These tips on setting and achieving your life goals are from “The Relationship Specialist” and author Mark Richard Webb. His advice applies to everything from dating to climbing the corporate ladder!

Before his tips, a quip from the great Babe Ruth:

“You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.”

The first and most important tip for setting and achieving your goals: Never, ever, ever give up. For more info, click on Goal Setting:  How to Create an Action Plan and Achieve Your Goals by Michael Dobson and Susan Wilson. And, read on for Webb’s 10 tips on achieving your goals…

10 Tips for Setting and Achieving Your Life Goals

What goals would you like to complete this year?  Most people start out with New Year’s resolutions but few see them through successfully.  Before you commit yourself to this year’s task, review the mistakes you have made in the past.  How have you gotten off track in previous attempts? 

1. Take action immediately  with SMART goals.  Once you postpone the startup date, you are beginning the process of procrastination and avoidance.  These goal killers must be conquered.  You must also step forward with courage.  It is usually frightening to some measure when you set goals.  You risk embarrassment and the possibility of failure.  Courage means doing it anyway.  When you’re setting and achieving your life goals, remember that action soothes anxiety and builds confidence.

2. Think through your goals.  What is the outcome you want to achieve?  What are reasonable objectives for one month, three months, six months and beyond?  Don’t overdo the first week.  Instead, think about the long haul.  Determine a steady and progressive pace.  If you are out of shape, do not start by running three miles the first few days.  When you’re setting and achieving your life goals, remember to slowly build up to the desired distance.  This prevents injury and frustration that can lead to quitting.

3. Spend time visualizing your goal as accomplished.  These images build a sense of belief that your goals are attainable.  Visualization develops a faith that pushes you to keep going.

4. Find inspiration.  Establish various methods of getting information and encouragement.  This can come in the form of self-improvement tapes, books, therapy, attending lectures, taking courses online, going back to college or sitting in a church pew.  We live in a world that has so many negative influences.  You are going to have to find ways to stay positive and inspired.  Feed your mind positive thoughts that will help you achieve your life goals. 

6. Develop habits that support your life goals.  You must be willing to do the things that most people are not willing to do.  You must push beyond your limits.  When you’re setting and achieving your life goals, you must go beyond your comfort zone.

6. Create good habits.  Your habits form the routine that make you get up early or stay up late.  Your habits help you skip that candy bar or miss that unnecessary two hours of television.  When you’re setting and achieving your life goals will require consistency on your part.  Be accountable to yourself and reach your goals!

7. Make up your mind that you are going to overcome obstacles to your goals.  This is where being hardheaded can be a blessing.  Tap into that side of you that hunkers down when someone says, “You’re not smart enough.”  Persevere until you achieve your goals! 

8. Get excited about your life goals.  You will attain them faster and easier with every ounce of enthusiasm you can muster.  Surround yourself with a passion so strong that no negative influence can discourage you.  When you’re setting and achieving your life goals, develop a burning desire and you will notice that even the toughest task will be more enjoyable. 

9. Remember that success is a process.  It rarely occurs overnight.  Many people do not set goals because they are afraid they will be considered foolish.  Do not initially aim for perfection; instead, strive to just get started.  Then place your focus on sticking with your goals and over time, reach for fame.  Someone once told me, “You won’t like anything you produce, so produce it anyway.”  When you’re setting and achieving your life goals, remember that you don’t have to get it right; you just have to get it going!

10. Give your goals a full, all-out effort.  Most people start with a bang and soon after, end with a fizzle.  Give your resolutions everything you have and you will succeed.  Be willing to put in the time and energy to reach all of your goals.  Allow no room for excuses.  Make a commitment.  Decide in your head and in your heart that, “I will do whatever it takes.”

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These signs of emotional cheating include information about how psychologists describe emotional infidelity. Though these may be painful to read, these insights will help you build a stronger relationship with your partner in the long run!

Emotional cheating can be difficult to wrap your mind around. It’s not a physical affair; it’s a meeting of the minds. Emotional infidelity doesn’t necessarily break spoken vows, create unwanted pregnancies, or spread sexually transmitted diseases. Emotional cheating can’t always be spotted in the traditional ways.

To learn more about M. Gary Neuman’s perspective of emotional cheating, click on Emotional Infidelity: How to Affair-Proof Your Marriage and 10 Other Secrets to a Great Relationship. And, to see where your relationship stands, read this list of six signs of emotional cheating…

Emotional infidelity can be as devastating to a marriage or partnership as physical unfaithfulness - if not more so. Determining the difference between harmless flirting versus cheating is important to a healthy relationship, and can strengthen your relationship or marriage.

