Dog Take on Our Emotions

Were you ever crying in a room on one end of the house and were suddenly nudged by your dog’s wet nose underneath your hand, sensing its desire to bring love and comfort to you? You knew your dog was sound asleep on one end of the house, yet all of a sudden, here is your faithful companion reaching out for you…..longing to comfort you and restore peacefulness to your life? 

Stories like this happen more times that you may imagine. Perhaps you’ve realized this has happened to you before; or, maybe, this has happened without you even realizing your animal’s focused efforts to bring solace and comfort into your life. Like emotional sponges, our dogs take on so much of our emotions for us. Being the loving, selfless souls that they are, dogs especially seek to love us 


unconditionally. We can walk in the door at the end of a rough day, yelling and screaming, “GET OUT OF THE WAY!” Dogs back away and give us our space and then five minutes later, they’re right there on the couch, curled up beside us. If there’s been a death or loss in the family (through divorce or military deployment), you may notice that your dog is experiencing grief, much like us humans do. Therapy dogs can walk into Assisted Living Homes and nuzzle their way underneath an elderly, arthritic hand – the hand of a woman who appears to have been forgotten by family/friends and hasn’t spoke a word since being admitted; yet a therapy dog walks into the room and this very same woman’s face lights up, as she utters, “I love you,” to her newfound canine friend. Then there’s children who have been labeled dyslexic and cannot seem to read; however, a canine friend lovingly sits beside them and suddenly the child’s words are more audible and clear.

All animals are loving indeed. Yet, there is something extraordinary about the Spirit of a Dog. When I was afflicted with fibromyalgia for years, my beloved cocker spaniel, Tippy, “suddenly” developed rheumatoid arthritis (which has similar symptoms of fibromyalgia). This was Tippy’s way of lovingly and selflessly taking on “my stuff.” I’ve heard stories where someone in a family household will start to lose their hearing; when suddenly, the family dog is also hard of hearing. What living proof of the enormity of love they have for us. Even in animal shelters, where homeless dogs nervously sit awaiting new homes, dogs can take on the emotions and stress of the staff assigned to their care.

Realizing how loving and selfless our dogs are for us, it’s only right that we make sure we afford them the opportunity to release and clear all they’ve taken on – personally, as well as on our behalf. Whether a Reiki Session for energetic balancing, a Journey™ Process for cellular healing, or an Animal Communication Session to convey messages of the heart, the dogs in our world will greatly benefit. Just as we need outlets to clear our stress and emotions, so do our canine friends.  

As a Spiritual Guardian for Animal Wellness, I am oftentimes cautiously asked, “Why has the passing of my dog stirred up so much more grief and emotion, than the passing of my (mother/father/spouse)?” The answer: As much as our parents/spouses love us, we are all still human; and humans are not capable of being such Unconditional Love. Dogs, however, have mastered it; they apply it to life daily. Plain and simple, they give us something that no human ever can – the gift of Unconditional Love. 


http://www.AdvancingLifeNetwork.com 


Article By: Caly Lehrer,

 
Caly Lehrer, Founder of Peace-By-Peace, LLC, is Your Spiritual Guardian for Animal Wellness. Caly began working with animals by sharing, then teaching, Animal Reiki. She then tapped into her gifts as an Animal Communicator and Empathic Intuitive. As she went on to become an Accredited Journey™ Practitioner, she decided to take this work where very few, if any, have gone….into the world of animals and those who care for them. Since then, Caly has studied Pet Loss, Grief/Bereavement, and is presently learning how to locate lost pets. Caly is the former Director of Special Projects for SARA (Shelter Animal Reiki Association). Caly now volunteers her time with animal shelters/organizations worldwide, helping homeless and abused animals to find their way home.

Friday The 13th...Very Superstitious

On a recent trip to my acupuncturist, I was reminded that Friday the 13th is a really easy day to get an appointment. She told me that people won’t book appointments, because they won’t drive. Some people don’t even leave their house, or their bed! I was once again, for some reason, surprised; mainly because I consider myself to be a very non-superstitious person. I’ve actually been known to walk under ladders, as long as a black cat isn’t crossing my path at the time.

