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“Free yourself from the complexities of your life and the imprisonment of your 
own limiting beliefs. You are enough. Within ourselves we all have the gifts 
and talents we need to fulfill the purpose we’ve been blessed with. At every 
given moment we are absolutely perfect for what is required for our journey. 
YOU ARE ENOUGH! Embrace the power of your truth today. 
Be unapologetically you. Be free. Today is a new day!” 
- Steve Maraboli
Hi, 
Wow, we’re on the third issue of our new magazine and what a terrific response it has been getting! It is so empowering for me to get feedback from people all over the world who are saying “POP” and breaking free from their conditioned routines in exchange for conscious, empowered living. 
There is nothing like the feeling of moving from a mindset of existing to a mindset of living! As with any change in life, 
there is always a tendency, and 
sometimes even a desire, to go back to the way things were. Don’t allow yourself to fall back into that stagnant rut of busy nothingness. You are here to be at your best, to live to the 
fullest, and to love, love, love. 
Updates on the A Better Today front: Our radio show, 
Empowered Living, will be going back to its regular schedule 
of three times per week (when possible) and will begin to 
incorporate guests again as it was before the summer. 
Although I may be a bit more selective about guests, and 
will surely conduct more feedback shows, please feel free to send us guest and/or topic suggestions. 
A Better Today Publishing has been a major focus of our time and energy as we are building a SOLID infrastructure based on the new publishing trends that will surely place ABT Pub amongst the top publishing companies in the future. I am 
excited for ABT Pub as it will be the first publishing company built from the ground up with a business model that favors the artists and provides a transparent moral charter that is 
unparalleled in the publishing world. 
Once again, thank you for subscribing to our magazine! As you read through this month’s issue, please keep in mind that 
this magazine is designed for YOU, so feel free to send us 
feedback of what you would like to read about. Like all 
A Better Today programs and features, this magazine is in a state of refinement and enhancement so please share your ideas and help us make this even more empowering for all. 
Love & Hugs, 
- Steve 
CONTRIBUTORS 
FROM STEVE 
Authors 
David R. Hamilton, PH.D. 
www.DrDavidHamilton.com 
Joe Bailey 
www.joebaileyandassociates.com 
H 
EALTH 
Discovery Health Writers 
www.health.discovery.com 
LIFE 
Scholastic Writers 
www.scholastic.com 
Lisa Oz 
Author of Us: Transforming 
Ourselves and the Relationships That Matter Most 
LayouT 
Camille Charles 
Chamillah Designs 
www.chamillah.com 
Distributed by 
A Better Today 
Publishing 
www.abettertodaypublishing.com 
A BIG Thank You... 
for all listener contributed 
artwork and letters.
“The purpose of life 
is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” - David Viscott 
”Don’t speak to me about your religion; first show it to me in how you treat other people. Don’t tell me how much you love your god; show me in how much you love all his children. Don’t preach to me your 
passion for your faith; teach me through your compassion for your neighbors. In the end, I’m not as interested in what you have to tell or sell as I am in how you choose to live and give.” - Cory Booker 
“People spend a 
lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, 
religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within.” 
-Romana L. Anderson 
“Every day, tell at least one person something you like, admire, or 
appreciate about them.” 
-Richard Carlson 
“Don’t spend your precious time asking ‘ Why isn’t the world a better place?’ It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is ‘How can I make it better?’ To that there is an answer.” 
— Leo Buscaglia
FEATURED AUTHOR Ride the Wave of Kindness 
Your good will can heal the world. 
Teach yourself to see the best in others. 
to see the best in each other. So, as often as you 
can, try to see the best in the person right in front 
of you. See the best in family members, friends, 
work colleagues, people you come into contact 
with throughout the day, people at meetings, 
clients, children, even people you regard as 
enemies and people who have hurt you in the past. 
When you make an effort to see the best in 
others, you help bring it out in them. I used to 
be an athletics coach and I could only bring out 
the best in the athletes when I made an effort to 
recognize their uniqueness. When I saw it, I could 
point it out to them. So it became more obvious 
and they were able to develop it. And they felt 
great because I had complimented them. It works 
the same way with qualities of character. 
If someone told you that you were a generous 
person, for instance, you would probably think to 
yourself, Hey, I am a generous person, and with that 
By David R. Hamilton, PH.D. 
WE HAVE AN AMAZING CAPACITY 
thought foremost in your mind you would prob-ably 
go through your day being even more gener-ous 
than normal and touching many lives along 
the way. Pointing out great qualities in people can 
change the world. 
To start with, you could notice, for example, that 
someone occasionally showed kindness. Then you 
could try to let that be how you defined them in 
the future. You might say, “Oh, there goes that 
kind person” instead of “There goes so and so.” 
Sometimes it might be difficult to see something 
positive in a person’s behavior because circum-stances 
have influenced some people so much that 
the positive part of them is buried. You can look 
for it. Help them to find it. 
The actor David Hayman, a dear friend of mine, 
once said to me, while describing someone who 
brought lots of conflict into the room with him, 
Continued on the next page...
“He’s an angel of God—cleverly disguised as an 
ass.” So, which part of a person are you willing 
to see? The part you focus on is the part you will 
then see most and will tease out of them. 
Genuine kindness carries extraordinary power. 
This is where you have nothing to gain from 
being kind and only wish to help. It is different 
from acting in order to gain something else. Of 
course, it is not wrong to be aware that you will 
gain something from a kind act, because there 
will always be a gain for you. You cannot avoid 
that. You get back what you give out in one form 
or another. So if you give out kindness, you will 
receive kindness in some way. In fact, you receive 
the moment you give. Don’t you feel great when 
you help someone? 
But the real point is to be kind not in order to get 
something back but from a genuine heartfelt wish to 
help. Then your act carries much more weight. As my 
mom always tells me, “It’s the thought that counts.” 
In the Bible it is written: 
“I may speak with the words of men and of angels, 
but if I have not love I am but a resounding gong 
or a clanging cymbal.” I Corinthians 13 
To do something from a space of love carries 
real power. So examine your motivation! 
Anonymous acts of kindness can also have a huge 
impact. There was a time, a few years ago, when I 
was extremely short of money. One day I 
received an envelope in the post containing £20 
(approximately $41). There was no name or 
address, only a small piece of paper with the 
words: “God bless.” Whoever sent it knew of my 
situation but had no need for me to know of their 
kindness. They only wanted to help. 
That £20 was like a lottery win to me, and it 
meant more and stretched further because of the 
love that came with it. The spirit of the gift was 
far more important to me than its monetary value. 
So it is with your genuinely kind thoughts, words, 
and actions. The spirit of your intentions carries 
the power. 
The power to change the world is in you. It’s in 
your ability to choose and your courage to 
follow through on your choices. All you need to 
do is choose to be kind, and you might just inspire 
others to do the same. A wave of kindness can be 
magical! 
David R. Hamilton acquired an honors degree in biological and medicinal chemistry, and a Ph.D. 
in organic chemistry before working as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry for several years. 
He left the pharmaceutical industry and athletics coaching in 1999 and returned to Scotland as a 
motivational speaker. Visit: www.DrDavidHamilton.com. 
