Overall If you have been thinking about making a move to one of the best places toretire in Pennsylvania we can help you make an informed choice. This website will give you useful information about the best places to retire in Pennsylvania, including the top active adult retirement communities. Pennsylvania, the Keystone state, had just under 12.8 million people in 2012. It has two large cities, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia; many mid-sized cities like Erie and Lancaster; and many small towns and rural areas. The north central portions of Pennsylvania tend to be sparsely populated and offer excellent outdoor recreation. PA has 50 miles of coastline on Lake Erie. The Wikipedia entry for Pennsylvania has more facts.

Pennsylvania Climate The Pennsylvania climate is called humid-continental. There are 4 seasons. Summers are hot and winters are cold with frequent snowstorms. The northwestern part of the state experiences lake-effect snowstorms from Lake Erie.

Economy & Home Prices Pennsylvania's 2011 per capita income, $27,824, was near the United States average. Median home prices are usually much less expensive than in rest of the U.S. The median home in the Erie area sold for $104,700 vs. the national median of $176,600 in the first quarter of 2013. In the Philadelphia area the median home goes for $197,700. Wealthy suburbs around Philadelphia are much more expensive, although the statewide median was $138,000 in early 2012.

Pennsylvania Taxes

Tax Burden:Pennsylvania has much higher than average tax burden - at 10.2% it is the 11th highest in the nation.When it comes to taxation of retirees, however, its reputation as a high tax state is not exactly accurate.

Marginal Income Tax Rates.When it comes to taxable income, PA has one of the lowest income tax rates - a flat rate 3.07% (although in certain towns there are additional income taxes).

Retirement Income Exemptions.Military incomes are not taxed.Commonly recognized pension, old age, or retirementbenefits paid after becoming eligible to retire, and retiring are not taxable.

Social security exemption.Social security is not taxed.

Sales Tax:State sales tax is 6%.

Property Taxes:Property taxes are one reason why the state has a reputation as a high tax state.

Miscellaneous Taxes.PA has one of the highest gasoline taxes.

Estate and/or Inheritance Taxes.Pennsylvania is one of 7 states that collects an inheritance tax.

Linkto Pennsylvania Department of Revenue

Certified Retirement Communities Pennsylvania does not have a certified retirement community program.

Best retirement communities in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania can be a great state for active adults and people over 50. It has a very low cost of living and many livable cities and small towns. Some of the best places for retirement in Pennsylvania are its charming small college towns like Carlisle, Lewisburg, Meadville, Titusville, Lancaster, and Swarthmore. Located in State College is one of the newer phenomemons in retirement living, a university related retirement community, The Village at Penn State. Pittsburgh is not only a great bargain but it is a livable city that is enjoying a renaissance. It has been singled out as America's 8th most literate city. Philadelphia offers an excellent urban retirement with plenty to do and places to live.

Free eBook - Baby Boomers Guide to Selecting a Retirement Community - 16 Factors Download this free eBook and use its fun exercises to help you find your perfect active adult retirement community.

Click on the Pennsylvania retirement town reviews on the right to find out more.

Link:
Pennsylvania retirement guide - Topretirements.com

More than wed probably like to admit so many of our days are spent in a state of self-delusion, an internal monologue of justifying our actions, both good and bad. When we do something wrong, our evolutionary instincts kick in and we do anything we can to not acknowledge the obvious: sometimes, its all our fault.

The examples should sound familiar: We get necessary and helpful feedback from a boss or colleague, only to snarl under our breath, but failing to realize the foolishness on our end. We become aware of our declining efficiency, so instead of treating the disease we treat the symptoms and we chug coffee only to crash an hour later face-first into our keyboard (and then we go searching for productivity hacks because our workload is too high).

Over time, this becomes our routine, our default reaction, and we fail to stop and reflect on what were doing. To make it even more difficult, many of us dont have the luxury of someone being accountable for us (who does?), helping us recognize our mistakes and their repercussions.

Catching ourselves before we engage in our typical default reactions is one of the greatest challenges of our lives, but when done relentlessly and with discipline and moments of reflection, mindfulness ensues. Its human nature to first experience and then explain. How difficult it is to be in the midst of trolling, stopping yourself and admitting, Wait a minute, Im trolling right now because this persons opinion just sucker-punched my ego, and I feel a visceral desire to tell this person theyre an idiot so I can feel better! Instead, we hit send and then explain why we did it.

Its human nature to first experience and then explain.

In the words of Harvard Business Review writer Anthony K. Tjan, there is one quality that trumps all, evident in virtually every great entrepreneur, manager, and leader. That quality is self-awareness. The best thing leaders can [do] to improve their effectiveness is to become more aware of what motivates them and their decision-making.

Taking pause, and allowing a moment of reflection where we gain clarity and realize our foolishness is so vital to cultivating self-awareness. Youre fighting against all your adaptive and evolutionary behaviorsyour mind is hardwired to protect itself at all timesso instead of expending energy on fruitless actions for the sake of a damaged ego, you pause, reflect, and do whats best for you.

Self-awareness is defined as conscious knowledge of oneself; its a stepping stone to reinventing oneself, learning to make wiser decisions, and helps you tune into your thoughts and feelings. So often we place blame on externalities because its the easiest excuse, when in fact we should be thinking about our thinking, reflecting, trying on different perspectives, and learning from our mistakes.

The Roman philosopher Seneca once said, For a person who is not aware that he is doing anything wrong has no desire to be put right. You have to catch yourself doing it before you can reform.

There isnt one way to exercise self-awareness, and everyone will meet it in different ways, so below I will outline a few tactics that I hope will help you in this arduous yet equally rewarding practice.

The force that can save the amateur is awareness, particularly self-awareness. But the amateur understands, however dimly, that if she truly achieved this knowledge, she would be compelled to act upon it. To act upon this self-awareness would mean defining herself, i.e., differentiating herself from the tribe and thus making herself vulnerable to rejection, expulsion, and all the other fears that self-definition elicits. Steven Pressfield, Turning Pro

To be conscious of who you are, how you think, and what you do is invaluable because it leads to self-knowledge, and in turn, change. Perhaps this is why in practices like Alcoholics Anonymous and cognitive behavioral therapy they first help the individual become self-awareto be conscious of their fears, thoughts, behaviors, mustering the courage to own it, and using that awareness to facilitate behavioral change.