My curiosity was once again aroused so I couldn’t wait to get home and investigate the whys, wheres and hows of this apparently wildly held superstition. The good news for those who believe in this superstition, is that 2011 only has one Friday the 13th, which falls in May this year. The number varies from one to three per calendar year and every month that begins on a Sunday, will have a Friday the 13th. Good to know, I thought. And, the longest period of time without a Friday the 13th is fourteen months.The fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia (Frigga the name of the Norse goddess whom Friday is named after and triskaidekaphobia meaning the fear of the number 13) or also, paraskevidekatriaphobia. The impact of this day is so widespread that the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, estimates that 17 to 21 million people in the United States alone are affected by a fear of Friday the 13th. Wow, that is a lot of people. I wondered if these people will go to the horror movie Friday the 13th because I admit, I personally don’t like horror movies and always wondered about the type of person who does. That’s another story, so back to the major influence this day has. Donald Dossey, behavioral scientist and founder of the above Institute, also reported that “It’s been estimated that $800-$900 million is lost in business on this day because people will not fly or do business they would normally do”. That’s an enormous impact related to one superstition, some say the most prevalent superstition of all.There are varying reports on where Friday the 13th, as a superstition, started. According to folklorists, there is no written evidence of the superstition before the 19th century. There are several theories that it is a modern amalgamation of two older superstitions. The obvious one is that the number 13 is an unlucky number. The other is that Friday is an unlucky day. Being interested in numerology, I do understand that 12 is the number of completeness. We see this reflected everywhere in our world, in the twelve months of the year, the twelve signs of the zodiac, the twelve hours on the clock and even the twelve Apostles of Jesus. The list of 12s goes on and on. Because thirteen is irregular, it infringes on this completeness. There are both biblical and Norse myths which relate to the “unlucky” associations with the number 13. If I stop to think about it, the fear of the number 13 is so prevalent, most apartment buildings and office towers don’t even have a 13th floor and many don’t have any rooms with the number 13. When I was recently checked in to a room on the 13th floor of a hotel, I admit, I didn’t even realize it might be unlucky, until I was in the elevator with another guest who had been placed on the same floor. We fearlessly rode to the floor, commenting and laughing that we might be the only ones checking in who were okay to take a room on the 13th floor. For me, the positive was that I had a great view of the city.

Friday, however, as an unlucky day could date back to the 14th Century and The Canterbury Tales with other professions regarding Fridays as a bad luck day to start trips or begin new projects. Black Friday, the infamous stock market crash day, is just one of the unlucky associations tied to a Friday. Personally, knowing Friday is Venus day, I love it and look forward to it. I know there are many working girls and guys who spend many of their weekdays waiting for it and proclaiming TGIF, (Thank God it’s Friday) when it arrives. Maybe just not when it’s a Friday the 13th, I suppose.

There is so much written about Friday the 13th, I was encouraged to find that there is good news, relating to overcoming this fear of it. Dossey, among others, offers ways of changing the negative “bad” luck association with this day, by thinking positive, pleasant thoughts which in turn creates more pleasant feelings, which might then help diminish the overwhelming aspect of the fear. Folklore remedies offer up the following: Climb to the top of a mountain or skyscraper and burn all the socks you own that have holes in them. Or, stand on your head and eat a piece of gristle. Reminds me that if you are open to finding it, there is always hope.

So, whatever you decide to do this coming Friday the 13th, I wish you all good luck and an especially wonderful day. As for me, I know for sure I’m getting out of bed, leaving my house, getting in my car and driving to have an acupuncture treatment.Beverley Golden

Biography

Beverley Golden is a freelance writer and songwriter who lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Having written everything from full length magazine articles to song lyrics, she loves to research, design and build stories. She is the author of the upcoming book, Confessions of a Middle Aged Hippie, her first full length book; a memoir combining her anecdotal stories taken from her years in the entertainment industry, coupled with her stories of survival, from a lifetime lived with health issues. She has lived her life as a “self professed guinea pig” willing to find and test unconventional ways to take what she is told is impossible and transform it into possible.

