The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle

Jim Rohn has been writing and speaking on success for over 40 years. He has been called America's Foremost Business Philosopher. He does not disappoint in his little book, The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle.

For those familiar with Rohn's work the themes and stories in this book will be mostly familiar. Even if you have heard Rohn speak you will benefit from reading this book.

Rohn approaches success through five factors, or pieces of the puzzle. They are Philosophy, Attitude, Activity, Results and Lifestyle.

Jim Rohn's chapter on Philosophy can be summed up in his quote: To have more we must first become more". He teaches that we make our own future. Like many other authors of note he stresses taking responsibility for our lives. He teaches that to have more we must be more. He reminds us to work on ourselves first and foremost to make ourselves more valuable in the market place and to achieve more. He then takes the reader down a road teaching how you can and should improve yourself so you can be more.

In his chapter on Attitude he stresses the importance of our attitude in all things. He teaches the value of being present, of learning from the past, and of applying those lessons to the future. He teaches how to plan for the future building on the lessons learned in Philosophy.

In Activity he tells us that no matter how well we plan and how clever we are if we do not act on our plans no progress can occur. All achievement is the product of our action. He stresses the need for sound planning and discipline.

In Results he discusses the measurement of what we do to learn how to improve on our results. He then discusses the importance of expanding our capacity and improving our results.

In Lifestyle Rohn points out that you do not need to be rich or powerful to enjoy life and live with a touch of class. He gives good examples of this and how to enjoy life without the need for conspicuous consumption.

In his conclusion Rohn discusses the importance of a sense of urgency in what we do. Our time is limited and our opportunities are numbered. He stresses that we must exploit that time and opportunity for once it passes it is lost. He also compares the level of success of those who have a sense of urgency with those who do not.

In these 121 short pages Jim Rohn teaches many of the most important principles of success and achievement. This little book is worth its weight in gold.

1991 Jim Rohn
Dickinson Press Inc.
Southlake, Texas

Daniel R. Murphy -- helping people build wealth through self education and development. For more Free Special Reports and other information leading to personal success and financial independence visit http://www.books2wealth.com.

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Separating From God

If you quit going to church or your place of worship, would you feel like you are separating your self from the congregation, the people that go to church with you, or do you feel like you would actually be separating from God somehow. I believe some people think that God is actually in the church and if they were to quit going to church, they would actually lose a direct link to God. Most people believe what they are told and follow their leaders.

If you're a Christian, can you answer me this, What Church Did Jesus Belonged to? Was he a Catholic, Protestant, evangelical or some other form of Christianity, maybe, just maybe he believed in a different religion altogether. I often wonder if Jesus was a Buddhist or he learned something magical from the Egyptians. It's said that Jesus traveled to other countries, do you think it's possible that he learned some sort of ancient wisdom from a man or woman, instead of being born God.

Is this how he was able to perform the miracles written about after his death?

Jesus supposedly studied the Torah and was considered to be Jewish, but was he really. While Jesus was studying the Torah, did he gain knowledge and wisdom, or was he actually born knowing everything. How can we actually prove that Jesus knew everything?

Does it say anywhere in the New Testament about going to church on Sunday, when Sabbath is actually Friday evening or Friday at sunset to Saturday at sunset. Have you ever thought about why they switched days. The God from the Old Testament seem to get pretty mad if anyone did anything on the Sabbath, which was Saturday. One person decided that it would be better to go to church on Sunday and now we call it the Lord's Day. What really happened to the Sabbath?

It often gets a little more confusing, the more conscious effort you put into educating yourself about your religion and others throughout the world.

People often assume that I have separated from God somehow and could be going to hell, because I write some of these articles. I'm hoping that you will do a little more research about your religion and find your true North, your true direction in life, what it is you are actually here to do. Don't follow the faithful blindly, follow the intelligence willfully.

Life of Jesus

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a self help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Vegan Options at Some Common Restaurant Chains

Finding vegan options when eating out isn't as difficult as it used to be. Many restaurants have recognized the market for vegan food and have added products to their menus to attract this traditionally underserved customer base. If you've had difficulty finding vegan food when you eat out, that's about to change. In this tough economy, restaurants are eager to bring new customers to their establishments, and vegans are high on their radars! Here's where you can find yummy vegan food at the restaurants you know best!

Burger King--The BK Veggie--This vegetarian burger is available at nearly every Burger King. Order it without mayo to make it completely vegan.

McDonalds--TheMcVeggie. This is only available at a select few stores right now, but if you ask your local McDonalds to serve it, chances are they will seriously consider it. Get a bunch of your friends to request it, and it's a virtual shoo-in for the menu!

Denny's--Substitute a vegan Boca burger on any burger dish on the menu.

