told AFP.(AFP/Mahmoud Zayat)AFP - The Israeli army fired into northern Lebanon on Thursday after rockets were fired at the Jewish state, an army spokeswoman told AFP.



A Palestinian protestor flashes the V for 'victory' sign in front of an Israeli soldier near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's old city. Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.(AFP/Ahmad Gharabli)AFP - Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.




Psychic Sponge Syndrome: The Easy Inner-Centrifuge Remedy

Here's a nifty trick to use to clear yourself of any psychic... Read More

Game-Set-Match

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 21, 2003I don't... Read More

Even the Smallest Sound

You are probably in front of your computer screen at this very... Read More

?Back to CYA on a Mission?

Six former wards came back to the California Youth Authority (CYA) earlier... Read More

Super Mom, Wonder Woman, Energizer Mommy or Just Mom

Have you ever sat down to watch the evening news and flashes... Read More

Healing from Within

"We are responsible for everything in our lives, including how the chemistry... Read More

Your Inner Wisdom -- Crouching Ego, Hidden Guru

Wouldn't it be nice if you had a spiritual counselor that traveled... Read More

Timepieces

Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 2, 2003I am... Read More

The Power Of A Dream - Success Always Start Off With A Dream

Back in the good old days of school, the teachers would often... Read More

Helen Keller: A Teller and a Seller

What are the odds of someone doing extraordinary things if that person... Read More

Just Think of Kyle!

This morning at 5:22am to 6am, I was overwhelmed. Overwhelmed is an... Read More

If I Hurt You, Then Im Sorry

This statement has stopped many a war in my house. My oldest... Read More

Three Amigos

I feel rather foolish writing this letter, but I need help. I... Read More

Discover Your Passion

What are you passionate about? We didn't ask if you are passionate.... Read More

A Lesson From A Hum Of A Bamboo Clump

Have you heard a nature hymn? For example, a whir of ting-a-ling-a-ling... Read More

Love the Opportunity

Somebody said you have to love what you do, but that's not... Read More

3 Big Fat Lies that Deserve to Die

Big Fat Lie 1: Your personality is formed and unchangeable by age... Read More

Walking on a Path of Life

We set out walking along a route where one foot walks on... Read More

Self-Validation: Living an Empowered Life

Sometimes we are concerned with being right and we don't stop to... Read More

Believe in Yourself!

A near middle-aged man in one of my last workshops had followed... Read More

Energy Work Basics Part 2: What Lifts Your Spirit?

Remember, everything is made of energy. Each of us has an energy... Read More

True Inner Guidance

It's easy to tell the difference between true inner guidance (spirit) and... Read More

Energy Work Basics Part 4: Imagine!

Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge".Did you know that athletes... Read More

Dont Let The Door Hit You Where The Good Lord Split You!

I knew precisely what I wanted. I felt that success was only... Read More

How To Develop A Grateful Mind (The Best Medicine)

There is one sure fire medicine that cures all difficulty and opens... Read More

Clearing Your Inner Landscape: Freeing Yourself From Emotional Deadwood

Do you suffer from emotional clutter? Is suffering even the right word?... Read More

A Plausible Defense

Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 5, 2002I just... Read More

Blessings and Art of Living

My perception is that universe infinitely blesses us every moment. Why we... Read More

Food for Thought

We all love picnics. They represent a fun time as we prepare... Read More

He Who Laughs...Lasts---Where Has All The Laughter Gone?

I love to watch people at airports, malls and even at our... Read More

The Power of Inner SELF

I am sharing one of the great insights.The fear that we have... Read More

Keep Hope Alive

"Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And... Read More

Pay It Forward

My friend Hugh Jeffries died. He was a wealthy man. His wealth... Read More

The Power of A.S.K.ing

Have you ever had the opportunity to follow-up on a sales lead?... Read More

Tighten Your Connection

It was my first and last experience with a pneumatic drill, which... Read More

A Bit Of Turbulence

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 1, 2002I'm a... Read More

Accelerate Your Abilities

In today's fast-paced life, the wins usually go to those with exceptional... Read More

The Rumble in the Jungle: Revealing Greatness

The other night I was watching a documentary on that famous boxing... Read More

The Bouncer (Turning Defeat into Victory)

I'm a pretty competitive guy, though I try to keep it in... Read More

Lessons about Life in an Unexpected Place

Did you ever receive a gift in an unexpected place?I did, when... Read More

Jerrys Yo-Yo

The blaring sound leapt under Jerry's skin and strangled him awake in... Read More

How Do You Read the Bible?

Here's a simple parable with an important moral.Each mirror, you see, has... Read More

The Power Of Love In Your Life!

CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE!"If there is light in the soul, there will be... Read More

For Old Times Sake

Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 19, 2002I am... Read More

Whats Simple?

If you walk up to a stranger in the grocery store and... Read More

Dream Board

DREAM IT, CREATE IT, BECOME ITIf you've been reading my newsletter for... Read More

The Most Famous Line I Never Wrote

There is one line that can dramatically impact your life and I... Read More