The dedication required to change our mind and behavior is the fight of our lives. Its within human nature to habituate, to create routines, so that our brain exerts less effort and spends less energy. The potential danger in this is that we can get too comfortable doing the wrong things, and as Seneca previously said, if we are unaware of it we may have no desire to be put right.

What makes this pursuit particularly difficult is because it isnt a popular topic of discussion in our culture. Its not championed in the institutions that raise us. It is extremely difficult to humbly admit a shortcoming instead of fabricating a tale to mitigate the blow.

It is extremely difficult to humbly admit a shortcoming instead of fabricating a tale to mitigate the blow.

And theres the crux of searching for self-awareness: Do we embrace the ignorance is bliss adage when a bright light shines on our flaws? Do we simply escape the reality of who are and let the tides of the day carry us adrift? Or we do face ourselves and move onward towards a path that allows us to reinvent ourselves to embrace our best, truest selves, regardless of how painful it may be at times?

Dont let those who have fallen into a comfortable groove tell you that this is how life is supposed to be lived. Reflect on your shortcoming, understand the source of its weakness, observe your own contributions or lack thereof, and deeply internalize the lesson so that next time you can play a bigger role. Its going to be hard, because the mind will thrive to defend you from any opposing information or perspective. It will push for unrealistic attitudes to make you feel better because, hey, you need to survive. This isnt only our default reaction, its simply human nature.

Meditation is a rich and powerful method of study for anyone who knows how to examine his mind, and to employ it vigorously. I would rather shape my soul than furnish it. There is no exercise that is either feeble or more strenuous, according to the nature of the mind concerned, than that of conversing with ones own thoughts. The greatest men make it their vocation, those for whom to live is to think. Montaigne, Essays

At the end of the day, before I go to sleep, I spend ten to twenty minutes meditating. What that really means is I sit there in the dark reflecting on my day, playing the events in my head and pinpointing where I made mistakes.

I ask myself a series of questions to help me digest my day: Did I do what was required of me? Why was I nervous when speaking to that stranger? What did I learn today that was useful? Was I kind to others, to myself? Did I exercise? Why did I check Instagram 10 times in the midst of company? When my friend was telling me a story, why did I tune out?

I do this in hopes that tomorrow I can approach the day with clarity and a better mindset and to acknowledge where I fell short so that I can improve. But you dont have to meditate in the sense that youre sitting cross-legged with your eyes closed. You can journal your thoughts. You can simply think out loud while pacing around your room. You can discuss it with a close friend, asking them for their perspective so it can shine a light on your misperceptions.

Self-reflection can take place anywhere at any time. After a heated debate or after realizing a failure, stop yourself from reacting emotionally (which is difficult, for sure). Instead, reflect on the event, look at the individual parts, and be curious as to why it didnt work out. Seek to understand, not to be right. Where are the faults? What was missed? What piece of the puzzle is missing to help you understand, to alleviate the frustrations, to put the event into perspective? In these moments youre filled with insecurities and misperceptions. This is far more helpful for devising a solution than ranting and complaining.

Seek to understand, not to be right.

To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school . . . it is to solve some of the problems of life, not only theoretically, but practically. Henry David Thoreau

If you look at any story where the hero is aided by a wise teacherLuke Skywalker and Yoda; Frodo and Gandalf; Harry Potter and Dumbledore; the grandmaster and the novice; the general and the soldierwhat were seeing is the teaching of practical wisdom from teacher to student. The common themes of sacrifice, selflessness, humility, courage, duty, honor, are all aims that we strive for in our daily lives but we sometimes lose our focus. These mentors were around to instill a moral code in their pupils. When we dont have a more experienced colleague to nudge us back into place, philosophy can serve as our guide, our champion.

The challenge, of course, is remembering to return to our philosophy the way we would call a friend in a time of despair.Its not so much about fully embracing one philosophical (or religious) schoolStoicism or, say, Buddhismbut to take principles, practical wisdom that has been talked about throughout all of human history, and to utilize it in your life. Sometimes, we need a little do this, not that.

For example, after realizing that you had wasted your most creative hours manicuring your social media profiles, can you learn from that error? Can you admit to yourself, I messed up. Time to get to work. Or will you just blame writers block or some bogus excuse? Is there a specific quote or mantra or passage from a book that can help you refocus your energies to stop procrastinating and actually do the work? Or perhaps you have a hero that you look up to. Is that what they would do? Stumble around and blame the muse or actually sit down and work?

Roman philosopher Epictetus once said that a good philosophy is, Self-scrutiny applied with kindness. You must learn to face yourself, to admit mistakes, to learn from them, and to let that awareness motivate and change you. Because frankly, who else is responsible for the quality of your life? Above all, you have to be compassionate with yourself because this change is a slow and steady process, a struggle to override old habits and to ultimately form new ones that define who you become.

You must realize that this process of exercising self-awareness is increasingly difficult because everything from cultural influences to your ancient brain is fighting against you. It is far easier to throw a mental tantrum, to blame externalities, to flee from the painful reality of our flaws and mistakes.

***

The late, great Maya Angelou once said that, When you know better, you do better. Once you have made a mistake and learned from it, you are put in a position to act out your lessons learned. Theres a reason were told to keep a budget to fix financial woes, or to keep a food diary when trying to eat right: self-knowledge is power. Without a clear view of our mental landscape, its easy to fall back on bad habits, to repeat the same errors we did yesterday. (And even if we do, thats just another opportunity to learn about ourselves.)

Self-improvement is not about finishing a book or a seminar. Self-awareness is a practice, a muscle that grows with time and effort that ultimately provides us strength. We are in a constant state of change, adapting to our cultural influences and our individual experiences. The more we learn to be conscious of our impulses, thoughts, and actions, while also keeping in mind our principles that foster practical wisdom, we can more easily become our best selves.

See the article here:
Why Self-Awareness Is the Secret Weapon for Habit Change

Excessive body weight contributes to snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, in addition to being a major influence on general health and well-being. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs in about 50-60 percent of those who are obese.

A recent report from the National Center for Health Statistics concludes that 35 percent of adults exercise regularly (more than 6 of 10 dont), and nearly four in 10 arent physically active. Lack of exercise can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The CDC estimates that about 112,000 deaths are associated with obesity each year in the United States. However, this estimate is likely to change in the future as more data become available.

