Being Happy
March 23, 2008
How can one be happy? Is it a tough question? To some it may be but not to all of us.
Happiness is like a ray of sunlight which warms us and keeps us glowing. We can’t live without it and if you think that happiness is a word never to be found in your dictionary think again as here are some simple tips on how to usher the ray of elation to your life.
1. Smile
What easier way is there to reach happiness than smiling? A smile a day keeps all nasty feelings away. That’s my mantra but you too can follow it. A smile shows others that you are positive and joyful and somehow it brings a glow to you & makes you more approachable to the others.
2. Think Positive
If you are always sad and down thinking you will always be the born loser, brighten up. Thinking postive is something you have to do to keep the happy hormones & vibes around you. So axe away all that pessimistic thoughts!
3. Talk to your pals
Africa; The Forgotten Land of The Catholic Church
March 22, 2008
African Nations upset at the selection of the new Pope, Benedict XVI; they wanted a Black Pope. Instead they got another ‘white man’. Some Black Americans are saying this just proves "whitey" still runs the world and continues to economically enslave the Africans and African Americans. One young black man we interviewed, Tyrone Williams, said "They all in it t’getter, come on, is obvious." Tyrone is considering converting to Islam; "There is no place for a black man in the Catholic Church."
Some believe that the AIDS epidemic in Africa was part of the reason, the orphanages are a drain on the Catholic Church’s resources. The strategy of the Catholic Church is to nurture young African minds into the church for future dividends, however they say it is not paying off for two reasons; First, few of these children will ever reach adulthood to pay tithing and second, the amount they will be able to pay in the future is not enough to support the predominantly Centralized Church with it’s enormous budget and appetite. As the life expectancy shortens due to AIDS the costs to run church operations in Africa are not where the money is and let’s face it the Catholic Church is a business, as it most closely represents a modern day franchise system.
Are You Selling Out Your Integrity?
March 21, 2008
Integrity in business is a quality that is highly under-rated by executives these days. Many executives are so “pushed and pulled” by a not so hidden force called the “profit motive” that they often find themselves compromising something that without which they could lose all credibility and trust from those they are trying to retain business from.
Isn’t it ironic that something (i.e. the profit motive) that is supposed to help guide businesses into the black often drives them blindly into the red? Why is this? Well it’s because often executives who run such businesses put profits above their own personal and business integrity. This treacherous mistake can easily lead one to ruin as has been witnessed in some recent scandals i.e. Enron, World Com, Arthur Anderson and others less publicly known.
As an Executive Coach, Psychiatrist and Specialist trained in the underlying emotional issues that lead to ethical dilemmas, I have witnessed that the main causes of such ethical tragedies stem from an executive’s low self esteem. Yes, you heard it correctly, “low self esteem”. Seems ironic doesn’t it as many of us may consider some of the stalwarts of the business world who run these huge companies as the heros of our age. In fact, when one scratches the surface of these CEO’s one finds a very different kettle of fish.
Mexican Living: Doctors, Doctors, Doctors
March 20, 2008
I am sick. I don’t know what’s wrong nor if what I have has an official name. Maybe they call it, “Ah-ha-now-you-can’t-breathe-well-and-feel-like-you-are-going-to-die virus. I don’t know. I will probably go to the doctor tomorrow if I am not feeling better.
Going to the doctor in Mexico is simply a delight. There are several reasons for my enchantment with going to Mexican doctors. One is that I can afford it. The best part, in fact, about going to the Mexican doctor is at the end of the visit when you have to pay less than $15.00 for an office call.
This is what you will hear your American doctor telling you,
“That will be all for today. Now be sure to pay your $150.00 DOLLAR office visit fee so you can help make the payment on my brand-new SUV. Be sure to take a look at it on your way back to your little rust bucket of a car. After all you are paying for it!”
You instead hear this from your Mexican doctor,
“That will be $150.00 PESOS (less than $15.00 USD). Oh thank you very much,” the Mexican doctor tells you, “you are very kind.”
Truth or Consequence
March 20, 2008
Prime probability:
You have been and are being deceived by those you trust the most for your spiritual education. Some of that deception may be intentionally done in an attempt to control your behavior and your wallet and some may be done simply out of ignorance. Whatever the motivation, lies are being presented as truth; worse, often they are being presented as being THE TRUTH.
These deceptions are preventing you from knowing and owning your sacred and divine self.
Some of the lies you may have bought into are presented here and some alternative perspectives are presented for your consideration. Please remember that I am not doing this to intentionally offend or upset you and everything I say here is only my opinion. I only desire to wake you up to your freedom to choose what, how and why to believe, and to empower you to be free to be all that you desire to be.
Beliefs create reality:
When you are free to choose your beliefs, you become empowered to create. When you are imprisoned by your beliefs, you remain a mere creature.
You Can?t See Your Own Eyes
March 19, 2008
My friend called me this morning from her favorite coffee shop. She was taking a break from work. I sensed frustration in her voice. Something clearly was on her mind. After a few minutes of small talk I invited her to tell me what was going on.
