Take The Time To Hear Properly.

Ancient King Solomon had some very valuable advice for everyone to keep in mind -- especially when communicating or dealing with other persons -- which is just about all the time.


Thousands of years ago he warned his officials and others that, "When anyone is replying to a matter before he hears [it] that is foolishness on his part and ]often] a humiliation [in the end]"


How many times do we fall into the trap of making a critical decisions about somebody or something before we have properly listened to and analyzed what they have said [or somebody has said about them]?


And how many times have responded in ways that hurt  emotionally)  somebody needless because of it?


I know I've been guilty of this on occasion -- so Solomon's advice is good to keep in mind -- and follow in business and social settings.  It protects critical relationships!

Check This Magazine Out First!

Before heading out on that winter skiing, snowmobiling or other adventure make sure you are properly prepared  with those space-age survival blankets  and other emergency equipment.


A good place to find the latest safety suggestions is with the latest edition of Backpacker magazine. This latest copy is a special survival guide for the outdoor enthusiast -- packed with guides on dealing outdoor emergencies.


Any decent sized book store or news stand should have this out by now.

Call Right Away!

Call the police -- right away -- when you see suspicious persons  -  or suspicious vehicles -- in your your neighborhood.

The current search fro Baby Lisa in the United States could have ended almost right away if just one of  those persons -- either the lady who saw a strange man carrying an unclothed baby in the wee hours of the morning near her home, which was close to the baby's home, or the man near the service station, who apparently saw the same man with a baby before he later vanished had called the police they could likely have intercepted this person first.

This is not an isolated instance of this type of thing happening and it is too bad because a call at the right time to the police can obviously make a difference to somebody's life.

Another High Pressure Reaction To Avoid

We recently took a quick look at how succumbing to high pressure reactions by losing our temper and striking out orally or physically at people can get us in big trouble.

 Remember, you are accountable for everything to do or say and to try and get out of it by saying you didn't know or didn't intend to doesn't usually excuse you

But there is another aspect of succumbing to high pressure reactions. Fear. This can be caused by a variety of situations such as somebody intimidating you either through his appearance or expression (that blank stare look) or actions -- or somebody who suddenly appears in the dark on a lonely path or trail headed in your direction.

Don't give in to this. Instead of shaking or trembling spend your time what you can do to defend yourself if this person is an attacker.

Do you have a set of keys including the new vehicle keys with that thick plastic handle housing the electronic chip?  You could grip this  in your strongest hand between your fingers to slash the person in the face as they rush towards you.

Do you have one of those LED flashlights that has a quick flash mode in your pocket or purse that you could use to blind the person as they rush at you?

(Some people have described these as the stroke maker because of the blinding light they emit in this mode.)

do you have a sharp pencil or pen that you could use to gouge the person's face or eye? Or a bottom of perfume that you could spray in the person's face.

That doesn't mean you are going to stand, wait for and attack the person approaching you of course.  Keep moving away as quickly as possible to safety or a safer location, but be ready to use such things to stun the person long enough for you to make your escape if you do attack.

What should be going through your mind as you continue to move to safety is how you are going to use these if you have to.

Of course you need to take some time regularly to practice such self-defense tactics before you use them. And it would be a good idea to enroll in a self-defense course.  More and security companies, as well as other companies, are offering such courses to the general public as well as their own security officers.

If your are concerned about your personal safety you should look into  enrolling in such as course. Their instructors will will teach you things that are easy to master -- and legal.


In the meantime, if you click on  www.selfdefenceexposed.org
you can sign-up up for a free self-defense newsletter which  contains many self-defense tricks you can use to protect yourself.

"Think Twice Before You Act"

"Think twice before you act!"  That was advice of the father of a young man who was stabbed in Greater Vancouver, BC when he tried to break up a fine between two girls. He died of his wounds and his attacker has still not been arrested.


That is timely advice not only for Good Samaritans like his son, but all of us.  You just never know who you are confronting in public places -- especially at night  and  if you are a female jogger who is lying in wait for you along  the park trail you have jogged along so many times before -- without anything ever happening.


The results of not keeping your personal safety always in mind  are too vividly illustrated a number of young and older women have been murdered in parks in the Greater Vancouver area by predators who had possibly  been watching and planning their attacks for some time.


(Predators  do watch. Just this evening I made a bank deposit at drive-in-bank and found a motorcyclist had parked his machine directly opposite to me in the entrance to the parking area and was just standing there watching what I was doing for some reason.)


So in all situations -- especially if you are by yourself in an isolated area--  you need to ask yourself  if anybody might be watching and either vary your route when out alone so it is harder for criminals to plan an attack or don't go out alone.





Or if you are caught in a sudden desperate situation like the young man on the bus realize that in such close quarters it is easy for somebody to pull out and and stab you suddenly.


Before you do - anything --ask yourself if it is safe for you to intervene or  is if there a --safer way of accomplishing your goals.


Keep in mind the warning of the young man's father to think carefully before doing anything that could be dangerous for you.