Proper diet and exercise are the mainstays for a healthy lifestyle, although many Americans turn to costly fad diets and exercise programs that fail to provide weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. The basic tenets to gradual weight loss and good health include developing healthy eating habits and increasing daily physical activity.

Self-Help Guidelines for Healthy Activity:

Start out slowly and build up activity gradually over a period of months. This will help avoid soreness and injury.

Try to accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity cardiovascular activity each day. You can do all 30 minutes together or through short bouts of intermittent activity (e.g., 10 minutes at a time).

Add strength-developing exercises at least twice per week.

Incorporate physical activity into your day (walk to the office or store, take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk or jog at lunch time, etc.)

Make leisure time active garden, walk, ride a bike with family and friends, participate in an exercise class, join in a sports activity.

Select activities you enjoy, find satisfying, and that give you a feeling of accomplishment. Success leads to increased motivation to be physically active.

Be sure your activities are compatible with your age and physical condition.

Make it convenient to be active. Choose activities that are readily accessible (right outside your door) like gardening, walking, or jogging.

Try active commuting. Cycle, walk, or in-line skate to work or to the store.

Make your activity enjoyable listen to music, include family and friends, etc.

For those who are already moderately active, increase the duration and intensity for additional benefits.

Weight Loss Tips:

Take in fewer calories than you expend. Few people understand this basic, simple concept.

Eat nutrient dense foods such as whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables.

Eat slowly, and wait 10-15 minutes before taking second helpings.

Dont eliminate everything you like from your diet. Eat those things in small amounts (pizza, candy, cookies, etc.).

Prepare healthy snacks that are easily available (cut carrots, apples, etc.).

Avoid buffets.

Drink plenty of water, especially immediately before meals.

The Healthy Weight Approach to Dieting:

Enjoy a variety of foods that will provide essential nutrients.

Three-quarters of your lunch and dinner should be vegetables, fruits, cereals, breads, and other grain products. Snack on fruits and vegetables. Eat lots of dark green and orange vegetables. Choose whole-grain and enriched products more often.

Choose lower-fat dairy products, leaner meats and alternatives, and foods prepared with little or no fat. Shop for low fat (2% or less) or fat-free products such as milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese. Eat smaller portions of leaner meats, poultry, and fish; remove visible fat from meat and the skin from poultry. Limit the use of extra fat like butter, margarine, and oil. Choose more peas, beans, and lentils

Limit salt, caffeine, and alcohol. Minimize the consumption of salt. Cut down on added sugar such as jams, etc. Limit beverages with a high caffeine content (tea, sodas, chocolate drinks) and caffeinated coffee to two cups per day. Minimize alcohol to one to two drinks per day.

Limit consumption of snack foods such as cookies, donuts, pies, cakes, potato chips, etc. They are high in salt, sugar, fat, and calories, and low in nutritional value. Eat in moderation. If you are not hungry, dont eat.

Updated 1/11

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Diet and Exercise Tips | American Academy of ...

If you're frustrated by the body shape life handed you and think there's nothing you can do about it, you're wrong. Breakthrough science based on targeting specific types of body fat can help you lose inches in the most stubborn areas, namely your butt or your gut. Here are the revolutionary diet and exercise tips designed to help you reshape your body for life. While you're working on losing those pounds, learn the style secrets that will help you fake it until you make it.

Body Type: Pear (Full Hips, Thighs and Rear) If you fall into this category, the first secret to slimming down is to understand what type of body fat you're fighting. Those with large bottoms are carrying around extra subcutaneous fat. This fat that appears just below your skin is actually healthier than belly fat; unfortunately, it is also harder to get rid of. Subcutaneous fat is associated with healthy cholesterol levels and fewer heart attacks, but it also has less blood flow and holds onto calories, which makes it tough to burn off.

Diet Plan: Eat a Low-fat Diet Research shows that a low-fat diet actually helps break down stubborn fat cells in your bottom region.

Step 1: Cut Back on Saturated Fats To get on track with a low-fat diet, begin by cutting down on saturated fats, including animal sources such as high-fat dairy and red meats. Eliminate hidden saturated fats such as hydrogenated oils found in processed foods.

Next: The best exercise moves for pear shapes

Follow this link:
Dr. Oz - Diet and Exercise Plans for Your Body Type

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Every year, millions of Americans resolve to lose weight, whether on New Years Day, their birthdays, or just some morning when their mirror or the bathroom scale seems particularly unkind. And every year, many get frustrated and give up before they reach their goals. Contributing to this problem is a host of bad information about diet and exercise that circulates through gyms, workplaces, and over the Internet.

To help more people achieve and maintain a healthy weight, Julie Bender, a dietitian with Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, and Phil Tyne, director of the Baylor Tom Landry Health and Wellness Center agreed to weigh in on many of the most common diet and exercise myths.

Diet and Exercise Myth #1: Crunches will get rid of your belly fat.

False. You cant pick and choose areas where youd like to burn fat, Tyne says. In order to burn fat, you should create a workout that includes both cardiovascular and strength training elements. This will decrease your overall body fat content.

Diet and Exercise Myth #2. Stretching before exercise is crucial.

False. Some studies have suggested that stretching actually makes muscles more susceptible to injury. They claim that by stretching, muscle fibers are lengthened and destabilized, making them less prepared for the strain of exercise. You might want to warm-up and stretch before a run, but if you are lifting weights wait until after the workout to stretch your muscles, Tyne suggests.

Diet and Exercise Myth #3. You should never eat before a workout.

False. "Fuel" from food and fluids is required to provide the energy for your muscles to work efficiently, even if you are doing an early morning workout. Consider eating a small meal or snack one to three hours prior to exercise, Bender says. Load up your tank with premium fuel and choose some fruit, yogurt, or whole wheat toast.

Diet and Exercise Myth #4. Lifting weights will make women bulky.

False. Most womens bodies do not produce nearly enough testosterone to become bulky like those body builders on TV, Tyne says. If you do find yourself getting bigger than you would like, simply use less weight and more repetitions.

Diet and Exercise Myth #5. Fat is bad for you, no matter what kind.

False. Contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of good fats out there that are essential for good health and aid in disease prevention. They are the ones that occur naturally in foods like avocados, nuts, and fish, as opposed to those that are manufactured, Bender says. "Including small amounts of these foods at meal times can help you to feel full longer and therefore eat less.

