Anita C. McCants

Bullying: What Schools Can Do About It

2011-09-29T21:51:00.000-07:00

Bullying is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and dealt with on a regular basis. It is hard to focus on learning when you are the victim of bullying. Your thoughts are preoccupied with worries such as "what if this happens" or "what if that happens". And when you cannot focus on learning, you do not learn to your full potential. And when you do not learn to your full potential, you could be hindered from accomplishing your dreams or reaching your goals.

Being bullied could cause students to have behavior problems, lose interest in learning, or cope in negative ways.

The following are steps schools can take to stomp out bullying:

*Have meetings with parents, students and staff about bullying behaviors and how to deal with them.

*Send out newsletters to parents, students, and staff addressing bullying behavior.

*Monitor bullies.

*Train teachers to recognize symptoms of abuse, and act as quickly as possible by involving a school counselor. By providing appropriate intervention students can be "[helped to fulfill] their highest potentials academically, personally, and socially." (Brown, Brack, and Mullins, 2008)

Thought Provoking Quote: To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society. ~Theodore Roosevelt

Bullies, Victims, and Witnesses

2011-01-13T22:04:00.000-08:00

We all have hopes of accomplishing our dreams and achieving our goals. But that may be difficult for someone who is a victim of being bullied.

When I was in fifth grade, my younger sister and I attended the same school and rode the school bus together. We were constantly bullied by the same boy as we got off the bus to enter school. He was always pushing or grabbing us in inappropriate places. We were humiliated and scared. It was hard for us to focus on learning because we always feared what he might do next.

At the time, my sister and I were not even aware that we were both being harassed by the same boy. This may have been because we were not right behind one another when getting off the school bus. Whatever the reason, we were just not aware that we both were going through the same agonizing ordeal.

There was something else we were unaware of until we became adults. Every night before going to sleep, we both prayed about the situation. I would ask God to move the boy away from me or move me away from him. My sister's prayer was basically the same.

Then one day as I was sitting on the school bus, I realized the bully was not on the bus. I was so relieved.

Shortly after we settled into school, an announcement came over the PA system.

The bully I dreaded was dead.

I sat there thinking, "Is it wrong that I am not sad."

Later that afternoon, I learned that that same boy picked on a certain dog everyday, poking him with sticks through the fence, until one day the dog jumped over the fence and killed him.

Throughout our school years, my three sisters and I had to deal with bullies. We all had different ways of dealing with bullies, and somehow we survived. But, what we did not realize was the negative consequences that result from being victims of bullies.

You see, it's hard to focus on learning when your thoughts are preoccupied with: What if this happens or what if that happens. And when you can't focus on learning, you don't learn to your full potential. And when you don't learn to your full potential, it could get in the way of accomplishing dreams or achieving goals.

Bullying can cause negative consequences on victims, bullies, and witnesses. Victims and witnesses can develop problems with learning, as well as physical and mental health issues due to stress and anxiety. Bullies can end up being convicted of a crime, and can also develop mental health issues such as depression.

There are different types of bullying: verbal, physical, social, psychological and cyber. If you or someone you know is a victim of being bullied, please seek help.

*Click on or copy and paste the following link to read an article about The Consequences of Bullying for the Victims, Bullies, and Witnesses: http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/00117/bullyingconsequences.html

*Click on or copy and paste the following links for articles about different types of bullying and what can be done about it: http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/00117/typesbullying.html
http://www.ncab.org.au/Page.aspx?ID=88

*Click on or copy and paste the following links for Resources to Help Stop Bullying: http://www.pacer.org/bullying/ ~ http://stompoutbullying.org/ ~ http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

*Click on or copy and paste the following link to view video and read an important message from Ellen DeGeneres about bullying. It is titled 'It's Time To End Teenage Bullying'. This post includes Links to Resources to Help Stop Bullying: http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2010/09/its_time_to_end_teenage_bullying_0930.php

Why I Chose an Online High School

2010-07-02T14:45:00.000-07:00

When I told my family and friends that my son was attending
an online high school, some of them were enthused and
wanted to know more about it. And some of them sneered
at my decision and wanted to know what was wrong with
the traditional way of learning.

Well, the traditional way was not working for my son; so I
decided to find a school that would suit him, and Palmetto
State E-cademy (PSE) was the perfect choice for him.

Palmetto State E-cademy is a public, tuition-free, online
high school. PSE made it possible for my son to learn
at the time of day that he could do his best work. He
was able to learn at a pace that suited him. He was able
to attend and participate in activities which would have
been difficult to do in a traditional setting. Also, he did not
have to worry about distractions from disruptive students.

There were many advantages for my son being able to
attend high school online at Palmetto State E-cademy.
To learn more about PSE so you can decide if it is the
perfect choice for you, visit http://www.psecademy.org/

The 23rd Psalm

2010-03-31T23:36:00.000-07:00

This is a video of my son, Tony Travis McCants, Jr.
reciting The 23rd Psalm for his kindergarten
graduation ceremony.

This video is also featured on YouTube with
annotations. Here is the YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe8RJ8Sq_Fk

The Good Samaritan

2010-03-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

This is a video of my son, Tony Travis McCants, Jr.
at age 5 reciting 'The Good Samaritan' from The
Children's Bible [The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 10
verses 29-37 [Length 2:21]

This video is also featured on YouTube with
annotations. Here is theYouTube link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwSyzWJsIqA

If I Have No Love

2010-03-10T14:52:00.000-08:00

This is a video of my daughter, Brenda Janelle
McCants, at age 9 reciting If I Have No Love
from The Children's Bible 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
(running time 1:12)

This video is also featured on YouTube with
annotations. Here is the YouTube link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH1oKy7DCz0

Pay Attention To Medical Symptoms

2010-02-01T09:44:00.000-08:00

Some medical symptoms do not require a visit
to the doctor or emergency room. However,
some medical symptoms are warnings that
something is seriously wrong and immediate
action should be taken.

