To be or not to be: that IS the question.

I was in a bit of a pickle. I had a heat resistant mat that I needed to put under my woodstove before I could use it, but there was no way that I could put it there myself. In order to do that I would have to lift the woodstove, slide the pad in to the exact place and then lower the 400 pound woodstove down gently so as to not dent the pad or the floor.

I sat at my kitchen table trying to think of the biggest, strongest people I knew that could help me, and hope that they were available at that time. Then I thought, I know, I’ll call Neville! He knows everyone, and he may be able to help too! True to Neville’s form, he knew someone who could help me… himself and his son Josiah.

So, here we were in my dining room, Abecita and I on each side of the woodstove, Josiah in front ready to push the pad in, “OK” I said, “On three. One… two… three… lift!” “hnnnngggggghhhh…” I groaned “it’s no use” I said, as I tried, to no avail to lift my side off the floor, while Neville’s side easily rose to 8 to 10 inches, “I can’t lift this!” I whined. “There has to be a better way!”

“I know” I said, “I’ll just make a fulcrum, and then I’ll be able to do it”

Off I ran to get the material that I needed. I returned less than 5 minutes later and started to set it all up. All the while that I was preparing, Josiah was laughing and giggling at me, and Neville was just standing there looking at me with this very innocent face.

“What’s so funny?” I asked? Josiah looked at the woodstove, then looked at me and said “It’s done.” “What is?” I asked. Then I looked down and saw it. The pad was already under the woodstove and in place. While I was out getting the material for my “science experiment”, Neville had lifted the 400 pound stove by his own brute strength, and Josiah had maneuvered the pad into place. I stood there dumbfounded. “How in the world did you do that?” I stammered, shocked and amazed that he had the strength to do it. “That’s impossible.” “No it isn’t” Neville said, you just have to lift low and close to it, and it’s easy”.

I have never felt so inadequate in all my days. At that moment I felt like that skinny guy that used to be in all the old comic books. You know the one where this skinny guy is on the beach, and the big strong guy comes by and kicks sand in his face and takes his girl. Don’t get me wrong, I was extremely grateful that he could help me, and I was totally in awe of his strength, I just felt like a weak wimp. Actually, I think it was more embarrassment than anything else that was getting to me. I always thought that I was in good shape, I mean, I usually run about 35 Kilometers a week, but I guess I’m not. The more I thought about it, the more inadequate I felt. I just wanted to be stronger so that I could at least lift my half of the 400+ pounds.

Have you ever felt inadequate when you compared yourself to others? Like you just didn’t measure up to your own expectations, and you pretended to be someone who you weren’t? We are all sometimes intimidated by other people’s abilities like confidence, communications skills, knowledge or even their looks. This desire to “be like them” drives us to do rash things to our bodies and sometimes to our relationships. What is this need that we sometimes seem to have to compare ourselves to others and wish we had what they had? How many times have we heard about some young teen girl who became anorexic, just to look like someone that she saw in a magazine, or another person who joined a gang, just to fit in, or another person who took up drinking or doing drugs, just to be accepted?

Of course, we all want to be accepted, and often we will do things that we wouldn’t normally do, just to get that recognition, but after it is all over, we are still the same person who stares back in the mirror, with our own quiver full of strengths and weaknesses… no more, no less. And wishing ourselves into another character or strength will not create them. We may wish that we were smarter, we may wish that we were better looking, or we may even wish that we were stronger, but we are what we are, and no amount of wishing will change that: actions will do a lot of it, but wishing won’t. We must learn to be authentic.

To be truly happy in life means accepting who you are, and what you have to offer. Much has been written on the importance of being yourself, or being authentic, but it all comes down to your decisions in life. I love what Chuck Swindoll said about this:

1. Know who you are.

2. Accept who you are.

3. Be who you are.

I would go further and add first, “Learn who you are”.

This week, dare to learn who you are so that you can be the most authentic person that you can be. Only then can you be truly happy.

Make this your best week ever.

Paul

For 22 years, Paul Kearley has thrived in the personal development and coaching business. As a Master Coach for the past 10 years, Paul’s passion is in developing and creating increased potential with both clients and other trainers. A columnist for two newspapers in Eastern Canada, and editor for his own weekly ezine, Paul writes articles that address the everyday challenges we all have and face in life and in business, and offers suggestions for success.

If you’d like to connect with Paul to discuss your personal or business strategies or to subscribe to “E-Motion” , lingerie send an e-mail to carnegie@nbnet.nb.ca, visit http://www.mustthinking.com or call 506 433 4722.

