MANAGING YOUR TIME BETWEEN WORK & HOME

MANAGING YOUR TIME BETWEEN WORK & HOME

When you first begin your business, everything is fine and dandy. It's like bringing home the new baby from the hospital. Everyone visits to see the new baby. Everyone thinks the baby is cute and wants to hold it. Everyone "oohs" and "awes." After a few months though, the newness wears off. Now it's time to get down to raising this new baby and preparing him or her to be successful for their role in life.

A new business suffers about the same type of beginning. You talk the decision over with your family and involve them in hearing your initial business plans. Everyone gets excited and tells you to "go for it." Everyone agrees to help out and the whole house is buzzing about with visions of big bank deposits dancing in their heads. After a few months though, the newness wears off. Since you probably haven't made any money, family members may grow tired and discouraged. They begin degrading your motives for opening the business in the first place. They may even embarrass you and make you feel like a total failure without even realizing it.

Eventually, if you stay with the business and exclude the family, they will begin feeling rejected. A spouse may be upset because you don't go to bed the same time you used to. He or she may pressure you into spending more time with them and the children. You love your family and don't want to hurt them but you don't want to hurt your business either. You are torn between two decisions, and sometimes this decision is extremely difficult to make.

What are you supposed to do? It's only common sense, if your spouse gets ill and you have to take care of him or her, that this situation would demand more attention than your business. But, most situations are not this severe. Often times, family pressures only come from the fact that the family member feels left out and rejected. Naturally, when you are building your business, your time is occupied in this field _ much more than when you didn't have a business. Your spouse may be used to falling asleep with you while watching television. You can still do this! Just take a break and watch television with your spouse until he or she falls asleep. In turn, he or she should have the understanding that you will probably be working on your business for a few hours while they are sleeping. Give a little!

If the children are used to you spending more time with them, try and involve them in some aspect of your business. Take them to the post office with you to pick up your mail. Talk with them about school or other things that interest them while you're both in the car. Ask them to drop the mail in the mailbox while you are cleaning out your post office box. Even a small amount of responsibility in your business builds up a respect for your work and they will give you more space when you need to take time away from them.

If your children are young _ take a nap when they are asleep and work longer hours after they go to bed at night. If you work a full-time job, take some lunches by yourself and study your business-related materials. You'd be amazed how much research and new ideas you can come up with in 1 hour at lunch undisturbed over a peanut-butter sandwich. Save money too! Carry a mini-cassette recorder or pad of paper with you every place you go. Write down ideas that come into your mind and review these ideas while eating supper or watching television. I'm sure you can find time to build your business _ it just takes a little thought. It may not always be the amount of time you want and need _ but you can squeeze some time in somewhere. Just find out "what" method works the best for you!

There are a lot of excellent books on the market about managing your time successfully. Find one and read it. Your family, friends and other human relationships are very, very important to your mental attitude. Don 't alienate them completely. Just find ways you can enjoy the best of both worlds and everyone will be happy _ including you and your business.

Guide to Obtaining Vital Records

Guide to Obtaining Vital Records

Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces

Introduction

As part of its mission to provide access to data and information relating to the health of the Nation, the National Center for Health Statistics produces a number of publications containing reference and statistical materials. The purpose of this publication is solely to provide information about individual vital records maintained only on file in State or local vital statistics' offices.

An official certificate of every birth, death, marriage, and divorce should be on file in the locality where the event occurred. The Federal Government does not maintain files or indexes of these records. These records are filed permanently either in a State vital statistics office or in a city, county, or other local office.

To obtain a certified copy of any of the certificates, write or go to the vital statistics office in the State or area where the event occurred. Addresses and fees are given for each event in the State or area concerned.

To ensure that you receive an accurate record for your request and that your request is filled expeditiously, please follow the steps outlined below for the information in which you are interested:

Write to the appropriate office to have your request filled.

Under the appropriate office, information has been included for birth and death recordsconcerning whether the State will accept checks or money orders and to whom they should be made payable. This same information would apply when marriage and divorce records are available from the State office. However, it is impossible for us to list fees and addresses for all county offices where marriage and divorce records may be obtained.

For all certified copies requested, make check or money order payable for the correct amount for the number of copies you want to obtain. Cash is not recommended because the office cannot refund cash lost in transit.