Diet and Exercise Myth #6. Restricting calories is the best way to lose weight.

False. Both cutting back on calories and moving more will help you lose weight and maintain the lean muscle mass needed to boost metabolism. People often believe the diet and exercise myth that they must take drastic measures to lose weight, such as eating less than 1200 calories per day, but such diets usually do not provide adequate fuel for the body and may slow metabolism. Drastic measures rarely equal lasting results, so start small and eliminate 100-300 calories consistently from your daily diet, and you will reap the reward, Bender says.

Diet and Exercise Myth #7. As long as you eat healthy foods, you can eat as much as you want.

False. A calorie is a calorie. Although oatmeal is healthy, if you eat four cups of oatmeal, the calories add up. Healthy or otherwise, you still must be aware of portion sizes, Bender says. "You must limit your caloric intake in order to lose weight, however, understanding how to balance calorie intake throughout your day can help you avoid feelings of deprivation, hunger and despair.

Diet and Exercise Myth #8. Exercise turns fat into muscle.

False. Fat and muscle tissue are composed of two entirely different types of cells. While you can lose one and replace it with another, the two never convert into different forms, Tyne says. So fat will never turn into muscle.

Diet and Exercise Myth #9. Eating late at night will make you gain weight.

False. There are no magic hours, Bender says. We associate late-night eating with weight gain because we usually consume more calories at night. We do this because we usually deprive our bodies of adequate calories the first half of the day. Start the day out with breakfast and eat every 3-4 hours. Keep lunch the same size as dinner, and you will be less likely to over-indulge at night, yet you can enjoy a small late-night snack without the fear of it sticking to your middle.

Diet and Exercise Myth #10. You have to sweat to have a good workout.

False. Sweating is not necessarily an indicator of exertionsweating is your bodys way of cooling itself, Tyne says. It is possible to burn a significant number of calories without breaking a sweat: try taking a walk, or doing some light weight training, or working out in a swimming pool.

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Diet & Exercise Myths That Make It Hard to Lose Weight

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TAKE THE 2-WEEK CHALLENGE! Congratulations! You are about to embark on a 2-week diet and exercise program that will kick-start a healthy lifestyle. This doctor-developed system is specially designed to help you lose weight, so you look and feel great. With a little hard work, determination and dedication, we are confident that the results will be worth the effort. Are you up to the challenge?

THE DIET PLAN WHAT SHOULD I EAT? Nutrient-dense, low calorie foods are the secret to losing weight and keeping it off. Your goal for the next 2 weeks is to choose foods that have the highest nutritional value. This means choosing foods that are rich in nutrients and low in calories. Try to aim for a balanced diet that includes whole grains, healthy fats and lean proteins at every meal.

Whole foods are the best form of nutrition. The term "whole foods refers literally to food in its whole form, with minimal processing to keep it as close to its original form as possible. For example, visualize a whole apple and compare this to a glass of apple juice. The juice on its own does not contain the skin, seeds or fleshy center. However, the whole apple offers all the goodness of the entire fruit and consequently offers greater health properties. This example applies to most all foods, so choosing "whole foods over processed foods means you get the richest supply of nutrients possible.

Color is important! Antioxidants called "polyphenols are responsible for the brightly colored pigments (vibrant reds, greens, blues and purples) of many fruits and vegetables. By keeping your food choices colorful, not only do you get a gorgeous looking meal, but youll also benefit from the positive health impact these colorful foods provide.

WHEN SHOULD I EAT? Always eat breakfast! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. After fasting for 8 hours through the night, the body relies on sustenance in the morning for physical and mental energy and focus. Ideally you should eat breakfast within an hour of waking to stimulate metabolism. If you are not accustomed to eating food this early in the day, try (at least for the next 2-weeks) to eat a very light but nutritious breakfast to help you get going in the morning.

Lunch should be the biggest meal of the day. This is when your digestive enzymes are maximized and your body is primed to break down and absorb food nutrients. Having your largest meal in the middle of the day provides your body with the calories that it needs to stay active.

Dinner should always be light and early. Try to finish your evening meal before 7pm or at least two hours before going to bed. It is important to give your digestive system a rest during the night-time and to allow your body to repair, regenerate and detoxify. In order for your metabolism to function at its most efficient, it relies on this nightly restorative process to keep your body operating at optimum levels.

Snacking is allowed during the 2-week bootcamp. Eating a small snack in between lunch and dinner can help to maintain balanced blood sugar levels and to restrict overeating.

THE MEAL PLAN: The following meal plan provides 1250 calories per day. This diet is scientifically designed for healthy weight loss over the course of 2-weeks. Below is an overview of the basic dietary guidelines, outlining the daily amount of food that is allowed from each food group. You can mix and match food items throughout the day (being careful not to exceed your caloric goal) or you can simply follow one of three pre-designed menus below.

Dietary Guidelines Fruit: 1 cup (1 cup is equivalent to: 1 cup of fresh/frozen/canned fruits, 1 cup fruit juices, cup dried fruits)(Healthy options include: apples, pears, mangoes, grapes, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, pomegranates)

Vegetables: 1.5 cups ( cup is equivalent to: cup of raw/cooked/frozen/canned veggies, cup vegetable juice, 1 cup of leafy greens)(Vary your choices to include: dark green veggies, orange veggies, starchy veggies, dry beans and peas)

Grains: 4 ounces (1 ounce is equivalent to: 1 cup of cereal flakes, 1 slice bread, 1 small muffin, cup cooked rice, 1 ounce dry pasta)(Choose whole grains whenever possible)

Meats and Beans: 3 ounces (1 ounce is equivalent to: 1 ounce lean meat/poultry/fish, 1 egg, cup cooked beans, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, ounce nuts/seeds (almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds))

Milk: 2 cups (1 cup is equivalent to: 1 cup milk/yogurt/soy milk, 1 ounces of cheese)(Choose low-fat or non-fat options whenever possible)

Oils: 4 teaspoons (1 teaspoon is equivalent to: 1 teaspoon butter, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (olive oil is preferred), 1 teaspoon low- fat mayo, 2 teaspoons light salad dressing)