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft?

Travel Consultant, Claire, had some valuable tips on the local news hours by Global T.V. here in the Vancouver area today.


These focused on how travelers can protect themselves before and while traveling by making sure mail does not pile up in front of their door and also leave most of their credit cards (ones they don't have to use) at home -- in a safe place -- rather than packing them with them where they could be more vulnerable to  identity and other thieves.


She also reminded listeners not to  use outlets at internet cafes and similar locations for online banking transactions and to use credit cards and cash more most of their purchases -- rather than debit cards and to keep these credit cards and any cash in a safe place.


Another thing which you should keep in mind when traveling is that it is now possible for identity thieves to steal information from credit and other cards just by passing an electronic scanner past your pocket or purse.


According to one expert you can thwart these attempts by making a little purse or wallet out of that old gray (or silver) duct tape. Just wrap a piece of it around a piece of cardboard or paper and you have very effective shielding for your cards apparently.


It is certainly something worth looking into -- whether you are planning a trip to a foreign country or just going about your daily activities in busy streets or shopping malls etc.

Strengthen Your Heart - Reduce Stress with a Light Foot

Want to strengthen your heart and reduce stress?  Go dancing!


 I met an old backhoe operator the other weekend who was carried through his shift working a leveling a parking lot at a construction by the thought of picking up his wife and heading out to a community dance centre where he plays the bass and dances until the wee hours of the morning.


He was was really excited about the coming evening as his shift drew to a close as he grew up participating in such dancing in regularly in the south-east corner of Quebec near Maine.


There is little wonder that he seemed to be brimming with energy and life as he spoke of his memories from various dance groups and bands. A friend of ours who goes dancing regularly also eagerly anticipates her weekly dancing and seems to be full of energy and enthusiasm for life as well.


And most doctors will tell you that dancing -- especially as in old time square dancing, tangos type of dances are an excellent way to socialize, as well as to get a great aerobic workout, lose weight  and reduce stress all at the same time.


So, if you want a little change of pace from power-weight lifting, or running those marathons, or cycling, or swimming you might want to pick up those dance shoes and head out once in a while with your wife or girl friend to your local dance hall.


If you have any doubts about this  watch the Dancing with the Stars show on T.V.


Some of the current contestants, such as Nancy Grace, legal television host and journalist, have lost as much as 15 pounds half way through the current season -- and seem to be having the time of their lives at the same time.

Don't Ever Do This!

The media -- either the Vancouver Sun  or  Globe and Mail recently ran a short story about a farmer who caught men trying to steal  all all-terrain vehicle from one of his sheds.


He responded by grabbing a shot gun and chasing them down in his pick up.  He ended up shooting one of the  thieves -- in the back -- while he was trying to run away.


The end result of this was that while the thief was not that severely injured ( the gun was loaded with light bird shot) the farmer was sentenced to 90 days in jail.


Remember. Never give into high pressure reactions and act without thinking.  You are responsible for the results of every action to you make. 


Saying that you didn't intend to ...or didn't know --- does not work in law.

Look For Other Ways To Relax

The on-going trial of Dr. Murray, the former  Michael Jackson doctor who is now on trial for involuntary manslaughter is a vivid reminder not only for doctors to always follow the proper protocol when administering dangerous drugs -- but especially for entertainers -- and the rest of us to look around for other ways to relax and fight insomnia with alternative remedies --  that we discuss with our family physicians before using.


One of these alternative -- reflexology -- the massaging of points in your feet, arms, hands, ears, and even head has been around for centuries -- has been proving highly effective in fighting things like stress -- and has no dangerous side effects. For more information  clock on reflexologists  or reflexology associations in your area.


More and more mainstream physicians and other doctors are recommending reflexology both fight off health problems as well  as to help you recover from operations and other health treatments.  And from person experience I can assure you that it does work.

Stress Destroying You?

If excessive stress is destroying you or somebody you know click on:


www.dr.nedd.com


He has some very helpful  (and proven) suggestions for protecting yourself from stress and has a seminar coming up November 2, 2011 you should  attend.


(See also  " Flu's Coming Get Scrubbing" and "Play The Role of  Reporter" below.) 

Flu's Coming; Get Scrubbing

The Flu is coming and germs are everywhere! According to the article " Where the Germs Are" in the  Reader's Digest, large-print, October 2011 edition germs are everywhere on kitchen sponges and cleaning rags, kitchen sinks. Bathroom sins including toothbrush holders and counter tops, ATM keypads, and shopping carts.


The best counter attack pharmaceutical drugs, cough medicine, herbal remedies?  Nope!


According to Christ Woolston,  the tried and proven tactic of washing your hands often -- for about 20 seconds each time -- about the length of time it takes to hum "Happy Birthday" twice.


Keep an eye open for (and use) those hand disinfectant dispensers  featured in many drug stores and other retail outlets and remember to back this up with frequent scrubbing when using kitchen or bathroom sinks for the best protection.