Because all fees are subject to change, a telephone number has been included in the information for each State for use in verifying the current fee.

Type or print all names and addresses in the letter. Give the following facts when writing for birth or death records:

1.Full name of person whose record is being requested.

2.Sex.

3.Parents' names, including maiden name of mother.

4.Month, day, and year of birth or death.

5.Place of birth or death (city or town, county, and State; and name of hospital, if known).

6.Purpose for which copy is needed.

7.Relationship to person whose record is being requested.

Give the following facts when writing for marriage records:

1.Full names of bride and groom.

2.Month, day, and year of marriage.

3.Place of marriage (city or town, county, and State).

4.Purpose for which copy is needed.

5.Relationship to persons whose record is being requested.

Give the following facts when writing for divorce records:

1.Full names of husband and wife.

2.Date of divorce or annulment.

3.Place of divorce or annulment.

4.Type of final decree.

5.Purpose for which copy is needed.

6.Relationship to persons whose record is being requested.

[Table Omitted]

Foreign or high-seas births and deaths and certificates of citizenship

Birth records of persons born in foreign countries who are U.S. citizens at birth

The birth of a child abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) should be reported to the nearest U.S.

Consulate or Embassy as soon after the birth as possible. To do this, the child's parent or legal guardian should file an Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (Form FS-579/SS-5). This form may also be used to apply for a Social Security Number for the child. A $10.00 fee is charged for reporting the birth.

The application must be supported by evidence to establish the child's U.S. citizenship. Usually, the following documents are needed:

1.the child's foreign birth certificate;

2.evidence of the U.S. citizenship of the parent(s) such as a certified copy of a birth certificate, U.S. passport, or Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship;

3.evidence of the parents' marriage, if applicable; and

4.affidavit(s) of the physical presence of the parent(s) in the United States.

Each document should be certified as a true copy of the original by the registrar of the office that issued the document. Other documents may be needed in some cases. Contact the nearest U.S.

Embassy or Consulate for details on what evidence is needed.

When the application is approved, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (Form FS-240) is given to the applicant. This document, known as the Consular Report of Birth, has the same value as proof of citizenship as the Certificate of Citizenship issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

A Consular Report of Birth can be prepared only at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas, and only if the person who is the subject of the report is under 18 years of age when the application is made. A person residing abroad who is now 18 years of age or over, and whose claim to U.S. citizenship has never been documented, should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance in registering as a U.S. citizen.

As of November 1, 1990, the U.S. Department of State no longer issues multiple copies of the Consular Report of Birth. However, a replacement Consular Report of Birth may be issued if the original document is lost or mutilated. The U.S. Department of State also issues certified copies of the Certification of Report of Birth (DS-1350), which contains the same information as on the Consular Report of Birth. The DS-1350 serves most needs and can be issued in multiple copies. Documents are issued only to the subject of the Consular Report of Birth, the subject's parents or legal guardian, or a person who submits written authorization from the subject.

To request copies of the DS-1350 or a replacement FS-240, write to Passport Services, Correspondence Branch, U.S. Department of State, 1425 K St. NW, Room 386, Washington, DC 20522-1705. Please include the following items:

1.the full name of the child at birth (and any adoptive name);

2.the date and place of birth;

3.the names of the parents;

4.the serial number of the FS-240 (if the FS-240 was issued after November 1, 1990);

5.any available passport information;

6.the signature of the requestor and the requestor's relationship to the subject;

7.a check or money order for $10.00 per document requested, made payable to the U.S. Department of State; and

8.if applying for a replacement FS-240, a notarized affidavit by the subject, parent, or legal representative that states the name, date and place of birth of the subject, and the whereabouts of the original FS-240.

To obtain a Consular Report of Birth in a new name, send a written request and fees as noted above, the original (or replacement) Consular Report of Birth, or if not available, a notarized affidavit about its whereabouts. Also, send a certified copy of the court order or final adoption decree which identifies the child and shows the change of name with the request. If the name has been changed informally, submit public records and affidavits that show the change of name.

Birth records of alien children adopted by U.S. citizens

Birth certifications for alien children adopted by U.S. citizens and lawfully admitted to the United States may be obtained from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) if the birth information is on file.

Certification may be issued for children under 21 years of age who were born in a foreign country. Requests must be submitted on INS Form G-641, which can be obtained from any INS office. (Address can be found in a telephone directory.) For Certification of Birth Data (INS Form G-350), a $15.00 search fee, paid by check or money order, should accompany INS Form G-641.