Menu #1 Breakfast (8am 9am) cup oatmeal 1 cup yogurt black coffee or herbal tea

Lunch (11am 1pm) 1 slice whole wheat bread (cut in half) 2 ounces tuna (in water only) Tomato, cucumber, lettuce (equivalent to cup total) 1 teaspoon mayo + 1 teaspoon olive oil

Snack (3pm 4pm) 1 cup of fresh fruit or 1 piece of fruit (apple, pear, plum, peach, etc)

Dinner (5pm 7pm) 1 corn tortilla cup black beans cup salsa 1 ounces cheese cup shredded lettuce cup cooked rice

Menu #2 Breakfast (8am 9am) Smoothie (blend together 1 cup berries + 1 cup soymilk and ice cubes) 1 slice of toast 1 teaspoon of butter

Lunch (11am 1pm) 1 cup cooked grain (such as white rice, brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, millet, etc) cup vegetables (such as steamed broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, etc) 2 ounces of lean meat (roughly the size of deck of playing cards)

Snack (3pm 4pm) 1 egg or ounce of nuts/seeds

Dinner (5pm 7pm) 1 cups of leafy greens (salad mix or steamed kale) 2 teaspoons light dressing 1 ounces of cheese

Menu #3 Breakfast (8am 9am) 1 cup high fiber cereal cup milk/soy milk 1 banana

Lunch (11am 1pm) 1 cup pasta cup vegetables or cup pasta sauce 2 teaspoons of olive oil 2 ounces of lean meat

Snack (3pm 4pm) 1 cup raw carrot sticks/celery/green peppers

Dinner (5pm 7pm) 6 crackers 1 cup low-fat cottage-cheese ounce mixed nuts

TEN HELPFUL HINTS FOR DIETING SUCCESS:

Plan out your weekly meals in advance.

Drink 8 or more glasses of water per day. And drink at least one glass of water before every meal to help decrease appetite.

Avoid temptations! Clear out your fridge and pantry of all food items that can derail your diet plan.

Eat slowly; chew each bite thoroughly and put your fork down between bites. It takes approximately 20 minutes for your brain to recognize that you're full.

Cook for yourself at home and resist the urge of eating out.

Try new foods whenever possible; it allows opportunity to bring variety to an otherwise restricted diet.

Add spices or chiles to your food for a flavor boost that can help you feel satisfied.

Brush your teeth after each meal so you wont be tempted to snack.

Sleep 8 hours per night. Research shows that lack of sleep can stimulate appetite and lead to overeating.

Keep your eye on the ultimate goal!

THE BOOTCAMP EXERCISE PLAN

GET MOVING! Exercise is an important part of any weight loss program. Exercise not only helps to burn calories, but can also help to boost energy, improve mood and enhance quality of life. For the next 2-weeks, make a commitment to invest time for daily physical activity. We recommend moderate (not too strenuous) exercise such as walking and/or running. Because you will be on a low calorie diet, it is important not to overdo it! And if you are new to exercising, start slowly! Try taking a brisk walk for 15-25 minutes per day, and gradually build up to 30-40 minutes (or more) per day! In the long-term, exploring a variety of physical activities can help you stay active. Here are some options to keep you moving: biking, swimming, hiking (hills or stair climbing), dancing, weight lifting, gardening, team sports, etc.

Resources: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/aim_hwt.pdf http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ This diet and exercise program is not intended to be medical advice. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before beginning any diet or exercise program and ask whether you are healthy enough to engage in this diet and exercise program. Never disregard, avoid or delay in obtaining medical advice from you doctor or other qualified health care provider concerning your health. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately.

Link:
2-Week Diet & Exercise Plan | Applied Nutrition | Health Tips

When you dwell on the negative aspects of life and compare your failings to another's successes, you can become depressed and discouraged. You've heard that a positive mental attitude will improve your outlook but you may find it hard to see the silver lining when dark clouds loom. Try a few techniques to retrain your thoughts.

Live for yourself. When you constantly try to be the person others want you to be, you cheat yourself out of individuality and your own dreams. Take a long hard look at what you want out of life and plan your daily routine to include at least one or two elements that bring your goals closer.

Understand that even if you can't control outside circumstances, you can control your reaction to them. If you're currently working in a dead-end job with a boss who is demeaning, make a conscious effort to tell yourself that his poor behavior can make you upset only if you allow it.

Leave your work at the office, mentally that is. When you step outside after a trying day's work, tell yourself that you have all day tomorrow to deal with the problems and mentally switch gears by thinking something positive or planning your next vacation, even if it's months away.

Slow down. When constantly pressed to finish tasks, you can develop a negative attitude towards life. If time is a commodity, figure out how you can schedule your chores more efficiently. Just by rising 15 minutes earlier each day, you will have the time to say hello to your neighbor, pet a puppy or just gaze out the window at the rain.

Learn something new every day. You can encourage a positive attitude by always providing something new in your life. As a child, your curiosity led you to explore and learn. Recapture that feeling today by taking a night class, studying a new language, learning to garden or anything else that interests you.

Make a list of the positive aspects in your life. Include your achievements. If you are a humorous person, put that on the list. If you can play the violin or you know a lot about dogs, include those aspects. Make a long detailed list of everything that you do well or at least that is not negative. Read the list when you need a mental boost.

Help others. Extending a helping hand to those in need makes you feel needed and worthwhile. Make it a habit to volunteer for charitable organizations. Helping others allows us to be thankful for the blessing we have and helps us maintain a positive attitude.

Learn how to improve your mental attitude in this free do it yourself tennis lesson video from our expert on tennis skills,...

While at work, it can sometimes be difficult to maintain a positive attitude at all times. Throughout the course of the day,...

Napoleon Hill was the first writer to promote the message of positive mental attitude. His message, that men can change their lives...

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How to Have a Positive Mental Attitude | eHow

Selfhelps Spring Cocktail Benefit Supports our Mission;Honors Outstanding Achievements

Many thanks to so many of our friends and supporters who joined us on Monday, June 8 at the Grand Hyatt New York for our 2015 Spring Cocktail Benefit. Your enthusiasm and generosity enriches the lives of the more than 20,000 elderly individuals and marginalized families we serve each year. Your support makes a tremendous impact through programs and care for impoverished Holocaust survivors, engaging homebound seniors in technology-aided activities and classes, providing first-class affordable housing for seniors and pioneering a myriad of ways to enable thousands to live at home with dignity and independence.

Click to access our online journal for the benefit.