How Emotional Cheating Starts

Most people don’t plan to be emotionally unfaithful. Emotional cheating starts by casually chatting with coworkers or people they see regularly - and it grows into more than “friends.” They go for lunches, take business trips, or make special efforts to see the person’ to whom they’re getting attached. They think about their “friend” more and more, until it becomes a definite emotional bond. Those are signs of emotional cheating, and they definitely don’t help you achieve your personal relationship goals.

Internet relationships are more and more popular since everyone’s wired up. Emotional cheating now begins in chat rooms, forums, or discussion groups. They evolve into private conversations and emotional infidelity.

Emotional Cheating & Internet Relationships

In emotional infidelity over the internet, “friends” may never meet. This means that relationships can flourish in public places like the office or in private places, like one’s own home. Bonds can grow and emotional cheating can occur even when the coworker is at the other desk or the family is in the same room.

Anonymity is a potential problem with internet relationships and emotional infidelity, which doesn’t help you achieve healthy personal relationship goals. There’s greater intimacy because you’re anonymous; you’re free to share the deepest darkest parts of yourself (parts you’re reluctant to share with someone in person). Further, you can build your friends up into the most wonderful, kind, smart, and funny people in your mind because you haven’t met - and you certainly haven’t dealt with dirty socks, disciplining kids, or getting lost in a new city together. Your relationship hasn’t been tried or tested. Emotional cheating becomes a slippery slope when you’re involved with a mysterious stranger.

Are Women More Susceptible to Emotional Infidelity?

Women are usually the ones who push the relationship further. Women want relationships to move from friendship to love, from computer to reality. Women tend to get more emotionally involved and are more emotionally invested than men. Men on the other hand see the internet relationships or emotional infidelity as part of their lives - a nice part, but just one part. Women envision soul mates or life partners; men are having fun. This affects how they achieve personal relationship goals.

6 Signs of Emotional Cheating

Emotional cheating happens when you:

1. Discuss your partner and relationships with your “friend.” You share your fears, hopes, and dreams (this is emotional intimacy).
2. Meet your “friend” for dinner or lunch without telling your partner.
3. Keep your computer, files, and internet sites password-protected.
4. Hide or are secretive about your life, relationships, and activities.
5. Keep your partner waiting while you spend time with your “friend.”
6. Stay in regular, intimate contact with ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends. Emotional cheating can spring from close relationships with past lovers.

Instead of assuming or vowing emotional infidelity will never happen to you, spend time with your partner. Have open and honest discussions about your relationship. Have fun together; the more you make your partner happy, the more likely he/she will reciprocate! And, work on achieving your relationship goals together.

Don’t forget what brought you together in the first place. “It’s so easy,” says psychologist Gary Neuman, “to forget why we fell in love.”

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Are you a Physical Therapist who is ready to take your skills and training to the next level?  Are you frustrated with difficult and chronic cases?  Do you want to be able to help…. Truly help clear patients of chronic conditions;

Conditions that have been un-helped with standard quality physical therapy?

When you hear the words “usual predictors of outcome” used to justify why a Fibromyalgia or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or Multiple Sclerosis patient won’t get any better, do you ask yourself “is there anything else we can do?”  Do you want to learn how to help people actually heal and go on to lead normal pain-free lives even after dealing with chronic headaches, “failed low back syndrome,” or chronic arthritis for years?

We are looking for Physical Therapists who are excited to learn how to help solve difficult and chronic cases as well as fix up people with the usual orthopedic and neurological conditions.  We have a reputation in the community to do just that.  If you are searching for a way to make a difference, please look through our website and blog and email me or call us, and we can set up a time to talk about the position open here at Mission Hills Physical Therapy.  Below I’m including one success story of a patient with a condition who normally wouldn’t get much help and hadn’t until starting therapy with us and following our program.  Please read it and let me know what you think.

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Dr. Kimberley Harrell, D.D. (aka) Mikala White Wolf is a certified Armoatherapist, she has practiced Aroma Therapy for the past seven years.

Essential Oil Therapy is a dynamic healing modality that works at a cellular, molecular level as well as on an emotional, psychological and spiritual level. Experience Aromatherapy Essential Oil Therapies by Kimberley at New Earth Center, Call 615.590.7613 to schedule your personal session. Your Body, Mind and Spirit will thank you.

Essential Oil Therapies offered at the New Earth Center:
CHEROKEE FOREST - Cherokee Forest Therapy, an invigorating essential oil therapy that helps promote a sense of inner strength, security and stability.

