Self Improvement Newsletter
Issue # 448, April 10-11, 2007
FREE Self
Improvement Newsletter, Click here!Please Visit Our Sponsors
Self Improvement Newsletter
Issue # 448, April 10-11, 2007
FREE Self
Improvement Newsletter, Click here!
Please Visit Our Sponsors
* Self Improvement and Personal Growth Weekly Newsletter
* Issue # 448, Week of April 10-11, 2007
Publisher: David Riklan -
http://www.SelfGrowth.com
In this issue:
-- Quotes of the Week
-- Personal Growth Products and Services
-- Article: Eight Success Lessons from My Mom – By Michael G. Rayel
-- Article: Creating a Baby – By Deepak Chopra
-- Book Review: Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives: A Holistic Guide to
Pregnancy and Childbirth – By Deepak Chopra, M.D., David Simon, M.D., and Vicki
Abrams, C.C.E., I.B.L.C.
-- Brief News of the World
-- How to Subscrïbe and Unsubscrïbe from this Newsletter
Current Subscribers – 255,425 subscribers Remöval instructions are listed at the
end of the newsletter.
------------------------------------------------------------
*** Quotes of the Week ***
------------------------------------------------------------
Happiness is a continuation of happenings which are not resisted. – Deepak
Chopra, Indian-born Physician and Spiritual Author
I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow. – Woodrow
Wilson, 1856-1924, 28th President of the United States
Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes...but no plans. –
Peter F. Drucker, 1909-2005, Austrian-born Management Consultant and Author
------------------------------------------------------------
*** Personal Growth Products and Services ***
------------------------------------------------------------
* The Secret Science of Riches *
Bob Proctor and the Teachers of the hit movie "The Secret" have joined forces to
present a unique opportunity to help them spread the message around the world.
Find out what they have in store for you at
http://www.richsecret.theofficialsecretseminar.com
* Meet Rhonda Byrne, the creator of The Secret (no kidding...) * Get the
Intimate, Unedited, Real-Life Back-Story Behind the wildly successful film The
Secret. You saw her on Oprah and Larry King, and now YOU can be on the phone
with her LIVE... as my Guest... Get your fr'ee ticket at:
http://www.TheStoryBehindTheSecret.com/sinews.html
* The Original Longevity HGH Formula from Germany Is Now Available * Longevity®
is a true anti-aging solution. This formula is the only non-prescription product
approved by the German government to hold a Patent for 'Anti-Aging'. This
product has been clinically proven to slow and/or reverse the aging process.
Click here to learn more:
http://www.selfgrowth.com/products/longevity29.html
* Save $20 During The Launch of Effective Time-Management Now * When your focus
is on doing the things that matter most, you will get more done, do it better
and enjoy every day of your life at a level that may not seem possible.
Effective Time-Management Now can help you get more out of each and every day of
your life.
http://snipurl.com/rol5
CAN YOU WRITE A SIMPLE LETTER?
If yes, you could be in big demand, earning big money, writing just a few hours
a day from anywhere in the world you choose to be. Here's how you can learn the
secrets of this little-known, lucrative business:
http://www.thewriterslife.com/ph/sge8a5
** How to Add a Description of Your Website Herë ** If you want to share
information about your website, your busïness or your book in our newsletter,
please go to the following webpage and fill out the förm. Visit our website at
http://www.selfgrowth.com/form-ad-newsletter.html
----------------------------------------------------
*** Article: Eight Success Lessons from My Mom – By Michael G. Rayel ***
----------------------------------------------------
As my mom receives treatment for a lingering illness, I can't help but think
about what she has done for me and our family. As a young boy, my father used to
remind me that without Mom, our family would have crumbled. "In every good
family, there's always a good mother behind it," he emphasized.
I can't forget those words coming from my dad, but my young brain couldn't fully
appreciate it at that time. While I was growing up, Mom never talked about any
success principle. However, through her attitude and actions over the years, I
have realized that Mom is indeed the strength and foundation of the family. In
fact, she has instilled in me life lessons important to success.
* Be Enthusiastic
My mom has always been enthusiastic. She was enthusiastic as a teacher, as a
businesswoman, and as a mother. You could feel her presence because her positive
attitude was infectious. Her smile, speech, and gestures showed a woman full of
confidence in doing her tasks.