A few months ago I was experiencing tightness
in my chest that I assumed was heartburn.
When the heartburn was still with me the
next day I got a little worried that it could
be something more serious. Perhaps something
concerning the heart. So I took some aspirin
just in case.

Later that evening I decided to go to the
store to get something for heartburn.
I thought.. if that didn't solve the problem,
then I'll look into it further.

As I was leaving the store walking back
to my car I noticed I was having shortness
of breath. Now I was really worried.
I had planned to visit my mom and sister
who lived just a mile away from the store.
When I got there I told them about my
experience. They looked worried.

They were used to me having heartburn,
but shortness of breath was alarming.
They told me to go to an urgent care
center right away.

To make a long story short, I ended up
in the hospital for ten days. I had blood
clots in my right and left lungs.

Thank you to my mom and sister who
advised me to seek medical help.
Thank you to family and friends, and
everyone who prayed for my recovery.
Thank you to everyone who cared for me.
Thank you to everyone who wished me well.

Thank you Lexington Medical Center
for your care and hospitality. And for
making my stay feel more like "Lexington
Marriott Courtyard" :^)

Thank you Urgent Care Center at Irmo
for your care and hospitality. And for
advising me to go to the emergency room.

Thank you to my follow up doctor,
William A. Dunovant Sr. and his
staff for taking care of me.

To God be the glory. God bless each
and everyone of you.

Click on the following link to read
Six Serious Medical Symptoms:
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/6-serious-medical-symptoms

It Is Not Easy To Forgive

2009-09-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

There are people who have said
or done things that have caused
others great pain or humiliation.
And some are constantly reminded
of those things.

It is not easy to forgive someone
who has caused us pain.

However…

“Not to forgive is to be imprisoned
by the past…” “Forgiveness frees the
forgiver.” -Lance Morrow

“...whenever you stand praying,
if you have anything against anyone,
forgive him, that your Father in heaven
may also forgive you your trespasses.
But if you do not forgive, neither will your
Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Mark 11:25 (NKJV)

"We must develop and maintain the capacity
to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to
forgive is devoid of the power to love. There
is some good in the worst of us and some
evil in the best of us. When we discover this,
we are less prone to hate our enemies."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

UPDATE: 9/10/09
The following is a blog link to a beautiful
story about forgiving:
http://fillmyheart.blogspot.com/2009/04/devil-and-duck.html

My Testimony

2009-08-31T10:23:00.000-07:00

On May 2, 2005, I was headed to a funeral that was
to take place at 2 pm that day. I was driving a small
two door red Chevrolet.

On my way to the funeral, I suddenly realized I did
not remember how to get to the church. I pulled up
to a store that sat in the center of divided roads.
I went inside and asked for directions.

As I was traveling the route a customer suggested,
I noticed that nothing was looking familiar to me. I
felt as though I was driving further and further away
from the church. I decided that I would stop at
another store and ask for directions.

When I came upon another store that sat off to my
left, I decided I would go in and ask for directions.
Not realizing the traffic that started out going both
ways was now, somehow going in the same
direction with two lanes.

As I proceeded to turn into the store, thinking the
way was clear from on coming traffic, BAM! I was
suddenly struck by this vehicle that came from no
where.

Immediately I called out to God. I said..."No God
no, this can't be happening!" Everything
happened so fast I was not able to understand it.
The next thing I knew I was upside down in a five
foot ditch. I noticed my seat belt had a tight grip
on me.

I said "Please God don't let this car blow up on
me, please let me get out of this car." I began
pounding my thumb forcefully at the release button
on the seat belt, then suddenly the seat belt
released me.

I said "Please God don't let me die, please
don't let this be Your will." I was worried about
my children. Their dad had passed away, and now
this. I said "God I thought You had a purpose for
me to fulfill, and if I die, how will I be able to
fulfill that purpose." More than anything, I wanted
to live to fulfill the purpose I felt God had for me.

I was constantly talking to God as I maneuvered
my way through the open window that had been
shattered on the passenger side. I scrambled
frantically out of my car. My face was pressed
against what felt like a sandy wall.

I hurried hysterically toward the onlookers, and
asked them "What happened, what did I do,
did I kill someone." I learned that the vehicle
that struck me had a woman and a baby inside.
I could hear the baby just crying and crying.

I dropped to the concrete ground and laid flat
on my back and began to cry and talk to God.
I prayed for the lady and her baby. I prayed for
them to live, and for them to be all right. I
asked God to forgive me for my sins. I prayed
that God would let me live. Then I finally said
"But if it's not Your will, then I'll just have
to accept it."

As I laid there on my back, terrified of what I
might learn about the woman and the baby,
the onlookers and the witnesses were looking
at the crash in disbelief. The terrifying look in
their eyes made me think that someone was
killed in this accident.

I kept asking if I had killed someone. A lady
standing over me said "I think the lady and
her baby are going to be all right. Someone
is holding the baby, she's probably crying
because she's just shaken up." She told me
that the lady did not want to get out of her
vehicle.

She went on to say..." I'm just worried about
the person in the red car, I hope someone
checks on the person in the red car."
I explained that I am the person that was in
the red car. The lady asked me how did I get
out, and I said..."It was the grace of God"
Then a man asked me "How did you get over
here so fast." I said "I thought the car was
going to blow up, and I was trying to get away
from it."

