Wellness Wednesday - Book Review - "The Secrets of As A Man Thinketh"

"As a Man Thinketh" is a profound that has changed the lives of millions. Adam Mortimer has recorded his thoughts and insights gained over years of using this book with his students.

You will learn ways to improve your life by controlling your thoughts, change your negative belief cycles, improve your circumstances, and alter your subconscious perceptions. You will discover how to improve your sense of harmony and that a change of perspective can change a perceived failure into a success. Mortimer explains that success requires certain steps, and that if we are not willing to follow the "recipe", we won't achieve our goals.

This inspiring volume expands on James Allen's text to provide clarity and additional inspiration. He encourages you to invest 30 days to improve your life and your future. His program will help you improve your financial circumstances, health, spirituality, and relationships.

I highly recommend this volume. It is worth not only reading, but rereading and working through the principles.

You can learn more about this book here and purchase a copy here.

Special Education Saturday - Building Resilience

Everyone faces challenges in their lives. Some problems can be so overwhelming that it seems impossible to survive the disaster.

We can prepare ourselves and our children with special needs to not just survive life's difficulties, but also to thrive.

Let's begin by describing resilience. In short, it's the ability to bounce back from a setback, to recover and move on with our lives.

Steven M Southwick and Dennis S. Charney are medical doctors who have spent considerable time studying resilience in those who have endured horrific trials. Their book, "Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life's Greatest Challenges" has outlined a series of steps anyone can take to improve their coping abilities.

The first tool in your resilience toolbox is to be optimistic. You need more than just a generalized belief that everything will be OK. It can be best summed up in a phrase I've heard a lot lately:

"Everything will be OK in the end. If it's not OK, it's not the end."

Southwick and Charney note that type of optimism includes restating your circumstances, coping through goals, and looking for the meaning behind events.

When you restate your circumstances, you have the opportunity to minimize the catastrophic nature of your situation. It's OK to accept that you are facing a challenge, but try to put in a little global perspective. Will this event matter tomorrow? In a year? In 10 years? Can you accept things as a potential for learning and growth?

Most situations can be bettered through a focus on goals. You can resolve to endure an illness without complaint. Challenges with a child's behavior can be faced with a resolution to collaborate with helpful professionals. The loss of a loved one may be better tolerated if you look to improve relationships with the rest of your family.

Looking for meaning can be done at any point during the trial's process. Seek out lessons to learn, qualities you can develop, or support systems to create. Discovering a meaning behind your obstacle can turn a terrible experience into an opportunity for growth.

How have you managed to remain optimistic despite challenges?

Next week: Ways to increase your optimism.

Wellness Wednesday Book Review Tide Ever Rising by Mandi Tucker Slack

FCC Disclaimer: I was given a free electronic copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

An important part of wellness is taking time for yourself. One of the best ways to do this and escape your problems is to take time out with a good book.

Mandi Tucker Slack has provided us with just that--a compelling story line that pulls you in and keeps you until you reluctantly turn the last page.

About the book:

Kadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns, but when she and her sister, Maysha, stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the author of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte's still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.  

Kadie and Maysha, upon arriving in Washington, are immediately immersed in Adelaide and Charlotte’s story. Kadie soon learns that Charlotte disappeared the night of a tragic fire that took the lives of Adelaide’s entire family. With the help of Logan Mathews, Adelaide’s handsome grandson, and Charlotte’s ever disconcerting presence, Kadie delves into the past. Hoping to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance, Kadie immediately discovers the secrets contained in the journal will toss her and Adelaide’s family into a world filled with mystery, past regrets, and dark unknowns.

I really enjoyed this ghost story with a romantic twist. I had trouble putting this book down. I wanted to learn more about Adelaide's past and Kadie's future. An exciting adventure, interesting character study, and fun read.

This book is appropriate for all ages from middle school up.

Get your own copy of "Tide Ever Rising" here.



Learn more about the author here.

Wellness Wednesday – Truth in Relationships

As you work to build your relationship with your special needs child, or any child, take time to consider the value of honesty. If you consistently choose to demonstrate candor in your communications, your youngster will be motivated to follow your example and be frank with you.

There should be some limits to your veracity, however. Don’t use honesty as an excuse to destroy self-esteem and keep adult business between the parents.

Brutal honesty can brutalize your relationship. Try giving criticism in what I call a “praise sandwich”. For example, if your child did poorly on a school assignment, thank him for being honest about his grades. Then, explain how his performance did not meet your family standard. Finally, recognize something else he has done well in school. This way, the understanding is that the actions were unacceptable, but your son is still loved.

There are some things that should not be shared with children. They don’t need to worry about financial matters. How much you despise your ex-spouse is another piece of information you need to keep to yourself. Find a friend or trusted relative for these types of communications. Let the kids be kids.

Kelly P. Crossing is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas who also does online therapy. She stated, “Dishonesty destroys trust between two people. Without trust there is no connection.” Using appropriate straightforwardness with your offspring will bring you closer together for a lifetime. 

How do you keep your relationships honest? Leave a comment here for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card!
 

Special Education Saturday - "NCAA Eligibility: Resource Guide for Student-Athletes with Educational-Impacting Disabilities" (Book Review)

Publication Date:

Jan 06 2013

ISBN/EAN13:

1463762321 / 9781463762322

Page Count:

62

Binding Type:

US Trade Paper

Trim Size:

6" x 9"

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Related Categories:

Education / Special Education / Learning Disabled

CreateSpace

This guide is not only useful for student-athletes with disabilities, but all college-bound students who may require accommodations in college. This resource contains the following information:

• Definitions of disability terms
• A description of legal protections available for all students with disabilities
• Eligibility rules for NCAA freshman athletes
• Accommodations available for NCAA eligibility
• A data sheet to compute GPA
• Accommodations available for standardized testing
• Keys for success
• How to request accommodations in college
• A list of disability resources
• How to prepare for a disability service interview
• Frequently asked questions

The author, Jeffrey Berk, also included information about how to request accommodations at the college level. Requirements for these considerations both in the classroom and on tests such as the ACT and SAT are also detailed.  

One of the most useful parts of this book is the Keys to Success. The author noted that students must understand their disability and accept responsibility for their own success. The importance of preparatory curriculum, time management skills, and computer abilities was also explained in detail. The author also suggested that supplemental postsecondary education programs be considered. How to research different educational options was covered, as was campus involvement.

Jeffrey Berk has also included several resources. These include a list of disability support offices for a variety of universities across the country. An interview form and answers to questions are also included.

This useful resource will help any student with a disability when planning for higher education, but is vital for those who plan to participate in athletics. 

Wellness Wednesday - Building Relationships with Children and Teens

How are we doing building relationships? Have you been acknowledging others? I know when I've made a special effort to greet people, I've gotten some interesting responses. Everyone seems pleased to be recognized, and many have expressed thanks for my few words.

It's relatively easy to bond with a sweet baby. The closer our youngsters get to middle school age, the more difficult it is to keep that connection, and forge new ones. What can we do?

There are many methods, but we're going to focus on three for this week.

Keep on with the greetings you started last week.

 When your son or daughter has good news to share, whether it's theirs or about a friend, encourage them to talk about it. Ask about where they were when they heard the news, how it felt, who was with them, etc. The more time you spend finding out details, the closer your bond will be. Even if you are inclined to say something negative, wait. That conversation can always take place later.

If there's some bad news, also take the time to listen. Be encouraging without making light of their concerns. Tell her about a difficult time in your life when you dealt with a similar problem. Express your confidence in their abilities, and recall when she overcame a challenge.

Leave a comment for a chance to win the $25 Amazon gift certificate at the end of the month!