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Click to view the interview video on the Huffington Post

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The Wall Street Journal exposes the heartbreak of Holocaust survivors in New York living at or near the poverty level. Read Sophia Hollanders compelling story.

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We are delighted to announce the official launch of the Long Island Virtual Senior Center a new collaboration of the Selfhelp/Kimmel nonprofit partnership and a high tech innovation designed to help reduce the crippling emotional and physical effects of social isolation among homebound seniors.

We owe the Long Island VSCs speedy development to the tireless work of our Kimmel and Selfhelp team members, to a planning grant from the Long Island Community Foundation, a game-changing $100,000 grant from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, and additional critical support from the Manhasset Community Fund and Hofstra Universitys National Center for Suburban Studies. (read the press release)

The UUCSR hosted our celebration which drew attendees from a wide range of community groups, elected officials, and our very own VSC participants who told the audience live on a giant screen, just what a difference the VSC has made in their lives.

LongIslandsvery first VSC participant, Jamy Kanas Santoro, wowed the crowd in person with an articulate and heartfelt description of what the VSC means to her. This has the potential to be a great, great thing, she explained. I think it will actually save lives! She also gave Howard Kimmel, Kimmels legendary founder, a personal demonstration of the VSC homepage and offered a rundown of her favorite classes.

Read the rest of the story

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A shared dream came true for us about a week ago the culmination of years of effort and collaboration resulting in the official opening of Selfhelp KVII Apartments. This tech-savvy affordable residential complex for seniors in Flushing sets new standards in terms of quality, security, high tech services, green features and more, that are sure to enhance daily life for our residents.

We were thrilled to share the moment with so many who have worked so hard to achieve this milestone and deliver a housing model that may indeed be replicated across the country. Many thanks to our dedicated project partners: New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), NYC Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Enterprise Community Partners and JP Morgan Chase, area elected officials and dignitaries whose support, enthusiasm and determination has made this a cause for celebration for many years to come.

We hope you will take a few minutes to enjoy these news features about our 9th affordable residential complex for seniors.

Click to watch the NY1 video. Click to read the Queens Courier article. Click to read the Queens Chronicle article.

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Close to $1.3 million was raised through Selfhelps Lifeline of Hope Gala, touching the lives of 20,000 Selfhelp clients, including Holocaust survivors, seniors in need and others underserved in the New York City area. The life-changing services will include high quality and compassionate home care, our innovative Virtual Senior Center technology programs, senior center activities, affordable housing and more.

Gala revenue will ensure that Selfhelps pioneering programs continue to provide those most vulnerable with every opportunity to live independently with dignity. In celebrating our 78th year of service Selfhelp paid tribute to three exceptional honorees, photos at left:

Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat, a driving force in aiding Holocaust survivors, served as Honorary Gala Chair, assisted by Busso Von Alvensleben, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Gala co-chairs Donald Mullen and James Zelter, and gala committee chair Debrah Lee Charatan set new standards for success through their determination, energy and creativity.

If you have not yet had a chance to enjoy the Building a Lifeline of Hope video previewed at the Gala, we are pleased to offer a chance to see it now.

Many thanks to all those who made our 2014 Gala one that will help so many, for many years to come.

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WASHINGTON DC Jan 15, 2014 Leaders from Selfhelp Community Services, the nations largest provider of services to Holocaust survivors, revealed surprising and compelling testimony today before the Senate Special Committee on Aging, spotlighting the critical and escalating needs of the nations 120,000 Holocaust survivors.

The hearing, Aging in Comfort: Assessing the Special Needs of Americas Holocaust Survivors, comes at a time of increased attention to survivors. Vice President Biden recently announced a four-point White House initiative to aid survivors, which will include the appointment of a special envoy to enhance and expedite efforts to help survivors living in poverty. In addition many elected officials and advocates are supporting an amendment to the Older Americans Act (provision S.999) to provide care and services to aid Holocaust survivors who are dealing with the cumulative physical and emotional trauma that began decades ago.

Elihu Kover, VP Nazi Victim Services for Selfhelp, presents testimony to Senate Committee on Aging regarding the critical needs of the country's Holocaust survivors. Stuart C. Kaplan (left), Selfhelp CEO, also spoke with committee members and answered questions. The hearing was streamed live from the Senate's site for public viewing.

Holocaust survivors are growing older and frailer, Elihu Kover, VP Nazi Victim Services of Selfhelp Community Services, told the committee. Prolonged periods of starvation, exposure to severe weather conditions and experiencing and witnessing unspeakable atrocities take a severe toll on body and mind. Many of these problems only surface in old age, having been hidden during their working years when the survivors struggled and made a new life for themselves. While there are some younger survivors today who are in their late 60s, the vast majority of survivors are 80-100 years old, Mr. Kover noted.

Video of the complete hearing, and supplemental written materials are available at http://www.aging.senate.gov/hearings for Aging in Comfort: Assessing the Special Needs of Americas Holocaust Survivors. (Mr. Kovers testimony begins at 1:08:20) Click these links to read the transcript of Mr. Kovers oral testimony and the written materials submitted to the committee.

Continue reading about Mr. Kover's testimony

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As a fitting tie-in with this celebratory holiday season, the sharing of our annual report also marks the beginning of our Lifeline of Hope Campaign. We are ecstatic to announce that all contributions to the Lifeline of Hope Campaign will be matched up to $500,000, thanks to the extraordinary commitment (click to read more)

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TF Cornerstone and Selfhelp have been selected to develop Phase II of the Citys massive Hunters Point South development in Long Island City. It will stand as the single largest moderate- and middle-income affordable housing project under the Bloomberg Administration. Selfhelp will provide low-income seniors in designated apartments with state-of-the-art home care and support services as well as high tech amenities and programs to enhance daily life.

Read more about this exciting milestone.

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They came. They Xbox virtual-bowled. And they conquered, becoming the NYC champions of the first Xbox virtual bowling tournament sponsored by Microsoft, NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) and NYCs Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications. But somewhere along the way, our seniors became fast friends not only of their own teammates, but of their competitors as well.

Our winning team from Selfhelp Benjamin Rosenthal Prince Street Innovative Senior Center in Queens invites you to see some of the highlights from their battle against the SAGE center from Manhattan. These clips are sure to amuse, enlighten, and inspire you as you see them build camaraderie, self esteem, skill, better fitness and a healthy respect for everyone involved.