When I arrived to the emergency room, the
emergency room doctor asked one of the
paramedics why did they have me strapped
like I was all broken up, and the paramedic
replied..."If you would had seen the car she
came out of, you would have thought she
was all broken up too."

I learned from the highway patrol officer that
I made an improper turn, causing an SUV to
slam into my car on the left side (which is the
driver's side), my car spun around, hit the
ditch, then flipped and landed upside down,
with the SUV resting just slightly on top.

A man from the towing service told my mom
it took two trucks to get the car out of the ditch.
He said if he would have tried to pull the car
out of the ditch, there would not have been
anything to tow because it would have fallen
apart, so he needed a truck with a flatbed.

The car that I was driving was totaled. The
patrol officer told my mom and me that
accidents frequently happen in that same
area where I had mine. I was released from
the hospital that same day. I did not have
any broken bones. I only had a few minor
nicks and scratches.

Earlier that day, before heading out for the
funeral, my younger sister had called me.
She thought about asking me if I wanted her
to ride with me, but said that God told her no,
don't bother.

My sister (who is a year older than me) said
my mom wanted to call me to make sure I
knew how to get to the church, but she told
my mom not to call because it could confuse
me. My daughter had gotten out of school
early after taking an AP Exam. She had
mixed emotions about going to the funeral,
and decided not to go.

To learn that I had been involved in a car
accident left my family feeling awful. They
thought if only they could have done
something that could have prevented me
from such an ordeal. I kept asking myself
why did this happen. I am grateful that
God brought me through this nightmarish
ordeal.

On Tuesday, June 14, 2005, I went before
the judge in hopes of getting my $150.00
traffic ticket reduced. There I stood,
prepared to hear the judge say "Do you
promise to tell the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth, so help you
God" which was what I had been hearing
several times already. But instead, the judge
asked me to pronounce my name. After I said
my name, the judge said "Dismissed".

Later I learned that my sister, Carla, as well
as my daughter, Brenda, had asked God to
have my case dismissed, and my son,
Tony, as well as family and friends had
prayed for me.

How could I not have a testimony.
To God be the Glory!!!

Man Gives Kidney To Best Friend

2009-08-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

Bruce Trezevant made a remarkably brave decision
to give one of his kidneys to his best friend Warren
Wilson who needed a kidney transplant.

Click on the link below to read this remarkable story
and watch video:

http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=68158&catid=63

In Loving Memory

2009-08-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails
to the morning breeze and starts
for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until at length
she hangs like a speck of white cloud
just where the sea and sky
come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says:
“There, she is gone!”
“Gone where?”
Gone from my sight.
That is all.

She is just as large in mast and hull and spar
as she was when she left my side
and she is just as able
to bear the load of living freight
to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me,
not in her.
And just at the moment
when someone at my side says:
“There, she is gone!”
There are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout:
“Here she comes!”

And that is dying.

~Henry Van Dyke

Dealing With Compulsive Liars

2009-08-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

Compulsive liars constantly lie about anything,
and often do not have a conscience about it.
It is not easy dealing with compulsive liars.
They ruin their relationship with friends, family
and loved ones. They cause others to be
distant from them in their hearts, and to not
care to be in their company.

It may take awhile before some people realize
that a certain person in their life is a compulsive
liar, and was the root of many problems. When
confronting a compulsive liar about their lies,
you may get a very nonchalant response like
“Nobody’s perfect” or “Everybody lies”.
Compulsive liars annoy and stress others.

It is not always easy avoiding compulsive liars.
When dealing with a compulsive liar do not
place much worth on what is being said. Also,
check out their story with a more trustworthy
person.

Law of Attraction

2009-08-18T15:54:00.000-07:00

The Law of Attraction is believed
to be that whatever we focus on
is what we attract into our lives.
The following is my response to
a blog I commented on regarding
the Law of Attraction:

I do believe things can manifest in
our lives that we give our attention
to because it has happened to me
quite often; however, I do not agree
with this particular claim:
“You are the creator of everything
that you experience by the virtue
of what you think and feel”
http://gainback.wordpress.com/2009/08/03/work-the-law-of-attraction-consistently/

There were times when good things
and bad things happened to me that
I had not previously thought about.
Sometimes things just happen.

Quite naturally after bad things happen
we tend to think about them. I try not to
dwell on the bad things and stay focused
on my dreams and accomplishing my
goals.

Feel free to share your thoughts on the
Law of Attraction.

Are Self-Help Books Helpful, or Not?

2009-08-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

Interviewer: Do self-help books really help?
Anita: Some do, and some don‘t. The purpose
of self-help books is to give advice on how to
improve the quality of life. However, not all self
help books give sound advice.

Interviewer: How many self-help books have
you read?
Anita: About a dozen.

Interviewer: What self-help book impacted
you the most?
Anita: A booklet titled Gone From My
Sight. It helped me to understand and cope
with the changes that my husband (who was
terminally ill) was going through.

Interviewer: What was the first self-help book
you read, and what impact did it have on you?
Anita: The first self-help book I read was more
than a decade ago. It was Open Your Mind To
Prosperity. I was working in the insurance
department of a chiropractic clinic.

I remember pondering over some of the author’s
claims in that book. Recently, I decided to read
the book again and take notes plus write how
I viewed some of the claims made by the author:

In Open Your Mind To Prosperity, the author
makes it clear that when she started writing
prosperity articles she and her son were
living in one room that was provided to her
by the church that she had been serving.
(pg. 46) I could not help but wonder how
could she give advice on how to gain
wealth when she had not obtained wealth
herself.