How Seth Godin Reminded Me and Tim Ferris Confirmed....

Lately, I’ve become a fan of all things Seth Godin. Although he has been a popular and well known author, blogger and marketing guru, for many years, I confess I only recently found him. I am, however, committed to playing catch up and I’m absorbing all he has written, as fast as I can. In Godin language, I have become a true enthusiast.

I admit that at times I find myself a bit intimidated by his constant reminders about being “remarkable”. Godin says in Small is the New Big, “Working hard doesn’t make you remarkable. Doing a good job doesn’t make you remarkable. What makes you remarkable is being amazing, outstanding, surprising, elegant and noteworthy!” Gulp! Okay. Am I putting myself out on a limb; setting myself up for serious scrutiny? No matter what, in 2011, I’m taking the leap. I have always thought that being ordinary, normal and average were not things to aspire to anyways. Somehow reading Godin confirms for me that I was right to think that way all along. He also continues to remind me that fear of change, not by me alone, but by the population in general, has led to a persistent belief in what he calls “lies that people tell to maintain the status quo.” Of the ten he lists in his rant “Mail...the check is in the” I relate to the one that affects all of us who travel frequently. “A bottle of Evian is dangerous to airline security and must be surrendered.” We have accepted this as truth or at the very least an imposed truth. He goes on to say, “...people will embrace patently false ideas if it helps them deal with their fear of change.” 

This kind of modern day myth permeates all areas of our lives. Once they take hold they seem virtually impossible to dislodge. Which brings me to the title of this article. In the areas of health and weight loss, this kind of popular “lie” has without much effort, been ingrained into the mass consciousness relating to the part calories play in healthy weight loss or weight gain. Although there is much research over many decades to the contrary, I would bet that most people, when asked, would confirm that if you eat fewer calories than you expend, you will lose weight. Simple, right? Even though there has been increasing evidence that not only is the kind of calories important, but that calories, if they count at all, are merely a small and maybe insignificant piece of the overall complex weight puzzle. Yet, the idea persists that if you cut your calories and do more exercise, you will lose weight. The old calories in - calories out theory. This brings me now to Tim Ferriss and how reading his new book The Four Hour Body confirmed that the weight gain, weight loss issue has little, if anything, to do with calories. I must admit I’ve also become an enthusiastic fan of Ferriss’ and luckily for me, he only has two books, so I’m pretty much on track with all he has written. In very succinct Ferriss style, in explaining the subject of calories, Ferriss says, “as usual, the focus is on the least important piece of the puzzle. But why do scientists harp on the calorie? Simple. It’s cheap to estimate and it is a popular variable for publication journals.” He then goes on to call this “parking lot science” and I suggest you read why, in what I think is a current and informative book.

I personally have understood for a very long time that calories don’t really count. In my ongoing search for ways to continue to improve my health, (which at times has been so bad that it was feared I might die of malnutrition and at other times I was so heavy no matter what I did the weight didn’t come off), I have read many, many books and tried even more programs. I have faithfully counted calories and could never explain the lack of significant results. Yet, the widely held calorie myth is hard to dislodge. It appears on food packages and we are constantly reminded about calories and their relationship to weight, seemingly everywhere we go. I have always been willing to go against the popular belief of the moment. The recommended daily dose of vitamins and minerals has never resonated with me either. I take 3,000-4,000 mg of vitamin C daily, thanks to what was once controversial research by Linus Pauling. This is much higher then the suggested RDI which is between 60-75 mg, but it doesn’t seem to have hurt me in any way. Dare to explore what works, I say. 

