Thursday, July 13, 2006

Don't Be The Next Victim. Six Shopping Safety Tips You Should Know.

Copyright © Carol Kaspszak
Home and Personal Security
http://HomeAndPersonalSecurity.com

Are you concerned about your personal safety whenever you go
shopping?
Things could go wrong just crossing the parking lot. You could
become a victim. Here are a few tips you should do to insure you
and your family's personal safety.
1. When parking your car make sure that you lock your doors.
Always park as close to the store as possible or in a highly
visible, well-lighted area. If you have any valuables such as
cell phones, purses, etc, keep them out of sight or locked in the
trunk. Also, make a mental note of where you parked so you don't
have to wander around the lot looking for your car.
2. When you are going to and from your car, be aware of your
surroundings. Scan the parking lot. Have your keys ready to
unlock your door. If you have an alarm on your keyless locks, be
prepared to use it. It is a great idea to purchase a personal
self defense device. Mace, Pepper Spray, or a 130db Personal
Alarm can come in handy if you are ever attacked. Use assertive
body language to discourage trouble. Look confident and be alert
to what is going on around you. When possible, wear clothes and
shoes that won't slow you down. Look around and under your car
as you approach it. Look in the front and back seats before you
get in. Once you are in your car, lock the doors immediately and
drive away. If you feel you are being followed, don't go home.
Go to the nearest safe location such as a crowded store or fire
station or to a police car.
3. If someone suspicious approaches your car, hit the horn until
they have been scared off or until you have attracted attention.
If you feel you are being followed, act like you know it. Turn
and look at the person. This gives you time to plan and lets the
stranger know you will not be taken by surprise.
4. When you are inside the store don't flash cash. Carry only
the amount of money or credit cards needed for your shopping trip
and keep it secure until you're ready to pay. Then put your
money away immediately before leaving the register. Do not leave
your purse unattended, even for a moment.
5. Your safety is important no matter where you go. Trust your
instincts. Unless it's absolutely necessary to carry a purse or
bag, keep your wallet or credit cards in your pocket. Eliminate
spare keys from your purse. Carry your belongings close to your
body. Hold it in front of you between your arm and body, but not
wrapped around your neck or looped around your wrist. Do not
leave your belongings in your car or otherwise unattended. Out
of sight, out of mind.
6. Avoid using ATMs that are isolated or away from the general
public. Do not go late at night or early in the morning.
Consider bringing a friend along when you use an ATM. Have your
card ready and plan your transaction before you reach the ATM.
If your life is threatened while using an ATM, cooperate fully
with the robber. Your life is more important than the money. Be
safe on the streets. Don't be the next victim.
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Carol Kaspszak
Keeping women and families safe since 2003.
For all your safety needs, shop at:
http://HomeAndPersonalSecurity.com
http://HomeAndPersonalSecurityCameras.com

Alone In the Crowd: How to Overcome Urban Isolation

Copyright © 1998-2006 Steve B. Reed
Psychotherapy Center
http://www.psychotherapy-center.com

The pain of loneliness never knew a stranger. It is the constant
companion of many a solitary soul. In this massive urban sprawl,
the shadow of isolation is upon countless individuals. Most of us
have felt the chill of loneliness. Some people even resign
themselves to a life-style of being alone. With so many people
around, it is ironic that connecting has become so difficult.
There are two key reasons this. One reason is sociological and
the other psychological.
For millennia, people lived in small rural villages. They had all
their family and extended family close by. They grew up, went to
school, worked, lived and eventually died with the same people.
They did not have to do anything to become a part of it all. They
were simply born into the close-nit, social fabric of a
community. During the last 100 years, society has undergone
profound changes that contribute to the problem of urban
isolation.

These sociological changes include four main factors. They are:

1. the migration of the population to large cities since the
industrial revolution;
2. the loss of extended family as advances in transportation
create an increasingly mobile society;
3. the breakdown of the nuclear family with the social acceptance
of divorce;
4. and the loss of history with people as close friends move away
to pursue education, jobs and promotions. We have not yet
developed the coping strategies to deal with these radical
changes.
Today people are trying to adjust and deal with loss, loneliness,
isolation, constant change, high-paced stressful jobs, single
parent families, blended families and the repeated necessity of
rebuilding ones social support system. Many people who go into
counseling are struggling with these issues.
One key antidote for urban isolation is membership in caring
groups that you find meaningful and enjoyable. Any topic of
interest is a catalyst around which people collect. You can join
many possible groups. Among them, one of the few instant sources
of caring community remaining in our society is the church. This
institution continues to play a great a role in people's lives,
socially as well as spiritually. In some of my seminars, I
suggest that people participate in at least three groups that
they can feel a sense of inclusion, acceptance and caring.
Membership does have its advantages.
However, not everyone is comfortable joining groups. There can be
psychological reasons that block a person from joining even
though they realize the benefits of a healthy support system.
Some people have traumatic experiences in their family of origin.
The family is the first group in which we have membership. If it
was not safe to be yourself, to have your thoughts and feelings,
with your family it may not feel safe to think of joining any
group.
Others have felt deeply hurt by a peer group that was attacking,
excluding or shaming. Such painful experiences can develop into a
phobia of social groups. If the thought of getting closely
involved in a group seems threatening and anxiety provoking, then
you may be experiencing this type of phobia.
Lastly, even if you do not have any traumatic associations with
groups, if you grew-up with parents who did, you may have learned
to be afraid of groups simply because they were afraid.
Many excellent treatments are now available in the field of
psychotherapy to help people resolve fears of closeness and
connection to individuals and groups. Any traumatic experience
with family or peer groups can benefit from some of the newer
trauma therapies. Treatments that have a high success rate
include the REMAP process, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT),
and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Research is showing these methods to be both faster and more
effective than the old ways of treating trauma that rely on talk
therapy alone.
Although these treatments represent recent advances in the field
of psychotherapy, a growing number of therapists are becoming
interested. Those who train in these approaches find that many
long-term problems can dissipate in short order. Rather than
years of therapy, many issues only take months. Sometimes, even
as little as one treatment session can make a difference.
Last year, one of my colleagues showed an interest in using the
REMAP process to treat her social phobia. In less than an hour
of treatment, she was already starting to feel better about her
life-long social fear. As the year went on, she kept telling me
about how much more comfortable she was feeling in groups. This
was after just one treatment session.
This shows that when you resolve these psychological blocks, the
quality of your life can improve almost instantly. This can
clear the way for you to enjoy further improvement in the quality
of your life by just adding people.

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Steve B. Reed, LPC, LMSW, LMFT is a psychotherapist that
specializes in treating trauma and anxiety disorders including
social phobia. He treats people at his Richardson, Texas
office (Dallas area) and through phone counseling worldwide.
You can reach Steve at 972-997-9955 or through his website at:
http://www.psychotherapy-center.com
copyright 1998-2006, Steve B. Reed

Overcoming The Fear Of Loneliness

Copyright © 2006 Stanley Popovich
http://www.managingfear.com/
A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear

Sometime or another we will experience a time when we are alone.
The first step is to become comfortable with yourself and having
the self-confidence that you will be able to manage being alone.
There is nothing wrong with being alone. If being alone bothers
you then seeing a counselor can help you with these issues.

In the meantime, here is a short list of techniques that a person
can use so that the fear of being alone doesn't become a major
issue in their lives.

The first step is to find an activity that you enjoy and where
you can meet a lot of people. For instance, joining a group
activity such as a volleyball group, women's club, or making
crafts can be a great way to meet people. Doing something that
you like to do will make you happy and will increase your chances
of making friends.

Spending time with animals can be a great source of
companionship. Having a dog or cat can make us feel loved. If
you don't own a dog or cat, then volunteer at the local animal
shelter. Spending time with an animal or pet can help us to feel
better and can be of good company to all of us whether we are
alone or not.

Helping others through community service can be of some help.
There are many people out there who could benefit from your time
and talents. Helping others can give you a source of pride, help
you feel better about yourself, and can provide long lasting
friendships. Give it a try and you will be surprised.

Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and
realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make your
lonely or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself
questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. For
example, some people may think that if they are alone at the
present time then they will always be alone. This is not true.
Even if your alone today doesn't mean that you will be alone all
the time. No one can predict the future with one hundred percent
accuracy.

It isn't fun being alone, but sometimes there are worse things.
For instance, imagine that you are married or stuck in a
relationship that you can't get out of and also makes you
miserable. Not only do you have to live with this person, there
is no way to get out of the relationship because of various
financial or personal reasons. As a result, you are stuck living
with someone that you can't stand and makes you depressed every
single day of your life. With this viewpoint, being alone
doesn't sound that bad.

The important thing is to do something constructive. Sitting
around and doing nothing will not make things any better whether
it is dealing with the fear of being alone or something else. Go
out and do something that you like to do. In addition, take it
one day at a time and stay committed in trying to solve your
problem.





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BIOGRAPHY:

Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing
Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods"
- an easy to read book that presents a general overview of
techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears
and anxieties. For additional information go to:
http://www.managingfear.com/

Create Your Personal Success Equation!