The author had even admitted that
“[she] felt foolish writing about prosperity,
telling other people how to be prosperous,
when [she] was living in one room.” (pg.16)

In 1958, during a hard hit recession in
Birmingham, Alabama (pg. 3 ), the author
(who was a minister at that time) was asked
by the people in her church to “teach a class
that would point out the mental and spiritual
laws of prosperity.” (pg. 12) She taught
prosperity classes, and began writing about
it.

Her first book ’The Dynamic Laws of
Prosperity’ (according to the author)
transformed the lives of people
worldwide and transformed her life
as well. (pg. 3)

By the time the author’s
revised book Open Your Mind To
Prosperity was published (1983),
she had conducted “scores of classes”
on prosperity (pg.15) and had written
at least a dozen prosperity books.

In Open Your Mind To Prosperity,
the author claims that “some people
literally [have] gone from “rags to riches"
through following the ideas given…”
(pg. 5)

She gives accounts of nameless people
who inherited money or reduced debts
due to accepting the idea of opening
your mind to prosperity, opening your
mind “to receive your heritage of
abundance bequeathed you from the
beginning.” (pg. 14 and 15)

On page 20 the author claims that “An
important way to open your mind to
prosperity is deliberately to open your
mind to the idea that money is spiritual,
that money is a part of your spiritual
heritage.”

She goes on to say that many
of the great leaders of the Bible were
millionaires. Even if that claim were
proven to be true, it does not mean that
“money is spiritual“ or that “money is a
part of your spiritual heritage.”

On page 21 the author claims that “Jesus’
interest in prosperity is shown in the Lord’s
Prayer: Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts as we have also
forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:11, 12).
That particular scripture is clearly no
indication of Jesus’ interest in prosperity.

I have read motivational and self-help
books and booklets where the author
would say things like “Expect Favor”
which would precede a quote from the
Bible that did not apply.

Notable authors of motivational books
and self help books have given vague
advice on how to gain wealth or have
made claims that have not proven to
be true.

They give advice that is not
presented in a clear and simple format,
and they do not give supported answers
for how to change your circumstances.
They make claims that are responsible
for promoting false hope.

Interviewer: What self-help book or
books did you consider really helpful?
Anita: Actually, it’s a combination of ideas
and advice I’ve used from self-help books
that has helped me to improve in different
areas of my life.

There are three types of self-help books:

growth-oriented, which gives advice on
improving relationships, career, health,
money, etc.

problem-oriented, which gives advice on
dealing with a particular problem, such as
stress or depression,
and…
life transitions, which gives advice on
coping with death, pregnancy, divorce, etc.

I don’t believe that growth-oriented self-help
books (such as the ones regarding improving
careers, money, and health) can really help
those who are living in countries with
unfortunate circumstances beyond their
control.

However, I do believe that problem-oriented
and life transitions self-help books can help
people throughout the universe.

An effective self-help book helps you to
recognize that change is possible. They
help you think about things differently, do
things differently, improve your actions,
and change your life. An effective self-help
book encourages a person to change their
circumstances or behavior and tells them
how.

However, even the most effective self-help
book cannot help those who lack
understanding or motivation.

For the most part, effective self-help books
can help those who are motivated to help
themselves.

How I Learned To Say No

2009-07-31T05:35:00.000-07:00

I remember a time when a particular person was constantly
asking me to help her with some sort of time-consuming project.
Before I knew, it I had put my own projects on the back burner,
and was getting involved with hers. As time went on I became
stressed and very aggravated with this person. I started
complaining to anyone who would listen. However, I was not
brave enough to take their advice.

Then one day, my daughter and I talked about my predicament
and the negative impact that it was having on me. During our
conversation I came to realize that the person I was allowing to
obligate me with her time-consuming projects, did not really care
about the things that I wanted to do. I thought about how I had
often told her that I had things that I wanted to do, but was not
able to do because of her projects. I even told her a few months
in advance that by the start of the next season I would not be
able to help her. But that did not stop her from asking me to help.

After my daughter and I discussed my situation, I realized that I
needed to learn how to say no. She asked me to do role play with
her (which was something that she had learned in one of her
psychology courses). Anyway, her role was to persistently ask me
to engage in some sort of time consuming-matter, and my role was
to politely express my true feelings regarding this matter.

When it was time for me to say my part, I told her that I was not
going to be able to help her. I briefly explained that I am now
busy working on my own projects, and that getting involved with
her projects would keep me from completing my mine. She persisted,
and I didn’t give in. I even told her that if I were to help her, I do not
believe that I would be able to concentrate on her project from
worrying about mine. And therefore I would not be able to do a
good job.

And that is how I handled it the next time I was asked for help on
a time-consuming project by that particular person.

Click on the following links For Great Tips on Saying No and
Lessons Learned:
http://www.getmoredone.com/tips6.html
http://www.43things.com/things/view/3883/learn-to-say-no
Feel free to share in the comment box How You Learned To Say No:

Did You Know?...

2009-07-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

…Vitamin C can shorten the length of a cold. Plus, it may cut
back on coughing and sneezing. A great way to get additional
Vitamin C is by drinking juices that are rich in Vitamin C.

…Steam cleaning carpet does not get hot enough to kill
dust mites. "About all it really does is make it warmer and wetter
underneath —an ideal climate for both mites and mold."
-Dr. Platts-Mills

...Clorox kills mold.

...Exercising and stretching is good for back pain.

... To avoid bringing on the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome,
you should keep your hand and wrist as straight as possible while
typing and driving.