The Cherokee Forest Blend of Essential Oils are applied, by a certified aromatherapist to the feet and back, using an ancient Cherokee method. Hot Moist Towels are then applied to the back for approx. 20 minutes, You will imagine you are relaxing under the canopy of a Cherokee Forest while the Essential Oils penetrate for optimal benefit.
COMFORTING CHEER - Uplift your spirits with this emotionally warming and comforting Essential Oil Therapy. The Comforting Cheer blend of essential oils is a very positive and stimulating combination designed to help lift one’s spirits and chase away sadness and lethargy.
RAINDROP - The Native American Lakota tradition tells of a tribal journey far north into Canada to witness the aurora borealis, or the northern lights. The legend states that when they arrived, tribal members reached upward into the night sky while deeply inhaling the healing power from the dancing lights. This beautiful tradition is the inspiration for the Raindrop Therapy.

The Raindrop Therapy is one of New Earth Center’s most popular essential oil therapies. This energizing technique has been used for years as a highly effective method for balancing and rejuvenating the mind and body. The essential oils found in New Earth Center’s Raindrop collection penetrate the skin and promote energy and vitality. When oils are properly applied to neck, back and feet, this technique can bring about electrical alignment and helps relieve a variety of discomforts caused by imbalances in the body, especially those found in the spine.
TRANQUILITY - Stress can negatively impact your physical, mental, and spiritual health. It adversely affects your immune system. Stress lowers your productivity at home and at work. Stress strains marital relationships and friendships. Stress also affects parenting skills. After a Tranquility Essential Oil Therapy Session you may be better equipped to visualize yourself as happy, successful, and stress-free. Your productivity WILL increase. Your attitude will improve. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you.

VITALITY - Vitality, a calming yet mentally energizing essential oil therapy that encourages a positive outlook. Improves confidence and inner strength. Awakens a tired mind and helps diminish the effects of apathy and anxiety. Clients find the Vitality Essential Oil Therapy to be Refreshing and Uplifting.

The Vitality Blend of Essential Oils are applied, by a certified aromatherapist to various parts of the body using an ancient Cherokee method. Hot Moist Towels are then applied for approximately 20 minutes, while the Essential Oils penetrate for optimal benefit.

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Essential Oil Therapy is a dynamic healing modality that works at a cellular, molecular level as well as on an emotional, psychological level.

Essential Oil Therapy is an ancient healing art utilizing the distillation process of plant materials to extract powerful concentrated essential oils. These oils have been effectively used around the world for centuries for therapeutic purposes such as fighting infection, strengthening the immune system, reducing emotional and mental stress and providing a basis for preventative medicine. This field is recognized and practiced in Europe by physicians, nurses and hospitals. Essential Oil Therapy complements other Health Care Modalities, both Western & Eastern.

As early as 400 B.C., Ancient Egyptian healers put small herbal cones under a patient’s headdress. As the cones melted, their curative oils were absorbed through the scalp and healing vapors were inhaled.

In pre-Columbian Mexico, the sick visited huts filled with tiny indoor pools. While the water was heated to high temperatures, rocks were scattered about the pools and, on them, healers laid flowers or herbs. Hours later, as steam penetrated the plants, curative vapors were inhaled. And when the plants’ sticky oils collected on the stony surfaces, the fragrant ointment was sometimes massaged into the body.

This century, essential oil therapies have again enjoyed great appeal. In the 1920’s, Italian scientists documented their bacteria-destroying capacities and their ability to impact the nervous system. During the 1930’s, French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse coined the phrase aromatherapy, to describe therapeutic inhalation of essential oils. During the 40’s, French physician Dr. Jean Valnet used them in ointment form to disinfect and heal war injuries.

More recently, research has revealed that a plant’s essential oil regulates its hormone system and protects it against disease. Scientists think the oils work in a similar way within the human body. Used properly, they combat problems such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, headache, sexual dysfunction, obesity and even nicotine cravings.

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The Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey Inc. (CMMNJ) is grateful to the Assembly health committee for passing the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act (A804/S119) on to the entire Assembly for a vote. However, CMMNJ objects to the substitutions added by the committee. The bill already proposed the most conservative medical marijuana program in the country. No state has a lower plant limit or possession amount than New Jersey’s bill would allow. The committee’s substitutions to the bill are overly restrictive and they possibly render the bill unworkable.

The Assembly health committee’s substitutions: remove the provision for qualified patients to grow their own supply of marijuana;

place severe and unnecessary restrictions on physician recommendations; and

deny access to the largest population of patients, those suffering from chronic pain.