About the Author:
Dare To Be 
When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully. 
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light. 
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it. 
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway. 
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back. 
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some. 
When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going. 
When times are tough, dare to be tougher. 
When love hurts you, dare to love again. 
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal. 
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way. 
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand. 
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile. 
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too. 
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best. 
Dare to be the best you can – 
At all times, Dare to be! 
© Steve Maraboli From the Book, “Life, The Truth, and Being Free” 
“With one kind gesture you can change a life. One person at a time you can change the world. One day 
at a time we can change everything.” 
-Steve Maraboli
FEATURED AUTHOR 
in our true Selves keeps us in a state of profound 
presence and awareness. Being grounded means 
that we are actually living from the true Self—not 
just believing that it is a good idea. We are 
congruent with our Being. We are an embodiment 
of the truth of who we are. This security in who 
we are is like a tree whose roots are firmly planted 
in the ground, able to withstand strong winds of 
adversity. It keeps us from entering other persons’ 
“reality” and taking on the resulting feelings of fear 
and anxiety they are experiencing. Staying 
grounded in our true Selves prevents us from 
triggering our own thought system similarities to 
the other person’s thoughts and commiserating 
with their predicament. Instead, we relate to their 
By Joe Bailey 
innate Spirit that has the power to transcend the 
situation and see solutions. 
When a child is frightened by the dark, the 
natural parental response is to reassure the child, 
hold them with affection, and remain calm while 
they are upset. Most parents don’t take on their 
child’s irrational fears. Over time the child will 
lose his fear of the dark through persistent, calm 
reassurance from his parents. 
This same principle applies to adult situations. For 
many years I worked with hospitals and clinics to 
teach health care professionals how to remain calm 
Continued on the next page... 
Staying Grounded 
Stay Grounded in 
Presence and Being 
(from Fearproof Your Life)
with patients who were extremely emotional or in 
life-threatening situations. I taught these 
professionals how to “be with” the person in pain 
by listening deeply to them, feeling compassion, 
and then doing their jobs (mending a wound, 
performing a surgery, administering medication). 
Over the course of time, the level of staff burnout 
and stress decreased significantly while patient 
satisfaction reports went up dramatically. Of 
course, the hospital always intended to be a caring 
institution, but under extreme stress the staff had 
lost their bearings (grounding). From that 
negative state of mind, the staff ignored their 
patients, became calloused, quit listening, and lost 
most of their compassion. Because they judged 
their patients and took their emotional states 
personally, the staff had no immunity from patients’ 
negativity. They suffered from what is now a 
popular term in medical circles—“compassion 
fatigue.” By empowering themselves through 
understanding how they and everyone else creates 
their experience via their thinking, they were able 
to return to the caring people they had been before 
they became burned out. 
The staff at the hospital I worked with also 
became immune to other staff members’ 
negativity. They discovered how not to get caught 
up in the gossip that was always flying around 
the conference rooms. By remaining in their true 
Selves, they were able to listen compassionately 
to their coworkers. They also knew when to 
walk away and not participate in the gossip and 
fearful projections so common in these types of 
institutions. The entire culture shifted from one 
of negativity, stress, and anger to one of calm, 
caring, and compassion. 
Like the hospital personnel, we have the 
ability to be with others who are in a state of fear 
or other negative emotional states and not catch 
their “mental flu.” Remaining grounded in our 
true Selves allows us to listen deeply and feel com-passion 
when we are with others who are in pain 
without sacrificing our healthy state of balance. 
Joe Bailey’s life purpose is to help people find true happiness and peace of mind. Towards this end, he 
studied psychology at the undergraduate and graduate levels, eventually becoming a licensed psychologist. 
For the past thirty years, Joe’s desire to understand the connection between the psychological, physical 
and spiritual facets of human beings has pulled him into a deeper understanding of the whole person and 
away from the current fragmented view. His search led to a health-based approach to counseling, 
prevention programs, workplace wellness and the attainment of a personal life of peace, joy and 
fulfillment for all people. www.joebaileyandassociates.com 
About the Author:
6 Listener Contributed Artwork.6
owadays, our busy schedules make it hard to find time to take care of ourselves by 
eating healthfully and exercising. We consulted nutrition, health and fitness experts 
to come up with seven simple steps to take for better health. Our tips keep hectic lifestyles in 
mind and promote the two basics of a healthy diet: balance and variety. You can find more 
information like this in the book, Great Adventures in Food (St. Martin’s Press, 2000), by 
FoodFit founder and CEO Ellen Haas. 
HEALTH SECTION 
N 
1: Breakfast is a 
habit to cultivate 
Yogurt with fruit is a 
breakfast option full of 
calcium and antioxidants. 
Research shows that 
breakfast-eaters 
consume fewer calories at 
lunch and dinner and are less likely to snack 
compulsively the rest of the day. What you 
have for breakfast matters. A study found 
that people who kicked off the day with eggs 
or pastries ate more saturated fat throughout 
the day than people who had cereal and fruit 
for breakfast. 
• A breakfast that’s high in fiber and 
carbohydrates but low in fat gets your 
metabolism moving faster. Breakfast skippers 
burn fewer calories. 
• Good grab-and-go breakfasts are a banana 
or a bag of dry cereal such as oat squares 
(oats lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels). 
• Mix berries into plain yogurt for a calcium and 
antioxidant boost. 
Continued on the next page... 
7 Step Plan for 
Healthy Living 
by Ann Coulston, Jane Folkman, Rachel Johnson, 
Richard Cotton and Carol Krucoff 
(From Discovery Fit & Health)
• If you’re opting for an energy bar, check the 
label carefully and pick the one with the least calories and saturated fat 
2: Think “portion 
control” — size it up! 
A serving of meat, fish or poultry is equal to a deck of playing cards. 
Don’t feel you have to clean your plate when you’re eating out. Most meals are a lot larger than the average adult requires. Try splitting dinner with a friend. There are so many healthy advantages to eating a balanced diet featuring plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. So make sure you eat enough of them. Remember: 
• A serving of meat is about the size of a deck 
of cards or your palm. 
• Be sure to read the food label. Many snacks 
are sold as single servings but actually 
provide two servings or more, like a bag of 
pretzels. 
• Substitute one or two “first course” dishes for 
the main; you’ll get a variety of tastes without 
huge portions. 
• Water works. Drinks lots of it at the table to 
slow eating and hunger. 
The American Institute of Cancer Research, one of FoodFit’s resource associations, has more information on portion control. 
3: Plan ahead 
for snacks 
Sliced fruit is a healthy snack. 
Snacking isn’t a bad habit if you’re mindful of how many calories you’re eating. (Keep a food and exercise diary to stay on track 
and stay honest.) In fact, eating frequently instead of waiting until you’re ravenous might help you avoid overeating. It also keeps blood sugar levels normal and 
brain chemistry in balance. 
• Have a corner in the fridge reserved for 
good-for-you nibbles. Wash some carrots or 
celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, peppers, 
shelled peas, strawberries and blueberries 
and place them in airtight see-through con 
tainers or plastic bags. 
• Put some cut-up veggies or sliced fruit on the 
table to help you through those starving 
moments just before dinner is ready. 