...Finding the source of your depression, may help you to feel a lot
better

…Even experts on depression occasionally get depressed.

The following link offers home remedies for 139 problems.
After clicking on the link you will find a chapter list to your left.
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/47/3.cfm

Breathe, Cough, Laugh

2009-07-25T21:39:00.000-07:00

According to research…

…laughter (even fake laughter) reduces stress,
boost the immune system, and helps people heal quicker.

…deep breathing help support your lungs and lymphatic
system, and encourages your body to burn fat.

…the huff cough helps get rid of mucus in the lungs.
(The huff cough should be used anytime a cough is needed.
During huff coughing you gently say the word huff. If you
have a cold, remember to cough into disposable tissues to
keep from spreading germs, then promptly throw the tissue
away and wash your hands)

Keeping these great benefits in mind, remember to practice
deep breathing throughout the day, huff cough when you
need to cough, and laugh often, even if you have to fake it.

Visit the following link to read more ways you can benefit
from laughing:
http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/laughter.htm

Visit the following link to read more info on how you can
benefit from deep breathing:
http://www.womentowomen.com/fatigueandstress/deepbreathing.aspx

Visit the following link to read more info regarding the Huff Cough:
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/chest/home/huff-cough.htm
http://www.cts.usc.edu/lpg-breathingcoughingexercisesafterlungsurgery.html

The Blog Award

2009-07-02T02:39:00.000-07:00

There are major blog awards given
based on the quality of online content
(or perhaps popularity), and there are
blog awards that bloggers create and
give out for different reasons such as:
It was given to them and they were told
to mention who gave it and to pass it
on to 15 others. And for reasons that
fall into different categories such as:
creative, insightful, etc.

The main reason I blog is to share
information and views that others will
(hopefully) find useful, helpful, or
humorous.

So far since I've been blogging, I've
gotten a few blog awards from other
bloggers, and I appreciate their
thoughtfulness.

Regardless of whatever market you're
in, there will be those who will praise
you, and those`who will criticize you.
And to that respect, here's a wisdom
quote to keep in mind:

You can't let praise or criticism
get to you. It's a weakness to
get caught up in either one.
-JohnWooden

Thank you to everyone who gave
feedback (regarding my blog)
through email.

And thank you to the following
for your feedback on this site:

Amy Perrotti
Andrea
Christine A. Mayo　
coachrlm
D.
deepazartz
Derrick
Daughter of Wisdom　
Debra
Harri Rautiainen
Jenjen © GottaLoveMom　
Justice Jonesie
Kelly
Lauren　
Lighthouse Prayer Line　
Loni Edwards
Lorrie
Mrs. Myers @ Eat Move Write
Marissa
Omi
OurCrazyFarm
Panharath　
Perspective RAD　
Psych Babbler
Pttyann
RipperKing
RM
Ryan and Jasmine
Saligia
Sassy Trends　
Sheryl
SPACE LOVER　
SquirrelQueen
Stanis　
Temika
The Daily Dean Chronicals　
Toothfairynotes　
utotmopink
ARISTIONO NUGROHO

A Decent Job

2009-06-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

I was in a store one day when I heard this man say...
"Because my son spent time in jail, he will not be able
to get a decent job. He will probably end up painting,
or laying asphalt, or doing construction work or
something."

I couldn't help but wonder how inconvenient it would
be without painters, asphalt layers, and construction
workers. Thanks to them we have decent homes to
live in, decent roads to travel, and decent buildings
to work or do business in.

A decent comment the man could have made was…
"Because my son has a criminal record, his job
opportunities are limited.

Not Good Enough

2009-06-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

Mr. and Mrs. Proud did not approve of their
daughter's fiancé Joe because Joe did not have
a Master's degree.

Joe had proven to be loyal, considerate, and
mature; and a dedicated worker. Joe had all
the right qualities. However, that was not
good enough for the Proud Family.

Eventually, their daughter ended her
relationship with Joe for the simple fact
that he did not have a Master's degree.

A year and a half later, while engaged to Josh
(who had a Master's degree), the Proud's
daughter was involved in an automobile accident
which left her paralyzed from the waist down.
Three months later, Josh left her.

Not Wife Material

2009-06-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

Buddy and his friends were hanging out
the other day when Roxanne stopped to
say hello. Shortly after Roxanne separated
from the group, Buddy's friends asked him
about his relationship with Roxanne.
Buddy responded with... "I just like fooling
around with her, but she's not "wife material".

You see, Roxanne has a reputation for
"fooling around" which (according to Buddy)
makes her an unlikely candidate for marriage
or even a serious relationship. However,
Buddy also has a reputation for "fooling around".
So why is it that Buddy feels when considering
marriage or a serious relationship, he deserves
someone who is "wife material" when he is not
“husband material"?

To Market An Idea...

2009-06-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

"To market an idea [you] have to find a group
that really [cares] about what it is you have to
say." -Seth Godin

The following link is an informative video
that will change the way you think about
marketing and doing business. It is the
most effective marketing information
out there. It is 18 minutes and 58
seconds long. And it's worth it!
Just click on the link below to watch video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBIVlM435Zg&feature=channel_page

No More Than We Can Bear

2009-06-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

In regards to the death of a loved one, I have heard
people make reference to the Bible with comments like...
"God will not put more on us than we can bear."
1 Corinthians 10:13 says: "But you can trust
God, who will not permit you to be tempted
more than you can stand." This verse is in reference
to temptation, not death.

1 Corinthians is the book 'The First Letter of Paul
the Apostle to the Corinthians.'

No One Knows The Hour or The Day

2009-06-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

Have you ever said to someone...
the doctor was right about how long so and so would
live, and got a comment like...
"The Bible says no one knows the hour or the day."?