Having qualified patients or their caregivers grow a limited supply of marijuana when a physician recommends it is part of the program of all13 states that have passed these laws. Nor does this patient access result in greater recreational use of marijuana — one of the fears the committee was apparently addressing. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration studies show that teenage marijuana use has declined in eight of 10 medical marijuana states between 1999 and 2006.

Marijuana use by AIDS patients, cancer patients, multiple sclerosis patients and chronic pain patients deglamorizes its use for teenagers. It is not something they want to emulate. Moreover, for the past 30 years, the Monitoring the Future surveys have shown that more than 80 percent of high school seniors in New Jersey have said that marijuana is “very easy to obtain” or “fairly easy to obtain.” This is without a medical marijuana program. Instituting such a program almost certainly cannot increase availability to teens and almost certainly will result in decreased teen use.

Another study by Texas A&M University shows that adult use of marijuana has remained steady in medical marijuana states. As further proof that these programs are working well, 12 other states besides New Jersey have legislation or ballot initiatives pending that will allow qualified patients to grow their own medical marijuana.

It is a wonderful advance in American health care to allow patients to produce their own medicine and individually titrate it — that is, adjust the dosage to control their symptoms — safely, under medical supervision. It will produce tremendous savings both to the patient and to the state. It will also refocus the health care industry away from the pharmaceutical industry and the health insurance industry and back toward the patient. This is where the focus of health care belongs — on the patient.

The restrictions that the Assembly health committee placed on which physicians may recommend marijuana are at odds with current medical practices in America and may well render the law unworkable. Physicians specialize. If you break an ankle, your doctor sends you to the ankle doctor. But if you need marijuana therapy, your treating physician is unable to send you to a doctor who specializes in marijuana therapy, according to the health committee. Physicians are wisely reluctant to recommend a treatment unless they have had specialized training or experience in that treatment. Yet this is what the committee’s substitutions expect them to do.

It would not be without precedent for the New Jersey Legislature to pass an unworkable medical marijuana bill. In 1981, the Dangerous Substances Therapeutic Research Act was made into law here. The law was written to protect patients who engaged in clinical trials of marijuana. To this day, not a single patient has ever been able to take advantage of the law. Let’s make sure that the intent of A804 is not undone by undue restrictions.

The Assembly substitutions acknowledge that “marijuana may alleviate pain or other symptoms associated with certain debilitating medical conditions.” But then it turns around and eliminates chronic pain as a qualifying condition for marijuana therapy, except in the cases of HIV/AIDS and cancer. Nearly half of all current physician recommendations for marijuana therapy are for chronic pain. About one in five Americans suffers from chronic pain from a wide variety of diseases such as arthritis and degenerative disc disease and conditions such as burns and other accidents and injuries. Some of the most rigorous studies establishing the safety and efficacy of medical marijuana in pain management have been done. These studies used the gold standard of scientific research: the double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Marijuana has proved its worth and will continue to prove its worth as a pain management tool. It is simply unfair to restrict the greatest number of New Jersey patients from access to medical marijuana.

CMMNJ recommends that the Senate version of the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, which does not contain the Assembly health committee’s substitutions, pass into law without delay. This will ensure that patients who are suffering from debilitating medical conditions can quickly begin to relieve their suffering and no longer need fear arrest and imprisonment for following the advice of their physicians.

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Why are organic teas a healthier choice than teas produced in traditional manners?

What is all the hubbub about organic foods? That reasonable question has several compelling answers that make a lot of sense, and cause consumers to seek out these healthy products. Organic foods, including beverages such as tea, are produced without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers. This is a more sustainable choice than many contemporary farming methods, which rely on chemicals to boost blemish-free production yields, but with the consequence of great amounts of chemical runoff, that ends up in storm drains, causing ecological havoc to shorelines and wildlife living in and drinking the water, as well as finding its way into human water sources. Contemporary farming often focuses on growing a great deal of one type of crop, thereby diminishing beneficial insects that cannot be supported by the single crop or the insects it attracts. Organic farming promotes sustainability, and diversity of plants as well as the insects and animals, including humans, that rely on them.

For all these reasons, organic teas make an excellent hot beverage choice that is not only tasty but good for the environment. Bulk tea comes in many forms including organic herbal teas, and chai, so that you will find a healthy favorite for an early morning revival or late night relaxation session.

Organic Teas are available in bulk loose form

Organic loose tea is a popular choice among those who have sensitive palates and demand specialized flavors. There are many different types of organic teas to choose from.