• Snack only when you’re hungry; it’s not the 
cure for a glum mood. 
4: Small changes make 
a big difference — to 
your waistline 
Cupcakes don’t have to be a bad thing, just choose lower-fat versions. 
Continued on the next page...
Choose low fat. Switching to 1 percent or skim milk from 2 percent slashes the fat by at least half. Eat your fruit instead of drinking it. You’ll get more fiber and antioxidants and fewer 
calories (an orange has 90 calories and an 8-ounce glass of orange juice has 110 calories). Other changes that make a difference: 
• Knock the word “club” off your sandwich, i.e., 
drop the bacon, cheese and extra bread. Go 
for mustard to add flavor and save calories 
and fat. 
• Hold the butter on your movie popcorn and 
you’ll save over 200 calories. 
• An English muffin is usually half the calories 
of an average bagel and they’re remarkably 
low in fat, too. 
• Switch to water from sugary sodas 
5: Fit fitness in throughout the day 
You don’t have to be a runner to stretch — try stretching while talking on the phone. 
Lifestyle activities can provide health benefits similar to a traditional gym-based workout. Get moving by parking in the farthest space, 
climbing the stairs instead of taking the 
elevator, or walking or stretching while you’re 
on the phone. 
• The goal for good health is to accumulate 
10,000 steps a day, experts say. To help keep 
track, some people use an electronic 
pedometer — a palm-sized gadget that clips 
to your waistband and measures the number 
of steps you take. 
• Balance on one foot while brushing your 
teeth. Balance on the other foot while 
combing your hair. 
• Take your dog for a walk every day. If you 
don’t have a dog, borrow your neighbor’s, or 
just walk your “inner dog.” 
6: Remember the basics of good nutrition 
For a healthier diet, consume a variety of healthy foods. 
There are three “rules” for healthy eating. They’re easy to remember and easy to follow. 
• Expand the variety of foods in your diet. 
• Add more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to the foods you already eat. 
• Select more lower-fat food choices. 
7: Treat yourself 
Yoga can exercise the body and quiet the mind. Pick a day or two in the week and have a treat that is planned, such as a dessert or entrée that you especially enjoy. The extra 100-200 calories you’ve eaten will then be easily burned off with a 1-2 mile walk. Other ideas include: 
• Challenge yourself with a 5K run or walk. 
• Treat yourself to a massage. 
• Try meditating, yoga or an old-fashioned nap. 
• Take care of yourself as often as you can. 
Copyright The FoodFit Company All Rights Reserved
Letters from 
A Better Today 
Community 
Hello, 
Thank you for sharing your ideas 
about religion and life. It is difficult to 
find a person who will be honest about 
those topics, which makes dealing 
with our own feelings overwhelming 
sometimes. Hearing you speak your 
mind and share your truth helps me 
deal with mine. I am grateful. 
Delilah P. 
Portland, Oregon 
Steve, 
Thanks for this magazine and for your 
helpful radio show! You have really 
good advice about relationships, but 
can you talk more about dating for 
those of us who aren’t in deep 
relationships yet? I trust your advice 
and look forward to hearing more. 
Lee K. 
Camden, New Jersey 
Super Duper Guru Steve, 
Hehehe! I love how you make such 
sense (and non-sense) of our chasing 
“gurus”. Steve, you are a breath of 
fresh air for me and I’m sure for many 
others. Your words are wise and 
practical and I appreciate the time 
you take and effort you make to share 
your life with all of us. Please don’t 
ever stop shining your light! 
Darla F. 
St. Louis, Missouri 
Mr. Steve, 
I got my whole school listening to you 
Steve. Your words are what we need 
these days of bad role models. I wish 
you could come to my school and 
address the senior class. Is this 
possible? Thanks for being such a 
great role model to so many people! 
Alberto R. 
Bronx, NY 
(note: Steve has contacted the school and 
will be speaking there this year)
nfortunately, teasing is often part of growing up — almost every child experiences it. But 
it isn’t always as innocuous as it seems. Words can cause pain. Teasing becomes bullying when it is 
repetitive or when there is a conscious intent to hurt another child. It can be verbal bullying (making 
threats, name-calling), psychological bullying (excluding children, spreading rumors), or physical 
bullying (hitting, pushing, taking a child’s possessions). 
Bullying and Teasing: 
No Laughing Matter 
LIFE SECTION 
U 
How Bullying Starts 
Bullying behavior is prevalent throughout the world 
and it cuts across socio-economic, racial/ethnic, and 
cultural lines. Researchers estimate that 20 to 30 
percent of school-age children are involved in 
bullying incidents, as either perpetrators or victims. 
Bullying can begin as early as preschool and 
intensify during transitional stages, such as starting 
school in 1st grade or going into middle school. 
Victims of bullying are often shy and tend to be 
physically weaker than their peers. They may also 
have low self-esteem and poor social skills, which 
makes it hard for them to stand up for themselves. 
Bullies consider these children safe targets because 
they usually don’t retaliate. 
Effects of Bullying 
If your child is the victim of bullying, he may suffer 
physically and emotionally, and his schoolwork will 
likely show it. Grades drop because, instead of 
listening to the teacher, kids are wondering what 
they did wrong and whether anyone will sit with 
them at lunch. If bullying persists, they may be 
afraid to go to school. Problems with low self-esteem 
and depression can last into adulthood and interfere 
with personal and professional lives. 
Bullies are affected too, even into adulthood; they 
may have difficulty forming positive relationships. 
They are more apt to use tobacco and alcohol, and 
to be abusive spouses. Some studies have even 
found a correlation with later criminal activities. 
Warning Signs 
If you’re concerned that your child is a victim of 
teasing or bullying, look for these signs of stress: 
• Increased passivity or withdrawal 
• Frequent crying 
Continued on the next page... 
Bullying: Know the facts about bullying, even 
if you don’t think bullying affects your child.
• Recurrent complaints of physical symptoms 
such as stomach-aches or headaches with no 
apparent cause 
• Unexplained bruises 
• Sudden drop in grades or other learning problems 
• Not wanting to go to school 
• Significant changes in social life — suddenly no 
one is calling or extending invitations 
• Sudden change in the way your child talks — 
calling herself a loser, or a former friend a jerk 
How to Help 
First, give your child space to talk. If she recounts 
incidences of teasing or bullying, be empathetic. If 
your child has trouble verbalizing her feelings, read 
a story about children being teased or bullied. You 
can also use puppets, dolls, or stuffed animals to 
encourage a young child to act out problems. 
Once you’ve opened the door, help your child begin 
to problem-solve. Role-play situations and teach 
your child ways to respond. You might also need 
to help your child find a way to move on by 
encouraging her to reach out and make new 
friends. She might join teams and school clubs to 
widen her circle. 
At home and on the playground: 
Adults need to intervene to help children resolve 
bullying issues, but calling another parent directly 
can be tricky unless he or she is a close friend. It is 
easy to find yourself in a “he said/she said” 
argument. Try to find an intermediary: even if the 
bullying occurs outside of school, a teacher, coun-selor, 
coach, or after-school program director may 
be able to help mediate a productive discussion. 