Congrats to all!

Watch on YouTube: Flushing senior center bowls over Manhattan rivals

Read the Daily News Article: Legends of the lanes! Seniors compete for crown in virtual bowling competition

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WFAN radios popular host Bob Salter offers a compelling interview with Elihu Kover, Selfhelps VP of Nazi Victim Services. Youre sure to learning something new and amazing about Selfhelp, New York Citys Holocaust survivors, volunteer opportunities to join our "friendly visiting" program, lend a hand in our coffee house social programs for survivors, support programs to address the survivors critical needs, help write memoirs or even find out how your high school can learn more about our Witness Theater dramatic collaborations between students and survivors. Whether you have 10 minutes or 40 to hear the whole discussion, this interview is sure to enlighten you and touch your heart.

Click to enjoy Bob Salters interview with Elihu Kover.

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Eye-opening information including trends, needs and demographics about New York's Holocaust survivors, from Selfhelp.

Read Holocaust Survivors in New York Today through 2025

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Click to read Selfhelp 2012 Annual Report

If, in reading our annual report, you find a particular program or service that inspires you and which you'd personally like to support, please don't hesitate to contact us at (212) 971-7621(212) 971-7621 for sponsorship opportunities. Or you may make your gift online, by clicking here. Your gift can change a life.

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Word is spreading about Selfhelps Virtual Senior Center (VSC). The Virtual Senior Center (VSC), an innovative project made possible by a public-private partnership between Selfhelp Community Services, Microsoft, the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) and Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT), is changing lives.

The VSC enhances the lives of homebound seniors by using computer, video and Internet technology in the seniors homes and at their local senior center to create an interactive experience that reduces social isolation, promotes wellness, and provides better access to community services. Read More

Click here for more links to recent articles and videos about Selfhelps VSC.

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Elihu Kover was featured in the August 24, 2012 issue of The New England Psychologist in the article, PSTD Support Remains Pertinent for Holocaust Survivors. Click here to read article.

On Tuesday, August 14, 2012, NYI visited The Selfhelp Fresh Meadows Senior Program where one of our seniors, Claire Goldberg and her friends celebrated her 100th birthday. Click here to view news clip.

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Microsoft Accessibility Update published the story, Technology Saved My Life: Making Life Better for Boomers, Seniors on July 09, 2012, which featured Selfhelps Virtual Senior Center. The article discussed how technology solutions help baby boomers and seniors successfully address many of the issues associated with aging. Click here for story.

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Selfhelp Volunteers were recognized by Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) and City Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) for their services. Click here to read story from The New York Daily News (Thursday, July 26, 2012).

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The July/August 2012 issue of LeadingAge Magazine published the article, "Transformational Technologies for Seniors: Marrying Dreams with Practicalities" by Stuart C. Kaplan.

Click here to read article.

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Selfhelp was awarded the first grant from The Consumer Electronics Association Foundation on June 27, 2012. This will allow Selfhelp to expand the virtual senior center in New York and beyond. Click here to read more about this exciting achievement. Also visit our News & Events 2012 for news items on this topic and more.

Click here for Gary Shapiro's, Forbes Op-Ed, Transformative Technology for Seniors.

Leo Asen, Selfhelp's Vice President of Senior Communities, was interviewed on "Up Close With Diana Williams" on Sunday, June 24, 2012. The show's topic was Aging in New York City. Click here to view Leo Asen's interview.

Selfhelp's Innovative Senior Center featured in Wall Street Journal online version on May 23, 2012. Click here to read story.

Stuart Kaplan (l-to-r) joins Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Barrios-Paoli at the podium at Selfhelps Benjamin Rosenthal Prince Street Innovative Senior in Queens on April 3, 2012.

A Very Special Visit from Mayor Bloomberg

Selfhelps Benjamin Rosenthal Prince Street Innovative Senior Center in Queens received a visit from the Mayor on April 3, 2012.Mayor Bloomberg and Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, Commissioner for NYCs Department for Aging, witnessed a Virtual Senior Center music class, chatted with a Virtual Senior Center participant via Skype, observed a Tai Chi class, mingled with seniors in the cafeteria, and were introduced to the telehealth kiosk.The visit was covered on the local news that evening by WNBC-TV, WABC-TV and NY1.In addition articles appeared in print and online mediaRead more

On August 12, 2011, Selfhelp Community Services led 41 organizations in filing an amicus or "friend of the court" brief supporting the New York City Medicaid Program, run by the Human Resources Administration ("HRA") which the U.S. Department of Justice has charged with filing "false claims" for its approval of 24-hour personal care services. For more information see http://wnylc.com/health/news/12/ CRAIN'S Health Newsletter August 17th

Selfhelp is collaborating with Jewish Home Lifecare to pilot two congregate telehealth kiosks. The kiosk installations were made possible through a one-year grant to Selfhelp from Enterprise Community Partners in recognition of Selfhelp's innovative use of technology to support older adults living safely, comfortably and independently in their homes. The grant enables Selfhelp to demonstrate how multi-patient telehealth kiosks can be used within two senior housing complexes to improve health literacy and wellness among the residents .Read more.

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"Self Help" is the fifth episode of the fifth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on November 9, 2014. The episode was written by Heather Bellson and Seth Hoffman, and directed by Ernest Dickerson. The episode centers on Abraham Ford, Eugene Porter, Rosita Espinosa, Tara Chambler, Glenn Rhee, and Maggie Greene, who have left the church and their fellow survivors to pursue a mission to Washington, D.C., by bus. Upon their journey, they encounter numerous problems, and Abraham's past and his keen desire to continue on the mission are explored throughout the narrative.

The episode received critical acclaim from commentators, many of whom singled out the emotional performance of Michael Cudlitz and the revelation at the end of the episode. This episode adapts material from Volume 12: Life Among Them from the comic book series of the same name.

Abraham Ford (Michael Cudlitz), Rosita Espinosa (Christian Serratos), Tara Chambler (Alanna Masterson), Maggie Greene (Lauren Cohan), Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun), and Eugene Porter (Josh McDermitt) are on their way to Washington, D.C. in the church bus. After passing a small group of walkers, a mechanical breakdown causes Abraham to lose control of the speeding bus and crash into wrecks on the road, turning the vehicle over. Alerted by the noise, the walkers move in.