In Mark 13:32, Jesus says to his disciples
"No one knows about that day or hour,
not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,
but only the Father." This verse is in reference to
when "Heaven and earth will pass away," not, how
much longer a person is expected to live.

Also, to keep down the confusion about
heaven and earth passing away:

In Revelation 21:1, John testifies
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The first heaven and the first earth had
disappeared, and there was no sea anymore."

According to a doctor’s prognosis, a patient may
have X amount of time left to live. However, it is
in God’s hands, and God’s will be done.

Wounded Warrior Fight

2009-06-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

I just read a blog from an Army veteran
whose been dealing with PTSD
(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder/TBI
(Traumatic Brain Injury) for the past
four years. It is sad enough that our
veterans have to deal with mental
problems. But it breaks my heart to
know that they are being treated in a
disgraceful and humiliating manner.

Many of our veterans are not getting
the professional care that they need.
They are being told that their conditions
are preexisting. Even if that were the case,
they deserve to be taken care of. Our soldiers
put their lives at risk so that we can live in peace.

To read the blog from Wounded Warrior Fight,
click on the following links:
http://woundedwarriorfight.blogspot.com/2009/05/depression-as-linked-to-post-combat-or.html
http://woundedwarriorfight.blogspot.com/

Excerpts from: Don't you just hate that? by Scott Cohen

2009-06-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

Humorous excerpts from:

Don't you just hate that?

by Scott Cohen

27. When a women calls out "Thanks a million!" and waves
as her car pulls away, and you realize that you just gave her
totally wrong directions.

50. When the driver pushes the unlock button, but you pull
the handle at the same moment, and remain locked out.

68. Remembering enough French from high school to know
that the two Frenchmen sitting next to you are talking
about you, but not knowing enough French to understand
what they're saying.

114. Tipping someone who hasn't earned it only because
you don't want to look cheap.

134. When you hold the ketchup bottle over your french
fries and the first thing that comes out is water.

521. People who hold a door open for you when you're
twenty feet away, causing you to walk faster.

528. Feeling uncomfortable telling someone that she
has food wedged between her teeth, yet being unable
to avert your gaze from it.

591. Fortune cookies that don't predict anything
(e.g., "You are a bundle of energy, always on the go!").

612. When you bring a salad from the local deli back
to work and they forgot to give you a plastic fork.

683. Carefully unfolding each corner of a beat-up
dollar bill before inserting it into a vending machine,
only to have it come back again and again and again.
And again.

The following are five more humorous
points from the sequel:

1. When you lose your cell phone and call it, and reach
a message from some guy named Todd.

2. Waiting behind people who look like they’re in line
but aren’t.

3. When it takes a scissor to open the plastic packaging
that a scissor is in.

4. Trading bad date stories with someone you’re
on a bad date with.

5. When someone with bad style compliments
the outfit you’re wearing.

About two and half years ago, my kids and I were

browsing a book store (the way we sometimes do)

not looking for any books in particular, and I happen

upon Don't you just hate that? I opened the book

and started reading, and couldn't put it down. I just

had to get that book. Through the years, whenever

the kids and I would get annoyed by something,

we would make reference to Don't you just hate that?

That book has sparked much humorous conversation

and laughter. We are looking forward to the sequel.

Permission was granted by Scott Cohen to
use excerpts from Don't you just hate that?
The sequel has not yet been published.

Manipulative People

2009-06-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

Manipulative people are people who are determined to have their way.
They are bent on controlling others. They carefully pick their targets.
They know just who to play their little games with. They say things to
get others to do things that they don’t really want to do.

Manipulative people use different techniques to manipulate others.
They act overly concerned, confused, helpless, hopeless, sad, or
angry. They blame others for their problems.

It’s not always easy to avoid manipulative people. Sometimes,
the best way to deal with a manipulative person is to confront them
and tell them how they make you feel. Do not allow yourself to be
controlled.

Manipulative people do not like being found out; when confronted,
they back off. Some, try to make themselves out to be the victim
of course. Some, will promise to change their behavior, but have
no intentions of doing so.

To avoid developing manipulative behavior,
practice applying the Golden Rule…

Do to others as you would have them do to you.
-Luke 6:31 (NIV Holy Bible)

The following are links with articles regarding Manipulative Behavior:
http://www.helium.com/items/423269-what-to-do-if-you-are-the-victim-of-a-manipulative-person-or-personality
http://www.way-of-the-mind.com/manipulative-behavior.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/42085/manipulative_behavior_how_to_recognize.html
http://www.rickross.com/reference/brainwashing/brainwashing11.html

If We Don't Take Care of Our Customers...

2009-05-30T10:09:00.000-07:00

If we don’t take care of our customers,
someone else will.
-UNKNOWN

Don't open a shop unless you like to smile.
-Chinese Proverbs

There is only one boss.
The customer.
And he can fire everybody in the company
from the chairman on down,
simply by spending his money somewhere else.
-Sam Walton

It is difficult,
but not impossible,
to conduct strictly honest business.
-Mahatma Ghandi

“If people like you they’ll listen to you,
but if they trust you they’ll do business with you.”
-Zig Ziglar

The key to success is
to get out into the store
and
listen to what the associates have to say.
It's terribly important for everyone to get involved.
Our best ideas come from clerks and stock boys.
- Sam Walton

What Does Success Mean To You?

2009-05-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

Success means different things to different people.
For some, success means gaining wealth or fame,
breaking records or reaching goals.

For me, success is enjoying what you do.☺

What does success mean to you?