Now that a new year is here, I have given myself a challenge; to question some of the widely and long held “truths” that just may not work anymore and in fact, may not have ever been true at all. The start of this new year, 2011, brings us all an opportunity to be open to make changes, some people call them resolutions, as even small ones can make a big difference in our own lives, and can inevitably have an impact on those around us. Personally, I am ready to give up the lies I have bought into over the years. I am committed to being remarkable and an enthusiastic enthusiast as Godin suggests and to becoming superhuman and having incredible sex, if I learn from Ferriss. If I can do this, well 2011 just might be the best year of my life to date! In advance, I thank Seth Godin and Timothy Ferriss for challenging me to be better and to do better. What will 2011 look like for all of you?


Thanks to: Beverley Golden for the article
http://www.beverleygolden.com   

Pass The Salt

Salt is big business. In 2007, the total world production of salt was estimated at 257 million metric tons, the top five producers being China (59.8 million tons), the United States (44.5), Germany (19.8), India (16.0), and Canada (11.8). Americans are responsible for most of the demand. We consume more than two-and-a-half times the recommended amount of salt. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults should consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium or about one teaspoon of salt per day. The Center for Disease Control found nearly 70 percent of U.S. adults are in high-risk groups that would benefit from a lower-salt diet of no more than 1,500 mg per day, yet most consume closer to 3,500 mg per day. Nearly everyone is aware of the risks. The Wall Street Journal reported that Pepsi is developing a “designer salt” that is slightly more powdery than the salt it regularly uses. The company hopes this new form of salt will cut sodium levels by 25-percent in its Lay’s potato chips. Nestlé prepared foods company, which produces frozen meals, announced that it will reduce sodium in its foods 10-percent by the year 2015. Also, General Mills announced that it will reduce the sodium content of 40-percent of its foods 20-percent by the year 2015.

It seems everyone is working toward lower salt consumption. But, here in Pamlico County, salt is often consumed in a different way. Salt is sometimes rubbed into the wounds of others. And, even worse, some people rub salt into their own wounds. What do I mean? As an example, one of my clients, a tactless manager, was quick to point out the failures of others. He put salt in others’ wounds. His managerial style rendered him less effective than his counterparts. Instead of instructing, this manager would critique his employees in a harsh demeaning way. Productivity suffered until the manager was able to hear and feel the words he delivered. Once he stopped putting salt in wounds, productivity increased and the workplace environment improved dramatically. Most often, others know they have failed and don’t need to feel any additive pain.

Another misuse of salt is putting it in your own wounds. Self ridicule and negative self talk leads to underachieving. Your mind is your most powerful asset. Unfortunately, if you speak ill of yourself, your mind will believe what you tell it. What you focus on grows. The ability to turn a negative thought into a positive thought is the vital ingredient for a successful and fulfilling life. So, easy with the salt! Leave salt out of your wounds and be kind in what you say to yourself and others. Your mindset is the difference between achieving your desires and falling short.

Acupuncture...East Meets West

Sitting across a small desk like table, I extend my arms toward her. She places her index, middle and ring fingers on each of my wrists. Like a skilled piano player, she moves her fingers, first lightly, then with a bit more force and finally with an even deeper touch, shifting these alternating pressures from one wrist to the other on three specific points on my radial artery, nine pulses in total. As we engage in lively conversation she asks me how I’m feeling and then tells me that today I have the beginnings of a cold. Although I haven’t been experiencing the symptoms yet, I trust her, especially after she asks to see my tongue and quickly nods and confirms that I am indeed showing the early signs of a possible cold.

This is not some kind of hands-on fortune teller predicting my future, but my acupuncturist Daniella, and since I have been seeing her consistently almost weekly for many years, I smile, knowing not to doubt her. When this session is finished all will be in harmony again. After her initial pulse and tongue diagnosis I gladly move to the table and am more than ready for my acupuncture treatment. 

Acupuncture is an ancient art of healing whose roots started in China long before written texts began. There are reports that acupuncture is over 5,000 years old and that Egyptians talked about vessels that resembled 12 meridians in 1550 B.C. The first written documentation describing the organized system now recognized as acupuncture, is the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine which dates back to 200 B.C. Also called the Huang Di Nei Jing, it regarded the human body as a miniature representation of the universe as a whole and taught that a state of health could be achieved by balancing the body’s internal environment with the external environment of the entire universe. 