A relative once commented that my mom was "a woman in a hurry" and "always
busy." And yet you could always find a smile on her face, even during stressful
times. She would tackle her task with ease and gladness. It was her positive
attitude and enthusiasm that helped her develop long-term friendships and
business relationships all through the years.
* Pursue Your Priorities
When she got married, she committed to raise her family the best way she could.
Mom was always there for us, always willing to provide her precious time. We
prayed, went to church, and had fun together as a family. Moreover, she gave us
the necessary tools to do well in school. Many times, she had to swallow her
pride just to borrow or rent Boy Scout uniforms or formal attire so we could
participate in school programs.
Early on, she made us aware of her mission. Her priority was to provide each of
us with a college education regardless of her financial circumstances. She
considered education as the only way to prepare us for the future.
When the family business was thriving, she used the additional income to buy
properties as investments. Her intention was to save for her children's future
needs. So when I was in medical school and money was tight, she never hesitated
to sell them just so I could pay my tuition fees and other school expenses.
* Develop a Strong Focus
My mom worked hard. She used to wake up early (around 5:00 a.m.), despite going
to bed late (around 1:00 or 2:00 a.m.), to prepare the store for the day. Aside
from her day job as a teacher, she was a full-time businesswoman in the
evenings. She took care of her small restaurant and barbershop after work.
During the day she would bring products to sell in a school store. I saw her
rush to school, not just with a lesson plan but also with products in tow. On
weekends she spent her free time with the customers and buying supplies, such as
flour, bread, and meat, in nearby cities. Through hard work and focus Mom and
Dad expanded their farm and grew their small business.
* Establish Your Integrity
My mom's coworkers and friends have always talked about Mom's integrity. Her
words were consistently followed by appropriate actions. In short, her words
were her actions, and vice versa. No wonder she gained the trust of her friends,
relatives, and customers.
Even lenders trusted her with their money. Each time she needed money, lenders
would not hesitate to give her what she needed. Because of her integrity, some
friends and relatives had asked her to borrow funds for them from "difficult"
lenders or to serve as a guarantor. She had helped many families through these
unselfish actions.
* Believe in Your Abilities
Mom has always made us believe that we're capable of achieving our goals. I was
only 10 years old when she would announce to everyone how "intelligent" my
siblings and I were. To prove her point, she would even ask me or my older
siblings for suggestions about family or personal matters.
My mom has always been proud of us. She values us. She focuses on our strengths
and appreciates our efforts. She frequently reminds us that we each have a
bright future. Because of her praise and positive expectations, we have
confidence and strong belief in ourselves.
* Practice Self-Reflection
As a teenager, I was rebellious. I used to share with her my unconventional
ideas about morality, religion, and politics. Instead of making comments, she
would listen intently and made sure she understood me. Even during those times
when I made mistakes, she never argued nor gave advice. Her infrequent and
minimal comments would instead focus on the fact that I was "smart enough" to
know what was good and appropriate.
But I realized later that her "quiet" response was more powerful than any
argument or advice in the world. Her unexpected response allowed me to analyze
and criticize my own thoughts and behavior during my quiet moments. Likewise, it
allowed me to learn from my mistakes through self-reflection.
* Be Generous
All her life, my mom has always been generous. She gives even if she has little.
I remember as a young boy when she had to borrow money so she could give to a
relative or a close friend who required urgent assistance. In addition, she sent
some of our poor relatives' kids to school. She liked to help because she
experienced the harsh reality of poverty when she was young. Her intention was
to help stop the cycle of lack in those families through education.
Moreover, she never hesitated to help a friend or a relative in need of basic
necessities such as food and clothing. Her mindset was to serve others even if
it meant sacrificing her own comfortable existence. It was, however, this
profound sensitivity that endeared her to the hearts of others.
* Have Faith
Like any woman who has had to deal with an unfaithful husband, she suffered from
sleepless nights and emotional pain. When my dad eventually left her for a
younger woman, her only refuge was prayer. I saw her endure from that ordeal.
She wept. She lost weight and had some restless nights. And yet, through
constant prayer, she maintained her equanimity and survived the worst storm in
her life.