Don't Ruin The Message

2009-05-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever received an inspiring or encouraging
forwarded message through email only to have it
ruined by a bogus threat or guilt manipulation?

I used to go through the aggravation of removing
the threats or guilt scheme before forwarding, but
now I just don't even bother to forward. I've had
people to tell me that they just overlook that part,
and forward the entire email. I don't do it because
I don't want people thinking I'm an agreement with
such nonsense.

When people send chain letters threatening others
to forward unless they will have bad luck or will not
receive a blessing or a large sum of money, etc., they
are only ruining the message that came before the
threat.

Contact Info

2009-05-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

You may contact me at:
anitamccants@yahoo.com

Help Erika Kirtoglou: The Surviving Dancer

2009-05-27T22:47:00.000-07:00

Erika Kirtoglou is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivor looking to get connected to the right people that could help her get her motivational business going. She is looking for an assistant to help her with book signing, speaking engagements, and needs help with getting publicity. Watch her 1:34 video and listen to her "Quick plea for help" on: http://www.survivingdancer.org/ You can also Follow her on: http://twitter.com/survivingdancer

An Effective Formula For Achieving Goals

2009-05-27T16:17:00.000-07:00

An Effective Formula for Achieving Goals:
　
(1) Research ideas for achieving your goals,

(2) Study and develop the skills you need to move
forward,

(3) Take Action,

(4) If necessary, change your approach until you get
the results you want,

(5) Concentrate your thoughts on achieving your goals.

~The thoughts you dwell on will influence your actions~
(Views inspired by Napoleon Hill)

Nurture your mind with great thoughts,
for you will never go any higher than you
think. -Benjamin DIsraeli

Happiness: Where To Find It...

2009-05-22T22:56:00.000-07:00

Do not expect for someone who is uptight and unhappy
to make you happy.

If you should pursue fame or fortune, do not look for it to
make you happy. If being rich or famous was the key to
happiness, then why are there so many unhappy rich
and famous people?

Poverty nor wealth brings happiness.

In many cases happiness depends on our frame of mind
and not on our circumstances.

What you dwell on can make you happy or unhappy.

Happiness is

when what you think,

what you say,

and

what you do

are in harmony.

-Gandhi

Happiness is enhanced by others

but does not depend upon others.

-Anon

Some cause happiness WHEREVER they go;

others

WHENEVER they go.

-Oscar Wilde

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.

If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

-The Dalai Lama

Those who show mercy to others are happy,

because God will show mercy to them.

-Matthew 5:7 (Holy Bible NCV)

There are two things to aim at in life:

first, to get what you want;

and, after that,

to enjoy it.

Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second.

-Logan Pearsall Smith, Afterthoughts, 1931 "Life and Human Nature"

Should Obama Consider Revamping Requirements for Education?

2009-05-22T15:34:00.000-07:00

The following question is a quote from a U.S. citizen
from Maryland. It was addressed to the Obama
Administration via Change.gov. Open For Questions:

"Algebra & Geometry have yet to prove significance
in making children more productive citizens in society
and the workforce. Will Obama consider revamping
requirements to include courses like Personal Finance,
Credit & Debt & Retirement Planning?"

Teachers Need To Recognize Symptoms of Abuse

2009-05-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

Many students are dealing with being neglected or abused.
This could cause students to have behavior problems, lose
interest in learning, or cope in negative ways. Teachers
need to be trained to recognize symptoms of abuse, and
act as quickly as possible by involving a school counselor.
Providing appropriate intervention helps students
"in fulfilling their highest potentials academically,
personally, and socially." (Brown, Brack, and Mullins, 2008)

Excerpts from: Becoming An Educated Being by Rise

2009-05-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

Becoming an educated being means more than
simply knowing things. It relates more to how
you apply what you know in your daily life even
in mundane activities. It means to be able to
deal with changes in life and sometimes become
the cause of the change. ...

Education never stops. In everything we do there
is a lesson, it is up to us to recognize and learn it.

School is not just about grades and degrees. It is
a place where you get an opportunity to interact
with all sorts of people. You can learn a lot from
the experienced ones and shape your personal
growth.

The reward is not the degree, but the person you
become at the end of it. The purpose is to learn
how to learn.

It is all about who you are and what you become.
To read full article copy and paste link:
www.educatedbeing.com/2006/07/27/becoming-an-educated-being/ - 30k -

(Excerpt was posted with permission)

For more great articles from Educated Being visit:
http://www.educatedbeing.com/

Don't e-mail Misinformation

2009-05-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

Don't email hoaxes and misinformation.

Research and check the facts with reliable

sources.

I've read e-mail forwards where the original

sender (of a bogus claim) would claim to

have checked with a certain reliable source

only to discover that the source given

declared the claim to be false.

I guess the original sender did not think

that people would actually check before

forwarding; especially after tying the

claim to a reliable website.

The following websites are myth busters:

snopes.com

urbanlegends.about.com

Don't Be a Self-help Junkie

2009-05-13T06:33:00.000-07:00

Self-help junkies attend inspirational
and motivational seminars, read and
listen to tons of motivational books,
and audios. However, they don't take
the useful and sensible advice offered.
Thy don't practice doing things any
differently. They don't practice doing
things that could make a positive
difference in their lives.

Don't be a self-help junkie. If you are
seeking to improve your self, don't just
simply read or listen to useful and
sensible advice; apply it.

Something To Snicker About

2009-05-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

There are those who enjoy snickering to
one another about their friends or family
members. Some of them are aware that
their snide remarks are made known to
the very ones they are snickering about
(which is their main reason for doing so
in the first place).