If you do find yourself talking directly to the other 
parent, try to do it in person rather than over the 
phone. Don’t begin with an angry recounting of the 
other child’s offenses. Set the stage for a 
collaborative approach by suggesting going to the 
playground, or walking the children to school 
together, to observe interactions and jointly express 
disapproval for any unacceptable behavior. 
At school: 
Many schools (sometimes as part of a statewide 
effort) have programs especially designed to raise 
awareness of bullying behavior and to help parents 
and teachers deal effectively with it. Check with your 
local school district to see if it has such a program. 
Schools and parents can work effectively behind the 
scenes to help a child meet and make new friends 
via study groups or science-lab partnerships. If you 
are concerned about your child: 
• Share with the teacher what your child has told 
you; describe any teasing or bullying you may 
have witnessed. 
• Ask the teacher if she sees similar behavior at 
school, and enlist her help in finding ways to solve 
the problem. 
• If she hasn’t seen any instances of teasing, ask 
that she keep an eye out for the behavior you 
described. 
• If the teacher says your child is being teased, find 
out whether there are any things he may be doing 
in class to attract teasing. Ask how he responds to 
the teasing, and discuss helping him develop a 
more effective response. 
• After the initial conversation, be sure to make a 
follow-up appointment to discuss how things are 
going. 
• If the problem persists, or the teacher ignores 
your concerns, and your child starts to withdraw 
or not want to go to school, consider the 
possibility of “therapeutic intervention.” Ask to 
meet with the school counselor or psychologist, 
or request a referral to the appropriate school 
professional. 
Written by the Scholastic. 
© http://www.scholastic.com
Let today be the day… You embrace the truth that you DO have such control 
to label every event in your life and create an agreement with reality that 
empowers you and propels you to greatness. 
Small Gestures That 
Make a BIG Difference 
Gesture #10 — Randomly drop some friendly or 
inspirational cards in the mailboxes of your neighbors. 
Gesture #54 — Clip coupons for products you don’t use, 
and “plant” them in the grocery store where those products are displayed. Someone will be delighted to find them! 
Gesture #105 — Take a moment to compliment someone on their appearance. Most people spend time in front of their mirror negatively judging themselves. Your compliment could really lift their day. 
Gesture #308 — When grocery shopping, always buy an extra can of tuna, box of pasta, jar of peanut butter, or other dry, canned, or jarred food, and donate them to a local shelter. 
(from “The Power Of One”) 
Philosophy In Action 
How would your life be different if… 
You could control the outcome of your day, your week, your year?
or one week, reserve a block of time each day to connect with the people who mean 
the most to you — your family. From Lisa Oz, author of Us: Transforming Ourselves and the 
Relationships That Matter Most. 
Great Family 
Bonding Activities 
LIFE SECTION 
F 
Day 1. 
Have family breakfast together. If you or your 
spouse normally leaves before everyone else, 
let your boss know you will be running a little 
late. Sit down at the table, and before you eat, 
take a moment to express gratitude that you are 
a family. 
Day 2. 
Have family date night. Do something fun all 
together. Go to dinner or bowling or miniature 
golf. Or just stay home and play board games. 
Try to avoid things like movies or TV. This 
activity is about bonding, and when you are 
watching something, you can’t really speak to 
each other. 
Day 3. 
Make a family values document. Get together 
for half an hour and brainstorm a list of the 
things that are important to you and your loved 
ones. For our family these things are telling 
the truth, saying you’re sorry, letting go of 
resentment, being considerate of other people’s 
feelings, and sharing whatever you have. Make 
sure that yours are personally meaningful for 
each member of your family, then have 
everyone sign it as a covenant that you will 
all strive to live by. 
Continued on the next page...
Day 4. 
Take an evening to revisit old family 
memories. Watch home videos of when the 
kids were little or peruse photo albums. Have 
the children talk about their favorite birthdays 
or vacations and tell them stories of when you 
were little. 
Day 5. 
Have the kids write down what they will be like 
as parents. If they’re too little to write, let them 
dictate to you. Encourage them to list the ways 
they will be similar to you in discipline style and 
how they will be different. You’ll probably get 
lots of “I’ll let my kids stay up as late as they 
want and watch TV all day,” but there may also 
be some “I won’t yell at them when they forget 
to pick up their toys.” Look for things you could 
change in your own parenting approach based 
on your child’s perceptions. 
Day 6. 
Schedule a date for an extended family party or 
picnic. Invite as many uncles, great-aunts, and 
cousins as you can remember. Have everybody 
bring a dish (with a printout of the recipe) 
and volunteer to assemble, photocopy, and 
disseminate your family’s personal heirloom 
cookbook. Also, bring a stack of poster board 
and markers and have everyone contribute to 
filling in the family tree. 
Day 7. 
Make a decision to do something as a group 
that will benefit people beyond your immediate 
family. You can volunteer your time at charities 
like local soup kitchens (I have found a few 
in New York that allow older children to 
participate) or make something together that 
you can donate at a school fundraiser. My 
kids really enjoy taking flowers to the nearby 
retirement home and spending time with the 
residents. You can also set aside some money 
each month and determine as a family where 
you will give it. We let each child have a set 
amount specifically allocated to their own 
favorite foundations. For example, with the 
Oz kids, Oliver tends to prefer organizations 
that seek to preserve the environment or 
support the troops overseas, while Arabella 
wants to help orphans. Discover what matters 
to your family and get involved. 
LISA Oz is a housewife living in New Jersey. 
She also moonlights as a writer, producer 
and entrepreneur. With her husband, Dr. 
Mehmet Oz, she has raised four children, 
coauthored five New York Times best-selling 
books, including YOU: The Owner’s Manual 
series, and cohosted a daily radio show on 
Sirius/XM, yet is somehow unable to 
organize her closet or stick to a diet.
What Most People 
Don’t Know 
OTALLY unassociated with the honeymoon ;-) … Most 
people are familiar with the tiny pill that boasts of big 
results, Viagra. But what most people don’t know is that 
Viagra was originally developed and marketed as a pill to 
help with blood pressure issues and hypertension. It failed 
to catch market interest and the developers were ready to 
give up on the drug until they noticed a common “side 
effect”. Viagra was then repackaged and marketed 
with this “side effect” being its primary use. 
ost people know about weddings and the beautiful time that follows known as the 
“honeymoon”. The bliss of the honeymoon stage has been well understood and has 
even crossed into other parts of our culture when referencing a grace period. But what most people 
don’t know is where this “honeymoon” idea originated. Long before the expensive trips and relax-ing 
vacations for a happily married couple, it was the accepted practice in Babylonia 4,000 years 
ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride’s father would supply his son-in-law with all the 
mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer, and because their calendar was lunar based, this period 
was called the “honey month” or what would gradually transition into what we know today as the 
“honeymoon”. 
M 
T 
KNOWLEDGE 
SECTION 
“The word ‘seek’ is a 
verb. Are you treating it 
as such in your life? 
If you seek change, 
success, or love, DO it - 
BE it!” - Steve Maraboli 
“Become the leader of your life. 
Lead yourself to where you want to 
be. Breathe life back into your 
ambitions, your desires, your goals, 
your relationships.” 
