The Only Jumping I Do Is For Joy

     There is a monkey, a squirrel and a rat racing up to the top of a coconut tree, which one do you think will get to the bananas first?

     Of the many people asked this question, 98% answered incorrectly, by saying that it was the monkey.  How did you respond?  If you also guessed ~ the monkey ~ reread this blog's title and the question.

     Or did you join me in the 11/2 %, who immediately knew that the question was not valid because bananas do not grow on coconut trees.  The remaining 1/2% of people said one of the other animals.

     Those animal people (not you, of course) jumped to a conclusion before listening to the end.

     One astute woman said, after she learned the correct answer, "I believe that I and all the other people who said the monkey were unconsciously connecting monkeys and bananas.  This is a good illustration of the role that our unconscious mind influences our decision making."  Indeed a wise woman.  Thank you bank teller Kate.

     Many of those 98% people often wonder why their lives take so many unexpected turns, rarely realizing that they had acted or reacted to information that they had not listened or read to the end; they had impatiently jumped to a conclusion before the conclusion.

     Then there are the people who when in conversation with you, rarely allow you to complete even a sentence without interrupting, saying when you complain, "That's all right, I know what you are going to say," then proceed to right angle turn the intent of your thought.

     There is a famous Pennsylvania Dutch (originally "deutsch" German for the word meaning german) sentence, using that language's sentence structure ~ "He threw his mother from the train, ~ ~ the jumpers would have had ~ him ~ arrested and jailed without waiting to learn the whole sentence ~

     "He threw his mother from the train, a kiss."

Get your life's "Kisses"

by avoiding

any conclusion jumping.

Is Your Underwear Harming Your Body?

     This is an important question for both women and men.

     Through many years, the people on South Pacific Islands wore only a wrap-around covering on their lower bodies.

     Europeans learned of this mode of dressing primarily through the paintings of the French painter Paul Gauguin.

     The paintings came to the attention of various Christian clergy, who were horrified at the shameful immodesty of the bare-breasted women; so missionaries were sent forth to convert the people they considered obviously heathen' to the Christian way of religious thinking.

     These Victorian virgins persuaded the converted Christians to cover their breasts with clothing.

     In addition, converts were not to engage in any of the many nifty, enjoyable ways to have sexual intercourse.  The only allowed way was with the woman on her back and the man on top of her, which is why this position has been termed by many people through the years as the missionary position.

     The British started towns along the coast and soon trained, then employed, the "native" women to work for them, thus requiring them to wear European heavy, tight clothes.

     It was an astute British doctor (name unknown) on one of the islands, who made a major medical discovery after observing women with breast cancer, British women and the "native" women both the workers in town and those who did not work.  There had never been any breast cancer among the "native" women, but the rate for the other workers was the same as the British women.

     The wise doctor concluded that the difference was that the women who wore the breast-restrictors were the ones getting breast cancer.  The tightness restricted the necessary circulation in the breasts; but fashion and custom prevailed and the bras became even tighter and breast cancer rates have risen. 

     In these modern times, it is Dr. Oz who repeatedly speaks about the dangers of tight bras.  He stresses the need to at least, remove a bra as soon as one gets home from work or as often as possible.

     Dr. Oz also warns of the dire consequences to a woman of sleeping on her stomach, of wearing a sleep bra and the health hazards of under wired bras.

     The author of a recent book on the many hidden dangers in people's lives currently said that the underwire in bras is nickel, which is toxic, especially near heat.

     Known for many decades is that the healthiest fabric to use for underpants is cotton because it allows air flow, unlike man-made fabrics.  This "breathable" fabric does not hold in body heat, a condition that fosters a variety of unwanted, very uncomfortable infections.

     Many couples wanting to have a baby have been unsuccessful, not because of any problem with the woman, but rather a low sperm count.  Men are advised to avoid hot tubs and hold-in-heat outer pants, especially jeans.

     As the numbers of cases of prostate cancer continue to rise, there is the should-be-obvious connection between that cancer and the advent of slim, tight jeans and tight briefs worn under them.

     Like breasts or any part of the body, the prostate requires good circulation to remain healthy.

     Loose types of underpants, like boxer shorts, are preferable to many types of constricting briefs.

     In the 1990's, at a European Medical conference, the results of a major study proved that many prostate cancers were caused by constrictive clothing.

     Like the harmful wearing of the sleep-bra is the unwise habit of many women, many men sleep in the tight briefs they have worn all day, thus never allowing any freedom of natural movement within any part of that area.  It is better to wear loose pajama pants, but best yet authorities say, is for both men and women are loose night shirts to fully allow for good air and "inner juices" circulation.

     Before deciding whether to pursue fashion or the good health route, talk with or read detailed accounts of people who have those types of cancer.