Play The Role of Reporter

Play the role of reporter whenever somebody is giving you advice or directions or assuring you of something -- orally or in print.


Remember the five w's -- the who, what, why, where, when -- and of course "how"? including them in a mental interrogation of yourself such as:  "What has this person told me so far"? "What proof has he offered?" "What is the source of his ideas or information -- is it credible?"


You can avoid a lot of problems this way -- whether you are talking to somebody in person or  when you are reading something like the promised ingredients on organic produce or vitamins in health food stores.  There is a lot of real mental garbage out there  masquerading as credible information.


such analysis might create questions you can ask the person you are talking to right away or you can follow up on later before making any critical decisions regarding your health or business matters etc.


If you are discussing things in a group listen carefully to the questions other persons raise and the answers they are given as well.
We ran into this type of thing the other day where the real estate agent was telling people different things.
  


Don't get caught!. Follow the example of the reporters on "The Passionate Eye", "Marketplace" or one of the CNN investigative news programs.

Cell Phone Danger for Young?

The debate about cell phone danger continues, but in the latest development experts are warning parents that persons under 18 should limit their use.


For more current information on this critical issue click on  cbc.ca and click on tech news

Fight Stress In Your Home

Little more needs to be added about the debilitating affects of prolonged stress.  Except that there are more effective non-pharmaceutical or alcoholic ways to fight it.


One interesting and very effective way you can fight all of this is by creating a very relaxing atmosphere around your home -- with the use of lavender.


This is a proven way to create that relaxing and invigorating atmosphere and can be done through  plants  (some plants are also a very effective way to reduce indoor pollution as well.)  -- or through lavender-based incense.


According to  Laurie Pawlik-Kientlen in her recent article in  Alive  magazine, October 2011, "Prepare To Be incensed"  lavender is, "a sweet, floral , herbaceous scent with balsamic and woody undertones"  that can create that soothing atmosphere.


She warns however that asthmatics, pregnant or nursing women or those prone to seizures may want to consult a physicians before going the incense route, however.


 Check with your local herbal expert or read the article for more critical information and ideas  before making any final decisions if you have any health problems.  

Fight Stress In Your Home

Little more needs to be added about the debilitating affects of prolonged stress.  Except that there are more effective non-pharmaceutical or alcoholic ways to fight it.


One interesting and very effective way you can fight all of this is by creating a very relaxing atmosphere around your home -- with the use of lavender.


This is a proven way to create that relaxing and invigorating atmosphere and can be done through  plants or through lavender-based incense.


According to  Laurie Pawlik-Kientlen in her recent article in  Alive  magazine, October 2011, "Prepare To Be incensed"  lavender is, "a sweet, floral , herbaceous scent with balsamic and woody undertones"  that can create that soothing atmosphere.


She warns however that asthmatics, pregnant or nursing women or those prone to seizures may want to consult a physicians before going the incense route, however.


Read the article for more critical information and ideas. 

Fight Stress In Your Home

Little more needs to be added about the debilitating affects of prolonged stress.  Except that there are more effective non-pharmaceutical or alcoholic ways to fight it.


One interesting and very effective way you can fight all of this is by creating a very relaxing atmosphere around your home -- with the use of lavender.


This is a proven way to create that relaxing and invigorating atmosphere and can be done through  plants or through lavender-based incense.


According to  Laurie Pawlik-Kientlen in her recent article in  Alive  magazine, October 2011, "Prepare To Be incensed"  lavender is, "a sweet, floral , herbaceous scent with balsamic and woody undertones"  that can create that soothing atmosphere.


She warns however that asthmatics, pregnant or nursing women or those prone to seizures may want to consult a physicians before going the incense route, however.


Read the article for more critical information and ideas. 

Are You Ready?

This is the time  of year of course to make sure that your house is ready for the unpredictable cold winter weather, but there is also one other thing you should be checking.


And that is your emergency plans and supplies in case things get a little nastier than you would hope.


 Do you have a fully stocked and updated emergency kit including enough medical supplies like prescription drugs in case your area is hit by a major storm or earthquake and you are cut off for some time from the drug  store or hospital?


Do you have a took kit or other container loaded with tools to help rescue somebody from fallen timbers etc?


Do you have good, working flashlights with back-up batteries. (The best ones now are those with the LED bulbs or light source. They can last much longer than the older types and also produce a much brighter--far reaching light.  Just make sure you compare these carefully before you buy.  I bought one recently that was supposed to reach 131 feet -- I quickly found out it could not even light up the other side of the street about 30 feet away.


Look around for things before the weather gets nasty so you are not so included to rush to store and buy the first thing you see -- or what is left on the shelf.


And then once you are well supplied with emergency supplies  practice some type of emergency response around your house at least every month. Don't just leave your supplies sitting on the shelf gathering dust.


Don't be like traffic police in one major city who went for over 20 years without ever using -- or practising with their weapons and found out when they finally did attend a training session that would have been practically helpless in an emergency.


This type of thing, unfortunately does happen with home owners as well -- with tragic results.