-S teve Maraboli 
ay What?!?... Most people have heard and 
maybe even used the expression, “the rule 
of thumb”, when discussing the general rules of a 
situation or project. But what most people don’t 
know is that this expressing came from an obscure 
law passed in the 1400’s. This law stated that a 
man was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick 
thicker than his thumb. Hence, we have “the rule 
of thumb.” 
S
Laugh 
(Submitted by Listeners From Around the World) 
Do not argue with an idiot. 
He will drag you down to 
his level and beat you 
with experience. 
The sole purpose of a 
child’s middle name, is 
so he can tell when he’s 
really in trouble. 
, , 
I couldn’t repair my brakes, so I made 
the horn louder. 
What are people thinking?... 
During a recent password audit, it was 
found that one of our employees was 
using the following password: 
MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouie 
DeweyDonaldGoofy 
When asked why such a big password, 
he said he was told it had to be at 
least 8 characters long. 
I intend to 
live forever 
— so far 
so good. 
I want to die peacefully 
in my sleep, like my 
grandfather.. Not 
screaming and yelling 
like the passengers 
in his car. 
Right now I’m 
having amnesia 
and deja vu at the 
same time — I 
think I’ve forgotten 
this before.
Listen live or download from our amazing archive 
library 100% free: www.empoweredlivingradio.com 
“Steve Maraboli is the real thing! If you want down to Earth, 
practical advice and discussion about how to energize and 
enlighten your life, check out Steve’s show.” 
- James Redfield, The Celestine Prophecy 
“Steve Maraboli is amazing and genuine! He offers exactly 
what people need to wake up, free themselves of their 
imagined burdens, and live a life of joy and success.” 
- Byron Katie, 
A Thousand Names for Joy 
“Simply remarkable! Steve Maraboli shares potent 
strategies and breakthrough philosophies that will 
undoubtedly boost all aspects of your life.” 
- Mark Riley, New York Times 
“Steve takes you from just existing to truly living!” 
- Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements

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" A better today " magazine.

  • 1. “Free yourself from the complexities of your life and the imprisonment of your own limiting beliefs. You are enough. Within ourselves we all have the gifts and talents we need to fulfill the purpose we’ve been blessed with. At every given moment we are absolutely perfect for what is required for our journey. YOU ARE ENOUGH! Embrace the power of your truth today. Be unapologetically you. Be free. Today is a new day!” - Steve Maraboli
  • 2. Hi, Wow, we’re on the third issue of our new magazine and what a terrific response it has been getting! It is so empowering for me to get feedback from people all over the world who are saying “POP” and breaking free from their conditioned routines in exchange for conscious, empowered living. There is nothing like the feeling of moving from a mindset of existing to a mindset of living! As with any change in life, there is always a tendency, and sometimes even a desire, to go back to the way things were. Don’t allow yourself to fall back into that stagnant rut of busy nothingness. You are here to be at your best, to live to the fullest, and to love, love, love. Updates on the A Better Today front: Our radio show, Empowered Living, will be going back to its regular schedule of three times per week (when possible) and will begin to incorporate guests again as it was before the summer. Although I may be a bit more selective about guests, and will surely conduct more feedback shows, please feel free to send us guest and/or topic suggestions. A Better Today Publishing has been a major focus of our time and energy as we are building a SOLID infrastructure based on the new publishing trends that will surely place ABT Pub amongst the top publishing companies in the future. I am excited for ABT Pub as it will be the first publishing company built from the ground up with a business model that favors the artists and provides a transparent moral charter that is unparalleled in the publishing world. Once again, thank you for subscribing to our magazine! As you read through this month’s issue, please keep in mind that this magazine is designed for YOU, so feel free to send us feedback of what you would like to read about. Like all A Better Today programs and features, this magazine is in a state of refinement and enhancement so please share your ideas and help us make this even more empowering for all. Love & Hugs, - Steve CONTRIBUTORS FROM STEVE Authors David R. Hamilton, PH.D. www.DrDavidHamilton.com Joe Bailey www.joebaileyandassociates.com H EALTH Discovery Health Writers www.health.discovery.com LIFE Scholastic Writers www.scholastic.com Lisa Oz Author of Us: Transforming Ourselves and the Relationships That Matter Most LayouT Camille Charles Chamillah Designs www.chamillah.com Distributed by A Better Today Publishing www.abettertodaypublishing.com A BIG Thank You... for all listener contributed artwork and letters.
  • 3. “The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” - David Viscott ”Don’t speak to me about your religion; first show it to me in how you treat other people. Don’t tell me how much you love your god; show me in how much you love all his children. Don’t preach to me your passion for your faith; teach me through your compassion for your neighbors. In the end, I’m not as interested in what you have to tell or sell as I am in how you choose to live and give.” - Cory Booker “People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within.” -Romana L. Anderson “Every day, tell at least one person something you like, admire, or appreciate about them.” -Richard Carlson “Don’t spend your precious time asking ‘ Why isn’t the world a better place?’ It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is ‘How can I make it better?’ To that there is an answer.” — Leo Buscaglia
  • 4. FEATURED AUTHOR Ride the Wave of Kindness Your good will can heal the world. Teach yourself to see the best in others. to see the best in each other. So, as often as you can, try to see the best in the person right in front of you. See the best in family members, friends, work colleagues, people you come into contact with throughout the day, people at meetings, clients, children, even people you regard as enemies and people who have hurt you in the past. When you make an effort to see the best in others, you help bring it out in them. I used to be an athletics coach and I could only bring out the best in the athletes when I made an effort to recognize their uniqueness. When I saw it, I could point it out to them. So it became more obvious and they were able to develop it. And they felt great because I had complimented them. It works the same way with qualities of character. If someone told you that you were a generous person, for instance, you would probably think to yourself, Hey, I am a generous person, and with that By David R. Hamilton, PH.D. WE HAVE AN AMAZING CAPACITY thought foremost in your mind you would prob-ably go through your day being even more gener-ous than normal and touching many lives along the way. Pointing out great qualities in people can change the world. To start with, you could notice, for example, that someone occasionally showed kindness. Then you could try to let that be how you defined them in the future. You might say, “Oh, there goes that kind person” instead of “There goes so and so.” Sometimes it might be difficult to see something positive in a person’s behavior because circum-stances have influenced some people so much that the positive part of them is buried. You can look for it. Help them to find it. The actor David Hayman, a dear friend of mine, once said to me, while describing someone who brought lots of conflict into the room with him, Continued on the next page...