The Boston Celtics are simply the hottest team in the NBA right now. Granted, they have Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to lead the onslaught. But, seriously they are playing really, really well. They are a balanced team, strong on both the offensive and defensive ends. So, I am asking myself, how long celebrity they go without losing? The longest winning streak to start a season was recorded by the Houston Rockets and the Washington capitols in 1993 and 1948, respectively. It seams all too possible that the Celtics are within reach of that record.

Currently, the Boston Celtics are 7-0. That is obviously a perfect record, but what is more impressive is how they got to that point. On average, the Celtics have beaten their opponents by over 17 points per game.The only time this season that they have even come close to losing was their 98-95 overtime win against the Raptors. Yet, KG and company held strong, showing that not only can they blow teams out but they can also win the close ones.

So, what is next on the horizon? In order to set a new season-opening winning streak, the Celtics would have to win their next 9 games. Is that do-able? Well, considering their competition, yes!! over the next 9 games simone perele schedule is as follows: the Heat, the Magic, the Warriors, the Lakers, the Bobcats, the Cavs, the Knicks, the Heat again, and then the Cavs again. Of that group only the Lakers and the Magic are above .500. Furthermore, the Lakers just do not have enough talent to guard or break down Boston’s formidable line-up. So, it all rests on the shoulders of the Orlando Magic. It comes down to whether Dwight Howard can cope with Kevin Garnett, whether Rashard Lewis can best his former teammate Ray Allen, and whether the rest of the Magic lineup can handle Paul Pierce. In my opinion, the Magic do have the talent to beat the Celtics. But right now, the Celtics are so hot that they are going to be tough to beat.

My prediction: The Celtics go 11-0 from here on out, bringing their streak to 18-0. But, in their 19th game, they will lose to the Bulls.

Nishan Wilde is VP of Sales at RobbinsSports.com, an online resource for Basketball Hoops, Basketball Uniforms and Punching Bags.

Every day our lives we are surround with some kind of commercials or advertisements designed by companies to influence consumers to buy their products. These commercials are not just thrown together. These are very well thought out so as to influence shoes emotionally, socially & culturally. These commercials are systematically placed within our media sources and are most effective.

The purpose of commercials is to influence us while at the same time producing what is called an anchor in the mind, so that when certain symbols and slogans are seen or heard it will cause the Pavlov effect.

(Ring a bell, show a dog a steak, he begins to salivate; repeat the process 3 times; by the third time you can just ring the bell the and the dog begins to salivate without ever seeing the steak.)

The symbols, pictures, music and personalities in commercials, coupled with repetition, can set up compound anchors in the mind that ticker defined recourses.

With this understanding it should be easy to see why we need to start producing our own mental commercials that relate to our success. Mental commercials are visual & or audible advertisement that we intentionally create for ourselves to influence us to go into certain mental states relatives to our success.

I truly believe that success has more to do with our internal representation of who we think we are and what we are capable of doing than many people may believe.

Building a God Commercial.

The first commercial that we need is one that influences us to produce a better relationship with God.

For me this is a biggy because it helps keep me grounded. The reason that this is important is it helps me to see that my success was destiny before my creation. In a race between 1 million sperm cells racing to one egg, I was the winner! If I can be real on this point, it was a race that I did not put myself in, and I had no chances of winning except God allowed it to be so.

What does a God famous look like?

> Gospel music in my car that is upbeat and uplifting

> Religious books on my desk at home and work

> Daily Bible reading

> Scheduled Prayer times

Do I make these commercials every day? No! But when I do it helps me keep my purpose in mind.

Building a Family Commercial

The second commercial that we need is one that influences us to build on our family relationships.

If your home life is not successful all other success will be shorts-lived. Do you want to empower your dreams and visions for your future? I have found the best way is to connect them with the thought of leaving a legacy for your children’s, children’s, children. When you die who will remember your accomplishments? When you have been dead for five years, who will even remember?

What a strong mental commercial, seeing your family’s family blessed because of your success.

What would a family Commercial look like?

> Pictures of you with your family during exiting occasions.

> Pictures of your kids & grandkids playing and growing up.

> Wedding Pictures, to remind you of your commitment in marriage.

> Audio recordings of your and your wife’s favorite song.

These pictures need to be on your desk or in your workspace at work and home as a constant commercial of who you are and who is depending on you! The importance of pictures is in the energy that they produce and the emotional state they can anchor us to.

Building a Vision & Dream Commercial

I believe that the fulfillment of a vision places you in a place to have your dreams. Too many people are working on a dream when they need a vision. Vision gives you direction in your life of where you are going and need to go to profit. Dreams are desires and are not really things that we have to have.