Many people enjoy drinking

spiced chai tea. Organic teas such as this delightful one come in both caffeinated and non-caffeinated versions. The one with caffeine is created using a blend of Assam and black tea along with spices, while the herbal variety creates its zest by focusing on several herbs and spices that provide the taste experience that Chai drinkers love. Spices such as cloves, ginger root, cinnamon, along with the surprising tangy flavor of pepper, go into the making of this favorite tea, one of many organic teas that you can choose from.

For health reasons and environmental concerns, organic beverages like organic tea make a smart choice.

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The “organic” Whole Foods-esque trend in food has come to tea as well. Many people think that if they get some regular loose tea that it is 100% organic. Then many are confused when some tea vendors say their tea is organic and others aren’t. Let me break down the differences for you so you will no longer be confused.

•  The most important difference between organic tea and regular tea is that organic tea is not cultivated with the use of pesticides or fertilizers. It is 100% naturally grown and nurtured. 
• Organic tea usually involves some type of natural nutrient-rich mulch and compost that helps to enrich the soil around it. This takes more effort on the part of the growers.
• Because it is more nutrient rich, organic tea leaves contains more antioxidants and catechins that health experts rave about.
• Typically, in blind taste testings organic tea is found to taste better then regular non-organic tea.  
   

Am I saying you should only drink organic tea no matter what? No, not necessarily. It’s up to you. If you are willing to spend a little extra money then go for the organic. Regular tea still has the same health benefits and tastes great just like organic tea. The way I see it is that as long as you are drinking tea you are doing something right. Hopefully you now know a little more to make the right decision in the future.

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I drink tea.  All day.  It starts with a cup of organic kukicha in the morning.  Then I move on to a glass of organic iced green tea.  This is followed by a series of glasses of different iced organic teas, usually ending up the evening with a glass of iced chamomile tea so I can “wind down” aka not the climb the walls because I’ve consumed more caffeine than a trash can at a Starbucks. 

And what happens if I’m away from home and I don’t get a glass of iced tea?  I’ll start stalking area coffee shops because they always carry a “flavor of the day” that I instantly must try the second I lay eyes on it.  So yes, I drink tea.

So how to make all this iced tea?  You can brew it the old fashion way, i.e. brew, ice, sit in refrigerator for hours until it is ready.  Or you can purchase a Mr. Iced Tea.  This amazing $20 gadget allows you to make gallons and gallons of iced teas in the easiest, most efficient manner…or you could wait for it to brew in the refrigerator.  It is your choice in the fast-paced world of iced teas. 

Why exactly is tea so awesome?  First, let’s look at the organic black teas.  According to the experts, black tea is made from young tea leaves and their buds.  It comes from the plant Camellia Senesis.  The leaves and buds are completely fermented or oxidized after they have been dried.  It usually contains 65 mg of caffeine – a little less than coffee, but more than what you’ll get from cola.  Organic black tea is grown without pesticides or harmful chemicals, and its farmers use sustainable practices.

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The best way to understand the chakra system is to think of it like a network of energy channels and power centers that exist between the physical and spiritual aspects of human health. The actual chakra points are located throughout the body in correspondence with nerve centers and important parts of the endocrine system.

While not yet accepted by Western medicine, the chakra system is an integral part of acupuncture and other proven studies. Chakra knowledge was, according to ancient Vedic texts, discovered thousands of years ago.

Originally, the chakras were thought of as centers of consciousness. Today, most descriptions refer to chakras as points of “power” or “energy”.

Study of this esoteric system continues to this day, and modern theories include discoveries made as recently as the 20th century. There are many schools of thought surrounding the human chakra system, and specific ideals and functionality vary quite a bit from one method of study to another.

However, unlike many other spiritual studies, discrepancies rarely result in bitter disputes. It is commonly accepted that, because human beings continue to evolve, the chakra system can expand and change across the span of generations.

Because the chakra system is very much driven by the powers of thought and consciousness, participants can enjoy tremendous benefit even from minimal exposure. Chakra knowledge can be integrated into any health regimen, any religious practice, and any spiritual study. You don’t need a special ceremony, the permission of any guru, or a college degree to begin reaping the immense rewards this ancient and beautiful knowledge has to offer.

Most Yoga programs will give you a hands-on introduction to the chakras. Additionally, there are a number of breathing and visualization exercises that will help you become acquainted with the chakra system.

Many ancient forms of spirituality embrace the chakra knowledge at some level. You can even experience the flow of chakra energy through the metaphysical study of semi-precious stones and an examination of crystal healing philosophy.

I recommend you explore various informational resources to learn the specifics of the chakra system, and focus on the content that resonates with your intuition. Don’t become obsessed with minor details and be sure to focus on having a personal experience rather than merely collecting facts and statistics

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