Acupuncture is part of the system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is one of the oldest continuous systems in medicine. In contrast, American or Western forms of health care have a much shorter history. The American Medical Association, which is the largest U.S. health care association, was formed in 1847 some 3800 years after the first mention of TCM.

Many of the concepts in TCM do not have any true counterpart in Western medicine. One of the key concepts is qi(pronounced “chi” or “chee”) which is considered a vital force or energy responsible for controlling the harmonious workings of the human mind and body. Qi flows through the body via channels called meridians. There are a total of 20 meridians, 12 of them primary and corresponding to specific organs and organ systems or functions and eight secondary meridians. It is imbalances in the flow of qi that cause illness. When the flow is corrected, the body is restored back to balance. Acupuncture is the most practiced way to restore this balance in Traditional Chinese Medicine, although techniques like acupressure, moxibustion and chi kung or tai chi are various other practices incorporated. 

There are numerous references to the origin of the word acupuncture. The earliest European reports came from Jesuit missionaries in the 16th and 17th centuries. The word acupuncture was coined by French Jesuits from the Latin acus (needle) and punctura (puncture). Another report claims the term acupuncture was coined by Dr. Willliam Ten Rhyne. It was earlier known as Chen in China, which can be translated roughly into “to be pricked with a needle”.

Acupuncture began to appear in the medical literature in the U.S. in the mid-1800’s when Sir William Osler included a section on the use of acupuncture for “lumbago and sciatica” in his The Principles and Practices of Medicine.A turning point for the wide acceptance of acupuncture in the United States happened in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston accompanied President Nixon’s Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger to Beijing to report on a ping-pong match between China and the U.S. He developed acute appendicitis and required an emergency appendectomy. His personal report of his firsthand experience with acupuncture for post operative pain management was published on the front page of the New York Times, sparking enormous public interest in acupuncture. The first clinic, Acupuncture Center of Washington opened in 1972, and received massive news coverage. The 20 oriental acupuncturists, mostly brought from New York City, were soon treating more that 250 patients a day. It wasn’t long before the medical establishment tried to close it down by taking the city of Washington D. C. to court, but losing. Acupuncture has flourished ever since. In the 30 years since, acupuncture has been legalized in more than 46 states and between 2002 and 2007, the number of acupuncture practitioners in the U.S. grew by 32 percent.


Although some people fear acupuncture because of it’s use of needles, modern acupuncture uses disposable needles, making the treatment safe. Made of stainless steel, the needles come in various lengths and gauges of widths. They are solid, not hollow, and have a finely tapered point. As I’m lying quietly on my back, my acupuncturist begins to insert the needles systematically, in points on my legs and feet then arms and hands, moving to points in my ears and the top of my head. Each treatment for me is different, although the all too familiar points on my stomach and spleen meridians on my leg, generally cause me to open my eyes and pay attention.


My respect for her proficiency continues to grow, as I understand that Chinese pulse diagnosis is an extremely complex and subtle skill, as is the art of needle placement. Acupuncture is essentially painless. Some people experience a slight pinch as the needle is inserted but most experience no discomfort at all. I understand that needling of acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain. The chemicals will either change the experience of pain or trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body’s own internal regulating system. Although acupuncture is most widely used for pain relief, it is effective in treating a wide range of ailments; from digestive problems to infertility and fibromyalgia to heart conditions. 

With the needles all inserted, I feel my mind begin to quiet and I fall into a deep state of peaceful relaxation. The needles will remain in for 20-30 minutes and today I fall asleep for most of the treatment. As Daniella’s gentle steps approach me and she methodically removes the needles, I feel gratitude that I have included acupuncture in my preventative health protocol for over 20 years now. I get up from the table and return to my starting position, where she retakes all nine pulses and studies my tongue again. She smiles and tells me, my pulses are great now; and I’m feeling great. As I venture out into the world I’m energized and confident that I am once again ready to accomplish just about anything.