  • 5. “He’s an angel of God—cleverly disguised as an ass.” So, which part of a person are you willing to see? The part you focus on is the part you will then see most and will tease out of them. Genuine kindness carries extraordinary power. This is where you have nothing to gain from being kind and only wish to help. It is different from acting in order to gain something else. Of course, it is not wrong to be aware that you will gain something from a kind act, because there will always be a gain for you. You cannot avoid that. You get back what you give out in one form or another. So if you give out kindness, you will receive kindness in some way. In fact, you receive the moment you give. Don’t you feel great when you help someone? But the real point is to be kind not in order to get something back but from a genuine heartfelt wish to help. Then your act carries much more weight. As my mom always tells me, “It’s the thought that counts.” In the Bible it is written: “I may speak with the words of men and of angels, but if I have not love I am but a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” I Corinthians 13 To do something from a space of love carries real power. So examine your motivation! Anonymous acts of kindness can also have a huge impact. There was a time, a few years ago, when I was extremely short of money. One day I received an envelope in the post containing £20 (approximately $41). There was no name or address, only a small piece of paper with the words: “God bless.” Whoever sent it knew of my situation but had no need for me to know of their kindness. They only wanted to help. That £20 was like a lottery win to me, and it meant more and stretched further because of the love that came with it. The spirit of the gift was far more important to me than its monetary value. So it is with your genuinely kind thoughts, words, and actions. The spirit of your intentions carries the power. The power to change the world is in you. It’s in your ability to choose and your courage to follow through on your choices. All you need to do is choose to be kind, and you might just inspire others to do the same. A wave of kindness can be magical! David R. Hamilton acquired an honors degree in biological and medicinal chemistry, and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry before working as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry for several years. He left the pharmaceutical industry and athletics coaching in 1999 and returned to Scotland as a motivational speaker. Visit: www.DrDavidHamilton.com. About the Author:
  • 6. Dare To Be When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully. When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light. When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it. When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway. When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back. When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some. When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going. When times are tough, dare to be tougher. When love hurts you, dare to love again. When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal. When another is lost, dare to help them find the way. When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand. When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile. When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too. When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best. Dare to be the best you can – At all times, Dare to be! © Steve Maraboli From the Book, “Life, The Truth, and Being Free” “With one kind gesture you can change a life. One person at a time you can change the world. One day at a time we can change everything.” -Steve Maraboli
  • 7. FEATURED AUTHOR in our true Selves keeps us in a state of profound presence and awareness. Being grounded means that we are actually living from the true Self—not just believing that it is a good idea. We are congruent with our Being. We are an embodiment of the truth of who we are. This security in who we are is like a tree whose roots are firmly planted in the ground, able to withstand strong winds of adversity. It keeps us from entering other persons’ “reality” and taking on the resulting feelings of fear and anxiety they are experiencing. Staying grounded in our true Selves prevents us from triggering our own thought system similarities to the other person’s thoughts and commiserating with their predicament. Instead, we relate to their By Joe Bailey innate Spirit that has the power to transcend the situation and see solutions. When a child is frightened by the dark, the natural parental response is to reassure the child, hold them with affection, and remain calm while they are upset. Most parents don’t take on their child’s irrational fears. Over time the child will lose his fear of the dark through persistent, calm reassurance from his parents. This same principle applies to adult situations. For many years I worked with hospitals and clinics to teach health care professionals how to remain calm Continued on the next page... Staying Grounded Stay Grounded in Presence and Being (from Fearproof Your Life)
  • 8. with patients who were extremely emotional or in life-threatening situations. I taught these professionals how to “be with” the person in pain by listening deeply to them, feeling compassion, and then doing their jobs (mending a wound, performing a surgery, administering medication). Over the course of time, the level of staff burnout and stress decreased significantly while patient satisfaction reports went up dramatically. Of course, the hospital always intended to be a caring institution, but under extreme stress the staff had lost their bearings (grounding). From that negative state of mind, the staff ignored their patients, became calloused, quit listening, and lost most of their compassion. Because they judged their patients and took their emotional states personally, the staff had no immunity from patients’ negativity. They suffered from what is now a popular term in medical circles—“compassion fatigue.” By empowering themselves through understanding how they and everyone else creates their experience via their thinking, they were able to return to the caring people they had been before they became burned out. The staff at the hospital I worked with also became immune to other staff members’ negativity. They discovered how not to get caught up in the gossip that was always flying around the conference rooms. By remaining in their true Selves, they were able to listen compassionately to their coworkers. They also knew when to walk away and not participate in the gossip and fearful projections so common in these types of institutions. The entire culture shifted from one of negativity, stress, and anger to one of calm, caring, and compassion. Like the hospital personnel, we have the ability to be with others who are in a state of fear or other negative emotional states and not catch their “mental flu.” Remaining grounded in our true Selves allows us to listen deeply and feel com-passion when we are with others who are in pain without sacrificing our healthy state of balance. Joe Bailey’s life purpose is to help people find true happiness and peace of mind. Towards this end, he studied psychology at the undergraduate and graduate levels, eventually becoming a licensed psychologist. For the past thirty years, Joe’s desire to understand the connection between the psychological, physical and spiritual facets of human beings has pulled him into a deeper understanding of the whole person and away from the current fragmented view. His search led to a health-based approach to counseling, prevention programs, workplace wellness and the attainment of a personal life of peace, joy and fulfillment for all people. www.joebaileyandassociates.com About the Author:
  • 10. owadays, our busy schedules make it hard to find time to take care of ourselves by eating healthfully and exercising. We consulted nutrition, health and fitness experts to come up with seven simple steps to take for better health. Our tips keep hectic lifestyles in mind and promote the two basics of a healthy diet: balance and variety. You can find more information like this in the book, Great Adventures in Food (St. Martin’s Press, 2000), by FoodFit founder and CEO Ellen Haas. HEALTH SECTION N 1: Breakfast is a habit to cultivate Yogurt with fruit is a breakfast option full of calcium and antioxidants. Research shows that breakfast-eaters consume fewer calories at lunch and dinner and are less likely to snack compulsively the rest of the day. What you have for breakfast matters. A study found that people who kicked off the day with eggs or pastries ate more saturated fat throughout the day than people who had cereal and fruit for breakfast. • A breakfast that’s high in fiber and carbohydrates but low in fat gets your metabolism moving faster. Breakfast skippers burn fewer calories. • Good grab-and-go breakfasts are a banana or a bag of dry cereal such as oat squares (oats lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels). • Mix berries into plain yogurt for a calcium and antioxidant boost. Continued on the next page... 7 Step Plan for Healthy Living by Ann Coulston, Jane Folkman, Rachel Johnson, Richard Cotton and Carol Krucoff (From Discovery Fit & Health)
  • 11. • If you’re opting for an energy bar, check the label carefully and pick the one with the least calories and saturated fat 2: Think “portion control” — size it up! A serving of meat, fish or poultry is equal to a deck of playing cards. Don’t feel you have to clean your plate when you’re eating out. Most meals are a lot larger than the average adult requires. Try splitting dinner with a friend. There are so many healthy advantages to eating a balanced diet featuring plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. So make sure you eat enough of them. Remember: • A serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards or your palm. • Be sure to read the food label. Many snacks are sold as single servings but actually provide two servings or more, like a bag of pretzels. • Substitute one or two “first course” dishes for the main; you’ll get a variety of tastes without huge portions. • Water works. Drinks lots of it at the table to slow eating and hunger. The American Institute of Cancer Research, one of FoodFit’s resource associations, has more information on portion control. 3: Plan ahead for snacks Sliced fruit is a healthy snack. Snacking isn’t a bad habit if you’re mindful of how many calories you’re eating. (Keep a food and exercise diary to stay on track and stay honest.) In fact, eating frequently instead of waiting until you’re ravenous might help you avoid overeating. It also keeps blood sugar levels normal and brain chemistry in balance. • Have a corner in the fridge reserved for good-for-you nibbles. Wash some carrots or celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, peppers, shelled peas, strawberries and blueberries and place them in airtight see-through con tainers or plastic bags. • Put some cut-up veggies or sliced fruit on the table to help you through those starving moments just before dinner is ready. • Snack only when you’re hungry; it’s not the cure for a glum mood. 4: Small changes make a big difference — to your waistline Cupcakes don’t have to be a bad thing, just choose lower-fat versions. Continued on the next page...