Copyright © 2006 Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
Shortcut 2 Success
http://www.Shortcut2Success.com



Do you have any idea how to measure your success? I really had
not thought much about how to measure my success until I was
asked the same question. Some of my initial responses were;
money, power, paying off debts, raising children and so on. All
of these are factors in what I refer to as a success equation.

Ok, what is a success equation going to do for me? My answer,
to help keep you focused on the big success picture. To help you
answer and save you a little time, I need you to think about your
success factors (words, phrases or number's) that will
ultimately contribute to equation. Begin to formulate these
factors into a basic equation. Document your success equation so
you can refine it and refer to it frequently. I like to carry
mine around with me, because sometimes I need to refer back to
some of my factors and what they truly really mean to me.
Everyone's success equation will be different and your ultimate
success is dependent upon your personal or professional situation
and how well you assimilate your critical factors.

For this discussion, I will share with you my personal success
equation and how I developed it. By the time you finish reading
this article, I want you to create you own success equation,
believe in the factors you document and implement actions to be
successful.

My success equation (Success=F+F+F+O+P) involves five equal
factors.

* Faith - Believe in a higher presence

* Family - There is no greater priority

* Failure - Do not be afraid of failure, learn and grow from it

* Optimism - Maintain a positive outlook

* Perseverance - Relentlessly pursue your dreams and goals and
recognize opportunities

The first step in developing your equation is listing key factors
(words and phrases) that are important to you. Initially, put
down all your thoughts, then review and eliminate the less
critical ones until you have five to seven factors. To many or to
few may lead to conflicting decisions or priorities. This is why
I recommend you initially omit money from your equation, your
choice.

The second step is to review your factors during the next few
weeks as you interact with family, friends, business associates
etc. Document and carry with you your success equations during
this time fame. As you progress through your normal routine,
allow yourself time to reflect on the factors you have
identified. Ask yourself, are my decisions and actions are
consistent with these factors? Do I need to change my behavior or
maybe a factor? Keep notes; do not be quick to change anything
until at least a week has passed. This is your development and
learning period; there is no need to rush this step.

Third and final step is to critically review your success
equation. Look back through the notes and experiences from the
second step. Refine your success equation, document the final
result and carry it with you. That's it your on the way!

I close this article with one my favorite quotes from Pope John
Paul II, he said, "The future starts today, not tomorrow."




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Kent Jacobson, a.k.a. "Mr. Success" is a trusted authority in the
success field and provides valuable success information for free
through his website at: http://www.Shortcut2Success.com . You can
also read Kent's Success Blog to find more success secrets at:
http://www.Shortcut2Success.com/blog

Time Management For Busy Moms

Copyright © 2006 Vasrue.com, All Rights Reserved
Written by: Jance Hayes


How do you do it? You work 40 hours a week, commute eight, cook,
clean, read bed time stories, help with homework, finagle home
finances and still have time for yourself and your spouse. Is
there an easier way? Before you peanut butter that gum out of
Sarah's hair or hunt down Cameron's pet rat, take a deep breath
and try these helpful time management tips:

1. Carpool. Chances are, there are some neighbor kids that
frantically dart out the door at the same time you are. Each of
these children have parents, as busy as you, and most would love
a break. Contact a few of them and arrange a carpool system.
Then, tote three to four kids to school one week, and have two to
three weeks off.

2. Casserole and Crock Pot. Too busy to cook every single night
after work? Make healthy casseroles the kids will love, like
macaroni and cheese, nutritious tuna or green bean casserole.
Also, use that crock pot: toss in some healthy ingredients in the
morning and go.

3. Prioritize. Can't possibly get it all done? Learn to
prioritize your to do list, putting less critical items at the
end. If you can't get to the less important items for a month or
more, that's okay. Let it go.

4. Delegate. Delegation is a critical time management skill. Are
the grandparents watching the kids next weekend and a birthday
bash just around the corner? Ask them to do the gift shopping.
Also, make sure each child also has chores to do everyday, and
that your spouse contributes his or her fair share.

5. Be Proactive. Are things a bit slow this week? You know it
never stays this calm. So take this opportunity to get ahead. Pay
bills in advance, prepare a week's worth of meals, finish the
less pressing to-do's and basically tie up all your loose ends.

Who'd have thought one child could add so much to one's
schedule. Parenting is daunting, to say the least. But with a
little finesse, you can accomplish it all - gracefully.





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Copyright (c) 2006 Vasrue.com. All Rights Reserved.

Jance Hayes writes about Time Management. For more great
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Saturday, July 01, 2006

I know that!

The three most dangerous words in the English language are: I know that!

Those three words stop people in their tracks faster than a speeding train. As soon as we say, "I know that!" then we shut down to new growth. Humans were designed to be naturally curious and constantly growing beings, but as I always say, "If you're not growing, you are automatically dying."