With Abraham lightly concussed, Glenn organizes the group to fight their way out of the wreck, killing the walkers. A terrified Eugene watches and saves Tara's life as she is about to be bitten. The bus catches fire before the group can recover their supplies. Eugene suggests going back to the church, but an agitated Abraham demands that they must continue to Washington and Glenn backs him up after making sure Abraham is okay.

That night, the group make a fortified camp in a library, and Rosita stitches up a wound Abraham suffered in the crash. He later thanks Glenn for sticking with him after the crash and says he feels the apocalypse has reached a point where everyone still alive is very strong. Later, Eugene spies on Rosita and Abraham having sex. After Tara catches him and tells him to mind his own business, Eugene confides in her that he sabotaged the bus by putting crushed glass in the fuel line. He has no explanation, other than he wanted to stay at the church, though he does admit his fear of being abandoned once they reach Washington. A shocked Tara promises to keep his secret but makes him swear to never put the group in danger again.

The next morning, Rosita and Maggie suggest staying at the library for one more day to rest and gather more supplies, but Abraham is again persistent about getting to Washington. The group comes upon a fire truck which initially starts but quickly breaks down. As Abraham checks on the engine, the group inadvertently release a large group of walkers from the fire station. They are almost overwhelmed but Eugene is able to turn on a high-pressure hose atop the pumper truck which tears through the walkers' rotting bodies, leaving Abraham impressed.

Later, the fire truck breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Glenn notices the wind has picked up, carrying a foul odour with it, and looks over a rise to see a ranch overrun by an enormous herd of walkers. Everyone starts to turn around and head back, but Abraham once again insists they move forward. Rosita begs Abraham to come to his senses, but he grabs Eugene and heads toward the ranch. Glenn tries to stop the two, but Eugene suddenly yells out and confesses he has been lying all along: he is not a scientist and does not know how to save the world. As the group looks on in total shock, Eugene says he is only "smarter" than others and a very good liar, but he is also a coward, and felt that getting to Washington was his best chance at survival. Rosita is deeply hurt, lamenting that people died for him. Abraham beats Eugene, leaving him an unconscious, bloody mess. Abraham walks away, falls to his knees, and starts to cry.

In a series of flashbacks set shortly after the apocalypse began, Abraham kills a group of people in a grocery store. He calls out for Ellen, his wife, and he finds her hiding with their two children Becca and A.J. Abraham tells them they are safe, but the three are clearly terrified of him. The next morning, Abraham wakes up to find Ellen and the kids gone, with a note saying: "Don't try to find us". Abraham goes outside and finds them dead, all devoured by walkers. Abraham pulls out a .45 Kimber Custom pistol, preparing to kill himself, but he hears a screaming man being chased by three walkers. The man is revealed to be Eugene, and Abraham saves him. As Abraham walks away to kill himself as intended, Eugene quickly sizes him up, tells him he is on a very important mission to Washington, and requests his help, giving Abraham a new reason to live.

According to actor Michael Cudlitz via a Tweet, censors tried to ban this episode from airing. Though there were no specifics on what may have caused such a ban, word of it went viral.[1]

Upon airing, the episode was watched by 13.53 million American viewers with an 18-49 rating of 7.0,[2] a decrease in viewership from the previous week which had 14.518 million viewers and an 18-49 rating of 7.6.[3]

In the United Kingdom, the episode was viewed by 1.146 million viewers, making it the highest-rated broadcast that week. It also received 0.096 million timeshift viewers.[4] In Australia, it received 0.087 million viewers, making it the highest-rated cable broadcast that day.[5]

The episode was critically acclaimed, with many reviews highly praising the emotional performance by Michael Cudlitz in the episode.[6][7]

Zack Handlen of The A.V. Club gave the episode an A grade.[6]

Isabelle Khoo of The Huffington Post said regarding the flashbacks "While I was intrigued to find out more about this strong character, I felt a little disappointed by the flashbacks sprinkled throughout the episode. First of all, each of them were less than two minutes long, and second, the transitions were weirdly abrupt and sometimes confusing. Nonetheless, the flashbacks gave us a tease of Abrahams past."[8]

Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode an 8.3 out of 10, saying the episode "gave Abraham and Eugene their first real character-building/revealing story since they came into the series last February. Eugene was using Abraham to survive and, despite the big betrayal, Abraham was using Eugene's lie to help facilitate his own subconscious denial. An inner pain that manifested itself physically through his own never-healing bloody hand."[7]

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Self Help (The Walking Dead) - Wikipedia, the free ...

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Self-improvement can be many different things to different people. Often when we think of self improvement we think of improving "confidence" or tools for dealing with a phobia, or help to stop smoking for example. But one of the most common measures of one's mental capacity is something people refer to as "creativity." In fact, the word creativity seems to contain within its very marrow a certain element of cool, of usefulness, of cleverness that is much more enticing than say mere intelligence.

As a result, socially speaking, it has become more flattering to be called "creative." And it should come as no surprise that one of the most common laments among those of average intelligence has become in recent decades, "I wish I were more creative" and seldom the more pedantic, "I wish I were smarter."

But is it just the "hip factor" of creativity that woos us? Is it really just the coolness that creativity affords people like Martha Stewart or Nate Berkus or Bono that makes us suddenly dissatisfied with our own capacities to create? Perhaps, but the value of true creativity is so much more.

In a very real sense, creativity is vital to one's ability to function. Where intelligence might afford us grasp of facts or a greater sense of logic, it is creativity that enables us to apply that logic in novel ways to build new points of view, new solutions, and new facts that will become part of one's lexicon.

On a more personal level, creativity is what gives us opportunity when opportunity seems scarce. And I'm not necessarily talking about the way you can get your drapes to better accent the height of your ceiling or how to render your flower arrangement to elicit more wows from your in-laws. I'm talking about making life easier, more interesting, more fun, and less stressful. Why less stressful? Because creativity makes life more manageable.

Imagine having the innate ability to run into blockages in relationships, finances, and business dealings, and walking away knowing that within your grasp is a truly marvelous solution. This is power. Real power. And it affords you a certain well coolness.

Through the years, I've heard many people claim that creativity is more valuable than knowledge because facts can be learned and creativity cannot. But, stay tuned and I will show you ways in which you can increase your creativity, just as you may do yoga to increase your flexibility or do ellipticals to increase your stamina... - READ MORE -

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