    ~ Is Your Underwear Harming Your Body? ~

Are You Polite And Respectful To Yourself?

     No doubt you would be surprised or annoyed or dismayed or angry if someone was to say to you ~ "You're stupid," "Idiot," "loser," "you never do anything right," and "no one likes you."

     These are only a few of the dreadful comments typical of what far too many people regularly say to themselves.

     You can not control what others say, but you can control what you say to yourself.

     Regularly said words and phrases are affirmations, and affirmations become reality.

     Do you really want what you have been repeatedly affirming for yourself?

    In my work as a Life Improvement Advisor, one of my clients had two major concerns ~ ~ that she was not as efficient in her work as she had previously been and that people seemed to be avoiding her.

     Knowing that often situations come into being by what is said, I advised Allison, to purchase a small plain black covered note book with a small attached pen, then to start wearing clothes with a pocket into which the note book could hide when not in use, yet readily be available.

     The note book's purpose is so that she can note any phrases that she uses (says or thinks) that contain the word ~ I ~ as well as single derogative words.  (Add the date and time to each entry.)

     "I will do as you suggest," Allison said, "but I don't know how this could possibly solve my problems."

     Just four days later, Allison telephoned to tell me ~ "I wrote the Affirmation you gave me in the front of my new little black note book, I had hardly finished doing so, when I realized what I had just said to myself ~ 'I'll never remember to do this; 'This won't help me.'  Before I even got to the office, I had six entries.  As you advised, I said the affirmation to myself just as I entered, and for the first time, I really heard myself saying all of what you call Lethal Words, my note book is almost filled."

     There are two kinds of Lethal Word/Phrase speakers ~ those who know what they are saying but do not realize the harm of doing so and then the other people like Allison who are unaware of the lethal words they say because they have said them so often that it has become an automatic response.

     It is usually easier to replace or substitute than it is to eliminate, besides in the case of Lethal Words, the damage done needs to be repaired with a strong dose of positive affirmations, such as, 'I am a smart person,' 'I am proud of myself,' 'you did a good job.'

     Do not wait for others to compliment you, inwardly tell yourself complimentary words.

     If you drop something, substitute your usual "Clumsy" with a simple "Whoops" unless there is major damage, then another response is needed, but speaking harshly of yourself will not help the situation in the slightest

     Following my advice, Allison explained to her co-workers what she had learned, asked for their help in discovering the "put down" words she said to herself and apologize to them for having to listen for so long.  In helping her, many of them discovered needed changes in their own vocabulary.

 

I use positive words and phrases

that indicate the fact that

I am always polite and respectful to myself.  

Do You Know The Other Side Of Yourself?

     Look closely at your life, have you always done what is termed "usual."?

     What talents and abilities lie in the never seen deep shadows of your every day life?

     Have you dared to be daring?  Not a risky or dangerous or illegal or immoral type of dare, but rather what might be usual in the lives of other people, just not in yours.

     It is smugly gratifying to do, at least several times in your life, an activity that results in family, friends and even new acquaintances to exclaim in astonishment
"Wow, I can't believe you did that!!!"

     Two, of many, such occurrences in my life were:
     1~  During college, I had the opportunity to learn to milk a cow, although never thought of before.  I joined a Dairy Club, learned how to groom a cow, Debbie, then to show her in a judged Dairy Show;  a unique and enjoyable experience for someone raised in suburbs. 

     2~  Many years later, I regularly taught at a large Adult School, whose brochure listed a multitude of different courses.  At the beginning of each semester, I checked the brochure to see where my courses were listed, in so doing, I kept seeing a course on Belly Dancing.  One such encounter, followed by my usual sarcastic, "Why would any one want to do that?!" brought forth from my Inner Self, the surprising words, "Why not you?"

     "Ridiculous!" replied my every day self.  Upon further thought however, I dared myself to take the course, not telling any one about doing so except Mora, who I convinced to go with me despite her reluctance.  The result, I did poorly, possibly because   I laughed so much at my mirrored reflection, but I learned a basic move that is a good waist thinner.

     However, Mora did so well that the instructor hired her to preform together.  Mora dared to take the course, thus discovered a talent that she had no idea that she possessed.

     After hearing one of my talks, a man laughingly dared himself to take a knitting course, which he expected to be boring, but found it so interesting that he soon became an expert in intricately patterned sweaters of his own design.  This talent led to a small business of individually custom designed and knitted sweaters for people glad to pay well.

     A dare is one you quietly make to yourself, never one put forth by someone else. 

     A true dare is done alone,

     stepping out into an unknown

     to make it an in-known. 