Her faith was tested yet again when my grandmother was suffering from the
complications of dementia. For at least 10 years she was the only caregiver who
was in my grandma's presence to meet her needs 24 hours a day, seven days a
week. Through her unceasing faith, she faced the challenges of caregiving and
provided for her mother's care without complaint.
Now that she faces another adversity--her own serious medical illness--she will
remain strong as she has always been. For sure, her character and her faith will
once again shine. Life has handed Mom its wonders and hardships, its
opportunities and challenges, and its surprises and disappointments. No doubt,
she has embraced them all with acceptance and firm resolve. My mom, who rarely
gave direct advice, has proven that role modeling is crucial in teaching young
minds the life lessons of success.
About the Author:
This article was written by Michael Rayel, M.D., contributing author to "101
Great Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 2." Dr. Rayel, CEO of Oikos Global--the
maker of emotional intelligence games and educational products--has helped
others learn emotional intelligence through his award-winning invention, the
Oikos Game Series. For details, visit
http://www.oikosglobal.com and
http://www.oikosinsights.com
His article above is one of 101 great chapters that can be found in "101 Great
Ways to Improve Your Life: Volume 2." This powerful compilation book -- with
John Gray, Jack Canfield, Richard Carlson, Bob Proctor, Alan Cohen, and
countless other experts -- contains 101 chapters of proven advice on how to
improve your life.
*** If you purchase just one copy of their new book today, you will also receïve
$1,500 worth of valuable bonus gifts. To see this special book package, please
visit
http://www.selfgrowth.com/products/greatwaysbook2.html
----------------------------------------------------
*** Article: Creating a Baby – By Deepak Chopra ***
----------------------------------------------------
The body of a woman who is to conceive
Is being chosen as a channel
For the expression of divinity into materiality Although ovulation is a law of
nature, Conception is a law of God.
--Edgar Cayce
The following is excerpted from "Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives: A Holistic
Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth." Click on the link below to learn more about
the book and to discover free gifts waiting for you from Deepak Chopra,
Mothering Magazine, Moby Wrap, Earth Mama/Angel Baby, MotherLove Products,
SpiritualParenting.com, and many more.
http://www.journeyintobirth.com/magicalbeginnings.html
When does life begin? Some spiritual traditions see the origin of life as the
moment a soul intends to enter into human form. Others see the beginning as a
sparkle in the eye of a potential parent who wants to have a child. While
biologists and religious clergy may argue about whether or not life starts at
the moment of conception, convention has it that the day a baby emerges from his
mother's womb marks the beginning of life. However you define life's origin, the
sacred journey of an egg and sperm merging to create a unique individual is as
marvelous and miraculous as the creation of the universe itself. Spirit and
molecules connect together to manifest a new life.
In some traditions, this connection is believed to precede conception.
In certain African tribes, people believe that the spiritual birth of a child
begins when his potential mother first imagines him. She goes to a silent place
and listens for the baby's special song. When she hears it, she returns to her
home and teaches it to her mate. While making love, they chant the song as an
invitation for this soul to enter into their lives. Once pregnant, she regularly
sings the song to her unborn baby and teaches it to the midwives in preparation
for her delivery. They sing the song while the woman is in labor and as the baby
is born into the world. The child learns the theme song, which supports him
through all the stages of his life. He uses his song to celebrate his moments of
glory and comfort him in times of loss.
Hearing in the womb
One of the earliest accounts of intrauterine hearing is described in the New
Testament (Luke 1:44) when John's mother, Elizabeth, tells Mary, who is pregnant
with Jesus, "The infant in my womb leaped for joy the moment I heard the voice
of your greeting!" A number of modern studies have confirmed that by eighteen to
twenty weeks of fetal life, your unborn child hears and responds to sounds in
his environment. Although you might expect the womb to be a quiet place, it is
actually quite rich in sounds and sensations. Tiny microphones placed within a
pregnant uterus reveal that a multitude of audible vibrations enters your unborn
baby's sanctum. Mother's heartbeat and digestive tract offer steady background
noise, along with the pulsing rush of blood flowing through her major vessels.
A baby learns to associate sounds in the womb with sensations of comfort or
discomfort. The emotional state of his mother is communicated to the fetus
through the molecules that she secretes. If Mother is engaged in a loving,
nurturing conversation or listening to enjoyable music, her brain triggers the
release of chemicals that reflect her calm, comfortable condition. These
chemical messengers travel through the maternal and fetal circulations, now
connected by the umbilical cord, entraining the unborn child's feelings with
those of Mother. If, on the other hand, Mother is involved in a heated argument,
her body pulses with stress chemicals that can trigger discomfort in her fetus.
