Face Your Fear And Win!

an old bridge

over a canyon

winter night

Do you doubt yourself? Does your body tremble with every important decision you make? Fear not, for help is at hand. By following these suggestions, you can drive away fear from the depths of your heart.

When you are afraid, the most important thing is not to panic. Resist the urge to flee from your fear. Instead, ask yourself this question: What is the worst thing that could happen to me? Picture this in your mind. Once you have a good grasp of the worst thing that could happen to you, your present problem will not seem so bad. Practice this often and you will reduce the troubles in your life.

The next step is to believe in yourself. Any action taken without a belief in yourself is doomed to fail. You have the power within yourself to make a difference in your life, but you must take action. Whenever you are confronted with a hard task, tell yourself how wonderful you are. Say this with conviction, and you will be amazed at the results.

So whenever you are feeling down, remember to follow these steps. Ask yourself: What is the worst thing that could happen to me? Then follow this up with a strong conviction in your heart: Yes, I believe, I know I can do it! With these two rules you can safely encounter any problem that comes your way. You too can step over the old bridge in the canyon of deepest doubt. Face your fear and win!

Are You A Penny Pincher?

pennies

in a fountain

goldmine

Are you a penny pincher? If not, you are cheating yourself from a happy financial future. Your success depends on being a strict jailer to the money in your pocket. Do not let the thief escape. Guard him well with these suggestions.

Do not be seduced by products on the market. Crafty merchants will suck the money from your wallet if you listen to their silver tongued promises. Instead, ask yourself if you really need this product or service. Is it a life or death situation? Must you have this item at all costs? Wait a bit, and your money will thank you, as your desire to purchase that must have item diminishes.

Pocket the extra money that you do not spend. Put it in a bank account, a mutual fund, a piggy bank, or anywhere you feel it will be safe. Promise yourself that you will not touch your Golden Horde. As time passes, you will be surprised that the money you put away is slowly growing under your care.

Remember the lesson of this haiku. Pennies will turn into a goldmine with a little frugal decision making. Be a penny pincher. And watch your gold flow in.

Are You Boiling Inside?

a teapot

on the stove

volcano

Do you burn inside? Do the hot waves of anger and resentment boil within you? Will you explode at any moment?

Think of yourself as a teapot. The flames of life burn the water within you, but you must take care not to reach the boiling point. Do not be an exploding volcano that lashes out against others.

Learn to control yourself in stressful situations. Emulate the feel and flow of water. Think of its calming effect--the slow, graceful waves that wash against the shores of the sea.  Be like water and watch yourself turn into a calmer person.

How To Make The Most Of Your Circumstances

cheeseburgers

on silver trays

cooks day off

Life can take surprising turns. One moment, you are doing fine, and then disaster strikes.  This can be devastating. You may lose all hope and feel sorry for yourself.

But it does not have to be this way. Think of the cheeseburger. Many would consider this a fast food meal, something not worthy of attention. And yet, this burger would seem like a taste of heaven to a starving person.

Learn to make the most of your circumstances. Times can be bad, but don't let your grief cloud your judgement. Solutions can be found, and these five suggestions will help guide you to a better understanding of yourself:

1. Do not despair--think calmly and clearly
2. Learn to be grateful for the things you have
3. Understand that life comes in cycles: there will be ups and downs
4. Think positive and be positive
5.  Believe in yourself

 Remember this, and you will not fall into the pit of despair when the cook has his day off. The cheeseburger, once thought of as lowly, will become a trusted friend in your darkest days.

Is There A Worm Lurking In Your Friends And Family?

green and red apples

displayed at the country fair

soon a worm will feed

Look at these apples in the picture. Aren't they beautiful? Notice the shine of the skin--such bright, healthy colors that radiate an aura of vitality. No wonder they are so prized at the country fair.

But what if you look closer? What if you really look down into the core of an apple to see how it is? That under such bright, eye appealing colors, a worm lurks hidden at its core, slowly eating away and corrupting it.

Let us then learn the lesson that the apple teaches. Do not judge on appearances alone, but seek to discover if there is a hidden worm in the heart of a person. Beauty and charm may dazzle the eyes at first sight, but it can burn you if you are caught unaware. Trust your instincts, and let them be your guide in first impressions. So often that uneasy feeling we have when we first meet someone comes true.

 Don't let the worm fool you. Things are always more than skin deep.