Beverley Golden

Biography

Beverley Golden is a freelance writer and songwriter who lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Having written everything from full length magazine articles to song lyrics, she loves to research, design and build stories. She is the author of the upcoming book, Confessions of a Middle Aged Hippie, her first full length book; a memoir combining her anecdotal stories taken from her years in the entertainment industry, coupled with her stories of survival, from a lifetime lived with health issues. She has lived her life as a “self professed guinea pig” willing to find and test unconventional ways to take what she is told is impossible and transform it into possible.

The Cycle Of Beliefs And Expectations

Last week, one of my coaching clients had his grandmother pass away. She was age 97. She did not have much money. She did, however, have quite a collection of furniture. Despite his personal desires, my client was persuaded by the other members of the family to assume ownership of the furniture. He already had all the furniture he needed. Now, he was acquiring a truckload of out-of-style furniture. And, the unspoken contract he had with the rest of his family did not allow him to sell or dispose of grandma’s furniture. His parents, aunts and uncles did not want the furniture, but they wanted it to stay in the family, forever.

How often in our own lives do we assume ownership of the “family furniture”? “Family furniture” is akin to beliefs and expectations. Family beliefs and expectations are thrust on us like my client’s unwanted furniture. The desire not to disappoint makes the unspoken contracts binding. We are expected to abide by family beliefs and expectations, quietly and obediently. Perhaps we are expected to inherit and run the family business, or go to college, or vote democrat/republican. Failure to comply amounts to failure as an individual. Parents lay out the blueprint. We follow. The round peg gets pounded into the square hole crushing our spirits and preventing us from becoming the creative individuals God intended us to be. More important than doing what we think we should, is doing what our heart tells us to do. When we deny the desires of our hearts, we miss out on our greatest joy and the world misses out on the unique contribution we are here to make.

As another example, a 70-year-old woman I know always wanted to start an orphanage. Her dream remains unfilled because she is paralyzed by her father’s beliefs and expectations. “Women are teachers, nurses, or housewives/mothers.” She inherited the “family furniture”! Unfortunately, her orphanage is not built and the world is not benefiting from the fine citizens that might be.

Let’s get into my Mindset Mechanic Tool Kit and examine the origin of your beliefs and expectations. Reach into the tool kit for the metaphorical flashlight and level. Use the flashlight to illuminate who is in the room with you when you make decisions. When they speak, is your level in balance or not? If not, reach for the metaphorical hammer. Hammer in beliefs and expectations that bring your level back in balance.

So, if you are going to inherit your “family furniture”, do so with total awareness of what you are accepting. In times of constant change, what worked five years ago may not work today. Follow your dreams thoughtfully and with purpose. You will have a rich and fulfilling life being who you really are!

http://advancinglifenetwork.com/articlesxmby-categoryxm/self-help/189-family-furniture-or-the-cycle-of-beliefs-and-expectations.html


I invite you to follow my blogs at www.AmericasMindsetMechanic.com and www.MilitaryKidsSpeak.com.

About the Author: Julie Rahm :)

Mindset means everything. And no one knows this better than Julie Rahm. Founder of America's Mindset Mechanic, author of the Military Kids Speak series, and creator of the “Mission: Possible!” Courses, Julie helps people develop the mental toughness to face any challenge. Her clients transcend relationship problems, get the results and well being they desire, and discover their unlimited personal power. With her passion and people-loving style, Julie has provided the tools for thousands of people to bridge the gap between their thoughts and their lives. Julie Rahm, M.S., is a certified Frame of Mind Coach who has appeared on numerous television and radio broadcasts. She inspired thousands of people to make the most of their lives as the host of “The Mindset Mechanic” program in Eastern NC. Julie provides mindset advice through humor in her weekly column in The Pamlico News. She has been quoted in numerous newspapers, and on the web atwww.AmericasMindsetMechanic.com, www.MilitaryKidsSpeak.com and www.WellandWiseOnline.com. An inspirational speaker and workshop leader, she is the author of Handle Everything – Eight Tools You Need to Live Well and Prosper. The daughter of a Navy man, wife of a U.S. Marine, and winner of the Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence, Julie is the Champion of Military Kids around the world.