A family member or friend who constantly
comes to you with bad talk about you
does not have good intentions. The reason
others are comfortable snickering about you
to this eager messenger could be (1) the
messenger is talking about you as well, (2)
the messenger is in agreement with what is
being said about you, (3) they can count on
the messenger to relay their snide remarks
about you to you.

Another thing…
If someone is constantly saying negative
things about other people to you, then they
are also saying negative things about you to
other people. Even though we may feel the
urge to vent, be very careful not to say
anything negative about anybody in this
person’s presence.

Someone asked my daughter why she gave
such vague responses over confrontational
matters, and my daughter replied “I know
how tempting it is to repeat what others say,
so I try not to say anything that I don’t want
repeated.” I was so proud of her. The person
she was speaking to was someone who
constantly repeated what others told her in
confidence.

Instead of using our time and energy to
snicker at others, we should practice doing
things that will make a positive difference
in our lives and in the lives of others.

Mom of Bi-racial Baby Irritated With Nice People

2009-05-08T07:57:00.000-07:00

The following is my response to a blog post from a mom irritated
due to people going overboard to say nice things about her bi-racial
baby: I am posting this in hopes of helping others who may
be going through the same thing:

I often here people say mixed, or bi-racial, kids are so pretty.
I don't think people mean any harm when expressing how adorable
a baby is (especially when the baby does not represent your race).
I just think people don't want you to be offended because they are
looking at your baby.

They say things to let you know that they don't have a problem
with your baby not representing your race. I have a bi-racial niece
and nephew, and as they got older, it made them feel awkward for
people to stare at them with such adoration.

It would be nice when people finally get used to seeing bi-racial
babies, or mixed families. Then everyone could be at ease.

The Color of Beauty

2009-05-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time
Society had been conditioned
To think that for one to be beautiful,
One must have thin lips, a keen nose,
And a fair complexion.
Then came along the ARtisTs
(whose opinions society valued),
Photographing, painting, and displaying
People with varied features and complexions,
Saying to society
Beauty comes in all shapes and complexions.
And society agreed.

Be Careful What You Say To Children: Episode 2

2009-05-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

When Johnny was in the sixth grade,
he called some of his classmates to
remind them about the student council
project. The next day in homeroom, one
of the students blurted out “Hey Johnny,
Calvin’s dad told him don't have f_gots
calling this house!”

Johnny was humiliated. At that time,
Johnny’s voice had not changed (the way
most of his peers had), and over the phone
he would get mistaken for a girl.

Calvin’s dad was a doctor, whom, most would
have thought, should have known better.

Be Careful What You Say to Children: Episode 1

2009-05-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

When Johnny was in the fourth grade, he lashed
out at his classmate, Ameena, and told her to shut
up. When Ameena reported this to their teacher,
the teacher turned to Johhny’s best friend, Anoop,
and told him not to talk to Johnny anymore.

For the remainder of that year, Anoop would not
talk to his best friend Johnny--not because he did
not want to; but because he was trying to obey his
teacher’s command.

Both, Johnny and Anoop’s parents did not understand
why they discontinued their friendship. Johnny was
miserable for the remainder of the school year. The
teacher did not realize the damage she had done.

When Johnny was in the fifth grade, he and Anoop
were friends again. Johnny’s mother did not learn why
the two stopped talking to one another until a few years
later.

Employee Putting Customers At Risk

2009-05-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

I was in a fast food restaurant one day, and
I noticed a restaurant employee did not wash
her hands as she exited the restroom.
I followed to see if she would perhaps wash her
hands after returning to her designated area.
She did not wash her hands, and proceeded
to handled food and cooking utensils.

I reported the employee, but she denied it.
Food establishments should have it where
employees would have to wash their hands
publicly after returning to prepare food.
Unsanitary behavior puts others at risk
of contamination.

Disturbing Things People Do

2009-04-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

I've visited homes and have seen
children playing with their pets or
playing in their yards; then come
inside, sit down and begin eating
without washing their hands.

I've seen adults slice cakes to
give away at parties, suck the icing
off their finger tips in between slicing,
touch things like door knobs, and
continue slicing, and continue picking
up cake with their hands and pass
it on to their guest.

I’ve visited beautiful college dorms
where students exit restroom stalls
without flushing the toilet, and then
exit the restroom without washing
their hands.

Some of these same people are
probably working in
establishments where they have
to handle food. Scary, isn’t it?

Unsanitary Behavior Jeopardizing Health

2009-04-30T16:45:00.000-07:00

There was a comment published in the
“Rant and Rave” section (of a local newspaper
in my home town) where a restaurant employee
bragged about spitting on a customer’s burger.
This type of disgustingly unsanitary behavior
should be considered a criminal act
punishable by law. Such behavior could
possibly jeopardize someone else’s health;
as well as cause psychological damage.

More and more we are learning about
incidents like this, and it is ruining business.

In order to ensure the customer’s safety and
put everyone at ease, food establishments
should have monitors placed where the
customers can see how their food is being
handled--from preparation to delivery.

Daycare Worker Ridicules Toddler

2009-04-30T10:03:00.000-07:00

A woman picked up her two year old
daughter from day care only to discover
that she was made to stand in front of
the class to be laughed at.

The two year old explained to her
mother that because she was crying
she had to stand in front of the class
while everyone laughed at her. The
woman immediately removed her
toddler from that day care.

The two year old had been having
a difficult time trying to adjust to
her new environment. The daycare
worker patience grew short, and
decided the best way to get the two
year old to stop crying continuously
was to stand her in front of her
peers and have them laugh at her.