     ~ Find Some Of The Other Sides Of Yourself ~

 

~ Dare To Be Daring ~

Count The Blessings That YOU Have Been To Others

     An often heard, famous quote is ~ "Count your blessings," in other words, all for which one is thankful.

     Equally as important as what comes in to you is what you send or give to others, whether people, places, plants, animals, insects, buildings and all matter of "things."

     In both my office and in personal files I long ago established Pink File folders labeled ~ ~

     ~Nice Letters For Discouraging Days~ 

 

     Recently, while belatedly doing long overdue filing, I encountered many lovely, loving thank you cards to add to my personal Pink File Folder.  Within the folder were numerous others that were out of my current realm of consciousness.

 

     While so engaged, I realized the many merits of everyone having a Pink File that contains letters, cards and notes all thanking for a thoughtful gift or a thoughtful something that had been given or done.

 

     Also, when someone unexpectedly compliments with special words, neatly write it with the date, then put that in the folder.

 

     When reading the contents of my Pink Folder, I found that I was repeatedly saying to myself "That was nice of me," and glad that I had obviously been a blessing to that person. 

 

     A Pink Folder triggers good memories of people and places, always important at any stage of one's life.

 

     'Your Pink Folder is just for you, so keep it in an out-of-the-way place, but do the kindnesses that will generate written thank you's to add to your folder.

 

     ~Count The Blessings That YOU Have Been To Others~

 



Deflecting Questions You Do Not Want To Answer

     "Just because someone asks you a question, does not mean that you have to answer it if you do not want to do so."  advised John Thomas Reid.

     "Most people feel obligated to answer even when they do not like either the question or the person asking the question."

     Of course, there are some legal and medical questions that require an answer, but those are not the annoying ones.

     It was in a supermarket that I overheard a woman standing nearby say to another, "I still can't believe what Betty asked me yesterday, I didn't want to tell her, but what could I do?"

     So I told them John's advice and what she could have done.

     1 ~ Do not answer, instead in a pleasant tone ask a simple question of her.  ~ "Why do you ask?"

     This unexpected response usually results in a flustered response of, "er, a, um, well."

  You can quickly follow that by firmly stating, "Tell me, I really want to know." ~ If you do want to know.

     Or if you have no interest in her reasons because what she asked is none of her business but you still want to maintain a relationship with her.
     2 ~ Change the subject quickly.

     Say something like, "I heard a clever riddle that I know you will appreciate, what stays in one corner but can travel around the world?  I know with your love of travel (if she does) you would like this, the answer is ~ a stamp.  Isn't that clever?"  Then ask her about her vacation, a subject most people enjoy describing.
     3 ~ Leave, just simply say 'I must leave now.'  Then do so, no matter what she says.

                                                               

 

     I was in a store when I encountered a woman who had taken one of my adult school courses several years earlier.  After greetings, she said, "May I ask you a question?"

     "Yes" I answered.

     "How old are you?"

     I told her that I affirmed that all was well in her life.

     She asked "Aren't you going to answer my question?"

     Aha, there is now another question that will often distract from the first one.

     I answered, "No."

     "But I just asked you."

     "You asked if you could ask me a question, to which I said yes you could ask me a question.  You did not ask if I would answer the question that you next asked.

     "Well, will you answer my question?"

     "Which one?" I responded.

     "Oh, never mind, nice to see you." she said as she went on her way.

 

 

You Need Not Answer All The Questions

That You Are Asked

I Am Your Brain, Why Are You Sabotaging Me?

     How would you like it if you had important thoughts and ideas to tell, but you were never given an opportunity to get a sentence or even a word out, before you were drowned, by voices and/or music (usually with words) of others?

     Why do you consider what comes from the brains of other people to be superior to me, your very own wonderful Brain?

     Your lack of respect for my multitude of knowledge and talents is difficult to believe.

     How can you know of the music, the meaningful information for others, the poetry and all the other aspects of me, if you always smother me?

     I need times of quietness, not bombardment.  In quiet times, you can ask me to make known to you your many past lives for you have had them and aspects of some carry over into your current life whether you believe it or not.

     You sleep with a radio turned on, the television is set to act as your alarm clock in the morning and share your breakfast time, before turning it off, you put that dreadful, very harmful to me, 'thing' with the electromagnetic fields, close to me  on one of your ears so that I will not have even a second of time alone with you.

     And so it continues all day, in your car or public transportation, people talking, but never, ever any us-time.

     If you keep insulting me, I will start retreating within, some will term it "memory loss," but there is nothing wrong with my memory, it is the years of being unwanted except for selected duties.

     Soon I will hibernate deep within myself
         where no one will ever be able to find me again ~ but know
              that I, your Brain, tried,
                                  I really tried ~
                                         but you never listened,
                                                           you never ever
                                                                            listened.