Subway--Order a veggie sub with no mayo or cheese and get it on whole wheat bread. Be aware, though, that if you're avoiding honey, Subway DOES put honey in their bread dough.

Quiznos--Order a veggie sub without the cheese.

Cheesecake factory-- Order angel hair pasta with garlic and marinara sauce, the eggplant sandwich or the portabello burger. You can also ask for other menu items without cheese to make them vegan.

PF Changs--Order the seasoned tofu lettuce wraps, spring rolls (ask for them without eggs, if possible), coconut curry vegetable plate, as well as any other purely vegetable-based dishes you see on the menu. PF Changs usually has quite a few vegan options for its customers, as do most other Asian restaurants.

For great vegan breakfast recipes that are easy to make and unbelievably delicious, go to the Vegan Breakfast Recipe blog at http://www.veganbreakfastrecipes.com.

African American Grandparenting

African American grandparenting is one of the cornerstones of black culture. When parents are forced to work multiple jobs to make ends meet, the grandparents step in as babysitters and surrogate parents. When the community needs advice, guidance, or comforting words to get them through their difficult days, they turn to the wise words and invaluable experience of their elders. However, increasingly African American grandparenting has meant taking custody of their minor grandchildren when the parent is unable to care for them. There are several reasons a grandparent may choose to do this.

1. They don't want their grandchildren in foster care. If the parents have been arrested or have lost custody, the only options are usually a relative's home or foster care. Foster care tends to be impersonal, and children often are separated from their siblings. This can add to the trauma. Grandparents do their families and their communities a huge service by stepping up to parent the parentless.

2. They want to pass down black culture and traditions. At a time when many black folk are forgetting their roots, African American grandparenting increasingly means being a gatekeeper to the history of this distinguished culture. Grandparents know that they have a lot to offer a child, and their influence has been a huge aid in maintaining the richness of the black community.

3. They feel they didn't raise their own children correctly. This belief, although usually incorrect, leads them to a sense of guilt and a need to correct what they perceive as their mistake. These grandparents often become the most conscientious, generous, and loving caregivers as they do everything possible to give their grandchildren the best of everything.

4. They feel an emotional attachment to their grandchildren. When grandparents function as babysitters and free daycare, they become used to having their grandchildren in their life on a daily basis. If something happens to those grandchildren's parents, the grandparents still want to maintain their bond.

5. They want the very best for their grandchildren, and are sure they are the ones who can give it to them. This is the most common and strongest reason for becoming a grandparent caregiver. It is almost impossible to refuse one's grandchild the love, care and stability they need. Grandparents in the black community have a lot of love to offer their minor grandchildren. This love has the power to make up for any number of misfortunes and separations. Often, this love can single handedly hold a family together in the face of incredible adversity.

Grandparents continue to have a valued role in the black community. African American grandparenting offers the stability and wisdom to maintain black family traditions while training the next generation for education and success. They perform a service in their community that both indispensable and invaluable.

Candis Reade is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about African American Grandparenting, please visit New Grandparenting Today current articles and discussions.

The Miracle of Design

DECORATING WITH SYMBOLS

Throughout history faith, religious beliefs and spiritual concepts have been mistrusted. In many groups, religions and sectors around the world people where unable to profess their faith openly and therefore used symbols in statues, artwork and the likes to serve as a visual reminder of their faith.

Symbols can be used today much in the same way. While beliefs are in the most part no longer persecuted, beliefs can be strengthened through intention. Intention of mind and thoughts. So what does this have to do with miracles? In order to allow the beauty of miracles to surround us we must ensure we keep an open heart, mind and spirit. We must allow ourselves to accept that we are worthy of those miracles and they are within our reach every minute of every day. Symbols can be used to strengthen your resolve and your faith. Symbols can remind you of how blessed you already are and of how deserving you are to be surrounded by miracles.

In Feng Shui symbols are used to strengthen intention and positive energies in areas that have been identified as important sectors for personal growth and the balancing of the energetic rhythms that surround your home.

So where and what type of symbols will help you live in a miraculous state? The answer is different for each and every one of us. Some of us love the beauty and consistency of ancient religious symbols:

The Cross in Christianity, The Menorah in Judaism, The Dharma Wheel in Buddhism, The OM in Hinduism, The Palm in Jainism, The Khanda in Sikh, or the Nine Pointed Star in Baha"i.

For some symbols of angels, fairies and sparkle dust or fat happy Buddha conjures up the miraculous, while for others portraits of their families are the only reminder they need of the miracles in their lives.

Whatever the symbol, place them around your home or office so that each time you look at them they bring joy, bathe you in light and happiness and strengthen your intention to believe in the miraculous that surrounds you!