Certification can be issued in the new name of an adopted or legitimated child after proof of an adoption or legitimation is submitted to INS. Because it may be issued for a child who has not yet become a U.S. citizen, this certification (Form G-350) is not proof of U.S. nationality.

Certificate of citizenship

Persons who were born abroad and later naturalized as U.S. citizens or who were born in a foreign country to a U.S. citizen (parent or parents) may apply for a certificate of citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Section 341 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Application can be made for this document in the United States at the nearest office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The INS will issue a certification of citizenship for the person if proof of citizenship is submitted and the person is within the United States. The decision whether to apply for a certificate of citizenship is optional; its possession is not mandatory because a valid U.S. passport or a Form FS-240 has the same evidentiary status.

Death records of U.S. citizens who die in foreign countries

The death of a U.S. citizen in a foreign country may be reported to the nearest U.S. consular office. If reported, and a copy of the local death certificate and evidence of U.S. citizenship are presented, the consul prepares the official "Report of the Death of an American Citizen Abroad" (Form OF-180). A copy of the Report of Death is then filed permanently in the U.S. Department of State (see exceptions below).

To obtain a copy of a report filed in 1960 or after, write to Passport Services, Correspondence Branch, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20522-1705. The fee for a copy is $10.00. Fee may be subject to change.

Reports of Death filed before 1960 are maintained by the National Archives and Records Service, Diplomatic Records Branch, Washington, DC 20408. Requests for such records should be sent directly to that office.

Reports of deaths of persons serving in the Armed Forces of the United States (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Coast Guard) or civilian employees of the Department of Defense are not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. In these cases, requests for copies of records should be sent to the National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records), 9700 Page Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5100.

Records of birth and death occurring on vessels or aircraft on the high seas When a birth or death occurs on the high seas, whether in an aircraft or on a vessel, the record is usually filed at the next port of call.

1.If the vessel or aircraft docked or landed at a foreign port, requests for copies of the record may be made to the U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20522-1705.

2.If the first port of entry was in the United States, write to the registration authority in the city where the vessel or aircraft docked or landed in the United States.

3.If the vessel was of U.S. registry, contact the local authorities at the port of entry and/or search the vessel logs at the U.S. Coast Guard Facility at the vessel's final port of call for that voyage.

Records maintained by foreign countries

Most, but not all, foreign countries record births and deaths. It is not possible to list in this publication all foreign vital records offices, the charges they make for copies of records, or the information they may require to locate a record. However, most foreign countries will provide certifications of births and deaths occurring within their boundaries.

Persons who need a copy of a foreign birth or death record should contact the Embassy or the nearest Consulate in the U.S. of the country in which the death occurred. Addresses and telephone numbers for these offices are listed in the U.S. Department of State Publication 7846, "Foreign Consular Offices in the United States," which is available in many local libraries. Copies of this publication may also be purchased from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

If the Embassy or Consulate is unable to provide assistance, U.S. citizens may obtain assistance by writing to the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-4818. Aliens residing in the United States may be able to obtain assistance through the Embassy or Consulate of their country of nationality.

A MAN'S GUIDE TO SURVIVE A DIVORCE

A MAN'S GUIDE TO SURVIVE A DIVORCE

There is no greater emotional pain that can be inflicted upon a man than the announcement by his wife that she wants a divorce. Even if both parties have "seen it coming" for some time, and the announcement really comes as no big surprise, the actual announcement is quite similar to a bomb exploding in your face.

Such an announcement is "out-in-the-open" admission that the person you held hands with so many years ago, and promised to love - honor - and obey - to be supportive of, to stand beside in good times and bad -through sickness and health - for richer or poorer - no longer wants you or your love. You have been rejected, and such a blow to a man's emotional equilibrium is just about the most damaging illness you'll ever have to face in your lifetime.

Be that as it may, it is of the utmost importance that when such a pain descends upon you, you realize that you can recover - that you will recover - and that this is in reality, an opportunity for you to attain real and total happiness according to your own standards.

It will be hard, in fact, it will probably be just about the most difficult thing you've ever done in your life, but you must immediately and absolutely turn the page on that chapter of your life. You must quickly and absolutely sever all ties with that person - the one that has inflicted this pain upon you.