In saying that I do not want you to think that dreams are not important. Dreams empower vision. You cannot have a compelling vision unless you have spent some time dreaming. In casting vision to others we have to use words that cause them to dream with their eyes open. If you can make your vision come to life with words that shows that you really believe in it, if you can use your vision to cause others to dream, they will eventually buy into your vision.

What would your Vision commercial look like?

> A written Mission statement.

> Pictures of people that have already accomplish what you are believing for.

> Written Goal sheets.

> Meetings with successful people in your field

> Music that helps you to relax.

You have to keep your vision alive. Your dreams are the defibrillator that is used in time of failure to give your visions new life.

I hope that you will start today making mental commercials that will put you on the road to success!

(c) 2005 Copyrights WilsonMedia

Bishop Wilson is a leadership; life & Spiritual Coach that helps people identify, evaluate the severity of and remove the mental hindrances to their success.

If you would like more information about Bishop Wilson’s, coaching, leadership, business or spiritual awakening Seminars or Workshops visit us at: http://www.bishopwilson.com

Giorgio Armani is a popular menswear brand of clothing all over the world. The fashion house is also a source of superior and signature apparel. Through the years, the label has been making Italy proud because the designer and founder of the company is a pure Italian by heart and by legacy.

Like many other fashion designers, Armani had humble beginnings. While young, he was confused and tried entering a few other professions. He got into medicine before shifting gears to pursue a career in photography, which did not work out. From there, he worked as a window dresser in an Italian department store before finally getting into fashion designing.

With his skills and sheer dating for styling and designing clothes, Armani was able to establish his own design house in 1974. Together with venture partner and friend Sergio Galeotti, he put up a company called Giorgio Armani SpA. Initially, the company carried all Victoria’s Secret wear. A year after, lines for women were also unveiled.

Taking the lead from other fashion designers, Armani developed and launched his own perfume line in 1982. As usual and typical of the brand, perfumes were originally targeted for the male population. Fragrances for women followed afterwards. Among the most famous of the brands perfumes are the Emporio, Acqua di Gio, Remix, and Attitude, all for men, while for women there are striking names like Sensi, Beyonce Knowles’ and Armani Le Perfum.

Such perfumes are well known around the world. Demand for the products has also been very high since the company has actively distributed them. After perfumes, many other personal products came from the Armani brand like sunglasses, shoes and even several home accessories.

It might be because of competition, but another characteristics that separates and distinguishes Giorgio Armani from the rest is his unusual dislike for fellow Italian designers Valentino and Gianni Versace. As much as possible, he has always been emphasizing that he do not want anything to do with the two designers.

Giorgio Armani is one of the most admirable designers of the current generation. People around the world should be proud and satisfied that they could still get the chance to wear designs and clothing from this wonderful brand.

Find Giorgio Armani perfumes and colognes at Perfume Center. Read more about Giorgio Armani perfumes

Going through consistent intense basketball training is the surest way to enjoy each game and become a real big time basketball figure. Yes, the basketball figures that you so admire today have been through a lot of rigid basketball training. Basketball training is about getting your head in the game. No one can be in the limelight if the necessary basketball trainings are neglected or skipped.

Now keep all these 7 tips listed below in your mind, and your basketball training is certainly going to take you somewhere.

Always be optimistic Positive attitude highly influences the success in the game. You should never come to a point of doubting your skills, your abilities, and yourself. Never be afraid of failing. As long as you place your heart and mind in the game, you can be certain that your play will be what you expect it to be.

Always be aggressive As a basketball player you need to be aggressive in every move you take. Be rest assured that your opponent will steal your victory, if you just stay unmoving on the spot and you seem to be uncertain of your next move. You’ve got to exercise your quick decision-making in every game.

Bear in mind to make repeated efforts If at first attempt you lose a chance to score, work up on creating succeeding opportunities until times that you make good use of your chances.

Contribute your part as a teammate Don’t abandon the fact that you are playing for a team. So be sure that you have everyone’s interest in mind as you shoot the ball.

Keep the jewelry of your coach Your basketball coach is your guardian. For that reason you have to exert your best during practice because your coach will obviously want the best for your team.

Defend and stay out of trouble A smart player is someone who doesn’t get caught up in fights. This will only ruin your mood so better work up on the defense rather than offending your opponents.

Practice and work hard It is very important that you take time to prepare for the big game. You can attend to such preparation by committing yourself with practices.

Now focus on these vital tips for your basketball training. And you will witness a great leap in your performance and you will enjoy each game.

For your BASKETBALL SUCCESS, you can read more practically informative articles here on my website for FREE.