She took a deep breath and told me that she was once again, dissatisfied with her job, and for that matter ? her life.
This information, or should I say complaint, wasn’t new news. If I were a betting woman, the minute I heard the frustration in her voice, I would have guessed what was going on and where the conversation was headed. We’ve been here before. My friend has been struggling with this issue for years.
There have been many times throughout our years as friends that I’ve been happy to explore options, problem solve, and come up with creative action plans for her to follow. She’s brilliant, self-analyzing, and willing to look at the truth about herself. Always, by the end of our conversations, she’s excited, inspired and motivated to make the necessary life changes and yet, nothing changes. She continuously finds a million good reasons to talk herself out of changing her life.
Mexican Living: So You Want To Expatriate?
March 18, 2008
Expatriate wannebees often ask us how we managed our expatriation to Guanajuato, Mexico. They want to know how we overcame the seemingly overwhelming logistics of deciding where to live, if it’s affordable, if there is reasonable medical care, how to find housing, can Americans find work, what about visas, and will the culture shock be too great to handle?
All of these questions are legitimate and answers are obtainable if you are willing to do the homework. If I had to narrow it down to two things that are the most important in your quest to expatriate to Mexico, I would say this: research and make an exploratory visit to the city of your choice.
First, take all the time you need to research the city or cites which you are considering. Read everything you can get your hands on–and more–about the regions in which you might be interested. The second thing is that, once you’ve narrowed your options down to the cities that most interest you, visit as many as you can afford.
Gays and Lesbians Attempt to Distance Themselves From Catholic Priests
March 17, 2008
There is a new term being thrown around "phenophilia", no one can spell it and I cannot even be sure if this is the correct spelling. Even fewer know what it means; it is the molesting of teenage boys, which is different then that of pedophilia, which is the molesting and petting of children. Homosexuals are saying that in fact phenophilia is not homosexuality and they do not want to be confused with what the Catholic Priests have been doing to adolescents for the past 2000 years.
Many are labeling Catholic Priests as Homosexuals and there are many today in the church who actually are ‘in the closet homosexuals’ and a few which have ‘come out’. Yet the big issues with American Citizens are the abuses, molesting of children and adolescents. This form of sexual deviance has ruffled some feathers of the gay and lesbian community in that they are disgusted with the thought of molestation and pedophilia. The Gay and Lesbian community is appalled at these things. Many critics continue to label the child molesting priests as homosexuals and say things like; "Its all Greek to me" or "what is the difference". Gay and Lesbians are up in arms and wish to distance themselves from the Catholic Priest uproar and are quick to side with mainstream America in a common cause against such ongoing acts of the Catholic Church.
Mexican Catholics Forgotten
March 16, 2008
Many Mexican and Latin Catholics are dismayed that the Cardinals picked a German Pope, Benedict XVI, over a Latin Pope. Latin and Mexican Catholics are some of the biggest supporters of the Catholic Church. Some Mexican, Latino and Hispanic Catholics are saying; "This just proves white men still run the world." Many Mexicans who have proud Indian Aztec and Mayan Heritage whose civilization was destroyed by European Explorers and conquerors, which brought this religion with them are thinking twice about their loyalty to the Catholic Church.
One Mexican gentleman, ‘Jesus Gonzales’ we interviewed in Los Angeles came over the border recently looking for a job so he could send money back to his family in Mexico. He said he came with nothing and then joined the gang MS-13, because he can make more money to send home to his family. He sometimes worries about the risks of being in a gang, but his mom prays the Rosary for him to be safe. He says she is a strong Catholic, but he no longer wishes to go to church because the Catholic Church now has a German Pope and not a Latin Pope. He knows that when he sends money back to his mom that at least 10% goes to the church maybe more. He wishes she would not give the money to the church, but knows that his family has been strong Catholics for at least 100 years. "Besides, she does pray for me, so I do not get into any trouble with the law or hurt, I know she appreciates the money I send back to Mexico" he said.
Are You Doing What You Love Each And Every Day?
March 15, 2008
It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day stress of everyday life: deadlines to meet, schedules to keep, unexpected expenses, conflicts to resolve, illness of loved ones, to name a few. Amidst all this, it is easy to for me to lose sight of why I do what I do - my purpose for being. I discovered my passion and my purpose over seven years ago. It was the catalyst for starting my business, The Center for Balanced Living in 1996. It is what led me to my purpose which is to empower you to live out your dreams with ease and abundance. Sometimes I get caught up in the external factors and forget to focus on what is really important. It is then that I must remind myself why I am here. It is a grounding place for me.
I teach my clients to look to their life for their passions and purpose. That is certainly where mine came from and I have found it to be true for many others. A lot of different threads weave through my story, but the most obvious and first I can remember centered around my life while I was growing up, and most specifically my dad. I’d like to share that story with you now.