Get them out of your house. Get rid of all things that remind you of them. Change your phone number. If necessary, move into a new home or apartment. You must put an immediate end to your marriage. Once a woman has announced to you that she no longer wants you for a husband, you have to start thinking about your own survival.

It's going to be similar to losing a vital part of your body, but you must let go, and the sooner you do let go - completely end that chapter of your life - the sooner you'll be able to set about rebuilding your life and ultimately finding the happiness you want.

Between the time that your wife announces the end of the marriage, and the time when you'll find new happiness, you're going to hurt like you've never dreamed possible. You're going to go through a number of mental and emotional phases - all of which are perfectly normal and necessary in order for you to "heal yourself" of this great hurt. You'll never be able to enjoy love or attain true happiness until you have discharged the past from your system, and healed yourself.

Think of all you're going through as a wound similar to a gash on your arm or leg. It's going to hurt, and you're going to bleed, but with the proper care and time, you will recover. You must understand that divorce is quite common - you're not alone nor going through anything that a lot of other people haven't experienced - and that in order to "get well," you must understand the nature of the wound, what to do in order to heal it, and as much about the pre-requisites to total recovery as possible.

At first, you'll probably deny that this is happening to you. You may pretend that it's just a bad dream or some sort of bad joke she's pulling on you. This type of thinking is normal, but it only prolongs the agony of your hurt. You must face the reality of the situation - accept the fact that your marriage is over - and get on with the task of finding happiness for yourself, immediately.

You'll probably lay awake in bed at night and review "every minute" of your marriage - thinking that in this or that circumstance, you could've been a better husband, and from there beg for another chance. You'll want to accept full responsibility - at least a big share of the guilt - for the problems that caused the break-up of your marriage. These thoughts are only natural, but they cannot put your marriage back together, and any attempts to "try one more time," at this stage will only cause you greater pain. You must accept the fact that your marriage is over, and busy your mind and yourself, with activities that don't allow you time to "rehash" the events of the past. Don't allow yourself to dwell upon guilt feelings. It takes two people to make a marriage, and marriages come apart because of the differences in the two people involved. No one is perfect, and happiness in life is a matter of learning from our mistakes. Accept your own short-comings; vow that you will profit from what you've experienced; and then get on with your life. You'll never be comfortable with yourself, nor find real happiness so long as you're dragging "guilt feelings from your past around with you.

Somewhere along the way, you'll become so angry with your ex-wife the world - and even God, that you'll be beyond yourself in your ability to express it all. It will be necessary that you express this anger - to get it all out.

Transfer interrupted!

Able to "feel good" around women again.

Anger is the process of projecting onto another person, your own sense of hurt and frustration. It's such a volatile and all-consuming emotion that unless you give it an outlet, it will literally eat you alive. The thing to do is to understand your anger, and manage it in a manner that will benefit you - in such a way that your expression of it is constructive to your regaining your emotional health.

A few things you might think about doing: Write out for your kids, the complete story of your marriage, how you met, your dreams and hopes, the good and the bad, the sacrifices each of you made, and how -beyond either of your capabilities to control - the marriage just came to an end... Write out in precise detail what is making you angry, and why. Put it in letter form to your ex-wife and really tell her everything that has been, and is bothering you... Let her know that you are a person with wants and needs too... Stand in front of a mirror and "rehearse" an angry confrontation with your ex-wife and/or anyone else involved. Make an appointment with your priest or minister; or find a friend who'll listen as you explain the frustration, hurt and futility you feel.

Regardless of how you do it, it is an absolute necessity that you let it all out. This anger and bitterness you feel is like a poison that you must cleanse from your soul. The sooner you get rid of it, the sooner you'll be able to get on with your life - regain your mental health and position yourself for happiness.

Finally, there'll come a day when you'll no longer be bothered by thoughts of your ex-wife. It won't even bother you when you see her with another man, and that'll be the day when you've finally accepted the fact that you marriage to her is really over. You will have truly let go of her, and will be ready for a new try at real happiness.

Your progress from being rejected by your wife, to acceptance of the fact that you don't want her if she doesn't want you, and positioning yourself for a second chance, won't come easily. In fact, it will take you about two and a half to three years. You must understand the damage you've sustained, the healing that's required, and the time it's going to take to get well. Too often, men still in the recovery stages of a divorce, jump into a new marriage before they're ready. And when the "bomb explodes" the second time, the trauma is more painful and the recovery even harder than the first time.

