We all know the adage, “A mother’s work is never done.” In fact, this could become a modern-day mother’s theme song since we all have overbooked schedules and everybody wants something done yesterday. We teach our children from a young age that it is impolite to say the word, “No,” which was a lesson we learned in childhood, too. Now as adults, it is increasingly difficult to say, “No,” to anyone for fear of being rude or being seen as unreliable. Mothers need to learn that saying, “No,” as an adult is not rude. Rather, it is a sign of someone who is in control of her life and her schedule. She knows what she is capable of accomplishing and she is aware of her other commitments. Here are a few ways to gain back control of your life, simply by learning how to say, “No”: 1. Be selective when choosing to volunteer your time. Being involved in your child’s school IS important but that does not mean you have to serve on every committee. Instead, choose one or two activities or committees that interest you and schedule that time on your planner. 2. Set limits on after-school activities. Sports teams or dance lessons are fun and help improve social skills but that does not mean your children have to be on a different team each season or take multiple lessons a week. Instead, teach your children how to choose activities that are most important to them and keep their focus on their studies. 3. Set boundaries with your clients. Your clients should not run your life. Instead, you should have a clear, working partnership in which each partner knows what is expected. If you can still give your clients good customer service during set office hours, then do so. Chances are they would not want you calling during their family time so why should they interrupt during your family time? 4. Be honest about your skills. If you are not qualified to complete a particular project, whether it is a paid or volunteer project, be honest with your client and recommend someone with the right qualifications. Passing the job along to someone else who is qualified will show that you are in control of your schedule, you are honest about your skill level and you value the importance of the project by giving it to someone who can complete it properly. 5. Keep your calendar or planner up to date and use it. Schedule everything on one calendar, even exercise and family time, and keep it near the phone for easy reference when someone calls asking for a favor. Bad habits are hard to break and saying, “Yes,” to too many things can be considered a bad habit. Before committing to anything, spend some quiet time with yourself and decide what things you want to be a part of and how much time you have in your days. Sometimes we must compromise so we can successfully balance our family, work and volunteer lives.

You’re stopped at the corner of Dunn and Bradstreet listening to your latest empowerment tape when, out of your rear-view mirror, you spot a Seville preparing to redesign the back of your car. Quick, what should you do? Lawrence Nordhoff, Jr., D.C., accident reconstructionist and author of two texts on vehicle collisions makes the following suggestions for that split second when you see the car approaching: 1. “Tighten up and brace yourself holding on firmly to the ten o’clock and two o’clock position of the steering wheel.” The idea of remaining loose and relaxed is wrong! Contracted muscles protect the bones, discs, ligaments and nerves. 2. “Keep your wrists flat, not bent,” to prevent wrist injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. 3. “Face forward, look straight ahead and sit squarely against the back of your seat.” Never allow passengers to bend forward in airbag-equipped cars. If you are about to be rear-ended, press your head firmly against the headrest. 4. “When stopped, keep an eye on your rear view mirror.” You have a better chance of not being injured if you’re aware of the oncoming collision. According to Dr. Nordhoff, the average person will be in a car collision once every ten years. Practice these four points upon entering your car will make them “instinctual” when the situation arises. Before the “big day” there are a few things to keep in mind. 1. “Buy Big! Size counts!” Gas economy is great for our environment and small cars look cute, but when you’re watching an S.U.V. drive into the back of your Hyundai, you’ll wish you had a Suburban. 2. Sit at least 6” from the steering wheel to avoid serious injury caused by the airbag crushing into your chest. If you’re too short, get pedal extenders. 3. The headrest must contact the area just above your ears. Most are set too low and act as karate chop when you’re struck from behind. 4. Never place the shoulder harness behind your back. This puts the stress on the lap belt causing spinal cord injuries. If you’re large breasted, use a shoulder strap cushion such as lambs wool. 5. Put a cushion on the glass in old pick-up trucks whose rear window acts as the head restraint. 6. Changed seatbelts every 10 years and after major car accidents. 7. Service and check the ABS (antilock braking system) every time you change your pads (must be requested). 8. Do not pump your ABS! This can cause your car to flip over. Just hold the brakes to the floor. It will naturally grab, grind and feel jerky but it is supposed to do this. Practice the feel of abrupt braking in a vacant lot. 9. Carry high “med pay” coverage (minimum $25,000). It’s fairly inexpensive and will free you from having to sue your insurance company to have your treatment covered. Accidents are nearly inevitable so share this information. It may lead to a more “pleasant” accident experience. When you’re injured, ALWAYS have yourself evaluated at my office so that your alignment can be returned to a healthy and normal function—not just temporarily pain-free. Often the effects of an accident don’t fully reveal themselves for months and sometimes years later (when the degenerative changes develop). We make certain to check for their signs and usually prevent them from developing.