It's easy to imagine the distress of an unborn child regularly exposed to toxic
sounds. His mother's heart races while her adrenal glands squirt out stress
hormones. The unborn child activates his own fight-or-flight response, but
unfortunately can neither run from nor wrestle with the source of its
provocation. The seeds of anxiety, apprehension, and hostility are sown in utero.
The baby-to-be learns to associate sounds with inner sensations.
Do your best to avoid recurrent distressing sounds, since noise pollution has a
negative effect on both Mother and Baby. Scientists report that mothers living
along the flight path of a busy urban airport produce lower levels of
growth-promoting hormones and are more likely to have smaller babies than those
living an equal distance from the airport but not directly under the flight
path. Similar findings have been reported in women who must work in factories
where there is a constantly high noise level. To the extent that you can
consciously choose, do your best to limit your exposure and that of your unborn
baby to vibrations that distress.
On the other hand, it is not realistic to expect that you'll be able to
completely avoid upsetting noises throughout your entire pregnancy. We are not
suggesting you should worry about causing harm to your unborn baby anytime you
get upset, have a disagreement, or listen to loud rock and roll music. Life
inevitably brings loud moments that cannot nor necessarily should be avoided. We
simply encourage you to be aware that the being inside of you is eavesdropping
on your life. Whenever possible, expose yourself to nourishing rather than toxic
sounds, knowing that whatever you are experiencing is simultaneously experienced
by your unborn child.
For a Limited Time Only -- An Incredible Offer for you! Discover beautiful gifts
that are waiting for YOU from Mothering Magazine, Moby Wrap, Earth Mama/Angel
Baby, MotherLove Products, SpiritualParenting.com, and many more. Click here for
all the details:
http://www.journeyintobirth.com/magicalbeginnings.html
About the Authors:
Deepak Chopra, M.D., is one of the world's best-selling spiritual authors and
the founder of the Chopra Center in Carlsbad, California. David Simon, M.D., is
the cofounder and medical director of the Chopra Center, and one of the nation's
foremost authorities on holistic health care. He is the author of "Vital Energy
and Return to Wholeness." Vicki Abrams, C.C.E., I.B.L.C., is the director of the
childbirth and yoga programs at the Chopra Center. She is an international
board-certified lactation consultant, childbirth educator, doula, and yoga
instructor.
------------------------------------------------------------
*** Book Review: Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives: A Holistic Guide to
Pregnancy and Childbirth – By Deepak Chopra, M.D., David Simon, M.D., and Vicki
Abrams, C.C.E., I.B.L.C. ***
------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.journeyintobirth.com/magicalbeginnings.html
A much-needed antidote to our modern, assembly-line approach to childbirth, this
new book is designed as a guide for all who wish to participate in the wondrous
process of bringing new life into the world. Its ideas derive from two sources:
the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, with its emphasis on body, mind, and spirit, and
the latest Western scientific prenatal research. By integrating the best
information from these two very different perspectives, this remarkable book
gives readers the tools to ensure that our children are nourished by thoughts,
words, and actions from the very moment of conception.
"Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives" is rich in practical information,
including strategies to help enliven the body intelligence of unborn babies by
nourishing each of their five senses, as well as through Ayurvedically balanced
nutrition and eating with awareness. Specific yoga poses and meditation
techniques reduce the mother's stress and improve the infant's emotional
environment, as do tips for conscious communication with a partner. Exercises
prepare parents for the experience of childbirth itself, followed by natural
approaches to dealing with the first weeks of parenting, from healing herbs to
enhancing your milk supply to coping with postpartum depression.
Inspiring, expansive, and remarkably informative, this unique book from
acclaimed experts in mind-body medicine will profoundly enhance the experience
of pregnancy and birth for both parents and baby.
*****
When you buy "Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives" today, you'll receive a
package of beautiful gifts -- all hand-picked to give you more peace, joy, and
ease on your journey into birth. To read more about this offer and to purchase
the book, go here:
http://www.journeyintobirth.com/magicalbeginnings.html