It's imperative that you "cut yourself off" from you wife as quickly as possible. It's just as imperative that you immediately set about analyzing what it is you want out of life, what you need to do in order to get what it is you want, and then take the necessary steps towards achieving whatever it is you want.

First, you have to KNOW what it is you want. Then, you have to know what you HAVE TO DO in order to get what it is you want. And finally, you have to START MOVING in the necessary direction to end up with what you want. In other words, if you don't know what you want, nor how to get it, you'll be without purpose or direction in life.

This is ''goal-setting," and unless you set goals for yourself, you'll just be allowing yourself to be pushed through life by whatever happens next. Use this "terrible time in your life" as a time for introspection and a new start. think about yourself, and start taking the "baby-steps" necessary to making you proud of yourself. Stop mourning the loss of your marriage; pick yourself up, and determine within yourself that you're on your way to bigger and better things - total happiness and love!

Rebuilding your self-esteem - your ego and how good you feel about yourself - is one of the first steps you must take. There are many ways to move in this direction...

You might buy a new suit; paint the inside of your home; take a trip to someplace you've always wanted to visit; go to see a special movie or any number of other things. The important thing is that you do something that makes you feel good.

From there, comes the introspection of where you are, and what you're going to have to do in order to survive. Plan it all out on paper, and then do what you have to do in order to make it come out as you've planned.

Most important - don't be afraid of making mistakes or of "falling down" once or twice along the way. It's just as if you were eighteen year old again, and just beginning a life on your own. It's like when a baby learns to walk - he's going to stumble or fall a couple of times, but by continuing to try, he eventually not only walks but finds he can run as well. So it is in rebuilding your life after a divorce.

It'll be hard, but the sooner you start dating, the easier it'll be for you to regain your emotional well being. At first, even though you have to force yourself, you should just go out and associate with other people. See for yourself that other people don't "immediately recognize you" as a divorced man - a loser, or a failure.

In the course of recovering from a painful divorce, it's not unusual for a man to go through a number of brief sexual affairs. With some, there's a flurry of sexual activity - followed by periods of celibacy - and maybe a "special steady" for awhile. This kind of activity is really sometimes necessary, and definitely a part of the healing process as some men rebuild their self-esteem.

Almost all people who have gone through a divorce, go through at least one transitional partner during their healing process. This is a person that seems to be the answer to all your dreams - they're the "special girlfriends" that ease a divorced man through the trauma - they're good for them; they listen to them; they're sensitive to their needs but never demanding; and they fulfill their sexual hunger. It's great to "find and use" such a transitional partner, but be aware of your own situation and their usefulness to you, and don't allow yourself to end up marrying them. You may care about them a great deal, and feel sure that they're the answer to all your dreams - that they have all the love you could ever ask for - but don't marry them - what you're feeling is only the peace of an oasis in the middle of a desert. And don't feel badly when eventually you break off such a relationship. Some people are born to nurture others back to good health, and seeing you on your feet again, and on your way to real happiness is the only reward these people really want. Then too, who's to say that you won't someday be a transitional partner for someone who's hurting just as you once did...

Finally, there's the problems of boredom and loneliness. In order to eliminate boredom and loneliness from your life, you must first understand that both of these problems are self-induced. That is, if you are bored or lonely, it's because you are allowing yourself to be...

Boredom is generally a form of emotional anethesia brought about by the person who is bored, because he doesn't want to experience his own feelings. It's also a form of mental laziness which keeps people from changing and growing.

The bottom line is simply that people are accountable for their own boredom, and - if you feel bored, then you had better remember that boredom breeds even more boredom.

Whenever you think of yourself as being bored, get involved in something. Don't allow yourself to sit and do nothing. Write letters to relatives or friends. Clean your garage or visit a neighbor. Get out and spruce up your yard or take a drive and see what changes have taken place in and around the area in which you live. Join up with a Singles social club and attend some of their functions; enroll in a self-improvement course or two; visit a trade show and find out about some of the new products being offered for sale.

To alleviate boredom, you have to do something that might stimulate your interest. Thus, if you don't want to do anything other than what you've been doing - if you're waiting for a bolt of lightning to spark your interest in something - you'll continue to be bored.