Then there is the most universal of all symbols, the Swastika (pictured). At one time it was thought that the Buddhists carried it all over the world with them, but it has been found out that ages before Buddhism it was used among nations. In Old Babylon and in Egypt it was to be found. What does this show? All these symbols could not have been purely conventional.There must be some reason for them; some natural association between them and the human mind. Language is not the result of convention; it is not that people ever agreed to represent certain ideas by certain words; there never was an idea without a corresponding word or a word without a corresponding idea; ideas and words are in their nature inseparable. The symbols to represent ideas may be sound symbols or colour symbols. Deaf and dumb people have to think with other than sound symbols. Every thought in the mind has a form as its counterpart. This is called in Sanskrit philosophy Nama – rupa — name and form. It is as impossible to create by convention a system of symbols as it is to create a language. In the world’s ritualistic symbols we have an expression of the religious thought of humanity. It is easy to say that there is no use of rituals and temples and all such paraphernalia; every baby says that in modern times. But it must be easy for all to see that those who worship inside a temple are in many respects different from those who will not worship there. Therefore the association of particular temples, rituals, and other concrete forms with particular religions has a tendency to bring into the minds of the followers of those religions the thoughts for which those concrete things stand as symbols; and it is not wise to ignore rituals and symbology altogether. The study and practice of these things form naturally a part of Karma-Yoga. To get more information visit : http://www.spiritual-simplicity.com

For those alcoholics who are not helped by the traditional means, there are alternative alcoholism treatments. Mostly, these treatments have not been researched well. However, many people have had success with them. One interesting alternative alcoholism treatment is called “drumming out drugs.” This method is just what it sounds like. Participants use drums in a group setting to enhance their recovery. Surprisingly, the procedure seems to be an effective alternative alcoholism treatment. Many alternative alcoholism treatments are based on traditional Chinese medicine. This form of treatment is a more holistic remedy for alcoholism than purely Western means. There are several different treatments involved. Yoga is a great tool in combating the anxiety that comes with alcohol withdrawal and recovery. The gentle stretching and spiritual focus help the alcoholic to release the tension that contributes to their desire to drink again. Meditation is a good alternative alcoholism treatment for the same reason. Acupuncture can be used in combination with other treatments for a balanced approach to the mind-body connection. It, along with yoga and meditation can make other alternative alcoholism treatment work better. These methods can make a big difference in an alcoholic’s recovery. Nutrition is an important alternative alcoholism treatment that has come into favor in recent times. For one thing, alcoholics tend to suffer from poor nutrition. Not only do they eat poorly as a rule, but they have physical limitations to their nutrition as well. The small intestine is affected by the alcohol the person drinks. This keeps nutrients from being absorbed in the normal fashion. Thus, the alcoholic does not even get the nutrition from the food that he or she does eat. Alternative alcoholism treatment must address this issue if it to succeed. Also, alternative alcoholism treatment that concerns nutrition must cover the rebalancing of blood sugar levels. Over time, the alcoholic’s blood sugar and insulin have been waging a battle. Eliminating the alcohol is only the first step in correcting the situation. The nutritional values of the foods eaten by the alcoholic are important too. Many companies offer nutritional supplements as alternative alcoholism treatment. These are high in vitamins thought to have an affect on the withdrawal and recovery phases. For instance, Vitamin C is used because of its power to ease withdrawal symptoms and to remove the alcohol from the tissues of the body. The B-complex Vitamins are helpful during withdrawal as well. They form a part of a nutritional supplement alternative alcoholism treatment. Glutamine reduces the cravings for alcohol that an alcoholic has, and so should be continued for a time. When a nutritional plan is drawn up for an alcoholic, plenty of vegetables will be included. Certain vegetables, especially, are chock full of vitamins and minerals. Also, they contain fiber. This is an important part of an alternative alcoholism treatment because fiber helps eliminate toxins from the system. Alternative alcoholism treatment is certainly an excellent part of an alcoholic’s recovery. The question of whether it can work without a more formal treatment is a good one. More research is being done to answer that riddle.

In this day and age, when everyone seems to be fighting tooth and nail for everything, it is difficult enough to get what you want and need, let alone think about anyone else. However, it may surprise you to know that helping people is actually the easiest way to get what you want, and that it takes a lot less time and effor than one might imagine. The most difficult thing for people to understand is that when you help someone, you actually gain the most out of the experience, and that one should be grateful that they are in a position to be able to help others, rather than one in which they are in need of help. If one can take a moment to think about the last statement. A Chinese proverb goes something like this: “A giver is more fortunate than a receiver”. It is perfectly logical, because someone who is able to give must be in surplus, while someone who is in need of help is lacking something. Therefore, not only is it a way of restoring balance in the world, often one tends to find that by giving out positive energy and channeling it into your actions, you will receive the same thing in return. This is not to say that we should do something to feel good or to receive something else in return, but that when you associate your actions with positive attitudes (or think positive thoughts and act on them), you will nurture a positive mental state. For example, getting involved in volunteering work helps one to appreciate their own life much more by learning about the difficulties other people have to overcome. Helping someone with an assignment or homework develops your teaching skills, and also reinforces your own understanding and knowledge about something. Helping a friend with rennovations might give you a hint or two about the best place to buy certain goods. If you’ve ever helped someone, and realized what an enjoyable experience it was, then you’ll understand what I mean. If you feel like you’re always giving and not receiving, then it’s because you’re either expecting too much from helping people (which should not be your motivation) or that you’ve got pretty much everything you need (which you should be grateful for). The only thing you can’t get by helping people is selfishness, so if you’ve got too much of that, then you should start helping yourself get rid of some excess by helping others.