2008 Fay Chapple

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fay Chapple is an International Feng Shui Expert, award winning Interior Decorator and Life Coach, and is Principal of the award winning Home & Life Design Firm Blue Avalon.

Blue Avalon specializes in Interior Decorating, Feng Shui and Abundant Living. Blue Avalon is the publisher of The Blue Avalon Journal, a monthly e-zine packed with ideas, tips and insider secrets! To subscribe log on to our site at http://www.blueavalon.com and you'll receive a bonus book, The Number One Feng Shui Secret That Will Transform Your Life!

Blue Avalon - "Harmony for your home... Balance for your life!" http://www.blueavalon.com

Feng Shui In Dining Room Arrangement

Furniture designers are paying much attention to make furniture not only practise but also comfortable and beautiful. Also new materials are being used to make furniture look modern. Very popular are unique custom handmade furniture. And as much important as having unique furniture is good arranging them, which might have a great impact on the standard of living, working and also on our mood.

Helpful in doing that might be one of elements of ancient Chinese philosophy of nature and art, Feng Shui.

It focuses on energy called chi. Chinese believes that this force also consider our personal energy. For a well-being chi must be encouraged to flow freely.

Nowadays, Feng Shui is widely known and used as a practise of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony. There are several tips written about arranging space in the office and at home (for example putting beds or dining tables in a right place). A few things to remember when arranging dining room:

There must be special paths for chi to flow freely. For example chi likes smooth rounded surfaces. Rounded edges, softened corners. Mirrors and glass surfaces are helpful as well cause they reflect an energy to other parts of the house. Following this advice, having a tables as a example, it is better to furnish home with oval glass tables, rounded glass dining tables, round coffee table rather than having it rectangular. Also having a wooden one is good.

When arranging the dining room ensure that dining chairs do not restrict doorways. There should be ample space for guests to walk around dining room tables without having to manoeuvre around any other piece of furniture or decoration that might also be in this room as coffee tables, console tables, chairs, vases, sofa tables. There should be an even number of dining chairs and remember to seat an honoured guest facing the doorway.

There are even advices to colors of furniture. A big mistake is having a red sofa set, as red is a color of fire. It is very powerful color for Feng Shui and in this sector it gives rise to heavy work pressure and troubles.

Some people criticize Feng Shui but for some taking its advices it brings a good mood and a great appetite while eating at their dining rooms.

Tom Faulkner - handmade metal furniture and glass furniture.

Help! My Clothes Closet is Stuffed!

My closet is stuffed. What do I do? Most folks at this point would love to go out and buy a closet system. These vary in price and quality. But if you do get one at this point, you are actually putting the cart before the horse. Here's the deal. First you need to sort and clear through your clothes. I mean, it doesn't make any sense to buy storage for clothes you no longer need or use, right? So here are some ideas for this most important part of closet design.

Get rid of clothes that don't fit. Period. Be ruthless. If you've lost weight, get rid of the large clothes (don't give yourself an excuse to "grow back into them.") If you've gained weight, get rid of the "just five pounds away," or "I used to look great in this," or "if only I could wear that again," or whatever other story is attached to those clothes. Our body lives in the present. Those clothes live in the past. It's very important to realize this essential truth.

Get rid of clothes that remind you of bad times. Emotional energy has residue that can stick to you and your clothes. When my father was dying, I rushed to his bedside wearing some very nice work clothes. I stayed with him for 24 hours until he passed. Needless to say, I couldn't bear to look at those clothes again, even though they were perfectly good. Now, that's a dramatic example. But take a look at your clothes. See if any of them remind you of a breakup conversation or a particularly awful family gathering. At the very minimum, take them to the cleaners. Then try them on again - is that residue still present? You may want to let them go.

Get rid of clothes that still have price tags on them. Look at it this way. It used to be that when you bought a new outfit, you were excited to wear it. If you have clothes that still have price tags on them (I'm talking a month or weeks later), chances are you're not excited about them. On sale, too tempting to resist, but wrong color? A great buy if you could lose those five pounds? (See above). A friend said you looked fabulous in it but you weren't quite sure? Those clothes represent unfinished business and they have no right to be in your closet.

Like so many things in our home, closets and the objects within are metaphors for our life. Closets that are stuffed to the gills with things that don't fit create a metaphysical energy that is very draining. Think of clearing clothes from your closets as a form of energy clearing - you're getting rid of old, uncomfortable times that you chose not to experience again. And, that beautiful, open space allows you to dream and vision your true self - not bogged down with the past that doesn't fit but with the present and future that does.

Interested in more ways to clear clutter and gain control of your environment? Get great tips and motivating messages by subscribing to articles from http://www.emptyyournest.com