Loneliness is basically a different form of boredom. A person feels lonely when they can't think of anything they want to do, and thus, they begin feeling sorry for themselves because no one cares about them.

In order not to be lonely, you have to start thinking of things you might enjoy doing with other people, and then invite other people to join you in doing those kinds of things. Really, it's just as simple as that - take a trip to one of your shopping malls with a friend and do some window-shopping; meet a friend for lunch or dinner at a new restaurant; or invite a friend to join you to see a move, a play, or even a concert.

So long as you shut yourself away from other people, and do not get out into the world amongst people, you will be lonely. To be happy, enjoy life, and know love, you have to make yourself available to other people.

To recover from the trauma of divorce, you have to understand the injury - apply the proper medicine - allow enough time for the healing process to be completed - and all the while, be positive that tomorrow will be a happier day for you. It's a kind of recovery therapy that only you can apply and control - the results are up to you.

SOLVING YOUR PROBLEMS CAN BE CHALLENGING & FUN

SOLVING YOUR PROBLEMS CAN BE CHALLENGING & FUN

You're reading the words of a person who has been through more catastrophes in her lifetime than most people experience in 5! This is not to say that there are other people who have lived through bad times also, but everyone should learn the benefits of problems!

Problems help you to find and follow alternate methods, which may lead you to bigger and better things. If the typewriter ribbon breaks in the middle of a report that's due in 30 minutes, the boss may understand the situation is not your fault and grant you extra time to complete it. This extra time may be what you need to take off the pressure and help you relax to do a better job.

Problems are also the first step in a new invention. Dr. Scholl's foot medications would not be around if people had not had problems with corns, calluses and other ailments. We wouldn't have automobiles today if people had not had problems getting from place to place quickly. Every single invention was created because people had problems with something, so problems can really be motivational!

Problems also help you to meet new friends. If you are recently divorced, you may join a group and meet some wonderful friends that will bring you into a better life than the life you were living previously. If you have a problem getting back and forth to work, you may decide to join a carpool and save money while meeting others.

Problems also are always a learning experience. You don't actually realize that fire burns until you get burned with it! Unless a problem occurs, you do not learn why something happens the way it does. You cannot change your viewpoints and opinions unless you experience problems first hand.

Problems also cause you to become active in helping others. The organization M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) would have never been born if the founder didn't lose her daughter in a car accident caused by a drunk driver.

That one death has literally changed all the drunk driving laws throughout the United States and saved MILLIONS of lives!

Without problems, we couldn't solve a lot of future turmoils and save people a lot of money in business. Any company that introduces a new product will hire people to try it out before it is introduced to the market. These people report the problems they find and the company refines it until it's right. Without problems developing early in these tests, the company could never improve and fine tune their product to perfection.

Problems and mistakes are also a blessing in disguise. For instance, Post-It(R) Notes would never have been made possible unless the guy at the factory didn't mess up mixing the glue recipe. Sure, this is an isolated incident, but it shows just how important mistakes and problems can be.

However, most people have some perceived notion that making a mistake or having a problem is "bad." Instead of looking for ways to SOLVE the problem, they try and live with it, cover it up and conform their life to accept it.

This is silly! There is no problem that can't be solved. There is a solution to every single problem you can think of. The solution may not always be what you want it to be _ but it's a solution just the same.

And covering it up is like putting a piece of foil over a piece of spoiled meat and expecting it not to draw maggots. You have to dispose of the entire thing before you are finally rid of the problem. Attack the core of the problem! Dig until you uncover it! Face facts! Admit you have problems!

Stop trying to make people think you are problem-free. It's unnatural! Where the recognition comes in from people you are trying to impress is when you SOLVE problems by facing them and inventing a solution.

So, next time you have a problem, look at it logically and with enthusiasm.

That may sound a little strange but most problems can be dealt with this way. Love the fact that you have problems because they will give you something to work on and solve. They also will give you a way to invent new ways of doing something _ new ways that will save you time and make you happier with your life. And when you solve problems, you not only gain experience in solving other problems as they occur, but you build respect for yourself. Then you can have the admiration of all those people you originally started out trying to impress and gain recognition from _ if you still care about having it.

You also will find that when you look at problems with a POSITIVE mind, you will accomplish more, relieve stress and combat fear _ which is the worst enemy and destroyer of all!