  • 12. Choose low fat. Switching to 1 percent or skim milk from 2 percent slashes the fat by at least half. Eat your fruit instead of drinking it. You’ll get more fiber and antioxidants and fewer calories (an orange has 90 calories and an 8-ounce glass of orange juice has 110 calories). Other changes that make a difference: • Knock the word “club” off your sandwich, i.e., drop the bacon, cheese and extra bread. Go for mustard to add flavor and save calories and fat. • Hold the butter on your movie popcorn and you’ll save over 200 calories. • An English muffin is usually half the calories of an average bagel and they’re remarkably low in fat, too. • Switch to water from sugary sodas 5: Fit fitness in throughout the day You don’t have to be a runner to stretch — try stretching while talking on the phone. Lifestyle activities can provide health benefits similar to a traditional gym-based workout. Get moving by parking in the farthest space, climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator, or walking or stretching while you’re on the phone. • The goal for good health is to accumulate 10,000 steps a day, experts say. To help keep track, some people use an electronic pedometer — a palm-sized gadget that clips to your waistband and measures the number of steps you take. • Balance on one foot while brushing your teeth. Balance on the other foot while combing your hair. • Take your dog for a walk every day. If you don’t have a dog, borrow your neighbor’s, or just walk your “inner dog.” 6: Remember the basics of good nutrition For a healthier diet, consume a variety of healthy foods. There are three “rules” for healthy eating. They’re easy to remember and easy to follow. • Expand the variety of foods in your diet. • Add more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to the foods you already eat. • Select more lower-fat food choices. 7: Treat yourself Yoga can exercise the body and quiet the mind. Pick a day or two in the week and have a treat that is planned, such as a dessert or entrée that you especially enjoy. The extra 100-200 calories you’ve eaten will then be easily burned off with a 1-2 mile walk. Other ideas include: • Challenge yourself with a 5K run or walk. • Treat yourself to a massage. • Try meditating, yoga or an old-fashioned nap. • Take care of yourself as often as you can. Copyright The FoodFit Company All Rights Reserved
  • 13. Letters from A Better Today Community Hello, Thank you for sharing your ideas about religion and life. It is difficult to find a person who will be honest about those topics, which makes dealing with our own feelings overwhelming sometimes. Hearing you speak your mind and share your truth helps me deal with mine. I am grateful. Delilah P. Portland, Oregon Steve, Thanks for this magazine and for your helpful radio show! You have really good advice about relationships, but can you talk more about dating for those of us who aren’t in deep relationships yet? I trust your advice and look forward to hearing more. Lee K. Camden, New Jersey Super Duper Guru Steve, Hehehe! I love how you make such sense (and non-sense) of our chasing “gurus”. Steve, you are a breath of fresh air for me and I’m sure for many others. Your words are wise and practical and I appreciate the time you take and effort you make to share your life with all of us. Please don’t ever stop shining your light! Darla F. St. Louis, Missouri Mr. Steve, I got my whole school listening to you Steve. Your words are what we need these days of bad role models. I wish you could come to my school and address the senior class. Is this possible? Thanks for being such a great role model to so many people! Alberto R. Bronx, NY (note: Steve has contacted the school and will be speaking there this year)
  • 14. nfortunately, teasing is often part of growing up — almost every child experiences it. But it isn’t always as innocuous as it seems. Words can cause pain. Teasing becomes bullying when it is repetitive or when there is a conscious intent to hurt another child. It can be verbal bullying (making threats, name-calling), psychological bullying (excluding children, spreading rumors), or physical bullying (hitting, pushing, taking a child’s possessions). Bullying and Teasing: No Laughing Matter LIFE SECTION U How Bullying Starts Bullying behavior is prevalent throughout the world and it cuts across socio-economic, racial/ethnic, and cultural lines. Researchers estimate that 20 to 30 percent of school-age children are involved in bullying incidents, as either perpetrators or victims. Bullying can begin as early as preschool and intensify during transitional stages, such as starting school in 1st grade or going into middle school. Victims of bullying are often shy and tend to be physically weaker than their peers. They may also have low self-esteem and poor social skills, which makes it hard for them to stand up for themselves. Bullies consider these children safe targets because they usually don’t retaliate. Effects of Bullying If your child is the victim of bullying, he may suffer physically and emotionally, and his schoolwork will likely show it. Grades drop because, instead of listening to the teacher, kids are wondering what they did wrong and whether anyone will sit with them at lunch. If bullying persists, they may be afraid to go to school. Problems with low self-esteem and depression can last into adulthood and interfere with personal and professional lives. Bullies are affected too, even into adulthood; they may have difficulty forming positive relationships. They are more apt to use tobacco and alcohol, and to be abusive spouses. Some studies have even found a correlation with later criminal activities. Warning Signs If you’re concerned that your child is a victim of teasing or bullying, look for these signs of stress: • Increased passivity or withdrawal • Frequent crying Continued on the next page... Bullying: Know the facts about bullying, even if you don’t think bullying affects your child.
  • 15. • Recurrent complaints of physical symptoms such as stomach-aches or headaches with no apparent cause • Unexplained bruises • Sudden drop in grades or other learning problems • Not wanting to go to school • Significant changes in social life — suddenly no one is calling or extending invitations • Sudden change in the way your child talks — calling herself a loser, or a former friend a jerk How to Help First, give your child space to talk. If she recounts incidences of teasing or bullying, be empathetic. If your child has trouble verbalizing her feelings, read a story about children being teased or bullied. You can also use puppets, dolls, or stuffed animals to encourage a young child to act out problems. Once you’ve opened the door, help your child begin to problem-solve. Role-play situations and teach your child ways to respond. You might also need to help your child find a way to move on by encouraging her to reach out and make new friends. She might join teams and school clubs to widen her circle. At home and on the playground: Adults need to intervene to help children resolve bullying issues, but calling another parent directly can be tricky unless he or she is a close friend. It is easy to find yourself in a “he said/she said” argument. Try to find an intermediary: even if the bullying occurs outside of school, a teacher, coun-selor, coach, or after-school program director may be able to help mediate a productive discussion. If you do find yourself talking directly to the other parent, try to do it in person rather than over the phone. Don’t begin with an angry recounting of the other child’s offenses. Set the stage for a collaborative approach by suggesting going to the playground, or walking the children to school together, to observe interactions and jointly express disapproval for any unacceptable behavior. At school: Many schools (sometimes as part of a statewide effort) have programs especially designed to raise awareness of bullying behavior and to help parents and teachers deal effectively with it. Check with your local school district to see if it has such a program. Schools and parents can work effectively behind the scenes to help a child meet and make new friends via study groups or science-lab partnerships. If you are concerned about your child: • Share with the teacher what your child has told you; describe any teasing or bullying you may have witnessed. • Ask the teacher if she sees similar behavior at school, and enlist her help in finding ways to solve the problem. • If she hasn’t seen any instances of teasing, ask that she keep an eye out for the behavior you described. • If the teacher says your child is being teased, find out whether there are any things he may be doing in class to attract teasing. Ask how he responds to the teasing, and discuss helping him develop a more effective response. • After the initial conversation, be sure to make a follow-up appointment to discuss how things are going. • If the problem persists, or the teacher ignores your concerns, and your child starts to withdraw or not want to go to school, consider the possibility of “therapeutic intervention.” Ask to meet with the school counselor or psychologist, or request a referral to the appropriate school professional. Written by the Scholastic. © http://www.scholastic.com
  • 16. Let today be the day… You embrace the truth that you DO have such control to label every event in your life and create an agreement with reality that empowers you and propels you to greatness. Small Gestures That Make a BIG Difference Gesture #10 — Randomly drop some friendly or inspirational cards in the mailboxes of your neighbors. Gesture #54 — Clip coupons for products you don’t use, and “plant” them in the grocery store where those products are displayed. Someone will be delighted to find them! Gesture #105 — Take a moment to compliment someone on their appearance. Most people spend time in front of their mirror negatively judging themselves. Your compliment could really lift their day. Gesture #308 — When grocery shopping, always buy an extra can of tuna, box of pasta, jar of peanut butter, or other dry, canned, or jarred food, and donate them to a local shelter. (from “The Power Of One”) Philosophy In Action How would your life be different if… You could control the outcome of your day, your week, your year?