http://advancinglifenetwork.com/articlesxmby-categoryxm/self-help/189-family-furniture-or-the-cycle-of-beliefs-and-expectations.html

Boiling Frogs

Boiling frogs is an acquired skill learned through patience. Frog boiling expertise gets passed from one person to the next by mentorship and example. The challenge to frog boiling is that placing the frog in already boiling water will result in the frog jumping out of the pot. Even worse, the frog will not get back into the pot once he knows the water is hot. The secret method to properly boiling a frog is to start the frog comfortably in a pot of cool water and gradually turn up the heat. Soon, the frog is boiled and he didn’t see it coming.

So often, we rush in with boiling water in order to get our way. We want the 100-percent solution immediately. The impatient throw the frog right into the boiling water. And, the frog jumps out. Like the frog, people are driven by self-preservation and are rarely changed by having “boiling water” or harsh words thrown on them. A better method for change is to build consensus. Then, slowly turn up the heat and work out the things you don’t agree on.

As a personal example, by learning how to be patient and persuasive, I got help from my husband in the kitchen. I boiled my frog husband, John into cooking some of our meals. Instead of demanding he cooks now that he has retired from the Marine Corps, I suggested he try cooking as an outlet for his creativity. When he did cook, I boiled him with lavish praise. Soon, he was doing a lot of the cooking. Now he shops for food and plans most of the meals. It took more than a year. He is completely boiled into cooking and he didn’t see it coming.

As another example, I wanted to adopt “Tank”, our puppy from the Pet Parlor. John said no! So, I started bringing Tank home for afternoon play days. We returned Tank to the Pet Parlor after a few hours. Soon, John was sad to see Tank go home. The frog was boiled and Tank is now part of the family. And, John and Tank are inseparable.

If you’re feeling badly for John, no need. John has been retired for three years. I am still working. And we have two boats. I have been the frog.

So, my message is to learn how to be patient. Don’t rush in to pound others into your way of thinking. Consider my metaphorical tools to help achieve your desired end state. The level tells you emotions are too high and the water is too hot for the frog. The flashlight lights the way to compromise. The pliers can pull out those feeling of impatience and the hammer can construct a good long term plan that everyone can live with. However, one word of caution, it is good to know if you are about to be the frog!

Discover the tools you need to tune up your mindset, make the most of your life, and just feel better at the end of the day. Go to http://www.AmericasMindsetMechanic.com.

About the Author: Julie Rahm

Mindset means everything. And no one knows this better than Julie Rahm. Founder of America's Mindset Mechanic, author of the Military Kids Speak series, and creator of the “Mission: Possible!” Courses, Julie helps people develop the mental toughness to face any challenge. Her clients transcend relationship problems, get the results and wellbeing they desire, and discover their unlimited personal power. With her passion and people-loving style, Julie has provided the tools for thousands of people to bridge the gap between their thoughts and their lives. Julie Rahm, M.S., is a certified Frame of Mind Coach who has appeared on numerous television and radio broadcasts. She inspired thousands of people to make the most of their lives as the host of “The Mindset Mechanic” program in Eastern NC. Julie provides mindset advice through humor in her weekly column in The Pamlico News. She has been quoted in numerous newspapers, and on the web at www.AmericasMindsetMechanic.com, www.MilitaryKidsSpeak.com and www.WellandWiseOnline.com. An inspirational speaker and workshop leader, she is the author of Handle Everything – Eight Tools You Need to Live Well and Prosper. The daughter of a Navy man, wife of a U.S. Marine, and winner of the Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence, Julie is the Champion of Military Kids around the world.