  • 17. or one week, reserve a block of time each day to connect with the people who mean the most to you — your family. From Lisa Oz, author of Us: Transforming Ourselves and the Relationships That Matter Most. Great Family Bonding Activities LIFE SECTION F Day 1. Have family breakfast together. If you or your spouse normally leaves before everyone else, let your boss know you will be running a little late. Sit down at the table, and before you eat, take a moment to express gratitude that you are a family. Day 2. Have family date night. Do something fun all together. Go to dinner or bowling or miniature golf. Or just stay home and play board games. Try to avoid things like movies or TV. This activity is about bonding, and when you are watching something, you can’t really speak to each other. Day 3. Make a family values document. Get together for half an hour and brainstorm a list of the things that are important to you and your loved ones. For our family these things are telling the truth, saying you’re sorry, letting go of resentment, being considerate of other people’s feelings, and sharing whatever you have. Make sure that yours are personally meaningful for each member of your family, then have everyone sign it as a covenant that you will all strive to live by. Continued on the next page...
  • 18. Day 4. Take an evening to revisit old family memories. Watch home videos of when the kids were little or peruse photo albums. Have the children talk about their favorite birthdays or vacations and tell them stories of when you were little. Day 5. Have the kids write down what they will be like as parents. If they’re too little to write, let them dictate to you. Encourage them to list the ways they will be similar to you in discipline style and how they will be different. You’ll probably get lots of “I’ll let my kids stay up as late as they want and watch TV all day,” but there may also be some “I won’t yell at them when they forget to pick up their toys.” Look for things you could change in your own parenting approach based on your child’s perceptions. Day 6. Schedule a date for an extended family party or picnic. Invite as many uncles, great-aunts, and cousins as you can remember. Have everybody bring a dish (with a printout of the recipe) and volunteer to assemble, photocopy, and disseminate your family’s personal heirloom cookbook. Also, bring a stack of poster board and markers and have everyone contribute to filling in the family tree. Day 7. Make a decision to do something as a group that will benefit people beyond your immediate family. You can volunteer your time at charities like local soup kitchens (I have found a few in New York that allow older children to participate) or make something together that you can donate at a school fundraiser. My kids really enjoy taking flowers to the nearby retirement home and spending time with the residents. You can also set aside some money each month and determine as a family where you will give it. We let each child have a set amount specifically allocated to their own favorite foundations. For example, with the Oz kids, Oliver tends to prefer organizations that seek to preserve the environment or support the troops overseas, while Arabella wants to help orphans. Discover what matters to your family and get involved. LISA Oz is a housewife living in New Jersey. She also moonlights as a writer, producer and entrepreneur. With her husband, Dr. Mehmet Oz, she has raised four children, coauthored five New York Times best-selling books, including YOU: The Owner’s Manual series, and cohosted a daily radio show on Sirius/XM, yet is somehow unable to organize her closet or stick to a diet.
  • 19. What Most People Don’t Know OTALLY unassociated with the honeymoon ;-) … Most people are familiar with the tiny pill that boasts of big results, Viagra. But what most people don’t know is that Viagra was originally developed and marketed as a pill to help with blood pressure issues and hypertension. It failed to catch market interest and the developers were ready to give up on the drug until they noticed a common “side effect”. Viagra was then repackaged and marketed with this “side effect” being its primary use. ost people know about weddings and the beautiful time that follows known as the “honeymoon”. The bliss of the honeymoon stage has been well understood and has even crossed into other parts of our culture when referencing a grace period. But what most people don’t know is where this “honeymoon” idea originated. Long before the expensive trips and relax-ing vacations for a happily married couple, it was the accepted practice in Babylonia 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride’s father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer, and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the “honey month” or what would gradually transition into what we know today as the “honeymoon”. M T KNOWLEDGE SECTION “The word ‘seek’ is a verb. Are you treating it as such in your life? If you seek change, success, or love, DO it - BE it!” - Steve Maraboli “Become the leader of your life. Lead yourself to where you want to be. Breathe life back into your ambitions, your desires, your goals, your relationships.” -S teve Maraboli ay What?!?... Most people have heard and maybe even used the expression, “the rule of thumb”, when discussing the general rules of a situation or project. But what most people don’t know is that this expressing came from an obscure law passed in the 1400’s. This law stated that a man was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick thicker than his thumb. Hence, we have “the rule of thumb.” S
  • 20. Laugh (Submitted by Listeners From Around the World) Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. The sole purpose of a child’s middle name, is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble. , , I couldn’t repair my brakes, so I made the horn louder. What are people thinking?... During a recent password audit, it was found that one of our employees was using the following password: MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouie DeweyDonaldGoofy When asked why such a big password, he said he was told it had to be at least 8 characters long. I intend to live forever — so far so good. I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather.. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car. Right now I’m having amnesia and deja vu at the same time — I think I’ve forgotten this before.
  • 21. Listen live or download from our amazing archive library 100% free: www.empoweredlivingradio.com “Steve Maraboli is the real thing! If you want down to Earth, practical advice and discussion about how to energize and enlighten your life, check out Steve’s show.” - James Redfield, The Celestine Prophecy “Steve Maraboli is amazing and genuine! He offers exactly what people need to wake up, free themselves of their imagined burdens, and live a life of joy and success.” - Byron Katie, A Thousand Names for Joy “Simply remarkable! Steve Maraboli shares potent strategies and breakthrough philosophies that will undoubtedly boost all aspects of your life.” - Mark Riley, New York Times “Steve takes you from just existing to truly living!” - Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements